How to make your blog legal with free resources

In order to set up a successful blog it is important to know how to make your blog legal. Making your blog legal will require your blog to have cookies, disclaimers, a disclosure page, a privacy policy page and a Terms & Conditions page.

When it comes to legal pages I felt so overwhelmed! The legal jargon got my head in a spin! So once I figured it all out I wanted to take you on my blog journey of growth without overcomplicating things by keeping it as simple as possible!

Most importantly providing easy and accessible resources to help you set up your legal sections without having to source information from different websites!

Disclaimer: The contents of this post are purely informational. I am not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice. I am not liable for any loss or damage of any nature resulting from using this information. Please consult a legal expert so they can tailor your legal pages to your specific situation.

It is critical to comply with online regulations and your blog MUST contain it’s legal pages.

When I first started I wasn’t aware of how important it was to have these, especially if you want to safely monetise your blog.

Why do you need to make your blog legal?

Blogs need to be complying with the law in order to protect themselves from any unwanted legal repercussion.

It is crucial to have all your legal pages to avoid any unnecessary court cases, fines or complaints and also to ensure GDRP compliance.

You must also show how your website processes data and it’s terms & conditions.

Having a blog with it’s corresponding legal pages will also show your readers that you are a trustworthy website.

When do I need to make my blog legal?

It is advisable to make your blog legal even before you publish your site and content.

That way your blog will be protected legally from any possible allegations.

Which legal pages should a blog have?

Your blog should contain the following legal pages to give your readers that much sought credibility and at the same time comply with the online legal requirements:

1. Privacy Policy
2. Disclaimers
3. Terms & Conditions
4. Disclosures
5. Cookies (pop up)

Privacy Policy

What is a privacy policy?

A privacy policy is a document which is of a legal nature, it has the task of informing the visitors on your website which information you are collecting from them and how you are going to use it.

It is a legal requirement to have a GDPR and CCPA compliant Privacy Policy on your blog.

Why do I need a privacy policy?

It is important to have a privacy policy because:

1. it’s a legal requirement.
2. you will avoid fines, court cases and complaints.
3. it will build trust with your readers and show you are not an amateur.
4. to work with specific affiliate programs and brand you are required to have this page.

This page is NOT an optional feature to miss out on as non compliance will land you heavy law suits and fines.

Does your website collect any personal information?

All websites collect some sort of personal information, this is why legal pages are compulsory to maintain safe the privacy of your visitors.

You may be under the impression that your website may not collect any personal information but this is unlikely.

There are a series of ways that your website can collect information:

1. If you have a comments section, your website is collecting an array of information inclusive of a name, email and website link.
2. If you have a subscribe feature you may be collecting a name and email address.
3. If you have a contact form you are also collecting personal information.
4. If you have Google analytics it will be tracking people’s behaviour on your website.
5. If you sell any product on your website, people are inputting their address, name and purchase payment details.
6. Tracking plugins also collect information.

Where do you put the privacy policy page?

Generally, the privacy policy page will appear in the footer section of the majority of websites.

Can I write my own privacy policy?

Yes, writing your own privacy policy is possible but there are guidelines to adhere to.

Because the laws can differ depending on your geographical location and niche you are in, it is advisable to contact a legal professional to draft a specific one for your business or website.

What should a privacy policy include?

The privacy policy should include the following information:

1. Who is the website owner?
2. What data is being collected from your website?
3. How is that data collected and the legalities surrounding this collection?
4. Why you process the personal data of users? Is it for analytics or email lists?
5. Which third parties will have access to the information, will they collect data?
6. Do users have the right to request, delete or block their data?
7. Provide how you will notify changes or updates to the privacy policy
8. Include the effective date of the privacy policy

As you can see from these guidelines, it is so important to get a privacy policy by a professional as the extent of compliance required is extensive and can feel complicated.

Privacy policy for WordPress users

If you are a WordPress user you will have an integrated Privacy policy feature which gives you a frame work privacy policy you can customise.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard side bar.
2. Scroll to Settings
3. Click on Privacy
4. WordPress will give you the option use their privacy policy draft.
5. Customise the draft and publish.
6. Once it is created add it to the footer, by going to appearance and then over to menu adding the privacy policy page the footer section.

Privacy policy for Blogger

Blogger is Google generated and is considered a social media tool, hence a privacy policy is not needed unless you collect data in any way mentioned above.

It is easy to add a Privacy policy to your Blogger account.

