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Website Lease Agreement (Version 2.0)
Archived version, Version Date: Oct 30, 2026. Replaced the same day by Version 2.1, renamed Terms and Conditions.
This Website Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is between AuburnSEO LLC and the business or person purchasing its services (the "Client"). The Client accepts this Agreement by checking an acceptance box, signing, submitting payment, or using any AuburnSEO LLC service after receiving a link to this Agreement. The person accepting confirms that they are authorized to accept it on behalf of the Client's business. The specific services, rates and start dates for each Client are listed on the Client's invoice, order confirmation or signup form (the "Order"). If the Order and this Agreement conflict, this Agreement controls unless the Order states that it changes a specific section.
1. Services & Delivery
AuburnSEO LLC provides complete website architecture setup, secure cloud hosting, domain registration and controls, and ongoing local SEO management. Each engagement includes the design, build, and deployment of a mobile-first business website optimized for lead generation within the Client's service area. AuburnSEO LLC implements SEO and AEO best practices but does not guarantee specific search rankings, traffic, lead volume, or revenue outcomes, as these are influenced by factors outside AuburnSEO LLC's control, including but not limited to search engine algorithm changes, market competition, and Client's own business operations.
The services included for each Client are the ones listed on the Client's Order. Services that are not listed are not included unless they are added in writing.
The Client agrees to provide the information, content, approvals and account access reasonably needed to deliver the services. Timelines depend on the Client's responsiveness. If the Client does not respond to a mockup, a request for information or a request for approval within 30 days, AuburnSEO LLC may close the project. A closed project may be restarted later at AuburnSEO LLC's discretion.
AuburnSEO LLC may use third-party platforms (for example HighLevel, Cloudflare, Google and Stripe), software tools including AI-assisted tools, and contractors to deliver the services. AuburnSEO LLC is responsible for its own work under this Agreement but not for those platforms' own performance, policies or pricing.
AuburnSEO LLC provides marketing and technology services only. Nothing AuburnSEO LLC provides is legal, accounting, tax, licensing or regulatory advice. The Client is responsible for making sure its website content, offers, advertising, licensing claims and business practices comply with the laws and rules that apply to its business.
Unless the Client opts out in writing, AuburnSEO LLC may show the Client's business name, logo and screenshots of work it performed in its portfolio and marketing. AuburnSEO LLC will not publish the Client's private data, customer information or business results (such as review counts or revenue) without the Client's permission.
1b. Business Information the Client Provides
The Client may give AuburnSEO LLC information about its business through forms (including the free mockup form and any onboarding form), calls, texts and email. This can include the business name, services, service areas, hours, licenses, insurance, photos, logos, reviews and contact details. The Client confirms that this information is accurate, current and lawful to publish, and will tell AuburnSEO LLC promptly when it changes.
AuburnSEO LLC may rely on the information the Client provides without independently verifying it. AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for errors, outdated details, or claims that come from the Client's information or that the Client approves, including statements such as "licensed", "insured", "certified", "warranty", pricing or service guarantees.
The Client gives AuburnSEO LLC permission to use, edit, format and publish this information and these materials as needed to deliver the services while this Agreement is active. AuburnSEO LLC may decline or remove content it reasonably believes is false, misleading, infringing, unlawful, or against the rules of a platform used to deliver the services.
Information submitted through AuburnSEO LLC forms is handled as described in the AuburnSEO LLC Privacy Policy. By submitting a phone number, the Client agrees that AuburnSEO LLC may contact the Client about its inquiry, account and services by call, text or email. The Client can reply STOP to any text message to opt out of non-essential messages.
2a. Payment & Startup
Service is billed monthly at the rate agreed upon at signup, as reflected on the Client's invoice or order confirmation, and tracked and processed securely through a third-party payment processor. Billing begins upon launch of the live website (or activation of services) and continues monthly until cancelled per the terms below. Client authorizes recurring charges to the payment method on file at the agreed rate until cancellation is requested per Section 5, or until the rate is changed per Section 2b.
If payment is not received within 5 days of the due date, AuburnSEO LLC reserves the right to suspend the Client's website and services until payment is made current.
Fees are due in advance for each billing period. Fees already paid are non-refundable, including for partial months, unused services and periods of suspension, unless this Agreement or a written AuburnSEO LLC guarantee says otherwise. Prices do not include sales or other taxes, and the Client is responsible for any taxes that apply.
The Client agrees to keep a valid payment method on file. If a charge fails, AuburnSEO LLC may retry the charge and may suspend services as described above. Services that remain suspended for non-payment for 30 days or more may be cancelled, and the leased website and domain may be taken offline.
The Client agrees to contact AuburnSEO LLC to resolve any billing question before disputing a charge with its bank or card issuer. A chargeback or payment dispute for services that were delivered is a breach of this Agreement. AuburnSEO LLC may suspend all services while a dispute is open and may recover the disputed amount plus any dispute fees charged to AuburnSEO LLC.
The Client is responsible for the reasonable costs AuburnSEO LLC incurs to collect past-due amounts, including collection agency fees and reasonable attorney's fees, to the extent allowed by law. Any third-party cost that is not included in the Client's rate will be disclosed to and approved by the Client before it is incurred.
2b. Price Changes & Tier Upgrades
AuburnSEO LLC may offer multiple service tiers at different price points. The Client's monthly rate is locked at the amount agreed upon at signup unless the Client voluntarily upgrades to a higher tier. AuburnSEO LLC reserves the right to adjust pricing for new tiers or new clients at any time; existing Clients will be notified at least 30 days in advance of any change to their own rate and may cancel before the new rate takes effect.
Services, add-ons or upgrades the Client adds later, including the Reputation Management services described in Section 7, are billed at the rate shown on the Client's Order for that service, which may be separate from the website rate. Introductory or promotional pricing applies only for the period stated when it was offered.
3. Ownership & Lease Terms
This is a leased property agreement. AuburnSEO LLC retains 100% ownership of the website design, code, and domain name for the duration of this agreement. Assets are non-transferable and may not be copied, downloaded, or migrated to another host or provider while this agreement is active.
The ownership terms above apply to domain names registered by AuburnSEO LLC. If the Client already owned a domain name before this Agreement, the Client keeps ownership of that domain and grants AuburnSEO LLC the DNS and account access needed to connect it while this Agreement is active. After cancellation, and once all amounts owed are paid, AuburnSEO LLC will cooperate so the Client can point that domain elsewhere.
The Client keeps ownership of the logos, trademarks, photos and text it provides ("Client Content") and grants AuburnSEO LLC a license to use them to deliver the services while this Agreement is active. AuburnSEO LLC keeps ownership of its designs, templates, layouts, code, the copy it writes, and its methods, and may reuse them for other clients, excluding the Client Content.
The Client may not copy, scrape, clone or reproduce the leased website's code, the copy written by AuburnSEO LLC, or its design files, during or after this Agreement, without AuburnSEO LLC's written permission.
The Client's Google Business Profile, social media accounts, phone numbers the Client owned before this Agreement, and the Client's customer lists remain the Client's property and are not leased assets. See Sections 7 and 8.
AuburnSEO LLC reserves the right to cancel a subscription for any reason, and reasons including but not limited to non-payment, abusive or harassing communication toward AuburnSEO LLC staff, or repeated requests that fall significantly outside the scope of this agreement.- the client will receive a notice, and the website will remain live for the remainder of the pay period.
4. Maintenance
Routine content adjustments - updating text, photos, hours, and service details - are included at no additional charge. A full platform redesign, restructure, or the addition of major new functionality falls outside routine maintenance and will be quoted separately before any work begins. AuburnSEO LLC will complete routine maintenance requests within 1-5 business days of receipt. Requests are handled Monday-Friday during normal business hours; AuburnSEO LLC is not obligated to respond to requests made outside these hours until the next business day.
Routine maintenance does not include ongoing inventory or listing management - for example, adding, removing, or updating individual items such as live stock, equipment, or products as they are bought or sold. Clients with active listings (e.g. goods for sale) may list contact information for direct inquiries, but AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for keeping such listings current in real time.
Maintenance requests should be sent in writing by text or email. AuburnSEO LLC may ask the Client to confirm a request before making it. Routine maintenance is intended for normal business updates; AuburnSEO LLC may quote separately for, or limit, requests that are unusually frequent or large in scope.
The Client is responsible for reviewing its live website after changes and reporting errors promptly. Content the Client asks AuburnSEO LLC to publish, and changes the Client approves, are the Client's responsibility.
AuburnSEO LLC maintains the website with reasonable care and relies on its hosting providers' standard backups and security, but does not guarantee uninterrupted availability, error-free operation, or protection against every security threat.
5. Cancellation
The Client may cancel at any time with no long-term contract, by providing written notice (SMS is sufficient) to AuburnSEO LLC. Cancellation requests must be clear and explicit - for example, "I want to cancel my service" or "please cancel my subscription." General comments, questions about pricing, expressions of dissatisfaction, or hypothetical statements (e.g. "I might not need this anymore" or "this is getting expensive") do not constitute a cancellation request and will not stop billing. AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for continued charges resulting from a request that was not clearly and explicitly stated as a cancellation. If the Client is unsure whether a prior message was received as a cancellation, it is the Client's responsibility to follow up and confirm in writing.
Upon cancellation, monthly billing stops at the end of the current billing cycle, and the leased website, code, and domain revert offline to AuburnSEO LLC. As stated in the ownership terms, these assets remain the property of AuburnSEO LLC and are not transferred to the Client.
