Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2024
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They contain information about your browsing activity and preferences.
How Cookies Work:
- You visit our website
- Your browser stores a small file (the cookie) with identifying information
- The next time you visit, your browser sends this cookie to our server
- This helps us remember you and provide a better experience
Cookies are a standard part of the internet and are used by virtually all websites. They are NOT viruses and cannot execute code on your device.
Types of Cookies We Use
We use different types of cookies for different purposes. Here's a breakdown:
🔒 Essential Cookies (Required)
These cookies are absolutely necessary for our website to function properly. Without them, certain features wouldn't work.
What They Do:
- Keep you logged into your account
- Remember your form entries
- Process secure transactions
- Maintain session information
- Manage cookie preferences you've selected
Can You Disable Them? No. If you disable essential cookies, you won't be able to use our website properly.
📊 Analytics Cookies (Performance)
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website. They collect anonymous data about your behavior so we can improve our site.
What They Collect:
- Which pages you visit
- How long you spend on pages
- Which links you click
- Your geographic location (general, not precise)
- Your device type and browser
Tools We Use:
- Google Analytics - Website traffic and behavior analysis
Can You Opt Out? Yes! You can opt out via our cookie preferences or download Google's Analytics Opt-Out Browser Extension.
📢 Marketing Cookies (Advertising)
These cookies help us show you relevant ads and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.
What They Do:
- Track which ads you've seen
- Remember if you've visited our site before
- Help us show you relevant offers
- Measure conversion rates
Platforms We Use:
- Facebook Pixel - For retargeting on Facebook/Instagram
- Google Ads - For display advertising across the web
Can You Opt Out? Yes! You can opt out via our cookie preferences or use browser extensions that block tracking.
⚙️ Preference Cookies (Functionality)
These cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a more personalized experience.
What They Remember:
- Your language preference
- Your theme choice (light/dark mode)
- Your cookie consent preferences
- Saved form entries
Can You Disable Them? Yes, but your preferences won't be remembered on future visits.
Specific Cookies We Use
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| sessionid | Essential | User session management | Session |
| csrftoken | Essential | Security/CSRF protection | Session |
| _ga | Analytics | Visitor tracking & analytics | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics | Session tracking | 24 hours |
| _fbp | Marketing | Retargeting on Facebook | 3 months |
| preferences | Preference | Cookie consent choice | 1 year |
How We Use Cookie Data
The data collected through cookies helps us to:
Improve Your Experience
- • Understand which features you use most
- • Identify confusing or broken parts of our site
- • Optimize page load speeds
Analyze Performance
- • Track website traffic and visitor patterns
- • Measure the success of our programs
- • Identify trends in client behavior
Marketing & Outreach
- • Show you relevant ads based on interests
- • Measure campaign effectiveness
- • Reach you with special offers
Security
- • Detect unusual login attempts
- • Prevent unauthorized access
- • Protect your account information
Your Choices: Control Your Cookies
You have several options for controlling cookies on our website and across the internet.
Our Cookie Consent Popup
When you first visit our site, you'll see a cookie consent popup at the bottom of the screen. You can:
- Accept All - Accept all non-essential cookies
- Manage Preferences - Choose which types to accept/decline
Browser Cookie Controls
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:
- Chrome: Click the menu icon (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies
- Firefox: Click the menu (☰) → Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Privacy, Search, and Services → Cookies
Important Note: Blocking all cookies may break website functionality. We recommend allowing essential cookies at minimum.
Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, third parties may place cookies on your device when you visit our site:
- Google Analytics - Analytics and traffic tracking
- Facebook - Retargeting and social media integration
- Google Ads - Advertisement delivery and tracking
- Payment Processors - Secure transaction processing
We are not responsible for third-party cookies. Their use of cookies is governed by their own privacy policies.
How Long Are Cookies Stored?
Cookies expire at different times depending on their purpose:
- Session Cookies: Expire when you close your browser (e.g., login sessions, form data)
- Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period (days, months, or years)
Specific Cookie Lifespans:
- • Google Analytics: 2 years
- • Facebook Pixel: 3 months
- • Our preference cookies: 1 year
Legal Basis for Cookie Use
We use cookies based on:
- 1. Consent: We ask for your consent before using non-essential cookies. By accepting our cookie popup, you consent to our use of marketing, analytics, and preference cookies.
- 2. Legitimate Interest: We use essential cookies and analytics cookies based on our legitimate business interests in operating a secure website and understanding user behavior.
- 3. Legal Obligation: Some cookies are used to comply with legal requirements (e.g., tax tracking, fraud prevention).
Regulations We Comply With: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) - EU/UK, CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
Updates to Our Cookie Practices
As technology evolves, we may update our use of cookies. We may:
- Add new cookies for better functionality
- Remove cookies no longer needed
- Update our analytics tools
- Adjust retention periods
Updates will be reflected here with a new "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be communicated via email. Your continued use of our site after cookie policy updates constitutes your acceptance of those changes.
Questions About Our Cookies?
If you have questions about how we use cookies, our privacy practices, or want to exercise your privacy rights:
- Email: hello@mikefit.com
- Phone: (555) 123-4567
- Address: Mike Johnson Fitness, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Response Time: We'll respond to all privacy inquiries within 30 days
We're happy to explain our cookie use and help you manage your preferences.
Learn More About Cookies
Curious about cookies and online privacy? Check out these resources:
- • All About Cookies (www.allaboutcookies.org) - Cookie education
- • Internet Advertising Bureau - Digital advertising standards
- • Electronic Frontier Foundation - Privacy guides and tools
- • Your browser's help section - Cookie management guides
Understanding cookies helps you make informed decisions about your online privacy.