Setting up and operating a website

By LBV

17 Aug 2011

If you are thinking of setting up a website, whether it is intended to be a fully interactive e-commerce website or a brochure website used as a source of information about the company, there are several things to consider. Whilst setting up an online business has become much more accessible over recent years, with a number of affordable platforms that allow you to set up shop and start trading far quicker than if you were opening a physical shop on the high street, it is important to remember that legal issues still apply at every stage of the process, from the outset to the sale of goods.

Considerations:
(1) How is the website to be designed and constructed and who is to do this for you? You may need to agree a website design and development agreement with a company offering website design services to cover matters such as ownership and modifications.
(2) Depending on what text, photos, audiovisual material and software you have on the website, you may need to enter into website content licences with third parties in order to licence the content from those third parties.
(3) Once the website is up and running, it is advisable for you to have terms dealing with access to and use of the website.
(4) If the website is to be used for the sale and purchase of goods via the website then specific terms and conditions of sale should be considered for use on the website. These are governed by different rules to those relating to ‘non web-based’ businesses.

In order to ensure that customers are bound by the terms and conditions, the terms need to be brought to the customers’ attention before the contract is made. In an online scenario, this means the customer should be made to either tick a box indicating that they accept the fact that the contract will be governed by website terms and conditions before being able to place their order. They should also have to tick a box to say they have read the terms and conditions and/or scroll to the bottom of the terms an conditions and click ‘accept’.

Any terms and conditions of sale should deal with the supply, price and payment for the goods, restrictions on your potential liabilities and also address issues relating to contracts made at a distance (pursuant to the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000), in particular contracts made on the internet, including:
– a description of how the online contract is formed.
– how the contract is made with minors and people situated outside the UK.
– information about the consumer’s right to cancel the contract, where applicable.
– time limits for cancellation for goods and for services, where applicable.
– whether you require the goods to be returned by the customer and if so who will pay for the return.

Ian Liddle
Farleys solicitors

 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed Flying Combat Air Demonstrator

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed

17 Jul 2025

2

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company The Printed Cup Company

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company

17 Jul 2025

3

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International Joe Diston

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International

17 Jul 2025

4

Louise Leyland promoted to director role at PWA Planning Louise Leyland And Paul Walton

Louise Leyland promoted to director role at PWA Planning

16 Jul 2025

5

Muller UK and Ireland to invest an extra £45m into Skelmersdale site The Skelmersdale Muller site

Muller UK and Ireland to invest an extra £45m into Skelmersdale site

16 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin