Introduction
Whether you run :
you must comply with legal obligations.
This guide provides a complete legal overview of what a compliant website requires, what changes depending on your activity, and how to protect yourself and your visitors.
You will also find references to earlier web and branding articles, future modules, and trusted resources.
Why website legality matters
A non-compliant website can lead to:
Legal compliance builds credibility and protects both you and your users.
→ See: Create Your Website and Online Presence from Scratch
Legal obligations vary depending on your website type
Your legal duties depend on what your site does.
Portfolio / personal website
Association website
Brand or business website
E-commerce website
Landing page collecting emails
→ See: Legal requirements for e-commerce
→ See: Understanding the Legal Side of Branding
Mandatory legal pages
Legal Notice (Mentions légales)
Required in many jurisdictions.
Typically includes:
This ensures transparency and accountability.
Privacy Policy
Required if you collect any personal data.
Personal data includes:
A privacy policy explains:
Terms & Conditions (Terms of Use)
Defines how visitors can use your website.
Includes:
Terms & Conditions of Sale (for e-commerce)
Mandatory for online selling.
Must specify:
Cookies & user tracking (GDPR and consent)
If your site uses:
you must inform users and obtain consent.
Cookies can include:
Users must be able to accept or refuse.
→ See: GDPR compliance basics
Data protection & privacy laws
If your visitors are in the EU, GDPR applies.
Users have rights to:
You must ensure:
→ See: Data protection fundamentals
Copyright & intellectual property on your website
Everything on your site is subject to copyright:
You must:
You cannot copy images from search engines.
→ See: Protecting visual creations
→ See: Using resources legally in branding
Using images, fonts, and digital assets legally
Always verify licenses for:
Types of licenses include:
→ See: Legal use of digital assets
Trademark usage on your website
If your brand is registered, you may display it.
If not registered, you still have usage rights, but protection differs.
Avoid:
→ See: Make Your Brand Official
Subdomains, domains, and brand protection
Your domain structure is part of your legal identity.
Examples:
Protecting variations prevents misuse.
→ See: Choosing a domain name
Security & user protection
You are responsible for protecting visitors.
Minimum requirements:
Security failures can create legal liability.
Accessibility & inclusivity obligations
Many regions require accessibility standards.
Accessible design includes:
This ensures inclusivity and compliance.
→ See: Ethical web design
Legal differences based on your status
Your obligations vary depending on who you are:
Individual artist / student
Freelancer
Association
Business / brand
→ See: Legal basics for freelancers
How to create legal documents
You can create legal pages using:
A lawyer (most secure)
Best for businesses and e-commerce.
Legal generators & templates
Faster but must be customized.
AI assistance
Helpful for drafts, but must be reviewed.
Never copy another website’s legal pages.
External resources & support
Helpful resources include:
We will provide curated resources in future modules.
What people often forget
Common mistakes include:
Conclusion
Legal compliance is not bureaucracy.
It is:
A legally solid website strengthens your brand and safeguards your future.
Note
This article provides a comprehensive overview of website legality.
Each section (GDPR, copyright, legal pages, accessibility, e-commerce law) will be explored in depth in dedicated Web and Legal modules.
