Protecting Your Business

The biggest reason for having Terms of Service is to protect your business. Setting out the Terms of
Service lets you set the rules for the relationship between you and the service user. In turn, this reduces
the risk of any ambiguity that might later lead to a ruling against you.

Informing Users

Having a clear, thorough Terms of Service helps prospective users make an informed decision about
whether to use your services (including your website). This reduces the risk that they'll take legal action
against you later on. It also helps them feel more confident that you are being straightforward with
them, and are trustworthy and professional.

Enforcing Rules

Your Terms of Service can work in two ways to reduce harm caused by users, particularly if that could
affect other customers.

Firstly, if people know the rules, they will be more likely to avoid taking harmful action in the first place.
Secondly, it makes it much easier to enforce the rules - for example by banning people who abuse your
website's functions - without fear of legal uncertainty.

What Should Be In My Terms of Service Agreement?

What Should Be In My Terms of Service Agreement?

Exactly what should be in your Terms of Service will depend on factors including the jurisdiction covering
you, your user base and the nature of your business.

We'll run through some of the most common clauses that you will want to include.