Terms & Conditions for Search Engine Optimization Services

Last modified: October 7, 2019

 

1. Definitions

To bring clarity into these terms and conditions, we are going to define some SEO terms/jargon which we have used in the contract. Our goal is to develop a contract in plain English which is mutually understood by all the parties entering into the contract and which minimizes erroneous beliefs.

However, we make no warranty/guarantee of accuracy and completeness of the SEO terms described below. Our definitions should not be considered as to be-all and end-all of the SEO terminology.

For the purposes of this agreement:

“Deliverable “- It is a term used in project management to describe a tangible or intangible object produced as a result of the project that is intended to be delivered to a customer (either internal or external). A deliverable could be a report, a document, a server upgrade or any other building block of an overall project.

 “SEO” –Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume or quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via “natural” or un-paid (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results as opposed to search engine marketing (SEM) which deals with paid inclusion.

“Social Media Optimization” – It is a set of methods that are used to generate publicity through social media.

 “Search Engines” – It is a computer program that is used to retrieve documents from a computer network. Three popular search engines are Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

 “Client’s Competitor” – It is an individual or a company that is in the same exact niche as the client and is targeting same/identical keywords in the same/nearby geographic location(s).

 “Keyword” – Keyword or keyword phrase is a search term(s) that is used to retrieve information through search engines.

 “Keyword Research” – It is a practice used by search engine optimization professionals to find and research actual search terms people enter into the search engines when conducting a search.

 “Keyword Stuffing” – It is considered to be an unethical search engine optimization (SEO) technique. Keyword stuffing occurs when a web page is loaded with keywords in the meta tags or in content.

 “keywords cannibalization” – Several web pages targeting same keyword(s)

 “URL”- It is the address of the web page on the Internet.

 “URL Canonicalization” – It is the process of picking the best URL when there are several choices, and it usually refers to home pages.

“Link Building” – It is a Search Engine Optimization technique that is used to get backlinks (or votes) for a website.

 “Link Bait” –Link bait is any content or feature within a website that somehow baits viewers to place links to it from other websites.

“Website Usability”- It means how easy it is for visitors to use your website.

 “Website Accessibility”- It means how accessible your web pages are to your visitors and search engines.

 “User Engagement”- refers to the degree to which a visitor has been positively influenced by the website and is engaged to it.

 “Conversions”- Also known as goals. They can be orders, leads, downloads, page views, sign-ups, traffic, etc.

 “Conversion Rate”- It is the percentage of visits that result in goal conversions.

 “KPI”- KPI or Key Performance Indicator is used to measure how well an organization or individual is accomplishing its goals and objectives.

 “Link popularity”- It is the measure of the quantity and quality of inbound links (backlinks) to your website.

 “Confidential Information”- It includes but is not limited to, any and all fees, services, documents, recommendations, reports, e-mails, postal mail, courier or phone/skype consultation for the purpose of reporting, recommending or educating the client by WebMatrix for carrying out search engine optimization services.

 

2. Deliverables

WebMatrix is committed to providing the following deliverables:

  1. Website Audit Report

It provides (but it not limited to):

  • Review of the competitiveness of the client’s industry and the targeted keywords.
  • Review of issues related to website usability, website credibility, website accessibility, user engagement, legal issues and suggestions regarding how to fix them.
  • Recommendations for avoiding/fixing negative SEO issues (keyword stuffing, duplicate contents, URL canonicalization, hidden text, hidden links, sneaky redirects, keywords cannibalization, etc)
  • Review of the client’s site traffic – how visitors find your website, where they come from and how they use it. How keywords and advertising campaigns are performing. How the site is performing in comparison to hundreds of other sites in the comparable industries.
  1. Competitive Analysis Report

It provides vital information regarding competitors like who are your competitors, which keywords they are targeting, what are they doing to attract traffic and links. From where they have got their backlinks. We also determine the current ranking potential of your competitors in search engines and help in establishing KPIs.

  1. Keyword Research Report

It provides a list of keywords that can bring the highest volume of relevant traffic to the website along with their search volume. It also provides suggestions regarding how keywords should be used on-site to attract additional traffic.

  1. Website Optimization

We try to fix all the issues we have identified during the website audit so that the website works for the client’s business and is able to convert relevant traffic into sales or leads.

  1. On-page optimization

We suggest modifying the title tags, meta tags, contents, HTML code, naming conventions and other on-page factors of the client’s website to make it relevant to search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) for targeted keywords. We do keywords positioning/placement to attract additional traffic to the site.

  1. Link Building

We acquire/request/buy links from a vast array of websites to improve the ranking potential of your website in search engines and to rank for targeted keyword phrases.

  1. Link Bait/Viral Content Development

We develop and promote content (articles, blogs, website directory, etc) which help in getting additional traffic and links to your site and also helps in improving the conversion rate.

  1. SEO Analysis

We continuously monitor the effectiveness of our SEO campaign and send you traffic, and rankings report on a regular basis.

