I used to do it too; copy and paste a privacy policy and just do a ‘search and replace’ with my name and info. The time for that is over.

There are too many privacy laws in too many places that change too often. You as a business owner are potentially liable for any violations. Each individual visitor to your website can be considered a single ‘violation’ and you could theoretically pay a fine for each one.

These privacy laws are well-intentioned, but you don’t need me to tell you that they’ve ruined our lives with pop-ups and legalese that no one can understand. Never the less, I’m taking a ‘CYA’ (cover your ass) approach.

I’ve switched over from a static page on my website to using dynamically updated privacy and legal pages.

I’ve subscribed to a service that keeps abreast of the changing laws provides a walk-through-wizard for the policies I need. Every time something changes, my page is automatically updated. See what it looks like here.

I don’t love having to pay for (yet another!) subscription service, but as a biz owner (and web designer no less) this is the world we are living in and I can’t risk it. I suggest you do the same.

Sorry to break it to you, but the free generators most likely won’t give you all the options you may need for your website.

Consider paying for these privacy policy services part of the cost of having a business online. It’s sort of like having a privacy lawyer on a very affordable monthly retainer.

After a lot of research and asking around in the industry circles I hang out in, I found two services that I really like and feel good about recommending:

For English-language sites based in the US, Canada, UK: Termageddon*.

For EU-based sites in English or non-English: Iubenda*.

For English-language sites based anywhere I also like Get Terms*.

I haven’t used it, as I’ve rarely designed a German only website, but my understanding is that for websites in Germany E-Recht 24 is one of the best.

Termageddon is especially great, one of the owners, Hans, will set up a call with you and walk you through setting up their tool.

You don’t have to use these services, but I highly recommend you do. If you decide to use one of these services they average 99 USD/EUR per year).

As a web designer I would be remiss if I didn’t give you a heads up about all this.

I’ve updated my pre-work on this topic. I no longer allow clients to use templates. I include links to these services and now have a robust waiver exempting me from any liability if a client chooses not to have the appropriate legal copy on their website. Like I said, it’s serious.

Forgive me for this super unsexy blog post, but this is the world we are living in!

*affiliate links

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