The following terms and conditions apply to all services provided by Adam Lord trading as Lord Knows (“Lord Knows”, “we”, “us” or “our”) to the client (“the Client”, “you” or “your”), including but not limited to website design, website development, hosting, maintenance, SEO, digital marketing, branding and related services.

Lord Knows is the trading name of Adam Lord, a sole trader based in England.

These terms apply alongside any quotation, proposal, scope of work, invoice or written agreement provided to the Client, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Acceptance of a quotation, instruction to proceed, payment of an invoice, or use of our services shall be deemed acceptance of these terms.

Charges

Charges for services will be set out in the quotation, proposal, invoice or written scope of work provided to the Client.

Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw a quotation after this period.

Unless agreed otherwise, website design and development projects require a non-refundable advance payment of 50% of the total project cost before work begins. The remaining 50% is due on completion of the work and before the website is made live, transferred, or released to the Client.

For larger projects, payment milestones may be agreed in writing. For example, this may include a deposit, a payment at design approval stage and a final payment prior to launch or release of the work.

The Client agrees to reimburse any agreed additional expenses reasonably required to complete the work. These may include, but are not limited to, domain names, premium plugins, software licences, stock photography, specialist fonts, copywriting, photography, third-party hosting, third-party integrations or other services.

Lord Knows isn’t currently VAT registered and VAT isn’t charged. If this changes, VAT will be charged where applicable at the prevailing rate.

Invoicing and payment

Invoices are normally sent by email. Payment terms will be stated on the invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due on receipt.

Payment should be made by bank transfer using the details provided on the invoice.

If the Client fails to pay an invoice by the due date, we reserve the right to pause work, suspend services, withhold delivery of work, or suspend hosting, maintenance or support until payment is received.

We reserve the right to charge interest and reasonable debt recovery costs on overdue invoices in accordance with applicable law, including the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable.

Accounts unpaid 30 days after the invoice date may be considered in default. Where a Client is in default, we may suspend or remove services hosted or managed by us. We are not responsible for any loss, damage or disruption resulting from suspension due to non-payment.

Suspension or removal of services doesn’t remove the Client’s obligation to pay outstanding charges.

The Client agrees to pay any reasonable costs incurred by us in recovering overdue sums, including debt recovery, legal or administrative costs.

Client review and approval

The Client will be given reasonable opportunities to review the appearance, content and functionality of the work during the project.

At the completion of the project, the work will be deemed accepted unless the Client notifies us in writing of any material issues within 10 days of the work being made available for review.

Minor amendments and reasonable corrections are included where they fall within the agreed project scope. Additional work, new features, design changes or changes outside the agreed scope may be quoted separately.

Turnaround time and client responsibilities

We will use reasonable endeavours to complete the work within any timescale agreed in writing. Any timescales are dependent on the Client providing required content, feedback, approvals, access and information in a timely manner.

The Client agrees to provide all necessary cooperation, information, materials, login details, access, feedback and decisions reasonably required for us to perform the services.

The Client should appoint one primary contact who has authority to provide instructions, feedback and approvals on behalf of the Client.

During a project, we may require the Client to provide text, images, videos, documents, branding, login details and other materials. Delays in providing these may affect the project timeline.

Failure to provide required content or feedback

We schedule work in advance and allocate time for each project. If progress is delayed because the Client has not provided required content, information, feedback, approvals or access, we reserve the right to revise the project timeline and/or charge additional fees.

If the Client doesn’t provide required materials or feedback within a reasonable period, we may pause the project. If a project is paused for more than 30 days due to Client delay, we may invoice for work completed to date and may charge a restart fee before resuming work.

If the Client has agreed to provide content and doesn’t do so, we may use placeholder content where appropriate. The Client remains responsible for reviewing and replacing placeholder content before launch.

Text content should ideally be supplied electronically, such as in Word, Google Docs or email, with clear page headings and structure.

Browsers, devices and compatibility

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that websites work in current versions of major modern browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge and Firefox.

We can’t guarantee identical appearance or functionality across all browsers, operating systems, screen sizes, devices or future browser versions.

We are not responsible for issues caused by future browser, device, plugin, software, hosting or third-party platform updates after the work has been completed and approved. Any work required to resolve such issues may be quoted separately.

