Website Design Resources - Creating a Privacy Policy
Web Site Design Resources: Tips on the basic principles of good website design.
Website Privacy Policy Page
Privacy Policy Importance
Having your company privacy policy online establishes to your web site visitors that you are committed to protecting the privacy of their personal information. Many internet users are hesitate to disclose any personal information such as an email address or a phone number because of concerns that the information will be used inappropriately. Misuse of personal information can include anything from the sale of an email address to a spammer to much more serious instances such as fraud or identity theft.
A privacy policy will aim to communicate with your audience and address any concerns they may have about the information that may be collected during their time visiting your site. This is especially important if you collect information such as email addresses or other specific demographic information about your users.
Creating a website privacy policy and posting it online is considered good business practice and will be positively reflected in the trust of your web site users.
Creating a Privacy Policy
Every company has a unique business model and interacts with it's clients differently. The way a company conducts business online dictates the content of it's privacy policy - that is to say, a privacy policy should not be considered generric and and each one should be created uniquely for the company it seeks to describe.
While the temptation to copy the policy web page from another web site may be present, refrain, as not only is it unethical but it will not accurately represent your website privacy policies.
Upon inspection of any web site privacy policy, or even a sample privacy policy, the task of creating a policy may seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there is a valuable tool available that simplifies the process of creating a privacy policy and eliminate the need of hiring a professional to do it for you.
The Direct Marketing Association has a free tool for creating a website privacy policy online.
Privacy Policy Tips
Keep your privacy policy simple and to the point. It should be easy to read, easy to understand and easy to find on your website. Common practice is to include links to your privacy policy page in the About Us or Company Information sections of your web site, and again in the navigation links at the bottom of all your pages.
Be sure to update your privacy policy periodically with any changes to your online business practices or structure, making sure to keep your customers apprised to any of the changes.
A well written privacy policy page puts consumers in charge of their personal information.