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: $550.00
- Lawyers available: 146 privacy lawyers
- Clients helped: 173 recent website privacy policy projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 4.99 (38 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.
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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
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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.
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Meet some of our Website Privacy Policy Lawyers
Elizabeth J.
Libby Jamison founded E. Grace Law Firm after nearly two decades practicing law across federal agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations. She has advised at the highest levels of government and built a career defined by tackling complex, high-stakes legal and policy challenges. Her practice focuses on business, employment, veteran, and family law matters, drawing on her wide scope of experience including nearly seven years as counsel at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her legal experience spans federal agency counsel, firm ownership, and nonprofit work. She is licensed to practice in California and Washington and was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Beyond legal practice, she has led as a nonprofit president, chaired a U.S. Chamber of Commerce economic empowerment zone, and served on an American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel. Her work has been recognized by: Mighty 25 Awardee (2023) Changemaker of the Year, Military.com (2019) Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Scholar (2019)
"I had an excellent experience working with Elizabeth. She was very responsive, professional, and easy to communicate with throughout the entire process. She answered my questions quickly and provided clear explanations whenever I needed guidance. The quality of her work was excellent, and she delivered everything in a timely manner. Elizabeth stayed within the agreed budget, was attentive to details, and made the process smooth and stress-free. I especially appreciated her quick response time, professionalism, and commitment to providing high-quality legal work. I would not hesitate to work with her again and highly recommend Elizabeth to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and efficient attorney. – Sal Santos, Aztec Pest Control Inc."
Chaz G.
As a former corporate attorney at one of the world's premier global law firms and former in-house counsel at Texas Instruments, a Fortune 500 technology leader, I bring big-firm expertise and corporate-level sophistication to entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners who deserve the same quality legal support as the largest companies in the world. As a lawyer and startup founder with products currently being sold in national retail chains, I've spent my career at the intersection of complex business transactions, corporate law, and policy. I know how deals get done, where contracts go wrong, and how to protect businesses before problems arise. Now, I put that experience to work for founders and business owners who need practical, straightforward legal guidance without the intimidating price tag of a major law firm. Whether you're signing your first vendor contract, structuring a partnership, protecting your intellectual property, or navigating a business dispute, I translate the law into plain language so you can make confident decisions and focus on growing your business. What I bring to the table: - Complex commercial transactions experience at an AmLaw 100 firm - 7+ years as in-house counsel at a Fortune 500 company - Deep understanding of how businesses actually operate day-to-day - Flat-fee, transparent pricing with no billing surprises - Fast turnaround and direct communication If you're building something, I want to help you protect it.
"Chaz was extremely helpful, thorough, and professional. I hired him for a cease and desist letter involving an unauthorized use of my company’s business identity, EIN, and credit. He took the time to review the documents carefully, explain the legal issues in plain English, and help me understand the strengths and challenges of my situation. What stood out most was how organized he was. He prepared a legal analysis memo before our call, walked me through the authority issues, and adjusted his approach after reviewing additional company documents. He was patient, clear, and never made me feel rushed, even though the situation involved several complicated details. The final work product was strong, detailed, and tailored to my specific facts rather than feeling like a generic template. I would definitely recommend Chaz to anyone who needs a knowledgeable attorney who communicates clearly and takes the time to understand the full picture."
Amber M.
Amber Masters has 11 years of experience as a contracts attorney, helping small businesses with an array of agreements, such as purchase agreements, master service agreements, and employment contracts. She has an extensive background assisting health care providers through practice transitions including dentists, doctors, and other health care professionals. She is a highly rated and acclaimed estate planning attorney and personal finance expert, who has been featured on CNBC, NBC, and Yahoo Finance. She successfully launched and sold a fintech startup and can empathize with the issues small and mid-size businesses face. Licensed in Oklahoma and Arizona.
"Amber was great to work with. Clear scope delivery on schedule and budget. Very helpful and efficient. Would highly recommend her."
Mark P.
I represent a diverse mix in a vast array of specialties, including litigation, contracts, compliance, business and financial strategies, and emerging industries. Credit for this foundation of strength goes to those who taught me. Skilled professors and professionals fostered my powerful educational and professional background. Prior to law school, I earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration & Accounting from Peru State College. I received a Master of Business Administration degree from Chadron State College. My ambitions did not stop there. While working full time as a Senior Accountant for the University of Missouri, Columbia, I achieved the lifelong goal of becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Mizzo provided excellent opportunities and amazing experiences. Managing over $50M in government and private research funding was a gift. As a high ranking professional in the Department of Research, I was given priceless insight into the greatest scientific, journalistic, medical, and legal minds in the world. My passion for successful growth did not, and has not stopped. I graduated summa cum laude (top 3%) with a Doctorate in Law, emphasizing in urban, land use and environmental/toxic tort law from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. This success lead to invaluable experiences of serving as Hon. Brian C. Wimes' judicial clerk for the U.S. District Court for the W. D. of Missouri, as a staff editor/writer for UMKC Law Review, and as a litigation and transactional attorney with Lathrop GPM (fka Lathrop & Gage). My professional and personal network is expansive, with established relationships throughout the U.S. and overseas. Although I engage in legal practice all over the country, I maintain law licenses in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Federally, I hold licenses in the W.D. and E.D. of Missouri and the District of Nebraska. To offer extra value, efficiency, and options, I maintain a CPA license and am obtaining a real-estate brokerage license.
"I contacted Parachini Law after I had sent multiple unanswered information requests a third party. Mark not only send out a record request to the address specified, but also sent out additional requests at other possible business addresses to ensure the request was received. As a result, I finally received the information I was looking for. The firm was very professional to work with."
July 19, 2023
Courtney A.
Hello! I am a transactional attorney enthusiastic about helping entrepreneurs launch and protect their businesses. Let me know how I can support you with drafting and negotiating contracts, setting up your LLC, copyrighting creative content, or trademarking your brand. I am experienced with drafting and negotiating business contracts, including service/vendor agreements, NDAs, marketing agreements, licensing agreements, terms & conditions, terms of use, and many more! I have helped companies develop strong template agreements and strategies for contract management. My goal is to deliver a simple, stress-free client experience!
Rudy C.
As a multilingual attorney, Rudy Cohen-Zardi holds multiple degrees from several institutions worldwide. He has gained experience in leading firms, including Eversheds Sutherland, LLP and Bank of China (NY). He is licensed to practice in New York.
Rhea J.
I am a graduate from Wittenberg University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have been admitted to the Indiana bar since 2013. I have collaborated on several writing projects for the Indiana State Bar.
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"Dan was prompt, professional, thorough, and fairly priced. Thank you, Dan!"
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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: Less than a week
Service: Contract Review
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Bid Range: $450 - $1,500
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