Building “to code”

Here’s a meme that circulated in the web agency space recently.

I’ve experienced this often… someone asks me for a website quote, and when I follow up later, they say:

“Oh, my friend’s cousin offered to do it for free.”

I love the idea of social currency and people sharing and trading services and resources! It’s entirely possible that the friend’s cousin is a skilled, experienced web developer.

However, if they truly are a professional – someone who invests time and money into staying informed, pays for professional licenses, and keeps their skills sharp – then free is unlikely. More often, they’ll rely on DIY tools like Wix, Squarespace, or Canva because they can, and very likely blissfully unaware of everything that goes into building a compliant, long-lasting site.

That’s where the comparison to building stairs comes in: just as stairs have to be “to code,” websites do too.

 

 

The Building Code for Websites

The exact details depend on the size of your business and (to some degree) on where your business or project is located.
(Side note: it’s complicated. Technically, what matters is the location of your website visitor – you’re beholden to your own country’s laws and the laws where your visitors are.)

As a website owner, you have legal responsibilities, and they generally include:

Privacy Policy

You must inform users about what data your website collects and how you use it. Even if you think you’re not collecting anything, I promise you are. At a minimum, your site records each visitor’s IP address just to be able to display content to them, and that counts as personal information in many jurisdictions.

Cookie Policy

This works hand-in-hand with your Privacy Policy, detailing how cookies are used, what they track, and why. In many jurisdictions, people have the right to know.

Cookie Consent

In many countries, including all of Europe and an increasing number of US states, you need to let visitors opt out of non-essential cookies. This means:

• No setting marketing/tracking cookies until the visitor agrees
• An easy way for them to change their choice later
• Clear, plain-language explanations (no legalese required!)

Accessibility Requirements

You may be required to meet certain accessibility standards (like WCAG 2.1 AA). Even if you’re not legally bound, making your site usable for people with disabilities is simply good practice: it opens your business to more customers, improves SEO, and shows that you value inclusivity. More information about the benefits of accessible websites here.

Accessibility Statement

An accessibility statement outlines your commitment to providing an accessible experience, what you’ve done to meet standards, and how users can contact you if they encounter issues. You may need one if you’re a public-facing business that meets certain revenue thresholds. For example, here’s our own accessibility statement.

Terms and Conditions

While not always legally required, Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) set the “house rules” for using your website. They’re especially important if you:

• Sell products or services online
• Offer subscriptions or memberships
• Allow user-generated content (e.g., comments, reviews, uploads)
• Provide downloadable resources or software

T&Cs can cover payment terms, refund policies, acceptable use, intellectual property rights, and how disputes will be handled. Even if you think your site is just informational, having T&Cs can help protect your business from legal headaches and set clear expectations with visitors.

Final thoughts

If this sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. Even figuring out which of these standards you’re required to comply with can be a lot to untangle. As a business owner or nonprofit, your time is better spent focusing on your core mission, not buried in the fine print of compliance laws. That’s why there are professionals for hire.

While I’m not a lawyer and can’t give official legal advice, I can guide you through current industry standards and best practices, so you know what’s expected and where to start. From there, you can decide whether you want to tackle the work yourself, hand it off to a professional, or get legal counsel for the fine details.

The important thing is that your website – your “digital building” – is safe, sturdy, and up to code, so it can support your business without any nasty surprises down the road.