New business site

[TechFox]

My new web site will be ready soon. By law, what details, such as home address, do I need to post on the site for self employed?

[Emma]

Are you a limited company or a sole trader?

[INDIZINE]

Here is a list:

• Your full business details i.e. business name, full geographic address (not a PO Box), a contact phone number and a contact email address
• Your company (if Ltd) registration details – full company name and number, registered address and place of registration
• If a sole trader or partnership, your name and that of your business partner(s) (unless the website trading name happens to be the full name of the sole traders or partners)
• Your VAT registration number (if VAT registered)
• If a member of a trade body or a regulated authority, the full relevant details
• Delivery costs, if applicable
• Clear pricing that is not misconstrued or misleading, if pricing is stated

This applies to almost all UK websites including 'brochure' type websites, not just ecommerce stores that sell directly online. So basically, Anyone who earns income from advertising their business on a website is covered by the EC Directive 2002.

[Lime One]

There is an article on our site under Legal questions which deals with this and other considerations when working from home. Would post you the link but cannot due to the amount of posts made so far!

[Emma]

I've upped your post count to 5 so you can now post links. Don't forget that sig, too! Thanks for joining us.

[Paul Norman]

The law does require you to post the details basically as above. But aside from the law, it is a good practise to reveal who, and where, and what you are. It adds to the transparency and substance of your business offering.

[Officebird]

You MUST display your address on your website.

Basically if you are a sole trader and operate under your own name (e.g Bob Smith) then you do not need to supply an address if you operate under any other name - even if your name is part of it (e.g Bob Smith Plumber or Astroplumb) then you must supply the nature of the business, the names of all the partners (if a Partnership) and the business address on all literature. This includes invoices, letterheads, business cards etc and just recently Websites have been classified as literature and are subject to the same legislation.

If you fail to do this the DTI (I think) can fine you up to £1000. This is an ongoing fine so basicially they can, if they want to, come and fine you every few weeks. If you are a persistant offender they can stop you trading.

I was informed about this as part of my Business Development Course, but if you are unsure I suggest you ask a solicitor yourself. Most solicitors offer the first 30mins free and I'm sure they could answer this question in less time than that!!

Hope this helps

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Officebird

You MUST display your address on your website.

I still think this needs clarification as I've seen so many different answers everywhere. I'm of the opinion that 'portfolio sites' or sites where sales don't take place there are still exempt.

[INDIZINE]

Not according to Out-Law.com (owned by Pinsent Masons I believe).

It says all commercial websites are subject to the EC directive.

[Espirito]

I can't imagine the DTI having much time to check this!

[INDIZINE]

well the DTi dont exist anymore but if they did, theyre not the ones responsible anyway.

That said, it's the fact that most professionals know Business Laws and if your target market includes professionals, even as a consumer, then they are more likely to avoid a website that doesnt comply, compared to one that does. So the appeal for compliance is of more value for your customers than the legal system who would probably only send a naughty-corner letter anyway.

It's about transparency and showing you are all legal and abive board and safe to do business with.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by INDIZINE

It's about transparency and showing you are all legal and abive board and safe to do business with.

I get what you're saying of course but an address means nothing as it's easily faked.

[EddyFin]

It's always good to add a privacy policy page + terms of use and add links to them from the footer (the bottom of the page).