SEO / AIO Services Terms and Conditions

(Last updated: January 2026)

These SEO terms and conditions ("SEO terms") are an addendum to and must be read with Noiz Cybersecurity (Pty) Ltd's website development terms ("development terms"). If there is any conflict, these SEO terms govern for SEO services.

1. Definitions

Client: the person or entity purchasing the services.
Noiz / provider: Noiz Cybersecurity (Pty) Ltd t/a Noiz, or the applicable Noiz entity stated in the quotation.
Services: search engine optimisation services described in the quotation/proposal, which may include technical SEO, on-page optimisation, content and page creation, keyword research, rank tracking, reporting, and optimisation of existing pages.
Deliverables: tangible outputs (e.g., reports, content drafts, recommendations, implemented changes).
Term: the duration of this agreement as per clause 3.
POPIA: Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (RSA).

2. Relationship to Development Terms

The development terms (including limitations of liability, confidentiality, IP, and general provisions) apply to these SEO terms. Capitalised terms have the meaning given in the development terms unless defined here.

3. Term, Minimum Commitment and Renewal

The client agrees to a minimum commitment of 12 (twelve) calendar months from the commencement date stated in the quotation ("minimum term").
After the minimum term, the agreement continues on a month-to-month basis unless either party gives at least 30 days' written notice to terminate.
If the client terminates before the minimum term ends, the client remains liable for fees for the balance of the minimum term unless otherwise agreed in writing.

4. Scope of Services

Services will be as set out in the quotation/proposal and may include:

Technical SEO: audits, site health, crawl/indexation, site structure, speed, core web vitals, schema/structured data, redirects, canonicals, robots/sitemaps.
On-page optimisation: titles, meta descriptions, headings, internal links, image alt text, URL hygiene, EEAT signals.
Content and page creation: creation of new SEO-optimised pages subject to client resources (images, text, approvals). AI-assisted content generation may be provided on request; see clause 11.
Optimisation of existing pages: SEO and on-page ("AIO") improvements to existing content.
Research & reporting: keyword research/cluster mapping, competitor and SERP analysis, rank tracking, analytics configuration, and agreed reporting cadence.

Work outside the agreed scope requires written approval and may be billed at the prevailing hourly rate.

5. Client Obligations and Dependencies

Provide timely access to CMS, hosting, analytics/search console, tag manager, CDN, and other systems required to perform services.
Supply brand assets, images, text, and legal notices; review and approve content/changes without undue delay.
Maintain the website's technical environment (theme, plugins, server) to a reasonable standard of security and performance.
Implement recommended fixes where access is restricted to the client or third parties (unless Noiz is separately engaged to implement).

Delays or omissions by the client may delay deliverables and can incur additional effort and cost.

6. Software and Third-Party Tools

Where specified in the quote, a single-client licence for tools (e.g., SE Ranking) is provided for the project term. Licences are for the stated domain(s) only and are non-transferable.
Third-party platform changes, outages, or pricing/feature changes are outside Noiz's control and may affect deliverables or require scope/fee adjustments.

7. Fees, Hours and Payment

Monthly fees include the retainer hours indicated in the quotation (e.g., 8 hours SEO management + 8 hours content/page creation). Unused hours do not roll over unless agreed in writing.
Additional hours beyond the retainer will be billed at the agreed hourly rate, subject to client approval (email approval suffices).
Invoices are due as stated in the quotation (typically in advance; payable within 7 days). Fees are exclusive of VAT and applicable taxes unless otherwise indicated.
Noiz may suspend work for overdue accounts and is not liable for resulting delays or impacts.

8. No Guarantees and Results Disclaimer

SEO outcomes depend on numerous factors outside Noiz's control, including but not limited to search engine algorithms, competitor activity, industry volatility, hosting/CDN performance, website changes by the client or third parties, content quality and frequency, and backlink profiles.

Accordingly, Noiz makes no guarantees, warranties, or representations regarding specific rankings, traffic, leads, conversions, or revenue. Any projections, examples, or case studies are illustrative only.

