How to make your fintech website compliant GDPR, WCAG

The challenge? Most early-stage fintech sites fail to meet crucial compliance requirements without even realizing it. Whether it's GDPR violations, accessibility barriers or security vulnerabilities, these issues can undermine your credibility before you've had a chance to demonstrate your value.

Fortunately, achieving baseline compliance doesn't require hiring an expensive legal team or rebuilding your entire site. With the right approach in Webflow, you can address most compliance concerns quickly and effectively.

Why compliance matters for fintech websites

Compliance isn't optional in the financial technology sector. As money and sensitive data intersect, the regulatory bar rises significantly. But what happens when your website falls short?

What happens if your site isn't compliant?

Non-compliance carries several risks that can impact your business:

• Lost trust with partners or investors - During due diligence, compliance gaps raise immediate red flags about your operational maturity
• Legal exposure - Particularly in the EU, non-compliance with GDPR can result in warnings or substantial fines
• Failed procurement processes - Enterprise clients often have strict compliance checklists that disqualify vendors who don't meet requirements
• Exclusion of potential users - Poor accessibility blocks users with disabilities from engaging with your services

Who's checking?

You might wonder if anyone actually notices these compliance issues. The answer is yes—and they're often your most valuable stakeholders:

• Investors conducting technical due diligence
• Potential clients in highly regulated industries
• Larger fintech partners or banking institutions
• European visitors protected by GDPR regulations

When a potential enterprise client or investor visits your site, compliance issues become immediately apparent to their trained eye. These stakeholders have seen enough fintech websites to spot the red flags.

GDPR basics in Webflow (and what to actually do)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) represents the gold standard for data privacy. Despite being EU legislation, it affects any website with European visitors—which is virtually every fintech site.

Does Webflow support GDPR?

While Webflow provides some foundational GDPR features, ultimate compliance responsibility falls on you as the site owner. Webflow doesn't automatically make your site GDPR-compliant; it provides the infrastructure you need to build compliant experiences.

What to do:

1. Add a GDPR-compliant cookie banner - Implement a solution like Cookiebot, Finsweet or Termly that allows visitors to control what data is collected
2. Disable non-essential scripts by default - Analytics, chat tools and marketing pixels should be inactive until the user provides consent
3. Create a clear, straightforward privacy policy - Focus on clarity over legal jargon; explain how you use data in simple language users can actually understand
4. Make opt-out simple - All forms should have clear, unchecked consent options for marketing or tracking functions
5. Consider data localization - If you operate in the EU, hosting assets there provides additional compliance benefits

The good news is that implementing these changes in Webflow doesn't require developer assistance. Most solutions offer direct integration or simple embed codes that you can deploy in minutes.

WCAG accessibility in Webflow for fintech

Accessibility isn't just ethical—it's increasingly becoming a legal requirement globally. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the framework for making your site usable by everyone, regardless of ability.

What is WCAG and does it apply to you?

WCAG defines how to make websites accessible to users with visual, motor, cognitive or other impairments. These guidelines apply to virtually every website, but they're particularly relevant for financial services where accessibility barriers can prevent equal access to critical services.

Additionally, many countries have incorporated WCAG requirements into law and enterprise procurement processes often require certain accessibility standards to be met.

Quick Webflow fixes to improve accessibility

Achieving basic WCAG compliance in Webflow doesn't require a complete redesign. Start with these high-impact improvements:

• Add descriptive alt text to all images - Don't just describe the image; explain its purpose and content relevance
• Use semantic HTML elements - Properly structure your content with heading tags (H1, H2, etc.) and ensure buttons are actual button elements, not styled divs
• Improve color contrast - Ensure text is readable against backgrounds, especially for primary CTAs and important information
• Enable keyboard navigation - Make sure all interactive elements can be accessed and used without a mouse
• Limit problematic animations - Avoid content that flashes or moves in ways that could trigger seizures or vestibular disorders

Tools like Stark, Google Lighthouse or WAVE can help you identify accessibility issues on your existing site, providing a roadmap for improvements.

Website security best practices for fintech in Webflow

Security concerns can kill fintech deals faster than almost anything else. While Webflow handles many backend security aspects, you still need to implement front-end best practices.

Webflow handles the backend but you still need to:

• Verify HTTPS on all pages - While Webflow enables this by default, double-check custom domain configurations
• Minimize data collection - Only request information you actually need; every additional field increases your security responsibility
• Implement form protection - Add reCAPTCHA or similar tools to prevent automated submissions and potential attacks
• Secure your access points - Enable two-factor authentication on all Webflow and CMS accounts
• Audit third-party scripts - Each external integration creates potential vulnerability; regularly review their necessity and security

Add a basic security statement page

A dedicated security page builds trust with security-conscious visitors:

• Outline your security approach without revealing specific implementation details
• Explain your data handling policies in simple, clear language
• Reference Webflow's security infrastructure for additional credibility
• Update this information regularly as your security practices evolve

This page doesn't need to be extensive—a few well-written paragraphs can demonstrate your commitment to security better than ignoring the topic entirely.

Conclusion: Compliance builds trust before you say a word

Your fintech website communicates your credibility and trustworthiness before prospects read a single line of copy. By addressing key compliance areas—GDPR, accessibility and security—you demonstrate professionalism that resonates with investors, partners and users alike.

The most successful fintech startups don't view compliance as a burden but as a competitive advantage. When you make it easy for all users to engage with your site safely, securely and in compliance with regulations, you remove friction from the customer journey and the sales process.

You don't need extensive legal resources or a complete site rebuild to make significant compliance improvements. Start with the basics outlined in this guide, prioritizing the highest-impact changes first.

Want help making your Webflow site investor-ready and fully compliant? [Let's talk about how we can help you build trust through compliance.]

‍