Privacy and cookies on a small business website
Even a small website processes data of visitors. With these steps you handle it properly, without turning it into a big project.
A contact form, a newsletter or a statistics tool: as soon as you process data of visitors, rules apply. That sounds big, but for most small businesses it comes down to a few clear steps. Unsure about your situation? Then ask someone who knows the subject for advice.
Only ask for what you need
Do you only need a name, an email address and a short question for a quote? Then do not ask for a date of birth or an address as well. Less data means less risk, and a shorter form is filled in more often.
A privacy statement
In a privacy statement you explain which data you collect, why, how long you keep it and who you share it with. Write it in plain language. Put a link to the statement at the bottom of every page and next to your forms.
Cookies
Cookies that your site needs to work can be used without consent. For cookies that follow visitors, for example for advertising, you need consent. That is where the well-known cookie banner comes from. The fewer tracking cookies you use, the simpler it gets.
Use a secure connection
Your site should work over a secure connection, shown by the padlock in the address bar. Then nobody can read along with what someone types into your form.
A short checklist
- Is there a privacy statement on your site that matches what you do?
- Do your forms ask for no more than needed?
- Do you know which services on your site set cookies?
- Do you delete old messages and requests after a while?
Privacy in Qsite
Sites in Qsite work over a secure connection. For a new site Qsite sets up a draft privacy statement. You adapt it to your own business, because only you know what you do with data.
Want a site that starts out properly? Try Qsite for free.