The legal requirements for eCommerce websites are just as important as the website design itself. It is necessary to consider these requirements while building an online store, as they can either make or break your business, given how well you’re able to comply with them.
What are the Legal Requirements for eCommerce Websites?
The following are some of the most basic legal requirements for websites related to eCommerce:
- The website should be accessible at all times to customers, 24x7x365
- The website must provide a clear disclosure of its terms of service and privacy policy, which should mention that personal information will not be sold or shared with any third party without consent
- The website must strictly follow the recent GDPR regulations that have been put in place
- The website must have contact information available at all times, including phone number and email address
- The company should also provide a reliable way of contacting them in case of emergency
While the legal requirements of eCommerce websites are not changing often, they are still quite complex to understand. To make things easier for eCommerce website owners, web hosting companies have come up with a solution, LegalShield, which is an easy-to-use legal compliance platform that provides comprehensive business risk management. This platform is designed to meet all of your company’s needs, from compliance to analytics to support, and provides legal help in much the same way that a lawyer does.
Two Legal Requirements That Threaten the Future of eCommerce
The future is uncertain, with many legal threats to eCommerce coming into play. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common legal threats that affect eCommerce businesses.
1) Privacy Regulations
In 2018 Chicago became the latest city to pass a strict privacy law aimed at banning facial recognition technology from retailers and other commercial venues. Such regulation may be a threat to your business in the future if you rely on facial recognition software for any part of your operations.
2) GDPR & Data Protection Laws
In May 2018, Europe introduced tough data protection laws that have had a significant effect on eCommerce businesses across the globe. Such regulations might put your company out of compliance with these new laws or force you into taking costly measures just to ensure compliance. You can circumvent this by adhering to the GDPR rules, and adding them to your privacy policy page, distributor of food, office supplies, and gifts.
How Can You Stay in Compliance with Consumer and Consumer Rights Laws When Building a New eCommerce Site?
Many people wonder how can they stay in compliance with consumer and consumer rights laws when building a new eCommerce site. A good place to start is by understanding the rules and regulations that apply to your industry.
Online retailers must comply with the Consumer Protection Act of the country where they are operating as well as all other applicable laws that protect consumers. Consumers should also be aware of their rights and what they must do to ensure that their complaints are heard by companies, such as filing a complaint on a website, getting in touch with them on social media or calling them directly.