Internet retailers are risking committing a criminal offence
which could leave a company and its officers facing fines, lawyers
have warned.
IT specialists at national law firm
Shoosmiths have said
that some e-tailers forget or simply ignore the need to include
full details about themselves on their website.
Under the Company Trading Disclosures Regulations (2008) and the
Electronic Commerce Regulations (2002), any business operating a
website must make full details about themselves available to
customers, including the identity of the company, what services
they provide, and how they can be contacted, as well as additional
information such as details of their service provider.
Shoosmiths partner Michelle Sherwood said, "If the information
provided on your website is clear and unambiguous, and gives
customers information equivalent to what they would obtain from
physically entering a store, it should satisfy UK and European
regulators."
To avoid falling foul of the regulations, Sherwood suggests
taking steps such as conducting a complete website review, as well
as providing an alternative method of communication for customers,
such as a phone line, which are displayed on the website.
Several studies have shown that e-tailers are failing to meet
the
needs of online customers, and that they generally only have
one chance to make a good impression if they want their customers
to return.