Cookie Policy
Last updated
What this policy covers
This policy explains what cookies are, which ones this site uses, and how you can control them. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. We keep our use of them deliberately minimal.
Cookies we use
We only set analytics and advertising cookies if you accept them. When you first visit, a banner asks for your choice. If you do nothing, or choose “No thanks”, none of the cookies below are set.
Google’s measurement script does load on every page, but it starts in a consent-denied state (Google calls this “consent mode”). In that state it stores nothing on your device and reads nothing back. It does tell Google that a page was viewed, without any identifier that could link that view to you or to your other visits. Only when you choose “Accept cookies” does it begin setting the cookies described below. Microsoft Clarity and the Meta Pixel do not load at all unless you accept.
Strictly necessary storage
We store your cookie choice itself (in your browser’s local storage, under cookie-consent) so we don’t ask you again on every visit. This stores only the word “granted” or “denied” and identifies nobody.
How you found us (kept in this tab only)
So that we know how people find us, the first page you visit stores a short note in your browser’s session storage, under visit-source. The note holds the page you arrived on and where you came from, for example “Bing search” or “Google Ads”. It stays in that browser tab only and is deleted when you close the tab. It is never sent anywhere unless you send us an enquiry through one of our forms. If you do, the note is included with your enquiry. It holds no identifier and doesn’t track you across other websites.
Analytics cookies (only with your consent)
With your consent, we use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used: which pages people visit, how they found us, and what could work better. Google Analytics sets these cookies:
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga |
Distinguishes visitors | 2 years |
_ga_* |
Maintains session state | 2 years |
Google provides more detail in its cookie usage documentation, and offers a browser opt-out add-on.
Also with your consent, we use Microsoft Clarity to see how the site is used in aggregate, through heatmaps and anonymised session replays, so we can improve it. Clarity sets these cookies:
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_clck |
Distinguishes visitors for Clarity | 1 year |
_clsk |
Links the actions in one visit into a session | 1 day |
Microsoft explains its practices in the Clarity documentation.
Advertising cookies (only with your consent)
With your consent, we also use Google Ads conversion measurement, which tells us when a visit to this site followed one of our adverts. It sets this cookie:
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_gcl_au |
Links a visit to the advert that led to it (conversion measurement) | 3 months |
You can read about how Google uses advertising data, and control ad personalisation, at Google’s ads settings.
Also with your consent, we use the Meta Pixel, which tells Meta (the company behind Facebook and Instagram) that you visited this site. That lets us measure our adverts on those platforms and show our adverts to people who have visited us before. It sets this cookie:
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_fbp |
Identifies your browser to Meta, so visits can be linked to our adverts and audiences | 3 months |
If you arrive from a Facebook or Instagram advert, Meta may also set _fbc, which records the advert you clicked (3 months). Meta explains its practices in its cookie policy, and you can control the adverts you see in your Meta ad preferences.
Live chat
The live chat on this site is provided by tawk.to. So that a conversation can continue as you move between pages, tawk.to stores a visitor identifier and the conversation state in your browser (its storage begins twk_ or Tawk). This supports the chat function itself and is not used to track you across other websites. tawk.to explains its practices in its privacy policy.
Change your choice
You can change your mind at any time:
Withdrawing consent stops new analytics and advertising data being collected from your visits. You can also delete existing cookies through your browser’s settings.
Managing cookies in your browser
Every major browser lets you block or delete cookies in its settings. Blocking all cookies may affect how some websites work, though this site functions fully without them.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Email rebecca@alisonedgar.com.