In this article, you’ll learn how to create your privacy policy, why you need it, what the penalties are for non-compliance with privacy laws, and more.
Making Your Wix Website Privacy Policy
When it comes to making your Privacy Policy, there are several options, some easier than others.
Privacy Policy Generators
Creating a privacy policy doesn’t have to be a headache—seriously. If you’d rather not spend hours writing one or trying to decode legal jargon, tools like CookieScript’s Privacy Policy Generator are a smart choice.
Instead of guessing what to include, you answer a few straightforward questions about your business, like what personal information you collect and how you use it.
Based on that, CookieScript generates a complete, ready-to-use Privacy Policy you can drop right into your Wix site.
They're built to help you comply with laws like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the US's California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)—and other laws, depending on where your users are from.
privacy laws change all the time. But you won’t be left in the dark — CookieScript updates its generator automatically. Whenever something shifts legally, you’ll get an email telling you it’s time to check in.
Then, it’s just a quick trip to your CookieScript dashboard, where you can make a few edits if needed, and you’re covered—no rewriting from scratch, no second-guessing.
Pre-made Templates
If for some reason you're not keen on using a privacy policy generator, some platforms offer free pre-made templates you can use.
It takes a little more manual work, but it’s still a pretty fast way to establish a proper policy, especially if you handle only a tiny amount of user data.
The process is pretty straightforward.
You go through the template and fill in the parts about your business, like what you collect, how you use the data, that sort of thing.
Some sections might already say what you need, while others could use a bit of tweaking. It’s flexible, so change as much or as little as you like.
The templates are usually created by legal professionals but it's still wise to do a little research and find out if the platform you chose is reputable.
They already include the language designed to help you cover the bases for regulations mentioned before, which saves you the hassle of trying to figure it out from scratch.
Write the Privacy Policy Yourself
You can write your Privacy Policy for your Wix site, but it's not advised for most people.
Unless you’ve got a background in law, a good grasp of how data privacy works or your site doesn’t collect any personal data, you might be setting yourself up for some headaches.
Writing one from scratch isn’t just about typing out a few legal-sounding paragraphs. You’ll need to cover everything from cookie usage to third-party data sharing — and ensure it aligns with laws like the GDPR, CCPA, etc.
The tricky part? Even if you accidentally miss something (really easy to do), you’re still legally on the hook for it. Even small oversights can turn into huge issues.
So yes, it’s technically possible. But unless you’ve got legal support or know this stuff inside and out, it’s probably not worth the risk. For most site owners, using a trustworthy tool or at least a well-built template is just a more innovative, safer way to go.
Why Do You Need a Privacy Policy?
Most people building a website on Wix don't think about privacy policies immediately. You're probably more focused on the design, the content, and generally setting things up.
But here's the thing… If your site collects any personal info — even something as simple as an email address on a contact form — you're expected to be upfront about what happens with that data.
A Privacy Policy isn't just some formality; it's an essential way to let people know how their information is used.
You might think, "But I'm not running a huge business—does this really apply to me?" The short answer is YES.
Generally, privacy laws don't care where you are — what matters is where your users are.
Even if you're just a freelancer in Texas or a blogger in New Zealand, if someone from the EU fills out your form, their regional regulations apply to you.
Wix gives you the tools to build a great site, but it's still your job to make sure your visitors know what's happening with their data. And if you don't tell them? That could get messy fast.
Here's a summary of when you definitely need a privacy policy:
- A privacy policy is a must if you’re collecting names, emails, or anything personal.
- Using tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or anything that tracks user behavior.
- If you’re accepting payments or asking for shipping details.
- Expecting traffic from any region with strict privacy laws.
- Running email campaigns, retargeted ads, or using personal data for marketing in general.
- Embedding stuff from third parties like YouTube videos, maps, or social feeds.
- Using cookies for analytics or remembering user preferences.
- Some services like Stripe, PayPal, or Mailchimp flat-out require you to link to a privacy policy before they’ll work with your site.
Penalties For Non-Compliance
Skipping the privacy policy? That's a mistake that can seriously cost you.
Non-compliance with privacy laws often results in complaints, penalties, or worse—the law coming after your business.
Let's briefly discuss GDPR and the heavy weight of data protection laws. It's strict and doesn't care how big or small your website is.
