What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on a user’s device and help to save data needed for further website functions, such as selected currency in an e-shop, time since last visit to the website, or they can also serve to display advertising later. It is important to realize that cookies may not only be created by your own website. Cookies can also be created by third-party services, such as embedded YouTube videos, Facebook like buttons, and so on. Based on their uses, cookies can be classified into several categories.
Types of cookies
The new regulation approaches each type of cookie differently, so before we begin to modify the website itself, it is necessary to properly identify which cookies are used on the website and classify them into the following categories:
- Functional
- Preference
- Statistical
- Marketing
Functional
Functional cookies are the most basic category of cookies and are used for the proper functioning of your website. The most accurate example of these cookies is, for example, storing items in a customer’s shopping cart, remembering the last article read, etc. Even after new changes, you can use these cookies without the need for the consent of the visitors to your website, however, it is still necessary to inform visitors to your website about their use.
Preference cookies
Preference cookies are used to customize the website for the user. These may include selecting the language on the website, changing the currency in an e-shop, and so on. Unlike functional cookies, it is necessary to first ask the user for their consent for these cookies.
Statistical cookies
The biggest and perhaps most painful change is represented by statistical cookies. These are also the most common problem on most websites. For any statistical cookies, it is necessary for the user to first give their consent for their use. If the user does not give you this consent, then unfortunately you will lose the ability to track traffic on your website, thus losing valuable statistical data.
Marketing cookies
Marketing cookies give you the opportunity to better target advertising. With their help, you can usually target advertising again to people who have already visited your website. It can be said in simplified terms that marketing cookies are primarily used for personalized advertising. Like statistical cookies, user consent is also required for their use.
Opt-out a opt-in principles
Until January 2022, the so-called opt-out principle was used. This meant that cookies were automatically stored until the user withdrew consent. However, according to the new regulation, this is no longer possible. At this point, consent must be obtained before the cookie file is actually stored. Failure to confirm consent cannot be considered a reason for storing the cookie file. The user must first actively give consent, which represents opt-in consent.
What to watch out for?
First and foremost, active user consent is important, preferably in the simplest and least aggressive way possible.
It is also important that the user has the option to subsequently modify their consent and that the cookie bar does not prevent the user from browsing the website itself (cookie wall technique). All settings other than functional cookies must not be pre-filled.
Cookie Policy
As the final step of the whole process, there must be a page available on the website that describes the cookie processing policy. This link should be easily accessible, especially in the cookie banner. However, we also recommend adding it to links such as terms and conditions, personal data processing, etc. It should always be easily and intuitively accessible. The document itself must contain the following information:
- Who you are, and it’s good to provide a contact for any inquiries.
- What types of cookies you use and how.
- What third-party tools you use on the website, whether they use cookies, and what they are.
- What the visitors’ rights are and how they can revoke their consent.
You can see what such a document might look like on our website under the link “Cookie Policy”.
Do you need help?
However, if even after reading the following lines you are not sure how to handle the cookie bar correctly, or if you are unsure whether everything is okay, do not hesitate to contact us and we will gladly prepare everything on your website to ensure everything is in the best order.
