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Cookie Policy

Effective date: 09/09/2025

This Cookie Policy explains how Swerve Designs (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on https://swerve-designs.co.uk (the “Site”). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy. We follow South African privacy requirements (POPIA) and general best practice for transparency and consent.

1) What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They perform functions such as keeping you signed in, remembering your preferences, and helping us understand how the Site is used. Similar technologies we may use include local storage, pixels, and tags.

  • First-party cookies are set by our Site.

  • Third-party cookies are set by services we use (e.g., analytics).

  • Session cookies expire when you close your browser.

  • Persistent cookies remain for a defined period or until you delete them.

2) Why we use cookies

We use cookies to:

  • Keep the Site secure and functioning properly

  • Remember preferences (e.g., cookie consent choices)

  • Measure performance and improve content (analytics)

  • Support features such as forms and embedded media

We do not use cookies to collect special category data. We avoid setting non-essential cookies unless you have given consent (where required).

3) Types of cookies we use

A) Strictly necessary (essential)

Required for security and core functionality (e.g., page navigation, form submissions, load balancing, fraud prevention). These cannot be switched off in our systems.

B) Performance / analytics

Help us understand how visitors use the Site (which pages are popular, how long pages take to load) so we can improve. We use aggregated reporting and try to minimise personal data.

C) Functionality

Remember choices you make (e.g., region, cookie preferences). They make your experience more personal and efficient.

D) Marketing (if enabled)

Used to measure campaigns or deliver relevant content across our own pages (we do not run invasive ad tracking). These are off by default unless explicitly enabled.

4) Your choices and consent

When you first visit, you’ll see a cookie banner with options to accept, reject, or manage settings. You can change your mind at any time:

  • Change preferences: Use the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer (or your browser’s controls).

  • Reject non-essential cookies: Choose “Reject” in the banner or turn categories off in “Cookie Settings”.

Blocking or deleting cookies may affect some Site features, but essential functions will still work.

5) Managing cookies in your browser

Most browsers let you view, delete, or block cookies. Guidance is available in your browser’s help pages. Typical paths:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data

  • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

  • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies

  • Safari (macOS/iOS): Preferences/Settings → Privacy → Cookies and website data

You can also browse in private/incognito mode to reduce persistent storage.

6) Third-party services we may use

We may use trusted third parties to operate the Site and measure performance, such as:

  • Google Analytics / Tag Manager – aggregated traffic insights (pages viewed, time on page, device types). IPs may be truncated/anonymised where supported.

  • Hosting / security providers – essential uptime, caching, firewall, and DDoS protection.

  • Embedded media / maps (when used) – may set functional cookies to deliver the embed.

Third-party providers act on our instructions where applicable or under their own privacy terms. We share only what’s necessary for the stated purpose.

7) Data retention

  • Essential cookies: retained only as long as required for security and function.

  • Preference cookies: retained until expiry or until you reset preferences.

  • Analytics cookies: typically retained for the tool’s default period (e.g., 26 months) unless configured otherwise.

When data is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it.

8) Cookie list (illustrative)

Actual cookies may vary as we improve the Site. Your Cookie Settings panel shows the current set.

Essential

  • __cf_bm / __cf_* – Bot management, performance and security (session/persistent)

  • wp-* / elementor – Core WordPress/Elementor functionality and caching (session/persistent)

  • cookie_consent / cookie_preferences – Stores your consent choices (persistent)

Performance / analytics

  • _ga, _ga_* – Google Analytics page and session metrics (persistent)

  • _gid, _gat – Short-lived identifiers to throttle requests and group visits (session/persistent)

Functionality

  • pll_language / similar – Remembers language or regional preference (persistent)

(If a marketing category is enabled in future, it will be listed in Cookie Settings before being set.)

9) Do Not Track

Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” (DNT). There is no common industry standard for responding to DNT signals, but where feasible we aim to respect privacy-forward settings alongside your cookie preferences.

10) Children’s data

Our Site is not aimed at children and we do not knowingly place non-essential cookies in services directed to children.

11) Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The Effective date above indicates the latest version. Material changes will be highlighted within this page or the cookie banner.

12) Contact

Questions about cookies or your choices?

Email: info@swerve-designs.co.uk

For general enquiries you can also use our Contact Us page: https://swerve-designs.co.uk/contact-us/