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 navigation for links containing 'terms.' If a terms page is found, SiteCurl verifies it returns a 200 status code.

The check does not evaluate the content of the terms. It verifies that a terms of service page exists and is accessible from your site.

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

Terms of service define the rules for using your website. They cover what visitors can and cannot do, your liability limits, intellectual property rights, dispute resolution, and account termination policies. Without them, the legal relationship between your business and your users is undefined.

For SaaS products, terms of service are essential. They define the service level, refund policies, data ownership, and acceptable use. Enterprise buyers review terms of service during procurement. A missing terms page can stall or kill a deal with a larger company.

For e-commerce sites, terms protect against chargebacks, returns abuse, and liability claims. They set clear expectations about shipping, returns, and warranty. Without written terms, disputes default to the customer's interpretation of what was promised.

Even for simple informational sites, terms of service protect against content scraping, unauthorized reproduction, and liability for advice given on the site. They are a basic legal safeguard that every public website should have.

Terms of service protect your business legally. They limit your liability, define acceptable use of your site, and establish the jurisdiction for disputes. Without them, you have fewer legal options when things go wrong.

Visitors expect to find terms of service in the footer. Their presence signals that the site is operated by a legitimate business that takes its obligations seriously. Missing terms raise the same trust concerns as a missing privacy policy.

Payment processors, advertising platforms, and marketplace integrations often require terms of service as a condition of participation. Missing terms can block you from using these services.

SaaS products need terms of service before accepting paid users. The terms define what the service includes, data handling, uptime expectations, and cancellation rules. Enterprise buyers will not sign up without reviewing your terms.

E-commerce sites need terms to govern shipping, returns, and liability. Clear terms reduce support disputes and protect against fraudulent claims.

Service businesses need terms to define scope, payment, and liability. A consulting firm without terms has no written agreement governing the engagement when clients sign up through the website.

Step 1: Create a terms of service page. Cover the basics: acceptable use, intellectual property, liability limitations, governing law, and dispute resolution. If your site sells products or services, include payment terms, refund policies, and delivery expectations.

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

Step 3: Reference terms during signup or checkout. If users create accounts or make purchases, include a checkbox or notice that references the terms of service. This strengthens the legal standing of the agreement.

Step 4: Have a lawyer review it. While a basic terms page is better than none, a lawyer can ensure the terms actually protect your business under the laws of your jurisdiction. This is especially important for SaaS and e-commerce businesses.

Copying terms from another site. Terms of service should reflect your specific business, services, and jurisdiction. Copied terms may include clauses that do not apply to you or miss protections you need. Use them as a reference, not a template.

Writing terms that no one can understand. While legal language has a purpose, terms written entirely in legalese alienate users. Use plain language where possible and save the formal language for the clauses that require legal precision.

Never updating the terms. When your business model changes (new products, new pricing, new features), your terms should reflect those changes. Outdated terms can create gaps in your legal coverage.

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.