How to Create a Terms of Service Agreement for Your Website or App
A Terms of Service (TOS) agreement protects your website, app, or SaaS product by legally defining the rules, limitations, and responsibilities between you and your users.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why you need a TOS
- What should go inside
- How to write one fast without hiring a lawyer
🛡️ Why You Need a Terms of Service
A well-written TOS gives your business legal power. It:
- Prevents misuse of your services
- Sets user expectations and behavior rules
- Limits your liability if things go wrong
- Clarifies ownership of content and code
- Protects your platform against spam, bots, and abuse
Without a TOS, you may struggle to enforce rules or protect yourself in court.
🧱 Core Clauses to Include in Your TOS
1. Acceptance of Terms
Explain how users agree to your terms (clickwrap, checkbox, etc.)
2. Account Rules & Eligibility
Define who can use your platform and under what conditions
3. Usage Restrictions
What users cannot do — e.g., reverse-engineer your code, scrape content, harass others
4. Intellectual Property
Clarify who owns the code, content, designs, or trademarks
5. Termination
You can suspend or remove users if they violate the rules
6. Disclaimer of Liability
You’re not responsible for damages caused by third parties or misuse
7. Governing Law
Which jurisdiction governs the agreement (e.g., California, Delaware)
8. Updates to Terms
Users should be informed if the TOS is updated in the future
✍️ How to Write One Quickly
You can:
- Copy/paste a TOS from another site (⚠️ risky and often illegal)
- Hire a lawyer ($$$)
- Use an online TOS Generator (fastest & most affordable)
👉 We recommend using our Terms of Service Generator — fill out a few fields and get a customized, downloadable PDF.
✅ Best Practices for a Strong TOS
- Keep it readable: Use clear English, short sentences, and bullet points
- Make it accessible: Place it in the website footer or app menu
- Use Clickwrap: Require active agreement from users
- Avoid legalese: You’re not writing for lawyers — you’re writing for users
- Stay updated: Review your TOS yearly or with major platform changes
🔐 Bonus Tip: Combine with a Privacy Policy
Many businesses forget — privacy and TOS go hand in hand. If you collect user data, you also need a Privacy Policy explaining how that data is used and stored.
📌 Summary
- Your TOS is a legal safety net for your website or app
- It helps avoid disputes and defines your relationship with users
- Use plain language and common clauses to keep it enforceable
- Online generators are your best friend for getting it done fast
📥 Ready to Build Yours?
Head over to our TOS generator to create a professional agreement tailored to your business.
No signup. No legal team required. Just fast, reliable legal documents.