You’ve probably seen this statement a thousand times: “By clicking here, I confirm that I have read and understood the Terms and Conditions.” This clause, or a variation of it, appears on every website with Terms and Conditions.
The question is: why do you have to agree to it?You actually have every right not to, but in turn, you might not get access to the website you’re trying to open, or you may not be able to register for an account, post content, buy a product, or use the services offered by the website.
As a website owner, you must understand the importance of getting users to read, understand, and agree to your website Terms and Conditions.This is the only way that it becomes legally binding and enforceable.
Why Do Users Have to Agree to Terms and Conditions?
Are Terms and Conditions necessary? Technically speaking–no. Having Ts and Cs is not mandated by any data protection laws; it’s more of a good-to-have.
Terms and Conditions outline the rules for using your website, protecting your intellectual property, safeguarding you from abusive activities, limiting your liabilities, allowing you to impose sanctions, and building better customer relationships. To be able to enforce these powers, users have to agree to play by the rules. If they don’t, you’re putting your business at risk, as you won’t be able to take any action against people who misuse your website.
What Happens If Users Don’t Agree to Terms and Conditions?
If users don’t agree to the Terms and Conditions of a website, they’re typically not given any access to use it. This is the only way that the site owner can ensure they’re saving their platform from people with bad intentions.
Otherwise, if users are still allowed to use the platform without agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, they may carry out activities that could harm your business or other customers—and you won’t be able to do anything about it.
How to Get Users to Agree to Terms and Conditions
Let’s be real–people don’t usually read a Terms and Conditions page. But, as a website owner, you have to make sure that users agree to your Ts and Cs, anyway–although, it would be great to encourage them to read them, too!
To do this, most websites use the checkbox method, where they add a checkbox to a conspicuous area on their site that requires user attention with a statement that affirms that the person reading it has read and agrees to the platform’s Terms and Conditions.
This is usually located in the sign-up box when you register for an account on a site. You’ll see it right before the sign-up button and, in most cases, you won’t be able to create an account without ticking it off. It may also be placed in the cart of an e-commerce website, requiring customers to check it before they’re able to make a purchase.
When adding a Terms and Conditions checkbox, you must remember to use plain and understandable language–leave the legal jargon to the actual agreement. You also have to link your Ts and Cs near the checkbox so that the people who want to read them can easily access them to find out what exactly they’re agreeing to. Then, you must ensure that your Terms and Conditions page is located in a place on your site that users can easily access for maximum visibility.
Make Terms and Conditions Pages Simpler With The Contract Shop®
People are more likely to agree to Terms and Conditions when they’re properly drafted with clear and transparent language. You must make comprehensive and legally sound Terms and Conditions—you can do just that with an easy-to-use website Terms and Conditions template from The Contract Shop®!
