The Short Answer
When someone visits your website, a cookie is a small text file that is stored in their browser. It quietly keeps track of things like login information, preferences, or how you browse so that you have a better experience the next time you visit. Before your site goes live, you need to know what cookies are if you’re working with a small business web design company.
So, What Exactly Is a Cookie on a Website?
You’ve almost certainly seen the pop-up: “This site uses cookies.” But what does that actually mean for you as a small business owner in the UK?
When someone visits your small business website, their browser and your web server exchange a tiny piece of data that’s the cookie. It’s stored locally on the user’s device and retrieved the next time they visit. Think of it like a polite nod of recognition: your website remembers who’s been there before.
Cookies were originally developed in the mid-1990s to solve a simple problem: websites couldn’t remember users between page visits. Today, they power everything from shopping baskets to personalised homepages.
At Dot it Media, we factor in cookie compliance and user experience from the very first conversation about your project because a website that’s built right from the ground up saves you headaches (and legal issues) later on.
What Are the Different Types of Cookies on a Website?
Not all cookies work the same way. Here’s a straightforward breakdown:
Session Cookies
These are temporary. They exist only while your visitor is actively browsing and are deleted the moment they close their browser tab. If someone adds items to a shopping basket, a session cookie is what keeps those items there whilst they browse.
Persistent Cookies
Persistent cookies stay on your computer, while session cookies don’t. They stay on the user’s device for a certain amount of time, which could be days, months, or even years. People often use them to remember their login information or preferences.
First-Party Cookies
These are set directly by your website. They’re generally considered safe and are used to improve your visitor’s experience on your own site.
Third-Party Cookies
These are set by external services; think Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or advertising networks. Third-party cookies have come under increasing scrutiny due to privacy concerns, and major browsers are progressively phasing them out.
Authentication Cookies
When a user logs into your website, an authentication cookie verifies their identity and keeps them logged in as they move between pages. Without it, they’d have to log in again every time they clicked a new link.
Tracking Cookies
Used primarily by advertisers, tracking cookies monitor user behaviour across multiple websites to build a profile for targeted advertising. These are the cookies that prompted the EU’s strict privacy regulations.
Why Do Cookies Matter for Your Small Business Website?
If you’re investing in website design for a small business, you need to understand what cookies do behind the scenes, because they directly affect your legal obligations, user experience, and marketing capability.
User Experience and Personalisation
Cookies allow your website to greet returning customers by name, remember their language settings, or pre-fill forms. These small touches significantly improve the overall experience and can increase the likelihood of a conversion.
Analytics and Insight
Cookies are used by tools like Google Analytics to keep track of how people move around your website. This information is very useful because it shows you which pages are popular, where users leave, and what content gets people to ask questions. This kind of information can help you plan your whole digital strategy if you want to design a website for a small business in the UK.
E-Commerce Functionality
If your site sells products or services, cookies are what power the shopping basket. Without them, a customer’s selected items would disappear the moment they clicked to another page.
Cookie Law in the UK: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Since the UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), UK businesses are legally required to:
- Inform visitors which cookies your site uses
- Obtain explicit consent before placing non-essential cookies
- Provide a clear and accessible cookie policy
- Allow users to withdraw consent as easily as they gave it
Failing to comply can result in fines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This is why Dot it Media builds cookie consent banners and privacy-first architecture into every small business website design we deliver; it’s not an afterthought, it’s part of the brief.
How Does Cookie Compliance Affect Website Design for Small Businesses?
The good news is that a well-designed cookie consent solution doesn’t have to be ugly or disruptive. When you partner with a quality small business web design company like Dot it Media, we integrate compliant cookie banners that are:
- On-brand and visually consistent with your site
- Clear and easy to understand for your visitors
- Configured to only fire non-essential cookies after consent is given
- Regularly updated as regulations evolve
If you’re looking for small business website design services that cover the legal and technical side, not just the visuals, we’d love to chat. Take a look at our small business website design page to see how we approach the whole picture.
Best Practices When Using Cookies on a Small Business Website
Whether you’re building from scratch or redesigning an existing site, here’s what the best designs for a small business website all have in common when it comes to cookies:
- A clear, accessible cookie consent banner shown on first visit
- A dedicated cookie policy page that’s easy to find
- Granular consent options (analytics, marketing, essential)
- Regular audits to ensure cookies are still necessary and compliant
- No pre-ticked boxes; consent must be active, not assumed
These aren’t just legal requirements. They’re signals of trustworthiness that your visitors genuinely notice.
FAQs for What Is a Cookie on a Website?
What is a cookie on a website in simple terms?
A cookie is a small text file that a website saves to your browser when you visit. It stores information like your preferences or login status so the site can recognise you on your next visit and provide a more personalised experience.
Are website cookies dangerous?
Most cookies are completely harmless and serve a useful purpose. However, third-party tracking cookies used by advertisers can raise privacy concerns. Reputable websites, including those built by Dot it Media, are transparent about which cookies they use and why.
Do I legally need a cookie banner on my small business website in the UK?
Yes. Under UK GDPR and PECR, any website that uses non-essential cookies must display a cookie consent notice and obtain clear user consent before those cookies are activated. This applies to small business websites just as much as large corporate sites.
What happens if I don’t comply with UK cookie laws?
The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) can investigate and issue fines for non-compliance. Beyond fines, failing to meet cookie regulations can also damage visitor trust particularly important for small businesses building their reputation online.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies are set by your own website to improve user experience. Third-party cookies are set by external services like advertising platforms or social media tools. First-party cookies are generally considered safer and more privacy-friendly.
Does Dot it Media handle cookie compliance as part of website design?
Yes. At Dot it Media, we treat cookie compliance as a core part of every website design for small businesses, not a bolt-on extra. We build in consent management, privacy policies, and proper cookie configuration from the start.
How much does cookie compliance cost for a small business website in the UK?
For most small business websites, cookie consent solutions are included as part of a professionally built site. If you’re retrofitting compliance to an existing site, costs typically range from £100 to £500 depending on complexity. As part of a full small business web design UK package from Dot it Media, it’s built into the project.
Can visitors to my website delete or block cookies?
Yes. All modern browsers allow users to manage, block, or delete cookies through their browser settings. UK law also requires that you allow visitors to withdraw consent at any time which is why a robust cookie management tool is essential.
Will removing cookies affect my website’s performance?
Blocking or removing certain cookies, particularly session cookies, can affect functionality like shopping baskets or logged-in areas. Removing analytics cookies simply means you’ll have less data about visitor behaviour, but the site itself will still work.
Final Thoughts: Cookies and Your Small Business Website
Understanding what a cookie on a website actually does puts you in a far stronger position as a business owner. Whether it’s protecting your visitors’ privacy, staying on the right side of UK law, or simply making your site more useful, cookies are something every small business should take seriously.
At Dot it Media, we’re a small business web design company that builds websites with the full picture in mind from the first pixel to full GDPR compliance. If you’re ready to create a website that works hard for your business, explore our small business website design services today.
