Cookie Policy

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They let a site remember your actions and preferences (such as your cookie choice) and help the owner understand how the site is used. Some are essential for the site to function; others are optional.

2. How we use cookies

We use the smallest set of cookies we reasonably can. By default, when you first arrive, only essential cookies are active — analytics are switched off until you choose "Accept all". This is handled by Google Consent Mode, which defaults every non-essential category to "denied" until you tell us otherwise.

3. The cookies we use

Type	Purpose	Needs consent?
Essential	Remember your cookie choice and keep the site secure and working correctly.	No — always on
Analytics (Google Analytics 4)	Measure which pages are visited, roughly where visitors come from, and which device they use — so we can improve the site. Data is aggregated and your IP address is anonymised.	Yes — only after you accept

We do not use advertising, marketing, profiling or social-media tracking cookies, and we do not sell or share your data with advertisers.

4. Third-party services

A few trusted services may set cookies or load resources when you use specific features:

• Google Analytics — website statistics (only with your consent). See Google's privacy policy.
• Google Fonts — loads the fonts used across the site.
• Stripe — only on payment/checkout pages, to process payments securely. See Stripe's privacy policy.

5. Managing your cookies

• Use the cookie banner when you first visit to Accept all or Reject non-essential.
• You can change your choice at any time from the link in our privacy policy.
• You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Note that blocking essential cookies may stop parts of the site working.

6. Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy as our site or the law changes. The "last updated" date above will always show the current version.

7. Contact

Questions about cookies or your data? Email info@thefreewebsites.co.uk or call 07376 389 472. See also our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.