What Company Details Should You Put on a Shopify Store?
If you run a Shopify store in the UK, displaying the correct company details is important for legal compliance, payment verification and customer trust. Customers should be able to identify who operates the store, contact the business and understand the terms that apply when they buy something.
The exact information you need depends on whether you operate as a UK limited company, sole trader or overseas business selling to UK customers. A limited company has specific disclosure obligations that do not apply in exactly the same way to a sole trader. You may also need a privacy notice, returns policy, delivery information and clear pricing before customers place an order.
For a UK limited company, the core company details to display on your Shopify store are its registered name, company registration number, registered office address, and the jurisdiction in which it is registered. Your store should also provide accurate contact information, including a customer-facing email address and a physical business address, as required by Shopify's policies. VAT details should be included where applicable. This guide explains what to display, where to put it and how to avoid common mistakes, including those that can affect overseas founders operating UK companies.
1. Which Company Details Must a UK Shopify Store Display?
If your Shopify store is operated by a UK limited company, UK company law requires certain information to appear on the company's website. GOV.UK confirms that company websites must display the company's name, registered number, registered office address and the part of the UK in which the company is registered. The company must also make clear that it is limited, usually by using its full registered name ending in “Limited” or “Ltd”. These details help customers and business partners identify the legal entity responsible for the store.
Company information checklist
| Company detail | What to display |
|---|---|
| Registered company name | The full legal name recorded at Companies House |
| Company registration number (CRN) | The company's official registration number |
| Registered office address | The official registered office address |
| Place of registration | England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, as applicable |
| Limited company status | Usually indicated by “Limited” or “Ltd” in the legal name |
| Customer contact email | An email address customers can use for enquiries and complaints |
| Customer contact phone number | A working number customers can use to contact the business |
| Physical business address | An accurate business address, presented in line with Shopify's requirements |
| VAT number | If the business is VAT-registered and the number is relevant to the transaction |
Shopify's consumer protection guidance also requires merchants to provide current and accurate public-facing contact information, including the business name, an email address, a phone number and a physical business address. This information must be easy for customers to find. Do not assume that entering your details in Shopify's admin settings automatically satisfies every disclosure requirement. Customers should be able to find the relevant information on the live storefront.
2. Your Registered Company Name and Trading Name
Your registered company name is the legal identity of your limited company. Your trading name is the name you use to market your products and communicate with customers. The two names can be different. For example, imagine a UK limited company called Northstar Retail Limited that sells skincare products under the brand name GlowNest.
The Shopify storefront might display “GlowNest” prominently in its logo, product pages and advertising. That is generally compatible with using a separate trading brand, provided the legal entity behind the store is clearly disclosed. A suitable disclosure could read:
GlowNest is a trading name of Northstar Retail Limited, registered in England and Wales under company number 12345678.
The example is illustrative; replace the details with the company's genuine information.
Why this matters
If your store displays only a brand name, customers may struggle to identify the business they are buying from. The legal disclosure establishes which company is responsible for the transaction.
Use the full registered company name in your legal pages, terms and conditions, invoices and relevant business communications. Avoid abbreviating the name in a way that makes it inconsistent with Companies House records. If you change your company's registered name, update the relevant website disclosures and other business records.
3. Company Registration Number and Registered Office Address
Two details frequently omitted from Shopify stores are the company registration number and registered office address.
Company registration number
Your company registration number, often called the CRN, is the unique identifier assigned when your company is incorporated. It is not the same as your VAT registration number or Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). You can find your CRN through your company's record on the Companies House register. Include it in your website's legal or company information section. Check the number carefully before publishing it.
Registered office address
The registered office is the official address recorded at Companies House for the company. It is used for formal company communications and must meet Companies House requirements. It does not necessarily have to be the same as the location from which you fulfil orders or manage your Shopify store.
For example, a company might have a registered office in Manchester, a fulfilment warehouse in Birmingham and customers across the UK. These addresses serve different purposes and should not be presented as though they are interchangeable. If you use a registered office service, ensure that the address is valid for that purpose and that you have permission to use it. Companies House explains the requirements in its guidance on company addresses.
Shopify separately requires merchants to provide a physical business address. Do not assume that every registered office or mail-forwarding arrangement will automatically satisfy Shopify's requirements. Make sure the address information you provide is accurate and appropriate for your business.
4. Customer Contact Details: Email, Phone Number and Address
Your Shopify store should make it easy for customers to contact the business before and after a purchase. At a minimum, make sure the store provides the current contact information required by Shopify and applicable law.
Customer-facing email address
Use an email address that you monitor regularly, such as:
A dedicated business email can make your store look more professional and helps separate customer enquiries from personal correspondence. You do not necessarily need a separate email address for every function. What matters is that customers can contact you and receive a response.
Phone number
Provide a working phone number that customers can use for questions, complaints or claims. If you operate internationally, make sure the number is presented in a format customers can dial. Do not publish a number that is permanently unanswered or unrelated to your business.
