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Business website and documentation compliance

27th November 2023

The following information has been provided as a guide for our Trusted Trader members. This is what Trading Standards expect to see on members websites and business documentation, as a requirement of their Trusted Trader membership.

For any other businesses, this information is intended for guidance; only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law. You can learn more using the Chartered Trading Standards Institute resource: Business Companion or visiting the gov.uk website.

The following must be included on the website of a Scottish business

For Limited Companies and LLPs:

Full business name as it appears on Certificate of Incorporation
Limited* Company number, beginning with SC
Place of registration, ie ‘Registered in Scotland’
Registered address, clearly marked as ‘Registered Address’
Geographical address of the place of business, clearly marked as ‘Trading Address’ (if different from reg address)
Telephone number
Email address / Contact form
VAT number (if registered), HMRC says it doesn't need to be shown on the website, but if it is, it must be correct
All prices shown must be inclusive of VAT if the business is VAT registered
Membership details for any trade body or professional associations

* You need to decide if you are Ltd or Limited. They mean the same, but once adopted, you must stick with the same suffix in your business documentation and dealing with any official correspondance, signage, promotion or stationery.

Sole traders and partnerships:

Full business name
The name of the business owner(s) and/or all partners, if not stated in full business name
An address where the business can be contacted and served with legal documents
Telephone number
Email address / Contact form
VAT number (if registered), HMRC says it doesn't need to be shown on the website, but if it is, it must be correct
All prices shown must be inclusive of VAT if the business is VAT registered

Other website compliance that businesses must follow:

For help, use the links above or visit the following ICO FAQ - Getting started with Data Protection

Documentation - The following information must be included on invoices

For Limited Companies and LLPs:

Unique invoice identification number
Date of invoice
Date payment is due (giving at least seven days to pay)
Full business name as it appears on Certificate of Incorporation
Limited Company number, beginning with SC
Place of registration, ie ‘Registered in Scotland’
Geographical address of the place of business
Telephone number
Email address
VAT number (if registered for VAT)
Name, address and contact details of customer
Description of what you’re charging for
A total amount being charged
VAT amount (if applicable)
Total amount owed (including VAT if applicable)
What payment methods will be accepted, include bank details

Sole traders and partnerships:

Unique invoice identification number
Date of invoice
Date payment is due (giving at least seven days to pay)
Full business name
Business owner’s name owner(s) and/or all partners if it does not appear in full business name
Geographical address of the place of business
Telephone number
Email address
VAT number (if registered for VAT)
Name, address and contact details of customer
Description of what you’re charging for
A total amount being charged
VAT amount (if applicable)
Total amount owed (including VAT if applicable)
What payment methods will be accepted, include bank details

For more information about invoices, please refer to the gov.uk website.

The following information must be included on quotation paperwork

For Limited Companies and LLPs:

Unique identification number
Date of quote
How long the quote is valid for
Full business name as it appears on Certificate of Incorporation
Limited Company number beginning with SC
Place of registration ie ‘Registered in Scotland’
Geographical address of the place of business
Telephone number
Email address
VAT number (if registered for VAT)
Name, address and contact details of customer
Description of what work is being undertaken
A total amount this will cost
VAT amount (if applicable)
Total amount owed (including VAT if applicable)
What payment methods will be accepted, and how long the customer will have to pay any invoices submitted for the work done

Sole traders and partnerships:

Unique identification number
Date of quote
How long quote is valid for
Full business name
Business owner’s name(s) and/or all partners if it does not appear in full business name
Geographical address of the place of business
Telephone number
Email address
VAT number (if registered for VAT)
Name, address and contact details of customer
Description of what work is being undertaken
A total amount this will cost
VAT amount (if applicable)
Total amount owed (including VAT if applicable)
What payment methods will be accepted, and how long the customer will have to pay any invoices submitted for the work done

Business website and documentation compliance

The following must be included on the website of a Scottish business

For Limited Companies and LLPs:

Sole traders and partnerships:

Other website compliance that businesses must follow:

Documentation - The following information must be included on invoices

For Limited Companies and LLPs:

Sole traders and partnerships:

The following information must be included on quotation paperwork

For Limited Companies and LLPs:

Sole traders and partnerships:

Other document requirements / expectations of Trusted Trader members