Website Privacy Policy: What is it? What to Include
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Quick Facts — Website Privacy Policy Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft a Privacy Policy: $1030.00
- Avg cost to review a Privacy Policy: $710.00
- Lawyers available: 153 privacy lawyers
- Clients helped: 214 recent website privacy policy projects
- Avg lawyer rating: 4.99 (47 reviews)
What is a Website Privacy Policy?
A website privacy policy is a legal statement about how a company collects and handles data it connects from site visitors.
Having a privacy policy for your website demonstrates how your company respects its customers and users.
You are legally obligated to have a website privacy policy if your site collects personal data, such as an e-commerce site. Consumers and users alike have a right to know that their information is protected,
Privacy policies are also used for blogs, web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications.
Here is an article that provides a definition and overview of privacy policies.
What Should Be Included in a Website Privacy Policy?
The details to include in a privacy policy vary based on your geographic region and company’s industry. For example, in California, all companies that collect personal data from their website visitors must comply with the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CaliOPPA).
At the most basic level, there are seven key elements to a privacy policy you should always include:
- Identifying information: Establish whom the privacy policy represents, including the name of your company, the website URL, and business address.
- Details of data you collect: Describe what types of data you collect from your website visitors, such as their names, addresses, email addresses, social media account handles, credit card information, and IP address. Any and all personal data the site collects should be included in the policy in clear terms.
- How data is stored and protected: Privacy policy laws require companies to protect their customers’ data. Therefore, you should ensure that your storage measures safeguard customers’ data from being leaked, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized parties. Computer safeguards, passwords, firewalls, data encryption, and secured access are all examples of good data protection.
- Third parties: If your visitors’ data is going to be shared with any third parties, such as marketing agencies, then you must specify who these parties are and how they will access, store, and handle the data.
- The reason for collecting data: What is the purpose for collecting your site visitors’ data? Do you use it for marketing purposes, to improve site performance, or something else? Make sure you provide a valid reason for storing anyone’s personal information.
- Methods of data collection: Your website privacy policy must include your methods of online data collection, including tracking cookies, surveys, mailing lists, and order placement.
- Opt-out clauses: You should always provide users with the ability to request a copy of their data, opt out of data collection, and remove any of their data from your website’s archive.
Here is an article with more information on what details you should include in a website privacy policy.
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Do I need a Privacy Policy For My Website?
If your website collects visitors' personal data, you need a privacy policy. All websites collect user data in one way or another. Hence, every website needs to have some type of privacy policy.
Users may or may not want to have their personal information collected, so having a privacy policy allows them to make an educated decision when using your website.
The exact details you need to include in your privacy policy are affected by:
- Your industry
- Your location
- Your jurisdiction
The governing law of your privacy policy also affects what details you need to include. For example, you may have visitors from Europe. Still, if your business’s headquarters are in America, then the governing law would be the United States of America and your particular state.
Many third-party apps, such as Google, also mandate websites to have security policies. Without a privacy policy and privacy agreement, you won’t be allowed to use tools like Google Analytics.
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How Do I Write a Privacy Policy for My Website?
If you are researching how to write a privacy policy, you’ve come to the right place. ContractsCounsel provides comprehensive guides on what to include in a privacy policy, including terms and conditions and elements of an exemplary user agreement.
You can also look for free privacy policy templates online, then modify them to suit your company’s needs.
After writing your privacy policy or editing a template, you can send it to a lawyer for review. Of course, having an attorney review any legal documents you write yourself is always a good idea.
Without legal review, you may unintentionally omit certain details that put your company at risk.
Here is an article on how to write a privacy policy in 6 steps.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Privacy Policy for My Website?
Privacy policies can be free if you find online templates or write yours. However, if you decide to work with a contracts lawyer, the average privacy policy cost is $370.83.
Using ContractsCounsel’s marketplace, you can search for contract attorneys in your state and easily compare their rates to suit your budget and the scope of your needs.
Privacy policies that require more comprehensive details may cost more than the average price. It is important to ensure your privacy policy covers all legal requirements and protects your audience’s data.
Here is an article with more details on the average privacy policy cost.
Website Privacy Policy Template
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Risks of Not Having a Privacy Policy on My Website
Choosing not to use a privacy policy can result in hefty penalties, including severe fines, lawsuits, and even having your site taken down.
Your website privacy policy is part of larger user agreements, like an end user license agreement (EULA). Without it, you run the risk of violating regulations in your industry or jurisdiction,
In addition to legal consequences, another major risk of not having a website privacy policy is a loss of customer trust.
In today’s highly digital age, customers are fully aware that their data is always being collected in some form or another. This means that they are more suspicious of websites that don’t have privacy policies in place.
Finding out that you’ve collected and used personal data without their consent, they will not be willing to do business with you in the future. Some may even take legal action against your company for violating their right to privacy online.
To respect your customers, keep their trust, and protect your business, having a privacy policy is a non-negotiable part of running a modern business. It will also give customers the peace of mind they deserve when they do business with you.
Here is an article about why all websites need a privacy policy.
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ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
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Meet some of our Website Privacy Policy Lawyers
Kenneth G.
