What must appear on your website, emails, invoices and premises

These rules apply across the UK.

Limited companies and LLPs

Your registered name goes on your website, business letters, order forms, invoices, receipts and cheques. Showing a trading name does not replace it.

Documents in electronic form count, so an email that works as a business letter needs the same details as a paper letter. A standard footer on your emails and website can carry the registered name, number, registered office and country of registration in one place.

You do not have to show the registered email address you gave Companies House. A limited liability partnership follows the same rules, with its members in place of directors.

Shops, offices and shared buildings

If you share a building with other companies, each company must show its own name.

Sole traders and partnerships

These rules apply only if you trade under a business name. If you trade as Jane Smith or J Smith, they do not apply.

Websites that take orders

If you sell online, make your trader details easy to find on your website. The rule covers online shops and other commercial websites.

Whenever you advertise a product to consumers, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 also requires your trader details. Before an online order binds a consumer, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 add a telephone number if you have one.

If your website or paperwork falls short

A court can dismiss your claim to enforce a contract if you broke these rules when you made it and the other side shows the breach stopped it pursuing a claim or caused it financial loss. The court can let your claim continue when it is just and equitable to do so. A customer can also claim damages if you leave out the online seller details.

Where to get help

Ask your local Trading Standards service about the online seller rules. Ask Companies House about the name and registered office details held on the register.