Privacy concerns and data mining are hot topics right now. The European Union's GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) took effect May 25, 2018, resulting in an influx of emails about updated privacy policies and requests to re-confirm subscriptions. This won’t be the last time major privacy changes with privacy notification practices take place. In fact, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) has called for a “privacy bill of rights” in the U.S.
If you run a business with a website, you need to stay current. Learn more about keeping up with cookie notification laws, and why it's so important to business and customer relations.
It's Necessary to Notify Readers and Customers
Although the GDPR seemingly only applies to European businesses, many U.S companies need to abide. It's still relevant if you have customers or site visitors in the EU. Many businesses are just erring on the side of caution and following EU Cookie Laws, because you never know where your traffic could come from.
Despite the possibility that readers may overlook the notifications, they still need to receive them. Take a look at Bramble Berry's policy, for example – it clearly details how information is used, and what it means for customers and subscribers. Thus, even if people ignore reading through it, they've nevertheless been made aware of it, and it's always there for review.
Notifications also serve as a great way to (re)explain the term “cookies” to customers. It's a vital reminder to them that you store some of their data and what you do with it. They may not think too much about how companies often use demographics and browsing habits to influence e-commerce marketing and advertising. Visitors must now consent or decline to stay on your site, along with opt-out options if they later change their mind about permission. Inform them too, about the different types of cookies, so they have a clear comprehension of how their browsing is tracked:
- Third-party: Advertisers that collect information, which you then commonly see through suggested ads on social media and through email banners
- Super: Typically from plug-ins and add-ons
- Session: Temporary info while you're browsing items or considering/making purchases
- Permanent: login credentials
Customize How You Notify Site Visitors about Cookie Notification Laws
You'll need a notification on your site, even if you aren't a social media service, news aggregate, or one of the 4 websites people use constantly. Choose a placement option that works best with your templates and graphics, such as:
- Top header
- Inline header (between page title and content)
- Fixed footer
- Fixed box
Make your cookie notification a color that's easily noticeable, yet not too harsh. Place it on every page, since not everyone goes right to the home page. Also include links to its relevance in your privacy policy, or create a sub-section specifically for it. Common buttons for customization include:
- “Continue”
- “Agree”
- “Find out more”
- “Change your cookie settings”
- “Don't show again”
To further ensure that visitors acknowledge the notice, keep the screen darkened, or the alert box continuously scrolling, unless approved.
Always Remain Up to Date about Changing Laws
Make sure that you're keeping up with cookie notification laws, and always adapting in a timely manner. Use a cookie-compliance tool or service such as Cookiebot to streamline and automate the process. Adhering to these laws maintains your legal obligations, and also provides your audience with the tracking transparency that they appreciate.