Hosting, maintenance and support

Where hosting, maintenance or support services are provided, the details and charges will be set out in the relevant quotation, proposal, invoice or written agreement.

Hosting and maintenance services are provided on a rolling basis unless otherwise agreed. Either party may cancel these services by giving written notice.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, hosting and maintenance fees are payable in advance.

Hosting and maintenance may include services such as website hosting, backups, updates, security monitoring, uptime monitoring, minor fixes or support, depending on the package agreed. Any services not expressly included may be charged separately.

We are not liable for interruptions, downtime, data loss, security breaches or service failures caused by third-party hosting providers, domain providers, email providers, plugins, themes, APIs, payment processors or other external services.

Termination

The Client may terminate services by giving written notice by email.

For one-off project work, the Client will be invoiced for all work completed and expenses incurred up to the date of cancellation. Any deposit or advance payment is non-refundable.

For ongoing services, termination will take effect at the end of the current billing period unless otherwise agreed in writing. No refunds will be given for unused parts of a billing period unless agreed otherwise.

We may terminate or suspend services if the Client fails to pay invoices, breaches these terms, fails to provide required information, acts unlawfully, or behaves in a way that makes it unreasonable for us to continue providing services.

Intellectual property

All intellectual property rights in materials provided by the Client remain the property of the Client or the relevant third-party owner.

The Client grants us permission to use, reproduce, modify and publish materials provided by the Client for the purpose of carrying out the agreed services.

The Client confirms that they have the necessary rights, licences and permissions to use any materials supplied to us, including text, images, videos, logos, fonts, trademarks, designs and other content.

The Client agrees to indemnify us against any claim, loss, damage, cost or expense arising from materials supplied by or on behalf of the Client infringing the rights of any third party.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, once all invoices relating to a project have been paid in full, the Client will own the final website design and content created specifically for them, excluding any third-party software, plugins, themes, stock assets, fonts, licences, code libraries, tools, systems, processes or pre-existing materials.

We retain ownership of any pre-existing intellectual property, reusable code, tools, processes, methods, know-how, templates and systems used in the creation of the work.

The Client is granted a licence to use such pre-existing materials as part of the completed project, provided all relevant invoices have been paid.

Third-party software, plugins, themes and services

Websites may use third-party software, plugins, themes, APIs, integrations, payment gateways, fonts, stock images or other services.

Such third-party products and services are subject to their own terms, licences, fees and conditions. The Client is responsible for ongoing third-party costs unless otherwise agreed in writing.

We are not responsible for changes, price increases, discontinuation, errors, vulnerabilities, outages or compatibility issues caused by third-party products or services.

Where premium plugins, themes or licences are included in a project, they are included only for the period and purpose stated in the quotation or proposal. Ongoing licence renewals may be charged separately.

Search engine optimisation and digital marketing

Where SEO or digital marketing services are provided, we’ll carry out the agreed work with reasonable skill and care.

The Client acknowledges that search engines, social media platforms and advertising platforms are operated by third parties and are outside our control.

We don’t guarantee specific rankings, traffic levels, enquiries, sales, revenue, return on ad spend or business results.

SEO and marketing results can be affected by many factors, including competition, market conditions, website history, search engine algorithm changes, Client actions, third-party changes and advertising budgets.

Unless otherwise agreed, ongoing SEO or digital marketing services are subject to a minimum three-month term, with fees payable monthly in advance.

Website content and legal compliance

The Client is responsible for ensuring that all website content is accurate, lawful and compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

This includes, but isn’t limited to, product descriptions, prices, claims, testimonials, policies, images, legal notices, privacy notices, cookie notices, accessibility requirements and industry-specific regulations.

We may assist with wording, layout and structure, but this doesn’t constitute legal, financial, regulatory or professional advice.

The Client is responsible for reviewing and approving all content before publication.

E-commerce websites

Where we build or support an e-commerce website, the Client is responsible for ensuring that product information, pricing, delivery information, returns policies, tax/VAT treatment, stock availability and consumer information are accurate and legally compliant.

The Client is responsible for the operation of their store, including order fulfilment, customer service, refunds, returns, payment disputes, product safety and compliance with applicable consumer laws.

We are not responsible for loss of sales, payment gateway issues, stock errors, delivery issues or third-party platform failures unless directly caused by our negligence.

