Essential Website Policies for Creative Entrepreneurs
Have you found yourself needing website policies but aren’t quite sure where to find them because there are too many options, and you don’t know which policies to choose?
As a creative entrepreneur, you want to ensure you are covered with the right website policies. As they will help ensure you and your site visitors know what happens when they navigate your website.
Today, I’m sharing a resource that can help you feel at ease so you can get back to focusing on your clients and running your business.
Website policies are essential to operating your online business and set the tone for your visitors by ensuring you have protections in place for how their information is sourced, used, and accessed. Plus, it protects you as the business owner.
Here is what you should know first about website policies.
What Are Website Policies?
Website policies are guidelines that help protect your site visitors, clients, and brand from confusion. They clarify what happens when people interact with your business. Website policies will also specify how information is collected, such as names, email addresses, and other personal details, and let visitors know what happens to their data.
Essential Website Policies Creative Entrepreneurs Should Have
Here are a few website policies you should have for your creative business. So you can ensure that you provide an amazing experience for your clients and other visitors.
Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions let visitors know what happens when they engage with content and information on your website. They also inform visitors how you use their data through third-party links, such as social media and email marketing. Plus, provide insights.
Here are some things Terms & Conditions help with in your creative business.
Helps protect your business's intellectual property and address copyright infringement. If you create proprietary services or frameworks, this is vitally important.
Allows you to maintain control of your website and its users.
Reduces the liability associated with any warranties you offer for purchases on your website (e.g., paid consultations or digital products).
Addresses clients' commonly asked questions.
Covers any potential damages you may be responsible for in case of a dispute.
Terms & Conditions are essential, as they provide specificity for the wide range of people who can interact with your website on a daily basis.
Privacy Policy
Everyone who goes online wants to have their information protected. A privacy policy can help website visitors understand how their data is used and processed.
Some things that a privacy policy covers are
How information is collected and used.
Where the information is collected from (such as sales transactions, analytics tracking).
The legal basis for using this information (such as following up on an inquiry or contacting them via email marketing).
How information is shared (for example, with third-party apps like subscription tools).
How you protect your customers’ information.
Depending on which countries people are accessing your website from, you may need to include additional policies to ensure you comply with those countries' privacy laws.
Privacy policies are constantly changing as they adopt new rules all the time with the advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence and beyond. More and more people are really looking into how their information is being used.
Seriously, look at any of the latest news regarding Facebook. Privacy and the use of information are some of the top conversation pieces.
Definitely make sure your Privacy Policy is up to date.
Disclaimers
Disclaimers help reduce liability when someone engages with your business. For example, a disclaimer could be used to let people know that results may vary with your services. It sets the cadence that people shouldn’t all expect the same result if they follow the same method or process.
As a creative entrepreneur, disclaimers are perfect if you use affiliate links to recommend products or services you love.
Overall, disclaimers add an extra layer of protection that can help put your mind at rest.
Cookie Policy
Cookies are small pieces of code that are stored in your web browser so that businesses can track user activity.
The tools that you are using to help run your business most likely install cookies unless they explicitly state that they don’t. I know other creative entrepreneurs who have tried to go cookieless and found it almost impossible.
So if you are using third-party tools such as Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, etc, you are using software that installs cookies, and with that, you’ll need a cookie policy that lets website visitors know how those cookies are used.
Where Should Your Website Policies Be Placed On Your Website?
A good place to showcase your policies is in the footer or at the bottom of your website. Most people expect to find that information in those areas.
Another great place to add your policies is under your form submission button. For example, you could link your Privacy Policy under the button where people sign up for your email list.
Use your best judgment here on where it makes the most sense for your clients.
Now, you may be thinking, “Where do I get these policies?” I’m glad you asked! I have a resource that I have been using for years to share with you.
Where to Get Website Policies for Your Creative Business?
Now you can write your own policies or snag a free one if your website platform offers them. For example, Shopify will give a basic website policy to use. Or you can purchase a template that provides the information you need for an effective website policy.
One of my recommended resources is Termageddon (aff. link). Termageddon keeps up with all the latest privacy laws in the world. One of the significant benefits of using their templates is that they are kept up to date. So, you'll have the latest information, instead of buying a one-off template that you have to worry about whether it’s been updated.
Termageddon offers a variety of templates that support different businesses. Here are a few policies that they’ll help you with:
Privacy Policy
Terms
Disclaimer
Cookie
EULA
And, more!!
What I love about Termageddon is that they ask you questions and build out your policies based on how you run your business. This ensures you have the right policies for your business. After you finish answering the questions, all you’ll have to do is grab the embed code and add it to your website. You will need to create distinct pages (i.e., a page for your Privacy Policy, Terms, etc.), but the code is super easy to add to any website. Plus, they have their own cookie banner that you can add to your website.
So check Termageddon out. It’s cost-effective, trustworthy, and provides peace of mind that you are following best practices regarding website policies. Click the button below to grab your policies!