Physical business address
Shopify's published guidance requires a physical business address as part of the store's public-facing contact information. Use accurate information and consider carefully how your registered office, operating address and returns address relate to one another.
If your returns are handled by a fulfilment centre, clearly explain where customers should send eligible returns. Do not automatically direct returns to the registered office if that location is not equipped to receive them.
Where should contact details appear?
Consider providing contact information in several useful locations:
- A dedicated Contact Us page.
- The footer of your website.
- Your terms and conditions.
- Order confirmation and relevant customer service emails.
The footer is particularly useful because it gives customers access to important information from almost any page.
5. Do You Need to Display a VAT Number?
Not every Shopify store needs a VAT number. If your business is VAT-registered, you should provide the correct VAT information where required for your transactions and tax documentation. Your VAT number may also be useful in the company's legal information section. If you are not VAT-registered, do not invent a number or imply that you are registered.
For UK businesses, the standard VAT registration threshold is currently £90,000 in taxable turnover over a rolling 12-month period, although exceptions and special rules can apply. Businesses established outside the UK may have different registration obligations, including circumstances in which the usual threshold does not apply.
Your VAT obligations depend on factors such as where the business is established, what it sells, where goods are located and where customers are based. For example, a UK limited company selling goods from a UK warehouse may have different VAT obligations from an overseas seller shipping goods directly to UK consumers. Displaying a VAT number does not, by itself, make your store VAT-compliant. You must also charge VAT correctly where applicable, maintain appropriate records and submit required returns.
6. What Policies Should a Shopify Store Include?
Company disclosures identify the business. Store policies explain how the business handles orders, returns, personal information and other customer matters. A professional UK Shopify store should review the following pages before launching.
Terms and conditions
Your terms and conditions should explain the rules governing purchases from your store. Depending on the business, they may cover:
- The identity of the seller.
- How orders are placed and accepted.
- Prices, taxes and payment methods.
- Delivery arrangements.
- Returns, cancellations and refunds.
- Product availability and limitations.
- Customer service and complaint procedures.
Use the correct legal company name and contact information in the terms. Avoid copying another store's terms without checking whether they fit your products, fulfilment model and legal obligations.
Returns and refund policy
Customers should be able to understand whether they can return an item, how to request a return, where to send it and when refunds are processed. UK online sales are subject to consumer protection rules, including cancellation rights for many distance purchases. Exceptions can apply to certain goods, such as some personalised or perishable products. Your policy cannot simply remove statutory rights because doing so would be convenient for your business.
Shipping and delivery policy
Explain where you deliver, the estimated delivery times, shipping charges and any restrictions. If products are shipped internationally, state whether customers may need to pay import duties, customs charges or other taxes, where relevant.
GOV.UK's online selling guidance highlights the need to provide clear information about payment, delivery options and costs before a customer places an order.
Privacy policy
A privacy notice should explain how your business collects, uses, stores and shares personal data. A Shopify store will commonly handle customer names, email addresses, delivery addresses and order information. It may also use marketing tools, analytics, payment providers and other third-party services.
Your notice should explain the purposes for processing personal data, how long it is retained, who receives it and other information required by the applicable data protection rules. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) explains that businesses processing personal data generally need a privacy notice that is clear, accessible and kept up to date.
Cookie information and consent
If your store uses cookies or similar technologies, assess which ones are strictly necessary and which require consent. For example, a cookie needed to maintain a shopping basket may qualify for an exemption, while certain advertising or tracking technologies may require consent before being activated.
Your approach should reflect the technologies actually used on the store, including those introduced by third-party apps. Simply publishing a cookie policy does not automatically satisfy consent requirements.
7. Where Should You Put Company Details on Shopify?
Shopify gives merchants several places to present legal and contact information. A practical arrangement makes the information easy to locate without cluttering product pages.
Recommended store layout
| Location | Information to include |
|---|---|
| Website footer | Company name, CRN, registered office and place of registration |
| Contact page | Customer service email, phone number and relevant business contact information |
| Terms and conditions | Legal seller identity and terms governing purchases |
| Returns policy | Return process, refund information and applicable rights |
| Shipping policy | Delivery costs, destinations and estimated times |
| Privacy policy | Personal data processing and customer privacy information |
| Cookie banner or settings | Consent controls where required |
| Invoices and order documents | Correct seller details and tax information where applicable |
A concise footer disclosure might look like this:
Company information
GlowNest is a trading name of Northstar Retail Limited.
Registered in England and Wales.
Company number: 12345678.
Registered office: [Insert registered office address].
Contact: [email protected].
This example is a template, not a substitute for checking the requirements that apply to your business. In Shopify, you can generally create legal pages through your store's settings and link them through your navigation or footer menus. Check the live storefront after publishing to ensure the links work on both desktop and mobile.
