With increasing concerns about online privacy and data protection, e-commerce websites must present cookie consent banners for their customers and inform them about their personal data collection and management.
In this article, we will explain the importance of Cookie Consent banners for e-commerce websites, how they work, and best practices for compliance with privacy laws.
privacy laws and the Usage of Cookies
Cookies are pieces of data placed on the website user's computer or mobile phone by the user's web browser while a user is browsing the website. Cookies collect data about your browsing device and typically include a unique identifier and a site name. Cookies could also collect personally identifiable information such as your name, address, phone number, or email if you’ve provided that information to a website.
There are different types of cookies, and they are necessary for improving user experiences and enhancing website functionality. However, they also raise privacy concerns.
Many privacy laws around the world set the rules for the usage of cookies. If your e-commerce store could be visited by European users and it uses cookies, you must comply with the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law). In the USA, there are the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), and other privacy regulations. There are also privacy laws in Brazil (LGPD), Canada (PIPEDA), Turkey (KVKK), and other countries.
These privacy laws require website owners to obtain user consent before setting cookies and inform users about the types of cookies being used. The only exception is strictly necessary cookies, that do not need user consent. All e-commerce websites use cookies since they need to identify a user to sell a product, so user consent is required for all e-commerce stores.
Cookie consent refers to the act of obtaining explicit permission from website users to collect and manage their personal data. The Cookie Consent must be obtained before collecting any personal information of users.
The simplest and most popular way to get Cookie Consent is by using Cookie Consent banners.
Why Do E-Commerce Websites Need Cookies?
There are several reasons why e-commerce websites use cookies, including:
- User authentication. Website cookies store a user’s login information, so they remain signed in while browsing multiple pages of a website and allow the user to easily login when they re-visit the site. Users can move between pages and add products to the shopping cart without constantly logging in.
- Session tracking. Session cookies help track user sessions, so the website remembers the user’s selections and last actions.
- Shopping cart functionality. Cookies can maintain items in online shopping carts. When a user moves between pages, adds items to their cart, or leaves the website, cookies store the cart information so that users can later resume their shopping where they left off.
- Personalization. Cookies store user preferences and personalize the shopping experience like user’s language preference, display settings, or previously browsed products. This data can enhance the overall user experience.
- Tracking and analytics. Tracking cookies can collect data about user behavior including which products a user views, what they add to their cart, do they view a particular product once or several times, do they leave a website after viewing price information or after going to an alternative product, users’ purchase history, etc. This information is valuable for understanding customer needs and preferences, and optimizing marketing strategies.
- Advertising and remarketing. E-commerce sites use cookies to collect information about users’ browsing activities and interests. Advertising cookies collect data that enables targeted advertising campaigns and allows e-commerce stores to show relevant ads.
- Website performance. Performance cookies monitor the performance of the website as the user interacts with it. They collect data on how a user uses a website, which pages are visited most often, or if users get error messages, if any. This collected data helps to increase the performance of an e-commerce store, ensure balanced site performance, and prevent server overload.
- Fraud prevention. Cookies can monitor user behavior patterns and detect suspicious activities, such as repeated login attempts or fraudulent transactions.
- Third-party integrations. In many cases, e-commerce sites are integrated with third-party services, like payment providers or social media platforms. Third-party cookies help to provide interaction between these services and the website.
With CookieScript, you can create a professional and privacy laws-compliant cookie consent banner with the following functionalities that set us apart from other banner providers:
- Cookie Banner design customization
- Cookie Banner behavior customization
- Multiple languages for your Cookie Banner and the cookie declaration
- Banner sharing to other accounts
- Banner and client creation via API.
Why Do E-commerce Websites Need Cookie Consent Banners?
Cookie consent banners, also known as cookie banners or cookie pop-ups, are needed to obtain user consent for the collection of their personal data through cookies. Most privacy laws require to dispose of a Cookie Consent banner when a user first visits a website and informa them about the types and purpose of cookies used. Users should have the option to accept or decline cookies.
A Cookie Consent banner is necessary for e-commerce for the following reasons:
- Legal requirements. Many privacy laws require websites to provide a Cookie Banner and obtain cookie consent before storing cookies on their devices. Failure to comply with these laws can result in legal consequences, including fines.
- Transparency. Cookie Banner ensures transparency by informing users about the types of cookies used on a website, their purposes, and the data collected. This transparency empowers users to make informed decisions so the users can control their data.
- Customer trust. Obtaining Cookie Consent demonstrates a commitment to user privacy and builds trust with website users. Users can feel confident in providing their personal information.
Best Practices for Cookie Consent Banners for E-Commerce
A Cookie Consent banner should include:
- Notification. The banner should inform users that the website uses cookies, what types of cookies, and provide a brief explanation of their purpose. E-commerce sites should inform users that they require user data for their operations, as well as cookies benefits to users. E-commerce stores on their Cookie Consent banner should use plain language that users can easily understand.
