The 4 Legal Pages Every U.S. Website Needs (Straight from a Business Attorney)

If you're building a website in the U.S. — or refreshing an existing one — legal pages aren't just something to “get to later.” They’re foundational. They protect your business, build trust with your audience, and in some cases, they’re required by law.

As a website designer who treats your business like it’s my own, I make sure every site I build includes legal pages — no extra charge, no cutting corners. Because polished branding means nothing if your back-end isn’t protected.

To get the facts straight, I teamed up with Jillian Cardona, a Santa Barbara-based business attorney, to break down exactly what you need (as of June 2025) and why it matters.

Let’s get into it — simple, straightforward, no legal jargon overload.

A Quick Explanation of each of the Legal Pages:

1. Privacy Policy

Non-negotiable. Required by law.

If you collect any personal information (ie: emails, names, analytics, contact forms, etc.), you’re legally required to disclose how you collect, store, and use that data.

Your Privacy Policy is where you do that.

This is about transparency and trust. It shows visitors you respect their privacy and comply with laws like the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and other federal/state guidelines.

2. Terms of Use (aka Terms & Conditions)

Protect your content, your products, and your process. This is where you lay out the rules for interacting with your site — including refund policies, disclaimers, digital product terms, and intellectual property ownership. It’s especially important for service providers, digital sellers, and course creators.

It’s your safety net. It tells visitors, “Here’s how this works,” and protects you legally if someone tries to bend the rules.

3. Disclaimer

Set clear boundaries. Protect your expertise.

If you’re sharing advice in wellness, finance, mental health, business, or education, you need to be clear about what your content is — and isn’t.

This page helps prevent misunderstandings and lets visitors know your content is for informational purposes only (not a substitute for professional advice). This helps limit your liability and manage expectations — two things every business owner should prioritize.

4. ADA Accessibility Statement

Not yet legally required, but highly recommended.

An ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Accessibility Statement shows your commitment to making your website usable for everyone.

It’s a step toward inclusion — and a step away from potential legal headaches. Adding this page shows you're mindful of all visitors and actively working toward compliance.

How to Get Your Legal Pages Handled

You’ve got three routes, and they’re not all equal:

1. DIY it: Most risky. Unless you have legal training, you’re likely to miss key protections.

2. Use attorney-drafted templates: Affordable and a solid option for small businesses. These allow some customization while keeping legal integrity intact.

3. Hire an attorney for custom pages: Best for established businesses, regulated industries, or anyone wanting a tailored, thorough legal foundation.

No matter which route you choose, don’t leave these pages blank or copy/paste someone else’s. Protect your business your way.

✨ Bonus if you’re a Kinship Creative client:

When you work with me, I always include your legal pages in your site build — professionally formatted, easy to update, and styled to match your brand. Plus, every person I refer (including attorneys like Jillian) is someone I trust deeply and would hire myself. I don’t take these recommendations lightly — I treat your business like it’s mine.

Want to build a brand that’s not just beautiful — but backed by legal peace of mind?

Let’s make it happen.

Big thanks to attorney Jillian Cardona for her expert insight.