The Do's and Don'ts of Designing a Website Cookie Banner
As websites have become more complex, cookie banners have become ubiquitous. In an effort to comply with various data protection laws, website owners are increasingly including cookie banners on their sites. But not all cookie banners are created equal, and there are some important do's and don'ts to keep in mind when designing one.
Do: Explain What Cookies Are
Many people may not be familiar with the term "cookies" in the context of websites. It's important to provide a brief explanation of what cookies are and how they're used on your site. This will help users understand why you're asking for their consent to use cookies.
Don't: Assume Consent
Some websites make the mistake of assuming that users have given consent simply because they continue to use the site. This is not sufficient under many data protection laws, including the GDPR. You must obtain explicit consent from users before using cookies.
Do: Provide Choices
When designing your cookie banner, provide users with choices regarding which types of cookies they want to allow. This could include functional cookies that are necessary for the site to function, as well as performance cookies and marketing cookies.
Don't: Use Vague Language
Avoid using vague language in your cookie banner, such as "we use cookies to improve your experience." This doesn't provide users with enough information about what cookies are being used and why. Be specific about the types of cookies you're using and what they do.
Do: Make it Easy to Opt-Out
Users should be able to easily opt-out of non-necessary cookies if they choose to do so. Make it clear how users can do this, such as by providing a link to the site's privacy policy.
Don't: Delay Access to the Site
Some cookie banners are designed in a way that delays access to the site until the user consents to the use of cookies. This can be frustrating for users and may cause them to leave your site. Avoid delaying access to the site and make it easy for users to give or withhold consent.
Conclusion
Designing a cookie banner for your website is an important step in complying with data protection laws and respecting user privacy. By following these do's and don'ts, you can create a cookie banner that is informative, user-friendly, and compliant.
If you'd like to learn more about managing cookies on your website, check out our cookie management guide. You can also learn more about third-party cookies on Cookie Information's blog and the GDPR and cookie law on our website. For more information about the ePrivacy Directive, visit the European Data Protection Supervisor's website. And if you're interested in learning more about the GDPR in general, check out GDPR.eu. Finally, for small businesses looking to implement a cookie banner, take a look at our solution.