Creating a website is about more than just great design and engaging content—it’s also about protecting your business and building trust with your visitors. Key website compliance policies, such as privacy policies, cookie consent, and terms & conditions, help you navigate the legal landscape and safeguard both your business and your users.
In this overview, we’ll share website compliance advice tailored for soulpreneurs and small business owners—plus the essential website policies your site needs to stay credible, legally protected, and aligned with your values.
Essential Website Policies and Compliance Advice for Small Businesses
Several website policies are generally considered legally required or highly recommended depending on where your visitors are located and the data you collect. Here are the core ones:
Privacy Policy
This is essential if your website collects any personal data. Laws like the GDPR in the EU and CalOPPA in California mandate that websites disclose how they collect, use, and protect personal information.
If your website reaches global audiences, international compliance with regulations such as Canada’s PIPEDA or Australia’s Privacy Act is important. Staying informed on different regional laws helps you avoid potential legal challenges and enhances your brand’s trustworthiness. Besides GDPR and CCPA, familiarize yourself with specific laws that apply to your international user base, adapting your privacy and data collection practices accordingly. Jurisdiction can be complex, so consult with a legal professional when targeting new regions to ensure comprehensive compliance.
Your Privacy Policy should explain your data-sharing practices, security measures, and users’ rights over their data. Tools like Termageddon are great for helping you create a Privacy Policy that stays up-to-date with changing laws.
Pro Tip: Link your Privacy Policy and other legal pages separately in the footer of your website for easy access, so users always know where to find them.
Cookie Consent
What should a Cookie Consent banner include?
A Cookie Consent banner informs users about your site’s use of cookies and helps you comply with data privacy laws like GDPR. This banner should clearly state what cookies are and how your site uses them (for analytics, personalization, etc.) and provide users with options to accept, reject, or customize their cookie preferences.
Transparency is essential, and allowing users to make informed choices is part of GDPR compliance. Plugins like CookieYes, Complianz, and UserCentrics (included with a Termageddon subscription) simplify the process, making it easy for users to control cookie settings.
Terms & Conditions
Do I need Terms & Conditions for my website?
While Terms & Conditions are not always legally required, they are highly recommended. This document establishes the rules and expectations for users interacting with your website. It can protect your intellectual property, define acceptable behavior, and limit your liability for certain types of content or actions.
Terms & Conditions can be particularly important if you operate an e-commerce site, allow user accounts, or provide downloadable content. Your T&Cs should also include a provision for updates, with a notice period (e.g., 30 days) before changes take effect.
Disclaimers
Disclaimers provide legal protection by limiting your liability and setting clear expectations around your site’s content. Here are a few types to consider:
Types of Disclaimers
- Accessibility Disclaimers: Let visitors know that you’re committed to accessibility. For instance: “We are actively working to make our website accessible to everyone. If you encounter accessibility barriers, please contact us so we can improve your experience.”
- General Liability Disclaimers: Limit your responsibility for the content on your site and any potential outcomes from its use. This can help protect you from claims if users rely on the information provided.
- Industry-Specific Disclaimers: Particularly important if you offer advice or content related to specific fields, such as:
- Medical: Clarify that content is informational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Financial: Indicate that financial information is general in nature and not intended as specific investment, tax, or financial advice.
- Legal: State that legal information provided on the site does not constitute official legal advice and that users should consult a qualified attorney for specific legal guidance.
- Affiliate Disclaimers: Necessary if your site includes affiliate or referral links. This disclaimer should inform users that you may earn a commission if they purchase through the links. For example: “Some of the links included on this page are affiliate links, meaning ASD may earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase through them. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our work in keeping content updated and helpful.”
Additional policies may be necessary based on the nature of your site and your target audience.
Accessibility Compliance
How can I ensure my website is ADA compliant?
Accessibility compliance makes your website usable for everyone, including individuals with disabilities, and aligns with ADA and WCAG standards. This means including alt text for images, maintaining color contrast, and ensuring keyboard navigation. Following WCAG guidelines can reduce legal risks and promote an inclusive experience.
To assess and improve accessibility, consider tools like:
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): A free tool by WebAIM, it highlights accessibility issues on your website, helping you understand and fix common issues.
- Axe by Deque: An open-source browser extension that provides detailed accessibility testing and recommendations, integrating well with development workflows.
- Lighthouse by Google: A built-in Chrome tool that audits accessibility as part of its website performance analysis, giving insights on areas for improvement.
These tools help assess your website’s compliance with WCAG standards and provide actionable insights to enhance accessibility. Looking for 1:1 help with accessibility? Let’s chat.
For a broader look at why accessibility matters beyond compliance — including how it supports usability, trust, and real human experience — see The Real Benefits of Website Accessibility.
Copyright Protection
Copyright law protects your original content from unauthorized use, making it an important part of website compliance policies. Strengthen this protection by taking proactive steps. Clearly state that all content on your website is protected by copyright and specify what users can and can’t do with it.
What is a DMCA Policy and do I need one?
A DMCA Policy (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is crucial if your site allows user-generated content. This policy provides a process for handling copyright infringement, helping protect content creators by outlining procedures for reporting unauthorized use and content takedowns. It’s a great addition if your website hosts user-generated content, as it provides a formal way to address potential copyright issues.
While your content is protected automatically, registering with authorities like the U.S. Copyright Office enhances your legal rights if an infringement occurs.
Conclusion
Maintaining compliance with website policies is an ongoing process—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Aligned Soul Design, we offer personalized website compliance advice, support with creating and implementing essential website policies, and one-on-one consulting to help you stay aligned, protected, and trustworthy online.
???? Book a compliance audit to get clarity on your site’s needs, or join our newsletter to stay updated on regulatory changes and actionable tips.
Originally published on September 16, 2022 at barefootdc.com. Updated for Aligned Soul Design.
Disclaimer: Remember, I’m here to assist, but I can’t replace the expertise of a licensed attorney. I am knowledgeable about various topics, but I’m definitely not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. The information I provide is based on general understanding and research. It’s always a good idea to consult with a qualified legal professional for legal advice. Laws and regulations can vary depending on your location and other factors. So please use the information I provide as a starting point and seek professional guidance when needed.
