How to meet FCA expectations while building trust and delivering a first-class client experience
For financial advice firms, compliance isn’t just a box to tick; it’s fundamental to how you build trust. And nowhere is that more visible than your website.
In 2025, clients expect professionalism, transparency and security when they visit your site. But so does the Financial Conduct Authority. From clear disclaimers to GDPR-friendly forms, your website needs to meet strict standards while still engaging prospective clients.
This article explains what a compliant IFA website should look like, the key rules to follow, and how to deliver a seamless, client-friendly experience without compromising your obligations.
If you’re planning a new site or upgrade, take a look at our complete guide to financial adviser website design for a step-by-step breakdown.
Clear, visible disclaimers
Every regulated financial website must include the appropriate risk warnings and regulatory disclosures. These are not optional, and burying them in a footer is no longer enough.
Your site should clearly show:
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Your firm’s FCA registration number and status
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Standard investment and risk warnings on relevant pages
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Jurisdiction limitations if you only serve clients in specific areas
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Disclaimers regarding advice versus information
What to do:
Include a compliance footer across every page with your FCA details. On service pages (e.g. investments, pensions), display risk warnings near the top or alongside key content. Clear and visible disclaimers ensure you dont overwhelm the user.
GDPR and data collection rules
Collecting data via enquiry forms, downloads, or newsletter sign-ups requires strict adherence to GDPR rules. Many adviser websites fail to do this properly.
To remain compliant, your site must:
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Explain why you are collecting and how your company will use it
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Provide a clear privacy notice that’s easy to access
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Allow users to opt in, not assume consent
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Use secure forms with SSL encryption
What to do:
Review your forms to ensure consent boxes are not pre-ticked. Provide a summary of data use on the form itself, linking to your privacy policy. Make sure all form submissions are securely processed and stored.
Cookie notices and tracking transparency
If your site uses cookies or tracking tools, such as Google Analytics, you must inform users and provide them with the option to control their use.
In 2025, that means more than just a banner. You must:
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Provide a clear cookie notice on the first visit
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Let users choose which cookies to allow (essential vs optional)
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Keep a log of consent for auditing purposes
What to do:
Use a GDPR-compliant cookie management platform that offers customisable settings. Avoid vague banners that say, “By using this site, you accept cookies.” Provide users with meaningful choices and ensure your cookie policy is regularly updated to reflect current practices.
Accessibility and inclusive design
Compliance doesn’t stop at regulatory rules; it also includes accessibility. The Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to ensure websites are accessible to people with disabilities.
Accessibility and inclusive design mean your website should:
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Use readable font sizes and good colour contrast
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Offer alt text for all images
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Work with screen readers and keyboard navigation
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Avoid flashing or moving elements that could trigger seizures
What to do:
At Goldmine Media, we offer a complimentary website audit to help you make an informed decision. Ensure your web designer adheres to WCAG 2.1 standards. Accessibility is not just about compliance, it’s about respect and inclusion.
Accuracy, consistency and regular updates
An often-overlooked compliance risk is outdated content. If your site includes references to old tax years, discontinued services, or incorrect team bios, you could be misleading visitors, even unintentionally. We cover the most frequent issues in our guide to IFA website mistakes to avoid.
FCA principles require that communications are “clear, fair and not misleading.” That includes websites.
What to do:
Set up a quarterly review process for your content. Set up a quarterly review process for your content. Verify that all service information, fees, regulatory language, and adviser profiles are current and accurate. Update blog posts and articles when regulations change. In one recent project, we helped a firm audit and refresh over 50 pages of content to bring everything in line, increasing both trust and traffic.
How compliance and conversion go hand in hand
Some advisers worry that being compliant will make their website dry or impersonal. However, the truth is that compliance and a good user experience support the same goal: building trust.
A compliant website:
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Reassures prospects you’re professional and transparent
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Reduces regulatory risk for your firm
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Supports SEO by creating high-quality, trustworthy content
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Protects user data and strengthens your brand reputation
At Goldmine Media, we build all our websites with compliance embedded into the design from day one. For example, our work with Reeves Independent resulted in a 400% increase in website conversions within the first year, thanks to a seamless combination of engaging content, innovative layout, and FCA-compliant structure.
For more on building a site that not only meets regulations but drives enquiries, read our guide to high-converting financial adviser websites.
If you’d like more information on how we can assist with your marketing, please contact Goldmine Media. Moreover, you can reach us by calling 0845 686 0055 or emailing findoutmore@goldminemedia.co.uk.