 

3. Assignment of Specific Rights

For the purposes of receiving professional SEO services, Client agrees to provide the following:

  1. Give WebMatrix FTP and other back-end access to the web site for uploading new web pages and making changes on the web pages for the purpose of on-page optimization if necessary.
  2. Permission to communicate directly with any third parties, e.g., your web designer, web developer, etc if necessary.
  3. Full access to existing website traffic statistics for analysis and tracking purposes like access to Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Omniture, etc.
  4. The client authorizes WebMatrix use of all client’s logos, trademarks, Web site images, content, etc., for use in creating informational pages and any other uses as deemed necessary by WebMatrix for search engine optimization.
  5. If the Client’s site is lacking in textual content, the Client will provide additional text content in electronic format for the purpose of creating additional or richer web pages. WebMatrix can create site content at additional cost to the Client. If the Client is interested in purchasing content from WebMatrix, it can be provided at an additional cost of S$25.00/300 words/page.

 

 4. Non-Disclosure Agreement

At any time during or subsequent to the contract period, the client agrees to keep in strictest confidence and trust all of the WebMatrix confidential information to which the client has access. The client will not use or disclose the WebMatrix confidential information without the written consent of WebMatrix.

The client agrees not to attack/criticize WebMatrix and any of its employees, associate or partner publicly (on public forums, blogs, social networks, etc) at any time during or subsequent to contract period. 

 

5. Disclaimers

Client acknowledges the following with respect to SEO services from WebMatrix:

  1. All fees are non-refundable.
  2. WebMatrix has no control over the policies and ranking algorithms of search engines with respect to the type of sites and/or content that they accept now or in the future. The client’s web site may be excluded from any search engine or directory at any time at the sole discretion of the search engine or directory.
  3. Due to the competitiveness of some keywords/phrases, ongoing changes in search engine ranking algorithms, and other competitive factors, WebMatrixdoes not guarantee No.1 positions or consistent top 10 positions for any particular keyword, phrase, or search term.
  4. Google has been known to hinder the rankings of new websites (or pages) until they have proven their viability to exist for more than “x” amount of time or have enough backlink strength.WebMatrixassumes no liability for ranking, traffic, indexing issues related to such penalties. Consequently, the client understands that ranking new websites is much more difficult than ranking old and established sites and he should not have unrealistic expectations about rankings, traffic, and revenues.
  5. The new website may get a temporary boost in ranking for some targeted keywords for a few days but then it settles down to its real place. This is known as ‘new site boost effect’ and it is quite common to happen. Consequently, the client understands that his new site has not really got top rankings within a month and soon it will go down to its actual position.
  6. Occasionally, search engines will drop listings for no apparent reason. Often, the listing will reappear without any additional SEO efforts.
  7. A website search engine ranking can fluctuate any day, any time because of on-going changes in the ranking algorithm, SEO efforts made by the competitors or both.
  8. WebMatrix makes no guarantee/warranty of project timeline or added expenses (like charging additional fees etc) if the SEO work is destroyed either wholly or in parts, either knowingly or unknowingly by any party other than WebMatrix or without the prior consultation of WebMatrix. SEO work is considered to be destroyed either wholly or in parts, if following changes (but are not limited to) are made to a website by any party other than WebMatrix or without first consulting WebMatrix:
  • Changes in the file(s) or folder(s) name.
  • Putting a file in a different folder or putting a folder in another folder or subdomain.
  • Making changes in the head section of a document like changing the text in the title tag, removing certain HTML tags required for site authentication.
  • Deleting a link, folder, file, web document or subdomain.
  • Modifying text on a web document like changing the formatting of the text or repositioning the text.
  • Removing analytics code from the web page which is used to track website traffic.
  • Linking out to any website without prior consultation of the WebMatrix.
  • Adding a file, folder, web document, widget or any functionality.
  • Renaming URLs of existing web documents.
  • Taking down the website or part of the website.
  • Renaming, re-locating, adding or removing any file, folder or sub domain on a web server including web documents, robots.txt, htacess file, sitemap.xml, rss.xml, etc
  • Changes in the site architecture.
  • Changes in the anchor text.
  • Making any changes on an optimized web page.

 

  1. WebMatrix makes no guarantee/warranty of project timeline or added expenses (like charging additional fees etc) if:
  • The client fails to resolve WebMatrix queries on time.
  • Make delays in providing required access, documents, permissions or any support for Search Engine Optimization purpose.
  • Fail to make necessary changes on the website as and when advised by WebMatrix for carrying out the Search Engine Optimization services.
  • There is a server outage for a prolonged time on the client’s site.
  1. WebMatrix is not responsible for the Client overwriting SEO work. The Client will be charged an additional fee for re-constructing, re-optimizing content/web pages, based on the hourly rate of S$45.00 per hour.
  2. Client guarantees any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork provided to WebMatrix for inclusion on the website above are owned by Client, or that Client has received permission from the rightful owner(s) to use each of the elements, and will hold harmless, protect, and defend WebMatrix and its subcontractors from any liability or suit arising from the use of such elements.

 

8. When this contract comes to an end

This contract comes to an end when everything specified in the contract has been done. It can also end if there is a breach of contract and either party decides to cancel it.

The contract can also be ended by mutual agreement of the parties involved in contract or when it becomes impossible to carry out the obligations specified in the contract like due to man-made calamities (riots, acts of terrorism, war, etc) or natural calamities (like a flood, hurricane, earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc).

 

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