Website Compliance 101: Essentials For Modern Businesses

A functional and accessible website is crucial for any business hoping to succeed. However, with rapidly evolving technology comes frequently changing regulations that websites must comply with to avoid legal repercussions.

Regardless of frequent updates, compliance must be a priority for all companies. Adhering to relevant laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), keeps your site usable and enjoyable for all visitors. It also protects you from potential lawsuits or penalties.

Read on for website compliance essentials modern companies must pay attention to.

• Understanding ADA Website Compliance

One significant website compliance regulation that businesses should focus on is the ADA. Originally passed in 1990, this far-reaching law prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities and mandates that public spaces, including websites, be accessible to them. An ideal website per ADA standards includes these features:

• Text alternatives for images via alt tags
• Easily readable font sizes and color contrast
• Keyboard accessibility and focus indicators
• Captioning for audio content
• Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) for screen reader users

A site lacking these accommodations discourages those with impairments from effectively navigating it, whether they have poor vision, hearing loss, motor difficulties, or other disabilities. As a public space, your website must provide equal access under the law. Non-compliance opens your business up to complaints, legal action, fines, and damaged reputation.

Regularly auditing that your site adheres to website Content Accessibility Guidelines or WCAG 2.1 ADA recommendations is essential. Seek help from any automated ADA compliance checklist for updates and guidance.

• Protecting User Data Privacy

Another crucial website compliance issue is safeguarding user privacy per modern data protection. Certain location-specific regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU residents and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), mandate businesses to do these:

• Gain consent before collecting visitor information via cookies.
• Get approval to share data with third parties.
• Allow users to access their data.
• Securely store any data they retain.

Staying up-to-date on the newest amendments to privacy laws is vital to avoid substantial fines. Maintaining user privacy rights by being transparent about your privacy policy also builds user trust.

• Securing Your Site

Compliance also means protecting your site infrastructure and visitors through security measures. A robust security means performing the following activities:

• Using hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) encryption
• Frequently updating plugins and themes
• Blocking suspicious Internet Protocols (IPs)
• Implementing reCAPTCHA bots to thwart cyberattacks, like malware injections, data breaches, phishing scams, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)

Security plugins, firewalls, and regular scans to uncover vulnerabilities are all smart steps toward compliance. They demonstrate that you value site integrity and customers’ safety. A secure site is less vulnerable to costly data breaches. According to Statista, the average cost of a data breach in the US stood at USD$9.48 million in 2023, a slight increase from USD$9.44 in 2022. Meanwhile, the global average was pegged at USD$4.45 million.

• Meeting Industry Standards

Failing to comply with specialized industry standards can have severe consequences, depending on your business type. E-commerce sites, for example, must clearly display pricing, shipping costs, refund policies, and other disclosures to online shoppers before purchase. Omitting details or using vague language violates consumer protection laws. Beyond angry customers and sunken credibility, fines may apply.

• HIPAA Guidelines For Healthcare Providers

Healthcare sites must follow strict digital patient record rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Protecting sensitive health data with encryption, access controls, and audit trails is mandatory. Breaches that expose patient information lead to stiff penalties of up to USD$25,000 per violation category. Negligent handling of medical records also sparks costly lawsuits from victims.

• AML Regulations For Financial Companies

Financial sites must verify identities per Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and anti-money laundering (AML) laws before opening accounts or enabling transactions. Strong authentication prevents fraud, while transaction monitoring curbs money-laundering schemes. Non-compliance risks astronomic fines reaching billions in some cases. No enterprise can weather such massive hits.

• Displaying Certifications

Displaying independent certifications on your website—such as those from Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), TRUSTe Privacy Seals, and Better Business Bureau Online Accreditation—serves as proof of your compliance and trustworthiness. Here are some industry-specific accreditations that can bolster your credibility:

• Exhibiting the PCI Security Standards Council’s badge proves to shoppers that your site safely handles payments.
• The ‘Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode’ sign eases checkout fears over identity theft.
• TRUSTe badges verify privacy policy promises, assuring users their data is protected.

Beyond meeting baseline regulations, however, showcasing impartial verification of security, privacy, and accessibility builds visitor confidence to convert customers. Without these, visitors may bounce without purchasing, as the lack of proof of credibility fuels doubts and deters engagement.

The Bottom Line

Navigating website compliance can feel overwhelming. However, it’s critically important to demonstrate corporate responsibility and avoid legal woes that damage your brand’s reputation. Get your site up to code by appointing a team to monitor activities for broad and specific regulations. Let them run accessibility checks, oversee safe data practices, and enforce security.

With attention to areas like ADA guidelines, privacy rules, and cybersecurity, you can operate your website ethically, responsibly, and successfully in the long term. Staying compliant takes diligence but pays dividends in customer assurance and trust in your business.