Setting up cookie consent on Webflow is a straightforward process. According to the EU's ePrivacy Directive, websites must obtain explicit consent from users before storing or accessing cookies.
To comply with regulations, you can use Webflow's built-in cookie consent feature. This feature allows you to create a custom cookie consent banner that appears on your website.
Compliance with Laws
Compliance with laws is a top priority when it comes to webflow cookie consent. You can rest assured that implementing a cookie consent solution will help you avoid potential legal repercussions or penalties tied to non-compliance with privacy laws.
A clear cookie consent notice on your Webflow website can act as a defense against potential legal troubles. This is especially important as digital interactions become increasingly ubiquitous, and consumer expectations around data privacy have reached an all-time high.
To ensure compliance with EU Cookie Law, CCAP, GDPR, and other privacy laws, you should consider the following key features:
- Scripts that issue cookies are not loaded on a page until a visitor accepts cookies
- Visitors are clearly presented with a link to the privacy policy
- Visitors are clearly given the option to accept or deny cookies
- Visitors are clearly given the option to accept or deny cookies by category
- Visitors are clearly given the option to access and change their consent selection after their original selection
- You have the option to store cookie consent selections on a server
While implementing a cookie consent solution can help you avoid potential legal issues, it's essential to note that some third-party providers may set HttpOnly cookies that cannot be deleted using Javascript. This is not a problem for most use cases, but if you have specific legal compliance needs, it's best to seek legal advice.
By prioritizing compliance with laws and regulations, you can build trust with your customers and maintain ethical data handling practices. This will not only help you avoid potential legal repercussions but also contribute to a positive brand image and customer loyalty.
Cookie Consent Basics
Cookie consent is a must-have for any website that wants to respect users' privacy. It's a way to inform users about the cookies being used on the site and get their consent before issuing them.
There are different types of cookie compliance, but the highest level is "opt-in to cookies", which requires users to specifically accept the use of cookies before they're issued. This approach gives users control over their data.
If a user chooses to "Accept" cookies, scripts that use cookies will run, and they can continue to use the site as usual. However, if they choose to "Deny" cookies, scripts that issue non-essential cookies will be disabled, and they can still browse the site without cookies.
What Is Opt-in?
Opt-in is a type of cookie compliance that requires users to specifically accept the use of cookies on a site before issuing cookies. This is the highest level of compliance.
The user continues to use the site with cookies only after clicking "Accept" or a similar confirmation button. Scripts that use cookies are not loaded on the page until the user specifically accepts the cookie message.
Choosing "Deny" cookies will allow users to continue browsing the site, but scripts that issue non-essential cookies will be disabled. This means Google Analytics and other user tracking scripts will not be loaded to the page.
If a user visits your website and chooses to "Deny" cookies, they will not count as a visitor on your website. This is because the scripts that track visitors will not be loaded.
Option 3 requires using type="fs-cc" on your scripts that issue cookies. This is the same implementation step as Option 2, but the key difference is when the cookies are given to the user.
What is an Information Message?
An Information Message is the most simple option to implement for cookie compliance. It requires the least amount of steps when building a cookie bar.
This type of cookie compliance informs users that cookies will be used on the site, but the user does not have the option to accept or deny the cookies. They only have the option to close the cookie banner.
The preference manager does not work with this option, as there are no cookie options or preferences to manage. This means users won't be able to turn cookies on or off.
This solution is valid for some countries, but it's not compliant with GDPR or CCPA regulations.
Setting Up Cookie Consent
To set up cookie consent in Webflow, start by adding the Finsweet Cookie Consent script to your project's custom code. This involves copying a URL endpoint from Cloudflare and modifying the script to include it.
The script should be added to the custom code section of your Webflow project, and you should publish your project to complete the setup. This will give you a mechanism to retrieve cookie consents from your site's users.
You can obtain detailed information on each value by clicking on "view".
Setting Up Finsweet Script
To set up the Finsweet Cookie Consent script, return to your Webflow project and access your project's custom code, where you integrated the script.
You'll need to modify the script by adding fs-cc-endpoint="[URL endpoint Cloudflare]" inside it, replacing [URL endpoint Cloudflare] with the URL you previously copied.
Publish your Webflow project to complete the setup.
You can verify that the script is working by obtaining detailed information on each value by clicking on "view".
