1. Introduction
Welcome to LocalLink ("LocalLink", "we", "our", or "us").
These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of the LocalLink website, mobile applications, and any related services offered through our platform (collectively referred to as the Platform).
By creating an account, browsing our website, requesting quotes, listing a business, or otherwise using the Platform, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with these Terms, you should discontinue using the Platform immediately.
These Terms form a legally binding agreement between you and LocalLink.
1. About LocalLink
LocalLink is an online marketplace designed to connect customers with local businesses and service providers throughout South Africa.
Our Platform enables users to:
Search for local businesses by category or location.
Browse business profiles.
Read customer reviews and ratings.
Request quotations from service providers.
Contact businesses directly.
Save favourite businesses.
Manage business listings.
LocalLink acts solely as an online platform that facilitates introductions between customers and businesses.
LocalLink is not a contractor, employer, agent, partner, broker or representative of any business listed on the Platform.
Any agreement for services is entered into directly between the customer and the selected business.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms:
Platform means the LocalLink website, applications and online services.
Customer means any person who uses LocalLink to search for businesses, request quotations or purchase services.
Business means any company, sole proprietor, organisation or service provider listed on LocalLink.
User means both Customers and Businesses collectively.
Content includes text, photographs, logos, videos, reviews, ratings, comments, business information and any other material uploaded to the Platform.
Quote Request means a request submitted by a Customer asking one or more Businesses to provide pricing or service information.
3. Nature of the Platform
LocalLink provides technology that allows Customers and Businesses to connect.
We do not:
perform any services advertised on the Platform;
employ or supervise listed businesses;
negotiate contracts between Customers and Businesses;
guarantee that a Business will respond to enquiries;
guarantee that a Customer will hire a Business;
guarantee the quality, safety or legality of any service offered.
Businesses operate independently and are solely responsible for the services they provide.
Customers are responsible for deciding whether a Business is suitable for their requirements.
4. User Eligibility
By using LocalLink, you confirm that:
you are at least 18 years old or have legal permission from a parent or guardian;
you have the legal capacity to enter into agreements;
all information you provide is accurate and current;
you will keep your account information updated.
LocalLink may refuse or suspend access where inaccurate, misleading or fraudulent information is provided.
5. User Accounts
Certain features require you to create an account.
You agree to:
provide accurate registration details;
maintain the security of your password;
keep your contact details current;
notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.
You are responsible for all activity carried out under your account.
LocalLink will never ask you for your password via email or telephone.
6. Business Accounts
Businesses creating listings on LocalLink agree that:
the information supplied is accurate;
they have authority to represent the business;
all licences, registrations and permits required by law have been obtained;
pricing, qualifications and services are described honestly;
contact information remains up to date.
Businesses remain solely responsible for the information displayed on their profiles.
LocalLink may request supporting documentation to verify certain information before displaying verification badges or other trust indicators.
Verification by LocalLink does not constitute a guarantee of quality or future performance.
7. Customer Responsibilities
Customers agree to use LocalLink responsibly and only for legitimate purposes.
Customers must:
submit genuine enquiries;
provide accurate project information;
communicate respectfully with businesses;
comply with any agreements entered into with businesses;
independently evaluate businesses before hiring them.
Customers acknowledge that LocalLink cannot guarantee that every quote request will receive responses.
The number of businesses responding to a request depends on factors including location, availability, category and demand.
8. Business Listings
Businesses are responsible for maintaining accurate listings.
Listings may include:
business name;
contact details;
operating hours;
descriptions;
pricing information;
photographs;
logos;
service areas;
social media links;
websites;
customer reviews.
LocalLink reserves the right to edit formatting, correct obvious spelling errors, or remove listings that violate these Terms.
Businesses must not publish false, misleading or deceptive information.
Repeated violations may result in suspension or permanent removal from the Platform.
9. Quote Requests
Customers may request quotations through LocalLink.
