Website Privacy Policy: What is it? What to Include
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Quick Facts — Website Privacy Policy Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft a Privacy Policy: $930.00
- Avg cost to review a Privacy Policy: $500.00
- Lawyers available: 139 privacy lawyers
- Clients helped: 158 recent website privacy policy projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 4.99 (35 reviews)
What is a Website Privacy Policy?
A website privacy policy is a legal statement about how a company collects and handles data it connects from site visitors.
Having a privacy policy for your website demonstrates how your company respects its customers and users.
You are legally obligated to have a website privacy policy if your site collects personal data, such as an e-commerce site. Consumers and users alike have a right to know that their information is protected,
Privacy policies are also used for blogs, web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications.
Here is an article that provides a definition and overview of privacy policies.
What Should Be Included in a Website Privacy Policy?
The details to include in a privacy policy vary based on your geographic region and company’s industry. For example, in California, all companies that collect personal data from their website visitors must comply with the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CaliOPPA).
At the most basic level, there are seven key elements to a privacy policy you should always include:
- Identifying information: Establish whom the privacy policy represents, including the name of your company, the website URL, and business address.
- Details of data you collect: Describe what types of data you collect from your website visitors, such as their names, addresses, email addresses, social media account handles, credit card information, and IP address. Any and all personal data the site collects should be included in the policy in clear terms.
- How data is stored and protected: Privacy policy laws require companies to protect their customers’ data. Therefore, you should ensure that your storage measures safeguard customers’ data from being leaked, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized parties. Computer safeguards, passwords, firewalls, data encryption, and secured access are all examples of good data protection.
- Third parties: If your visitors’ data is going to be shared with any third parties, such as marketing agencies, then you must specify who these parties are and how they will access, store, and handle the data.
- The reason for collecting data: What is the purpose for collecting your site visitors’ data? Do you use it for marketing purposes, to improve site performance, or something else? Make sure you provide a valid reason for storing anyone’s personal information.
- Methods of data collection: Your website privacy policy must include your methods of online data collection, including tracking cookies, surveys, mailing lists, and order placement.
- Opt-out clauses: You should always provide users with the ability to request a copy of their data, opt out of data collection, and remove any of their data from your website’s archive.
Here is an article with more information on what details you should include in a website privacy policy.
Do I need a Privacy Policy For My Website?
If your website collects visitors' personal data, you need a privacy policy. All websites collect user data in one way or another. Hence, every website needs to have some type of privacy policy.
Users may or may not want to have their personal information collected, so having a privacy policy allows them to make an educated decision when using your website.
The exact details you need to include in your privacy policy are affected by:
- Your industry
- Your location
- Your jurisdiction
The governing law of your privacy policy also affects what details you need to include. For example, you may have visitors from Europe. Still, if your business’s headquarters are in America, then the governing law would be the United States of America and your particular state.
Many third-party apps, such as Google, also mandate websites to have security policies. Without a privacy policy and privacy agreement, you won’t be allowed to use tools like Google Analytics.
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How Do I Write a Privacy Policy for My Website?
If you are researching how to write a privacy policy, you’ve come to the right place. ContractsCounsel provides comprehensive guides on what to include in a privacy policy, including terms and conditions and elements of an exemplary user agreement.
You can also look for free privacy policy templates online, then modify them to suit your company’s needs.
After writing your privacy policy or editing a template, you can send it to a lawyer for review. Of course, having an attorney review any legal documents you write yourself is always a good idea.
Without legal review, you may unintentionally omit certain details that put your company at risk.
Here is an article on how to write a privacy policy in 6 steps.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Privacy Policy for My Website?
Privacy policies can be free if you find online templates or write yours. However, if you decide to work with a contracts lawyer, the average privacy policy cost is $370.83.
Using ContractsCounsel’s marketplace, you can search for contract attorneys in your state and easily compare their rates to suit your budget and the scope of your needs.
Privacy policies that require more comprehensive details may cost more than the average price. It is important to ensure your privacy policy covers all legal requirements and protects your audience’s data.