Domains

We may purchase, renew or manage domain names on behalf of the Client.

The Client remains responsible for payment, renewal and ownership of their domain names unless otherwise agreed.

We are not responsible for the loss, expiry, suspension or cancellation of a domain name caused by non-payment, late payment, inaccurate contact details, failure to renew, third-party provider issues or Client action.

Where possible, we recommend that domain names are registered in the Client’s own name or business name.

Email services

Where email hosting, mailbox setup or email configuration is provided, we’ll use reasonable skill and care.

We are not responsible for email delivery issues caused by third-party providers, spam filtering, blacklisting, incorrect DNS records, device configuration, mailbox limits, user error or external systems.

Email support beyond the agreed setup or maintenance package may be charged separately.

The Client is responsible for maintaining strong passwords, account security and appropriate access controls.

Backups and data

Where backup services are included, we’ll use reasonable endeavours to maintain backups according to the agreed service.

Backups are not a substitute for the Client keeping their own copies of important content, files, data, images, documents and records.

We are not responsible for loss of data caused by Client action, third-party providers, malware, hosting failures, plugin conflicts, expired services or events outside our reasonable control.

Security

We will use reasonable skill and care when building, hosting or maintaining websites.

The Client acknowledges that no website, hosting environment, plugin, theme, system or email service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

The Client is responsible for using strong passwords, limiting access to trusted users, following security guidance and notifying us promptly of any suspected security issue.

Security fixes, malware removal or recovery work may be charged separately unless included in the agreed service package.

Design credit and portfolio use

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, we may include a small design credit or link to Lord Knows in the footer of the Client’s website.

If the Client requests removal of the design credit, we may agree to remove it. Any fee for removal will be agreed in writing.

The Client agrees that we may refer to the completed work in our portfolio, case studies, marketing, social media and promotional materials, unless the Client requests otherwise in writing.

This may include use of the Client’s business name, logo, website screenshots and a description of the work carried out.

Confidentiality

Each party agrees to keep confidential any confidential information disclosed by the other party and to use it only for the purpose of carrying out or receiving the services.

Confidential information doesn’t include information that’s already public, becomes public other than through breach of these terms, is lawfully received from a third party, or must be disclosed by law.

This clause continues after termination of the services.

Data protection

Both parties agree to comply with applicable data protection laws, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

Where we process personal data on behalf of the Client, the Client will usually be the controller and we’ll usually be the processor.

We will process personal data only as reasonably required to provide the agreed services, or as otherwise instructed by the Client.

We will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal data is handled securely and that anyone with access to it’s subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

The Client authorises us to use suitable third-party service providers and sub-processors where reasonably required to provide the services, including hosting providers, email providers, software providers, analytics tools, backup services, security services and other technical providers.

Where required, we’ll assist the Client with reasonable data protection requests. We may charge reasonable fees for assistance that falls outside the agreed service scope.

The Client is responsible for ensuring that their own website, privacy policy, cookie policy, consent mechanisms, marketing lists and data collection practices comply with applicable data protection laws.

Limitation of liability

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that can’t legally be limited or excluded.

We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential or special loss, or for any loss of profit, revenue, business, goodwill, opportunity, anticipated savings, data or reputation.

Our total liability to the Client for any claim arising out of or in connection with the services shall be limited to the amount paid by the Client for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

We are not liable for delays, failures or losses caused by events outside our reasonable control, including third-party service failures, hosting outages, cyber attacks, internet disruption, platform changes, supplier issues, illness, accident or force majeure events.

Notices

Notices should be sent in writing by email or post.

Notices to the Client will be sent to the most recent email address or postal address provided by the Client.

Notices to us should be sent using the contact details published on our website or stated on our invoice.

General

These terms, together with any quotation, proposal, invoice or written agreement, form the entire agreement between the parties relating to the services.

No variation of these terms will be effective unless agreed in writing.

If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts will continue in force.

Failure to enforce any right under these terms doesn’t prevent that right being enforced later.

These terms don’t give any rights to third parties under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

Governing law and jurisdiction

These terms and any dispute or claim arising from them shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising from or connected with these terms.

Got a question about any of this? Send a note to enquiries@lordknows.co.uk and I’ll come back to you the same day, in plain English. If you’d rather see the privacy side of things, the privacy & cookies policy sits alongside this one.