Does My Website Need a Privacy Policy

The Answer

The answer is ABSOLUTELY! By now, most people know their business needs a website, but there's still some uncertainty about the need for a privacy policy. Your website does need a privacy BUT not all of the reasons why will apply to you. Keep reading to find out which you should be most concerned about.

What Is a Privacy Policy?

In short, the privacy policy explains to everyone who your website collects, uses, maintains, shares, and most importantly, protects the personal information of your site visitors and customers.

For non-commercial websites, this personal information would include things like name, address, birth date or even just the fact that they've visited your website. While all of this information is sensitive and can be used for crimes like identity theft, the information collected on websites which sell products or service have an even higher threshold of information to protect.

Commercial websites, in addition to the above information, also potentially collect credit card numbers, social security numbers and bank account information. Even more damage could be done to your the credit and financial wellbeing of you visitors, if this information is not protected.

Your privacy policy explains how you use this information, and most importantly, how you protect it!

Legal Concerns

When I speak to other digital marketing people, this is typically the reason given for including a privacy policy on the websites they design for their clients... It's the law. In many places this is true, but the regulations are not consistent across the board, nor do they even exist in some areas.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enacted by the European Union, you as a website owner are not only required to have a privacy policy disclosure, but further to explain what rights your site visitors have regarding their information.

But I don't do business in the EU?!

This may be true, but your website is on the "worldwide web correct? Do people from all over the world visit your website?

Yes... and yes

Then these legal requirements apply to you too!

There is no nationwide law in the United States, however, there is legislation that has been enacted in some states.

For example, California requires all commercial websites that collects Personally Identifiable Information (PPI) of its residents to display a compliant privacy policy. More information about this legislation can be found here.

Again, you may not be targeting California residents, but chances are that some of them will find your website, assuming you use an effective digital marketing agency!

Transparency

Potential customers and fans place a lot of value in trust. If they truly trust an information source or vendor, then they will be much more willing to interact, share and buy. Transparency is a huge component of trust, and a clear privacy policy demonstrates your desire to be transparent.

Additionally, while not a legal requirement, some third parties require a privacy policy, if you want to use their network of business services or tools. The most obvious example of this is Google.

If you want to use popular webmaster tools like Google Ads or Google Analytics, Google requires that your website has a privacy policy.

Better Customer Relationships

The number two goal of any website owner is to grow and strengthen the relationship it has with its visitors. Complying with law and being as transparent as possible will go a long way toward growing trust with your site visitors.

Increasing trust is a guaranteed way to improve all relationships, including business ones!

Improved relationships lead to more frequent visits, engagements and ultimately a growth in the number one goal of any website.

Increased Revenues

If were being completely honest and transparent with ourselves, the number one goal of any website is the generate revenues. To accomplish this, you need to provide content, goods and / or services that your website visitors value. While this is true, in order to maximize revenues, you need to create an environment of trust and security.

A clear and properly structured privacy policy is needed to foster such an environment.

Now Get Started!

Now that you know that every website needs a privacy policy, start drafting yours!

If you have any questions or need any help, please feel free to reach out to us either in the comments below or on our website.