Terms & Conditions - Website Discovery

Agreement Overview

By engaging Digital Discovery Group (“we”, “us” or “our”) for website hosting, design, configuration, SEO, and other digital services (“the Services”), you (“the Client”) agree to the terms and conditions outlined below. These terms ensure clarity of responsibility, ownership, and the mutual expectations of both parties.

1. Platform Use

All websites are designed and developed using trusted, industry-standard platforms—specifically Squarespace, Shopify, and Trust Mary. The Client has the option to choose their preferred platform and may request the site to be developed within:

  • Their existing account on Squarespace, Shopify, or Trust Mary, or

  • An account managed by Digital Discovery Group.

Ongoing access, licensing, and use of any platform remain subject to their respective terms of service, which the Client agrees to comply with. We act as facilitators and are not responsible for any restrictions or limitations imposed by the platform providers.

2. Ownership and Access

Following full payment for the Services, the Client will receive ownership of all original content, design assets, and creative intellectual property developed during the project. However, this ownership does not extend to:

  • The Squarespace or Shopify platform itself

  • Source code, infrastructure, or proprietary features of those platforms

  • Any third-party services integrated during the configuration to meet requirements

If the website is created within an account managed by Digital Discovery Group, the Client may request Site Owner access, including billing and administrative rights. If preferred, the project may be delivered directly within the Client’s own platform account from the beginning.

Regardless of account ownership, ongoing website availability is dependent on continued payment to Squarespace, Shopify, or other platform/s.

3. Domain Name Ownership and Management

It is the Client’s responsibility to secure and maintain ownership of their chosen domain name(s) for use with the website. This includes:

  • Registering and renewing the domain name through a reputable domain registrar

  • Providing access credentials to the domain name account (e.g., GoDaddy, Crazy Domains, Namecheap, etc.) if DNS configuration is required as part of our services

  • Ensuring that the domain registration is held in the Client’s name and not a third party, unless otherwise agreed in writing

Digital Discovery Group does not register domain names on behalf of Clients unless specifically requested. In cases where we do manage the domain setup, all credentials and transfer codes will be provided upon project completion.

The Client must maintain an active domain name account to ensure continued website visibility. Lapsed domains or mismanaged settings can lead to site downtime, email failure, or SEO degradation. We accept no liability for such disruptions.

4. Monthly and Ongoing Costs

Where the website is hosted within an account managed by us, the monthly hosting fee paid to Digital Discovery Group includes the necessary licensing and operational access to the Squarespace or Shopify platform.

The following items are not included in this fee and remain the Client’s responsibility:

  • Domain registration and renewal

  • Email services or marketing tools

  • Paid apps, plugins, or third-party integrations

  • Any additional features or services outside the original project scope

If the Client assumes direct billing responsibilities via their own platform account or is transferred Site Ownership, they are responsible for maintaining payments directly to the platform provider. Non-payment may result in service interruption or suspension.

5. SEO Services and SEMrush Account

As part of our SEO offering, we use our internal SEMrush enterprise account to conduct keyword research, content optimisation, competitive analysis, and technical SEO tasks. The SEMrush account and all configurations remain the sole property of Digital Discovery Group. While Clients benefit from insights and reporting derived from this platform, the underlying data, tracking history, and platform access are non-transferable.

If SEO services are cancelled or the engagement concludes, access to all SEMrush-generated insights and tools will be discontinued.

6. Post-Launch Modifications and Maintenance

Unless specified in a separate agreement, our obligations conclude upon delivery of the final website. Any post-launch services, such as content updates, platform support, custom development, or technical troubleshooting, will be scoped and quoted as a separate engagement.

7. Platform Limitations and Liability

We are not responsible for changes or disruptions caused by third-party platforms (e.g. Squarespace or Shopify), including but not limited to:

  • Pricing or policy changes

  • Service outages

  • Feature deprecations

  • Account limitations

The Client is responsible for ensuring that their accounts remain in good standing and aligned with platform requirements. While we will provide reasonable support, we accept no liability for service interruptions or losses caused by external providers.

8. Search Engine Rankings Disclaimer

While we apply best practices in SEO during the design and development of all websites, Digital Discovery Group does not guarantee the preservation or improvement of search engine rankings. The Client acknowledges that launching a new website—whether on an existing domain or a newly registered domain—may lead to fluctuations or a temporary drop in organic search visibility due to factors outside our control, including:

  • Search engine reindexing and algorithm adjustments

  • Changes in domain history or authority

  • Modifications to URL structure or on-site content

  • Disruption of historical backlinks

We are not liable for any loss of keyword rankings, traffic, or visibility following the launch or migration of a website. SEO migration support may be provided upon request as a separate, scoped engagement.

9. Acceptance of Terms

By accepting a proposal, submitting payment, or instructing us to commence work, the Client confirms agreement with these terms in full. This includes:

  • Responsibility for platform and operational costs

  • Responsibility for domain registration, renewal, and account management

  • Freedom to choose between using an owned or Digital Discovery Group-managed platform account

  • Understanding of SEO data ownership under our SEMrush license

  • Compliance with third-party platform policies (Squarespace or Shopify)

Digital Discovery Group may update these terms at any time without prior notice. Payment for services constitutes acceptance of the most current version. These terms are designed to protect both parties and provide transparency around how our services are structured and delivered.