All pricing information needs to be clear and obvious and it should be clearly stated if the prices are inclusive or exclusive of VAT and any delivery costs.
The Distance Selling Regulations state that the following need to be displayed clearly on a web site prior to a user placing an order:
- Who you are (i.e. who is the supplier?)
- Price of your goods or services
- Description of the goods and services
- Payment and delivery terms
- The fact that a purchaser can cancel the order as it has been created under the Distance Selling Regulations
Most sites will wrap this information into their terms and conditions which purchasers need to read before placing an order. Most sites have a tick box that says something like “I have read and agree with the terms and conditions”. Only after ticking the box can an order proceed.
In reality few consumers bother to read these terms which is a shame as they are there to protect the consumer from fraud or illegal activities. These terms and conditions will vary from site to site but it is important that they are accurate as they form your legal “crown jewels”.
Other laws that may affect your site include:
- The Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This act is designed to ensure that websites are accessible to users with disabilities. The type of disability that may be relevant includes impaired vision and dyslexia
- The Data Protection Act. This act determines how you can store personal data on your computers.
Source: eBusiness and the law
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