A new Irish company website needs more than a privacy-policy template and a cookie banner. Company-law disclosures, data protection, electronic privacy, consumer information, pricing, checkout language and sector-specific rules can all apply to the same page.
The correct content depends on whether the site only describes services, collects leads, accepts payments, sells to consumers, places tracking technologies or hosts a marketplace. This guide provides a launch review, not a substitute for legal advice on the actual business.
Company details required on the website
CRO guidance states that every limited liability company with a website must display, either on the homepage or on an easily accessible page identified from it, the company name and legal form, place of registration and registration number, and registered-office address. Certain company types have additional status wording.
Use the exact legal name rather than only a logo or trading brand. A practical location is a clearly labelled footer or legal page linked from every page. Keep the details current after a company-name or registered-office change.
- Exact registered name and legal form.
- Registered in Ireland and CRO number.
- Registered-office address.
- Trading-name relationship where relevant.
- Reliable email and other required contact channels.
A privacy notice must describe real processing
The Data Protection Commission describes a privacy notice as an accountability and transparency tool. It should be based on the company's actual processing activities and explain matters such as purposes, recipients and retention, rather than repeat generic text that does not match the website.
Map forms, analytics, advertising pixels, chat, newsletter tools, payment providers, hosting, CRM and international transfers. Identify the controller, legal basis and retention approach for each. Review the notice whenever the technology or purpose changes.
Cookie controls must work before consent
DPC guidance says consent is normally required to use cookies or similar technologies unless they are strictly necessary for a service explicitly requested by the user. Consent must be a clear affirmative choice, and users need clear and comprehensive information about the technology and its purpose.
A banner that says the site uses cookies while loading analytics and advertising immediately is not a meaningful control. Test a fresh browser session, rejection, category choices, withdrawal and mobile display. Keep a current inventory as tags change.
Online consumer sales need pre-contract information
CCPC guidance requires businesses selling to consumers to provide clear information before the contract, including identity, contact information, the product or service, total price including VAT where calculable, additional charges and relevant cancellation terms. Distance and digital sales can require further information.
The order button must make the obligation to pay clear, and optional paid extras should not be pre-ticked. Terms, delivery, refunds and cancellation steps should be visible before checkout rather than disclosed only in an email after payment.
Run a legal and technical launch check
Test every form destination, transactional email, price, tax calculation, consent event, cancellation link and mobile checkout. Confirm accessibility, security, marketing permissions and industry-specific licences with the relevant advisers. A regulated financial, health, recruitment or food business needs more than a general website checklist.
Keep dated evidence of the terms and privacy information accepted by each customer. Assign an owner for updates after company changes, new vendors, new countries or product launches. Website compliance is an operating process, not a one-time footer task.
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Official information and next steps
StartCompany.ie provides preparation and filing support for the service described above. Final acceptance, registration, tax treatment or court approval remains with the relevant authority. Check the current official guidance before acting, particularly where a deadline, tax position, dispute or unusual transaction is involved.