What you must include

Here are the legal requirements:

• Company name – the owner and operator of the site
• Registered office (this applies to limited companies)
• Company registration number
  
• Place of registration
  
• Postal and email contact addresses
  
• VAT number if applicable (regardless of whether or not you are selling online)

It also helps to foster trust if you include any professional bodies or organisations you are a member of.

You might be thinking all this is a bit heavy handed, but you are not required to put all this information on every page.  The contact page will make an ideal home for it in most cases. If you are in any doubt as to whether your site meets these new standards, contact us for further help and advice.

What you should include

Although the following items aren’t essential in the eyes of the law, they are certainly strongly advisable.  Not only do they make your site look more professional, they also cover you and your business in the event of any disagreements:

• A full set of terms and conditions
• The terms of use of your website
• Privacy policy

By providing these three items you are stating up front exactly what your terms of business are. If you need help with any of these aspects regarding your own site, please contact us.