How to use GetTerms to create a privacy policy

GetTerms was created to simplify the creation of essential legal documents for websites, mobile apps, and online businesses. We offer a user-friendly platform for generating Privacy Policies, Terms of Service, and other legal agreements needed to ensure compliance with global privacy laws. 

Initial steps

To create a policy with GetTerms, you’ll need to an account. This is where you’ll access and edit all of your policies.

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How to generate a privacy policy with GetTerms

Once you’ve made an account, there’s only 7 simple steps to follow!

Step 1. Tell us where you’ll use your privacy policy

Start by select the primary use for your policy. Even if you don’t have a website, if you’re using this exclusively for your Facebook page, select ‘website’.

Step 2. Select which policies you need

If you’re using a free account, you’ll only have access to a privacy policy. But, if you’re using one of our compliance packs, you can generate several other legal documents to use with your Facebook page, such as your terms and conditions and return policy.

For now, select privacy policy and move on to the next step. You can return later if you want to generate another document.

Step 3. Add your company details

We’ll need to know your company name, location and website address in order to white label your policy. If you don’t have a website, add a link to your Facebook page in the box labelled ‘Website Address*’.

Step 4. Tailor your privacy policy

Select the statements that apply to your Facebook page.

Step 5. Input your privacy contact

Provide a primary contact for compliance with GDPR, CalOPPA, PIPEDA & CCPA

Step 6. Select the applicable privacy laws

Select the laws you need to comply with. Remember, you’ll need to abide by the laws of the countries your users live in, not jsut the one your business operates in.

Step 7. Publish your privacy policy

Next, click ‘complete your order’ and your policy will be generated instantly.

Step 2: Choose Your Method for Adding Policies to Your Website

GetTerms provides three primary methods to add policies to your website. Each method has its advantages, depending on your technical expertise and how often you expect to update the policies.

Option 1: Embed Policies Using the GetTerms Embed Code

This method is ideal for those who want their policies to be automatically updated without manual intervention. The embed code is a snippet of HTML that you can insert directly into your website’s code. Follow the steps below:

• a. Copy the Embed Code: After generating your policies, go to your GetTerms account and copy the provided embed code.
• b. Insert the Code: Paste the code into the HTML of the web pages where you want the policy to appear. 
• c. Automatic Updates: Any future updates to your policy will automatically reflect on your website without any additional work on your part.

Advantages

• Ensures policies are always up-to-date.
• Easy to implement with minimal ongoing maintenance.

Option 2: If you’re using WordPress, download and install the GetTerms WordPress Plugin

For WordPress users, GetTerms offers a plugin that simplifies the process of adding policies to your site.

• a. Download the Plugin: Download the WordPress plugin via the link in your account and install it on your website.
• b. Activate the Plugin: After installation, activate the plugin in your WordPress dashboard.
• c. Configure the Settings: Follow the plugin instructions to configure and display your policies on your WordPress site.

Advantages

• Ensures policies are always up-to-date.
• Easy to add to any WordPress website

Option 3: Link to Hosted Policies on GetTerms

This method is useful if you prefer not to embed or manually add the policies to your website. By linking directly to the hosted version on GetTerms, you ensure that users always see the latest version. Follow the steps below:

• a. Obtain the Policy Link: Get the unique URL for your policy from your GetTerms account.
• b. Add the Link to Your Website: Use this URL to create a link on your website, typically placed in the footer or a “Legal” section.

Advantages

• The simplest method with no need to alter website code.
• Ensures that policies are always up-to-date without requiring manual updates.

Option 4: Copy and Paste the Policies Directly

For those who prefer more control over their website content, copying and pasting the policies directly into your website is a straightforward option. Follow the steps below.

• a. Copy the Policy Text: After generating your policy, copy the full text from your GetTerms account.
• b. Paste into Your Website: Login to your website’s content management system (CMS) or HTML editor and paste the policy text into the relevant page(s).
• c. Format as Needed: Adjust the formatting to match your website’s style. This might involve setting headers, bullet points, or links according to your website’s design.

Advantages

• Complete control over the presentation and formatting of your policies.
• No reliance on external code snippets.

Step 3: Verify the Implementation

Once you’ve added your policies, it’s crucial to verify that they are correctly implemented and accessible to your website visitors.

1. Check All Pages: Ensure that the policy links or embedded content appears on every page where it is supposed to be accessible.
2. Test the Links: If you’re linking to the hosted version, test the links to confirm they lead to the correct GetTerms page.
3. Review Policy Display: Make sure the policies are displaying correctly and are formatted in a way that is consistent with the rest of your website.

Step 4: Keep Your Policies Up to Date

It’s important to maintain the accuracy of your legal documents over time. Here’s how to manage updates with GetTerms:

1. Automatic Updates: If you’re using the embed code, your policies will be updated automatically whenever GetTerms makes changes.
2. Manual Updates: For those who have copied and pasted policies, you will need to manually update them by repeating the copy-paste process whenever there is a change.
3. Update Notifications: Ensure that you have enabled “Notify me of policy updates and GetTerms improvements” in your GetTerms account settings to receive notifications about updates.

Need help?

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