by Lesa Seibert, President, Xstreme Media
Is your website a breeding ground for a lawsuit? I am sure that your home and landing pages undergo much heavier scrutiny that your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. But even though you don't may much attention to this, website visitors, privacy advocates and government agencies do pay attention.
Last week we looked at the main two documents that every website should have - a Legal Notice page and a Terms of Use page. After that, documents that you need depends on how you use your website - to generate leads, engage visitors, serve ads or for endorsements. If your website contains:
If you display third-party ads or outsource work to vendors who could potentially access personal data you collect, your Privacy Policy should also cover how you share or provide access to this information.
Another document, the Customer Agreement, is needed when visitors must create an account to join, buy, or gain access to services (free or paid). This document mirrors your Terms of Use, and can become legally binding when a visitor clicks to accept your terms.
Next week we will look at more needed documentation covering advertising and endorsements.
Is your website a breeding ground for a lawsuit? I am sure that your home and landing pages undergo much heavier scrutiny that your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. But even though you don't may much attention to this, website visitors, privacy advocates and government agencies do pay attention.
Last week we looked at the main two documents that every website should have - a Legal Notice page and a Terms of Use page. After that, documents that you need depends on how you use your website - to generate leads, engage visitors, serve ads or for endorsements. If your website contains:
- Form(s) that collect personal information
- A forum or blog where visitors can post
- An invitation to connect via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or other social networking sites
- Links to Amazon or other affiliate products/services
- Customer testimonials
- Behavioral ads
- Accounts that people must create in order to join, buy, receive support, or use website services
Privacy and Customers
A Privacy Policy becomes important whenever you collect personal information. Even if you only collect an e-mail address, you are required by law to explain in the Privacy Policy your policies regarding the collection, use and sharing of data.If you display third-party ads or outsource work to vendors who could potentially access personal data you collect, your Privacy Policy should also cover how you share or provide access to this information.
Another document, the Customer Agreement, is needed when visitors must create an account to join, buy, or gain access to services (free or paid). This document mirrors your Terms of Use, and can become legally binding when a visitor clicks to accept your terms.
Next week we will look at more needed documentation covering advertising and endorsements.