1. Sign into your Blogger account.
2. Select Pages from the sidebar.
3. Add a new page.
4. Title your page Privacy policy, paste your privacy policy into the main text section. Click on publish.
5. Go back to the sidebar menu and select Layout.
6. Go to the section you want to include it in the interface of your blog, for example Footer-1.
7. Click on Add a gadget
8. Scroll to and select the Pages gadget
9. On the configure page list, select the Privacy policy by checking the box with the tik.
10. Click Save and you are all set.

A free general blog privacy policy

If your budget doesn’t allow space for a legally drafted privacy policy there are free general blog privacy policy providers.

Here is my my privacy policy which I got from Privacy terms.

Bear in mind that it’s advisable to get yours specifically designed by a legal professional as it is able to cover specifically your blog in it’s entirety.

Disclaimers

What is a blog disclaimer?

A blog disclaimer is a legal statement you are advised to include on your blog, to limit your liability. It will warn others that you cannot be held liable for the information included on your blog.

The blog disclaimers have to be CLEARLY VISIBLE.

Why do I need a blog disclaimer?

A blog disclaimer is very important because it can protect you to some extent from being responsible for what you write on your blog and how readers should use that information.

What type of disclaimers would you need?

There are a variety of disclaimer types depending on the type of blog you have, here are a few example of what may apply to you:

Advertising disclaimer

Blogs who advertise products or services must include an advertising disclaimer which clearly states that adverts are featured and that you don’t necessarily endorse the advertised product or service.

Affiliate disclaimer

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that you must inform users of any affiliate programs and links. You must also clearly state that you profit from these programs.

The affiliate disclaimer has to be clearly visible, in the post where the affiliate links appear and your home page (a disclaimer section).

If you are part of an amazon affiliate program you have to clearly state this.

This is an example of an amazon affiliate disclaimer:

Vanity Owl is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program which provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and it’s affiliated sites.

Copyright disclaimer

A copyright disclaimer shows that the blog’s content belongs to the owner.

For example at the bottom of my website it states my blog name/year with the copyright symbol.

This disclaimer will ensure that only you have the right to publish/modify/copy your content.

Disclaimer of liability

This disclaimer is one which is designed to limit your blog’s liability for any loss or damage caused by your products, advice, services or blog in general.

You must state that your company is not responsible for anything that happens to an individual as a result of accessing your website.

Fair use disclaimer

Fair use is for those websites that review other people’s work.

This disclaimer should be used for those who borrow any content that is not theirs in accordance with the fair use doctrine, referencing the Law.

Bear in mind, however that will not protect you from copyright related issues.

Warranty disclaimer

A warranty disclaimer is designed to exclude warranties of any kind, nothing on your website should be taken as a warranty or guarantee.

You must include this disclaimer if your website sells any products or services.

Views expressed disclaimer

This disclaimer should be used to make sure that any views or opinions expressed on the website are those of the author and don’t represent the company as a whole.

This disclaimer applies for guest posts or sections were others give their opinions.

Errors and omissions disclaimer

This disclaimer informs users that you are not liable for damage caused by information which is out of date, incomplete, missing or inaccurate.

Professional advice disclaimer

This disclaimer should always be included, it asks your readers to always not use your content (even if you are an expert) without seeking professional advice according to their exact circumstances.

Where is the disclaimer found?

The disclaimer page is generally found in the footer of the website.

Disclaimers need to be displayed on your blog posts when affiliate links or adverts are present.

How to create a blog disclaimer?

A blog disclaimer is to be created as a new page on your website, added to your footer and at the top of all your posts.

For affiliate links make sure the FTC affiliate disclaimer is clearly visible next to it.

If you are a WordPress user, you can create a reusable block which can be automatically added to each post when you click on the reusable block option.

You can get this legally drawn up so that it is specific to the content you offer.

However, if you don’t have the budget for it a disclaimer can be generated for free. (Bear in mind, that it may not cover all that is needed as that drawn up by a lawyer)

Free blog disclaimer examples

Amazon associate disclaimer

As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, the selection of the products is based on quality and performance regardless of the affiliate relationship.

FTC affiliate disclaimer

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. However, the selection of the products is based on quality and performance regardless of the affiliate relationship.

Advertising disclaimer

For a gifted collaboration

Although the above items were kindly gifted to me, all the opinions above are truthful and my own.

For a sponsored collaboration

Although I have been paid for advertising this product or service, I always make sure that quality is a must as I want to present to you only the products I love.

Copyright disclaimer

© 2020 Vanityowl All rights reserved.

