- A website that sells something or collects a name and phone number must have documents.
- You need an offer, a privacy policy, consent to data processing, and seller details with return terms.
- An offer copied from a competitor works against you in a dispute.
Your website sells something or collects people's contacts, but there are no documents on it. While all is calm, nobody thinks about it.
Then a customer complaint or an inspection arrives. And it turns out the site has been running without what the law requires.
1. Public offer
The terms on which people buy from you. What exactly you sell, how it's paid for, when and how you deliver, what happens in case of delay. The offer replaces a signed contract with each buyer: a person clicks “Pay”, and the contract is concluded.
2. Privacy policy
What data you collect, why, where you store it and who you pass it to. If the site uses analytics, a CRM or a mailing list, they need to be mentioned too.
3. Consent to the processing of personal data
That very checkbox under the form. A name and phone number are already personal data, so even a simple landing page with an enquiry form needs consent.
4. Seller details and return terms
Who is selling (name, company details, contacts) and how to return goods. It's a requirement of e-commerce and consumer protection law.
Why not a template
Most often a site carries an offer copied from a competitor. It has someone else's company details, someone else's delivery terms, and clauses that contradict how you actually work. In a dispute with a customer, a document like that works against you.
The documents are done once. After that they simply sit on the site and do their job until you change your terms.
If your customers are abroad
For customers in the EU, GDPR applies. If you sell an app or SaaS, you'll need Terms of Service and a Privacy Policy in English.
More: documents for a website or online shop.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need documents if the site only collects enquiries?
Yes. A name and phone number are personal data, so you need a privacy policy and consent to processing.
What happens if there are no documents?
A risk of a fine for breaching personal data law, and a weak position in any dispute with a customer.
Do these documents work for Instagram or Taplink?
Yes, they can be added as a link. What you need depends on what you sell.
This article is general in nature and is not legal advice. Every situation has its own nuances.
