Terms and Conditions

1. Our Services

MiniPage provides affordable website design, website hosting, website maintenance and related digital services. Depending on the package selected, services may include website design and development, hosting, domain configuration assistance, SSL configuration, mobile-responsive design, contact forms, reasonable content changes, logo design, maintenance, integrations, custom development, software development, APIs, databases, data services and other services agreed separately. The exact services included depend on the package, quotation or agreement selected.

2. The R99 Per Month Website Package

Where a Client subscribes to the MiniPage R99 per month website package, MiniPage provides the website as an ongoing managed website service. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the monthly fee covers continued use and hosting of the supplied website and reasonable minor amendments. The R99 monthly service is not a once-off purchase of the website design or source code. The Client receives a limited right to use the website while the subscription remains active and paid, subject to these intellectual-property provisions.

3. No Minimum 36-Month Lock-In

The Client is not required to remain subscribed merely to comply with a 36-month minimum contract. A Client may cancel subject to these Terms and rights under South African law. Cancelling does not automatically transfer ownership of the website design, source code, layout, custom graphics or logo. The 36-month period relates to transfer of certain intellectual-property rights and is not intended to remove statutory cancellation rights.

4. Website Design and Intellectual Property

4.1 Ownership During the First 36 Months

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all original website designs, layouts, visual concepts, graphics, coding and other creative work produced for a Client under the R99 monthly package remain MiniPage property during the first 36 months of continuous paid service. This includes the website design, layouts, styling, custom graphics, CSS, JavaScript, HTML, PHP or other code, project-specific source code, design concepts, navigation structures, custom icons and logos created by MiniPage. Payment gives the Client the right to use these materials as part of the service; it is not a sale or assignment of intellectual property.

4.2 Licence While Subscribed

While the account is active and fully paid, MiniPage grants a limited, non-exclusive licence to use the website and MiniPage-created design for the Client's own business. The Client may advertise and promote the website normally, but may not copy, reproduce or relocate MiniPage's design or source code to another hosting provider.

4.3 Client Content Remains the Client's Property

The Client continues to own photographs, business information, product information, graphics, documents, supplied written content, existing trademarks, existing logos and other material the Client already owns or is authorised to use. The Client permits MiniPage to use this material as necessary to provide the service and is responsible for ensuring it does not infringe another person's rights.

5. Ownership After 36 Months

Once the Client has completed 36 months of continuous paid MiniPage website service, ownership of the Client-specific website design, layout, custom graphics, final custom logo and project-specific source code created specifically for that Client transfers to the Client, provided the account is fully paid. No additional R3,000 purchase fee is required after this period. The Client may request a reasonable export or copy of transferable files.

5.1 Technology That Does Not Transfer

The transfer does not include MiniPage's underlying systems, reusable libraries, development tools, internal frameworks, common components, deployment systems, administration systems, trademarks, proprietary software, techniques, know-how or intellectual property developed independently of the project. Open-source software, fonts, plugins, libraries, stock images and third-party materials remain subject to their own licences.

6. R3,000 Website Buy-Out

A Client who wishes to leave before 36 months and retain and use the MiniPage-created standard website independently may purchase it for a once-off amount of R3,000, unless a different amount was agreed for that project. Once the fee and outstanding amounts are paid, MiniPage transfers the Client-specific rights described in section 5 and the Client may move the transferable website to another provider. Large websites, e-commerce systems, custom software, APIs, portals, databases, mobile applications, integrations and substantial custom projects may have different arrangements specified separately.

7. No Copying, Downloading or Moving Without Permission

Before ownership has transferred under section 5 or 6, the Client may not without written permission download, copy, reproduce, move, clone, substantially reproduce, sell, sublicense or provide the MiniPage-created website, design, logo or source code to another hosting company or developer for independent use. Cancelling does not give the Client the right to copy the website before ownership transfers.

8. Website Copying and Circumvention

The R99 service must not be used to obtain a professional website at a low initial cost and immediately copy its design, files, source code or artwork for use elsewhere. This restriction does not prevent a former Client from creating an independently designed website using the Client's own business information and Client-owned content.

9. Logo Design

Where MiniPage creates an original logo as part of a package, MiniPage retains ownership until 36 months of continuous paid service, the applicable buy-out is paid, or MiniPage agrees otherwise in writing. While active and paid, the Client may use the approved logo for normal business activities, including its website, social media, invoices, advertising and business material. After transfer, the Client may use, modify and reproduce it independently. Third-party components remain subject to their licences.

10. Client-Provided Logos and Branding

Where the Client provides an existing logo, trademark or branding, ownership remains with the Client or relevant rights holder. MiniPage does not acquire ownership merely because it is incorporated into a website.

11. Hosting

Websites supplied under the monthly package are normally hosted through infrastructure selected or managed by MiniPage. Hosting is subject to technical limitations, maintenance and acceptable-use restrictions. MiniPage may use third-party data centres, hosts, DNS providers, email providers, CDNs and other suppliers. MiniPage does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free hosting. Interruptions may result from maintenance, updates, security work, network or data-centre failures, third-party outages, DNS or internet problems, cyberattacks, circumstances outside reasonable control or emergency maintenance. MiniPage will make reasonable efforts to restore services under its control.

12. Domains

Domain registration and website ownership are separate. A domain registered in the Client's name remains the Client's domain subject to registrar terms and renewal fees. The Client remains responsible for accurate registration information. Domain registration, renewal and transfer fees may be charged separately unless expressly included. Website-design ownership does not give MiniPage ownership of a Client-owned domain.

