Most of the time Privacy Polices are just copy and pasted in a confusing language that you need a lawyer to comb through – I like to do things differently. Here you will find the data I collect through cookies, forms, and other add-ons like analytics and what I do with that data.
What Information Do I Collect
When interacting with my website through forms or using my services I may ask for your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, about your business and other details like this to provide you a better experience working together. I also collect non-personally identifiable website usage data through cookies.
What I Don’t Collect
I never directly collect information like credit card or bank account information. In order to receive payments for invoices or orders, I use third-party payment gateways Stripe and Wave Financial to handle sensitive information. You should refer to their terms of services and privacy polices if you have concerns. I am not responsible or liable for the action or breaches of third-party gateways. With that being said, both Stripe and Wave Financial have a great security standing and are industry standards. I have pride in working with the best gateways possible, if there are any issues with these gateways when dealing with me, please let me know.
Cookies
Like almost every other website, I use cookies. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your web browser (if you allow) that enables the site’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. Cookies are used to enhance my business, user experience on my website, and to better serve my clients. These can be turned off in your browser and it will not prevent you from using my website or services.
Unlike almost every other website, I detail how this information is used below.
Also if you’re looking to opt out of cookies and have your information deleted, please fill out this form: https://garett.in/cookie-opt-out
Never Sold, Never Shared
Any and all personally identifiable information I gather through forms and cookies are never sold, traded, or shared to a third-party for their advantage. Whether Taylor Swift asks to see my traffic or Microsoft offers me a million of dollars, your personal data is safe.
I do use third-party services like Google Analytics and MailChimp. Some of the data I collect is used through these services for me and my business only, however I cannot control what they do with the data furthermore. I have specified all the third-party services I use below.
How & Why The Data Is Collected
Paperform (Contact Form / Questionnaires)
The contact form and questionnaires [like my Project Planner] on this website are used to interact with and service whomever fills it out. This allows me to connect and interact with people directly via email in a detailed way, so that I can best help them.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics allows me to see the amount of traffic and the trends in viewers that visit my website with a cookie. This helps me recognize things like where my marketing is most effective, what type of articles are favored by my viewers, and what upgrades my website might need.
Facebook & Twitter Remarking
Facebook and Twitter allow me to use a cookie to mark which users on that particular service have visited my website. This helps me better target who does and doesn’t see my advertisements on those social networks.
Flodesk (Email Communications & Opt-ins)
Flodesk allows me to collect emails and message people who subscribe to my newsletter through the form inputs on my website. This helps me connect with my subscribers and send them more of the things they like.
Gist (Chatboxes)
ConvertFox allows me to put a Facebook messenger-esque chat box on the bottom of certain pages which is a means of talking with people in real-time or collecting their email address to follow up with if I’m not available at the moment. ConvertFox also uses a cookie so that I can keep track of those I’m chatting with if they return in the future and to help me know which page they’re on if there’s a problem.
ThriveCart (Cart Checkout)
ThriveCart is a cart tool I use for digital product and photography checkouts. It collects the information I need to deliver to deliver said products, and directly connects with the secure third-party Stripe to process payments.
Dubsado (Client Portal & Onboarding)
Dubsado is what’s used to handle my private client portal and onboarding such as emails, contracts, proposals, etc. The information and files transferred back and forth through the client portal help keep my projects organized and secure.
Book Like A Boss (Scheduling)
Book Like A Boss is what I used to schedule times for consultations, 1-on-1’s, and other types of meetings. This collects information like your name and email address to allow me to connect with you at your scheduled time.
KingSumo (Sweepstakes)
KingSumo allows me to run sweepstakes to my audience so that I can expand my reach. In exchange for specifically given information such as email, social media follows, and more, those that opt will get points towards entries.
Various Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs like the Amazon Affiliate Program, Apple Music / iTunes Affiliate Program, and those offered by developers of SaaS (Software as a Service) products I link to use a cookie just to determine that you were referred from my website. This helps track commissions to me. For more on affiliate programs, read the next section below.
Affiliate Disclosure
Occasionally, I will promote programs or services by other people through my blog and marketing channels, sometimes for a commission, but always because I support a product and think it will benefit my audience. Often these recommendations are referred to as “affiliate links”. Some marketers link to nonsense just for a commission, I am not one of those. My “list” and audience is never for sale and you can not pay for me to recommend or review your product – regardless of the price. I always make clear when an article or email contains an affiliate link, but I would be recommending said product even if there wasn’t an affiliate program for it.
So why use affiliate links in the first place?
An affiliate link that provides me a small commission of a sale, but with no added cost to you, allows me to dedicate more time towards creating free resources, advice, and tools. This is a win-win for both you and I.
Third-Party Links
At times I may link to third-party websites that may or may not offer products or services as well. These third-party websites have their own privacy policy. I cannot determine how they use the information collected by their website. I’m not responsible or liable for the content or actions of these third-party websites. I do have pride in linking to the best of the best content only, so if there is any problems with third-party websites I linked to I would like to hear about it.
CAN-SPAM Act
The CAN-SPAM Act is a legal set of rules for people who use email commercially. I comply with these rules and must specify the following:
I collect email addresses to:
- Send information, respond to inquiries, and /or other requests or questions.
- Process orders and to sent information and updates pertaining to orders.
- Send you additional information related to my products and services.
- Market my latest offering to my mailing list and clients after our original transaction has occurred.
I also agree to the following:
- Not to use false or misleading subject lines or email addresses.
- Identify the message as an advertisement in a reasonable way.
- Include the physical address of my business or headquarters.
- Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance.
- Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
- Allow user to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.
Unsubscribing
If at any time you would like to stop receiving future emails from me or my newsletter you can click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any newsletter email or reply to it with the words “unsubscribe”.
California Online Privacy Protection Act
CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. – See more at: http://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/#sthash.0FdRbT51.dpuf
According to CalOPPA, I agree to the following:
- Users can visit this website anonymously.
- Our Privacy Policy link includes the word ‘Privacy’ and can be easily be found on all pages in the footer.
- You will be notified of any Privacy Policy changes on this Privacy Policy page.
- Can change your personal information by emailing me.
How does my website handle Do Not Track signals?
My website does not honor Do Not Track signals. This is a limitation of the services I use to collect information. There are browsers and browser extensions that can limit and/or eliminate tracking.
Does my website allow third-party behavioral tracking?
It’s also important to note that I allow third-party behavioral tracking like Facebook & Twitter Remarketing as described above.
COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)
When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, United States’ consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online.
I do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years old.
Consent
By continuing to use my website you explicitly acknowledge and consent to these policies. Furthermore you give me permission to use your personal data specifically for the purposes identified above.
You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting: garett+consent[@]garett.co
Changes to This Policy
I reserve the right to change and update this policy at any time with no advanced notice. You can check the last time this policy was updated at the top of this page.
- 10/13/21 – added new tools (Dubsado, Flodesk), updated email
- 02/07/21 – added new tools (KingSumo, Book Like A Boss, ThriveCart), grammar fixes, making some terms clearer
- 05/24/18 – added new tool (BrandMentions), added GDPR requirements
For more information not pertaining to privacy and cookies, please check out the Terms of Service page.