If someone from the EU ends up on your site and you collect their data without proper disclosure, you're already in violation.
And the penalties? They're no slap on the wrist.
For serious offenses, fines can reach €20 million or 4% of global revenue—whichever hurts more.
Less serious stuff? Not much better. €10 million, or 2% of your global revenue. Again, whichever hurts more.
For example, British Airways was fined £20 million for failing to disclose a data breach. And they were far from the only ones.
While you're probably not running an airline, the point stands — being small doesn't make you invisible.
Other laws aren't exactly forgiving, either. You've got:
CCPA — up to $7,500 per violation if they decide you should've known better.
VCDPA — also $7,500 per issue, enforced by the state attorney general.
PIPEDA — penalties can go up to CAD 100,000 per violation, and they don't wait around to investigate.
So yeah, not having a privacy policy isn't a tiny legal misstep. It can spiral fast.
A single complaint, an automated scan, or even a privacy-conscious visitor can trigger consequences that can literally end your business.
Writing a clear, honest privacy policy might not be the most thrilling part of building your site, but it's one of the smartest. Spend an hour on it now—it might save your business later.
Where Should You Put Your Privacy Policy
If you're wondering where your privacy policy should go on your website, it should be somewhere easy to find.
Most websites tuck it into the footer, which works well. Since the footer shows up on every page, visitors can find the link anywhere on your site.
But here's the thing — don't stop there.
Anywhere you ask people for personal information is another place where you should provide your privacy policy. Think signup forms, checkout pages, contact forms—basically any spot where a user is typing something about themselves.
The idea is to be clear and upfront about handling data before someone hits "Submit." This is not only good practice but also keeps you on the right side of privacy laws.
In Conclusion
Before you go, here’s a quick recap of the most important things to remember when it comes to privacy policies on your Wix site.
- Just because Wix doesn’t require a privacy policy doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
- If you gather data like emails, names, or user behavior, you’re most likely on the hook for privacy compliance whether you realize it or not.
- You don’t need to be a lawyer to get it done. CookieScript’s Privacy Policy Generator walks you through it with simple questions and builds a policy that fits your site.
- Writing one yourself is possible, but unless you really know your way around data laws, it’s easy to miss something important (and legally risky).
- Even small websites have been hit with fines. Regulators don’t care how big your brand is — if you’re not following the rules, you could be in trouble.
- Fines for privacy law violations can reach up to €20 million or 4% of your global revenue.
- Make sure the privacy policy is easy to find on your website.
- privacy laws are always evolving. Revisit your policy once in a while to keep it accurate and up to date.
In 2024, CookieScript Consent Management Platform (CMP) was nominated as the best CMP on G2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my website doesn’t have a privacy policy?
Well, you might be okay for a little while — but legally? It’s risky. If you’re collecting any kind of personal info, you could face fines or complaints under laws like GDPR or CCPA. Plus, visitors tend to trust websites that are upfront about how they handle data. If they don’t see a privacy policy, they might just bounce.
Can I write my own privacy policy?
You can, yeah — there’s no rule that says it has to be written by a lawyer. That said, privacy laws can be complex, and it’s easy to overlook something important if you’re not familiar with the legal side. If you do go the DIY route, make sure you’re checking against actual legal requirements (and maybe run it by someone who knows what they’re doing).
Do I need to update my privacy policy?
Definitely. Your policy should reflect any time you start collecting new data, add a third-party tool, or change how you handle user information. Some laws—like the CCPA—even require annual updates. It’s one of those “set a calendar reminder” things.
Is a Cookie Policy the same as a privacy policy?
Not quite. A cookie policy deals specifically with cookies: how they’re used, how long they stay on a user’s device, and what kind of info they track. A privacy policy covers all personal data — not just cookies — including things like email signups, account info, and third-party integrations.
How do I add a CookieScript privacy policy to my Wix site?
Super simple. First, use CookieScript to generate your policy — the tool will walk you through some basic questions. Then, grab the embed code it gives you and paste it into a Wix "Embed" widget wherever you want the policy to show up.
How can I see which cookies my Wix site is using?
CookieScript has a Cookie Scanner that can do the heavy lifting for you. Just run it on your site, and it’ll give you a full list of cookies, what they do, and where they come from. It’s a super helpful way to stay compliant without having to guess what’s happening behind the scenes.
