3 essential legal pages you need for you website

This is a blog post I’ve been wanting to write for such a long time, but it took me a long time to get over myself to really start writing it. For me, the legal side of blogging is the most boring side. It’s not sexy, it’s not what you want to think about as a blogger… let’s say that it’s just not my cup of tea. 😉

But let’s face it: I wanted to blog about blogging and this blog about blogging would be incomplete if I didn’t inform you about the legal pages you need to blog legally, as well. It is my mission to teach new bloggers about all aspects of blogging, from start to finish (ha! kidding, a blog’s never finished). I just want to make blogging as simple as possible for you and that also includes the laws you must deal with as a blogger. 

So, let’s just deal with this topic, okay? Let me explain it to you for once and for all, so you can install those damn pages and move on with your blogging life!

Almost every blogger collects personal data

As a blogger, you just want to blog. You just care about writing awesome content that’ll make your readers happy. I get that! Who cares about privacy policies, and disclaimers? Why would you take all that effort for your (small hobby) blog? Can’t you just do that in a few months, or in a year, or something…?

I’m sorry to be that person that needs to disappoint you today, because these pages are required by law, and they keep you out of legal trouble. Even with a new and/or small blog.

For instance, did you know that if your readers can leave a comment with their name and email address below your blog posts, you’re already collecting personal data? It may sound small and insignificant, but really, who cares about a few first names and email addresses, right? I understand you, but those few – in your eyes insignificant – names, can still get you in big legal trouble.

That’s why I advise you to read this post thoroughly and to start taking care of the legal side of your blog right away in case you haven’t done so yet. This will save you a lot of stress later on! 

In this post, I’ll tell you exactly which legal pages are required on your website to make sure you’re running your blog legally. Let’s start!

Why do you need legal pages on your website?

“And does this apply to me even when I’m just a hobby blogger?”

Yes, you also need legal pages on your blog as a small and/or hobby blogger as a small blogger as well. Why? Because the law requires it. That’s the easiest explanation.

As a blogger, you’re collecting and processing personal data. And that means you’re obliged to protect the privacy and data of the users you’re collecting the personal data from. And you want to protect yourself and your blogging business from legal problems as well. That’s what you need those legal pages for.

Which documents do you need to blog legally?

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Disclaimer

Related: high demand blog niches for beginning bloggers

Privacy Policy

A lot of bloggers don’t realize they’re collecting personal data, but you’re probably already collecting more data than you might think. Do you send out a newsletter? Do you allow your readers to comment on your blog posts? Do you keep track of your blog’s statistics?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, a Privacy Policy is mandatory. And you must be sure to place it in a prominent place on your website that can be easily found by your visitors.

The Privacy Policy includes the following:

• The purpose for which you use personal data
• The reason why the user has to provide his/her personal data
• What you will do with this personal data
• What rights do users have
• Which cookies do you use and why
• How long the data will be stored

The best place to get your legal pages online is on A Self Guru’s website! This website is created by Amira, is a blogger ánd a lawyer who knows literally everything about the legal side of blogging. On her website, you can get yourself all the legal pages you need! And yes, I know you can roam the internet for some free templates. But if you really want to be sure that your legal pages match your business and you’re fully covered legally, I highly, highly recommend investing a little in Amira’s Legal Bundle for Bloggers.

I’d rather have you saving money on your blog’s theme if you must, but not being protected legally as a blogger can cost you lots and lots of money if you end up in a lawsuit. So please, please, go to Amira’s website and get those legal templates so you can add these legal pages to your website, ASAP! It’s totally worth it, and it will bring you peace of mind, I promise! 🙂

Get your Privacy Policy Template here:

Disclaimer

As a blogger, it is always advisable to have a disclaimer on your website. A disclaimer limits your liability for the information you provide on your website, indicates how your website can be used and points out that all publications on your website are protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights.

Get your Disclaimer Template here:

Terms and Conditions

Another Legal Page you need on your website is Terms and Conditions. It’s a document with all the rights and obligations of yourself and your website’s visitors. You’re telling your visitors what their rights are on your blog, and what they’re not allowed to, and it protects your blog from being misused by others.

Included are:

• Intellectual property rights ownership
• Limit liability
• Copyright
• Privacy Policy

It’s not obligated by law, but again just incredibly wise to protect yourself with it!

Final thoughts

Now you know about the 3 most important legal pages you really need to add to your website today. I know it’s boring, but plan one afternoon in your schedule to do it, go to Amira’s website, and use her templates. Many, many bloggers already use Amira’s templates, she did all the work for you, just follow all the steps and it’ll be over with before you even know it. 😉

Done with adding these legal pages to your blog? Then it’s time to start working on the accessibility of your website. This is becoming a more important factor of a successful blog in the near future as well.

Angie