UK law includes a range of legislation which requires websites to display specific information about their business (or organisation).
Rules also apply to other areas of your business such as signs, stationery, invoices, emails and promotional material. Entities such as registered charities and voluntary organisations have other particular requirements.
If you’re running a business, the requirements vary according to the legal entity of your business (for example, whether it’s a limited company, partnership or a sole trader).
If in doubt, seek professional advice from a legal expert about the precise requirements for your website. In addition to seeking advice from a legal expert, relevant information is often also available online at websites such as the UK Government website.
Registered / Limited Companies
Typically, for registered companies, the following information is usually required for display on your website, business letters, order forms and invoices:
- Company name
- Company registration number
- Country of registration
- Registered company address
- Contact details
- VAT number (if applicable)
The information doesn’t always need to be displayed on every web page, although web page footers are the ususal place for this. You can, instead, choose to display it on a particular page such as your About us or Contact us page.
Increased credibility
Remember that visitors to your website will be encouraged if they know who they’re dealing with, so whatever type of trader you are being transparent about this information will have a positive effect on your business or organisation, enhancing your credibility.
Excluding this information from your website not only could break the law, but you could be driving away potential customers, as people like to know who they’re buying from.