Telling your customers how you will protect their privacy online is essential in today’s business environment. By publishing an easy-to-understand privacy policy on your Web site, you can foster a climate of trust and encourage visitors to feel comfortable doing business with you. A good privacy policy provides users with a clear understanding of how you collect information and how you use (or don’t use) the information they provide at your site.

The Better Business Bureau believes all responsible businesses should clearly post a privacy policy and show how you will be held accountable for following that policy. But how do you go about doing that? A number of organizations – including the government – have developed guidelines, enforcement programs and privacy policy generators to make this as easy as possible.

To get started, review the three key steps outlined below and visit the resources we’ve identified for further assistance.

Getting Started

1. Review your site
2. Understand current privacy legislation and how to be compliant with recommended guidelines.
3. Create your own privacy policy!