9. Implementation and Approvals

Where Noiz has implementation access, Noiz will take reasonable care when deploying changes. Where access is limited, Noiz will provide written instructions for the client or their developers.
The client is responsible for prompt review/approval of content and changes. Silence beyond 5 business days after delivery may be treated as provisional approval for scheduling purposes.
The client is responsible for legal/regulatory compliance of content on their site (claims, disclaimers, pricing, consumer notices, industry-specific requirements).

10. Link Building and Search Engine Guidelines

Noiz follows reasonable, industry-accepted practices. Noiz does not engage in deceptive practices intended to manipulate search engines.
Backlink acquisition is subject to availability and third-party acceptance. Costs for sponsored placements or directory/listing fees are excluded unless stated in the quotation.
The client accepts the inherent risk that search engines may change guidelines or apply manual/algorithmic actions that can impact visibility.

11. Content, AI-Assisted Content and Intellectual Property

Content created by Noiz (including AI-assisted drafts) is supplied for client review and editing. The client is responsible for fact-checking, legal review, and regulatory compliance before publication.
Unless otherwise agreed, ownership of approved and fully paid deliverables transfers to the client on receipt of full payment. Until paid in full, all rights remain with Noiz.
The client warrants that all materials it supplies (text, images, trademarks) are licensed and indemnifies Noiz against third-party claims arising from client-supplied materials.

12. Data Protection and Privacy (POPIA)

Each party will comply with applicable South African data protection laws, including POPIA.
Where Noiz processes personal information as an operator on behalf of the client, Noiz will implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect such information and will process it only on documented instructions from the client, except as required by law.

13. Compliance with South African Law

These SEO terms are subject to South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) where applicable.
If the CPA applies, nothing in these terms is intended to limit rights that cannot lawfully be limited.

14. Suspension and Termination

Either party may terminate after the minimum term with 30 days' written notice.
Either party may terminate for material breach on 14 days' written notice if the breach is not remedied within that period.
On termination: (i) the client must pay all amounts due up to the termination date; (ii) Noiz will deliver in-progress and completed deliverables as reasonably practicable; and (iii) access to third-party tool accounts provided by Noiz may cease.

15. Warranties and Liability

Noiz warrants that it will perform services with reasonable skill and care consistent with generally accepted industry practices.
Except as expressly stated, all other warranties are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Limitation: To the extent permitted by law, Noiz's aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with these SEO terms is limited to the total fees paid by the client to Noiz in the 3 months preceding the event giving rise to liability. Noiz is not liable for indirect, special, incidental, or consequential loss (including loss of profits, revenue, or data).

16. Confidentiality

Each party must keep the other's confidential information confidential and use it only for purposes of performing or receiving the services, subject to customary exceptions (public domain, already known, independently developed, or legally required disclosure).

17. Force Majeure

No party is liable for delay or failure to perform due to events beyond its reasonable control (including network/hosting outages, denial-of-service attacks, utility failures, acts of God, war, strikes, or governmental action). Time for performance is extended for the period of delay.

18. Notices

Formal notices must be sent to the addresses/emails set out in the quotation or as updated in writing, and are deemed received on proof of delivery (or, for email, on successful transmission without bounce). Operational approvals may be provided by email.

19. Changes, Severability and Entire Agreement

Changes to scope, fees, or terms must be in writing and signed/accepted by both parties (email acceptance suffices unless otherwise required).
If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in force.
These SEO terms, together with the development terms and the quotation/proposal, constitute the entire agreement for SEO services.

20. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

The parties will first attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiation between decision-makers.
Failing resolution within 20 business days, the dispute may be referred to mediation in South Africa. If unresolved, either party may proceed to the competent courts of South Africa. The governing law is the law of the Republic of South Africa.

Schedule A: Commercial Details (For Convenience)

Commencement date: [dd mmm yyyy]
Minimum term: 12 months
Retainer hours: Line 2: 8 hours/month (SEO management); Line 3: 8 hours/month (content & page creation, incl. SEO/AIO for existing pages; AI-assisted content on request)
Hourly rate for additional work: [amount + VAT]
Reporting cadence: [monthly/quarterly]
Tool licence: SE Ranking (single-client licence tied to project/domain)
Payment terms: [in advance / within 7 days]; late payment may pause services

Questions or amendments? Add an addendum referencing the clause numbers above and have both parties approve in writing.