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🍪 Chocolate Chip, Gingerbread, Oatmeal Raisin… Cookies 😋
But today we are going to talk about Website cookies.
First of all, what’s a cookie? 🍪
Cookies are little bits of data a web browser uses to keep track of visitor activity—for example, saving your password so you don’t have to log in each time you open Facebook, or leaving items in your Amazon shopping cart so they’ll still be there if you close the window and come back later.
By default, Wix places cookies on visitors’ browsers to help your site run effectively. Certain types of cookies are required for specific functionality on your site (for example, customer accounts and the e-commerce checkout process require cookies to function).
Other types of cookies are used to help Wix collect analytics on how your website visitors interact with your site—information like your website’s traffic sources, unique visitors, conversion rates, and the e-commerce Abandoned Cart feature.
Here’s more information the specific types of cookies Wix uses.
Do you need a cookie banner?
Most likely, yes.
If your website uses cookies and your website is used by people in the EU, then you need 'cookies' and a 'cookie banner'.
Here’s what the GDPR specifies you need to do to comply:
Explain to site visitors how and why cookies are being used.
Receive users’ consent before using any non-essential cookies.
Document and store consent received.
Allow visitors to access your content even if they don’t allow the use of certain cookies.
Allow visitors to withdraw consent (switch off previously activated cookies).
How to Add a Cookie Banner to Your Wix Website
Wix offers a built-in cookie banner that’s super easy to add to your website.
Head to Settings > Privacy & Cookies > Edit Cookie Banner and you’ll see the options for adding and customizing your site’s cookie banner. (Optional) Click Save & Publish to display the default banner on your site.
Make sure the banner links to your privacy policy (step 3 in this article), where visitors can learn more about how your site collects and manages data.
What to include on your cookie banner
Exactly what you include in your cookie banner is a legal decision that should be based on your particular business needs and how you actually use cookies on your website.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to what your cookie banner should say, or what settings you should use for it—but this is what I use and suggest most often:
Explanation of cookie use: Write your own succinct statement regarding your use of cookies and why you use them on your site. I recommend keeping this simple, brief, and a bit light-hearted if it fits your brand (we’re all sick of reading these things, so it’s nice to have a little variety and humor!).
Link to your cookie policy: In your brief explanation, link to a longer, more comprehensive cookie policy in your website’s privacy policy.
Select a consent message: Select a form of consent (text link, button or X icon) and, if applicable, use language that fits with your explanation (for example, “Cool, I accept!”)—keep in mind the button/close icon is giving affirmative consent.
Add Decline All Button: This is a little painful, but to stay GDPR-compliant, check “Decline All" button in your Cookie to disable them for any visitor who does not provide consent.
So, if you’ve been wondering “Do I need a cookie banner and a cookie policy on my website?” hopefully this clarifies the answer for you, and provides some helpful options for styling your cookie banner to match your website’s branding.
What about you?
What type of cookie is your favorite? 👇🍪