- Accept and decline buttons. Users should have the choice to either accept or decline cookies. The Accept button usually enables all cookies, and the Decline button usually rejects all non-essential cookies. Both Accept and Decline buttons should be easily visible, not hidden, so that rejecting cookies should be as easy as accepting them. The Cookie Banner shouldn’t obstruct the website content if a user does not choose to either accept or reject cookies.
- Granular consent options. Users should have the option to selectively consent to various types of cookies on the Cookie Banner, like functional, analytical, marketing, or Third-Party Cookies. Clearly explain each cookie category so the user can make informed choices for accepting just some cookie categories while rejecting the others.
- Anytime opt-out choice. E-commerce stores should provide a possibility for users to withdraw their consent for cookies at any time. The ability to manage their privacy settings is required by privacy regulations and helps to increase users’ trust in your e-commerce store.
- Cookie Policy. Your Cookie Banner could provide just a short description of cookies used. For more information, provide a link to a Cookie Policy or a privacy policy that provides detailed information about the types of the cookies used, their purpose, lifespan, and any third parties, if any. Your Cookie Policy should be easily accessible from the banner and other relevant website pages. It is also important to stay informed about updates to privacy laws and guidelines and update your Cookie Policy accordingly.
- Regular consent renewal. Regularly remind users about the cookies used on your website and ask them to review and update their privacy settings for user consent and the usage of cookies. Although the GDPR or any other privacy laws do not provide a detailed explanation of how often users should renew their cookie consent, it is a good practice to ask users to renew their cookie consent once in six months.
- Consent records. Your website should collect and store user consent for proof of compliance in case of audits. It’s a requirement by the GDPR to store and be able to provide your website users’ cookie consent.
- Mobile-friendly design. Make sure that your Cookie Consent banner is optimized for mobile devices since most users use smartphones and tablets to access e-commerce stores.
- Non-essential cookies. Strictly necessary cookies can be set without user consent. Users should give their explicit consent only for non-essential cookies.
- Easy dismissal. Provide an easy way for users to dismiss the banner if they do not wish to interact with it. However, certain regulations may require users to actively consent or decline cookies.
In conclusion, providing a cookie banner and getting cookie consent for e-commerce is not just about cookie compliance, it’s also about building trust with your users and making their shopping experience confident and safe. By implementing a transparent and user-friendly Cookie Consent banner, you could ensure compliance and also enhance the overall user experience on your website.
Example of a CookieScript banner
How CookieScript Can Help You Create A Cookie Banner For Your E-commerce Store?
CookieScript Consent Management Platform can help your e-commerce store in the following ways:
- Privacy and Cookie Policy Generator. Our Privacy Policy Generator can create a professional privacy and Cookie Policy for your e-commerce store.
- Cookie banner. With CookieScript, you can create a unique cookie banner with design and behavior customization, that is easy to use, self-updating, and available in 30+ languages.
- Cookie consent. CookieScript allows you to collect granular cookie consent and store it for proof of compliance. It also automatically blocks cookies prior to consent, as required by the laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Cookie Consent banner on my e-commerce website?
Yes, if your website uses cookies and you collect users; personal information, you need a cookie banner. With CookieScript, you can easily create a professional and privacy laws-compliant Cookie Consent banner.
How do you make a Cookie Consent banner?
The easiest way to create a privacy laws-compliant cookie banner is to use a Consent Management Platform like CookieScript, which allows you to easily create your custom cookie banner.
What is cookie consent?
Cookie consent refers to the act of obtaining explicit permission from website users to collect and manage their personal data. The cookie consent must be obtained before collecting any personal information of users. CookieScript allows you to collect granular cookie consent and store it for proof of compliance.
Why do e-commerce websites need cookies?
E-commerce websites use cookies for a variety of reasons: user authentication, session tracking, shopping cart functionality, personalization, analytics, advertising and remarketing, website performance, fraud prevention, and third-party integrations. With CookieScript, you can create a professional and privacy laws-compliant Cookie Consent banner.
Why do e-commerce websites need cookie consent banners?
First, it’s a legal requirement. Cookie banners are needed to obtain user consent for the collection of their personal data through cookies. Second, cookie consent ensures transparency and customer trust by informing users about the types of cookies used on a website, their purposes, and the data collected. Use CookieScript to create a fully customizable and easy-to-use cookie banner for your e-commerce shop.
What should cookie banners for e-commerce shops include?
A cookie banner should include a notification that the website uses cookies, types of cookies and their purpose; accept and decline buttons; granular consent options; anytime opt-out choice, and cookie policy. A cookie banner should also record cookie consent, should have a mobile-friendly design, and should ask users to update consent regularly. CookieScript can help you create a cookie banner and a Cookie Policy and take control of cookie consent.
Do I need cookie consent on my Shopify website?
Shopify store owners must comply with privacy laws, so they need to provide their customers with clear information about cookie usage and get explicit cookie consent. The most common and effective way to do this is by adding a cookie consent banner to your Shopify website. Use CookieScript to create a fully customizable and easy-to-use cookie banner for your Shopify website.