Cookie Policies Made Simple: What Website Owners Really Need to Know

Disclaimer: This post provides general information about cookie policies and is not legal advice. Different countries have different requirements for privacy and cookies. Always consult with a legal professional about your specific situation.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full affiliate disclosure for further information.

Ever landed on a website only to be greeted with one of those pop-ups about cookies? (Yeah, I find them annoying, too, but I also appreciate being informed if a company is tracking my every move on their site.)

Cookies 101: What You Actually Need to Know

Cookies are small files that websites save on your device. They’re not harmful—they just help websites work better by remembering useful information, like:

• What’s in your shopping cart
• Whether you’re logged in
• Which language you prefer
• How you found the website

Some cookies are essential for your website to function—like keeping items in a cart—while others are optional, such as the ones that help track which pages people visit most.

Why Your Visitors Care About Cookies

People care more about their online privacy than ever before. They want transparency about what information websites collect and how it’s used. Being upfront about your cookie usage builds trust with your visitors and shows you take their privacy seriously.

Do You Need a Cookie Policy? (Spoiler: Probably, Yes)

If your website has any of these common features, you need a cookie policy:

• A contact form
• Google Analytics*
• Social media buttons
• Newsletter signup forms
• Online store features
• Cookie consent banner (this really goes hand-in-hand with your cookie policy)
• Facebook Pixel or other advertising tools

Basically, if you’re collecting any information about your visitors (even just through a simple contact form), you need a cookie policy.

When Your Website Definitely Needs One

You absolutely need a cookie policy if:

• You have visitors from the EU (hello, GDPR!)
• You collect any personal information
• You use tools that track visitor behavior
• You run an online store
• You have a membership site

*A Note About Analytics and Privacy

While most analytics tools (like Google Analytics) use cookies to track visitors, not all of them do. For example, I use Fathom Analytics on my websites because they don’t use cookies or similar technologies.

Instead of using cookies, Fathom found a way to collect helpful website data without compromising visitor privacy. 🎉 Of course, you may still need a cookie policy if other areas of your website rely on cookies, but you won’t need one for Fathom Analytics.

(Quick aside: If you’d like to try Fathom Analytics, I can get you your first 30 days free plus $10 off your first invoice. And if you’re one of my WordPress care plan clients, you already have access to Fathom Analytics through my agency license at no extra cost!)

What Goes Into a Good Cookie Policy

Your cookie policy needs to be clear and honest, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s what to include:

The Essential Elements

• What types of cookies your site uses
• Why you use them
• How long they stay on visitors’ devices
• How visitors can control their cookie settings
• Who else might access cookie data (like newsletter services or payment processors)

Making it Actually Readable

The best cookie policies are ones your visitors can understand.

Skip the tech talk and legal jargon. Just explain things clearly, like you’re talking to a friend.

Cookie Consent Banners: Your Website’s First Impression

Let’s get back to one of everyone’s least favorite pop-ups on a website: the cookie consent banner. It’s often your visitors’ first interaction with your site, so let’s make it a good one!

Why You Need One

In many places (like the EU), you legally need to ask permission before using optional cookies. That’s what these banners do—they give visitors control over their privacy choices.

What Makes a Good Consent Banner

The best cookie consent banners are:

• Clear about what cookies do
• Easy to understand
• Simple to use
• Not sneaky or manipulative
• Give real choices (not just an “Accept All” button)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using pre-checked boxes (that’s a no-no!)
• Making it hard to decline cookies
• Hiding important information
• Using confusing language
• Not explaining what the cookies actually do

How to Set Up Your Cookie Policy & Banner Properly

I hope the “what” and the “why” of cookie policies are starting to become a little clearer, and I promise the “how” isn’t so bad either. I recommend Termageddon for my clients’ legal policies, including their cookie policies and cookie consent banners.

Why I Love Termageddon

• Your policies update automatically when laws change
• The policies are written in clear, understandable language based on your answers to some questionnaires to make sure your policies reflect the way you do business
• They integrate seamlessly with your website
• You can easily add a proper cookie consent banner (i.e. with a plugin if you have a WordPress website)

Want Me to Handle It All?

Let me take care of all the setup. You’ll answer policy questions about your business—I recommend consulting with your lawyer, but these templates will save you so much money over getting policies specially drafted for your business.

Once you’ve completed the questionnaires, I’ll generate the policies in a format that works with your website. (Stuck on any of the policy questions? I’ve got a direct connection to the team at Termageddon, so if you make a purchase with my referral link, I can reach out and let them know you need some assistance.)

Allow me to get a little techy here and explain why I love Termageddon policies. They will automatically update on your website whenever privacy laws change since they’re embedded as code. That’s the reason we don’t just want to copy and paste your legal pages, so you can always stay compliant.

I’m offering this service for any website platform: WordPress, Squarespace, Showit, Wix… you name it!

Next Steps for Your Website

Ready to get your cookie policy sorted? Here are your options:

DIY Route:

1. Sign up for Termageddon (use code EHOUSTON for 10% off your first year)
2. Follow their setup guides
3. Install the policies and consent banner on your site

Let Me Handle It:

1. Fill out my contact form and let me know you’re interested in the Termageddon Policy Pack and Installation Service
2. I’ll take care of everything mentioned above 😊

While getting your cookie policy right might seem like a small detail, it’s an important part of building trust with your visitors and protecting your business.

Questions about cookie policies or need help getting set up? Get in touch—I’m here to help!