Setting It Up
To set up cookie consent, you'll need to choose the right component for the job. You can use a Button, Text Link, Link Block, Div, or Text Block for the Allow All Cookies, Deny All Cookies, Close, Open Preferences, or Interaction Trigger components.
The Allow All Cookies component is required and allows users to accept all cookies with a single click. It's available in various formats, including Button, Text Link, Link Block, Div, and Text Block.
For the Deny All Cookies component, you can use Button, Text Link, Link Block, Div, or Text Block, but it's not required. This component allows users to deny all cookies except essential ones.
To close the banner without storing any consent, you can use the Close component, which is not required. This component is available in various formats, including Button, Text Link, Link Block, Div, and Text Block.
If you want to open the Preferences popup, you can use the Open Preferences component, which is not required. This component is also available in various formats, including Button, Text Link, Link Block, Div, and Text Block.
To use Webflow's Interactions to open or close the component, you can add an Interaction Trigger component, which is not required. This component must be set to display: none and is available as a Div.
Here's a brief overview of the available components:
You can also disable scrolling on the page when the banner is displayed by adding the fs-cc-scroll=disable attribute.
Cookie Consent Options
Cookie consent options can be straightforward or complex, depending on your needs. There are four main options to consider.
Option 1 is the most basic, requiring only basic compliance. Many websites use this option. Companies concerned with EU Cookie Law, CCPA, GDPR, and other privacy laws often choose Option 2 or 3 for additional protection.
Option 2 and 3 provide more comprehensive compliance, allowing users to opt-out of cookie use. Option 3 + Preference Manager is the highest level of compliance, giving you control over scripts and their execution.
A straightforward acknowledgement option is available, featuring a "Got it" button for users to confirm their understanding of cookie usage. This design enables visitors to quickly accept terms and avoid complex choices.
Alternatively, you can opt-out consent, where cookies are loaded without user consent, unless they explicitly reject them. However, this solution is not GDPR or CCPA compliant and is not recommended.
A Preferences Manager can be added as an add-on, allowing users to change their cookie consent preference. This button must always be visible after the initial selection, and can be fixed to the bottom left or right of the screen.
The Preferences component is optional, allowing users to manually decide which categories of cookies they allow or deny. You can place a div or section on the page with the fs-cc=preferences attribute and include components such as Allow All Cookies, Deny All Cookies, Close, and Preferences Form.
The Preferences Form must include elements such as Marketing Toggle, Analytics Toggle, Personalization Toggle, and Save Preferences. These elements can be customized with attributes such as fs-cc-checkbox=marketing.
Here are the components that can be used in the Preferences component:
Allow Button
The Allow Button is a crucial part of the cookie consent process, and it's essential to get it right. You'll need to add the fs-cc="allow" attribute to the button or icon that accepts all cookies and closes the cookie bar.
To do this, you'll need to place the fs-cc="allow" attribute on the button/icon/element that accepts all cookies (Example 2). This will tell the library which scripts to turn on when the user makes their category-specific selections in the Preferences Manager.
The Allow Button should be easy to find and click, making it a straightforward option for users to accept cookies. By adding this attribute, you'll be giving your users a clear and simple way to grant consent for cookies on your website.
Selection of Skins
Choosing the right skin for your cookie consent bar is a crucial step in maintaining a unified look across your website. The Webflow Cookies Consent Bar plugin offers many ready-to-use designs that you can pick to fit the look and colors of your Webflow website.
Having a consistent design will help your site visitors appreciate the effort you put into creating a seamless user experience.
Storage Options
Local storage is a great option for storing cookie consent, as it allows for fast access and doesn't require an internet connection. This makes it perfect for storing user preferences that don't need to be synced across devices.
Cookies can be stored in local storage for up to one year, giving users time to change their preferences without being repeatedly asked.
Sources
- https://finsweet.com/cookie-consent/
- https://www.digidop.fr/en/blog/storage-consents-cookies-webflow-finsweet-cloudflare
- https://www.commoninja.com/widgets/cookie-bar/webflow
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/@finsweet/cookie-consent/v/1.4.1
- https://www.datagrail.io/blog/product/announcing-datagrail-consent-for-webflow-the-perfect-balance-of-personalization-and-privacy/
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