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How to Write a Privacy Policy for Your Small Business
As a small business owner with a website, you might ask: Do I really need a privacy policy statement for my website?
If you’re starting, managing, or growing any type of business online today, the answer is likely “yes, yes you do."
Jump on it!
While small business ownership is overwhelming with the constant juggle of multiple tasks at once, it’s easy to forget about or completely overlook creating a privacy policy for your lead generation website. Yet with the deluge of new data privacy regulation and subsequent lawsuits, negligence with privacy policy laws is simply a no-no.
Here are some pointers for how small businesses can comply with standards and laws to create a simple privacy policy. This article will answer what this document actually contains, why you need one, and what should be included in a privacy policy for your small business.
Read on if… you want to learn about privacy policies in plain English, without all the headache-inducing legalese. Remember, we’re not lawyers—we're just here to give you some guidance.
What is a Privacy Policy for a website?
A privacy policy is a legal statement that discloses the way a business gathers, uses, discloses, and manages a customer’s data. It also informs users about whether that information is kept confidential, shared with partners, or sold to other businesses.
It fulfills a legal requirement to protect a customers’ privacy, especially in light of recent GDPR legislation, which affects businesses that collect information from any resident residing in the EU. (Here is more info on GDPR.)
So, what does personal information even mean? It’s really anything used to identify an individual, like:
- A person's name
- Address
- IP address
- Date of birth
- Relationship status
- Contact information
- Financial records and credit information
- Medical history
- Browsing history
Why do you need a Privacy Policy?
Having a privacy policy on your website has many benefits. Here are eight of them, according to FreePrivacyPolicy:
1. It Builds Customer Trust
When a website user notices your business’ privacy policy, there is a subconscious trust factor that builds in their minds. Many websites display trust seals and easy-to-find privacy policies for this reason. This displays to visitors that your business is transparent and cares about their privacy, thus increasing levels of trust.
2. It Offers Peace of Mind to People
By explaining to users exactly what you’re collecting and how you are going to use their personal information, they will feel more comfortable to browse your website.
3. Fulfill Third-Party Requirements
Using a third-party service to collect data or display ads, still means you’re collecting personal information and the user has a right to be informed. If your website integrates with Google Analytics or Adsense, for example, third parties require a separate policy display on your website.
4. It's the Law
Almost every state and country requires some sort of privacy policy display. If you collect, store, or share personal data of any kind, it’s the law to have a policy on your site, you need a privacy policy… Or else, you might face disciplinary action from the government.
5. Protects Your Business From Getting Sued
If you don’t adhere to legal standards, you risk being sued. Companies like Snapchat and Delta Airlines have even been sued over questionable privacy policies. Stay on the defense and protect yourself from potential lawsuits!
6. Avoids Fines
Hefty fines from the Federal Trade Commission or (the country’s equivalent commission) is another consequence of not displaying an active privacy policy.
7. If You Have a Mobile App, It Protects It From Suspension
Even if you have an app, you are not excused from having a privacy policy. Many app stores require developers to link privacy policies on apps before listing them within the store.
8. Help Boost Your Revenue
If you willingly provide a privacy policy, more users may choose to business with you because they trust you.
What should be included?
Now that you’ve read up on the value of a privacy policy, are you wondering specifically how to write a privacy policy? Include the following elements:
- Legal business name
- Business location
- Contact information
- What type of information are you collecting from website visitors?
- How you collect visitor information
- How you use visitor information
- How you keep visitor information protected
- How a user can opt-out of collecting and sharing information
- Whether or not you sell information to any third party. If you do, in what way will the information be used? (Think email newsletter services, affiliate websites, or advertising networks)
The content of a privacy policy depends upon the applicable laws of your website, including where your website does its business and what type of business it is. States and countries have different legislation and guidelines, so make sure you consult a small business lawyer in your area to get informed of all of your legal requirements.
Where should you put a Privacy Policy on your website?
“There are no legal requirements on where to place your Privacy Policy page, but it’s recommended that the link to the agreement is visible, not hidden, and easily accessible,” notes TermsFeed.
Some common places you’ll find a link to a privacy policy are:
- On a website’s footer
- As a pop-up
- Within the top-level navigation of a website
The most common place for a privacy policy is a link in your website’s footer, on each page. This placement makes it accessible to all visitors; no matter what page they’re viewing!
Should you include a Privacy statement anywhere else?
Facebook Ads guidelines stipulate that a privacy policy has to be present on a landing page. We recommend including it within a footer on your landing page as well as your website, especially if your traffic is driving to a lead magnet.
But fear not…
At Leadpages, our landing page builder makes it easy to include a link to your privacy policy, either within the footer or within your pop-up.
Pro tip: Check out our Facebook Ads Generator for templates and tips on creating a high-converting Facebook Ad.
You could also add a link to your privacy policy on social media profiles as well as email newsletters within your “About Us” section of your profiles if you in any way collect, store, and distribute user data on your social accounts.
Privacy Policy examples
Need some more inspiration? Here are a few simple privacy policy examples that will work for your small business’ website. Each of the examples will guide you on how to make a privacy policy for websites.
The Better Business Bureau also offers a sample privacy policy template, which will set you on the right foot (please note, this copy was taken directly from the BBB website):
There are also privacy policy generators, like this one available at PrivacyPolicyTemplate.net.
Have you checked all the boxes?
As you have learned, privacy is a hot-button issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly by any company — big or small. Treat others as you would want to be treated and be fully transparent about the collection, storage, and use of your users’ data. While a little more work to create a unique privacy policy, it will make you more trustworthy as a company at the end of the day.
And, don’t forget… Leadpages has your back. With our 100+ flexible landing page templates and we have the best-in-class drag-and-drop landing page builder. Customize your online presence any way you like with our help. Sign up for a free trial now!
Disclaimer: Leadpages is not a replacement for legal advice. We encourage all small business owners to consult with a qualified attorney. You should not rely on this information as legal advice, nor as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular legal understanding, and you should instead regard this article as intended for educational purposes only.
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