Home address for all to see

scoobysnaks

WHA wrote:

Regardless of anyone do a search on "whois". If you have a business website, you are legally required to show your name and address on your business website.

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf3.shtml

Thanks for the info. Please where does it comment that the owners name and address of the website is required to be disclosed?

scoobysnaks

WHA

scoobysnaks wrote:

Thanks for the info. Please where does it comment that the owners name and address of the website is required to be disclosed?

scoobysnaks

"2.What details must be disclosed about a business?

You will need to disclose (as appropriate):
the corporate name; or
the name of each partner; or
the individual person's name; and
in relation to each person named, an address at which documents can be served.

3. Where must this information be shown?

You will need to show the information clearly in all:
the places where you carry on your business and where you deal with customers or suppliers;
business letters;
written orders for the supply of goods or services;
invoices and receipts;
written demands for the payment of business debts. "

You can, of course, display a different address, such as an office, shop, PO Box number, accountant or solicitor, but as people have a right to served official legal documents there, you need to ensure that anything will be forwarded promptly to you.

A website is a place where you carry on your business and where you deal with customers or suppliers.

See also - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?r.l3=1075384925&r.l2=1073866263&r.t=RESOURCES&r.i=1075385095&r.l1=1073861197&r.s=sc&type=RESOURCES&itemId=1075385126

jezza1O1

Alison_B wrote:

Thanks for the replies. I registered the domain name last night and it allowed me to opt out of showing my address.

Personally I avoid doing business with any site that isnt transparent regarding who runs it and from where. A site with no details surely screams internet 'scammer'! Who would want to take the risk, not me! And surely your customers have a right to contact you - no? Anyways, good luck with the venture.

scoobysnaks

Thanks WHA. The reason I asked was I was thinking of placing an order with valueflora whom I have seen mentioned through this website but I am a bit wary now as I cannot see there address mentioned on there website anywhere. Can anyone help me find it please? Thanks again for all the helpful information here.

scoobysnaks

Fran

scoobysnaks wrote:

Thanks WHA. The reason I asked was I was thinking of placing an order with valueflora

Is this the right company? (I got it by doing a google search, I haven't seen the thread you mention but maybe you only wanted the website?)

Alison_B

jezza1O1 wrote:

Personally I avoid doing business with any site that isnt transparent regarding who runs it and from where. A site with no details surely screams internet 'scammer'! Who would want to take the risk, not me! And surely your customers have a right to contact you - no? Anyways, good luck with the venture.

I probably would display my address for potential customers, just didn't like the thought of people who were thinking up business names to be able to see where I lived.

MDUK

WHA wrote:

Regardless of anyone do a search on "whois". If you have a business website, you are legally required to show your name and address on your business website.

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf3.shtml

I can't see anything on that link you sent to suggest that is the case, please could you show me where it says that.

thank you

WHA

MDUK wrote:

I can't see anything on that link you sent to suggest that is the case, please could you show me where it says that.

thank you

See post 13

MDUK

WHA wrote:

"2.What details must be disclosed about a business?

You will need to disclose (as appropriate):
the corporate name; or
the name of each partner; or
the individual person's name; and
in relation to each person named, an address at which documents can be served.

3. Where must this information be shown?

You will need to show the information clearly in all:
the places where you carry on your business and where you deal with customers or suppliers;
business letters;
written orders for the supply of goods or services;
invoices and receipts;
written demands for the payment of business debts. "

You can, of course, display a different address, such as an office, shop, PO Box number, accountant or solicitor, but as people have a right to served official legal documents there, you need to ensure that anything will be forwarded promptly to you.

A website is a place where you carry on your business and where you deal with customers or suppliers.

See also - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?r.l3=1075384925&r.l2=1073866263&r.t=RESOURCES&r.i=1075385095&r.l1=1073861197&r.s=sc&type=RESOURCES&itemId=1075385126

I do not agree that this relates to websites, the first information does not refer to websites it refers to premises. In legal terms it could be argued a website is not a PLACE you do business. For many companies it is little more than brochure ware. The business link info regarding the european directive refers to transactional sites (selling things online) and it says only "you must give recipients of your service :-

your business' name,
geographic address and
other details including your email address".

So if you have a transactional site and send a confirmation email with that information then you conform. I would argue that a PO Box is a geographical address.

If you do not have a transactional site you could according to that information choose to have no address (i would suggest that this would not promote confidence in your business from potential clients)

I use a Royal Mail PO Box on all my sites (not transactional) and have done for over 5 years.

If you think that I am wrong then look at some large companies such as Bradford & Bingley whose address on their website reads

Bradford & Bingley plc. Registered Office: PO BOX 88, Croft Road, Crossflatts, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 2UA. Registered in England No. 3938288. VAT registration number 287371034.

WHA

MDUK wrote:

I do not agree that this relates to websites, the first information does not refer to websites it refers to premises. In legal terms it could be argued a website is not a PLACE you do business. For many companies it is little more than brochure ware. The business link info regarding the european directive refers to transactional sites (selling things online) and it says only "you must give recipients of your service :-

your business' name,
geographic address and
other details including your email address".

So if you have a transactional site and send a confirmation email with that information then you conform. I would argue that a PO Box is a geographical address.

If you do not have a transactional site you could according to that information choose to have no address (i would suggest that this would not promote confidence in your business from potential clients)

I use a Royal Mail PO Box on all my sites (not transactional) and have done for over 5 years.

If you think that I am wrong then look at some large companies such as Bradford & Bingley whose address on their website reads

Bradford & Bingley plc. Registered Office: PO BOX 88, Croft Road, Crossflatts, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 2UA. Registered in England No. 3938288. VAT registration number 287371034.

And your point is? I've never said that a PO box isn't a valid address!