Online selling- what your website needs

There are certain recommendations and important statutory requirements applicable to online stores:

  1. All relevant disclosures in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, as are provided for in the Act. There is a checklist of 18 disclosures of information which need to be made to website users.
  2. PAIA Manual: Promotion of Access to Information Act prescribes a manual that must be accessible on the website and must be submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission. This manual prescribes a framework to be followed should people wish to access information.
  3. Privacy policy,
  4. Disclaimers: it is imperative that your website protects your rights,
  5. Terms and Conditions of use.

The simplest way to comply is to have a link to a dedicated 'legal' page which contains all the necessary information.