Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about the legal documents websites and apps need — and how SiteClause creates them. Can't find your question? Send us a message.
Privacy policy
Do I need a privacy policy?
Almost certainly, yes. If your website or app collects any personal information — even just an email address through a contact form, or analytics cookies — privacy laws like California's CCPA/CPRA, Europe's GDPR, and several other US state laws require you to tell visitors what you collect and why. A privacy policy is how you do that. Even a simple blog with a newsletter signup needs one.
What happens if I don't have a privacy policy?
You risk fines from regulators, and many services you rely on — Google Analytics, ad networks, app stores, and payment processors — require one in their own terms and can suspend your account without it. Beyond compliance, visitors increasingly expect to see one, and its absence can make a legitimate business look untrustworthy.
Can I just copy a privacy policy from another website?
It's a bad idea. Another site's policy describes their data practices, not yours — copying it can leave you promising things you don't do or omitting things you do, both of which create legal exposure. A policy generated from answers about your actual business is far safer than a copied one.
How often should I update my privacy policy?
Review it whenever you change how you handle data — adding a new analytics tool, starting email marketing, or collecting new information — and at least once a year. Some laws, like California's, require annual review.
Terms and conditions
Do I need terms and conditions for my website?
They're not legally required the way a privacy policy is, but they're strongly recommended. Terms and conditions set the rules for using your site: what visitors can and can't do, who owns the content, and how disputes are handled. Without them, you have little contractual footing if someone misuses your site or content.
What's the difference between terms and conditions and terms of service?
In practice, nothing — they're two names for the same kind of agreement. 'Terms and conditions' is the more traditional name; 'terms of service' is common for online services and apps. What matters is the content, not the title.
Are terms and conditions legally binding?
They can be, if they're presented properly. Courts generally enforce terms that users had a reasonable chance to see — a clear link in your footer is the baseline, and requiring users to agree (a checkbox at signup or checkout) makes enforcement much stronger.
Terms of service
Does my SaaS or online service need terms of service?
Yes. If people pay you for a service or create accounts, terms of service define the relationship: billing and refunds, acceptable use, account termination, service availability, and limits on your liability. They're the contract between you and your customers.
What should terms of service include?
At minimum: who may use the service, what they're allowed to do, payment and cancellation terms, what happens when someone breaks the rules, disclaimers about warranties, a limit on your liability, and which state's or country's law governs disputes. SiteClause's questionnaire walks you through each of these.
Can terms of service protect me from being sued?
They can't prevent lawsuits, but well-drafted terms can limit your liability, require disputes to go to arbitration or a court near you, and set rules that make frivolous claims harder. They're one of the most cost-effective protections an online business can have.
Terms of use
What are terms of use, and how are they different from terms of service?
Terms of use govern how people may use your website or content — they're the most general version of the agreement and are common for content sites, blogs, and portfolios. Terms of service usually imply an ongoing service relationship (accounts, subscriptions). If visitors just browse your site, terms of use are typically the right fit.
Do I need terms of use for a simple website?
Even a simple site benefits: terms of use let you state that your content is your property, that you're not liable for how visitors use the information you publish, and that linked third-party sites aren't your responsibility. It's a small document that closes common gaps.
EULA (End User License Agreement)
Do I need a EULA for my software or app?
If you distribute software — a downloadable app, a mobile app, a plugin, or a desktop program — yes. A EULA tells users what they may do with your software (install it, use it) and what they may not (resell it, reverse-engineer it, share their license). Without one, your rights are much harder to enforce.
What's the difference between a EULA and terms of service?
A EULA licenses the software itself — it covers copying, installation, and use of the program. Terms of service cover an ongoing service or account. Many apps need both: a EULA for the software, terms of service for the account and online features.
Can a EULA stop people from pirating my software?
It can't physically stop copying, but it makes unauthorized copying, resale, and reverse engineering clear contract violations — which is what gives you legal remedies if it happens. App stores also generally require a EULA before they'll distribute your app.
About SiteClause
Are SiteClause documents written by lawyers?
Our templates are attorney-drafted, and your answers are merged into them to produce a document tailored to your business. SiteClause itself is not a law firm and doesn't provide legal advice — the documents are self-help templates. If you want personalized review, you can add attorney review to any order.
What do I receive when I order?
An editable Word document you can publish on your website or include with your software. You answer a short questionnaire, pay a one-time price, and the finished document is ready to download from your account, usually within minutes.
What if my answers change or I made a mistake?
Every order includes one free regeneration: you can edit your answers and produce an updated document at no extra cost. If your business changes significantly later, a fresh order is the cleanest way to get a fully updated document.
Is a generated document enough, or do I need a lawyer?
For most small websites and apps, a well-tailored template covers the essentials. If you handle sensitive data (health, financial, children's data), operate in a regulated industry, or have significant revenue at stake, personalized attorney review is worth it — you can add it to any order.
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