Cancelling one service does not cancel other services unless the Client says so. For example, the Client may cancel Reputation Management and keep the website, or the reverse. Cancellation does not entitle the Client to a refund of fees already paid, and amounts owed for periods before cancellation remain due.
Notwithstanding Section 3, AuburnSEO LLC may suspend or end any service immediately, without refund, if the Client uses the services for an unlawful purpose; breaks Google, phone carrier or platform rules in a way that puts AuburnSEO LLC's accounts or other clients at risk; breaks the rules in Section 7; or opens a payment dispute for services that were delivered.
When a service ends, AuburnSEO LLC will stop any review-request messages, remove its own access to the Client's Google Business Profile (or ask the Client to remove it), disconnect its software from the Client's accounts, and handle the Client's customer data as described in Section 7.
6. Limitation of Liability
AuburnSEO LLC's total liability under this agreement shall not exceed the amount paid by Client in the preceding month of service. AuburnSEO LLC is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost profits or lost business opportunities.
AuburnSEO LLC is not liable for service interruptions caused by third-party platforms, hosting providers, or software outside AuburnSEO LLC's direct control.
Client warrants that all content, images, logos, and materials provided to AuburnSEO LLC are either owned by Client or properly licensed for use. Client agrees to indemnify and hold AuburnSEO LLC harmless from any claims arising from the use of Client-provided content.
Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, the services are provided "as is" and "as available," and AuburnSEO LLC disclaims all other warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement, to the extent allowed by law.
AuburnSEO LLC is not liable for actions taken by Google, Meta, phone carriers, HighLevel or other third parties, including suspending or restricting a Google Business Profile; filtering, removing or delaying reviews; rejecting or delaying carrier (A2P 10DLC) registrations; filtering or blocking text messages; changing search rankings; or changing their policies, features or prices.
The Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless AuburnSEO LLC and its owner from claims, losses, fines, penalties and costs (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from: the Client's content and information; the Client's products, services, workmanship and business operations; the Client's advertising and licensing claims; any text message sent to a phone number the Client submitted without the consent required by Section 7; and the Client's breach of this Agreement.
AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for delays or failures caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including outages of hosting, internet or platform providers, severe weather, natural disasters, illness, or government action. The liability limit in this Section applies to all claims combined, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, to the extent allowed by law. Any claim against AuburnSEO LLC must be brought within one year after the event that caused it.
7. Reputation Management Services
AuburnSEO LLC is preparing to offer reputation management services, including automated Google review requests sent by text message, review alerts and monitoring, and replies to reviews ("Reputation Management"). This Section applies to any Client who enrolls in Reputation Management, in addition to the rest of this Agreement. The pricing and start date for Reputation Management are shown on the Client's Order for that service.
7.1 How it works
After a completed job, the Client or its staff submits the customer's first name and mobile number. AuburnSEO LLC's system then texts that customer, in the Client's business name, an honest request to leave a Google review with a direct link, followed by a limited number of reminders. Messages stop when the customer clicks the link, replies or opts out.
7.2 Customer consent
The Client may submit only customers who gave the Client their mobile number in connection with the Client's services and who agreed to receive text messages from the Client, and only customers the Client served within the past 12 months. The Client confirms it has that consent for every number it submits, will keep records of how consent was obtained, and will provide those records to AuburnSEO LLC on request. The Client will not submit purchased, scraped, shared or third-party lists.
Customers can opt out at any time by replying STOP or a similar word. Opted-out numbers will not be texted again, and the Client will not resubmit them.
7.3 Honest reviews only
To follow Google's review policies and the FTC Consumer Review Rule, every customer is asked the same way, with the same Google review link. The Client agrees not to use the service, or any other method, to screen, filter or discourage unhappy customers from leaving reviews ("review gating"); not to offer payment, discounts, gifts or anything of value in exchange for reviews; not to ask for positive or 5-star reviews or specific wording; and not to post, buy or request fake reviews. AuburnSEO LLC may suspend or end Reputation Management immediately, without refund, if these rules are broken.
7.4 Review replies
If replies are included in the Client's Order, AuburnSEO LLC may post replies to the Client's Google reviews in the Client's name, which may be drafted with AI assistance. Replies to reviews of 3 stars or lower are sent to the Client for approval before posting unless the Client chooses otherwise in writing. Replies will not include private customer details or offer anything in exchange for changing or removing a review. The Client is responsible for replies it writes or approves and may turn replies off at any time.
7.5 No guaranteed results
AuburnSEO LLC does not guarantee any number of reviews, star rating, ranking, call volume or revenue. Results depend on the Client's job volume, customer experience, how consistently customers are submitted, and decisions made by Google and phone carriers, which can filter, hide, remove or delay reviews and messages.
