How to Implement Cookie Banners and why
Cookie banners are used in almost every website, but why are they so common and how are they implemented? In this article you will find out what cookie banners are, why they are needed, and what you need to keep in mind when implementing them.
What is a cookie banner?
A cookie banner is a notification which appears to website visitors when they first visit the site. The notification informs the visitor about what cookies the site uses and gives the user a way to change what cookies are used.
Why do I need a cookie banner?
There are many reasons to implement a cookie banner on your website. The most obvious reason is that allowing website visitors to choose what cookies to accept is a legal requirement in many regions. For websites with users in the EU, for example, there is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which requires websites to implement a way for visitors to reject cookies.
Another reason to implement a cookie banner is that transparency to users about what data is stored about them and providing a way for users to refuse cookies is by itself something that can be appreciated by users.
What are the legal requirements for a cookie banner?
The legal requirements for cookie banners vary based on where the website is hosted and where the users are visiting the site from. GDPR, for example, applies to websites which cater to users from the EU, regardless of where the site is hosted from.
Taking the example of GDPR, there are many specific requirements for cookie banners. For example, users must be informed about the cookies which the website uses in plain language. The website also needs to provide buttons to accept and reject cookies with equal prominence on the website. The site also needs links to cookie settings and the website's cookie policy. The website cannot block users from visiting the site if they reject the use of cookies.
What do I need to keep in mind when implementing a cookie banner?
The most important thing to keep in mind when implementing a cookie banner is to follow all relevant laws in the region the website is hosted and where the users are visiting from.
You should also make sure that the banner is as non-intrusive as possible and adapted to the device most users are using to visit the site, be it a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone.
Summary
In summary, cookie banners inform the user about what cookies the site uses and allows the user to choose how they are used. They are needed in order to comply with local laws and to match the visitors' expectations of transparency. Lastly, the exact implementation of cookie banners will vary based on local laws.
