Client Service Agreement

1. Parties

This agreement is between Hardend Enterprises LLC, doing business as Hardend Web Solutions (“Provider,” “we,” “us”), and the individual or business engaging our services (“Client,” “you”).

2. Scope of Services

Hardend Web Solutions provides managed website services that may include website design, development, hosting coordination, security configuration, backups, maintenance, and ongoing support depending on the selected plan. The specific services included in your engagement will be outlined during onboarding and confirmed before work begins.

3. Service Plans

There are two ways to get started with Hardend Web Solutions:

Option A: Standard Build

A one-time setup fee is paid upfront to cover the planning, design, development, configuration, and launch of your website. After launch, monthly service fees cover hosting, security, maintenance, backups, and support. You may cancel your monthly service at any time before your next billing cycle.

Option B: Zero Upfront — Built for Small Businesses

We understand that not every small business has the capital to invest in a full website build upfront. To help businesses get up and running with minimal upfront cost, we offer the option to waive the one-time setup fee in exchange for a 12-month service commitment. This allows you to receive a fully custom, professionally built website with no upfront cost — just your monthly service fee.

If you cancel before completing the 12-month term, the full original setup fee becomes due in order to retain ownership of the website, domain, and design assets. See Sections 16–19 for full ownership details.

4. Risk-Free Design Preview

All new clients receive a complimentary Risk-Free Design Preview. During our Risk-Free Preview, we will build your fully custom Homepage on a private staging link. Once you approve the design direction and activate your plan, we will build out the rest of the pages and take it live.

The preview is a proof-of-concept stage. Your website will not go fully live during the preview period. The site goes live only when you sign the service agreement (Option B) or pay the setup fee (Option A).

You may cancel at any time during the preview with no charge and no obligation.

5. Website Build Fee

The one-time setup fee covers the initial website planning, design, development, configuration, and launch preparation. Setup fees start at $499 and may vary based on project scope. Setup fees are non-refundable once work has begun.

6. Monthly Service Fee

Monthly service fees cover ongoing services such as hosting, maintenance, security monitoring, updates, backups, and support as described in the selected plan. Monthly fees are billed in advance and are non-refundable.

7. Hosting, Domain, Security, and Maintenance

While your service plan is active, we provide hosting, domain management, security monitoring, software updates, performance maintenance, and regular backups. These services are included in your monthly fee and remain active as long as your account is in good standing.

8. Client Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate business information and content for your website
• Reviewing and approving design and content before launch
• Responding to communications in a timely manner
• Maintaining accurate billing and payment information
• Ensuring any content you provide does not violate applicable laws or third-party rights

9. Project Timeline

We will provide estimated timelines for project milestones during onboarding. Timelines may be affected by client response times, content delivery, scope changes, or other factors outside our control. We will communicate any significant delays promptly.

10. Content and Materials

You are responsible for providing text, images, logos, and other content needed for your website. If you need help with content creation, we may offer this as a separate service. You represent that all content you provide is owned by you or properly licensed for use.

11. Revisions and Change Requests

Reasonable revisions are included during the build phase as part of the design process. The number of revision rounds included depends on your plan. After launch, minor updates such as text changes, image swaps, and small layout adjustments are included in your monthly plan. Major redesigns, new features, or significant structural changes may be quoted as separate work.

Additional revision rounds beyond what is included in your plan are billed at $100 per revision.

12. Third-Party Tools and Accounts

Your website may use third-party services such as payment processors, email providers, analytics tools, or domain registrars. Any fees, terms, or obligations associated with those services are your responsibility unless we have specifically agreed to manage them as part of your plan.

13. Payments

All payments are processed through Stripe. You agree to maintain valid payment information on file. Monthly fees are charged automatically on your billing date.

14. Late Payments

If a payment fails, we will attempt to notify you and retry the charge. It is your responsibility to ensure payment information is current and that sufficient funds are available.

15. Suspension for Nonpayment

If payment is not received within 7 days of the due date, your website and all associated services may be suspended without further notice. Suspended services include hosting, security monitoring, maintenance, and support. Service will be restored once the outstanding balance is paid in full.

