Websites get stale and out of date. Laws and regulations change. If you haven’t updated your Website in the past 12 months, it’s time for a review.
1. Jurisdiction Statement?
The Internet makes access to Websites possible from anywhere on the planet. You want to make it clear that your Website is governed by the laws of your selected state. This way, you are less likely to find yourself being sued for violating the laws of some other place.
For example, my Website says, “This Website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts, USA, without regard to its choice of law rules.” http://www.smartfast.com/pages/juris.html
2. Disclaimer?
Does your site have a disclaimer? You want to make it clear that people should not rely upon the information without seeking specific advice or checking in for an update. You may want to specify that prices and terms are subject to change.
For example: my Website says “The information provided on this Web site is intended as a general overview and should not be relied upon as legal advice.”
3. Copyright notice?
Is there a Copyright notice on your Website? While the Copyright notice is not required by law, it is a good business practice to use it to make it clear that you are claiming Copyright protection for the contents of your Website. Copying is rampant on the Internet and if you’ve invested substantial time and effort in developing your Website, it makes sense to put people on notice that you are claiming Copyright protection. For example, my Website says “Copyright © 2000-2011 Jean D. Sifleet, Esq. All Rights Reserved.”
It’s even better to register the Copyright – but that’s a topic for another e-newsletter. If you would like more information about registering your Copyright, click here http://www.smartfast.com/blog/faqs-copyright to read my article.
4. Content created by someone else?
Is there any Copyright-protected content (created by someone else) on your Website? If your Website has any music, images, quotes or even articles published about your business, you may need to confirm that you have the right to use the content created by other people. The general rule is: Give credit to the source, “link” – don’t copy and embed.
5. Privacy Policy?
Privacy is a growing concern for many people. Government regulations are increasing. For example, there are strict rules about the use of personally identifiable information.
My Website says: “Smart Fast® has a firm commitment to protecting the privacy of the information collected on the Web site. The information collected on the site is not shared with nor available for use by the Website host and the site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under its control. We do not disclose information that you may give us to any outside parties, unless required by law. If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with Smartfast.com, please contact Jean Sifleet.” http://www.smartfast.com/pages/privacy.html
In conclusion, your Website is a key component of your overall business. It’s easy to assume that everything is OK. Is it? Take the time to review your Website and ensure that you are up to date and making the best possible use of this powerful business tool.
If you found this information useful, please post a comment. Thanks!
All good points! It’s easy to build your site and keep it updated, but forget about these finer points of staying current. From a designer’s point of view, tip #4 is especially pertinent. On-line content, including images and logos, are NOT free for the taking, and there can be substantial consequences for unauthorized use. I can say from experience that it’s disconcerting to find something designed for a client of mine being used by someone else entirely…bad for me, bad for my client, and BAD for the pirate!