THE CONFUSION ABOUT WEBSITE COOKIES

The implementation of cookie law has seen a lot of website globally, revise their cookie policy and most importantly seek the consent of a website user before such person can proceed to using the website. Most users have found themselves accidentally and unconsciously accepting a cookie policy due to the urgency of the need to use these websites.

Cookies are small text files that are stored by the browser upon visiting a website. In this way, the website provider can store information on the users’ computer, such as their login data, that can be accessed next time the user visits the website. (Oksana Kulyk et al 2018).



To verify the identity of a user when they search from page to page, secure websites use cookies; without cookies, login credentials will have to be entered before each object is added to the cart or wish list. Enabling and enhancing cookies.

Cookies put on a website are referred to as 'first party cookies' and those placed on a website by other websites running content are referred to as 'third party cookies.' Only data that has been put on a visitor's computer can be accessed from a website. Anything from other cookie files or other information saved on the computer cannot be retrieved.



Cookies exist in two major types;

Session cookies: These cookies remain in the browser and retain information until the browser is closed. They do not persist in order to handle this person as a new user every time on the website.

Persistent cookies: cookies with a lifetime that lasts until or until a specified period, typically with a browser cache, is removed. After a browser is closed, these remain and are also connected to items like login credentials, shopping carts, and more.

The ability of web cookies to retain and automatically provide specific information about website users whenever a visitor revisits a website allows e-commerce merchants to simplify the purchasing process for returning customers by not requiring them to provide payment details that were already given during a previous visit. Cookies can stay stored in the browser until the user deletes them.

Unleashing the cookie's full power, one can begin with the awareness of customized promotions and efforts that can be carried out on the website and elsewhere.

Using cookies, personalized ads increase conversion rates and retargeting helps to produce dynamic ads that can double the click-through rate and halve the cost of acquisition compared to regular static ads. With details about age, location, browsing habits, and much more, these cookies provide access to learn more about a customer. Advert campaigns could then be adapted and help the ecommerce website in putting one’s best foot forward.

The knowledge that these cookies rely on and track as users perform various actions will give you useful options to evaluate every customer. Simple cookie analytics can do things such as monitor reference sources, session times, unique users, and the number of previous visits.

Cookies are capable of doing so much, they are not just a crucial but a smart part of any digital advertising and website management for eCommerce website.


Watch this short video for a quick explanation on cookies.


                                                                      

                                                                                                                               By Daniel Taiwo Enisan


Keywords

Cookies, Cookie Law, Cookie Policy, Cookie Analytics.

REFERENCES

Are Cookies Good or Bad for Your eCommerce Health? | CustomerThink. 2021. Are Cookies Good or Bad for Your eCommerce Health? | CustomerThink. [ONLINE] Available at: https://customerthink.com/are-cookies-good-or-bad-for-your-ecommerce-health/. [Accessed 22 February 2021].

Anthony, M., 2008. 'Online Privacy and the Disclosure of Cookie Use: Effects on Consumer Trust and Anticipated Patronage', Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, vol. 27, (1), pp. 19-23.

 


Comments

  1. Fernando BrambilaApril 5, 2021 at 2:17 PM

    Brilliant content Daniel, It is incredible how third-party cookies can function, allowing marketers and analytics firms to trace users' browsing histories around the web on all pages containing their advertising. However, these cookies may be very troublesome since they may be created by websites other than the one the user is browsing, mainly because they are connected to the ads that appear on the website. Furthermore, there is a form of cookie known as Zombie cookies that comes under the category of third-party cookies. Zombie cookies can be indefinitely installed on a user's device not only if the user decides not to install them, but they can also survive or reaper after being removed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Saquib HussainApril 15, 2021 at 10:45 AM

    I complete agreement with you, Daniel. Now we know cookies are data files that are stored about you when you're online and monitor your movements. So, if you go to a weather website and type in your zip code to see what's going on in your town, cookies will remember your zip code the next time you visit the site. There are first-party cookies, which are placed by the site you visit, and third-party cookies, which are placed by advertisers to see what you're interested in and serve you ads based on that information, even after you leave the original site you visited. This is how advertisements track you around the internet.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aslihan YilmazApril 16, 2021 at 2:37 AM

    Cookies can cause problems if they fall into the hands of malicious people. In order to avoid problems, I suggest you enter your information without feeling lazy every time. Most people, including me, do not want to waste time, so we prefer to log in using cookies on some sites. Then we should delete our cookies, at least periodically.
    Third party cookies are more troublesome. These are usually generated by websites different from those pages because they are linked to advertisements on the web pages users are currently browsing. When visiting a site with 10 ads, 10 cookies can be created even if users do not click on these ads.
    Third-party cookies allow advertisers or analytics companies to track an individual's browsing history on the web on sites that contain their advertisements. As a result, advertisers can identify that a user first searched for running clothes in a particular outdoor store, then browsed a specific sporting merchandise site, and then a specific online sportswear boutique.

    ReplyDelete

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