What’s really necessary for website legal protection? The number and type of legal documents your website needs depends a lot on the site’s subject matter. For example, a website that sells toys for kids has different privacy policy legal requirements than a site that sells consulting services to businesses.
1. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Refund Policy
The foundation for website legal protection consists of the site’s privacy policy, terms of use, and refund policy.
The privacy policy discloses what type of data is collected and how it is used.
Related Article: Privacy Policies – What Every Website Owner Should Know
The terms of use contains the important terms and conditions visitors must comply with as part of enjoying your website’s content.
Your site’s refund policy identifies how refund requests are processed, including any limitations on such (e.g. a 30-day refund policy). If your site sells products, the refund policy also discusses how these products are to be handled as part of obtaining a refund. This can include shipping and condition requirements for returns of physical products and proof digital products have been destroyed.
2. Other Website Legal Documents
Your site’s subject matter will determine the other types of legal documents you’ll need.
For example, if you operate your own affiliate program, you’ll want to have an affiliate operator agreement that identifies the respective rights and responsibilities of you as program operator and your affiliates as commissioned salespeople driving traffic to your site.
If you have a membership website, you’ll want to include a membership agreement that protects your content so that members aren’t scraping your content to re-sell or give away to others.
Related Article – 5 Warning Signs You’re Using The Wrong Website Legal Documents
If your site is health related, such as fitness or weight loss, you’ll want to include health disclaimers. Similarly, you’ll want earnings disclaimers if your website is about making money online or offline.
3. Professional Website Legal Review.
Website legal documents by themselves aren’t enough to avoid being investigated by the government or sued. The sales copy on your site, testimonials, images, etc. can create legal liability.
Related Article – 7 Keys To Picking The Right Internet Lawyer For Your Business
A good way to reduce your risk is to have a qualified Internet lawyer perform a professional website legal diagnostic. Done correctly, a diagnostic consists of reviewing your website for legal issues and make recommendations for changes to be made to the site’s content.
Of course, you’ll want to check out our firm’s Website Legal Protection Package.
