Cookie Policy
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function correctly, improve user experience and provide information about how visitors interact with a website.
This policy also applies to similar technologies such as tags, pixels, scripts, local storage and other technologies that store information on, or access information from, your device.
2. Who we are
This website is operated by Smiling CFO Limited.
Smiling CFO Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 14725946.
Registered office: The Counting House, 61 Charlotte Street, St Paul’s Square, Birmingham, United Kingdom, B3 1PX.
Email: hello@smilingcfo.co.uk.
3. How we use cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- ensure the website functions correctly;
- protect website security;
- remember your cookie preferences;
- understand how visitors use our website, where you have consented to analytics cookies;
- improve website performance and user experience;
- measure or improve the relevance of marketing activity, where marketing cookies are used and you have consented.
4. Types of cookies we use
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation, security and basic functionality of the website. They cannot be disabled through our cookie preferences tool because the website cannot operate properly without them.
- session cookies;
- security cookies;
- cookie consent preference cookies;
- cookies required to operate website forms or prevent misuse.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. Analytics cookies help us measure visitor numbers, pages viewed, traffic sources, website engagement and performance.
Google Analytics cookies are only activated where you have provided consent through our cookie banner or cookie settings tool.
Functional cookies
Functional cookies may remember choices you make when using the website and improve functionality. We do not currently use functional cookies beyond those required to remember your cookie preferences, unless additional functional cookies are listed in our cookie settings tool.
Marketing cookies
Marketing cookies, tags or pixels may help us understand the effectiveness of marketing activity, improve the relevance of content or support advertising measurement. We do not currently use marketing cookies unless they are listed in our cookie settings tool. If we introduce marketing cookies, they will only be activated where you have provided consent.
5. Cookies and similar technologies used on this website
The exact cookies used on the website may depend on the website features that are active at the time of your visit and your cookie choices. The table below summarises the main technologies we use or may use. Our cookie settings tool should be treated as the live record of the cookies active on the website.
| Cookie or technology | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookie consent preference | Website / cookie consent tool | Stores your cookie choices so the website can remember whether you have accepted, rejected or managed non-essential cookies. | Strictly necessary | Typically 6 to 12 months, depending on the consent tool configuration. |
| Website session, security or form cookies | Website host, WordPress or security/form plugins | Supports website operation, security, form functionality, spam prevention and technical maintenance. | Strictly necessary | Session-based or as configured by the relevant website tool. |
| Google Analytics cookies | Measures website usage, traffic sources, pages viewed, engagement and website performance. | Analytics | As set by Google Analytics and the website consent configuration. | |
| Google Tag Manager | Manages website tags. It should not be used to activate analytics or marketing tags before consent where consent is required. | Tag management / supporting technology | As configured on the website. | |
| Marketing or advertising tags, if introduced | Relevant advertising or analytics provider | Measures marketing effectiveness, supports advertising measurement or improves relevance of content. | Marketing | As set by the relevant provider and consent configuration. |
6. Managing cookies
When you first visit our website, you will be presented with options to:
- accept all cookies;
- reject non-essential cookies;
- manage cookie preferences.
Non-essential analytics, functional and marketing cookies are not activated unless you consent, where consent is required.
You can change your preferences at any time through the cookie settings tool on our website. You may also manage cookies through your browser settings.
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
7. Third-party cookies and services
Certain third-party services integrated into our website may place cookies or similar technologies on your device. These services may include:
- Google Analytics;
- Google Tag Manager;
- website security services;
- website form or spam-prevention tools;
- embedded content providers;
- marketing or advertising measurement tools, if introduced.
Please refer to the privacy and cookie information provided by those third-party providers for further information about how they use cookies and similar technologies.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time, including where we introduce new website features, analytics tools, marketing technologies or consent management tools. Any changes will be published on this page together with the revised update date.
9. Contact
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or similar technologies, please contact hello@smilingcfo.co.uk.
