CRST Website & Web Development Terms and Conditions
Cornerstone Services, Inc. Terms and Conditions
Cornerstone Services, Inc. exclusively builds and supports WordPress websites. As such, we do not provide support, modifications, or administration for websites that we did not create. Furthermore, CRST serves as a hosting provider and offers separate web hosting services. The following Terms and Conditions apply to both web development and web hosting services.
Support Protocols & Support Hours
Our operating hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST (GMT-4), excluding major U.S. national holidays. For support inquiries, please email info@crst.net. We aim to respond within one hour. If you require immediate assistance, feel free to call (845) 255-5722 x1 to reach the CRST Customer Service desk.
You can expect a response within one (1) business day for any support request sent to info@crst.net. We handle follow-up communications regarding support, billing, development, and site management through CRST Customer Service (info@crst.net) or CRST Project Management (production@crst.net).
To streamline communication, we adhere to a “2-2-2” protocol:
- Two (2) emails.
- Two (2) phone calls. If we receive no response after two weeks, we will resolve outstanding matters internally.
Each attempt will include a specific request that requires your decision. If you acknowledge our efforts but fail to address the specific request, we will consider your response invalid. Please note, we do not guarantee leaving voicemails, nor are we obligated to do so.
Additionally, all essential communication must be documented in writing. Only written correspondence, such as emails, will be reviewed.
Our Service Obligations
At CRST, we strive to provide high-quality website development, hosting, and related services. While we aim to meet the performance timelines outlined in estimates or as scheduled by Customer Service or Project Management, it is important to note that service commitment dates are considered best estimates and not absolute deadlines.
Customer Obligations
By engaging our services, you agree to adhere to all the Terms and Conditions specified here. Both parties acknowledge that effective cooperation and clear communication are integral to achieving the best possible outcomes.
Web Development Protocols
Once we receive all necessary content and a minimum 50% down payment, we will commence building your website. While our goal is to complete the website within 30-45 days, delays may occur due to various factors, such as customer availability and response time.
You will have private staging access to review the site before we make it public. We will not make the website public without your explicit written approval.
Domain Names
We handle the acquisition, administration, and transfer of domain names upon request. Some transfers may require your active participation. We will not take any domain-related action without your written approval.
With your consent, we can purchase additional domains to redirect traffic to your site. Please note that domain registration and management services are separate, billable services. We will require upfront payment at market rates for premium domains, and annual domain registration fees will be billed separately from hosting or web support charges.
Web Hosting Environment
CRST hosts WordPress websites on a secure platform provided by 97 Teams in Wales, UK. The hosting environment prioritizes security while offering flexible development options. However, we do not support certain utilities or features that may pose security risks.
We exclusively use pre-approved plugins from a secure, regularly updated library. If you request a plugin not in our library, we will vet it with our hosting provider. Additional costs may apply, and we will pass on any third-party fees to you.
Website Content
You are responsible for providing all necessary website content, including high-resolution images, graphics, videos, vector art, logos, and custom fonts. All submitted materials remain your property; CRST does not claim ownership of your content.
If you require copywriting, copyediting, image retrieval, or font-matching, we will charge additional fees.
All content must be original, licensed, or authorized for use. Submitting drafts or outlines that require ongoing edits will increase project costs. Therefore, we ask that you provide finalized written text to minimize revisions.
If necessary, CRST may source third-party content, which will be subject to separate licensing terms and additional costs, which you must approve.
Copyediting, Copywriting, and Content Creation
These services are not included in standard website builds. However, we offer them at prevailing CRST Project Management hourly rates. To request an estimate, email info@crst.net. CRST does not offer these services for websites we did not build.
Questionable or Prohibited Content
We reserve the right to remove any questionable or prohibited content without prior consultation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Copyrighted or trademarked materials.
- Harmful or destructive links (including malware).
- Pornographic, violent, racially offensive, or threatening content.
- Large, excessive files that disrupt website performance.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Policy
CRST adheres to industry best practices for SEO-friendly website construction. However, it is important to note that we distinguish an SEO-friendly website from an SEO-optimized website. We do not guarantee search rankings or keyword optimization.
