Do I need a Privacy Policy on my website?

This question comes up a lot when we’re designing websites for our clients, so let’s dive into what a Privacy Policy is & whether you need one.

We’ll also point you to our favorite resource for getting legal documents without spending a fortune.

Note: We’re website designers — not lawyers — and this should not be considered legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about your specific situation.

What is a Privacy Policy?

A Privacy Policy is a statement on your website that lets your visitors know what you’re doing (and not doing) with their information.

It answers questions like:

• What information is this website collecting?
• What do they plan to do with it?
• What will they NOT do with it?

Do I need one?

Most likely, yes.

For one, being transparent with visitors lets them know that you’re a legitimate business they can trust, and you take their privacy seriously.

But more importantly, if your website collects information from consumers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires you to have a Privacy Policy. “Collecting information” includes advertising, comments, reviews, newsletter sign-up, an inquiry form, or even cookies your website places on your readers’ browsers.

So, pretty much everyone doing any type of business online today needs a Privacy Policy.

Where do I get one?

We use and recommend The Contract Shop for all our legal documents. You can download an attorney-prepared template that’s easy to customize for a fraction of the cost of a real lawyer (and with way more coverage than those freebie templates we’ve all used from the internet ?).

We recommend this Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy bundle. It’s GDPR and CaCPA Compliant, which is especially important if you’re collecting email addresses.

If you’re selling online courses or digital products on your website, you’ll want to get the bundle that’s specific to Online Courses and Digital Products. And if you’re selling physical products online, you’ll want the bundle that’s specific to E-commerce Stores.

Where can I get a website that looks as good as yours?We’re so happy you asked! We design custom brands & websites for small businesses. Check out our Services page to learn more.

Note: This article may include affiliate links to products we use and highly recommend.