7.6 Text messaging registration
Business texting in the United States requires carrier registration (A2P 10DLC). The Client agrees to provide accurate legal business information for this registration, such as its legal business name, EIN or sole proprietor details, address and website, and authorizes AuburnSEO LLC to file it on the Client's behalf. Carriers decide whether and when a registration is approved. AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for rejections or delays caused by inaccurate information or carrier decisions. Sensitive registration details will be collected through a secure form, not by text message.
7.7 Phone number
AuburnSEO LLC provides a dedicated local phone number used to send the Client's review requests. Unless the Client's Order says otherwise, that number is provided for the term of the service and is released when the service ends.
7.8 Customer data
The customer names and phone numbers the Client submits belong to the Client. AuburnSEO LLC processes them only to provide the services, will not sell them or use them to market its own services, and protects them with reasonable safeguards and its platform providers' security. Within 30 days after Reputation Management ends, AuburnSEO LLC will provide an export of the Client's submitted contacts and request history if the Client asks for one, and then delete that data, except where keeping it is required by law or needed to resolve a dispute.
7.9 Fair use and eligibility
Reputation Management is intended for one business location and normal job volume. AuburnSEO LLC may limit, pace or quote separately for unusually large volumes, including imports of past customers, to protect message deliverability and follow Google and carrier rules. AuburnSEO LLC may decline Reputation Management for businesses in categories that carriers or Google restrict, or in regulated fields such as healthcare, legal and financial services.
8. Google Business Profile & Account Access
To deliver local SEO, Google Business Profile setup or Reputation Management, the Client may give AuburnSEO LLC Manager access to the Client's Google Business Profile and access to other accounts, such as domain, DNS, social media or website platforms. The Client authorizes AuburnSEO LLC to make changes within that access that are reasonably related to the services, including editing business information, posting updates, adding photos, connecting the profile to AuburnSEO LLC's software, reading reviews and posting replies as described in Section 7.
The Client's Google Business Profile belongs to the Client. AuburnSEO LLC will request Manager access, not Owner access, unless the Client asks otherwise in writing. If AuburnSEO LLC helps create or verify a profile, the Client's own Google account will be the primary owner.
AuburnSEO LLC will never ask for the Client's Google password. If a login is unavoidable for another account, the Client should share it through a secure method and may change it after the work is done. The Client is responsible for the security of its own accounts, including two-step verification and recovery options.
The Client is responsible for the accuracy of its Google Business Profile and for following Google's guidelines, such as using its real business name, address or service area, and categories. AuburnSEO LLC may decline changes it believes break those guidelines. Google controls verification, suspensions, reinstatements, review moderation and rankings. AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for suspensions, verification delays, removed reviews, edits made by Google or the public, or ranking changes, but will reasonably help the Client respond to them while the services are active. AuburnSEO LLC is not responsible for changes made by anyone else who has access to the Client's profile.
If the Client removes AuburnSEO LLC's access during the term, services that depend on that access will pause and billing will continue until the Client cancels under Section 5. When services end, AuburnSEO LLC will remove its own access or ask the Client to remove it, and will disconnect its software.
9. Communications & Electronic Acceptance
The Client agrees that AuburnSEO LLC may communicate about the Client's account, services, billing and updates to this Agreement by text, email or phone at the contact details the Client provides, and that these messages count as written notice. Written notice to AuburnSEO LLC may be sent by text to (256) 936-5321 or by email to bruce@auburnseo.com. The Client agrees that accepting this Agreement electronically, for example by checkbox, online form or payment, has the same effect as a handwritten signature.
10. Changes to This Agreement
AuburnSEO LLC may update this Agreement. The current version and its version date are posted at auburnseo.com/terms, and earlier versions are kept on file. For an existing Client, an updated version takes effect when the Client accepts it, or 30 days after AuburnSEO LLC sends the Client notice of the update by text or email if the Client keeps using the services after that date. A Client who does not agree with an update may cancel under Section 5 before it takes effect.
11. General Terms
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Alabama. Before filing any claim, the Client agrees to contact AuburnSEO LLC in writing and allow 30 days to resolve the issue informally. Disputes will be handled in the state or federal courts located in Alabama, except that either party may bring an eligible claim in small claims court.
AuburnSEO LLC is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, employment or agency relationship, except the limited authority the Client gives AuburnSEO LLC to act on its behalf in Sections 7 and 8. The Client may not transfer this Agreement without AuburnSEO LLC's written consent; AuburnSEO LLC may transfer it to a successor of its business.
If any part of this Agreement is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect and that part will be enforced to the greatest extent allowed. AuburnSEO LLC's failure to enforce a term is not a waiver of it. This Agreement, the Client's Order and the AuburnSEO LLC Privacy Policy are the entire agreement between the parties about these services and replace any earlier proposals or discussions. Sections about amounts owed, ownership, customer data, limitation of liability, indemnification and these general terms continue to apply after this Agreement ends.