Terms of Service

Company: Core Innovations Lab (“we,” “our,” “us”)

Summary: These Terms explain how we work together – what you can expect from us, what we expect from you, how payments/escrow and refunds work, and the rules that keep projects healthy and fair.

1) Definitions

  • Client/you: The person or entity purchasing services.
  • Services: Web design/development, SEO, digital marketing retainers, AI/content services, and related consulting.
  • Deliverables: The specific outputs of a project (e.g., designs, code, copy, reports) defined in a quote, proposal, or Statement of Work (SOW).
  • SOW/Proposal: A document describing scope, timelines, pricing, and acceptance criteria for a specific project.
  • Escrow: Funds held with a third‑party escrow provider and released upon the completion/satisfaction milestones listed below.
  • Change Order: A written adjustment to scope, price, or timeline after a project begins.

2) Scope of Services

We provide professional Services including, but not limited to:

  • Web design & development (UI/UX, responsive builds, CMS setup, theme customizations)
  • SEO retainers, one‑time SEO projects, technical SEO audits, content strategy
  • Digital marketing retainers (social, content, analytics), conversion optimization
  • AI strategy, content production assistance, automations/workflows

Each engagement is governed by these Terms plus any SOW/Proposal we both approve.

3) Quotes, Proposals & Acceptance

  • A project begins once you approve a Proposal/SOW and make the required initial payment (see §7).
  • Any estimates assume timely client participation and access. Significant changes may require a Change Order.

4) Client Responsibilities

  • Provide timely access to accounts, content, brand assets, and decision‑makers.
  • Review & approve Deliverables within the review window specified in the SOW (default 5 business days). Lack of feedback may be treated as approval to keep the project moving.
  • Warrant that materials you provide do not infringe others’ rights and comply with applicable laws (including advertising policies and privacy laws).

5) Project Timeline & Delays

  • Timelines are set in the SOW. Client‑side delays (e.g., waiting on content, approvals, or access) extend timelines.
  • If a project is paused by the Client for 30+ days, we may re‑estimate remaining work or apply a restart fee.

6) Changes, Out‑of‑Scope & Change Orders

  • Anything not listed in the SOW is out‑of‑scope. We’ll price and schedule changes via a written Change Order.
  • Minor copy or styling tweaks are typically included; larger structural/feature changes are not.

7) Payments & Billing

Currency & Method. All fees are in USD unless stated otherwise. We accept major cards, ACH/wire, or other methods agreed in writing. Processing fees charged by providers may apply.
Taxes. Prices exclude taxes, duties, or government fees, which are your responsibility if applicable.

7.1 Web Design Projects

  • 50% upfront at project start.
  • 50% in escrow, charged/released after work is completed and just before final delivery (see §10 for Acceptance).

7.2 SEO Monthly Retainers & Other Monthly Retainers

  • 100% upfront each month.
  • 30‑day satisfaction guarantee: fully refundable within 30 days of payment if you are dissatisfied for any reason (see Refund Policy for details).

7.3 SEO One‑Time / Project‑Based Services

  • 50% upfront at project start.
  • 50% in escrow, charged/released only when you’re satisfied and before final delivery.

7.4 Late Payments & Suspension

  • Invoices are due upon receipt unless otherwise stated. Past‑due balances may incur 1.5% per month (or the maximum allowed by law).
  • We may pause work (and withhold access to Deliverables) until accounts are current.

7.5 Chargebacks

  • Please contact us to resolve issues before initiating a chargeback. Unwarranted chargebacks may incur processing and legal recovery costs.

8) Third‑Party & Pass‑Through Costs

You’re responsible for third‑party costs (e.g., hosting, domains, paid plugins, app subscriptions, stock/licensed media, ad spend). These are non‑refundable (see Refund Policy).

9) Hosting, Maintenance & Support

Unless a maintenance plan is purchased, you’re responsible for hosting, updates, backups, and security post‑launch. If we provide maintenance, its scope, SLAs, and response times will be defined in the SOW.

10) Deliverables, Testing & Acceptance

  • We perform quality checks and provide a reasonable review period (default 5 business days).
  • Acceptance occurs when (a) you approve in writing, (b) the review period elapses without material feedback, or (c) the Deliverable is deployed live at your request.
  • Post‑acceptance issues are handled as warranty/bug fixes if within the warranty window (default 14 days for defects, not new features).

11) Revisions

SOWs specify included revision rounds. Additional rounds or scope expansion are billed at our current hourly/day rates via Change Order.