Fair use disclaimer

This website contains copyrighted material who’s use has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are putting such content available to aid with the understanding of the topics. Under section 107 of the US Copyright Law this constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material.

Warranty disclaimer

Vanity Owl gives no warranty and accepts no liability nor responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the content on this website. Under no circumstance will Vanityowl be held responsible in any way for any damages, losses or claims resulting or arising indirectly from the use of any of the content on this website or by accessing that of linked third parties.

Professional advice disclaimer

Vanity owl has tried to make sure that it’s content is accurate and complete, but no guarantee can be either implicitly nor explicitly provided, including liability towards third parties and how correct, complete or recent the content is.

Vanity owl accepts no liability for any loss or damage for using the content on this website.

Disclosure

What is a disclosure policy?

A disclosure policy is a legal requirement set out by the FTC (federal trade commission), whereby a blog must disclose to the reader the monetary relationship they have with the brand they are collaborating with.

You must state if you have been paid, are being paid or could be paid to promote the brand you are talking about.

What type of blog content should have a disclosure policy?

Any type of content which has some monetary gain or could have monetary gain needs a clear disclosure policy.

For example:

Affiliate links

When you display affiliate links in your blog, a reader can potentially buy this product, a disclosure must be displayed as you will make money from the sale.

Sponsored posts

Sponsored blog posts are posts that a brand has paid you to promote, hence should always a have a disclosure since there is monitary gain.

Why is a disclosure policy important?

A disclosure policy is important because:

1. It is a legal FTC requirement.
2. You are not misleading your readers.
3. Your blog will show how professional it is and build trust.

Where do you display the disclosure?

Disclosures have to be displayed clearly at the top of your posts, next to the affiliate links and you could also have a separate page on the footer that contains your disclosure policy.

Free disclosure policy sample

This is Vanityowl’s disclosure policy , I found a really useful disclosure policy sample from https://disclosurepolicy.org/influencer-disclosure/.

Remember that if you want a specific one able to completely cover you, you must contact a legal professional.

However, if you don’t have the budget yet for it this can be a fair alternative.

Cookies policy

What is a Cookies policy?

A cookies policy is a statement which specifies how, what and where the data you collect from users is sent, tracked or used.

The cookies policy should also give an opt out feature where the user can decide wether or not their information can be collected or shared.

Cookies collect information in order to track behaviour on your website.

Why do you need a cookies policy?

It is a European GDPR and the Californian CCPA legal requirement for you to have a cookies policy on your website.

Where should you include the cookies policy?

The cookies policy can have it’s own page or be included in the privacy policy page.

How to add Cookies on WordPress

Adding a cookies policy pop-up on WordPress is very simple.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard side bar
2. Click on Plugins
3. Search for Cookies notice in the top searchbar.
4. Install Cookies notice by dFactory.
5. Press activate plugin
6. Go to your website and you will see the cookies notice pop-up.

How to add Cookies on Blogger

Setting up the Cookies notice on blogger is easy as it has cookies notifications integrated. So it should appears automatically.

If it doesn’t, you may have to manually integrate it in the code of your blog.

How to add Cookies on Wix

Adding the cookies pop up is as simple as getting the Cookie alert pop up plugin.

1. Open the App Market
2. On the Wix Editor, Click the App icon
3. Type Wix Cookie Alert Pop up in the search bar.
4. Click Add to Site.
5. Click OK.
6. Drag the app to where you want it on your site (footer)

Terms & Conditions

What are the Terms & Conditions?

A Terms & Conditions page is a page where a blog sets out it’s rules.

It’s not a legal requirement unless:

1. You can register users on your blog
2. Users can upload content
3. You need to limit the way your blog is used.
4. You offer further services

Benefits of a Terms & Conditions page

The benefits surrounding having a Terms & Conditions page is not only for your users but also for yourself.

It is able to declare legally what you allow and forbid users to do. This will protect your blog.

Where to display the Term & Conditions page

The T&C page should be displayed on its own page and a link can be found in the footer of the website.

Free Terms & Conditions sample

SEQ Legal provide thorough free terms and conditions I felt comfortable using on my website.

However, don’t forget that a specifically drafted Terms & Conditions is better, but if you don’t have the budget for it SEQ Legal provide a clear general one.

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Legal jargon can be so overwhelming and a lot of bloggers tend to push this matter aside but it is so important to know how to make your blog legal.

Eventhough I am not an expert, I am loving sharing what I am learning on my blogging growth journey.

I would love to know if you found this post useful, comment below to let me know if you would love more of these.