Privacy Policy 101 for Small Businesses

Privacy Policy 101 for Small Businesses

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If you are a small business thinking about improving your marketing, coming up with a privacy policy may not be on the top of your list of priorities.  If you are like most SMBs, your top marketing priorities are probably SEO, content marketing, and small business podcasts.  But if your business collects data about your customers through email marketing or any other online interaction, you need to have a privacy policy in place explaining what you are going to do with that data.

 

What is a Privacy Policy for a Small Business?

A privacy policy is a pledge to the people who visit your website about how you will protect their data, and in what ways you will and will not use their information. You need to have security standards in place that will ensure you are doing exactly what you claimed you would. If you don’t follow your privacy policy, there could be legal consequences.

When you have an online business that is driven by SEO, content marketing, and small business podcasts, it’s typical to collect information in marketing forms or surveys. Everyone who shares information with you has a right to know how you are going to use that information.

What Should Your Privacy Policy Include?

Your privacy policy should include a clear explanation of the following information:

* How to contact you – Make it as easy as possible for customers to be able to reach you with questions, feedback, or to file a complaint.
* How you share customer information – Clearly state that their data will only be used as authorized and that any other use of data will require their consent.
* Cookie policy – Clearly explain your cookie practice, which involves the way information regarding user preferences or shopping cart contents is used.

As part of your small business marketing strategies, a link to your privacy policy should be prominently displayed on your homepage and near the shopping cart and product pages so that new customers can feel reassured that you take their online security seriously.

Get Expert Advice

It’s always a good idea to get expert advice on all aspects of your small business marketing including your privacy policy. You may want to contact a lawyer who specializes in online or internet law to make sure your privacy policy addresses all the information that is needed and doesn’t overlook anything.

Obtaining expert advice for all your business strategies such as marketing content, promoting business podcasts, and search engine optimization can help you be more competitive and successful. FireRock specializes in assisting businesses to plan content strategies that deliver leads. Schedule a consult today.

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