12) SEO‑Specific Terms & Fair‑Use

  • We follow best practices, but no one can guarantee specific rankings or traffic due to search engine and platform algorithms beyond our control.
  • Risky tactics (e.g., link schemes, spam) are not permitted. If requested, we will decline.

13) Intellectual Property (IP)

  • Upon full payment of all project fees, we assign to you the rights in the final Deliverables specifically listed in the SOW (excluding third‑party materials and our pre‑existing IP/tools).
  • Until paid in full, we retain all rights and may withhold transfer or disable access.
  • Open‑source components remain under their respective licenses.
  • Our pre‑existing IP (frameworks, methods, templates, scripts, training) is licensed to you on a non‑exclusive basis to the extent embedded in Deliverables.

14) Portfolio & Attribution

We may display non‑confidential work (screenshots, logos, case studies) in our portfolio and marketing unless you opt out in writing. Reasonable developer attribution in footers may appear on web builds (removable upon request post‑launch).

15) Confidentiality & Publicity

Each party must keep the other’s confidential information private and use it only to perform under these Terms. NDAs/DPA addenda are available upon request.

16) Privacy & Data Protection

We process data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable laws. Where required, we can execute a Data Processing Addendum (DPA) and implement reasonable technical and organizational measures. You are the controller of your customer data.

17) Accessibility & Compliance

We design to modern standards and reasonable accessibility practices as specified in the SOW. Formal compliance certifications (e.g., WCAG level) require explicit scope, testing, and budget.

18) Subcontractors

We may use vetted subcontractors. We remain responsible for Deliverables and confidentiality obligations.

19) Non‑Solicitation

During the project and for 12 months after, you agree not to hire or solicit our employees/contractors who worked on your project, except through mutual written consent.

20) Warranties & Disclaimers

  • We warrant Deliverables will materially conform to the SOW at acceptance.
  • EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED, SERVICES/DELIVERABLES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS, OR NON‑INFRINGEMENT.

21) Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim is limited to the fees you paid to us for the specific Service(s) in the 3 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

22) Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising out of materials you supply, your misuse of Deliverables, or your violation of laws or third‑party rights.

23) Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for delays or failures due to events beyond reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, outages, strikes). Timeframes will be adjusted accordingly.

24) Term, Termination & Effects

  • Either party may terminate for material breach not cured within 10 business days after written notice.
  • For convenience, either party may terminate a retainer at the end of the current term.
  • Upon termination, you pay for work performed up to termination, and we provide any paid‑for Deliverables and a reasonable transition. Refunds follow the Refund Policy.

25) Dispute Resolution, Governing Law & Venue

  • We’ll first attempt good‑faith resolution. If unresolved, disputes will be exclusively governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, USA, with venue in Wake County courts (or agreed arbitration).
  • Either party may seek injunctive relief for IP/confidentiality breaches.

26) Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms on our website. Material changes will be notified. Continued use of Services after changes constitutes acceptance.

27) Entire Agreement & Order of Precedence

These Terms + any SOW/Proposal constitute the entire agreement. If there’s a conflict, the SOW controls for that project.

28) Notices & Contact

Notices should be sent to support@coreinnovationslab.com with subject NOTICE and to your designated email on file.

FAQs (Terms of Service)

Q1. Do you guarantee SEO rankings?
No credible SEO agency can guarantee exact rankings. Search engines like Google use complex, ever-changing algorithms that are outside anyone’s control.

What we do guarantee is a proven process: comprehensive audits, technical improvements, high-quality content, and ethical strategies designed to build sustainable visibility, traffic, and conversions.

Think of SEO like investing in your health or fitness: no doctor can guarantee the exact day you’ll reach your goal weight, but with the right plan, consistent effort, and expert guidance, results compound over time. Our role is to give your business the “training program” it needs for long-term growth, not quick fixes that fade away.

Q2. Can I cancel a monthly retainer anytime?
Yes; see Refund Policy for the 30‑day satisfaction guarantee and how billing stops.

Q3. Who owns the website code and designs?
Upon full payment, you own the final Deliverables specified in the SOW (subject to third‑party/open‑source licenses and our pre‑existing IP license).

Q4. Can you work with my hosting or do you require your own?
We can work with your hosting. We may recommend providers aligned with performance/security best practices.

Q5. What happens if I delay feedback?
Delays extend timelines. If a project is paused for 30+ days, re‑estimation/restart fees may apply.

Q6. Do you keep my data private?
Yes. We keep shared confidential information private and offer DPAs when needed.

Q7. Can you sign my NDA?
Yes, provided it’s mutual and commercially reasonable.