Why Your Website Needs a Privacy Policy and Terms Page (Even if You’re a Local Business)
If you run a local business, legal pages might feel like something only the big companies need. But even your small business website needs a Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions page - and here's why.
What’s a Privacy Policy?
A Privacy Policy explains how you collect, use, and protect people’s data when they visit your site.
Even if you’re not actively collecting info, your website probably uses:
Contact forms
Google Analytics
Cookies
Booking tools
Embedded maps or videos
All of these count as data collection under laws like the UK GDPR.
If you don’t tell visitors what data you’re collecting and how you use it, you could be breaking the law.
What Are Terms and Conditions?
A Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) page lays out the rules for using your site. Things like:
Copyright info
What users can/can’t do with your content
Any disclaimers or limits of liability
It’s not legally required in the UK, but it’s a smart layer of protection, especially if you take bookings, sell products, or give advice.
But I’m Just a Local Business - Do I Really Need This?
Yes, and here’s why:
You’re still handling data. Even an email address is personal data under GDPR.
You build trust. Clear legal pages make you look professional and trustworthy.
You protect yourself. If someone misuses your content or has an issue with your site, your T&Cs give you a legal fallback.
Google likes it. Having a Privacy Policy and T&Cs can improve your perceived site trustworthiness - something Google values in rankings.
What Should Be On These Pages?
Here’s a rough guide for each:
Privacy Policy
What data you collect (names, emails, cookies, etc.)
Why you collect it
How you store it
Who you share it with (if anyone)
How users can contact you or request deletion
Terms & Conditions
Who owns the website
Rules for using your content
Payment/refund terms (if relevant)
Disclaimers (e.g. “Advice is general and not legal/medical/etc.”)
Limitation of liability
Bonus tip: There are free templates online, but check that they’re UK-friendly.
Local Example: Why It Matters in the SO Area
Let’s say you’re a mobile therapist in Winchester and you use a booking form on your site.
That form collects names, email addresses, and appointment details, all classed as personal data.
Even if you’re not doing anything “clever” with it (like marketing), the law still says you have to explain how that data is used and stored.
Or maybe you’re a photographer in Eastleigh and you write blog posts with tips. Someone misuses your advice or reposts your content without credit. A solid T&Cs page can give you something to point to.
It’s not about expecting trouble. It’s about being ready and showing customers (and Google) that you take your business seriously.
Bonus Tip: Add a “Last Updated” Date
A small but powerful touch: include a “Last updated” date on your Privacy Policy and Terms pages.
It shows that your site is active and looked after, which is another quiet trust signal that both visitors and search engines like.
Don’t Forget the Footer
You don’t have to shove these pages in your main menu. Just add links in your website footer where people expect to find them.
Simple, professional, and compliant.
So…
Even small, local businesses need to think about legal basics.
A Privacy Policy and Terms page don’t just cover you legally, they help you look professional and build trust.
You don’t need a lawyer. You just need a page that says what you do, what users can expect, and how you handle their info.
Need help setting it up? SO SEO can point you in the right direction. Contact now.
Do I need a privacy policy if I’m not selling anything?
Yes. If you collect any data (even through a contact form or Google Analytics), you need to explain what you do with it.
Is a Terms and Conditions page legally required in the UK?
No, but it’s strongly recommended. It helps limit your liability and protect your content.
Can I just copy someone else’s legal pages?
It’s better to use a template tailored for the UK or generate one with a trusted tool. Copying someone else’s may not fit your business and could get you in trouble.
Where should I put my privacy policy and terms pages?
Add them to your site footer. That’s where visitors (and Google) expect to see them.
