What cookies we use and how to manage them
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them on www.smallbusinessguide.co.uk, and how you can manage your cookie preferences. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners about how their site is being used.
Cookies cannot harm your device or access other files on it. They simply store small pieces of information that help improve your browsing experience.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They cannot be disabled. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences.
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our Site. These cookies collect information about pages visited, time spent on the site, and how you arrived. This data is anonymised and aggregated — we cannot identify individual users.
When you click on affiliate links (such as links to Tide or Capital on Tap), those third-party websites may set their own cookies to track referrals and attribute commissions. We do not control these cookies. Please refer to the privacy policies of those third parties for more information.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier | 2 years | |
| _ga_[ID] | Google Analytics | Persists session state across page requests | 2 years | |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users for analytics reporting | 24 hours | |
| sbg_cookie_consent | Small Business Guide | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 1 year |
You can control and manage cookies in several ways:
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically find these in the "Settings", "Privacy", or "Security" section of your browser. Here are links to cookie management instructions for popular browsers:
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Site.
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
When you click on affiliate links on our Site, you may be redirected to third-party websites that set their own cookies. We have no control over these cookies. We recommend reviewing the cookie policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Our main affiliate partners include:
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us at contact@smallbusinessguide.co.uk or via our Contact page.