Kenneth E. Gray, Jr. is a business and tax attorney who advises entrepreneurs, investors, and closely held companies on transactions, tax planning, disputes, and long-term wealth structuring. He focuses on helping clients make legally sound decisions that also make business sense. Ken’s practice includes business formation and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, private investments and fundraising transactions, contract drafting and negotiation, and cross-border matters. He also maintains a significant tax practice, advising on federal and state structuring, specialty filings (including partnership, corporate, and non-resident matters), and representing clients in disputes before the U.S. Tax Court and other federal and state tribunals. In addition to his transactional work, Ken handles commercial and business litigation, including tax controversies, financial disputes, and partnership matters. His litigation experience informs how he structures deals and governance documents, with an eye toward preventing disputes before they arise. Ken also advises individuals and families on estate planning, trust formation, tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies, and probate administration, including planning involving closely held businesses and foreign assets. Before practicing law, Ken worked in banking and private equity, including managing a $5 billion emerging markets fund-of-funds portfolio at the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and serving in equity research at ABN AMRO. That financial background allows him to understand transactions from both the legal and capital perspective. He holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and an MBA from Yale University. He practices before the U.S. Tax Court, various state courts, and other federal courts.
"It is not easy to find a lawyer that knows Offshore Asset Protection Trusts, which own a foreign LLC, which owns a USA LLC. Fines could reach $100K if the tax forms are incorrect, or not filed. He was able to review my draft returns and provide memos with required changes (many, many changes), after 1 follow-up everything was basically done other than a few tiny edits. I really appreciated how he worked me in, right in the busiest time of tax season, to ensure there were no errors. Would definitely hire again."
Sam Y.
I am a Connecticut-licensed business attorney with over a decade of combined legal and business-operations experience, including roles as in-house counsel, Director of Operations & Compliance, and Director of Growth. I provide practical, business-focused legal solutions to entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized businesses, and investors who need a trusted advisor that understands both the legal and operational realities of running a company.
"Had great SaaS product legal knowledge and got me everything I needed."
Karen S.
I'm an attorney available to help individuals and small businesses in Georgia with initial business set-up, required filings, tax strategies, etc. I'm also available to draft, review, and negotiate contracts of many types, both personal and professional. I can draft and file real estate quit claims as well. My legal and business experience and expertise includes small business startups, information technology, technology innovation, real estate transactions, taxes, intellectual property, electrical engineering, the business of video game development, business requirements definition, technology consulting, technology companies, liability waivers and reduction strategies, and the electric utility industry. I work part-time for a local law firm and part-time in my solo practice. I'm also an adjunct professor teaching business law. In addition, I'm part owner, legal counsel to, and a board member of a virtual reality video game development company. I am a member of the Georgia Bar Association. Please reach out if you need attorney, documentation or consulting help in any of those areas!
"Karen is amazing!! She is so approachable and gives great, practical guidance."
Tim E.
I am a business attorney focused on providing practical, targeted legal services for small businesses, startups, contractors, consultants, and service providers. I help clients efficiently review, draft, and improve everyday business contracts, including service agreements, NDAs, independent contractor agreements, vendor contracts, commercial leases, and purchase documents. My approach is straightforward: identify the terms that matter, explain risks in plain English, and deliver clear, usable edits or drafts without unnecessary complexity. I regularly handle fixed-fee, quick-turnaround projects such as contract reviews, agreement drafting, and demand or termination letters. While I offer streamlined, project-based services for routine matters, I can also assist with broader business legal needs as they arise.
"Excellent experience with Tim on my relatively complex EULA for a suite of network appliance products. Tim was very fair with pricing, responsive, diligent, thorough, technically knowledgeable, took the time to address all my questions and concerns, and finished (with revision) on schedule and budget. Great experience overall and I'll definitely be using Tim for more work in the future with my business. I'll also be using Contract Counsel and recommending it to everyone I know as well! THANK YOU! -Devin"
Steven S.
Steven Stark has more than 35 years of experience in business and commercial law representing start-ups as well as large and small companies spanning a wide variety of industries. Steven has provided winning strategies, valuable advice, and highly effective counsel on legal issues in the areas of Business Entity Formation and Organization, Drafting Key Business Contracts, Trademark and Copyright Registration, Independent Contractor Relationships, and Website Compliance, including Terms and Privacy Policies. Steven has also served as General Counsel for companies providing software development, financial services, digital marketing, and eCommerce platforms. Steven’s tactical business and client focused approach to drafting contracts, polices and corporate documents results in favorable outcomes at a fraction of the typical legal cost to his clients. Steven received his Juris Doctor degree at New York Law School and his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Hofstra University.
"We could not be happier with the professionalism, knowledge-base, responsiveness, and overall helpful demeaner Steve exhibited from beginning to end throughout our project. Would highly recommend!"
April 4, 2025
Christopher M.
Experienced in-house counsel with a strong track record in commercial contracting, data privacy, and regulatory compliance across global organizations. Skilled at aligning legal strategy with business objectives, negotiating complex agreements, and mitigating enterprise risk. Passionate about enabling innovation through practical, business-focused legal solutions.
April 4, 2025
Brandon S.
I am a litigation expert of five years with tax experience, strict product liability, sexual abuse, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, and black mold.
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Location: Washington
Turnaround: Over a week
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Doc Type: Privacy Policy
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Bid Range: $875 - $3,000
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