WordPress users don’t always realise they are using cookies on their website. So adding a cookie notice with a WordPress plugin is a simple fix.
So you now need to know how to add a cookie notice to your WordPress website. It’s an easy solution This video is made to show you the easiest way to do this. With GDPR requiring compliance for WordPress managers and small businesses, you need a simple solution.
Something that most business are not doing is recognising that small little files known as Cookies exist and you need to let visitors know this by law. I’m not a legal expert, but I do know that cookies need consent and the average WordPress install is full of cookies.
What is a cookie?
Lets cut to the chase. No puns about biscuits and the cookie monster, the average person isn’t really bothered about cookies and would want to know what all the fuss is about. But we all want our privacy. Cookies are small files that store information about the visitor. Its generally in a good way as it makes the experience of logging on or leaving a comment or just the usability of a website improved and catering for the user. Cookies and plugins on your website allow the server to deliver a page tailored to a particular user.
Why Add A Cookie Notice to WordPress
- The standard WordPress install offers the ability for comments (this uses cookies)
- Users that log on to WordPress editor, cookies are used in this process
- Using 3rd part plugins will almost guarantee the use of cookies
Use a Cookie Consent plugin
If you want a cookie notice to WordPress visitors then i cant recommend this one enough. Its really simple to set up and provides a no fuss easy to use pop up.
In effect the plugin helps you do the following:
- Communicate clearly about cookies on your website.
- Requires you to ask web visitors for consent to use cookies.
- Provide a way for visitors to stop cookies, which may mean they don’t use the website.
The plugin is called Cookie Notice for GDPR can be downloaded from dfactory on the WordPress plugin area
GDPR Cookie Consent Requirements
So what does your business need to do to meet GDPR Cookie consent requirements? Now we know WordPress uses cookies, the first thing to do after installing the plugin above is to try and understand what the law says.
If you visit https://gdpr.eu/cookies/ it explains the laws requirements.
Cookie compliance
To comply with the regulations governing cookies under the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive you must:
- Receive users’ consent before you use any cookies except strictly necessary cookies.
- Provide accurate and specific information about the data each cookie tracks and its purpose in plain language before consent is received.
- Document and store consent received from users.
- Allow users to access your service even if they refuse to allow the use of certain cookies
- Make it as easy for users to withdraw their consent as it was for them to give their consent in the first place.
Conclusion
I hope that’s been useful reviewing the real importance of why yo need to get this fixed if you havent already done so. Adding a cookie notice is pretty easy if you use the suggested plugin and follow the steps in my video.
Any questions feel free to comment below and i will do my best to answer them. If you are wanting a free critique of your website, then if the offer is still on, don’t forget to apply for the free website audit review. Thanks for reading.