Does your website stack up ?

Do you know the legal requirements and responsibilities of running an online business?  Does your website comply with Australian legislation?

Below are the three most important legal aspects that you should be aware of.  Check to see how your website fares.

Do you have a Contact Form on your website?

If YES then you are collecting personal information eg. email address.  Your website needs a PRIVACY POLICY.

A Privacy Policy states how you will keep all personal information safe and secure and that you will not sell it without permission. Since almost all websites have contact forms, most websites should have a Privacy Policy. So that should be your first priority.

Having a Privacy Policy will also increase consumer confidence and trust in your operations.

Do you publish information or provide advice on your website?

If YES then people could rely incorrectly on your information or advice and your website needs a WEBSITE DISCLAIMER

You never know, the information you publish could be out of date; any advice you offer may be misused or misinterpreted by your visitors; and so on. Again, most websites are providing information, so you should probably have, at least, a general Website Disclaimer to protect yourself and your business.

Do you sell goods and/or services on your website?

If YES then your website should say you comply with Australian Consumer Law and provide refund, warranty and shipping information in TERMS & CONDITIONS

In addition you also need to include a statement that you comply with the Australian Consumer Law. Not all websites sell goods and services, so you might not need to post Terms and Conditions. But the ACCC is cracking down on e-commerce sites in Australia and starting to issue penalties to non-complying websites. So don’t get caught out if you sell goods and services online.

Note:  the above information is not intended to be, and should not be, interpreted as constituting legal advice.  

For more information on website compliance, click here.

Thank you to Jane Cluff from Felicity Jane for this blog.