Quick takeaway
Some beautifully designed websites are technically breaking the law because they are missing information that takes less than five minutes to add.
Micro Myth-busters is a short series helping micro and small business owners navigate the often confusing world of websites, hosting, SEO and online visibility.
I have built and reviewed enough websites now that I have a bit of a ritual.
The first thing I do is not admire the design.
I scroll straight to the footer.
Why?
Because that is usually where I discover whether a business has remembered the legal bits it must include.
Some beautifully designed websites are technically breaking the law because they are missing information that takes less than five minutes to add.
The good news? It is an easy fix.
Here is my checklist.
Checklist item 01
Your registered company name
If you are a limited company, your website should display your full registered company name exactly as it appears on the Companies House register, including "Limited" or "Ltd".
Why does it matter?
It tells visitors exactly which legal entity they are dealing with, helping build trust and transparency.
If you trade under a different business or brand name, make sure your registered company name is still clearly shown somewhere on your website. A trading name is not a substitute for your legal company name.
Best practice: I always include this in the footer so it is available from every page.
Sole traders — do not scroll past!
If you are a sole trader or partnership, different rules apply.
You should make it clear who owns the business. If you trade under a business name rather than your own name, you will usually need to disclose the name of the proprietor (or partners) as well.
Many sole traders assume these rules only apply to limited companies. They do not.
Checklist item 02
Your company registration number
Every limited company receives a unique company registration number when it is incorporated.
Your website should display this number alongside your company information.
Again, I recommend putting it in the footer. It keeps everything together and means visitors can find it wherever they land on your website.
Checklist item 03
Your registered office address
Your registered office address must also be displayed.
This is not necessarily where you work day-to-day. It is the official address registered with Companies House where formal correspondence can be sent.
It might be:
- your business premises
- your home address
- your accountant's address (with their permission, of course!)
- a registered office service
You should also state where the company is registered, for example:
- Registered in England and Wales
- Registered in Scotland
Checklist item 04
Give people a genuine way to contact you
A contact form on its own is not enough.
Your website should provide a direct way for people to communicate with you.
At the very least, include an email address.
A telephone number is not always a legal requirement, but if customers are likely to want to speak to you directly, it is usually good practice to include one too.
Not sure your footer is up to scratch?
Start with a free CahillPulse health check
Enter your URL and see what is happening behind the scenes. CahillPulse helps you understand whether your website is healthy — or whether it could use a little attention.
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Optional but worth including
Depending on your business, you may also choose (or be required) to display:
- your VAT registration number
- membership of professional bodies or trade associations
- regulatory information, if you are in a regulated profession
These are not universal requirements, but they can add credibility and, in some sectors, are mandatory.
Section 07
Five minutes well spent
Go and check your website footer.
If it is missing any of the details above, you will be able to fix it in less time than it took to read this article.
It is a small change that helps customers know exactly who they are dealing with, while keeping your website on the right side of the law!
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Next up in the Micro-Myths series
Cookies and privacy policies. That gives you enough time before our second legal exercise covering the not-so-healthy truth about the internet's favourite snack.
Section 09