Cookies

Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on your browser when you visit them. They help websites remember things like your preferences or login details. Each time you visit the site again, your browser sends the stored cookie back to the website, making your experience smoother.

Most web browsers allow cookies, but you can always choose to block or delete them in your browser settings.

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How are Cookies Used?

Websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience. For example:

• Keeping you logged in.
• Remembering items in your shopping cart.
• Saving your language preferences.

Some cookies come from the website you are visiting (first-party cookies), while others come from third-party services like ads or analytics tools (third-party cookies).

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What are the different types of cookies?

Cookies can be grouped based on their source and duration.

By Duration:

• Session Cookies: These cookies are temporary and exist only during a user’s active session on the website. They are deleted when the browser is closed. When a user adds an item to their cart, a session cookie stores the cart’s contents. This ensures that the items remain in the cart as the user navigates through different pages.
• Persistent Cookies: These stay on your device for a set period, helping websites remember you for future visits. Preferences like language, currency, or display settings can be stored in persistent cookies.

By Source:

• First-party Cookies: Set by the website you are visiting. They are used for essential website functions and to improve the user experience. It can be used to track basic user behavior on the website, such as page views and navigation patterns, to improve website design and functionality.
• Third-party Cookies: Set by other companies (e.g., advertising networks, analytics tools) to track your activity across different sites. After a user views a product on your website, third-party cookies can be used to display ads for that product on other websites they visit.

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Cookies and GDPR Compliance in the EU

If you run a website that serves customers in the European Union, you need to follow privacy laws like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). These rules require you to:

• Inform users that your website uses cookies.
• Get their consent before using non-essential cookies.
• Allow users to change their preferences easily.

Some cookies are exempt from consent, meaning you don’t need permission to use them. These include:

• Cookies needed for website security.
• Cookies required for essential website functions, like remembering what’s in a shopping cart.

For more details, you can visit the European Commission’s page on Cookies and GDPR.

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Google Analytics and GDPR

If you use Google Analytics to track visitors on your website, you must ensure that it complies with GDPR. Here’s how:

• Anonymize IP Addresses: Hide part of the user’s IP address so they can’t be personally identified. This is already enabled by default for EU users if you are using the GA4 version of google analytics.
• Limit Data Retention: Adjust your settings to keep user data only as long as necessary. You can do so by going to Admin > Data retention on your Google Analytics dashboard and choosing between 2 months and 14 months. For many businesses, the 14-month option provides a reasonable balance for year-over-year analysis.
• Get User Consent: Before using tracking cookies, ask for permission through a cookie banner. We’ll explain how in the next section.

Using a Cookie Consent Tool

To make GDPR compliance easier, you can use a cookie consent tool. These tools help you:

• Show a cookie banner asking users for permission.
• Give users options to accept or reject different types of cookies.
• Automatically block tracking cookies until consent is given.
• Keep a record of user consent for legal compliance.

In your Jumpseller store, we have apps that fulfill all these requirements easily. Go to the apps gallery and search for “cookie”, then click on Cookie Consent to install it.

It’s very simple to use, after installing it you can write down a message or use the default one, choose its location and whether the visitors should interact with it before being able to explore the website and it’s ready to be launched on your website.

Here’s how it will look like once it’s online:

As you can see, the visitors have the option to reject, choose the specific cookies they allow or to accept them all.

By implementing a robust cookie consent solution and adhering to GDPR guidelines, you can build trust with your users and ensure your website’s compliance.