When running a Shopify store, creating and displaying terms of service, and obtaining consent from users, are essential for preventing trouble before it happens. That said, many of you may be wondering, "How do I create terms of service?", "How do I display them on my store?", and "How do I get consent?"
This article explains in detail how to create terms of service, how to display them on your Shopify store, and how to obtain consent from users, along with concrete steps and recommended tools.
What Are Terms of Service?
Terms of service are a document in which a service provider spells out the rules that users of the service must strictly follow (rules for using the service).
A service provider isn't obligated to create terms of service, but by putting them in writing and getting consent from users of the service, you can avoid many potential future disputes.
How to Create Terms of Service
Use Shopify's Generator (Free)
Shopify offers a generator service that automatically creates terms of service for free. Just enter the required information and it will create a simple set of terms of service for you, so give it a try.
You can access Shopify's terms of service generator via the link below
Hire a Lawyer
Shopify's terms of service generator can only create simple terms of service suitable for a wide variety of stores. Because of this, if you want to create terms of service tailored to your own store, it's a good idea to hire a lawyer. The going rate is typically anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars, so if you already have a retained lawyer, it's worth consulting with them.
How to Display Terms of Service on Your Shopify Store
Here's how to display terms of service on your Shopify store. Following the steps below lets you display your terms of service at "https://yourdomain/policies/terms-of-service."
- Go to "Settings > Policies"
- Enter your terms of service content in the "Terms of service" section
- Click "Save" in the top right of the screen
How to Get Consent to Your Terms of Service From Users on Shopify
It's not enough to just display your terms of service — it's also important to get consent from users of your service. This section introduces how to display a checkbox that lets you obtain consent from users of your service for the terms of service you've displayed.
Use Your Shopify Theme
The first method is to use your Shopify theme. Some Shopify themes, such as Be Yours or Impulse, provide a block that lets you display a required checkbox on the product page or cart page.
The benefit of using your Shopify theme is that it's easy to set up. The drawbacks are that you can't freely customize the design, it can take time to find a Shopify theme that supports a required checkbox if your current theme doesn't, and Shopify themes typically cost a few hundred dollars as a one-time purchase.
Check whether your current Shopify theme can display a required checkbox.
The article below introduces how to choose a Shopify theme, popular free themes, and recommended themes. Please use it as a reference.
Use a Shopify App
Next is the method of using a Shopify app. If your current Shopify theme can't display a required checkbox, using a Shopify app lets you display one easily.
The benefit of using a Shopify app is that it's easy to set up with no code, and it offers more design flexibility than using your Shopify theme. The drawback is that it costs a monthly fee, though only a few dollars.
Customize the Source Code
Finally, there's the method of customizing the source code. (Note: since the implementation method differs by Shopify theme, we won't cover the detailed implementation in this article.) The benefit of customizing the source code is that it's free and lets you freely customize the design. The drawback is that it requires programming knowledge such as HTML and CSS. It also takes time not just to develop, but also to test that it works as intended.
Recommended Shopify Apps for Getting Consent to Your Terms of Service
Checkbox Assistant
Checkbox Assistant is a Shopify app that lets you easily display a no-code checkbox asking for consent to your terms of service or privacy policy. You can display a consent checkbox not just on the product page, but also on the cart page and authentication screens (account registration screens).
The blog article below introduces "Checkbox Assistant's" features, functionality, and pricing plans in detail. Please use it as a reference.
Pricing plan: from $1.99/month
Infinite Options
Image source: Infinite Options｜Shopify App Store
Infinite Options is a Shopify app that enables a wide variety of product options beyond what Shopify's default features can handle. Using Infinite Options, you can apply this in creative ways, such as displaying a checkbox asking for consent to your terms of service.
The blog article below introduces Infinite Options' setup instructions and use cases. Please use it as a reference.
Pricing plan: $12.99/month
In Conclusion
How was this? Using Shopify's terms of service generator lets you create terms of service for free with ease, so if you don't have terms of service yet, give it a try.
This article introduced recommended Shopify apps for getting consent to your terms of service, but the article below introduces recommended Shopify apps by category, including customer acquisition, boosting sales, and expanding blog content. Please use it as a reference.
