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GTC for online stores: legally compliant and up-to-date

As an online store operator, legally compliant terms and conditions are essential to provide customers with a safe experience when browsing and buying on your website. Legally compliant terms and conditions not only ensure that both parties can enforce their rights in the event of a dispute, but also guarantee shoppers that they are doing business with a reputable merchant that abides by the rules that apply in their country. The GTC for Online Shop should outline what data is collected, how it is used, what restrictions or warranties apply to the products or services purchased, what shipping, return and refund policies apply, what the payment terms are and what intellectual property or privacy information is available.

What are GTC for online store?

General Terms and ConditionsGTC) are a set of rules that form the basis for a large number of contracts. This is therefore very typical for the sale of goods or services on the Internet.

Is there an obligation for GTC for online stores?

GTC are not required by law in an online store. Nevertheless, there are legal information and notification obligations for online retailers in distance selling. The GTC can be used for this purpose. This is why legally compliant GTC are necessary for online stores, especially in the B2C sector with consumers.

What is the purpose of the online store GTC?

In addition to the essential components of the contract, the customer also wants to know the general conditions of the transaction that you as the store operator are concluding with them. This is the task of the General Terms and Conditions Online Shop. Normally, individually negotiated contracts always take precedence over the standard GTC for online stores. However, contracts are not normally negotiated in the online store. For example, the GTC regulate shipping and return costs, delivery and payment terms, liability and warranty.

B2C or B2B - consumers or entrepreneurs as customers at Shop GTC?

There is a relevant difference between running an online store that is aimed at consumers (B2C) and one that is aimed exclusively at other entrepreneurs (B2B). If you work in the B2C sector, you must fulfill information obligations, such as cancellation policy, payment details and information on warranty law. If you fail to do so, you can be warned about your Shop GTC . However, these strict rules do not apply in the B2B sector, as the consumer protection rules do not apply here. It is best to seek professional help to distinguish between the two areas.

Regulations on General Terms and Conditions Online Shop

The GTC regulate everything that concerns the connection between the online store operator and the customer. These points should be regulated by the Online Shop GTC :

• Payment and shipping conditions
• Formation of the contract
• Warranty regulations
• Which law applies

Integrating terms and conditions in the online store

Online store GTC do not automatically become part of a contract, but must be integrated with special design instructions. The GTC must be linked in the footer of your online store so that they can be accessed from every page. Before the final order is placed, they must be explicitly referred to and linked again. You do not need a checkbox. The customer must only have been able to take note of the GTC in a reasonable manner when the contract was concluded. The customer gives their consent by clicking on the purchase button.nullThe entire text must be easy to read, not too small a font, legible font color and with the use of paragraphs and subheadings. The GTC should also be a text file so that visually impaired people can read the text aloud. The link can lead to a PDF document or a separate HTML page. On the other hand, a scrollbox is also possible. However, this must be at least six lines high. The GTC must be understandable not only visually, but also in terms of content.nullAt Recht 24/7 , we help you to integrate your GTC for online stores in a legally compliant manner.

Different stores - buy different GTC for online stores?

Numerous small businesses are active on various online sales platforms. Each internet marketplace has its own specific guidelines and terms of use. For example, platforms such as eBay and others have their own GTC, which you must refer to in your own terms and conditions for online stores. Your own website, on the other hand, is only subject to legal requirements and your own individual requirements. Therefore, the GTC for your activities on each platform must be adapted individually to meet the respective specifics and rules.

Copy standard GTC for online store?

It is better not to use GTC online store templates from the Internet. Firstly, you don't know how up-to-date the templates are, and secondly, copying other people's GTCs is a copyright infringement. This can result in a warning letter and the online retailer is solely liable.

Language and applicable law for Online Shop GTC

The GTC online store must be written in a language that the user can understand, such as their native language. However, every country has a different view on which language should be used. Nevertheless, German courts are increasingly of the opinion that the legal texts on the website must be written in German if the online store is also aimed at German buyers.nullIf you are also targeting your online store at foreign customers, your GTC may not only need to be translated, but also adapted to the applicable law of the target country. However, this is the exception. As a rule, a translation of the German GTC is also sufficient for international trade.

GTC for small online stores - What do I need to consider?

GTC for online stores Small businesses must make it clear that small businesses are exempt from VAT in accordance with Section 19 UStG. In addition, you should indicate in your price details, whether on your website or in your invoices, that the amount is shown without VAT. Furthermore, all online retailers are obliged to provide transparent information on the price including VAT and the amount of shipping costs.

Have general terms and conditions for online store created with Recht 24/7

As an online retailer and website operator, you are often at risk of potential warning traps. A lawyer can send you a warning letter on behalf of a client and you bear the costs. Typical warnings are issued for incorrect withdrawal instructions, data protection notices or errors in the legal notice. To avoid the costs of a warning letter, you should have all legal texts and the GTC for online stores drawn up by a specialist.

Model 1: Create GTC for online store - Conventional online store with "Secure Shop"

If you run a conventional online store such as selling goods or services on the Internet, you are best off with our "Secure Shop" product for EUR 19.90 per month. Here you get

• current and legally compliant GTC,
• Data protection declarations,
• Data protection regulations for social media presences,
• Audit Imprint,
• Revocation instructions,
• Secure Shop seal for your corporate image
• Individual annual audit of your website with audit report by a lawyer

provided. Legal advice and representation in the event of warnings are also included. The Secure Shop is a subscription model with an unlimited term. The right to use all texts ends when the subscription ends.nullYou can also have us create just the GTC for your online store. This is a one-off service at a fixed price of EUR 499.00. You can then use the GTC for an unlimited period of time. However, they will no longer be updated if the law changes and you run the risk of being warned.

Model 2: Legally compliant GTC for online store - Special online store with individual GTC + "Secure Shop"

If you have a more unconventional model for your online store, you can buy the customized GTC for online store.nullA more unconventional model for an online store would be, for example, a car rental company or the operation of an NFT platform. Standard GTC for online stores are not sufficient here; you need a customized GTC.nullEach individual GTC receives:

• Updates
• Adaptation to case law
• Adaptation to the Internet presence

With the individual GTC alone, however, you are not yet safe from warnings, as the GTC are then no longer updated when the law changes. With our "Secure Shop" product, you can ensure that your GTC is regularly checked and adapted to changes in legislation and case law for an additional EUR 19.90 per month. If you would like to have the GTC created individually and also book the Secure Shop, the first month of the subscription is free of charge for you.