You need to know about...
...amongst other things; Data Protection, Privacy, PCI Compliance, your trading terms.
There are laws and regulations relating to running a web site of which you must be aware and comply with. Few (if any) web designers (including SamL!) are qualified to offer legal advice and staying on the right side of the law is your responsibility.
Fear not though, help is at hand!
Pinsent Masons (in no way connected with SamL web design) run the highly informative OUT-LAW.com site at which you can find information relating to all of the above issues and advice on remaining compliant.
Our advice is always to brief a solicitor specialising in e-commerce law and distance selling regulations to ensure that your particular business activity is properly covered and that you are operating legally, in both yours and your customers interests.
PCI Compliance
"PCI Compliance is not a legal requirement but a regulatory one. It affects anyone who stores, transmits or processes credit card payments, including on-line transactions. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines, even removal of credit transaction facilities by the credit card companies."
Julia McCarron, Advent IM
Advent-IM (in no way connected with SamL web design) have a very informative FAQ relating to PCI Compliance for businesses processing creit card details. We urge you to visit their downloads page at www.advent-im.co.uk/contact_downloads.php and register (very simple, only an email address required) to download their pdf on PCI Compliance.

