Cookie Policy

Last Updated: 29 December 2025

Website: shmowebsites.com

Contact (privacy/cookies): [email protected]

Phone: +44 7508 199860

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how Shmo Websites ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on shmowebsites.com, and the choices you have. This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.

Your Control: You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" button in our website footer or by adjusting your browser settings.

1. What Cookies Are

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, phone, tablet) when you visit a website. Cookies help websites function, improve user experience, and provide information to website owners.

Cookie Origin

  • First-party cookies: Set by our website (shmowebsites.com)
  • Third-party cookies: Set by a service provider we use (e.g., Google Analytics)

Cookie Duration

  • Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
  • Persistent cookies: Remain until they expire or you delete them

Cookies help us to:

  • Remember your cookie preferences
  • Understand how visitors use our website
  • Improve website performance and security
  • Provide relevant content and advertising (if you consent)

2. Similar Technologies We May Use

We may also use technologies similar to cookies:

Local Storage / Session Storage

Browser storage used to remember preferences and settings

Pixels / Tags / Scripts

Code used for analytics and marketing where enabled (e.g., Facebook Pixel)

Server Logs

Records used for security and diagnostics (e.g., IP address, browser type, access times)

Where these involve storing or accessing information on your device, we treat them in line with this Cookie Policy and applicable law.

3. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

A) Strictly Necessary (Essential)

Always Active

Required to operate and secure the website. These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. You cannot opt-out of these cookies.

What they do:

  • • Security and fraud prevention
  • • Load balancing
  • • Form protection / anti-spam
  • • Basic site features and navigation

B) Preferences / Functional (Optional)

Requires Your Consent

If enabled, these enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and previous interactions.

What they may remember:

  • • Display settings
  • • Consent preferences
  • • Language preferences
  • • Accessibility settings

C) Analytics / Performance (Optional)

Requires Your Consent

If enabled, these help us understand how visitors use the site (e.g., which pages are visited, traffic sources, performance issues).

What they do:

  • • Track page views and visitor numbers
  • • Measure how long you spend on pages
  • • Identify which pages are most popular
  • • Track where visitors come from (referral sources)

Duration: Up to 24 months

D) Marketing / Advertising (Optional)

Requires Your Consent

If enabled, these may be used to measure advertising effectiveness and show relevant ads. We may share this information with third parties.

What they do:

  • • Track conversions from ads
  • • Build a profile of your interests
  • • Show relevant advertisements
  • • Measure advertising effectiveness

Duration: Up to 12 months

No Booking Tools: We do not use third-party automated booking tools, so cookies are not used for booking widgets on this site. We arrange all meetings manually.

4. Consent and Legal Basis

Where required by law:

Consent Required

We will request your consent before setting non-essential cookies (analytics, marketing, functional). You can change or withdraw consent at any time via the Cookie Settings button or browser controls.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent because they are needed for site operation and security. These will be active regardless of your choice.

Legal Basis: We process strictly necessary cookies based on legitimate interest (site security and functionality). Optional cookies require your explicit consent under UK GDPR and EU GDPR.

5. Detailed Cookie Table

Below is a detailed breakdown of the specific cookies we may use on our website:

Cookie Name Purpose Type Duration
shmo_cookie_consent Stores your cookie consent preferences Strictly Necessary 365 days
PHPSESSID Maintains session state and security Strictly Necessary Session
_ga Google Analytics - distinguishes unique users Analytics 24 months
_gid Google Analytics - distinguishes users Analytics 24 hours
_gat Google Analytics - throttles request rate Analytics 1 minute
_fbp Facebook Pixel - tracks conversions and audiences Marketing 90 days
fr Facebook - delivers and measures ads Marketing 90 days
_gcl_au Google Ads - stores conversion data Marketing 90 days

Note: This table lists cookies we may use. Analytics and Marketing cookies will only be set if you provide consent through our cookie banner.

6. Third-Party Cookies

If we enable third-party services (e.g., analytics or ads), those providers may set cookies. Their privacy/cookie policies apply to their processing. We do not control these cookies.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyse website traffic and user behaviour. Google may use this data in accordance with their privacy policy.

Google Privacy Policy →

Facebook Pixel

We may use Facebook Pixel for advertising and conversion tracking. Facebook processes this data according to their data policy.

Facebook Data Policy →

LinkedIn Insight Tag

We may use LinkedIn Insight Tag for professional network advertising and analytics.

LinkedIn Privacy Policy →

7. Cookie Retention

Cookies remain on your device for different periods depending on their type:

Session Cookies

Removed when you close your browser.

Example: PHPSESSID (maintains your session while browsing)

Persistent Cookies

Remain until they expire or you delete them.

Example: shmo_cookie_consent (365 days), _ga (24 months)

Retention periods vary by cookie type and provider. See the detailed cookie table (Section 5) for specific durations.

8. Managing Cookies

You have several options to control or limit how cookies are used on your device:

A) Cookie Banner / Consent Tool

If we use a cookie banner, you can manage your preferences there (accept all, reject optional, or customise). If you do not see a banner, it may mean optional cookies are disabled at that time and only essential cookies are used.

To update your preferences:

  1. Scroll to the bottom of any page
  2. Click the "Cookie Settings" button in the footer
  3. Toggle your cookie preferences on/off
  4. Click "Save Preferences"

B) Browser Controls

Your browser can usually delete cookies, block cookies, block third-party cookies, or notify you before storing cookies. Blocking certain cookies may affect site functionality.

Google Chrome

  1. Click the three dots menu (⋮) → Settings
  2. Click "Privacy and security" → "Cookies and other site data"
  3. Choose your preferred cookie settings
Learn more →

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click the menu (≡) → Settings
  2. Click "Privacy & Security"
  3. Under "Cookies and Site Data", adjust your preferences
Learn more →

Safari

  1. Click Safari → Preferences
  2. Click the "Privacy" tab
  3. Adjust "Cookies and website data" settings
Learn more →

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the three dots menu (…) → Settings
  2. Click "Cookies and site permissions"
  3. Click "Cookies and data stored" and adjust settings
Learn more →

C) Industry Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of interest-based advertising through these industry tools:

Important: Disabling all cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website. Strictly necessary cookies will still be used to ensure the site functions properly.

9. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

We respect your privacy choices. Instead of relying on DNT signals, we recommend using our Cookie Settings banner to control your cookie preferences directly.

10. Contact

Questions about cookies or privacy:

11. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in law, technology, or site functionality. Updates will be posted here with a revised "Last updated" date.

12. More Information About Cookies

To learn more about cookies and how they work, visit these helpful resources:

Related Documents

For more information about how we protect your data and our terms of service, please review:

Summary: This Cookies Policy works together with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. By continuing to use our website, you acknowledge that you understand how we use cookies and consent to our cookie practices as described in this policy (subject to your cookie preferences).

Need Help?

If you have questions about our cookie practices, we're here to help.

Contact Us

Shmo Websites | Manchester, United Kingdom
[email protected] | +44 7508 199860