You’ve picked your website template, written your copy, and uploaded your logos, custom fonts, and colors. You’re just about to launch your beautiful new website, and then you remember:
“Wait – do I need a Privacy Policy? What are Terms of Use?”
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if you really need legal terms on your website or if maybe this kind of thing doesn’t apply to you, you’re not alone. Legal pages are one of the most overlooked (but essential) parts of launching a professional and protected online presence.
Many of my clients ask me if we can skip this part, which is why we’ve included the design and installation of crucial legal terms complimentary on all of our website projects.
Because, yes. It matters. Not having them opens you up to real risks that I want to fully explain.
Whether you’re a designer, coach, content creator, or online shop owner, your site needs to do more than look beautiful—it needs to be legally compliant and clear about how your business operates.
The good news? You don’t have to be a lawyer—or even hire a lawyer—to get this right.
Today, I’m going to walk you through the must-have legal pages your website needs, explain what they mean in plain English, and share our favorite plug-and-play templates from Creative Law Shop that make it easy to add them without the stress.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Creative Law Shop. That means if you purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you). We only share products and resources we personally use and recommend.
Use code DROPCAPDESIGN10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
Why Legal Pages Matter
Legal pages aren’t just for big corporations or tech startups. They matter to you, too.
Here’s why:
- They protect your business from liability
- They build trust with your audience
- They help you comply with laws like GDPR and CCPA
- They make you look polished and professional
Here are the risks involved if you skip this step:
- You could be fined or penalized for non-compliance, especially under privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. These laws apply to many businesses, even if you’re based outside the EU or California.
- You could be held liable for how users interpret your content, especially if you’re a coach, educator, or wellness professional offering advice or educational material without a disclaimer.
- You could be seen as unprofessional or untrustworthy, especially by potential clients or collaborators who are reviewing your site. Missing legal pages are often a red flag.
- You could lose control over your content and IP, without terms in place that establish your rights and boundaries around what’s yours and how it can (or can’t) be used.
If you’re collecting emails for your newsletter, sharing advice, selling products or services, or using tools like Google Analytics or Meta Pixels, you need to have these in place. So let’s break down exactly what you need in place.
The 3 Legal Pages Every Website Needs
Privacy Policy
What is it?
A page that explains how and why you collect visitor data.
Why does it matter?
It’s legally required if you collect personal information (think: names, emails, cookies, or IP addresses). This includes any website with a contact form, a newsletter opt-in, analytics tools like Google, or is running retargeting ads with a tool like Facebook Pixel.
What to include:
- What data you collect (e.g., names, emails, IP addresses)
- How you collect it (forms, cookies, analytics tools)
- Why you collect it (newsletters, advertising)
- How the data is stored and protected
- Who you share it with (if anyone)
- How users can opt out or request deletion
Terms and Conditions (or Terms of Use)
What is it?
A contract between you and your site visitors about how your website can be used.
Why does it matter?
It protects your intellectual property, outlines user responsibilities, and limits your liability if something goes wrong.
What to include:
- Copyright and content ownership
- User behavior guidelines (no spamming, no scraping, etc.)
- Payment and refund terms if you sell anything
- Limitations of liability
- Governing law (usually your state/country)
Our Recommendation:
Disclaimer
What is it?
A statement that limits your liability around the content or advice you provide.
Why does it matter?
If you’re a coach, consultant, educator, or wellness provider, you need to protect yourself from how people use your content. A disclaimer makes it clear that what you share is for informational purposes only—not a substitute for professional advice.
What to include:
- No guarantees of results
- Not professional/legal/medical/financial advice (depending on your industry)
- Use information at your own risk
Our Recommendation:
Terms and Conditions Template from Creative Law Shop (now including disclaimer of liability)
Other Legal Pages to Consider
Cookie Policy
If your site uses cookies for analytics or advertising (and most do), you may need a separate cookie policy—especially if you have traffic from the EU. Sometimes this can be included in your privacy policy, but not always.
Recommendation:
Set up a cookie banner using Website Policies for free
Affiliate Disclosures
If you’re earning commissions by recommending tools or products (like we’re doing here), the FTC requires you to disclose that clearly and upfront. This can be a short statement at the beginning of a blog post, email, or page that includes affiliate links.
Can You DIY Your Legal Pages?
Sure… but should you?
Legal templates you find online for free are often outdated, incomplete, or just flat-out wrong. And if you copy someone else’s? That could be copyright infringement. The cost of doing it wrong far outweighs the small investment of getting it right.
Using a trusted, lawyer-written template (like the ones from Creative Law Shop) saves you time, stress, and sleepless nights wondering if your site is actually protected.
How to Add Legal Pages to Your Website
- Add each legal page as a separate page on your site
- Link them in your footer menu (where people expect to find them)
- Link to them in forms, checkouts, or wherever you collect user data
Pro Tip
If you’re on Showit, it’s super easy to create a text-only page with your policies and link it site-wide. And if you’re a Drop Cap Design® client, you don’t have to worry. We’ll make sure you know exactly which terms you need and will design them to match the flow and aesthetics of the rest of your site so everything looks complete, professional, and polished.
Having legal pages isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits—it’s about showing up as a professional, respecting your audience, and protecting the business you’ve worked so hard to build.
If you’re ready to add legal protection to your site today, browse the full collection at Creative Law Shop. You’ll find everything from website policies to client contracts—written by a lawyer, designed for creative entrepreneurs.
Your brand deserves to be protected. And you deserve peace of mind.
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