This Post is Part of the Series: DIY Website Blind Spots, a series that helps uncover the small (but important) things that may be holding your website back. Whether you built it yourself or you’re the one keeping it running, these tips can help you catch problems early and fix them fast.
It’s not the “fun” part of building a website. It’s not creative. It’s not visual.
But it is important.
I’m talking about your legal pages — think Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Disclaimer, and Cookie Notice — the pages that many DIYers skip entirely.
The Website Legal Blind Spot.
When you build your own website, it’s easy to focus on:
- The design
- The content
- The cool features
But legal compliance? That usually falls into the “I’ll do that later” pile.
The problem is:
- Privacy laws (like GDPR, CCPA) require it.
- Missing policies can erode trust with visitors.
- If you collect ANY personal data (even a simple contact form), you’re expected to have these in place.
What Legal Pages Do You Actually Need?
- Privacy Policy
- Explains what personal data you collect and how you use it.
- Required by GDPR, CCPA, and most third-party services (like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads).
- Even simple websites with contact forms or newsletter opt-ins need one.
- Terms of Service or Terms & Conditions
- Outlines the rules for using your website.
- Important if you’re selling products, services, or memberships online.
- Can help protect you from legal disputes.
- Cookie Notice & Consent
- Informs visitors that your site uses cookies (for tracking, analytics, etc.).
- Often appears as a banner or popup.
- Is required in many regions.
- Disclaimer (Sometimes Optional but Always Recommended)
- A disclaimer limits your liability for how visitors use your content.
- It’s especially important if you share advice, affiliate links, or personal stories that could be interpreted as guidance.
- While not necessarily required for every website, including one adds an extra layer of protection and transparency.
Why These Pages Matter for Your Website
- Legal Compliance: Avoid fines and penalties for non-compliance.
- Transparency & Trust: Visitors are more likely to engage with a site that’s upfront about privacy.
- Platform Requirements: Services like Google Ads or Facebook often require a privacy policy before running campaigns.
- Protection for YOU: Terms of Service can help protect your business from misuse or legal disputes.
These pages aren’t just a “nice to have”. They are most likely required for your website, regardless of how small you think you are.
How to Safely DIY Your Legal Pages
- Use a Reputable Policy Generator: For full transparency, I have only used Termageddon for the reasons mentioned below. I don’t have direct experience with the other tools, but they come up in conversations with other designers/developers.
- Termageddon *
- PrivacyPolicies.com
- Iubenda
- Customize it to Your Business:
- Ensure it reflects what data you collect (forms, e-commerce, etc.).
- Keep it updated if you add new services or tracking tools.
- Link to These Pages in Your Footer:
- Make them easily accessible on every page.
Don’t just copy legal pages from another website. These pages need to reflect your specific business and practices. Copy-pasting from another site could leave you unprotected.
I use, and am a referral partner, for Termageddon because I trust the team behind the software and the knowledge they bring to the industry. The policies provided by Termageddon are thorough, and easy to update if you start using a new service. Your website then updates automatically. If you use the link above, I do receive a small fee at no cost to you.
Need Help to See What You’re Missing?
If you’re unsure what you actually need or whether your website covers all of the legal bases, let’s have a conversation about a website audit and check these important pages off your to-do list.
Want to read the rest of the series? Browse all DIY Blind Spot articles here →