SEO services, including strategy and implementation, are subject to separate contracts and additional fees. Therefore, we highly recommend adopting an SEO strategy immediately after launching your website.
We assist with the initial setup of domain-based email accounts. Ongoing email administration is a billable service. For domain-based email management, we recommend using Google Workspace.
Alternatively, you may request cPanel access, but you will assume full responsibility for its administration. Any support requests after we grant cPanel access will be billed at our hourly rate, with no estimate for resolution time.
Web Hosting Services
Our annual default hosting package includes:
- SSL Security
- 2GB Disk Space
- 100GB Monthly Bandwidth
- Fully Integrated WordPress Hosting
- Access to Secure Plugin Library
- Daily Backups
- Email/Phone Support (M-F, 9-5, EST)
If you need additional disk space, please contact info@crst.net. Exceeding storage limits will trigger a notification through our Support Protocols.
Confidentiality
You agree to maintain the confidentiality of all Proprietary Materials, which include technical processes, methodologies, documentation, software, and specifications. We retain ownership of all Proprietary Materials, and you may only use them as directed by us. Furthermore, we may use these materials for other clients without consulting you.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all employees, agents, or subcontractors follow this confidentiality requirement. Unauthorized individuals should not have access to Proprietary Materials.
You agree not to copy, reproduce, reverse-engineer, or modify CRST's web development code or service methodologies without prior written permission.
During service and support, we may share limited confidential information internally with authorized personnel, vendors, or subcontractors as necessary.
If required by law or court order, we may share or surrender your information, but only to the extent necessary.
Website Service Support Billing
Minor requests may be completed at no charge, at our discretion. However, other requests, including those requiring a job ticket, will incur charges at a rate of $100 per hour.
Urgent requests may not require advance payment, but scheduled site construction will typically require upfront payment. All invoices are due upon receipt.
Failure to request an estimate in advance means you accept the $100 per hour rate as non-negotiable.
Non-Payment Protocols
We handle non-payment matters according to our Support Protocols. If we receive no appropriate response, we will grant five (5) additional business days for resolution. After this period, we will place your account in non-payment status.
Failure to make payments may result in the suspension of domain registration, hosting, or maintenance services. Related services, such as email or shopping cart functionality, may also be suspended or terminated. For instance, failing to renew a domain name could result in the loss of ownership.
If we suspend or terminate web services, you agree to hold CRST harmless for any resulting inconvenience.
To reinstate services, CRST may or may not approve your request. Any reinstatement will be at our sole discretion and will require advance payment for web programming or project management support.
Accounts in arrears accrue interest at 18% per annum, compounded monthly. After 30 days of non-payment, we will send written documentation notifying you of the outstanding balance.
After 60 days, any assets held by CRST, such as domain names or codes, will become CRST property. These can only be reclaimed after you settle all outstanding amounts.
Cornerstone does not recognize any court orders that attempt to force continued services without payment.
Liability and Indemnity
You agree to the limits of CRST's liability regarding web development, hosting, domain registration, and other services. We are not liable for any specific or anticipated profit loss, business opportunities, accounting loss, or similar issues.
You agree to indemnify and hold CRST harmless for any damages arising from our work, including any legal consequences due to privacy breaches or third-party intellectual property violations.
Termination of Service
Either party may terminate services with reasonable notice, assuming there are no outstanding payment issues. If you wish to transfer your domain or website to another provider, we will cooperate without additional fees.
Upon termination, we will compress and return the WordPress site code. However, you acknowledge that certain plugins may only function in our secure environment. We will not provide further support once you move the site or no longer have control over it.
Force Majeure
CRST is not liable for delays caused by events beyond our control, including strikes, weather events, legal compliance, server failures, or vendor issues.
Additional Considerations
(a) We place a "built by" statement and the CRST logo on each site we construct.
(b) You acknowledge and do not object to CRST displaying public information and images about your website, domain name, and related web services on our websites (crst.net, donerightmail.com, or politicalmailing.us) as evidence of the work we completed.
(c) If you wish to send anything to us in writing, our address is 31 South Ohioville Road, New Paltz, NY 12561.