Website Privacy & Cookie Compliance
Resource Guide
Your website needs to accurately communicate and appropriately manage the data it collects
We're here to help you understand what that means
What You Need to Know
Cookie consent requirements are becoming an important consideration for business websites. A Cookie Consent Banner helps inform visitors about cookies and other tracking technologies and, where required, gives them choices about how those technologies are used.
We recommend that every website maintain a current Cookie Consent Banner, Cookie Policy, and Privacy Policy that accurately reflect how the website operates. These tools serve different purposes, and having the right setup depends on what your website collects, tracks, and shares.
Important legal disclaimer: Fierce Creative is a web design and development agency, not a law firm. We can help identify and implement the technical components of website privacy and cookie management, but we cannot determine which laws apply to your organization or provide legal advice.
If your organization operates in multiple states or countries, handles sensitive information, targets children, operates in a regulated industry, or has complex data practices, we recommend having your privacy policy and compliance requirements reviewed by qualified legal counsel.
Before You Begin
You Need to Know What Your Website Is Doing
Before choosing a solution, understand what your website is collecting and what third-party services are running.
Forms
- Contact forms
- Newsletter signup
- Event registration
- Job applications
- Donation forms
- Account creation
Analytics & Marketing
- Google Analytics
- Google Ads
- Meta Pixel
- Other advertising/remarketing tools
Third-Party Services
- YouTube/Vimeo
- Google Maps
- Calendars
- Chat
- Social feeds
- Scheduling software
- CRM integrations
WordPress
- Plugins
- Embedded forms
- Membership systems
- WooCommerce
- Login/account functionality
Other Data
- IP addresses
- Device/browser information
- Location information
- User-generated content
What are Cookies?
The FTC describes cookies as information saved by a web browser that can be used to recognize a device, remember preferences, analyze activity, or support targeted advertising.
What is a Cookie Consent banner?
A cookie consent banner gives visitors information about non-essential tracking technologies and, where required, allows them to make choices about whether those technologies may be used.
Cookie Policy Page
Your Cookie Policy is typically generated and maintained through your cookie consent platform. These tools can scan your website to identify cookies and tracking technologies and use that information to populate a Cookie Policy page.
Implementing a Cookie Consent Banner on Your Website
Solution Options
Basic solution (recommended for most websites)
We can install a free WordPress cookie consent plugin that provides a customizable consent banner and covers the needs of many small and medium-sized websites.
Enhanced WordPress solution (annual subscription fee)
For organizations that want additional privacy and compliance features, we can implement WPConsent Pro, a licensed solution that adds capabilities such as automatic cookie scanning, consent logging, geolocation rules, and enhanced configuration options.
Enterprise compliance solution (variable monthly/annual fees)
If your organization has specific legal or regulatory requirements (such as GDPR, CCPA, or other privacy laws), you may want to consult with your legal team to determine the appropriate level of compliance. We can then assist with implementing a dedicated consent management platform, such as CookieYes or another enterprise solution, which provides advanced consent management, reporting, and compliance features.
The Details
Privacy Policy
What is a Privacy Policy?
A Privacy Policy explains how your business collects, uses, stores, and shares personal information through your website and other business activities. It also explains what privacy choices and rights may be available to your visitors or customers.
Why do you need a Privacy Policy?
Many businesses are required to provide a Privacy Policy, depending on what information they collect, how they use it, where their visitors are located, and which privacy laws apply to their business. Even when not legally required, a Privacy Policy can help clearly communicate how your business handles personal information.
What should a Privacy Policy cover?
- What information you collect
- How you collect it
- Why you collect it
- How you use it
- Who you share it with
- Third-party services
- Cookies/tracking technologies
- Data retention
- Security practices
- Consumer rights
- How consumers can make privacy requests
- Contact information
- Children's privacy, when applicable
- How policy changes are communicated
Building Your Website's Privacy Policy Document
Template Starting point
Our Privacy Policy Template
Fierce provides a general privacy policy starting point based on common website data practices. It is not a substitute for legal advice.
This template is intended as a starting point for communicating your website's data practices. It should be reviewed and customized for your organization's specific operations and legal requirements.
How to customize the template for your webiste
Use this checklist to make sure the Privacy Policy accurately reflects your organization and website before publishing. Fierce can help with the website implementation, but your organization is responsible for providing accurate information and determining its legal requirements.
How We Partner to Make this Happen
Fierce can help with:
- Installing/configuring a cookie consent solution
- Scanning and identifying website cookies
- Configuring consent categories
- Blocking certain scripts until consent
- Adding privacy/cookie policy pages
- Implementing preference-management tools
- Configuring supported opt-out mechanisms
- Helping identify third-party services on the website
- Making technical updates when website functionality changes
Your organization is responsible for:
- Determining what personal information your organization collects
- Knowing how your organization uses that information
- Identifying vendors and data processors
- Confirming your legal obligations
- Providing accurate business information
- Reviewing and approving your privacy policy
- Keeping us informed when new services are added
- Obtaining legal advice when appropriate