Terms of Service

Starknot is a web development agency based in Costa Rica, specialized in small and medium businesses across Latin America. We operate under the trade name Starknot and build professional websites under different structures depending on project scope.

Starknot offers web development under different tiers, defined by scope, complexity, and deliverables of each project. The specific details of each tier — including pricing, delivery times, and included sections — are formally agreed upon in an individual quote prior to the start of the project.

To maintain quality and operational focus, Starknot does not currently offer the following services, even when the client is willing to pay for them:

• Automations, WhatsApp bots, or n8n/Zapier flows.
• Paid advertising management (Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads).
• Social media management or recurring content creation.
• Ongoing SEO strategy, link building, or backlink purchasing.
• Corporate email hosting for the client.
• Maintenance of websites developed by third parties.

If you request a service outside our current scope, we will let you know transparently and, when possible, recommend alternatives or specialized professionals.

Every project with Starknot follows a structured process:

1. Initial conversation:we understand the client's needs, business, and goals.
2. Formal quote: we deliver a document with scope, pricing, delivery timelines, and project-specific terms.
3. Agreement and deposit: once the quote is approved, the agreement is signed and the initial deposit is made.
4. Execution: we develop the project according to the agreed timelines.
5. Delivery and launch: the site or system goes live, the corresponding training is provided, and ownership is transferred to the client.
6. Monthly maintenance (optional depending on the case): ongoing technical support under the agreed plan.

Payment terms are specified in each individual quote. As a general rule:

• An initial deposit is required before the project begins.
• The remaining balance is settled before final launch.
• Monthly maintenance plans are billed on a recurring basis according to the contracted plan.
• Additional services are billed separately as they are approved during the project.

The specific prices and conditions are those stated in the formal quote signed by both parties. This quote prevails over any information published on the website for informational purposes.

This is one of the foundational principles of how we operate at Starknot, which is why we explain it with full transparency.

Project ownership

Once full payment of the initial setup is completed, the developed website or system is the intellectual property of the client. This includes the rights over the final design, the content written specifically for their business, and the site or system as a whole. Starknot does not retain ownership rights over the delivered work.

Why the source code is not delivered immediately

Although the site legally belongs to the client from day one, the source code is not delivered immediately upon final payment of the setup. As long as the client maintains an active monthly plan with Starknot, the site remains managed, hosted, and maintained by us under the scope of said plan.

This logic responds to a practical reality: during the first few months, the site needs to gain search engine traction, collect data, and build authority. That's why we operate with a minimum commitment of six (6) months of monthly plan counted from the launch date of the site.

Cancellation scenarios and source code delivery

If the client completes the six (6) minimum months of the monthly plan and then decides to cancel:

• They receive the complete source code at no additional cost.
• Delivery is made via digital repository or compressed file, along with the technical documentation necessary for the client to continue managing the project independently or with a different provider.
• The client may freely migrate to another hosting provider or service.
• Starknot ceases service at the end of the paid period.

If the client wishes to cancel the monthly plan before completing the six (6) minimum months:

The client has two legitimate options:

1. Wait to complete the six months: maintain the monthly plan until completing the minimum commitment, and upon completion, receive the complete source code at no additional cost.
2. Pay the early release fee: pay a one-time fee of USD 499 to receive the source code immediately and end the relationship. This fee covers the costs associated with early delivery and exit from the agreed commitment.

What this means in practice

The client is never trapped. They always have a way out — the question is only the timing and conditions under which the code is delivered. We do not retain ownership of the delivered work, nor will we use the code as a pressure tool. We simply align the physical delivery of the code with the conditions of the commitment agreed upon at the start of the project.

If the client decides never to engage a monthly maintenance plan and prefers to receive the code directly upon setup completion, this must be expressly agreed upon in the formal quote and may involve different pricing and scope conditions.

Exceptions

Third-party assets (licensed stock photos, commercial fonts, plugins, templates, open-source libraries) are governed by their own licenses and terms, which we will inform you of when applicable.

The monthly maintenance plan is the standard model under which Starknot operates with its clients and covers:

• Professional website hosting and active SSL certificate.
• Automatic domain renewal during the plan's validity (when applicable).
• Site uptime and availability monitoring.
• Periodic technical and security updates.
• Unlimited minor content changes (texts, images, contact information, business hours, prices).
• Direct support during business hours for incidents.
• Quarterly traffic and site performance report.

The plan does not cover complete site redesigns, adding substantial new sections or functionality, or creating new pages. These major changes are quoted separately.

Minimum commitment of six (6) months

The monthly plan has a minimum commitment of six (6) months counted from the launch date of the site. The cancellation conditions during and after this period are described in detail in Section 6 (Ownership of work and source code delivery) of these Terms.

In summary: the client may cancel at any time, but the conditions for code delivery and associated costs vary depending on whether cancellation occurs before or after completing the six minimum months.

Cancellation after the minimum commitment

Once the minimum commitment is fulfilled, the client may cancel the monthly plan with one (1) month's prior written notice. After cancellation, the client receives the source code and retains full ownership of the site, but must independently manage hosting, domain, and technical support.

