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Date:
May 17, 2019

Author:
Ashlyn Carter

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Let's get you a message so tight you can bounce a quarter off of it. Around here, we serve up science-based storytelling strategies the creative set.  Even while raking in more than 1.26M in agency work since I've been at it, I firmly believe working from a place of rest (not hustle) IS possible—and I want the same for you. Words matter. Best be sure they work (and oui, with math) ... and know how to party while they're at it. 

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Reading time: 4 min.

Today, I want to talk to you about the little bit of copy your website ABSOLUTELY must have: your GDPR-ready privacy policy (which you can get going with a sample privacy policy PDF I’ll spill the tea on below).

I got a text from my friend Taylor (hey, Tay!) one afternoon that brought back all the realness of ENTREPRENEUR CONFUSION CITY when I was starting my business:

“So what would you say to a new biz owner or blogger who hasn’t launched yet ???? … especially about this new GDPR thing? I don’t have a single subscriber so I don’t want to drop money on a privacy policy if I really don’t need it yet.????‍♀️My head hurts.”

Taylor, thank you for saying what everyone wonders at some point:

a) do I need to spend cash on a privacy policy and

b) does the GDPR affect me as a blogger or small business owner.

Short answer, yes and yes.

A how-to guide: website privacy policy template download link from Ashlyn Writes and The Contract Shop

Long answer, read on to find out why and how. 😉

Heads up, my lawyer has a template shop and she KILLS IT with her done-for-you terms and contract templates. Shop ’em here, including the sample privacy policy PDF (and get 40% off during the annual Memorial Day sale!).

Website privacy policy template download link from Ashlyn Writes and The Contract Shop


Watch the Video


What Is a Privacy Policy?

Your terms of use and privacy policy for your website is the agreement you have with your readers … the privacy policy is the part of that that gives transparency on how you’re actually using the information you’re gathering.

If you read blogs or use the internet (okay, so that’s everyone in 2019), then you know that you leave little breadcrumb bits of your personal information behind when you visit. Things like your IP address, location, your name (or username), and email.

Make a purchase? Now there’s even more personal information that can be collected.

And that’s all okay! That’s how we do businesses and interact these days.

Here’s where a privacy policy comes into play: A privacy policy informs your visitors what information is collected from them when they visit your site, click on your pretty call-to-action copy around your website, subscribe to your email list, and how you use that information (ie: emails for your newsletter).

It also gives details on who else has access to the information—any affiliates or third-party companies that hold that info (think tools like HoneyBook, ConvertKit, Paypal, Stripe, etc.).

Related: How Decision Fatigue Affects Your Call-to-Action Buttons (& What to Do About It)

They’re out in the open, and you should be able to view them on any website—look for a link in the footer of any website for something to the tune of “legal” or “terms.”

^^ Dat’s the privacy policy. Looking at any from your fave websites will *likely* give you a simple privacy policy example.


3 Reasons to Get a Sample Privacy Policy PDF for Your Website

Now that you know what it is, here are 3 reasons you really need one.

One: It’s legally required

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that any web page collecting information from consumers and/or that uses cookies have a privacy policy available to visitors.

Not to mention having one builds a greater sense of trust with your readers and makes you look more professional.

Two: You don’t have to freak out about including EVERYTHING.

Don’t stress too much about making sure your policies cover every tiny thing. Now, here’s where I’ll plug that it’s safest to use a template used by an attorney .. You can always update them as you go along.

Here’s the downloadable privacy policy template I recommend from my friend and business lawyer Christina Scalera >>>

You’ll want to add copy that says “last updated” and make sure you have a clause in the copy saying you have the right to update any time.

Website privacy policy template download link from Ashlyn Writes and The Contract Shop

Three: The GDPR is a thing now.

The General Data Protection Regulation includes new regulations put out by the European Union that we’ve gotta comply with.

Here’s how you know if you need to comply to GDPR regulations: You sell or market to EU country customers.

Basically, there’s a 99.999% chance that’s you, unless you’re blocking EU traffic from your website. And even then, who knows when other countries or regions will roll out similar internet protection measures.

Verdict? Might as well comply with by getting a GDPR sample privacy policy PDF!

BUT, just the GDPR privacy policy alone doesn’t make you compliant like it used to in the good ol’ days, so make sure you get yourself in full compliance. 

It’s easier than you think.

Here are my top 5 favorite resources I’ve found on getting compliant:

  1. This GDPReady™ Bundle, terms & conditions + privacy policy + swipe copy + how-to videos + checklist on installing and updating your whole website. I invested in this and it’s worth every penny!
  2. This GDPR-ready general terms & conditions + privacy policy, if you don’t need bells and whistles. It’s the best privacy policy generator for bloggers and small businesses I’ve seen.
  3. GDPR compliance checklist, if you really get it all and just want a quick checklist
  4. Amy Porterfield Podcast Episode on GDPR for Entrepreneurs
  5. The actual guidance from the UK’s ICO website (closest to the horse’s mouth!)

How to Get a Sample Privacy Policy Template Installed

Kk, I’m gonna keep this short, because it’s easy.

  1. Get a template, like this one.
  2. Create a new page for your website, typically named /legal or /terms.
  3. Copy and paste in the template, being sure to update the highlighted fields.
  4. Link the new website page in your footer, but also be sure to link it on other pages as you grow your business’s digital footprint, like in the footer of your email marketing campaigns and the footer of any landing pages you have.

 

Here’s a creative company privacy policy example link from one of our copywriting clients:

sample website privacy policy example

Et voila.


The moral of the story? Getting your privacy policy template for small business in place is FREAKING key (and getting a other contracts in place is also key, but I could write a whole blog on that).

You NEED this copy snippet on your website! Mmmmkay? Thank me later.

Click below to shop the website simple privacy policy template from my own business lawyer—it’s the very same sample privacy policy PDF I used to get my ducks in a row over here.

Oh … and it’s 40% off starting Memorial Day through the week, details below! ????????

Website privacy policy template download link from Ashlyn Writes and The Contract Shop

Reading Time: 5 Minutes Reading time: 4 min. Today, I want to talk to you about the little bit of copy your website ABSOLUTELY must have: your GDPR-ready privacy policy (which you can get going with a sample privacy policy PDF I’ll spill the tea on below). I got a text from my friend Taylor (hey, Tay!) one afternoon […]

5/17/19

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