Introduction

As data privacy laws continue to evolve, ensuring that your website complies with regulations like the GDPR has never been more important. One key aspect of compliance is informing users about the cookies your website uses and obtaining their consent before storing any data.


A cookie consent banner is a simple yet effective way to provide transparency and manage user consent for cookies. If you're looking to implement a cookie consent banner on your website, this guide will walk you through the process, step by step, using Google Tag Manager (GTM) and the Free Privacy Policy tool. By following these instructions, you'll be able to set up a cookie consent banner that complies with privacy laws and enhances the user experience.


Let’s get started!


Note: Before starting, make sure you have Google Tag Manager (GTM) integration configured on your website. If you haven't set up GTM yet, click here for instructions on how to do so.


Once you're ready, follow these simple steps to set up your cookie consent banner quickly and easily:

 

Step 1: Access the Cookie Consent Customization Tool

Start by visiting the website for cookie consent customization: https://www.freeprivacypolicy.com/free-cookie-consent/


Step 2: Start Customizing the Banner

Once on the page, scroll down to the customization section to begin personalizing your cookie consent banner.






Step 3: Choose When the Scripts Will Load

In this step, you will choose when the cookies or scripts on your website will be loaded. You have two options:

  • Automatic Load: Scripts are loaded immediately.
  • Load After User Consent: Scripts are loaded only after the user has given their consent.


For privacy reasons, we recommend selecting the second option—Load After User Consent—to ensure full compliance with privacy laws.





Step 4: Customize Your Banner’s Appearance

Now it’s time to personalize the appearance of your cookie consent banner:

  • Enter Your Website Name: This is the name of your website or directory that will appear on the banner.
  • Choose a Style: Select a design that fits your website’s theme.
  • Select a Color Palette: Customize the color scheme to match your website's branding.
  • Choose the Language: Make sure to choose the correct language of your website to ensure your visitors can understand the message.




Step 5: Link to Your Privacy Policy

You can also add a link to your Privacy Policy page within the banner. This is crucial for compliance with privacy regulations like the GDPR. For example, you could link to: www.yourdirectory.com/privacy


Adding this link ensures that visitors can easily access your full privacy policy for transparency.




Step 6: Add Scripts for Consent Management

If you’re using services like Google AdSense, you may need to include their respective scripts in your cookie consent setup. Here, you can paste the script for services you're using, such as AdSense or other tracking tools. 


Make sure to select the level of consent required from users for each service from the available options. This will ensure that you're in compliance with data protection regulations.




Step 7: Insert the Code into Your Website

Once your customization is complete, the tool will provide you with a cookie consent code. Here’s how you can add it to your website:

  • Copy the code provided by the tool.
  • Paste the code into the "Script Code" box in the tool.
  • After pasting the code, click on “Add this script” to generate your final consent script.


The script will now be ready for use on your website.

 

Step 8: Implement the Cookie Consent Banner via Google Tag Manager

You are now ready to implement your cookie consent banner on your website using Google Tag Manager (GTM).





To do this, follow these steps (assuming that you already have a GTM account and container created for your website):

 


1. Create a New Custom HTML Tag
Go to your GTM dashboard, create a new tag, and name it something like "Cookie Consent Banner".




2. Configure the Tag
Click on "Tag Configuration" and edit it. Then select "Custom HTML" as the tag type. 

 




3. Paste the Cookie Consent Code
In the HTML field, paste the code you copied from the consent customization tool. 




4. Set Triggers
Under the Triggers section, select All Pages. This will ensure the consent banner appears on every page of your website. 




5. Save the Tag, Submit and Publish the Container
After configuring the tag and triggers, click Save to store the changes. Finally, click Submit and Publish to apply the changes to your website. 


 


The cookie consent banner is now active on your website! Users will see it as soon as they land on any page, and it will allow them to provide consent for cookies in compliance with privacy laws.


Additional Information and Support

If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: [email protected]


We take great care in providing this information, but please note that this support article should not be considered a substitute for professional legal advice. For a complete understanding of privacy laws and compliance, please consult with a legal expert.