16 December 2009
What you need to know before going ahead with a web development project and what you need to check before you launch.

Top tips to keep your website legal.

As with any aspect of business, your website must comply with the law. Here are a few issues to consider.

1) It is important that your web site can be used by everybody, regardless of any disabilities. People with disabilities such as visual impairment require sufficient visual contrast to read text. Also, elements like JavaScript, Flash or images can be disabled to help the individual find the required information. If an alternative is not presented, as text for example, this can be considered a breach of the UK Disability Discrimination Act, 1995.

2) As with any paper business correspondence you must display certain information. On every email and within your website you must display your registered office, your business registration and number if available, your VAT number and an email address. The information only has to be displayed once in a site but there are still a large number of sites that do not meet the basic legal requirement of displaying an email address etc.

3) If goods are sold through a website a contract is formed at the point of sale. It is therefore a legal requirement that terms and conditions can be downloaded and printed prior to forming the contract. The purchaser may cancel the contract – i.e. return the goods for refund within 30days unless the goods are perishable or custom made. Also, delivery should be made within 30 days.

4) Copyright laws are there to protect content owners. A copyright statement on your site protects you from unwanted copying of your website content. It is important also to be aware or where content comes from. If you have not created content directly where did it come from and what licence was it under? Both text and images can be copyright so ensure there are no breaches that can lead to prosecution.

5) If you collect and store data on website visitors you must notify the “Information Commissioners’ Office” unless exempt. A privacy statement should also be available from your site.

About the author
Martin Saunders runs MS Internet Ltd., an expert website design & development company. MS Internet gives a friendly, personal service and offers design, programming, e-commerce, search engine optimisation, web hosting and domain name registration services.
Phone: 08444 128 001 | Email: info@msinternet.co.uk | Web: www.msinternet.co.uk