Starknot establishes strategic commercial alliances with certain businesses or professionals through a written contract signed by both parties. This figure is distinct from an ordinary client-provider relationship and has specific implications for both parties, detailed below.

What a Starknot commercial alliance is

A commercial alliance is a formal collaboration agreement between Starknot and a business or professional (hereinafter, the partner), establishing a mutually beneficial relationship that may include, among others:

• The presentation of the work developed by Starknot for the partner as a reference case in Starknot's public showcase, portfolio, social networks, and commercial materials.
• The use of the partner's trade name, logo, and visual identity on the same channels, in the context of presenting the work performed.
• Any other visibility, collaboration, or referencing arrangement that the parties define by mutual agreement.

Formalization of the agreement

Every commercial alliance requires the signing of a written contract between Starknot and the partner. This contract precisely defines:

• The scope of the authorized use of the partner's image, name, and work by Starknot.
• The channels in which such use is permitted (public website portfolio, social networks, sales materials, presentations, case studies, among others as agreed).
• The duration of the agreement and the conditions for renewal or termination.
• Any consideration or special conditions agreed between the parties.

Without a signed contract, there is no commercial alliance under this figure. A verbal or informal agreement does not generate the rights or obligations described in this section.

Rights and acknowledgment of the partner

By signing the alliance contract, the partner declares to know and expressly accept that:

• Starknot may use their brand image and the work developed within the limits and channels defined in the contract.
• Any use outside the contractual scope will require additional written authorization.
• The partner may request the revision, update, or termination of the agreement according to the conditions agreed in the contract.

Responsibility for content used

The partner guarantees that the materials they provide to Starknot under the alliance (logos, images, texts, brand materials) are their property or they have the legal permissions for its use and distribution. Starknot is not responsible for claims arising from materials provided by the partner that infringe third-party rights.

Each project tier has an estimated delivery range specified in the formal quote. These timelines are calculated from the moment the following conditions are met:

1. Receipt of the initial deposit.
2. Receipt of the necessary content from the client (texts, images, logo, access credentials).
3. Client confirmation on project scope and direction.

If the client delays in delivering content or approvals, timelines extend proportionally. Starknot commits to communicating any internal delays in advance.

Each project includes a specific number of revision rounds, defined in the individual quote. Revisions allow adjustments to design, content, and functionality before final delivery.

Substantial changes outside the original scope — for example, modifying the site architecture, adding new sections, or completely changing the visual approach after approval — are considered additional scope and may generate extra costs and extended timelines.

For the project to flow smoothly, the client agrees to:

• Provide content, access, and approvals within the agreed timelines.
• Ensure that the texts, images, and materials they provide are their property or that they have legal permission to use them.
• Keep contact information up to date during the project.
• Comply with payments according to the agreed schedule.

Starknot executes every project with maximum professional care, but is not responsible for:

• Outages or interruptions caused by external providers (hosting services, domains, third-party platforms, social networks, embedded tools).
• Commercial losses or lost profits derived from punctual site failures.
• Misuse of the site or system by the client or third parties with access to it.
• Regulatory or policy changes from external platforms that affect integrated functionality (for example, changes in the WhatsApp or Google Maps API).

Our maximum liability in any case is limited to the amount actually paid by the client for the service in question.

The client may cancel the project at any time. Refund conditions depend on the stage of progress:

• Before the project starts: 100% refund of the deposit minus administrative costs incurred.
• During the design phase: partial refund proportional to work not performed.
• During the development phase: no refund of the initial deposit, as executed work is delivered to the client in its current state.
• After final delivery: no refund, as the service has been completed.

Starknot also reserves the right to cancel the project if the client repeatedly fails to make payments, does not provide content within reasonable timelines, or requests services contrary to these Terms or our principles.

All commercial, strategic, or technical information the client shares with Starknot during the project is treated as confidentialand is not shared with third parties unrelated to the project, except with the client's express authorization or upon legal requirement.

Likewise, we expect the client to treat as confidential any internal Starknot information they have access to during the project (internal quotes, processes, tools).

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Starknot reserves the right to use captures, descriptions, and references of the delivered project in its public portfolio, social media, sales materials, and case studies. Financial, contractual, or client database information will not be shared without express authorization.

If the client prefers that their project not be used publicly, they must indicate so in writing before the project begins.

For projects developed under the figure of a strategic commercial alliance, the use of image and work is governed by the specific conditions of the corresponding alliance contract, as detailed in Section 8 of these Terms.

Starknot may update these Terms when necessary to reflect changes in our services, applicable legislation, or operational practices. The version in force will always be the one published on this website, with the update date indicated at the beginning of the document.

For projects already contracted, the Terms in force at the time of signing the formal quote apply.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Costa Rica. Any dispute arising from the provision of our services will be attempted to be resolved in good faith through direct dialogue between the parties. If no agreement is reached, the parties submit to the competent courts of Costa Rica.

For any inquiries about these Terms, you can contact us through the form available on our website or through the official contact channels listed on the homepage.