Affiliate Disclosure

1. Introduction

HelloShane.com participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn commissions when visitors click on certain links and make purchases or bookings. This Affiliate Disclosure explains our affiliate relationships and how they help support our website.

We are committed to transparency and honesty in all of our content. All affiliate links are clearly disclosed, and our editorial content is independent of our affiliate relationships. Our recommendations are based on our genuine opinions and research, not on commission potential.

2. What Are Affiliate Links?

Affiliate links are special URLs that track when visitors click through to third-party websites and complete purchases or bookings. When you use an affiliate link, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support our website and allow us to continue providing free, valuable content.

3. Our Affiliate Partners

HelloShane.com currently participates in affiliate programs with the following partners:

3.1 Doola

We partner with Doola, a service that helps entrepreneurs form LLCs and start their businesses. When you click on Doola affiliate links on our Website and complete a purchase or sign up for their services, we may earn a commission. Doola provides:

• LLC formation services
• Business registration assistance
• Registered agent services
• Business compliance tools

Doola links and widgets are clearly identified on our Website with appropriate disclosures. You are under no obligation to use our affiliate links, and you can visit Doola's website directly if you prefer.

3.2 Mercury

We partner with Mercury, a banking platform designed for startups. When you click on Mercury affiliate links on our Website and open an account or use their services, we may earn a commission. Mercury provides:

• Startup banking services
• Business checking accounts
• Financial management tools
• Integration with business software

Mercury links are clearly identified on our Website with appropriate disclosures. You are under no obligation to use our affiliate links, and you can visit Mercury's website directly if you prefer.

3.3 Digital Ocean

We partner with Digital Ocean, a cloud infrastructure platform for developers. When you click on Digital Ocean affiliate links on our Website and sign up for their services, we may earn a commission. Digital Ocean provides:

• Cloud hosting services
• Virtual private servers (Droplets)
• Managed databases
• Developer tools and APIs
• Kubernetes and container services

Digital Ocean links are clearly identified on our Website with appropriate disclosures. You are under no obligation to use our affiliate links, and you can visit Digital Ocean's website directly if you prefer.

4. How We Use Affiliate Commissions

Commissions earned through affiliate links help support HelloShane.com by:

• Covering website hosting, maintenance, and development costs
• Funding research and content creation
• Supporting free access to our guides and information
• Enabling website improvements and new features
• Maintaining our commitment to providing high-quality, free content

5. Our Editorial Independence

Our affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial content, recommendations, or reviews. We maintain strict editorial independence:

• We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in or would use ourselves
• Our content recommendations are based on research, experience, and user value, not commission potential
• We disclose all affiliate relationships clearly and transparently
• We provide honest, unbiased information to help our readers make informed decisions

Your trust is important to us, and we will never compromise our integrity for affiliate commissions.

6. Identifying Affiliate Links

We strive to clearly identify affiliate links throughout our Website. Affiliate links may be marked by:

• Clear disclosures in proximity to affiliate links or widgets
• Text indicators such as "Start Now" or "Get Started"
• Visual indicators on affiliate widgets or call-to-action buttons
• General disclosures on relevant pages

All affiliate links open in new browser windows or tabs, and external websites are clearly identified. When you click on an affiliate link, you will be redirected to the partner's website, where their own terms, privacy policies, and service conditions apply.

7. Your Responsibility

When using affiliate links on our Website:

• You will be subject to the third-party website's terms of service and privacy policy
• All transactions, purchases, and interactions are between you and the third-party provider
• We are not responsible for the products, services, or experiences offered by third parties
• We are not liable for any issues, disputes, or problems that arise from your use of third-party services
• You should review all terms, conditions, and policies before making purchases or signing up for services

8. No Additional Cost to You

Using our affiliate links does not increase the price you pay. Commission costs are typically built into the partner's pricing structure and do not result in higher prices for consumers. You pay the same price whether you use our affiliate link or visit the partner website directly.

In some cases, we may have access to special promotional codes or discounts that we can share with our readers. We will clearly identify any special offers or promotions.

9. Disclosure Compliance

This Affiliate Disclosure complies with:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on affiliate disclosures
• FTC Act requirements for clear and conspicuous disclosures
• Industry best practices for affiliate marketing transparency
• Consumer protection regulations

We regularly review and update our disclosure practices to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

10. Changes to This Disclosure

We may update this Affiliate Disclosure from time to time to reflect changes in our affiliate relationships, partnerships, or disclosure practices. We will notify users of material changes by posting the updated disclosure on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.

We encourage you to review this disclosure periodically to stay informed about our affiliate relationships.

11. Questions About Affiliate Links

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or this disclosure, please contact us:

12. Legal Entity Information

This Affiliate Disclosure is provided by:

13. Acknowledgment

By using our Website and clicking on affiliate links, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Affiliate Disclosure and agree to the terms outlined herein.

This Affiliate Disclosure is effective as of January 28, 2025.