Cookie Policy
Last Updated: December 14, 2024
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
This Cookie Policy explains how Selling Electricity Online ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on sellingelectricity.com (the "Website").
2. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies for several purposes:
- Essential Functionality: To enable core website features and ensure the site works properly
- User Preferences: To remember your settings and preferences (like dark/light mode)
- Analytics: To understand how visitors use our Website and improve user experience
- Marketing: To deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness
- Performance: To optimize website speed and functionality
- Security: To protect against fraudulent activity and enhance security
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of these cookies as they are required for the Website to work.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| session_id | Maintains user session state | Session |
| security_token | Security and CSRF protection | Session |
| cookie_consent | Stores cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
3.2 Preference Cookies
Preference cookies allow the Website to remember information that changes the way the site behaves or looks, such as your preferred language, region, or theme settings.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| theme_preference | Stores dark/light mode preference | 1 year |
| language | Stores language preference | 1 year |
| zip_code | Remembers your location for rate comparisons | 30 days |
3.3 Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the Website and user experience.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies
Marketing cookies track your browsing activity to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They also help us measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Facebook Pixel | Tracks conversions and delivers targeted ads | 90 days |
| fr | Enables ad delivery and measurement | 90 days | |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick | Serves targeted advertisements | 1 year |
| test_cookie | Google DoubleClick | Tests browser cookie support | 15 minutes |
3.5 Performance Cookies
Performance cookies collect information about how you use our Website, such as which pages you visit most often and if you receive error messages. This information is used to improve how the Website works.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| performance_monitor | Tracks page load times and errors | 30 days |
| feature_test | Tests new features with subset of users | Session |
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our Website are set by third-party services. We use third-party services for analytics, advertising, and other functionality. These third parties may use cookies to collect information about your online activities across different websites.
Third-party services we use include:
- Google Analytics: Web analytics service to understand website usage
- Google Ads: Advertising platform for targeted campaigns
- Facebook Pixel: Tracks conversions and delivers targeted ads
- LinkedIn Insight Tag: Analytics and advertising for LinkedIn campaigns
- Hotjar: User behavior analytics and heatmaps
We do not control these third-party cookies. For more information about these cookies, please refer to the privacy policies of these third-party services.
5. Other Tracking Technologies
5.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)
Web beacons are small graphic images (also known as "pixel tags" or "clear GIFs") that may be included on our Website and in our emails. We use web beacons to:
- Track email open rates and engagement
- Measure ad campaign effectiveness
- Count website visitors
- Understand user behavior patterns
5.2 Local Storage
We use local storage (HTML5) to store preferences and settings locally on your device. This may include:
- Theme preferences (dark/light mode)
- Form data to improve user experience
- Cached content for faster page loading
5.3 Session Storage
Session storage temporarily stores data while you browse our Website. This data is deleted when you close your browser.
6. How to Control Cookies
6.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Accept only first-party cookies
- Delete cookies when you close your browser
- Receive notifications when cookies are set
How to manage cookies in popular browsers:
6.2 Opt-Out Tools
You can opt out of certain types of tracking using these tools:
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: Browser Add-on
- Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-Out
- Digital Advertising Alliance: DAA Opt-Out
- European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: EDAA Opt-Out
6.3 Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Currently, there is no industry standard for responding to DNT signals. We do not currently respond to DNT signals, but we provide you with other options to control tracking as described in this policy.
6.4 Mobile Device Settings
Mobile devices offer settings to limit tracking for advertising purposes:
- iOS: Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Limit Ad Tracking
- Android: Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization
7. Impact of Blocking Cookies
If you block or delete cookies, some features of our Website may not function properly. Specifically, you may experience:
- Loss of saved preferences (theme, language, etc.)
- Inability to stay logged in
- Reduced website functionality
- Less personalized experience
- Need to re-enter information on forms
Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled as they are essential for the Website to function.
8. Cookie Duration
Cookies may be either:
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
- Persistent Cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
The duration of each cookie is specified in the tables above.
9. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date.
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Email: privacy@sellingelectricity.com
Subject Line: Cookie Policy Inquiry
Address: [Your Business Address]
11. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding cookies and tracking technologies, including:
- The right to know what cookies are being used
- The right to opt out of non-essential cookies
- The right to withdraw consent at any time
- The right to access information collected via cookies
For more information about your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.
12. International Users
If you are accessing our Website from the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or other regions with cookie consent requirements, we will obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device (except where legally permitted).
You have the right to withdraw your cookie consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings or contacting us.