16. Cancellation

Standard Build (Option A)

You may cancel your monthly service at any time before your next billing cycle. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.

Zero Upfront Plan (Option B)

If you cancel before completing the 12-month service term, the full original setup fee becomes due. This fee must be paid in order to retain ownership of the website, domain name, and all design assets. If the setup fee is not paid upon cancellation, Hardend Enterprises LLC retains full ownership of the website and all associated assets.

17. Refund Policy

Setup fees are non-refundable once work has begun. Monthly service fees are non-refundable. If you cancel during the Risk-Free Design Preview before any agreement is signed or setup fee is paid, no charges apply.

18. Website Ownership

Standard Build (Option A)

Once the setup fee is paid in full, you own the final website design, layout, and custom content created for your project.

Zero Upfront Plan (Option B)

During the 12-month contract term, Hardend Enterprises LLC retains sole ownership of the website, including all design elements, layout, and custom content. Ownership transfers to you upon successful completion of the full 12-month term. If you cancel early without paying the original setup fee, ownership remains with Hardend Enterprises LLC.

19. Domain Ownership

Standard Build (Option A)

If you pay the setup fee upfront, you own the domain name outright. We may manage it on your behalf, but it belongs to you.

Zero Upfront Plan (Option B)

For new domain names purchased by Hardend on behalf of the Client, Hardend retains sole ownership during the 12-month term. Ownership transfers to you upon successful completion of the full term or upon payment of the original setup fee. Domains previously registered and owned by the Client prior to this agreement remain the sole property of the Client.

20. Hosting Access

Website hosting is provided as part of your monthly service plan. You do not receive direct access to the hosting infrastructure. If you cancel and wish to move your website elsewhere, see Section 21 for details on what is provided.

21. Source Code and Platform Access

Upon request (and subject to ownership requirements being met), you may receive the source code for the front-end website and administrative dashboard. The hosting infrastructure, security suite, and proprietary backend systems are owned by Hardend Enterprises LLC and are not included in any handoff or export.

22. Backups and Data Recovery

We maintain regular backups of your website as part of your service plan. After cancellation or service termination, backups are retained for 30 days. During this period, you may request your data or arrange to restore service. After 30 days, all data and backups are permanently deleted and any restoration would require full repayment of setup and service fees.

23. Security Limitations

We implement enterprise-grade security measures on all websites we manage, including firewalls, threat monitoring, intrusion detection, and encryption. However, no security system can guarantee complete protection from all threats. Our security services are designed to significantly reduce risk, not eliminate it entirely.

24. Support Policy

Support is available via email at [email protected] or by phone at (980) 333-3019. We aim to respond to all support requests within 24–48 hours. Support includes assistance with website issues, questions about your service, and requests for minor updates included in your plan.

25. No Guarantee of Results

Hardend Web Solutions does not guarantee specific outcomes including but not limited to:

• Search engine rankings or SEO performance
• Website traffic or visitor volume
• Lead generation, sales, or revenue
• Perfect uptime or zero downtime
• Complete protection from cyberattacks

We build high-quality, secure, and fast websites, but results depend on many factors outside our control.

26. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Hardend Enterprises LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the services provided, including but not limited to loss of revenue, data, or business opportunities.

27. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hardend Enterprises LLC from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising from your use of the services, content you provide, or any breach of this agreement.

28. Termination

Either party may terminate this agreement with written notice. We reserve the right to terminate services immediately if you violate these terms, engage in illegal activity, or fail to make payment after notice. Upon termination, the provisions regarding ownership, liability, and indemnification survive.

29. Governing Law

This agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict of law principles.

30. Entire Agreement

This Client Service Agreement, together with any project-specific terms agreed upon in writing, constitutes the entire agreement between you and Hardend Enterprises LLC regarding the services described. It supersedes any prior discussions, proposals, or representations.

31. Digital Acceptance

By engaging our services and agreeing to this Client Service Agreement — whether by signing digitally, accepting through our onboarding process, or making payment — you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to all terms outlined in this agreement.