13. Monthly Payments

Monthly fees are payable according to the selected arrangement. Where recurring billing is used, the Client authorises the payment provider to process recurring payments under its terms. Failure to pay may result in suspension after reasonable notice. Suspension does not extinguish amounts owed.

14. Cancellation

Clients may request cancellation in writing. Cancellation is dealt with subject to applicable South African law, including Consumer Protection Act rights where applicable. Amounts already lawfully due remain payable. If cancellation occurs before transfer, the Client may allow the service to terminate without retaining MiniPage-owned design and code, or purchase transferable rights under section 6. Cancellation of hosting is not purchase or transfer of intellectual property.

15. What Happens When a Subscription Ends

If a subscription ends before ownership transfers and no buy-out is completed, MiniPage may take the hosted website offline after termination. The Client remains entitled to Client-owned material supplied by the Client. MiniPage is not required to provide proprietary source code, design files or development files unless transfer or buy-out has occurred. Where reasonably possible, Client-owned content may be provided on request.

16. Website Changes

Minor reasonable changes may be included in certain monthly packages, such as telephone numbers, addresses, supplied photographs, wording, opening hours and similar routine adjustments. MiniPage reasonably determines whether work is minor. Major redesigns, additional pages, substantial functionality, integrations, e-commerce, custom programming or significant development may be quoted separately.

17. Client Approval

The Client is responsible for checking spelling, prices, contact details, addresses, descriptions, legal wording, product information, banking details and other business information. Once approved, MiniPage may rely on that approval, while correcting reasonable errors brought to its attention where the service includes such changes.

18. Client Responsibilities

The Client must not use MiniPage services unlawfully or knowingly distribute malware, malicious software, fraudulent material, unlawful content, phishing material, copyright-infringing material, illegal goods or services, or content unlawfully infringing third-party rights. MiniPage may suspend services where reasonably necessary to protect MiniPage, infrastructure, customers or third parties.

19. Search Engines and Marketing Results

MiniPage does not guarantee any particular Google ranking, search position, visitors, enquiries, leads, customers, revenue or commercial result. Rankings and advertising performance depend on third parties and factors outside MiniPage's control. Where SEO is included or purchased, MiniPage performs the agreed work but cannot guarantee ranking outcomes.

20. Third-Party Services

A website may rely on payment gateways, maps, analytics, social media, email providers, plugins, APIs or other external systems. MiniPage is not responsible for outages, policy changes, termination, price changes or failures caused by third parties outside reasonable control. Third-party services have their own terms and privacy policies.

21. Backups and Data

MiniPage may maintain backups as part of normal hosting procedures, but no backup system is infallible. Clients should retain copies of important business information, images and documents. MiniPage will take reasonable measures appropriate to the service but cannot guarantee data will never be lost, corrupted or compromised.

22. Security

MiniPage takes reasonable technical and organisational measures appropriate to the services. No internet-connected system can be guaranteed completely secure. The Client must keep credentials secure and promptly report suspected unauthorised access. MiniPage may apply updates or restrict services when reasonably necessary to protect systems or data.

23. Personal Information and Privacy

MiniPage processes personal information in accordance with applicable South African privacy law and its Privacy Policy. Information may be used as reasonably necessary to administer accounts, provide and maintain services, process payments, communicate, provide support, prevent fraud or comply with legal obligations. Where a Client website collects personal information, the Client is responsible for lawful collection and use.

24. Portfolio Rights

Unless the Client requests otherwise in writing, MiniPage may identify publicly accessible work as an example of its work, including a screenshot, business name, logo or link. This does not transfer ownership of Client-owned trademarks or content. A Client may request that confidential or commercially sensitive projects not be used for portfolio purposes.

25. Warranties and Limitation of Liability

MiniPage will perform services with reasonable care and skill. To the maximum extent permitted by law, MiniPage is not liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential losses arising from circumstances outside reasonable control. Nothing excludes or restricts rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under South African law.

26. Indemnity for Client-Supplied Material

The Client confirms it owns or has permission to use material supplied to MiniPage and is responsible for claims resulting from that material unlawfully infringing intellectual-property, privacy or other rights, except to the extent MiniPage caused or contributed to the infringement.

27. Changes to Services and Pricing

MiniPage may change packages, features or pricing from time to time. Changes affecting existing Clients will be communicated as required by law and will not retrospectively alter amounts already paid. Statutory rights remain unaffected.

28. Intellectual-Property Enforcement

Unauthorised copying, reproduction, distribution or commercial use of MiniPage-owned designs, source code, logos or proprietary material may infringe intellectual-property rights. MiniPage reserves all rights and remedies available under law and may require unauthorised material to be removed or the appropriate licence or buy-out fee paid.

29. Electronic Communications

Communications relating to the service may take place electronically, including by email, WhatsApp, online forms and other electronic channels used between MiniPage and the Client. Electronic communications and transactions are recognised under South African law, including the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.

30. Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms deprives a consumer of rights granted by applicable South African legislation. Where the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 or another law grants a right that cannot legally be excluded, that right applies notwithstanding anything inconsistent here.

31. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Disputes will be dealt with under applicable law and through courts, tribunals, consumer bodies or other dispute-resolution mechanisms having jurisdiction.

32. Severability

If a provision is unlawful or unenforceable, it will be interpreted or limited to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable where legally possible. The remaining provisions continue to apply.

33. Entire Agreement

These Terms, any applicable quotation, package description, order confirmation, Privacy Policy and written agreement constitute the agreement for the applicable service. Where a specifically agreed quotation differs from these general Terms, the specifically agreed terms apply to that project to the extent of the inconsistency.

34. Contact

Questions, cancellation requests or notices concerning these Terms or MiniPage services may be sent through the contact details published on minipage.co.za.