Website Packages – Content and Legal Issues
Content and Legal Issues
When writing content for your business website package most of the content can be decided by yourself in relation to the business you run and your customers’ requirements. However, there are some basic legal issues you must observe.
Legal issues
The First Company Law Amendment Directive came into force in January 2007. This legally obliges businesses that are companies to display the following information on their business website, business emails and all electronic documents:
- Company registration number
- Place of registration
- Registered office address
You must also show, on your business website:
- The name, postal address and email address of the website’s provider
- The names of any trade organisations or professional associations that your business is connected with, including membership or registration details
- Your VAT number, even if the website is not being used for e-commerce
- Whether any prices you display are inclusive or exclusive of tax and delivery costs
You will already be displaying this information either on your business stationery, or other publications and at your premises so e-business is just being brought into line with traditional methods of communication. It is good for consumers as it will help to prevent unscrupulous businesses using websites for fraudulent purposes. It is also good for online business as it favours genuine businesses and transparency of information. It’s good practice – now it’s the law!
You can find out more from your local Trading Standards office, or read more at Outlaw.com
