As a business owner, you are ultimately responsible for every aspect of your business. That includes how it operates, how ethical it is, and whether it is legally compliant.
Your website is no exception.
Below is a practical overview of the key legal information UK-based businesses should include on their websites. This is intended as general guidance, not legal advice, and is based on UK requirements at the time of writing.
Your Business Information
This information doesn’t need to appear on every page, but it must be easy to find.
Most businesses include this information on:
- A Privacy Notice
- An About page
- A Contact page
- The website footer (recommended)
Including some of this information in your footer can be helpful for both visitors and search engines.
Key details to include (where applicable):
- Your business name (as it is legally registered)
- Registered company number (if you are a limited company)
- Where you are registered (for example, Companies House)
- Business address (this does not have to be your personal address if you use a registered office)
- Contact details (email address as a minimum)
- VAT number (if applicable)
- Trade body memberships
- Regulator details and registration number (for example, FCA)
- A non-electronic contact method (such as a postal address)
Privacy Information
Websites collect more data than many business owners realise, from contact forms to analytics and cookies.
To remain compliant, visitors must be able to clearly understand what data you collect and why.
At a minimum, your website should include:
- A Privacy Notice
Explains what personal data you collect and how it is used. - A Cookie Policy / Cookie Notice
Explains what cookies are used on your site and for what purpose. - A Website Disclaimer / Usage Disclaimer
Clarifies your responsibility and limits liability around website content.
These pages must be easy to find and accessible, typically via links in your website footer.
This all ties closely into GDPR, which applies to UK businesses handling personal data.
Cookies and Consent
Cookies are small files stored on a visitor’s device.
You must:
- Explain what cookies you use and why
- Obtain consent before placing non-essential cookies
- Allow visitors to accept or reject cookies
Most websites do this via a cookie banner or pop-up when someone first visits the site, with links to more detailed information. Your cookie policy is often linked from your privacy notice and footer.
You can read more about GDPR and cookies on your website.
Selling Products and Services Online
If your website is used to sell products or services, you will also need:
- Terms and Conditions
- Delivery information
- Returns and refunds policy (where applicable)
Again, these should be clearly linked, usually from the website footer.
Copyright
Copyright is often overlooked but it matters.
Content and images
Make sure you have the correct permissions to use any images, graphics or content that you did not create yourself.
I have seen businesses receive large fines for using images taken from places like Google Images without proper licensing. If images aren’t your own, use reputable stock libraries and credit the creator where required.
You can find a resource of free stock image libraries here.
Your copyright footer
Your website footer should include a clear copyright notice to show ownership of your content.
A simple and commonly used format is
© 2026 Your Business Name. All rights reserved.
Some businesses prefer to show a range, for example:
© 2018–2026 Your Business Name
While a copyright notice doesn’t replace legal protection, it makes ownership clear and is considered best practice for UK business websites.
In Summary
The information above is a practical starting point for making your website legally compliant and covers the basics most UK business websites need.
However, depending on your industry, you may be subject to additional regulations or requirements.
Important disclaimer:
This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal requirements can vary depending on your business type and circumstances. If you are unsure about your obligations, always seek advice from a qualified legal professional.
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