When you are building a website, it’s easy to focus on the design, images, and content. But there is another piece that is just as important and often overlooked.
Your legal pages.
These pages help protect you, build trust with your visitors, and show that your business is professional and credible. The good news is that you don’t need a law degree to get the basics in place.
1) Privacy Policy
If your website collects any personal information even if it just a contact form or email signup you need a privacy policy.
This page explains:
- What information you collect
- How it’s used
- How it’s stored and protected
- Whether you share it with third parties (like email platforms)
A privacy policy builds trust and helps your site comply with privacy regulations.
Additional Insight
If you use the following than you are collecting or processing data. Your privacy policy should mention third-party tools and how users can request removal of their data.
- Google Analytics
- Facebook/Meta Pixel
- Email Platforms (Flodesk, Mailchimp, Kit, etc.)
- Embedded YouTube videos
Bonus: Add a small checkbox near or on your forms that says “I agree to the privacy policy.”
2) Terms & Conditions
Your terms and conditions page outlines how visitors may use your website and services.
It can include:
- Website usage guidelines
- Intellectual property protection
- Payment or service terms
- Limitation of liability
Think of this as setting clear expectations between you and your website visitors.
Additional Insight
Your terms page can clarify the follow and thus protect your work, especially important if you sell digital products or courses.
- No copying your content, images or downloads
- Refund policies (if applicable)
- Governing law (what state or country laws apply)
3) Disclaimer
A disclaimer is especially important if you:
- Offer advice or education
- Provide coaching or consulting
- Share health, financial, or business guidance
- Sell digital products or courses
This page clarifies that your content if for informational purposes and protects you from being held responsible for how someone uses the information.
Addition Insight
If possible place a short version of your disclaimer near blog posts or course content if you offer advice.
A disclaimer is especially important for educators, coaches and course creators.
4) Cookie Policy
Many websites use cookies for:
- Analytics
- Embedded videos
- Social media
- Advertising and tracking
A cookie policy explains what cookies are used and provides transparency to visitors about tracking and data collection. In many regions, this is required for compliance.
Additional Insight
If you use a cookie banner, make sure it links to your cookie banner page.
Many themes or plugins add tracking scripts automatically. Even if you don’t “think” you are using cookies it is still good practice to have a cookie banner with a cookie policy…transparency builds trust.
5) Accessibility Statement
An accessibility statement shows that you are committed to making your website usable for everyone, including visitors with disabilities.
It can include:
- Your commitment to accessibility
- Steps you’ve taken to improve usability
- How visitors can contact you if they encounter issues
This page is more than just for legal purposes as it shows care and professionalism.
Additional Insight
Include a contact method like email or a form on your website so visitors can report accessibility concerns.
Here are ways to added accessibility to your website:
- Use of alt text on images
- Readable fonts
- Contrast of colors for readability
- Keyboard navigability
- Ongoing efforts to improve your website accessibility
Final Thoughts
Adding legal pages to your website does not have to feel intimidating. Start with these five pages and use trusted templates and legal sources.
Keep it simple by creating pages for each legal page and adding the links to these pages in your website footer so they are easy for visitors to your website to locate.
A well prepared website is more then the design and layout. With the right legal pages in place it is protected and adds trust and professionalism.
If your website currently feels overwhelming or unfinished, start with adding the legal pages that your website needs.
If you’d like guided support instead of guessing, that’s exactly what I help women entrepreneurs in the creative and service industries do inside the Website Foundations course. In addition, I offer consultations and mentorship services. Just click the button below to book an appointment or to learn more about the course.
