What Legal Documents Do I Need for My Online Store or Business?
Please note that the information here is for information/educational purposes only and does not constitute specific legal advice.
If you’ve launched a website for your business—whether you're offering services, selling products, or a bit of both—you’ve probably heard that you need Terms and Conditions.
But here’s what many business owners don’t realise:
→ The type of legal documents your website needs depends entirely on what your business actually does.
A service-based website has different legal needs than an online store. And if you’re selling products online but only relying on basic Terms of Use, there’s a good chance you’re not properly protected.
Let’s break it down.
01 WHAT A SERVICE-BASED WEBSITE MIGHT NEED
If you offer services like coaching, consulting, design, marketing or workshops—and you're not selling products directly through your site—these are your essentials:
✔️ Terms of Use
This governs how visitors can use and interact with your website. It usually includes disclaimers, intellectual property protection, and limitations of liability.
✔️ Privacy Policy
If you collect any personal information (such as through a contact form or email signup), it is vital to have a clear, accessible Privacy Policy.
✔️ AI Use Policy (optional but increasingly relevant)
If your site uses AI tools—like chatbots, automated copy generators, or image tools—you should explain how they work and when they're used. This builds trust and adds transparency, especially if you're working with sensitive or client-facing content.
These are all included in our Website Legal Essentials Bundle, built specifically for modern Australian websites.
02 RUNNING AN ONLINE STORE? YOU’LL LIKELY NEED MORE THAN THAT
If you’re selling physical or digital products through platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, Etsy, WooCommerce or Kajabi, a Terms of Use page alone isn’t enough.
Here’s what your online store really needs:
✔️ Terms & Conditions of Sale
This is the legal agreement between you and your customer at the point of purchase. It should clearly outline:
→ What’s being sold
→ Accepted payment methods
→ Delivery and shipping details
→ Refunds, exchanges and cancellations
→ Dispute resolution processes
→ Compliance with Australian Consumer Law
Without this, you may be exposed if a customer lodges a dispute, claims a faulty product, or requests a refund.
✔️ Privacy Policy
If you're collecting customer details during checkout, newsletter signups or downloads, you’re handling personal data—and that means you need a compliant Privacy Policy.
✔️ Terms of Use
This governs how visitors can use and interact with your website. It usually includes disclaimers, intellectual property protection, and limitations of liability.
You’ll find all of these documents in our Online Store Essentials Bundle, written in plain English and fully compliant with Australian law.
Do You Need Both Sets?
Possibly. Many businesses today are hybrid: they might offer coaching and sell digital products, or combine services with physical goods. If that’s you, your site likely needs:
✔️ Terms of Use
✔️ Privacy Policy
✔️ AI Use Policy (if applicable)
✔️ Terms & Conditions of Sale
✔️ Refunds & Returns Policy
Our bundles are designed to keep things simple, customisable, and legally solid—without blowing your budget.
The Bottom Line
If you’re running a service-based website, your legal documents should focus on how users engage with your content and how their data is handled.
If you’re running an online store, you also need documents that cover what you're selling, how you’re selling it, and what happens when something goes wrong.
→ One-size-fits-all doesn’t work when it comes to legal protection.
Using the wrong document—or relying on a generic template—can leave your business vulnerable.
What We Recommend
It’s hard for us to give specific advice without knowing the details of your business (and in fact, it would be irresponsible fo us to do that!). But as a general rule of thumb:
→ If your website is primarily service-based (e.g. coaching, consulting, design, or education), and you're not selling products directly online, you'll typically need:
✔️ Website Bundle – Includes Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and AI Use Policy
Explore the Website Legal Essentials Bundle
→ If you're selling physical or digital products online (like eBooks, downloads, skincare, prints, clothing or anything via Shopify, Squarespace, WooCommerce, etc.), you’ll likely need:
✔️ Online Store Bundle – Includes Terms of Sale (includes Refunds Policy) and Privacy Policy
Explore the Online Store Essentials Bundle
Not sure where your business fits—or need something tailored to a mixed or more complex setup? Get in touch for custom-drafted documents. We’re here to help you get clear, confident and legally covered.
Please note that the information here is for information purposes only and does not constitute specific legal advice.
25 July 2025