A privacy policy outlines how your website collects, uses, and protects visitors’ personal information. Even if your business is not located in a state with strict privacy laws, those laws may still apply if visitors from those regions interact with your site.
States like California, Virginia, Colorado, Utah, and Quebec in Canada, all have specific privacy laws governing how businesses must handle customer information. In 2024, states like Oregon, Texas, and Montana will also join this list, with more to come in 2025.
It doesn’t matter where your business is based; if someone from these regions visits your site, their local laws could apply to you. That’s why it’s essential to have a privacy policy that reflects compliance with these changing laws.
Do I Really Need a Privacy Policy?
If you’re thinking, “I’m just a freelancer,” or “My site is small; do I really need a privacy policy?” the answer is yes. The size of your business or website doesn’t exempt you from data privacy laws.
Even if you’re a one-person operation, a blogger, or just starting your side hustle, collecting any personal information (even an email address) can make you subject to data protection regulations.
Here’s why:
- If you use Google Analytics to track site visitors, you’re collecting data.
- If you have a contact form or email newsletter signup, you’re collecting data.
- Even if you’re using a cookie consent banner, it likely means you’re collecting some form of personal information.
Regardless of your business size, you must be transparent about what data you collect, how it’s used, and how it’s protected.
Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU require you to disclose this information. Even if you’re not based in these areas, if someone from one of these regions visits your site, those laws could apply to you.
So, it doesn’t matter if you’re running a blog for fun or operating a freelance business—if your website has any visitor interaction, you need a privacy policy.
Why Free Privacy Policy Generators Aren’t Enough
It might be tempting to use a free privacy policy generator, especially if you’re on a tight budget. But here’s the thing: those free generators often provide generic policies that don’t cover you adequately. Here’s why they fall short:
- One-size-fits-all approach: Free generators typically spit out generic privacy policies that don’t take into account your unique business operations. If you’re using analytics, running ads, or selling products, a one-size-fits-all policy may leave out critical details and compliance requirements.
- Outdated Information: Data privacy laws change frequently, and free generators usually don’t account for ongoing updates. Laws like the GDPR, CCPA, and others are constantly evolving, and your privacy policy needs to reflect those changes to stay compliant.
- No Support or Guidance: When you use a free generator, you’re often left without any guidance or legal protection if something goes wrong. You might not know if the policy you received is actually compliant with current laws, which could put your business at risk.
This is why I recommend using a tool like Termageddon, which keeps your privacy policy updated automatically as laws change. It’s a small investment that provides a custom policy tailored to your specific business and ensures you’re always covered.
Introducing Termageddon: Your Legal Safeguard
There are many options out there for generating privacy policies. Some are free, others come from contract shops or lawyers, but my go-to solution is Termageddon (aff link).
I use it for my website, and it’s what I recommend to all my web design clients. It’s an especially great tool for small business owners who don’t have the time or resources to stay on top of changing privacy laws.
What makes Termageddon stand out is how it automatically updates your privacy policy when new laws are introduced. When a state like California or Colorado enacts a new law, Termageddon sends an email alerting you to log in, answer a few questions, and update your policy accordingly. It’s that simple.
How Termageddon Works
Here’s a breakdown of how Termageddon (aff link) helps you stay compliant:
- Setup: Once you sign up for Termageddon, you’ll access a dashboard where you create your privacy policy, terms of service, and cookie policy.
- Customizing Policies: Termageddon walks you through a series of questions to help tailor the policy to your specific business needs. Questions cover topics like whether you collect personal information from residents of certain states or countries, and whether you meet specific thresholds for revenue or data processing.
- Embed Your Policies: Once you’ve answered the questions, Termageddon provides an embed code to place on your website. The great thing is that you only need to embed the code once—Termageddon will automatically update your privacy policy as new laws come into effect.
Keeping Your Website Safe and Compliant
In addition to privacy policies, Termageddon (aff link) offers cookie policies, terms of service, disclaimers, and EULAs (End User License Agreements).
For example, if you run a health and wellness website, you might need a disclaimer like, “I am not a doctor.” Each policy type can be created through the Termageddon dashboard and embedded on a separate page to avoid legal loopholes.
By using a tool like Termageddon, you save time and protect yourself from potential legal risks. It’s a small investment that provides peace of mind knowing that your website is compliant with a wide range of privacy laws.
Protect Yourself and Your Business
Whether you’re running a blog, e-commerce store, or service-based business, having a privacy policy and terms of service is a must. It’s not just about protecting your business—it’s about being transparent with your users and safeguarding their information.
If you’re ready to get compliant and protect your business, I highly recommend checking out Termageddon. Use my affiliate link to save 10% on your first year, and rest easy knowing your website is protected.
Have questions about privacy policies or setting up Termageddon on your site? Feel free to reach out to me! I’m here to help guide you through the process.
