What Legal Pages Do You Need on Your Website? (A Simple Guide for Online Business Owners)
As a web designer who has helped countless online business owners set up their sites, I’ve learned that legal compliance often feels overwhelming.
But protecting your website doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s explore the essential legal pages and policies your site needs, along with trusted resources that can help you implement them properly.
Important Note: I’m a web designer, not a lawyer. The information in this post reflects my experience helping clients with their websites, but it should not be considered legal advice. Always consult qualified legal professionals for advice specific to your situation.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full affiliate disclosure for further information.
TL;DR Summary
Website Legal Pages
- You likely need these legal elements on your website: Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy + Consent Banner, Disclaimers & Disclosures, Copyright Notice
- Termageddon creates auto-updating legal policies for U.S. and international compliance (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
- If you’re selling digital products or services, a Refund & Return Policy is also essential
- Never copy legal pages from another site—use templates or policy generators designed for your business model
- Legal compliance builds trust, protects your business, and keeps you covered as laws evolve
Essential Legal Pages for Your Website
Privacy Policy: Protecting User Data
Your website needs a privacy policy if you collect any information from visitors—and yes, that includes email addresses for your newsletter. A solid privacy policy clearly explains:
- What information you collect
- How you use it
- Who you share it with
- How you keep it safe
Laws like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California make privacy policies mandatory for most websites. The good news? You can find straightforward solutions to help your privacy policy stay current as laws change.
“Liz has been genuinely wonderful to work with. I’ve had my website for over a decade now, and have never really loved it until Liz helped me revamp it into something that is so much more professional, user-friendly, and streamlined. She also takes care of all the maintenance (which I hated doing myself) and has helped me make sure I am in compliance.
Her pricing is so reasonable and she was able to work with me and my budget for my website renovation. Whenever I have a question she is right there with detailed and professional answers and also goes above and beyond to provide examples and personal experiences to help me make decisions. She is personable, friendly, and so easy to work with! I have already recommended her to several people looking for website help!”
Terms and Conditions (Terms of Service)
Your Terms and Conditions (or sometimes your Terms of Service) act as your website’s rulebook, protecting both you and your business by stating:
- How visitors can use your site
- What you’re responsible for
- What you’re not responsible for
- Rules around user accounts or comments
- Your intellectual property rights
The key to effective Terms and Conditions? Making them clear and specific to your business. Generic terms copied from another site won’t properly protect you!
Cookie Compliance
Modern websites use cookies, making two elements essential: a Cookie Policy and a Cookie Consent Banner.
Cookie Policy
Your Cookie Policy needs to explain:
- What cookies you use
- Why you use them
- How long they last
- How visitors can control them
Cookie Consent Banner
The Cookie Consent Banner gives visitors control over which cookies they accept. Want to learn more about implementing these correctly? Check out my detailed post on cookie policies and consent banners.
Copyright Protection
A simple copyright notice in your footer marks basic ownership, but your website deserves comprehensive protection. Start with a standard footer notice, such as:
© 2025 E. Houston Studio. All rights reserved.
Your full copyright statement should cover:
- Content protection and usage rights
- Ownership of creative elements
- Third-party content attribution
- Accuracy disclaimers
Place your complete copyright statement within your Terms and Conditions or on a dedicated page for maximum protection.
I use this free Copyright Notice Template from Blogging for New Bloggers on my own website.
Business Disclaimers and Disclosures
Running an online business often means recommending products and services you trust. Both disclaimers and affiliate disclosures protect you while maintaining transparency with your audience.
General Disclaimer
Your disclaimer protects you by clarifying:
- Your professional role and limitations
- The nature of your advice or recommendations
- Any potential conflicts of interest
- Results expectations
Affiliate Disclosure
When you recommend products or services that may earn you a commission, transparency builds trust. Place clear affiliate disclosures:
- At the top of blog posts with affiliate links
- On your main affiliate disclosure page
- Near any affiliate links or recommendations
Affiliate disclosures tell visitors when you might earn a commission from their purchases.
Refund and Return Policies
Selling digital products, courses, or services? A clear refund policy prevents misunderstandings and builds trust. Your policy should outline:
- What can be refunded
- Time limits for requesting refunds
- The refund process
- Any exceptions or conditions
- How refunds will be issued
Making Legal Compliance Manageable
Where to Start
Legal compliance might feel overwhelming, but you can tackle it systematically:
- Start with the essential policies (privacy, terms, cookies)
- Add your copyright notice and disclaimers
- Include specific policies based on your business (refunds, affiliate disclosures)
Resources to Help You Stay Compliant
Auto-Updating Policy Solutions
Termageddon is my go-to recommendation for website policies. Here’s why I love it for my own site and recommend it to clients:
- Policies update automatically when laws change
- The questionnaire process helps create policies specific to your business
- Installation is straightforward with embedded code
- You’ll get support setting up your policies
Save 10% on your first year with Termageddon using my affiliate link by entering the code EHOUSTON at checkout.
Legal Policy Templates
Looking for a comprehensive template package? The Legal Pages and Policies Bundle from Legals for Business Owners includes:
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions
- Cookie Policy
- Refund Policy
- Disclaimer
- Additional legal templates
These templates stay current with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws. Plus, you can use them on any websites you own.
Next Steps for Your Website
Getting your legal pages in order doesn’t have to be complicated! Start with the essential policies your site needs today:
- Choose between auto-updating solutions or templates
- Set up your privacy policy and terms
- Add your copyright notice
- Include necessary disclaimers
- Install a cookie consent banner
Want step-by-step guidance on setting up your website’s legal pages?
Join my free 30-Day WordPress Website Challenge. You’ll learn more about legal compliance and many other essential aspects of creating a professional website.
Take the Free 30-Day WordPress Website Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need all these legal pages for my website?
Yes—if you collect emails, use cookies, or sell products/services, you are legally required to include policies like a Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Even a simple blog should have basic legal protection.
Can I copy legal policies from another website?
No. It may violate copyright and won’t reflect your business. Instead, use auto-updating solutions (like Termageddon) or purchase lawyer-drafted templates that fit your business model.
What happens if I don’t have legal policies on my site?
You could face fines, legal issues, or damage to your reputation. Non-compliance with GDPR or CCPA can cost thousands, even for small businesses.
How often should I update my website’s legal pages?
If you use auto-updating solutions like Termageddon, you’re covered automatically. If you use templates, review and revise at least annually or whenever your services or business model changes.