Submitting a Quote Request does not:
create a contract;
guarantee responses;
guarantee pricing;
oblige a Customer to hire any Business;
oblige a Business to submit a quotation.
Businesses decide independently whether to respond to Quote Requests.
Any quotations provided are estimates only unless otherwise agreed directly between the Customer and the Business.
All negotiations, pricing, scheduling and contracts take place directly between the parties involved.
10. Reviews and Ratings
LocalLink allows Customers to rate and review Businesses based on their genuine experiences.
Reviews help maintain the quality and integrity of the Platform and should be honest, fair, and respectful.
By submitting a review, you confirm that:
you have personally interacted with the Business;
your review reflects your genuine experience;
the information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge;
your review does not contain false, defamatory, abusive or misleading statements.
LocalLink reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse, edit, moderate or remove reviews that:
contain offensive, abusive or discriminatory language;
include personal attacks or harassment;
contain false or misleading information;
promote illegal activities;
contain spam or advertising;
infringe the rights of another person or business;
are unrelated to the services provided.
LocalLink does not guarantee the accuracy of reviews submitted by users and accepts no responsibility for opinions expressed by Customers.
11. User Content
Users may upload content including, but not limited to:
business descriptions;
logos;
photographs;
videos;
reviews;
ratings;
comments;
replies;
service information;
portfolio images.
You remain the owner of your content.
However, by uploading content to LocalLink, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to:
display your content on the Platform;
reproduce your content;
edit or resize images for display purposes;
promote your listing or review through our marketing channels;
store and back up your content.
This licence remains in effect while the content is displayed on the Platform.
12. Content Standards
All content submitted to LocalLink must:
be truthful and accurate;
comply with South African law;
respect the rights of others;
not contain malicious software;
not violate intellectual property rights;
not impersonate another person or business.
Content must not include:
hate speech;
threats;
violence;
pornography;
illegal products or services;
scams or fraudulent offers;
misleading pricing;
fake testimonials;
copyrighted material without permission.
LocalLink may remove content without prior notice if it breaches these standards.
13. Acceptable Use
You agree to use LocalLink only for lawful purposes.
You must not:
create fake accounts;
submit fraudulent enquiries;
impersonate another person;
upload viruses or malicious software;
interfere with Platform security;
scrape or copy data from the Platform;
attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems;
overload or disrupt our servers;
use automated bots without permission;
harvest user information;
distribute spam;
misuse messaging features;
manipulate reviews or ratings.
Any breach of these Terms may result in immediate suspension or permanent removal from the Platform.
14. Business Verification
LocalLink may offer optional verification for Businesses.
Verification may involve requesting documentation such as:
company registration details;
identity documents;
tax information;
business licences;
proof of address;
industry certifications.
Verification indicates only that certain information has been reviewed by LocalLink.
It does not guarantee:
workmanship;
reliability;
financial stability;
licensing status;
future performance;
customer satisfaction.
Customers should conduct their own due diligence before hiring any Business.
15. Communication Between Users
LocalLink enables communication between Customers and Businesses through enquiries, quote requests, telephone calls, email or other available communication channels.
Users agree to communicate respectfully.
Harassment, threats, abusive language or inappropriate behaviour may result in suspension of your account.
LocalLink is not responsible for agreements reached outside the Platform.
16. Privacy
Your privacy is important to us.
Our collection, storage and processing of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy and applicable South African data protection laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
By using LocalLink you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.
17. Marketing Communications
By creating an account or submitting an enquiry, you agree that LocalLink may send communications relating to:
account notifications;
security alerts;
quote request updates;
booking confirmations;
service announcements;
newsletters;
promotional offers;
product updates.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link provided.
Certain account-related communications cannot be opted out of while your account remains active.
18. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, all intellectual property on the LocalLink Platform is owned by or licensed to LocalLink.
This includes:
logos;
branding;
software;
website design;
graphics;
icons;
databases;
source code;
written content.
Users may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute or commercially exploit any part of the Platform without prior written permission from LocalLink.
