Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

1.1 Types of Cookies

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-Party Cookies: Set by our website directly
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use on our website

1.2 Similar Technologies

We also use similar technologies including:

• Web Beacons: Small graphic images that track whether you've visited a page
• Local Storage: Browser storage that retains data locally
• Pixels: Code snippets that collect information about user interactions

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several purposes, which we've categorised as follows:

2.1 Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation, access to secure areas, and form submissions.

2.2 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

2.3 Marketing Cookies

These cookies track your browsing habits to enable us to show advertising which is more likely to be of interest to you.

2.4 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences.

3. Why We Use Cookies

3.1 Essential Website Functions

• Enable basic website functionality and navigation
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Maintain security and prevent fraud
• Process form submissions and enquiries

3.2 Improve User Experience

• Personalise content and recommendations
• Remember your login status and preferences
• Provide relevant information based on your interests
• Optimise website performance and loading times

3.3 Analytics and Performance

• Understand how visitors use our website
• Identify popular content and areas for improvement
• Monitor website performance and technical issues
• Analyse traffic patterns and user behaviour

3.4 Marketing and Advertising

• Deliver relevant advertisements and content
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
• Prevent showing the same ads repeatedly
• Track conversions and return on investment

4. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

4.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:

• Accept All: Allow all cookies for the best experience
• Necessary Only: Only essential cookies for basic functionality
• Custom Settings: Choose which categories to allow

4.2 Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the cookie settings link in our website footer
• Using your browser's cookie management tools
• Clearing your browser's cookies and revisiting our site

4.3 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete existing cookies
• Set cookies to be deleted when you close your browser

Browser-Specific Instructions:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Edge

5. Mobile and App Cookies

5.1 Mobile Browsers

When you access our website through a mobile browser, the same cookie policies apply. You can manage cookies through your mobile browser settings.

5.2 Mobile App Identifiers

If we develop mobile applications in the future, they may use device identifiers similar to cookies, such as:

• Advertising identifiers (IDFA, GAID)
• Device fingerprinting
• Local storage mechanisms

6. Third-Party Cookies

6.1 External Services

We use several third-party services that may set their own cookies:

• Google Analytics: Website analytics and reporting
• Google Ads: Advertising and conversion tracking
• Facebook: Social media integration and advertising
• YouTube: Video content embedding
• Hotjar: User experience analysis

6.2 Third-Party Privacy Policies

These services have their own privacy policies and cookie practices:

• Google Privacy Policy
• Facebook Privacy Policy
• Hotjar Privacy Policy

7. Cookie Retention

Different cookies have different retention periods:

7.1 Session Cookies

• Deleted when you close your browser
• Used for essential website functionality
• Cannot be used to track you between sessions

7.2 Persistent Cookies

• Short-term: 30 days (user preferences)
• Medium-term: 6-12 months (analytics, functional)
• Long-term: 2 years (analytics, advertising)

7.3 Manual Deletion

You can delete cookies manually at any time through your browser settings. This will remove all stored preferences and require you to set them again.

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

8.1 Necessary Cookies

Disabling necessary cookies may result in:

• Inability to submit forms or contact us
• Loss of security features
• Poor website performance
• Inability to access certain features

8.2 Analytics Cookies

Disabling analytics cookies means:

• We cannot improve our website based on usage data
• You won't contribute to our understanding of user preferences
• Your website experience should remain largely unchanged

8.3 Marketing Cookies

Disabling marketing cookies results in:

• Less relevant advertising
• Repeated display of the same advertisements
• Inability to measure campaign effectiveness

9. Your Rights and Choices

9.1 Consent

• We obtain your consent before using non-essential cookies
• You can withdraw consent at any time
• Consent is freely given and can be refused
• You can change your mind about consent at any time

9.2 Opt-Out Options

Additional opt-out mechanisms:

• Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out
• Your Online Choices
• Google Analytics Opt-Out

10. International Users

10.1 GDPR Compliance

For users in the European Economic Area, we comply with GDPR requirements by:

• Obtaining explicit consent for non-essential cookies
• Providing clear information about cookie use
• Allowing easy withdrawal of consent
• Implementing privacy by design principles

10.2 Other Jurisdictions

We respect the privacy laws of all jurisdictions and adapt our practices accordingly.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New legal requirements
• Technology developments
• Business changes

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify you through our website or email
• Request new consent if required by law

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us: