10 Legal Items For Your Small Business Website

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Whether you've had a business web site for a while or you're just starting out, industry and regulatory compliance is often one area of business web sites that gets overlooked. Mistakes can be costly when it comes to complying with laws regarding what can - and cannot - be said or done on a business web site. Improving user-friendliness, visibility, and marketing reach are all important areas of building a business web site, but your site could be violating rules  and regulations regarding plagiarism, ownership, intellectual property, and privacy without you even knowing it. Our network of small business attorneys through our Legal Protection Plans for Small Businesses can help you with the details of your web site's regulatory requirements for your specific situation, industry, and locale, but here are a few general tips:

Domain Name

Most people register their domain names on term contracts that last from one year to a maximum of 10 years, but you can also purchase a domain name outright.  Make sure that you register or buy your domain name yourself. If this is done by another party, you are essentially letting another person control your domain name, and they can sell it or hold on to it if there is a dispute.

Site Hosting

The Internet is full of sites that let people build their own web sites, DIY-style, and these are usually hosted by the company where the site is built. There are also sites that sell you hosting separately from the coding and design aspects of your site. It is important to read through any agreements before you enter into them to make certain that you will own your design and content. Make sure that you can move your site to another hosting platform if you choose; nearly all the DIY sites own the design and you will have to start over if you decide to move your site.

Trademarks

It is possible to buy a domain name that infringes on someone else's trademark. For example, you may be able to buy the domain nike.com, but using that domain may infringe on copyrights and trademarks. This particular example is avoidable, but it is still important to do your due diligence and make sure that intellectual property laws aren't broken, even unintentionally. Conversely, if you think someone else is infringing on your trademarks or copyrights, you will want to speak to a trademark attorney right away.

Privacy & Security

One of the most important things that a small business web site needs to consider is how to handle customer data, privacy, and security. Ensuring that your site meets security standards, payment processing regulations, and safe handling of customer information is one of the first things you should do. Make sure that you have a system to handle customer data, and if your site uses cookies to deliver a customized user experience, make sure to have language drafted for your site that spells out your system, process, and protocols for your customers. Reach out to an attorney to get help with the kind of language that you'll need for your site to be legal.

Compliance with FTC Guidelines

In order to limit deceptive advertising that leads to fraud and scams, the FTC has regulations put in place regarding online advertising. You'll want to make sure that you understand these rules and never make false claims, even if you don't mean to do so. Saying something like, "Number One Rated in (BLANK) Industry" can get you fined if you don't have something to back it up, such as an actual award.

ADA Compliance

There have been lawsuits recently regarding the inaccessibility of web sites under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While small businesses with fewer than 15 employees aren't required to adhere with ADA guidelines, it makes business sense to do so from the start so that your products and services are available to everyone.

Plagiarism

You will want to make sure that your content is fresh and original for a number of reasons, including ranking high in search engines. There are plagiarism checkers available for you to use to make sure that your content is original and unique. Hiring a copywriter isn't a bad idea, but make sure that you will own the content that is produced for your web site. Make sure to cite sources for any external content you use, as well. Finally, taking your own photographs is best, or you can purchase the rights to stock photos from a stock photography site.

You will put a lot of work and effort into your business, including your customer or employee-facing web sites, so it is important to get it right the first time with competent legal advice from an experienced attorney. Our Legal Protection Plans for Small Businesses gives you access to just this kind of advice for one low, monthly fee. Learn more about our Small Business Legal Protection Plans or sign your business up today!