# Privacy basics sorted, and no cookie banner nagging your customers

> A plain-English privacy policy, no tracking cookies and forms that only ask for what they need, set up with UK GDPR in mind from day one. Included on every plan.

- Source: https://nerdsharks.com/features/gdpr-and-cookies
- Publisher: Nerdsharks (Exeter, Devon, UK)
- Updated: 2026-09-27

UK GDPR and the rules on cookies apply to small businesses as much as big ones, but most owners have no idea what their website is quietly collecting. Every Nerdsharks site is set up with those rules in mind. We write you a plain-English privacy policy that says what your forms collect and why, and a cookie policy to match. Your site does not set tracking or advertising cookies, so there is no consent banner getting in the way of customers. Forms ask only for what you need to reply or quote, and explain what happens to the details. We are not lawyers, and your policy depends on how you run your business, so we ask you the right questions and flag anything that needs proper advice.

## How it works

1. **We ask how you use data** - On your setup call we ask what you do with enquiry details, who else sees them and how long you keep them, so the policy describes your real business.
2. **Privacy policy written for you** - We write a clear privacy policy and cookie policy in plain English and link them from every page and every form.
3. **No tracking cookies** - The site does not set advertising or tracking cookies, and visitor stats are counted without them, so there is nothing to ask consent for.
4. **Forms that ask for less** - Each form collects only what you need, with a short line underneath saying how the details will be used.

## Why it matters

- **No banner in the way** - Cookie banners are the first thing many visitors see and the first reason some leave. Without tracking cookies, your site does not need one.
- **Customers can see you are careful** - A clear privacy notice and a form that does not ask for more than it needs both signal a business that treats people’s details with respect.
- **Less to worry about** - The common gaps, like no privacy policy or a form collecting more than it should, are closed from launch. Anything unusual gets flagged to you early.

## Questions

### Does my website need a cookie banner?

A website only needs a cookie consent banner if it uses cookies or similar storage that are not strictly necessary, such as advertising or tracking cookies. Your site does not use them, so it does not need a banner. If you later add tools that do, we tell you before it goes live.

### Do you write my privacy policy?

Yes, we write a plain-English privacy policy and cookie policy for your site, based on what you tell us about how you handle customer details. It is not legal advice, so businesses handling sensitive data should have it checked.

### Do I need to register with the ICO?

Many UK businesses that handle personal data must pay the ICO data protection fee, though some are exempt. The ICO has a short self-assessment on its website that tells you whether you need to; we point you to it during setup.

### Is GDPR setup extra?

No, the privacy policy, cookie policy and privacy-minded forms are included on every plan, including Monthly at £99 a month.