The legal side of the internet and social media is something that many don’t consider when they start using it.
One thing to do first is to ensure that your website complies with our extant laws. If you have a lot of content and users on your site, then being careful really pays off in the long run.
You don’t have to be a lawyer or an accountant to create a website. A little research and a few simple, low-cost steps can help you stay on the right side of the law.
If you’re thinking about building a website, starting a blog, or already have one, it’s not too early to think about legal and regulatory compliance. The Web is a public medium, and you may be held legally responsible for anything that appears on it. So you’ll want to acquaint yourself with these six legal documents:
Website Privacy Policy
In compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation, (NDPR), Website Privacy Policy is needed. A privacy policy a document that explains how you’ll use customer information. You should display your website privacy policy prominently on the home page of your website because visitors may feel more comfortable visiting a site that lets them know how your site will use the information they provide.
Contact Form
Do you have a contact form on your website? A contact form allows your visitors to easily get in touch with you. It also provides a way for you to collect their contact information, which you can use to market to them in the future.
Your website users will be comfortable if they know why you need their data and what you will use it for. If you are collecting a user’s data and “personal information”, for example, email address, name, and location, you need to include it in the privacy policy document.
Website Disclaimer
If you are an online publisher in any niche or you give people advice on your website, you need to let people accept some responsibilities in reading through your content. The information that is correct today might not be correct tomorrow and it can bring issues to you as people will rely on your incorrect information. If you don’t have a disclaimer, a legal battle may come from there. With disclaimers, you define your responsibility and eschew liabilities.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions are typically used to outline the rules and regulations of using the website.
They include things like restrictions on use, warranties, disclaimers, and more. It is also a very important document for your website. An agreement that the user must accept before using any service or product.
This agreement sets out what you can expect as the service provider and what your users can expect from you in return. For example, this could include how long you have to cancel your subscription if you want to stop giving/using a service or product.
It contains all the conditions that apply to your website, so make sure you read it carefully after writing.
Terms of Advertisement
Do you allow advertising on your website? If the answer is YES, your company need an additional document to address the advertising policy stating clearly how you operate and the power you can invoke.
Copyright Statement
As a website owner, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary legal documents in place. One of the most important is a copyright statement.
This statement ensures that you hold the copyright to your website and all its contents. It also protects you from others who might try to steal your work.
Make sure you have a copyright statement in place before launching your website. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself and your hard work.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to have all of the legal documents in place for your website, from a Website Policy to Terms and Conditions. Not having these documents can put your website, your image – and your business – at risk.
Make sure to consult with an attorney to get the documents you need in order to protect your website. It’s worth the investment to ensure that your website is legally protected.
