Website Rental & Legal Details
I build websites for local clients and it's somewhat of a joint venture with a family member.
He does the selling and I do the building, so with that being said I do not handle any of the contracts or legal agreements. Over the past few months I've come to realize that it's a huge pain getting content off the clients.
I set-up jotoforms for them to fill out and give me details etc. Send emails, but it's like they're in no hurry and will give you a little bit at a time. Client doesn't pay until the site is finished too.
Website Rental
So I've decided to start/try a website rental business on my own. However this time I want to setup a PayPal subscription. This way if a business wants to rent a website they pay for the first month in the very beginning.
If they take several week to provide me with the content then it's not a huge deal because they're paying monthly.
Legal Stuff
What I need help with is the legal details, I do have a few website design contact/agreement someplace and I'm sure I'll be able to edit them to work for rental website.
Do I need to have the business owner sign a contract in person or anything like that?
If I publish a website rental agreement on my site and have a link in the footer and maybe above the PayPal button is that all I need do?
Recent Comments
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I know that an electronically signed document is legal. I know this because that is how fafsa and student loans are done. Here is the way they do it. They have the user create an account that gives all the details of using a digital signature and then the user creates a pin number. Every time that user signs a document they use that pin and it is electronically signed according to the information in the digital signature approval that was filled out during the sign up process. I am not an attorney but that is how I sign for all my school loans.
Hope this helps.
By the way I think that what you are doing is a great idea. I have played with this idea in the past and think that it is a viable option for people.
Very interesting concept.... renting websites. I don't know the answer to your question, but I think you should get a signed contract (electronic or pen and paper) anytime you provide a service or product to someone on a recurring basis... just spells out what each party is expecting and accepting. Its always better to be safe than sorry.
I think its a great idea, and I will surely be looking for your ads on tv, as you grow it into a million dollar business.
JP
Thanks JP, From my research, website rental appears to be more popular in the UK.
In regards to the legal stuff, the easier the process the better. If I don't need to have anyone sign anything then that's perfect.
But I understand better safe than sorry.
Anyway everyone opinions are greatly appreciated.
Hi Welshy, Yes to both... have them sign a contract or agreement and do it electronically as suggested by Wayne Wallace below.
Website rental! It's a novel concept- at least I have not heard of it before.
As for PayPal, it would probably be a subscription type button... you'd affix on your site.
Good luck with your venture. Yolette
WOWEE, Welshy....way above my pay grade, but I'll be watching for answers from some of our highly qualified members....interesting idea you have...I like it alot.
Suz
You can use echo sign to get a legal signature on a contract online, no in person stuff needed. I like the idea of renting them a website, they are not really going to own the website they are going to rent it, that could be good for many types of businesses.
Thanks Wayne, I'll have to look into echo sign.
I'm just wondering if I even need to do this, because as you mentioned, they aren't going to own anything.
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Great idea about the rental side of things, I have no idea about the legal part though!
Thanks Dom, When you sell sites do you use any type of contract?
Nope, they give me the cash, I give them the site. I probably should draft up a legal document though, like a terms of sale. One thing I do is make sure I refer to them as customers and not clients, it suggests a different relationship.