8. What If You Operate a Shopify Store as a Sole Trader?
A sole trader does not have a separate incorporated legal entity in the same way as a limited company. Consequently, the company registration number and registered-office disclosure rules that apply to limited companies do not apply in the same way. However, sole traders still need to identify their business appropriately and comply with applicable trading, consumer protection, privacy and tax rules.
If you trade under a brand name, make sure customers can identify the person or business legally responsible for the sale. Provide accurate contact details and any business information required by Shopify. Do not invent a company registration number or describe a sole-trader business as a limited company.
Choosing between a sole trader structure and a limited company affects more than your website footer. It can also influence personal liability, accounting responsibilities, tax treatment and how customers or suppliers view the business.
9. What About Overseas Founders With UK Companies?
International entrepreneurs can operate Shopify stores through UK limited companies, but they should distinguish between company disclosure rules and payment-provider requirements. For example, a founder living in Nigeria may own a UK limited company that sells products to customers in Britain. The store should identify the UK legal entity accurately, use its genuine company number and registered office address, and provide suitable customer contact information.
The founder should not present a UK registered office as their personal residential address if they live elsewhere. Payment providers may also request company information, identity documents, beneficial ownership details and an eligible payout account. Those checks are separate from the obligation to display company information on the website. For a UK limited company, keep the following records consistent wherever they are requested:
- The legal company name.
- The Company Registration Number.
- The registered office address.
- Directors and beneficial ownership information.
- VAT details, where applicable.
- Accurate personal and business contact information.
If you are setting up a UK company through a formation and management provider such as IncorpUK, decide early which address is appropriate for company registration, which address should appear on the storefront and how customers will contact you. Do not assume one address automatically meets every legal, operational and payment-provider requirement.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before launching, check for these frequent errors:
Using only the brand name. Your logo can display your trading brand, but the legal company behind the store must be identifiable.
Leaving out the company number. UK limited companies have specific website disclosure obligations. Add the CRN to your company information section.
Displaying an outdated address. Update the storefront when the relevant company details change.
Confusing the registered office with the returns address. Tell customers where to send returns and do not imply that a registered office accepts parcels unless it actually does.
Publishing a VAT number when you are not registered. Only display accurate VAT information.
Hiding contact details. Shopify requires public-facing contact information to be current and easy to access.
Using generic policies that do not reflect your business. Returns, delivery and privacy information should match your actual practices and legal obligations.
Ignoring mobile users. Check that footer links and policy pages remain accessible on mobile devices, where many customers shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it a legal requirement to display my company number on Shopify?
If your store is operated by a UK limited company, company law requires its registered number to appear on the company's website, alongside other prescribed company details. A sole trader is not subject to the same limited-company disclosure requirements.
2. Do I need to show my registered office address on my Shopify store?
Yes, UK limited companies must disclose their registered office address on their website. Shopify also requires a physical business address in the store's public-facing contact information. Check that the address arrangements you use meet both sets of requirements.
3. Can I display a trading name instead of my registered company name?
You can use a trading name for branding, but the legal company behind the store must still be identifiable. State the relationship between the trading name and the registered company in your legal or company information section.
4. Should I put my VAT number in the Shopify footer?
You can include it in the footer or legal information page if your business is VAT-registered. You should also provide VAT information on relevant invoices and other documents where required. The exact obligations depend on your transactions and tax position.
5. Do I need a privacy policy for my Shopify store?
If your business processes customers' personal data, you will generally need an appropriate privacy notice. It should explain how personal information is used, stored and shared, and it must be accessible and kept up to date.
6. Do I need a phone number on my Shopify website?
Shopify's consumer protection guidance requires public-facing contact information to include an email address and phone number, alongside the business name and physical business address. Make sure the details are current and customers can use them to contact you.
7. Can I use a virtual office address?
A suitable service-provider address may be used as a registered office if it meets Companies House requirements and you have permission to use it. However, you should not assume that every virtual office arrangement also satisfies Shopify's requirement for a physical business address. Verify the arrangement before relying on it.
8. Do I need separate terms, refund, shipping and privacy pages?
These pages serve different purposes and should cover the information relevant to your business. Shopify provides ways to add store policies, but using a platform template does not guarantee that your policies satisfy every legal obligation.
Conclusion
The company details on your Shopify store should make it clear who operates the business, how customers can contact it and which legal entity is responsible for their purchases.
For a UK limited company, start with the full registered name, company registration number, registered office address and place of registration. Add accurate customer contact details, appropriate VAT information and the policies needed to explain your sales, delivery, returns and data handling practices.
Put the information in accessible locations, particularly the website footer and dedicated policy pages. Keep it consistent with Companies House records and your actual business arrangements. A well-presented Shopify store does more than look professional. It gives customers a clearer understanding of the business they are buying from and helps founders establish a sound foundation for compliant, sustainable ecommerce operations.