Terms Of Service

Last Updated: March 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the website design, development, hosting, and management services ("Services") provided by Zahtel Digital Systems ("we," "us," or "our") to you ("Client"). By subscribing to our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

2. Service Description & Subscription Model

We operate a Website-as-a-Service (WaaS) subscription model.

  • No Upfront Fees: Services commence upon payment of the first monthly subscription fee.

  • Subscription Basis: Services are provided on a recurring monthly basis for the duration of your selected plan (Tier 1, 2, or 3) as described on our website.

  • Minimum Term: All plans require a 12-month minimum contract term. After this initial term, the subscription continues month-to-month until canceled by either party with 30 days' written notice.

  • Ownership & License: During the active subscription period, we grant you a license to use the website we design and host for you. Full ownership of the final design and content is transferred to you only upon completion of the initial 12-month contract term. Early termination forfeits this ownership transfer.

3. Client Responsibilities

You agree to:

  • Provide accurate business information, branding assets, and content in a timely manner.

  • Secure any necessary licenses for materials (logos, images, text) you provide.

  • Not use the website for unlawful, infringing, or malicious purposes.

4. Payment & Billing

  • Fees are billed monthly in advance via Stripe.

  • Payments are non-refundable. No refunds or credits for partial months, early termination (except as required by law), or unused time.

  • If payment fails, we may suspend Services until payment is received.

5. Termination

  • By You (After Minimum Term): You may cancel by providing 30 days' written notice via email.

  • By Us for Cause: We may suspend or terminate Services immediately for: (a) non-payment; (b) violation of these Terms; (c) client insolvency.

  • Effect of Termination: Upon termination for any reason:

    • All unpaid fees become immediately due.

    • All Services cease immediately, including but not limited to: website hosting, security monitoring, software updates, content changes, on-page SEO optimizations, Google Business Profile management, review monitoring and responses, monthly reporting, call tracking, and any other ongoing maintenance or marketing activities outlined in your service plan.

    • Your website and associated data will be de-hosted and made inaccessible.

    • If you have completed the 12-month term, we will provide a website export file (per Squarespace's capabilities).

6. What Happens After 12 Months?

After your initial 12 months, you have complete freedom to choose what's next—and we've designed the transition to be fair, transparent, and respectful of the work we've accomplished together.

If you decide to stay: You keep the same pricing and priority support with no new contract required—just a simple 30-day cancellation notice if you ever change your mind. Most clients choose to continue month-to-month because by month 12, their website is fully optimized, their call tracking data has revealed exactly what marketing works, and our monthly reports have become an essential part of their business intelligence.

If you choose to leave: You walk away with everything you own:

  • Complete website files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and all associated code)

  • Every piece of content, copy, and imagery you provided or we created together

  • Transfer of your domain back to your control so you can point it to any new provider

What remains with us:

  • All analytics data, including but not limited to: Google Analytics insights, search console data, traffic patterns, and user behavior metrics

  • Complete call tracking history, call recordings, transcripts, and lead source data

  • Aggregated performance reports and marketing insights

  • SEO ranking data and historical optimization records

  • Any proprietary systems, workflows, or methodologies used to manage your online presence

All data, insights, and tracking history help us improve our systems for all clients. Your monthly reports serve as your permanent record of everything we accomplished during our partnership.

The 12-month term exists for one reason: it gives us the time needed to implement proper SEO, gather meaningful data, and deliver compounding growth rather than superficial quick fixes. We're not here to trap you—we're here to prove our value and earn the right to keep working with you.

7. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer

  • Our Services are provided "as is." We do not guarantee specific business outcomes, lead volumes, or search engine rankings.

  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability is limited to the fees you paid in the one (1) month preceding the claim.

  • We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (e.g., lost profits, data).

8. General

  • We reserve the right to modify these Terms. Continued use of Services after changes constitutes acceptance.

  • These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Zahtel Digital Systems.

Contact:jenny@zahteldigitalsystems.ca