Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and understanding how you use our site.

Similar technologies include:

• Local Storage: Stores data locally in your browser
• Session Storage: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
• Web Beacons: Small transparent images used for analytics
• Pixels: Tracking codes embedded in web pages

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:

Essential Website Functions

• Remembering your theme preference (light/dark mode)
• Maintaining your session while browsing
• Ensuring website security and preventing fraud
• Enabling basic website functionality

Analytics and Performance

• Understanding how visitors use our website
• Measuring website performance and page load times
• Identifying popular content and pages
• Analyzing user behavior to improve our services

User Experience Enhancement

• Remembering your preferences and settings
• Providing personalized content recommendations
• Optimizing website layout and functionality
• Reducing the need to re-enter information

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration	Examples
Essential	Required for basic website functionality and security	Session / 1 year	Theme preferences, security tokens, session management
Analytics	Help us understand website usage and performance	13-26 months	Google Analytics, page view tracking, user behavior analysis
Functional	Remember your preferences and enhance functionality	1-12 months	Language settings, accessibility preferences, form data
Marketing	Deliver relevant content and measure campaign effectiveness	1-24 months	Campaign tracking, conversion measurement, retargeting

4. Third-Party Cookies and Services

Our website uses third-party services that may set their own cookies. These services include:

Google Services

• Google Analytics: Website traffic and user behavior analysis
• Google Fonts: Web font delivery and optimization
• Google Forms: Contact form functionality and submissions
• Google Tag Manager: Marketing and analytics tag management

Microsoft Services

• Microsoft Clarity: User behavior analytics and heat mapping
• Microsoft Advertising: Campaign tracking and optimization

Content Delivery Networks

• Cloudflare: Website performance and security
• CDN JS: JavaScript library delivery

5. Specific Cookies We Set

Cookie Name	Type	Purpose	Duration
theme	Essential	Stores your light/dark theme preference	Persistent (Local Storage)
_ga	Analytics	Google Analytics user identification	2 years
_gid	Analytics	Google Analytics session identification	24 hours
_gat	Analytics	Google Analytics request rate limiting	1 minute
_clck	Analytics	Microsoft Clarity user identification	1 year
_clsk	Analytics	Microsoft Clarity session identification	1 day

6. Local Storage and Session Storage

In addition to cookies, our website uses browser storage technologies:

Local Storage

We use local storage to:

• Theme Preference: Remember your choice between light and dark mode
• User Preferences: Store non-sensitive settings for better user experience
• Performance Optimization: Cache certain resources for faster loading

Session Storage

We use session storage for:

• Form Data: Temporarily store form progress to prevent data loss
• Navigation State: Remember your position within multi-step processes
• Temporary Settings: Store session-specific preferences

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Block all cookies from being set
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete existing cookies
• Set cookies to expire when you close your browser
• Receive notifications when cookies are being set

Browser-Specific Instructions

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

You can also opt out of certain third-party tracking:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Microsoft Clarity: Managed through browser cookie settings
• Industry Opt-Out: Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out

Mobile Device Settings

On mobile devices, you can manage tracking through:

• iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
• Android: Settings > Privacy > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

Disabling cookies may affect your experience on our website:

Essential Cookies

Disabling essential cookies may result in:

• Loss of theme preferences (will reset to default)
• Inability to maintain sessions across pages
• Reduced website functionality
• Security features may not work properly

Analytics Cookies

Disabling analytics cookies will:

• Prevent us from improving website performance
• Reduce our ability to understand user needs
• Not affect your browsing experience directly

Functional Cookies

Disabling functional cookies may cause:

• Loss of personalized settings
• Need to re-enter preferences on each visit
• Reduced convenience features

9. Cookie Consent and Legal Basis

Consent

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You can withdraw consent at any time by:

• Adjusting your browser settings
• Clearing existing cookies
• Contacting us directly

Legal Basis

Our legal basis for using cookies includes:

• Legitimate Interest: For analytics and website improvement
• Consent: For marketing and non-essential tracking
• Contractual Necessity: For essential website functionality

10. International Data Transfers

Some of our third-party services may transfer cookie data internationally:

• Google Services: Data may be transferred to the United States and other countries
• Microsoft Services: Data may be processed in various global locations
• CDN Services: Data may be cached in multiple geographic locations

These transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, including:

• Adequacy decisions
• Standard contractual clauses
• Privacy Shield frameworks (where applicable)
• Binding corporate rules

11. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New third-party services
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Improvements to our website functionality

When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify users through our website
• Provide email notifications where appropriate
• Request new consent if required by law

12. Contact Us About Cookies