What information should your footer contain?

So what is the least amount of company or personal information that should be contained in the footers of your site?

I think that's completely up to you. I usually put company name, address, telephone, email. (fax/cell if requested) Some people put privacy statements, copyright info, terms, I think the options are endless!

Yeah I have noticed the options are endless, because I have been just going to my favorite sites and looking at their footers, and the footers seem to be as different as the sites. I guess I was wondering if their was a web standard regarding footers.

I just pop my copyright in there for personal stuff. But for other sites i've done it's literally been different for each one an address is always good for business sites though.

Pete.

I am with Pete, I just put my copyright and company name on the footer, but it depends on the business and what you or your client wants.

I am designing an e-commerce site for myself, for my clothing brand and just have no idea what shoppers want to see, or need to see in my footer, to know they are dealing with a legitimate clothing brand.

If you can only buy online then just put company name (this should be a link to the home page) and copyright info in there. If you can buy via telephone and mailorder then and address and phone number would be good.

If you want a bigger more informative footer then you could provide links to 'your account', 'about us', 'shopping cart', 'contact us' and that sort of thing.

Pete.

Thanks Pete, those are some very good ideas. You just reminded me of something I wanted to do marketing wise. I know you guys here this a lot, but this has got the be the best forum I have ever been a member of. Hopefully I can get my web masterting skills up to par, so I can help others out like myself in the future.

This is the best forum ever...I love it, don't know what I would do with out it...lol

I would always give an address somewhere for a site that sells retail. It's a major confidence builder.

Mason's right on... address and/or phone number MUST be easily accessible.
For a clothing line, my thought was a link at the bottom in regards to a "return policy". No one wants to get stuck with something that doesn't fit.
I'd also suggest a link to "measurements" maybe.

This is one of those things that you will be tweaking for a long time. As you go along in business you'll realize what is missing.

You provided some very good information in your post as, I hadn't even thought about a return policy.

Sounds like solid advice to me!