As a small business or website owner, you need a privacy policy to build trust with customers while also meeting legal privacy requirements to protect your business.
This free website privacy policy generator lets you create a professional, legally-compliant document that’s customized for your website in minutes. Plus, you’ll get expert guidance on the various sections of the policy and when a privacy policy is required.
Whether you run an ecommerce store, a blog, a SaaS platform, or business website, a website privacy policy safeguards your interests and builds trust with your visitors. Most importantly, it helps you comply with privacy laws like GDPR, CCPA, and CalOPPA, which can result in significant fines if they’re not followed.
Using a Privacy Policy Generator
Using a privacy policy generator can save you time while helping to ensure you meet legal requirements without your having to hire expensive attorneys. Go Law’s privacy policy template provides a comprehensive framework that you can customize to suit your specific requirements, ensuring that all essential elements are included while giving you a solid starting point for compliance.
When working with any website privacy policy template, it’s important to carefully review and modify it to reflect your business’s unique data collection practices. Make sure the template aligns with your objectives, industry standards, and applicable legal requirements in the jurisdictions where you operate. By tailoring the template to your specific situation, you’ll create a comprehensive and effective privacy policy that truly protects your interests and your visitors’ data.
Form Instructions
Provide your email address and fill out the fields below with your business information and website details. Once you hit the Submit button, you’ll receive an email with a PDF of your customized privacy policy template.
Website Privacy Policy
Do you have any legal questions about privacy policies? Contact us.
By using this privacy policy and form, you agree to the Go Law Terms of Service. You understand that this article and a contract generated through GO.LAW are not substitutes for the advice of an attorney, and no attorney-client relationship is generated by visiting this site or submitting my information.
When You Need a Website Privacy Policy
You need a website privacy policy whenever you collect any personal information from visitors, whether directly or indirectly. Here are the most common situations where you must have a privacy policy:
Running an E-commerce Store
If you sell products online and/or you collect visitor names, addresses, email addresses, and payment information you need a privacy policy. In addition, privacy laws require you to disclose how this sensitive data is collected, used, stored, and protected.
Using Analytics Tools
If you collect any analytics on visitors who come to your website, even if they are anonymous, you need a privacy policy. For example, even commonly used analytics tools like Google Analytics collect visitor IP addresses, browsing behavior, and location data. This qualifies as personal information under most privacy laws, making a privacy policy mandatory.
Collecting Email Addresses
When you have contact forms, newsletter signups, or lead magnets that capture email addresses, you’re collecting personal information that requires disclosure in a privacy policy.
Using Cookies or Tracking Technologies
Websites that use cookies for advertising, remarketing, or user experience tracking must inform visitors about these technologies and how they work in a privacy policy.
Operating in Multiple Jurisdictions
If your website is accessible to visitors in California, the European Union, Canada, or other regions that have strict privacy laws, you need a compliant privacy policy that addresses each jurisdiction’s requirements.
Accepting User-Generated Content
When your website allows comments, reviews, forum posts, or other user generated content, you need to explain how you handle this data and what rights users have regarding their contributions.
The general rule: if your website collects any data that could identify a visitor, either directly (like names and emails) or indirectly (like IP addresses and browsing patterns), you need a privacy policy before launching your site.
Essential Sections in Your Privacy Policy
Your website privacy policy should include these key sections to protect your business interests and comply with privacy laws:
Information Collection
This section clearly defines what personal data you collect from visitors. You want specific descriptions of data types, collection methods, and whether collection is automatic (like cookies) or voluntary (like contact forms). Transparency here builds trust and meets legal requirements.
Data Usage and Purpose
Establish exactly how you use collected information. Include whether you use data for marketing, analytics, customer service, or other purposes. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures visitors understand the value exchange when providing their information.
Third-Party Sharing and Disclosure
Set clear boundaries for when and how you share visitor data with third parties. Include details about service providers, advertising partners, or analytics tools that access user information. This section protects you from liability and builds visitor confidence.
Data Security Measures
Explain the technical and organizational measures you use to protect personal information. Include encryption methods, access controls, and security protocols. This demonstrates your commitment to data protection and may reduce liability in case of breaches.
User Rights and Choices
Detail what rights visitors have regarding their data. Include information about accessing, correcting, deleting, or exporting personal information. Also explain how users can opt out of marketing communications or data collection. This section is often required by GDPR, CCPA, and similar laws.
Cookie Policy and Tracking
If your website uses cookies or similar tracking technologies, clearly explain what cookies you use, their purpose, and how visitors can manage cookie preferences. This addresses requirements from laws like ePrivacy Directive and CalOPPA.
International Data Transfers
If you transfer data across borders, explain how you protect information when moving it between different countries. This is especially important for GDPR compliance when transferring European data to non-EU countries.
These sections work together to create a comprehensive disclosure system for your website. Each clause serves as a specific safeguard against privacy violations and helps you maintain compliance with evolving data protection laws.
Building Trust and Avoiding Costly Legal Problems
A well-crafted privacy policy can protect your website from legal liability while demonstrating transparency to your visitors. The investment of time in creating a comprehensive website privacy policy can pay dividends through increased visitor trust and protection from regulatory fines that can reach millions of dollars for serious violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a privacy policy if I only collect email addresses?
Yes, email addresses are considered personal information under virtually all privacy laws. Even if email collection is your only data practice, laws like CalOPPA, GDPR, and CCPA require you to disclose how you collect, use, and protect those addresses. A privacy policy is your legal obligation and builds visitor trust.
What’s the difference between a privacy policy and terms of service?
A privacy policy explains how you handle user data and is legally required if you collect personal information. Terms of service outline the rules for using your website and protect your business interests but aren’t always legally mandated. Most websites need both documents, and they serve different purposes.
Can I just copy another website’s privacy policy?
No, copying someone else’s privacy policy is both illegal (copyright infringement) and dangerous for your business. Privacy policies must accurately reflect your specific data practices. Using an inaccurate policy can result in regulatory fines and false advertising claims. Always use a generator or attorney to create your own.
How often should I update my website privacy policy?
Update your privacy policy whenever you change data collection practices, add new third-party tools, expand to new jurisdictions, or when privacy laws change. At minimum, review your policy annually. Many privacy laws require you to notify users of material changes and get renewed consent.
Does my privacy policy need to comply with GDPR if I’m not in Europe?
If your website is accessible to European visitors, GDPR applies to you regardless of where your business is located. The law protects EU residents’ data no matter where the company collecting it is based. Non-compliance can result in fines up to 4% of global revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher.
Where should I place my privacy policy on my website?
Your privacy policy should be easily accessible from every page of your website, typically via a link in the footer. Many platforms and privacy laws require the policy to be no more than one or two clicks away from any page. Consider adding it to your navigation menu, footer, and anywhere you collect personal information.
Need More Legal Help?
While a standard privacy policy template works for many websites, some situations require personalized legal guidance, such as:
- High-traffic websites with complex data practices
- Businesses operating in multiple countries with different privacy laws
- Companies handling sensitive personal information like health or financial data
- Websites using advanced tracking or AI technologies
- Situations where you’ve received a complaint or notice of non-compliance
- Ecommerce platforms with sophisticated user accounts and data retention
Contact us today for a free consultation if you have any additional questions about your particular privacy policy needs.
Helpful Resources
Looking for additional tools to help with your privacy policy and website compliance? Here are some quality resources: