Last Updated: 01 March 2026 · Version 1.0
1. Agreement to Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") form a legally binding agreement between EchelonPulse, a sole proprietorship ("EchelonPulse", "we", "us") and you ("Client", "you"), governing access to and use of all EchelonPulse services. EchelonPulse operates from South Africa under South African law.
Plain English: By using EchelonPulse, you agree to these terms. We're a South African company and this is a South African legal agreement.
2. Services Description
EchelonPulse provides the following services, subject to the specific plan selected:
- Web Hosting: LiteSpeed-powered hosting on South African infrastructure (JNB-01, Johannesburg) including server management, SSL, automated backups, and uptime monitoring.
- WordPress Management: Automated core updates, plugin management, security scanning, malware removal, and performance monitoring as specified in the selected plan.
- Website Redesign: Design and development of WordPress websites as scoped in the accepted project brief.
- POPIA Compliance: Implementation of POPIA-compliant website controls including cookie consent, privacy policy, and data subject rights processes.
- Performance Optimisation: Technical optimisation including caching, image compression, and Core Web Vitals improvements.
- Site Audit: Automated analysis of website performance, security, compliance, and SEO metrics.
Specific features and limits per plan are at echelonpulse.co.za/plans and may be updated with 30 days notice to existing clients.
3. Acceptable Use Policy
EchelonPulse infrastructure may not be used for:
- Hosting or facilitating illegal content under South African or applicable international law
- Sending unsolicited bulk email (spam) or unsolicited electronic communications
- Cryptocurrency mining or computationally intensive background processing
- Storing or transmitting malware, ransomware, spyware, or malicious code
- Denial-of-service attacks or network interference
- Content infringing intellectual property rights of any third party
- Content that is defamatory, obscene, or in violation of South African law
- Attempting unauthorised access to EchelonPulse or third-party systems
Breach of this policy may result in immediate service suspension without refund and, where criminal conduct is involved, referral to the South African Police Service or relevant authorities.
4. Payment Terms
All prices are quoted and invoiced in South African Rand (ZAR), inclusive of VAT where applicable. EchelonPulse is registered for VAT and provides SARS-compliant invoices.
- Billing cycle: Monthly plans billed on the same date each month. Annual plans billed annually in advance.
- Payment methods: Credit/debit card, EFT, or SnapScan via PayFast. EFT payments due within 3 business days of invoice.
- Late payment: Services may be suspended after 7 days of non-payment. Reconnection fee of R150 applies after suspension.
- Price changes: EchelonPulse may adjust pricing with 30 days written notice to existing clients.
- Refunds: Monthly plan fees are non-refundable once a billing cycle commences, except under the 30-day money-back guarantee for new clients. Annual plan refunds calculated pro-rata for unused months.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: New clients may request a full refund within 30 days of initial sign-up. This guarantee applies once per client.
5. Service Levels & Uptime SLA
EchelonPulse guarantees 99.9% monthly uptime for all managed hosting services — a maximum of 43.8 minutes of unplanned downtime per month.
- Uptime calculation: Measured monthly, excluding scheduled maintenance windows (48 hours advance notice).
- SLA credits: If uptime falls below 99.9% in any calendar month, clients receive a service credit of 10% of that month's fee per 0.1% below threshold, up to 50% of the monthly fee.
- Exclusions: Downtime caused by client actions, third-party services, force majeure events, or circumstances outside EchelonPulse's reasonable control.
- Credit claims: Must be submitted within 30 days of the incident to sla@echelonpulse.co.za.
6. Intellectual Property
Client content: You retain all ownership rights to your website content, domain name, and pre-existing intellectual property. By hosting with EchelonPulse, you grant us a limited licence to host, store, and transmit this content as necessary to deliver the services.
Designs and code: For redesign projects, upon full payment, the Client owns the website design and code produced specifically for their project. EchelonPulse retains rights to underlying frameworks, tools, and methodologies.
EchelonPulse brand: Our brand, trademarks, logos, and proprietary content remain the exclusive property of EchelonPulse.
7. Data & Privacy
Your personal information is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and POPIA Compliance Statement.
- Client website data is stored exclusively on South African servers (JNB-01, Johannesburg).
- We do not sell or share client data with third parties for marketing purposes.
- Data is retained for the duration of the service agreement plus 5 years for legal/tax compliance.
- Upon cancellation, client data backups are available for download for 30 days, then securely deleted.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, EchelonPulse's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the total fees paid by you in the 3 months preceding the claim.
EchelonPulse is not liable for indirect, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages including loss of revenue, loss of data, or business interruption.
Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable South African law.
9. Termination
By Client: You may cancel with 30 days written notice to cancel@echelonpulse.co.za. No exit fees or penalties apply. Data remains accessible for 30 days post-termination.
By EchelonPulse: We may terminate immediately for breach of the Acceptable Use Policy, non-payment after 14 days, or other material breach. We may terminate with 30 days notice at our discretion.
Data: You may request a full export of website files and database at any time. EchelonPulse will never withhold client data as leverage in a dispute.
10. Governing Law & Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Disputes shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be referred to mediation before court proceedings.
The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Magistrates' Court or High Court of South Africa as appropriate for the quantum of the dispute.
Questions: legal@echelonpulse.co.za