Check if your site has terms of service

SiteCurl looks for a terms of service page at common paths like /terms, /terms-of-service, /tos, and /legal/terms. It also checks your footer nav for links that say 'terms.' If a terms page is found, SiteCurl checks it returns a 200 status code.

The check does not judge the content of the terms. It confirms that a terms page exists and can be reached from your site.

This is one of a few trust signal checks under the technical health category.

Terms of service set the rules for using your site. They cover what users can and cannot do, your limits on blame, IP rights, dispute steps, and account cutoff rules. Without them, the legal bond between your firm and your users is unclear.

For SaaS products, terms are a must. They define service level, refund rules, data rights, and fair use. Large buyers review terms during buying. A missing terms page can stall or kill a deal with a bigger firm.

For online stores, terms guard against chargebacks, return abuse, and blame claims. They set clear rules for shipping, returns, and warranty. Without written terms, disputes fall back on the buyer's view of what was promised.

Even for simple info sites, terms guard against content scraping, copying, and blame for advice on the site. They are a basic legal shield that each public site should have.

Terms of service guard your firm in court. They limit your blame, define fair use of your site, and set the location for disputes. Without them, you have fewer legal options when things go wrong.

Users expect to find terms in the footer. Their presence shows the site is run by a real firm that takes its duties to heart. Missing terms raise the same trust flags as a missing privacy policy.

Payment tools, ad networks, and marketplace links often require terms of service to join. Missing terms can block you from using these services.

SaaS products need terms before taking paid users. The terms define what the service covers, data handling, uptime goals, and cancel rules. Large buyers will not sign up without reading your terms.

Online stores need terms to govern shipping, returns, and blame. Clear terms cut support disputes and guard against fraud claims.

Service firms need terms to define scope, payment, and blame. A consulting firm with no terms has no written deal in place when clients sign up through the website.

Step 1: Create a terms of service page. Cover the basics: fair use, IP rights, blame limits, governing law, and dispute steps. If your site sells products or services, add payment terms, refund rules, and shipping details.

Step 2: Link it from your footer. Place the terms link next to your privacy policy link in the site footer. Users expect both in the same spot. Use clear link text like 'Terms of Service' or 'Terms of Use.'

Step 3: Note the terms during signup or checkout. If users make accounts or buy things, include a checkbox or notice that points to the terms of service. This makes the deal stronger in court.

Step 4: Have a lawyer review it. A basic terms page is better than none, but a lawyer can make sure the terms protect your firm under the laws of your area. This matters most for SaaS and online stores.

Copying terms from a new site. Terms should reflect your own firm, services, and location. Copied terms may have clauses that do not apply to you or miss guards you need. Use them as a guide, not a template.

Writing terms no one can read. Legal language has a role, but terms written fully in legalese push users away. Use plain words where you can and save formal language for the clauses that need legal weight.

Never updating the terms. When your model changes (new products, new pricing, new features), your terms should match. Old terms can leave gaps in your legal shield.

After creating your terms page, run another SiteCurl scan. The check should pass. Visit your site and check the footer for a working link to the terms page.

Check the page loads correctly: curl -sI https://yoursite.com/terms should return HTTP 200.

Terms of service protect your business and signal legitimacy to visitors. Create a terms page that covers acceptable use, liability, and key policies. Link it from your footer next to your privacy policy. Have a lawyer review it if your site handles payments or user data.