In today's digital age, cookies play a crucial role in enhancing the online experience for both website owners and visitors. These tiny pieces of data are responsible for remembering user preferences, tracking website analytics, and personalizing content. To manage and control cookies effectively, website owners often employ cookie widgets. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the fascinating world of cookie widgets, exploring the various types available and their essential functionalities. Whether you're a web developer looking to implement these widgets or a website visitor curious about how your data is handled, this blog will provide valuable insights into the world of cookies and their widgets. Let's get started!
What is a Cookie?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on a user's device when they visit a website. These files contain information that can be used by the website to remember user preferences, track user behavior, and provide personalized experiences.
Due to privacy concerns of visitors or governmental regulations, websites are required to display upfront information about the cookies they track and store about the visitor.
This is where the cookie widgets come into play.
What is a Cookie Widget?
A cookie widget is a UI-based feature that usually prompts on a website to its visitors. This prompt can be either just a notification conveying to the visitor about the cookie policy on that website or can also be a consent form to store cookies about the visitor's information.
Types of Cookie widgets
Cookie widgets come in various shapes, sizes, and features. In this article, we will see in detail the different types of cookie widgets that are usually used in websites.
Cookie banner
Cookie banners usually occupy the full width of a website. They are less intrusive, are usually used for cookie notification purposes, and do not include cookie preferences. They are either displayed at the top or bottom part of the website. The main reason to use cookie banners is to provide a less interactive, less blocking way of communicating to visitors about the site's cookie policy.
If you refrain from using invasive tracking of visitor data and want to ensure a seamless website experience, opt for a cookie banner.
Cookie Popups
Visitors typically hate pop-ups in any form as it spoils their user experience. However, Cookie Popups are a different breed as it is a legal requirement and it involves user consent. Many visitors may actually feel better about asking for consent or notification upfront. And this will actually improve the reliability of your website as it will earn visitors trust.
Most cookie popups do not just stop with notifications and will include advanced options for visitors to fine-tune cookie preferences. Although invasive like any other pop-up, cookie popups, when used properly, will actually provide trust and satisfy legal requirements.
Use a cookie popup if you are more concerned about legal requirements than user experience. Also, if your website or your third-party plugins used in your website track visitors' data, that might concern them.
Cookie Buttons
Cookie floating buttons appear as chat icons that are usually found on websites. Cookie buttons always display on the website and cannot be closed. The advantage of having cookie buttons is that visitors can change their cookie preferences anytime they want.
Sometimes, cookie buttons are also a combination of popups or banners. After the visitor has initially made the cookie preference, the widget transforms into a floating button for further changes.
Use cookie buttons if you often change your cookie policy or how you track visitor data. Also, make sure there is enough room for another floating icon in your webpage in case you use other tools like chat or feedback floating buttons.
Cookie floating bar
This has all the same characteristics as a cookie banner and is used primarily for cookie notification purposes. The main difference is in the UI; it appears in a particular width (not full width like a banner) and can appear more pronounced than a banner as it is displayed offset from the top or bottom edges of the viewport.
The cookie floating bar is more modern looking and can be considered as an alternative for cookie banners as it has the same use case with a different UI.
Cookie Dialogs
This is the mother of all cookie widgets. It is like a legal wall for your website that the user should approve before entering your website. Cookie dialogs present a full-page translucent or opaque background with a dialog in the front. It requires users to provide consent to it to allow them to open the website. Typically, when users reject a cookie dialog, they are redirected away from their current URL.
Cookie dialogs are used in very few places where privacy and regulations are of utmost importance, like healthcare, citizen information, banks, etc. Although restrictive, cookie dialogs actually gain visitors' trust and provide an opportunity for the visitor to decide whether to enter a website or not based on cookie information. It is important to highlight important cookie information inside the dialog itself.
Which widget type should I choose?
Before you choose the type of widget, it is important to consider the following factors.
- User experience
- Design Aesthetics
- Legal obligations
- Features required
Typically if you do not track very sensitive usage data and you are concerned about user experience, then a simple cookie banner or floating bar should be fine. If your site or app collects data that requires advanced user consent or your business is in a location where there are strict legal rules regarding user privacy requirements, then a cookie popup or dialog would be necessary.
How to add a Cookie widget to your website?
To implement a cookie widget on your website, start by choosing a suitable solution, whether it's a plugin, third-party service, or custom coding. Identify the types of cookies your website uses and create a clear cookie policy. Design a user-friendly widget that includes a brief explanation of cookies, a consent statement, options for users to accept or decline cookies, and a link to your Cookie Policy. Customize the widget's appearance to match your site's design, then integrate it using the chosen method, whether via a plugin, custom code, or third-party service.
SubPage simplifies the process of implementing your cookie policy and widget into a seamless, all-in-one solution. With SubPage, you can effortlessly craft your cookie policy using built-in templates or receive assistance from our AI assistant. Then, select your preferred cookie widget type from our array of options, customize it to align perfectly with your brand's aesthetics, and set it live on your website. It's a hassle-free way to ensure compliance and transparency. Best of all, you can get started with SubPage for free!
Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your website's user experience while meeting regulatory requirements effortlessly.
