Business details every website should display

A surprising number of Indian business websites never say who actually runs them. There is a brand name, a contact form and perhaps a mobile number, but no registered name, no address and no tax or registration details. For a first-time visitor that gap feels risky. Publishing the right business details on website pages costs nothing, answers silent doubts, and in some cases is a legal expectation. This guide covers which details to include and exactly where each belongs.

Why identity details matter more online

In a physical shop, the signboard, the counter and the staff tell customers the business is real. Online, visitors only have what you choose to publish. Buyers placing a large order, procurement teams adding a vendor and customers comparing service providers all look for evidence of a registered, reachable entity.

Clear details also reduce back-and-forth. A B2B buyer who can copy your GSTIN from the footer does not need to email you for it before raising a purchase order.

The core business details on website pages

These apply to almost every business, whatever its size.

Legal name and trade name

If you trade as “Sharma Interiors” but the registered entity is “SI Design Studio Private Limited”, show both. The brand name builds recognition; the legal name is what appears on invoices, bank statements and GST records, so matching them avoids confusion when a customer pays.

Physical address

Give a complete postal address with PIN code. If your registered office differs from where you work day to day, list the registered office in the footer or legal pages and the working address on the contact page, clearly labelled. Home-based businesses may prefer to show city and state only on public pages; just be consistent with what appears on invoices.

Phone and email

Use a number that is answered during stated hours and an email address on your own domain. These are covered in more depth elsewhere, but they belong alongside your identity details.

Registration and tax numbers

Which numbers apply depends on your structure and industry. Common ones include:

• GSTIN – useful for any GST-registered business, especially if you sell to other businesses who claim input tax credit.
• CIN – the Corporate Identity Number for companies registered under the Companies Act. Companies are generally required to show their name, registered office address and CIN on official documents and websites.
• LLPIN – the equivalent identification number for Limited Liability Partnerships.
• FSSAI licence or registration number – for food businesses, including those selling food online.
• Industry licences – for example RERA registration for real estate projects, or drug licence numbers for pharmacies, where the relevant rules ask for them to be displayed.
• Udyam registration – optional to show, but some MSMEs include it because B2B buyers ask for it.

Requirements change and vary by sector, so confirm with your chartered accountant or company secretary which numbers you must publish. The guidance here is general, not legal advice.

What not to publish

Some numbers should stay private. Do not put your PAN, bank account number, Aadhaar or personal identity documents on public pages. Share bank details only on invoices or through a verified channel, since scammers copy them to create fake payment requests.

Supporting details that add credibility

Beyond compulsory numbers, a few extra facts help visitors judge how established you are:

• Founding year – “Serving Pune since 2011” is concrete and easy to check against other records.
• Founders or key people – names and roles on the about page make the business feel accountable.
• Memberships and certifications – ISO certification, trade association membership or authorised dealer status, stated accurately with the certificate number if one exists.
• Branch locations – each with its own address, rather than a vague “offices across India”.

Only list what you can prove. An expired certification or a claimed partnership that the partner does not recognise damages trust more than leaving it out.

Where to place each detail

Visitors look in predictable places, so put information where they already expect it.

1. Site footer: legal name, registered address, GSTIN and CIN in small, readable text. It appears on every page without cluttering the main content.
2. Contact page: full address with a map, phone, email, working hours and directions if customers visit.
3. About page: founding year, founders, story, certifications and memberships.
4. Legal pages: terms, privacy and refund policies should name the legal entity, since that is who the customer is contracting with.
5. Checkout and invoices: repeat the legal name and GSTIN so the payment and bill match what the customer saw on the site.
6. Online stores: sellers subject to India’s consumer protection e-commerce rules may also need a grievance officer name and contact details; check the current requirements for your model.

Keep details identical everywhere, including your Google Business Profile and social pages. Different spellings of the name or an old address on one page make people wonder which is correct.

Update your footer and contact page this week

Pull out your GST certificate, incorporation certificate and any licences, then compare them line by line with what your website currently shows. Fix mismatches first, add missing numbers second, and remove anything private third. If you are building a new site, include these fields in the design from day one; our website development team adds a structured footer and contact page to every project, and you can see examples in our portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

Is it mandatory to show GST number on a website in India?

GST rules focus on displaying the GSTIN at the place of business and on invoices. Many businesses show it online as good practice. Check with your tax adviser whether any specific rule applies to your situation.

Should a sole proprietor put their home address on the website?

Not necessarily. You can show the city and state publicly and share the full address on invoices, or use a registered office or co-working address if you have one. Keep records consistent.

Where should the CIN appear on a company website?

The footer is the most common location because it appears on every page. Some companies also place it on the contact and about pages.

Does showing a founding year help if the business is new?

Yes, honesty helps. A recent founding year paired with real team details and early reviews is more convincing than hiding the date.