1. Definitions

• “Client” refers to any individual, business, or organization purchasing or using our services.
• “Services” refer to the digital marketing, branding, and development offerings provided by Querate.
• “Deliverables” refer to the tangible and intangible outputs created by Querate under an agreed scope.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using any part of our services—including but not limited to our website, consultations, digital marketing services, content, or any other offering—you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you may not access or use the services.

3. Services Offered

Querate provides services including but not limited to:

• Social Media Marketing (SMM)
• Content Marketing
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
• Website Design and Development
• Brand Visibility and Online Presence Setup
• Digital Marketing Consultancy

We reserve the right to modify or discontinue services at any time without prior notice.

4. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

• Provide all required information, content, and approvals in a timely manner.
• Ensure that any materials provided to Querate (logos, images, copy, etc.) do not infringe on any intellectual property rights or violate any laws.
• Make timely payments as per the agreed-upon scope or contract.
• Adhere to mutually agreed timelines for feedback and revisions.
• Refrain from unauthorized changes to accounts or access provided to Querate.

5. Payment Terms

• All service fees will be clearly communicated and agreed upon in writing (email, proposal, or contract).
• Unless otherwise specified, payments must be made upfront or according to an agreed milestone schedule.
• Late payments may incur a fee and may result in service suspension or termination.
• All payments are non-refundable unless otherwise specified in a written agreement.
• All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes, fees, and bank charges unless stated otherwise. Clients are responsible for any applicable local taxes.

6. Refund & Cancellation Policy

• Refunds will not be issued for work already completed, time invested, or non-recoverable third-party costs.
• For prepaid services, any refundable amount (if applicable) will be determined based on the proportion of work completed at the time of termination.
• For services billed on a milestone or retainer basis, only future unused milestones may be eligible for partial refund if expressly agreed upon.

7. Intellectual Property

• All work created by Querate remains our intellectual property until full payment is received.
• After full payment, ownership of custom deliverables (e.g. brand assets, website files, written content) will be transferred to the client.
• Querate reserves the right to showcase completed work in its portfolio and marketing materials unless the client explicitly requests otherwise in writing.

8. Confidentiality

Both parties agree to maintain confidentiality of all sensitive or proprietary information exchanged during the course of the project, including credentials, pricing, strategy documents, and internal communication.

9. Limitation of Liability

Querate shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from use or inability to use our services. We are not liable for issues caused by third-party platforms (e.g., downtime, policy changes, or algorithm shifts).

10. Revisions & Scope Changes

• Minor revisions are included as outlined in the service proposal.
• Major changes, additional requests, or new tasks not in the original scope will require a formal change order and may incur additional charges.
• Scope creep without written agreement will not be accommodated.

11. Termination

Either party may terminate the agreement by providing 14 days’ written notice. Upon termination:

• Querate will be compensated for all work completed up to the termination date.
• Deliverables in progress will be handed over in their current state.
• No refunds will be issued for completed work or non-cancellable third-party expenses.
• All outstanding payments must be settled before final file handover.

12. Force Majeure

Querate shall not be held liable for any delay or failure in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, internet outages, cyberattacks, labor disputes, or government actions.

13. Indemnity

The client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Querate, its employees, and contractors from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising out of:

• Any breach of these Terms
• Use or misuse of the deliverables
• Legal issues stemming from content or assets provided by the client

14. Non-Solicitation

During the term of engagement and for a period of 12 months after termination, the client agrees not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, or contract any employee, freelancer, or subcontractor engaged by Querate without prior written consent.

15. Third-Party Tools & Access

Querate may use third-party tools, platforms, and software to deliver services. While we take care in tool selection, we are not responsible for errors, outages, policy changes, or performance issues related to those platforms. Querate is not liable for any unauthorized changes made by the client or third parties.

16. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to first attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation via email or virtual meeting.

If unresolved within 30 days, the dispute shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration conducted remotely, in English, in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) or a mutually agreed arbitral institution.

The seat of arbitration shall be Karachi, Pakistan, but all proceedings may be conducted virtually, and neither party shall be required to appear physically.

Each party shall bear its own legal costs unless otherwise decided by the arbitrator.

17. Changes to Terms

Querate reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Clients will be notified of significant changes. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.

18. Agreement Hierarchy

In case of conflict between these Terms and any specific proposal, contract, or signed agreement between Querate and the client, the latter shall prevail.