Last updated: August 2026
Please note: Security incident response, malware investigation and remediation are not included within the annual or monthly Managed Hosting fee and will be charged at Design Somerset’s standard hourly rate.
1. Hosting Services
Design Somerset provides managed website hosting and related services including:
- server space;
- website storage;
- SSL certificates;
- cloud storage;
- commonly used software licensing;
- security updates;
- server maintenance;
- website backups; and
- related hosting infrastructure required to keep websites and associated services online.
2. Hosting Contract Period
Website hosting is provided on an annual agreement running from 1 July to 30 June each year.
Annual hosting invoices are issued on 1 June and payment is due by 1 July unless otherwise agreed.
3. Suspension of Services
Where accounts remain unpaid, Design Somerset reserves the right to suspend:
- website hosting;
- email services;
- website access;
- backups;
- SSL certificates;
- software licences; and
- related services
until accounts are brought fully up to date.
4. Hosting Costs & Pricing
Like most businesses, our server, software, licensing, cloud storage and infrastructure costs have increased considerably in recent years.
However, Design Somerset aims to keep hosting fees as competitive and stable as possible wherever reasonably practical.
5. Backups
While Design Somerset performs regular backups as part of managed hosting services, no backup system can be guaranteed as completely fail-safe.
Clients remain responsible for maintaining copies of any critical data, content or emails.
Design Somerset shall not be liable for data loss arising from corruption, hacking, accidental deletion, failed restorations or third-party failures.
6. Email Hosting
Where email hosting is provided, services are supplied on a reasonable endeavours basis.
Design Somerset cannot guarantee:
- uninterrupted email delivery;
- spam filtering accuracy;
- compatibility with third-party mail providers;
- inbox placement; or
- immunity from blacklisting or reputation-related delivery issues.
Clients remain responsible for:
- mailbox management;
- password security;
- device security; and
- compliance with acceptable email usage.
7. Domains
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, domains are registered in the Client’s name and remain the property and responsibility of the Client.
Clients are responsible for ensuring domain renewal details and contact information remain accurate.
8. Third-Party Services
Hosting environments may rely on third-party providers including datacentres, DNS providers, software vendors, cloud storage services and external APIs.
Design Somerset shall not be liable for interruptions or failures caused by third-party suppliers outside our reasonable control.
9. Security & Updates
Design Somerset may apply server, plugin, theme or software updates where reasonably necessary for security, compatibility or operational reasons.
While reasonable care is taken, updates may occasionally affect website functionality or appearance.
10. Acceptable Use
Clients must not use hosting services for:
- unlawful activity;
- malware distribution;
- phishing;
- bulk spam;
- copyright infringement; or
- activity likely to damage server reputation or stability.
Design Somerset reserves the right to suspend services immediately where abuse or unlawful activity is suspected.
11. Security Incidents, Malware & Cyber Attacks
Design Somerset takes reasonable measures to maintain the security of its hosting environment and managed websites, including routine software updates, security monitoring and backups where these form part of the Client’s hosting service.
However, no website, hosting platform or security system can be guaranteed to be completely secure or immune from hacking, malware, malicious code, brute-force attacks, compromised credentials, vulnerabilities in third-party software or other cyber attacks.
Design Somerset does not guarantee that its hosting or managed services will prevent, detect or remove every security threat or compromise.
Where a website is compromised or suspected of being compromised, Design Somerset may take any reasonable action necessary to protect the affected website, hosting account, server or other hosted clients. This may include suspending the website, disabling plugins or themes, restricting access, restoring backups, removing malicious files or commissioning specialist investigation.
Work required to investigate, clean, repair, restore or secure a website following a security incident is not included within the standard hosting fee and will be charged at Design Somerset’s normal hourly rate. Any third-party security, malware-removal, recovery or specialist costs reasonably required will also be chargeable to the Client, subject where reasonably practicable to the Client’s approval before significant additional costs are incurred.
Design Somerset shall not be responsible for the cost of remediation or for losses arising from a cyber attack or security compromise except to the extent that such loss results directly from Design Somerset’s failure to exercise reasonable care and skill or where liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
12. Client Security Responsibilities
Clients are responsible for:
- keeping passwords secure and using strong, unique passwords;
- protecting devices and accounts used to access their website;
- promptly notifying Design Somerset of suspected unauthorised access or compromised credentials;
- not installing plugins, themes, scripts or other software without appropriate consideration of their security and reliability; and
- following reasonable security recommendations made by Design Somerset.
Design Somerset may remove, disable or restrict software, accounts or website functionality where reasonably necessary to protect the security or stability of the website or hosting environment.
Where a security incident results from compromised Client credentials, Client-installed software, unsupported or vulnerable third-party software, or actions taken by the Client or another person with access to the website, any investigation, remediation and recovery work may be charged at Design Somerset’s normal hourly rate.
12. Limitation of Liability
Subject to any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, Design Somerset’s total aggregate liability arising from the provision of hosting and managed services shall not exceed the total hosting and managed services fees paid by the Client to Design Somerset during the 12 months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.
13. Force Majeure
Design Somerset shall not be liable for delays or service interruption caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control including:
- datacentre outages;
- power failures;
- internet outages;
- cyber attacks;
- supplier failures;
- natural events; or
- government restrictions.
14. Governing Law
These Hosting Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
