Do you have (or need) a Privacy Policy?
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The response to my current blog series has been amazing, and it warms my heart to know I’m helping so many of you improve your websites.
Although today’s topic might not be as exciting as your Home page or some of your other web pages, a Privacy page is also very important, but in a different way.
Do you need a Privacy Policy?
Well, no, you don’t need one – if you don’t collect email addresses, use Google Analytics to track user data, or display third party ads.
In other words, yes, you do!
One of your most important tasks is to establish trusting relationships with your website visitors. Without a prominently displayed privacy policy that details how you collect, use, and protect their information, many people will be reluctant to fill out your contact form, sign up for your newsletter, or purchase your digital products.
Many jurisdictions have laws around online privacy, but even if they don’t apply to you directly, it’s in your best interest to alleviate any concerns your visitors may have about using your website.
What to put on your Privacy Policy page
Let me start by stating that I am not a legal expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my understanding is that your Privacy Policy should indicate:
- What identifying information you collect and why you collect it
- Whether your website uses cookies and for what reasons
- How you will use the information you collect
- With whom you may share the information you collect
- How people may contact you with questions or concerns
For an example, feel free to view my Privacy Policy, which I created with an app called Termageddon. It’s super easy to use – you just have to fill out a questionnaire and it generates a Privacy Policy based on the answers you enter.
As an Agency Partner, I received my Termageddon license for free and will receive a commission if you sign up through my link, but to explore other options, simply search for “privacy policy generator.”
Next Steps
- Learn about Privacy Laws that apply to your website.
- Review your existing Privacy Policy and update it if necessary. If you don’t have a Privacy Policy yet, create one using Termageddon or an appropriate template.
If you’re joining me for the first time, I hope you’ll go back and read the previous posts in this series:
- Is your website giving you strong results? Creating an Effective Homepage or Welcome Page
- Creating an About Page that Clicks
- How to Create an Effective Contact Page
- How to Create a Captivating Blog Page
I’ll be back again soon with the next instalment.
Janet Barclay
I eliminate stress for my clients by hosting, monitoring, and maintaining their WordPress sites so they don’t have to worry about security, downtime or performance issues. When I’m away from my desk, I enjoy reading, photography, cooking, watching movies, drinking tea, and spending time with my family.
This post has me thinking – my website builder has a short, automatic statement we can plug in on the home page when people first visit, but it isn’t nearly as comprehensive as your policy page. I think I have some work to do! Thanks for this great information.
In the past, it was okay just to say something short and sweet like “we won’t share your information with anyone” but the laws are getting so much stricter. I don’t know of anyone who’s been penalized for not having one, but better safe than sorry, right?
Thanks to YOU I have one! This is just standard for websites today, and important. Perhaps even more important for us as businesses to be mindful about how we are collecting and using the information readers provide. The whole concept of privacy seems to be changing across the globe right now, with contact tracing and the like. I wonder how this evolve over time!
Great points, Seana! I bet most website owners don’t even know what happens to the information when someone fills out a form on their website.
I do have a Policy Privacy Page. I’ve made some changes and will be adding it soon.
You always offer such helpful information. Thank you!
Very good! And you are most welcome.
Clearly I have some work to do. I know that when people first go to my page, there is a statement about cookies and privacy. I’m not 100% sure how the collection of email addresses for the e-newsletter (which is done through Mailchimp) handles the privacy statement. Some of those were set up for me. But you now have me thinking that I need to do some further investigation to make sure that I’m in compliance and that people visiting my site are at ease and informed. Thank you, Janet.
You’re welcome, as always. We often avoid dealing with these things because they’re not as exciting as how our websites look or what they say, but sometimes we just have to, right?
Definitely not the exciting stuff. But as you said, it’s worth looking into.
Thank you for sharing this information about the privacy policy pages. It’s essential nowadays. It reminded me to review my policy page, which I just did and modified some of the wording/images. Thanks again.
You’re welcome! I know I need to be more diligent about explaining to my website clients that they need one.
I love this series Janet. So much to learn always. I need to visit this information more thoroughly for sure. I will put this on my list for this week. Thank you for what you do 🙂
I’m very good at giving people work, aren’t I? 😉 Thank you for liking me anyway.
I hadn’t had a privacy policy until GDPR compliance came along, and then I used WordPress’ supplied template and then added bits and pieces as necessary for my Aweber- and Payloadz-based email collections, and for the blog’s comment section. Something like Termageddon would like have been a huge time-saver! Thank you for sharing this.
I know exactly what you mean, Julie – there are so many moving parts, and every time we add a new feature to our sites we need to think about how that might affect our privacy policy or other parts of the site.
Now that it’s been 2 1/2 years since GDRP has been implemented, I think I should review and see if I need to refresh my Privacy Policy. I’ll definitely be keeping Termageddon in the front of my mind when I go through to see what I may have missed, or where I’ve been too loquacious!
With many new laws all the time, it’s worth the peace of mind.
I have one thanks to your website design services. There are so many things to check and keep updating that it is easy to let something slip past. That is why I always recommend to people that they have someone to take care of their website.
Wise advice, Julie! 😀
I’ve had a privacy policy for a few years and then when GDPR popped up, I had to refresh it. Might not be a bad idea to have a look at it again. Thanks for the nudge. 😊
You’ve given so many helpful pointers over the years, I am happy to return the favor!