Business logos, trademarks and brand names remain the property of their respective owners.
19. Third-Party Links
The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services.
These links are provided for convenience only.
LocalLink does not control or endorse third-party websites and accepts no responsibility for their:
content;
availability;
products;
services;
privacy practices;
security.
Accessing third-party websites is entirely at your own risk.
20. Paid Services
LocalLink may offer optional paid products and services to Businesses, including but not limited to:
Featured Listings
Premium Listings
Sponsored Advertisements
Lead Generation Services
Subscription Plans
Promotional Campaigns
Business Verification Services
Future premium features introduced by LocalLink
Participation in any paid service is voluntary unless otherwise stated.
The availability, pricing and features of paid services may change from time to time without prior notice.
21. Payments
Where payment is required, you agree to pay all applicable fees before the requested service is activated.
Payments may be processed through approved third-party payment providers.
LocalLink does not store your complete banking or payment card details.
All prices displayed are in South African Rand (ZAR) unless stated otherwise.
Where applicable, prices include VAT unless indicated differently.
Failure to complete payment may result in suspension or cancellation of the requested service.
22. Refund Policy
Unless otherwise required by law, payments made for advertising, subscriptions, featured listings or other digital services are generally non-refundable once the service has been activated.
Refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis where:
duplicate payments were processed;
a technical error prevented delivery of the purchased service;
LocalLink determines that a refund is appropriate.
Approved refunds may be issued to the original payment method or as account credit at LocalLink's discretion.
23. Customer and Business Agreements
Any agreement for services is entered into solely between the Customer and the Business.
LocalLink is not a party to any agreement between Users.
LocalLink is not responsible for:
pricing disputes;
cancellations;
delays;
workmanship;
warranties;
payment disputes;
contractual disagreements;
missed appointments;
property damage;
personal injury;
financial losses arising from services provided by a Business.
Customers should satisfy themselves that a Business is suitable before hiring.
Businesses are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations and licensing requirements.
24. Disclaimer
The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis.
While we strive to provide an accurate and reliable service, LocalLink does not guarantee that:
the Platform will always be available;
the Platform will be uninterrupted;
information on listings is always accurate;
reviews are free from error;
every quote request will receive responses;
every Business is suitable for your needs.
Users access and use the Platform entirely at their own risk.
25. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, LocalLink, its directors, employees, shareholders, contractors and affiliates shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss arising from:
use of the Platform;
inability to use the Platform;
reliance on information published by Users;
services performed by Businesses;
delays or interruptions;
data loss;
technical failures;
cyber attacks;
unauthorised access;
loss of profits;
business interruption;
reputational damage.
Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion is prohibited under South African law.
26. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless LocalLink, its directors, employees, contractors and affiliates from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs and legal expenses arising from:
your use of the Platform;
your breach of these Terms;
content you upload;
infringement of another person's rights;
disputes between Customers and Businesses.
27. Suspension and Termination
LocalLink reserves the right to suspend, restrict or permanently terminate any account where we reasonably believe that a User has:
breached these Terms;
submitted fraudulent information;
abused another User;
manipulated reviews;
engaged in unlawful activity;
attempted to compromise Platform security;
misused LocalLink services.
Where practical, we may notify the affected User before suspension; however, immediate action may be taken where necessary to protect the Platform or other Users.
Termination of an account does not affect any rights or obligations that arose before termination.
28. Changes to These Terms
LocalLink may amend these Terms from time to time to reflect:
legal requirements;
improvements to our services;
new features;
operational changes.
Updated Terms become effective once published on the Platform.
Your continued use of LocalLink after changes have been published constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
29. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute arising from the use of LocalLink shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.
Where appropriate, the parties are encouraged to attempt to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation before commencing legal proceedings.
30. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed from the remaining Terms.
The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
31. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional policies published on the Platform, constitute the entire agreement between you and LocalLink regarding your use of the Platform.
They replace any previous agreements, understandings or communications relating to the same subject matter.