Why your website terms and conditions matter
Posted on in Intellectual Property
Your website is your shop front, but many don't do enough to show customers they are just as trustworthy as bricks and mortar.
Why trust in a website matters
Many websites have terms of sale biased in favour of the seller, with contact information hidden or absent. These can be quick turn-offs for potential customers who may perceive such websites to be untrustworthy.
Trust is vital to giving customers the confidence to make a purchase. Website owners can develop this trust to make their website stand out from competitors. Fair website terms of sale that are tailored to your products can help to give the impression you are confident in the quality of your offering. Clear information identifying who the business is and where it can be contacted reinforces this.
Why terms and conditions on your website matter
The benefits are not limited to increased sales. Fair terms and proper contact information are required by law and can help avoid disputes. Websites that fail to comply face having their terms declared unenforceable by the courts.
To comply with the law a website should have:
- information on who you are and where you are, including a correspondence address (not just a PO box), registered office and company number if you're a company, a telephone number, and an email address.
- terms of sale that provide for fair refunds and cancellations.
- a privacy policy that states what you will do with customer's personal information.
Find out more
If you would like any help or support then visit our dedicated Intellectual Property pages or contact our expert team.