StartupApril 5, 2025 · 5 min read

The 5 Legal Documents Every Website Needs in 2025

Skip the expensive lawyer for routine legal docs. Here are the 5 documents every website needs before launch.

Launching a website without the right legal documents is like driving without insurance — it's fine until it isn't, and then it's catastrophic.

The good news: you don't need to pay $2,000+ in legal fees to get these documents. Modern AI tools can generate legally-sound documents in under 60 seconds. Here are the 5 you need.

1

Privacy Policy

REQUIRED

Required by GDPR, CCPA, COPPA, and app stores. Google Analytics and virtually every third-party tool requires you to have one. Collecting even an email address triggers this requirement.

Generate free Privacy Policy
2

Terms of Service

REQUIRED

Legally defines your relationship with users. Sets rules for acceptable use, limits your liability, establishes payment terms and refund rules, and gives you grounds to terminate abusive accounts.

Generate free Terms of Service
3

Cookie Policy

REQUIRED

Required by EU law (ePrivacy Directive) for any website accessible by EU users. Even if you only use Google Analytics — which sets cookies — you need a Cookie Policy and consent banner.

Generate free Cookie Policy
4

Refund Policy

Legally required in the EU (14-day cooling-off period) and UK. Even in the US, a clear Refund Policy dramatically reduces chargebacks and customer service disputes.

Generate free Refund Policy
5

Disclaimer

Essential if your content could be interpreted as professional advice. A Disclaimer limits your liability if users act on your content and experience negative outcomes.

Generate free Disclaimer

Bonus: When You Need More

GDPR Data Processing Agreement

If you serve EU users and use third-party tools that process their data (Stripe, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, AWS), GDPR Article 28 requires a signed Data Processing Agreement with each processor.

CCPA Notice

If you serve California residents and your business meets certain thresholds (revenue over $25M, or data on 50K+ consumers), you need a CCPA-compliant notice and opt-out mechanism.

EULA (For Software Products)

If you distribute software (desktop apps, plugins, SDKs), you need an End User License Agreement that defines how users can use your software.

Where to Put Your Legal Documents

Every legal document should be:

  • Linked in your website footer (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Cookie Policy)
  • Linked in your sign-up flow before users create an account
  • Linked in your app (for mobile apps, required by Apple and Google)
  • Emailed to users when they sign up (recommended)

The Cost of Not Having These Documents

GDPR fine (no Privacy Policy)
Up to €20 million
CCPA violation
$7,500 per incident
Chargeback without Refund Policy
$15–25 per dispute
App store rejection
Weeks of delay

The Bottom Line

Legal documents aren't exciting, but they're not optional. Every website that collects data (which is almost all websites) needs at minimum a Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Cookie Policy.

The good news: with AI tools like PolicyCraft, you can generate all 5 documents in under 10 minutes, for free. There's no excuse to launch without them.

Generate all 5 documents in under 10 minutes

Free to get started. No credit card required.

Generate Free Documents
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