Quick answer
Cookies are small text files a website stores in your browser to remember logins, carts and preferences. Some also track behaviour for analytics and advertising. On WordPress, a consent plugin can scan, categorise and block non-essential cookies until visitors agree.
Key takeaways
- Cookies are small files that help websites remember visitors and settings.
- Essential cookies keep sites working, while analytics and marketing cookies track behaviour.
- Australian privacy law and international rules like GDPR affect how you use them.
- WordPress consent plugins make compliance straightforward.
What types of cookies are there?
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Essential | Make the site work, such as carts |
| Preference | Remember language or region |
| Analytics | Measure how the site is used |
| Marketing | Track visitors for advertising |
Does an Australian site need a cookie banner?
Australia has no specific cookie law, but the Privacy Act applies when cookies collect personal information. If you have EU or UK visitors, GDPR generally requires consent before non-essential cookies.
This is general information, not legal advice.
How do you add consent on WordPress?
- Choose a plugin such as Complianz, CookieYes or Cookiebot.
- Scan your site and categorise the cookies.
- Configure a banner with clear accept, reject and settings options.
- Block non-essential scripts until consent.
- Set up Google Consent Mode and update your privacy policy.
What makes a good banner?
- Accept and reject are equally easy.
- Plain language, not legal jargon.
- It does not cover the whole screen on mobile.
- Visitors can change their choice later.
What should your privacy policy say about cookies?
- What cookies are and why you use them.
- The categories you use.
- Third-party services that set cookies.
- How visitors can change their consent.
- How long cookies last.
How do you check it works?
Test in a private window. Before accepting, confirm marketing scripts are not loading. After accepting, confirm analytics records visits. Common mistakes are scripts loading before consent and a reject button that is hard to find.
Our WordPress development team can set up consent and tracking correctly.
Bottom line
Know which cookies your site sets, explain them clearly and give visitors choice where it applies. A good consent plugin makes this manageable.
