Complete the form below to ask us a question or make an enquiry. We’ll get back to you via phone or email as soon as possible.

Insights

Why your website terms and conditions matter

Posted on 08th June 2017 in Intellectual Property

Posted by

Jill Headford

Partner and Solicitor
Why your website terms and conditions matter

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.

Contact our legal experts

Company & Industry

Related Insights

Insights

Disputes Settled, Not Fought: 4 Ways We Avoided Court for Our Clients

Posted on 02nd June 2025 in Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution

When people hear the word ‘litigation’ they often picture a courtroom showdown. In reality, however, disputes rarely make it that far. The modern litigation process is designed to promote early settlement (even after proceedings are issued) and very few cases are actually decided in a Court or Tribunal.

Posted by

Jessica Whittick

Solicitor
Insights

Your Song, Their Training Data: Who Owns AI’s Inspiration?

Posted on 27th May 2025 in Intellectual Property

When Sir Elton John accuses the government of “committing theft,” it’s not just a headline: it’s a warning. The copyright debate around artificial intelligence has hit a crescendo following the proposed protections in the Data (Use and Access) Bill.

Posted by

Jessica Whittick

Solicitor