You’ve worked hard to build your brand and website from scratch, so the last thing you need is a lawsuit from some scary men in black. In today’s blog post, we’re going to talk about how to protect your website. So, grab some popcorn, and let’s dive in!
Use Free-for-Commercial-Use (Or Paid Licensed) Images
Who doesn’t love free stuff? It’s tempting to use any images you find on the internet, but that’s a risky move. You don’t want to be caught with your hand in the cookie jar, so always use free-for-commercial-use images. Or at least something that you have a paid license to use on your website.
Credit People Appropriately
It’s essential to give credit where credit is due. Whether it’s borrowing someone else’s intellectual property or using a photo or video from another creator, make sure you give them proper credit. Imagine you’re in “Disney World,” and you try to skip the line by pretending to be a VIP. We all know that every single person in that line will be ready to call you out. Don’t be that person, always give credit where it’s due.
Include Your Disclaimers
Look, I know disclaimers aren’t exactly the most exciting thing to talk about, but trust me, they’re important. You don’t want to end up like Marvel Studios and have people coming after you because they didn’t get the movies they were expecting. If you’re selling a product or service that promises certain results, you need to have an earnings disclaimer to protect yourself from any legal issues. And if you’re including affiliate links on your site, make sure you disclose that to your audience. Think of it like telling your friends about your latest obsession on Amazon, but also mentioning that you might get a little something-something if they end up buying. Lastly, if you’re not a licensed professional financial advisor, you need to let people know before they dump their entire savings on some advice you gave them. Make sure you have a disclaimer on your site that lets people know you’re not providing professional financial advice. Don’t be like Kanye West and try to give people advice on things you don’t actually know anything about. It’s just not a good look.
Use Free-for-Commercial-Use Fonts (or Paid for Fonts)
Using cool and trendy fonts can add a personal touch to your website, but not all fonts are free for commercial use. Avoid getting sued by only using free-for-commercial-use fonts or (again) a font that you have the license to use commercially.
Include a Cookie Notification
Cookies aren’t just for Santa. They’re also used to track website data. Make sure you include a cookie notification on your website. If you don’t, it’s like you’re at a party, and someone offers you a delicious-looking cookie, but, before you take a bite, they reveal that it contains raisins. Nobody wants that kind of surprise. (Well maybe me because I actually enjoy raisins!) So if you have any form on your website where you are taking email information to add to an email list, or using that person’s information for a targeted ad, be sure to sprinkle in that cookie notification in the process.
Update the Copyright Year
It’s easy to forget to update the copyright year at the bottom of your website. But, it’s essential to keep it up to date, or it can make your website look outdated. It’s like watching “Netflix” and seeing a movie from 2005. Sure, it may be a classic, but it’s not the latest and greatest. We know that updating the copyright year at the bottom of your website is not the most exciting task, but it’s a crucial one. Leaving the copyright year outdated on your site is like Scar taking over the Pride Lands and never fixing anything. You don’t want to be Scar, do you? Plus, having an outdated copyright year can make it look like you don’t take your website seriously, and that’s not the vibe we want to give off to potential clients or customers. So, take a few minutes to update that copyright year and show the world that you’re on top of things.
Include Website Credits
Don’t forget to give credits where credits are due. If you’re working with creative professionals like designers, developers, photographers, or copywriters, be sure to include their credits on your website (especially if it was outlined in your contract/terms of services agreement). Don’t be like Ursula in the Little Mermaid and take all the credit for yourself, because we all know that didn’t end well.
Plus, it’s just good karma. Think of it as paying it forward so that one day, when you’re the one creating amazing work, someone else will give you the credit you deserve. And who knows, maybe you’ll make some new friends and collaborate on a project that’s even better than before.
Now that you know the top 6 things to look out for, you can protect your website and proactively avoid getting sued. By following these tips, you can keep your website looking great and avoid any legal trouble. Stay safe out there, and may the force be with you!
