Why every website needs a terms and conditions page

A website without a homepage or a contact page is simply not complete. A terms and conditions of use page is equally as important. Learn how this page protects the visitors as well as the owners of a website. And learn what makes up this page in a website.

Why are terms and conditions of use important ?

Scroll through any website created today and a terms and conditions page will exist, either in the menu or as part of the fine print in the footer. Terms and conditions of use are the legal fine print that users are agreeing to when they visit a site. If owners of the site are looking to collect information and want to protect users, a privacy policy comes into play. But a terms and conditions of use, though not legally required, helps limit the site owner’s liability if court action is commenced or if the site owner wants to protect their rights to publishing content on the website.

What terms and conditions should be placed on a website ?

As with most legal documents, the specifics of the clauses vary and can be tailored to the particular situation and context it’s being written for. Think of a website like an entity out in the public sphere. It requires protection and a limitation of liability. So one of the first terms and conditions of use should regard limiting liability in cases where there are errors in the content or for third party content posting. Owners should notify the reader about where the website is located and that it follows the governing law of the land.

The legal fine print often also includes a notice about copyright, besides the privacy policy. To draft this kind of document, a site owner can choose to get creative and visit a website that is similar in function, size or purpose. Looking to the legal language of a comparable website and editing and changing clauses where necessary is common practice. Another alternative could also be the use of a terms and conditions template or a generator found online to keep the page pretty standard. In more complicated cases, consultation with a lawyer offers the best protection as their draft will cover all cases.