Everything you need to know about website cookies
- kmunn87
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
It's National Cookie Day! While your team enjoys a biscuit (or two), let’s talk about another kind of cookie—one that impacts your website, GDPR compliance, and donor trust.
What Are Website Cookies?
Website cookies are tiny text files stored on a visitor’s browser when they visit your website. They help remember things like login details, shopping cart items, and user preferences—essentially making your site smarter and more user-friendly.
It’s like visiting the same coffee shop for three weeks and the barista remembering your name and that you take brown sugar, not white.
Why Should Your Charity Care About Cookie Policies?
If your charity has a website, you’re probably using cookies even if you don’t realise it. Tracking analytics, embedding social media feeds, or even having a contact form can involve cookies. That means you need to let visitors know what’s happening behind the scenes.
The Rules of the Cookie Jar
Thanks to privacy laws like GDPR (UK & EU) and CCPA (California), websites must be transparent about their cookie use. That means you need to:
Tell visitors you use cookies: Usually done with a pop-up banner or message in the bottom of the screen.
Get consent: Some cookies (like those used for analytics and marketing) require permission before they can be stored.
Give users options: Visitors should be able to accept, reject, or customise their cookie preferences.
Have a Cookie Policy – I usually incorporate this into the fuller privacy policy on the website, but you need to explain your cookies and why you use them.
As long as you do this the first time you set cookies, you do not have to repeat it every time the same person visits your website. However, bear in mind that devices may be used by different people. If there is likely to be more than one user, you may want to consider repeating this process at suitable intervals.
You may also need to obtain fresh consent if your use of cookies changes over time.
Changes to Cookies in 2025 and Third-Party Cookies
Gradual changes to cookies have been happening over 2025, particularly around third-party cookies. Major browsers, like Google Chrome, are phasing out third-party cookies as part of a broader push for user privacy. This means that cookies used for tracking across multiple websites—often for advertising and analytics—will no longer function in the same way.
For charities, this means:
A potential impact on analytics and marketing strategies
The need to explore alternative tracking methods, such as first-party data collection
Ensuring your website and any third-party tools comply with the evolving regulations
Keep an eye on updates from Google, the ICO, and other regulatory bodies to stay ahead of these changes.
Visit the ICO for more information
If you need official guidance on cookie compliance, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s go-to resource. Their website offers great guidance on GDPR, cookies, and how to ensure your charity stays compliant. You can visit their reccomendations on cookies here.
How to Add a Cookie Banner (Without Losing Your Mind)
If you’re using website builders like Squarespace or Wix, they often have built-in cookie banners that make compliance easy. If you’re working with a web designer (ahem, hello!), they can set it up for you.
Your cookie banner should:
Be clear and jargon-free
Allow users to accept or reject non-essential cookies
Provide options to manage preferences
What Happens If You Ignore Cookie Rules?
Ignoring cookie rules isn't just a legal risk, it can also damage trust. A site without clear policies looks unprofessional, which can deter potential donors. Plus, non-compliance could lead to fines or your website being flagged causing browsers to display warnings to users when they try to access it.
The Sweetest Takeaway
While website cookies may not be as delicious as actual cookies, they are really very important. Having a clear and friendly cookie policy ensures transparency, trust, and compliance—all good things for a charity looking to build credibility online.
So, this National Cookie Day, enjoy a biscuit or two, but also take a moment to check if your website’s cookie policy is up to scratch.
