The majority of dealers make use of the internet as part of their daily business. However, if you intend to go beyond simply using the internet as an advertising medium and wish to sell goods over the internet, then you will have to comply with the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 and possibly the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002.
 
These regulations apply when the customer does not come into your shop before placing an order which includes businesses that allow customers to buy goods from their website or by exchange of emails with no face-to-face contact.
 
To escape possible prosecution the seller must ensure that the customer is given some basic information including contact details, a description of what it is they are buying and terms and conditions of the sale. It is not enough to have this information available on the website the customer must be informed by either fax, letter or email. The seller is also required to provide prompt acknowledgement of receipt of a customers order.