Here is an article with more details on the average privacy policy cost.
Website Privacy Policy Template
Risks of Not Having a Privacy Policy on My Website
Choosing not to use a privacy policy can result in hefty penalties, including severe fines, lawsuits, and even having your site taken down.
Your website privacy policy is part of larger user agreements, like an end user license agreement (EULA). Without it, you run the risk of violating regulations in your industry or jurisdiction,
In addition to legal consequences, another major risk of not having a website privacy policy is a loss of customer trust.
In today’s highly digital age, customers are fully aware that their data is always being collected in some form or another. This means that they are more suspicious of websites that don’t have privacy policies in place.
Finding out that you’ve collected and used personal data without their consent, they will not be willing to do business with you in the future. Some may even take legal action against your company for violating their right to privacy online.
To respect your customers, keep their trust, and protect your business, having a privacy policy is a non-negotiable part of running a modern business. It will also give customers the peace of mind they deserve when they do business with you.
Here is an article about why all websites need a privacy policy.
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ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Need help with a Website Privacy Policy?
Meet some of our Website Privacy Policy Lawyers
Anna C.
I am a business attorney focused on practical, efficient contract drafting, review, and negotiation for healthcare organizations and growth-stage and established businesses. My work includes commercial agreements such as NDAs, MSAs/SOWs, leases, vendor and services agreements, SaaS, and employment and severance agreements. I partner closely with clients to identify key legal and business risks, deliver clear, business-minded redlines with concise issue summaries, and keep transactions moving. Clients value my responsive turnaround, judgment, and ability to balance risk with commercial objectives.
"Anna delivered tight, well-scoped privacy policies and follow-up guidance that was practical and decision-ready — she told me where to be conservative and where not to over-engineer. Warm, prompt, and zero defensive hedging. I'll be working with her again."
Karen S.
I'm an attorney available to help individuals and small businesses in Georgia with initial business set-up, required filings, tax strategies, etc. I'm also available to draft, review, and negotiate contracts of many types, both personal and professional. I can draft and file real estate quit claims as well. My legal and business experience and expertise includes small business startups, information technology, technology innovation, real estate transactions, taxes, intellectual property, electrical engineering, the business of video game development, business requirements definition, technology consulting, technology companies, liability waivers and reduction strategies, and the electric utility industry. I work part-time for a local law firm and part-time in my solo practice. I'm also an adjunct professor teaching business law. In addition, I'm part owner, legal counsel to, and a board member of a virtual reality video game development company. I am a member of the Georgia Bar Association. Please reach out if you need attorney, documentation or consulting help in any of those areas!
"Karen is amazing!! She is so approachable and gives great, practical guidance."
Daehoon P.
Daehoon P.
Corporate, M&A & Securities Lawyer | Managing Attorney, DP Counsel PLLC Practice Areas: Business Formation | Commercial Contracts | Contract Drafting & Review | Mergers & Acquisitions | Venture Capital | Securities Offerings | Franchise Law | Employment & Equity Compensation | Intellectual Property | Cross-Border Transactions About/Bio: I represent companies, investors, and fund sponsors in corporate transactions, commercial contracting, and private securities matters, from entity formation and early-stage financings to acquisitions, exits, and ongoing strategic counsel. As Managing Attorney of DP Counsel PLLC, I help clients structure transactions clearly, allocate risk thoughtfully, and move deals forward with documentation that is practical, enforceable, and aligned with business objectives. My practice includes both day-to-day commercial matters and more complex transactional work, including venture financings, private offerings, M&A deals, fund-related documents, and cross-border structuring. What I Do: Corporate & Commercial • Entity formation and structuring for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships • Operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and governance documents • Commercial contract drafting, review, and negotiation • Vendor, distribution, manufacturing, SaaS, and licensing agreements • Employment, consulting, confidentiality, and equity compensation agreements • Outside general counsel support for growing companies Securities & Private Capital • Private offerings under Regulation D and Regulation S • Private placement memoranda, subscription agreements, and investor documents • SAFE, convertible note, and priced equity financings • Venture capital and private fund formation matters • Fund governing documents and offering document packages • Securities