Terms of Service

Last updated: October 2, 2026

These terms cover website design and related services from South Shore Websites, a sole proprietorship run by Chris and based in New York ("we," "us"). By approving a sample or paying for a plan, you ("you," the client) agree to these terms. If anything here is unclear, email us before you pay.

1. Free sample

We may build a free sample homepage for your business. There is no cost and no obligation. If you don't move forward, you owe nothing, and we'll delete the sample if you ask.

2. Plans and pricing

• Starter Website: $600 one-time build fee, plus a $79/month care plan.
• $0 Down: $129/month with a 12-month minimum term. No upfront build fee.

Both plans include Google Business Profile setup. Prices are in US dollars. Any extra work outside your plan is quoted in writing (by email) before we start.

3. Payment

Payments are made by card through Stripe. Monthly plans bill automatically each month. We never see or store your full card number. If a payment fails, we'll email you. If it isn't resolved within 14 days, we may pause your care plan or take your site offline until it is.

4. What the care plan covers

Hosting for your site, routine updates, and reasonable edits such as changing hours, prices, services, text, or photos. Requests are made by email. New pages, redesigns, or large projects are quoted separately.

5. Cancelling

• Starter Website care plan: cancel any time by email. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing month.
• $0 Down: you can cancel after the 12-month minimum, effective at the end of the current billing month. If you cancel before 12 months, the remaining months of the minimum term are due.

Payments already made are not refunded for partial months. Because you see and approve a free sample before paying anything, we don't offer refunds on a build fee after your site goes live. If something isn't right, email us and we'll work to fix it.

6. What you own

Your domain is registered in your name. Your business name, logo, text, and photos stay yours. Once your build is paid (or your $0 Down minimum term is complete), the design and site files we made for you are yours too.

If you leave: no transfer fees

• Domain transfer is free of charge. When you ask, we'll unlock your domain and send you the transfer code with simple step-by-step instructions. If we manage the domain on your behalf, we'll hand it over to you at no cost. We never hold a domain back.
• Your site files are free of charge. We'll email you a complete copy (a .zip of every page, image, and file) so you can host it anywhere.
• We don't charge any fee to transfer, release, or hand over your domain or site. The only costs are whatever your new registrar or host charges you directly (a domain transfer usually includes one added year of registration).
• Timing note: domain registration rules let registrars block moving a domain to a different registrar for up to 60 days after it is first registered (or after a previous transfer). If you leave during that window, your domain keeps working where it is, and we'll send the transfer code as soon as the window ends. ICANN has approved shortening this window to 30 days; whichever rule is in effect at the time applies.

You're responsible for hosting your site elsewhere after you cancel.

7. Your responsibilities

• Give us accurate information about your business, and review your site before it goes live.
• Only send us content (photos, logos, text) you have the right to use.
• Keep your domain, Google, and other account logins secure. We use manager or delegated access where possible and never need your passwords.

8. How we build

We use modern tools, including AI-assisted tools, to design and build sites. Every site is personally reviewed by a real person before you see it.

9. No guarantees on results

We build your site and Google Business Profile to follow good practices, but we can't guarantee search rankings, map placement, calls, or sales. Google and other platforms control their own results and policies.

10. Limitation of liability

We provide our services with care, but "as is." To the extent the law allows, our total liability for any claim is limited to the amount you paid us in the 3 months before the claim, and we're not liable for indirect or lost-profit damages.

11. Changes and governing law

We may update these terms. If a change affects an active plan, we'll email you at least 30 days before it applies. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

12. Contact

Email southshorewebsites@gmail.com.