While there isn’t a right or wrong way to blog there is definitely a legal one. Does your blog have these 3 legal pages that every blog needs?
Every blog needs these 3 legal pages and as I surf through a large number of blogs on a daily basis I’ve noticed that sadly, a lot of blogs are missing them. Could it be that people don’t feel they’re important or simply don’t know that these 3 legal pages are required?
Let me tell you, when I started my first blog I had no clue that blogging required legal pages. I was freely offering advice without disclosures and collecting information with a privacy policy. If what I was writing on my blog negatively impacted someone, I wasn’t protected. It would have been super easy for a lawyer to tear me up in court.
Is that the kind of hot water you want your blog to be in? I doubt it.
Why Are So Many Blogs Missing 3 Legal Pages Every Blog Needs?
It can be hard to convince people that they absolutely need something when it seems like no one else is doing it. So, it doesn’t help that a lot of bloggers are missing legal pages. You may not even notice that these pages are missing but, it’s crucial that you don’t follow the crowd.
Although you might not wonder why so many blogs are missing legal pages, I have. Here are two reasons I’ve gathered from a Facebook group of bloggers.
- Some bloggers weren’t aware certain legal pages are required
- They don’t want to hire a lawyer (GUESS WHAT? THEY DON’T HAVE TO)
Most bloggers don’t know they need these 3 legal blogging pages. That’s because when people are looking to start their blog all the guides focus on domain names, hosting plans and content calendars more than they do about how to protect the work you’ll be putting in. There’s no emphasis on the fact that you can lose it all if you don’t protect yourself. Better yet, there’s rarely a mention that LEGALLY you have to have these documents available for access on your website.
Another reason legal pages are missing from blogs is because some bloggers just don’t want to spend the money or think they need a lawyer.
Here’s the thing, being sued will cost more than a few legal pages on your blog. Just because it doesn’t happen to everyone doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you.
Also, it isn’t necessary that you find a lawyer to write up these legal pages. You can get everything you need at an affordable price from websites like termsfeed.
What is TermsFeed.com
TermsFeed.com is the world’s leading generator of legal agreements for websites and apps. These legal agreements include Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, EULA, Disclaimers and are useful for online businesses, entrepreneurs and young professionals -including bloggers. Small business, startups and blogs across the world use TermsFeed.com to create their legal agreements including this blog ShayThomasBlogs.com
TermsFeed.com is super easy to use and affordably priced. Plus, they have the perfect templates for the 3 legal pages every blog needs.
3 Legal Pages Every Blog Needs
What are the 3 legal pages every blog needs? Every blog needs a Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, and Disclaimer. These 3 legal pages are vital to covering your butt when you choose to own and operate a blog.
Privacy Policy
It is critical that you have a Privacy Policy posted on your blog and that it’s within the regulations of every jurisdiction where your readers reside. A Privacy Policy protects your readers from anypotential privacy breaches as well as your legal liability.
You might think your blog isn’t collecting information that requires a Privacy Policy but, you’re wrong. Not only is the browser your readers use collecting information but, if you do any of the things listed below you are too.
What Personal Information Does My Blog Collect?
While every blog is different and may collect different information in different ways, here are some common ways your blog collect personal information requiring a Privacy Policy Page:
- First and Last Name
- Email Address
- Social Media Profiles/Information
- Reader Comments
- Reader Actions (not limited to read time, ads clicked, links followed, etc.)
If you’re collecting any of this information, I can not stress it enough that you create a Privacy Policy page now. All personal information collected online is subject to global privacy regulations.
Terms & Conditions
Although a Terms and Conditions page is not legally required, it’s still an essential page to have. A Terms and Condition page clearly defines that your blog requires and forbids it’s visitors from doing. Simply put, it protects your blog from it’s users.
You absolutely need a Terms and Conditions page if your blog does any of the things listed below
- Has a section that only registered users can access
- Allows users to upload content
- Offers various services behind a paywall
- If you want or need to limit the way your blog is used (preventing users from collecting information from your site for commercial use.)
Disclaimer
If you do not want to be held legally responsible for the information you share on your blog you without a doubt need a disclaimer.
A disclaimer protects you from lawsuits.
By having a disclaimer you are “disclaim” or “deny” liability for the content you publish on your blog.
Did you know that if you share or suggest information and someone follows it but, doesn’t see the results you did they can take you to court and sue you for damages.
As an example, imagine you’re a health and fitness blogger who shares the meal plans and exercise routines that helped you lose 25lbs. Someone reads your blog and takes your advice. Did you know if they don’t see the results you did or injured themselves they can take you to court and sue for damages?
Don’t be fooled into believing a disclaimer is only necessary for health and fitness blogs. ANY BLOG that has information that suggest some kind of result is subject to liability with a disclaimer posted.
3 Legal Pages Every Blog needs
Because every blog is different it’s important to note that a generic, free privacy policy, terms and conditions or disclaimer may not protect you. It’s super important that you create these pages using accurate information about your blog and the way you collect information or require users to conduct themselves.
There’s a lot of hard work that goes into building a wonderful blog that shares great information and serves its community. Protect it with legal pages using Termsfeed.com.
If you want to read any of my legal pages, check out the footer of this website.
Thank you
