What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit them. They help websites remember information about your visit, making your browsing experience more efficient and personalised.
Cookies are widely used to make websites work better and provide useful information to website owners. They’re completely safe and cannot access other files on your device or install software.
Why We Use Cookies
At Respect Experts, we use cookies to:
- Improve your experience: Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand our audience: Learn how visitors use our website
- Enhance functionality: Ensure our website works properly across different devices
- Measure performance: Track which content is most helpful to our visitors
We don’t use cookies to identify you personally or to track your activity across other websites.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation, form submission, and access to secure areas. Our website cannot operate correctly without these cookies.
Essential cookies we use:
- Session cookies: Keep you logged in during your visit
- Security cookies: Protect against cross-site request forgery
- Load balancing cookies: Ensure optimal website performance
These cookies are automatically placed when you visit our website and cannot be disabled without affecting functionality.
Analytics Cookies
We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our website. This information helps us improve our content and user experience.
Google Analytics Cookies:
Cookie Name: _ga
Purpose: Distinguishes unique users
Duration: 2 years
Cookie Name: _gid
Purpose: Distinguishes unique users
Duration: 24 hours
Cookie Name: _gat
Purpose: Throttles request rate
Duration: 1 minute
What Google Analytics tracks:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- How you found our website (search engines, direct links, etc.)
- Your general location (country/city level, not precise address)
- Device and browser information
- How you interact with our content
All data is anonymised and cannot be used to identify you personally.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your choices and preferences.
Functional cookies may include:
- Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices
- Comment cookies: Store your name and email when commenting on blog posts
- Newsletter cookies: Remember if you’ve subscribed or unsubscribed
Marketing Cookies (If Used)
We may use marketing cookies if you consent to receive promotional communications. These help us:
- Track the effectiveness of our email campaigns
- Understand which content interests our audience
- Personalise our communications
Note: We don’t currently use third-party advertising networks or retargeting cookies.
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our website are placed by third-party services we use to enhance functionality:
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google. It uses cookies to help us understand how visitors use our website.
Google’s privacy practices:
- Google Analytics data is processed according to Google’s privacy policy
- Google may use this data for their own purposes (improving their services)
- You can opt out using Google’s tools (see “Managing Cookies” section below)
Learn more: Google Analytics Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy)
Social Media Plugins (If Used)
If we include social media sharing buttons or embedded content, these services may place their own cookies:
- Facebook: For Like and Share buttons
- Twitter: For Tweet buttons and embedded tweets
- LinkedIn: For professional sharing features
These cookies are controlled by the respective social media companies and subject to their privacy policies.
Cookie Consent
When you first visit our website, you’ll see a cookie notice explaining our use of cookies. You can choose to:
- Accept all cookies: Allow all cookie types for the best experience
- Accept essential only: Use only necessary cookies (some features may be limited)
- Customise settings: Choose which types of cookies to allow
Implied Consent
By continuing to use our website after seeing the cookie notice, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.
Withdrawing Consent
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Using our cookie preference centre (if available)
- Adjusting your browser settings
- Contacting us directly
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Here’s how to manage cookies in popular browsers:
Google Chrome:
- Click the three dots menu (⋮) → Settings
- Select “Privacy and security” → “Cookies and other site data”
- Choose “Block third-party cookies” or “Block all cookies”
Firefox:
- Click the menu button (☰) → Settings
- Select “Privacy & Security” from the left panel
- Under “Cookies and Site Data,” choose “Custom” and adjust your preferences
Safari:
- Go to Safari → Preferences (or Settings on newer versions)
- Click the “Privacy” tab
- Choose “Block all cookies” or “Prevent cross-site tracking”
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the three dots menu (⋯) → Settings
- Select “Cookies and site permissions” from the left panel
- Click “Cookies and site data” and adjust your settings
Warning: Disabling all cookies may affect website functionality and your browsing experience.
Third-Party Opt-Outs
Google Analytics Opt-Out
You can prevent Google Analytics from tracking your activity by:
- Browser add-on: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on (https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout)
- Browser settings: Enable “Do Not Track” in your browser
- Google settings: Adjust your Google advertising preferences
Other Third-Party Services
For other services we use, you can opt out through:
- Their individual privacy settings
- Industry-wide opt-out tools
- Your browser’s tracking prevention features
Mobile Devices
Managing cookies on mobile devices varies by browser and operating system:
iOS Devices (iPhone/iPad):
Safari:
- Open Settings app
- Scroll down and tap “Safari”
- Under Privacy & Security, toggle “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking”
- For stricter settings, toggle “Block All Cookies”
Chrome app:
- Open Chrome app → Settings (three dots)
- Tap “Privacy and Security”
- Select “Cookies” and choose your preference
Android Devices:
Chrome:
- Open Chrome app → Settings (three dots menu)
- Tap “Privacy and security”
- Select “Cookies” to adjust settings
- Choose “Block third-party cookies” or “Block all cookies”
Samsung Internet:
- Open browser → Menu → Settings
- Tap “Privacy and security”
- Select “Block cookies” and choose your preference
Note: Blocking all cookies may affect website functionality on mobile devices.
Cookie Retention
Different cookies have different lifespans:
- Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Remain until their expiry date or until you delete them
- Our cookies: Generally expire within 1-2 years
- Third-party cookies: Controlled by the respective service providers
Updates to This Policy
We may update this cookie policy to reflect:
- Changes in our use of cookies
- New technologies or services
- Updates to legal requirements
- Improvements to clarity
We’ll notify you of significant changes by:
- Updating the “last modified” date above
- Displaying a notice on our website
- Including information in our newsletter
Your Rights and Choices
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- Know what cookies we use and why (covered in this policy)
- Control cookie settings through your browser or our tools
- Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time
Impact of Disabling Cookies
Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our website:
If you disable essential cookies:
- Some pages may not load correctly
- Forms may not submit properly
- Security features may not work
If you disable analytics cookies:
- Your visits won’t be tracked (which is fine!)
- We won’t know which content is most helpful
- Website improvements may be slower
If you disable functional cookies:
- You’ll need to re-enter preferences each visit
- Comments may not work as expected
- Personalisation features won’t function
Contact Us About Cookies
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy please contact us.
We’re happy to explain our cookie practices and help you adjust your preferences.
Additional Resources
For more information about cookies and online privacy:
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): ico.org.uk
- About Cookies: aboutcookies.org
- Your Online Choices: youronlinechoices.com
These resources provide independent information about managing your online privacy and cookie preferences.