law analysis for private capital raising transactions Mergers & Acquisitions • Letters of intent and term sheets • Stock purchase, asset purchase, and merger agreements • Due diligence coordination and transaction support • Disclosure schedules, closing documents, and post-closing matters • Earnouts, rollover equity, indemnity structures, and related deal terms • HSR, CFIUS, and related regulatory issue spotting for qualifying transactions Digital Assets & Emerging Technologies • Federal-law digital asset and token securities analysis • Entity structuring for blockchain and Web3 ventures • Digital asset fund and operating structures • AML/KYC documentation support and regulatory issue spotting Franchising • Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) • Franchise agreements • Master franchise and area development agreements • Franchise structuring and registration coordination Real Estate Transactions • Commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions • Real estate joint ventures and syndications • Commercial lease drafting and negotiation • Real estate investment structures and related offering documents Cross-Border & International • U.S. market entry and entity structuring for international clients • Delaware and multi-entity holding structures • Cross-border transaction planning and documentation • Coordination with foreign counsel and tax advisors on cross-border matters Why Clients Hire Me: • Big-law-level drafting with boutique responsiveness • Practical, business-focused advice grounded in execution reality • Clear scoping and transparent fee arrangements • Experience across financings, acquisitions, fund formations, and cross-border transactions Typical Projects: • Contract drafting and negotiation • Entity formation and governance packages • Private offering document suites • Venture financing documentation • M&A transactions from LOI through closing • Fractional or outside general counsel support Industries Technology | SaaS | FinTech | Digital Assets | E-commerce | Healthcare | Real Estate | Food & Beverage | Professional Services
"Daehoon was responsive and efficient with putting together our privacy policy. His knowledge and quality of work were excellent. Highly reccommend."
Melissa G.
Melissa D. Goolsarran Ramnauth, Esq. is an experienced trial-winning trademark and business attorney. She has represented large businesses in commercial litigation cases. She now represents consumers and small businesses regarding federal trademarks, contracts, and more. Her extensive litigation knowledge allows her to prepare strong trademark applications and contracts to minimize the risk of future lawsuits.
Ryan W.
Ryan A. Webber focuses his practice primarily on Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Life Care Planning. His clients range from young families concerned about protecting their family as well as aging individuals. Ryan provides Estate Planning, Trust Planning, Special Needs Planning, Public Benefit Planning, and Estate Administration. Ryan focuses on the holistic approach to the practice of elder law which seeks to ensure clients are receiving good care when needed and that they preserve enough assets with which to pay for such care. Many families and individuals also come to Ryan for preparation of their wills, power of attorney, and healthcare guidance documents. Additionally, Ryan assists small and medium sized business owners with their organizational and planning needs. From starting or winding down a business, Ryan provides quality business advice.
"Ryan helped me better understand my contract (he explained the legalese) and potential issues relating to it. He noticed things I wouldn't have noticed."
May 12, 2021
Robert D.
I am a general practice lawyer with 21 years of experience handling a wide variety of cases, both civil and criminal
June 21, 2021
George B.
I help start-ups, small businesses, and people realize their potential by leveraging my legal and technological experience. Legally skilled in employment law, intellectual property, corporate law, and real estate transactions.
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Browse Lawyers NowLawyer Reviews for Website Privacy Policy Projects
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"Had great SaaS product legal knowledge and got me everything I needed."
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"Very pleased by the work that Rhea did for this project."
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"Excellent, professional and thorough. Would not hestitate to book again."
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"Daehoon was responsive and efficient with putting together our privacy policy. His knowledge and quality of work were excellent. Highly reccommend."
MHMDA + GDPR Privacy Policy Review — iOS Health App (Flat Fee)
"Anna delivered tight, well-scoped privacy policies and follow-up guidance that was practical and decision-ready — she told me where to be conservative and where not to over-engineer. Warm, prompt, and zero defensive hedging. I'll be working with her again."
Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.
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Location: California
Turnaround: A week
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Doc Type: Privacy Policy
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Bid Range: $250 - $2,000
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