What are website cookies?
Cookies are small pieces of data stored by your web browser when you visit a website. While the name may sound simple, cookies play an important role in how modern websites function. They can remember your preferences, keep you signed in, measure website performance, personalize your experience, and support online advertising.
Not all cookies serve the same purpose. Some are essential for a website to function properly, while others help website owners understand how visitors use their site or deliver more relevant advertisements. Because cookies can collect or share information about visitors, many privacy laws now require websites to disclose their use and, in many cases, obtain visitor consent before certain cookies are placed.
What you’ll learn.
• What cookies are
• How cookies work
• Types of website cookies
• First-party vs. third-party cookies
• Session vs. persistent cookies
• Why websites use cookies
• How cookies relate to privacy laws
• How consent management platforms help manage cookies
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store in your web browser when you visit a page. They allow a website to remember information about your visit, such as your login status, language preferences, shopping cart contents, or other settings. Cookies don’t contain programs or viruses—they simply store information that helps websites provide a more personalized and efficient experience.
How cookies work.
When you visit a website, the server may ask your browser to store a cookie on your device. The next time you visit that website, your browser sends the cookie back so the site can recognize your device and remember information from previous visits. This process helps websites load faster, keep users signed in, and provide a more consistent browsing experience.
Types of website cookies.
Not all cookies serve the same purpose. Some are necessary for a website to function, while others help improve the visitor experience or provide insights into website performance.
• Essential cookies enable core website functions, such as security, page navigation, and shopping carts.
• Functional cookies remember preferences like language selection or saved settings.
• Analytics cookies collect anonymous or aggregated information to help website owners understand how visitors use their site.
• Advertising cookies are used to deliver more relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
Some website technologies, such as chat widgets, accessibility tools, embedded videos, and analytics platforms, may use one or more of these cookie categories depending on how they’re configured.
Cookie categories describe what the cookie does—not what technology created it. A single website technology may use multiple types of cookies depending on its features and configuration. Because privacy requirements continue to evolve, businesses should consult qualified legal counsel when determining how cookies should be categorized and disclosed, and periodically review their website technologies to ensure their consent settings remain accurate.
First-party vs. third-party cookies.
First-party cookies are created by the website you’re visiting and are commonly used for features like logins, preferences, and analytics.
Third-party cookies are created by services embedded on a website, such as advertising networks, social media platforms, chat widgets, or analytics providers. Because these cookies may collect information across multiple websites, they are often subject to additional privacy requirements and increasing restrictions by modern web browsers.
Session vs. persistent cookies.
Session cookies exist only while your browser is open and are automatically deleted when you close it. They’re commonly used to support temporary functions, such as keeping items in an online shopping cart during your visit.
Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period of time or until you delete them. They allow websites to remember returning visitors, saved preferences, and other information across multiple visits.
Why websites use cookies.
Cookies help websites function efficiently while improving the overall visitor experience. They can remember user preferences, keep visitors signed in, support online shopping, measure website traffic, identify technical issues, and personalize content. Without cookies, many features people expect from modern websites would not work as intended.
How cookies relate to privacy laws.
Because some cookies collect or share information about website visitors, many privacy laws require websites to disclose their use and, in certain situations, obtain visitor consent before placing non-essential cookies. Regulations such as the GDPR, CCPA, and CPRA have increased transparency around how websites collect and process visitor data, making cookie notices and consent management an important part of website compliance.
How consent management platforms help manage cookies.
A Consent Management Platform (CMP) helps websites inform visitors about the cookies and tracking technologies they use while providing choices about which non-essential cookies can be enabled. Modern CMPs can categorize cookies, record visitor consent, and communicate consent preferences to supported services such as Google Analytics and advertising platforms. They help website owners manage visitor choices while supporting evolving privacy requirements.
Related resources.
• Consent Management Platforms
• Google Analytics
• Google Consent Mode
• Microsoft Clarity
• CCPA
• CPRA
• California Privacy Laws
• Website Privacy Laws
• Privacy Resource Center
What does this mean for your website?
The technologies your website needs depend on your business goals.
Some organizations may only use basic analytics. Others rely on advertising platforms, appointment scheduling, live chat, embedded videos, or customer communication tools.
The key is understanding what each technology does, what information it collects, and how it fits into your overall privacy strategy.
How One Eleven Web Design can help.
We help businesses identify the technologies installed on their websites and implement them responsibly.
Our services include:
• Website technology reviews
• Privacy-focused implementation
• Consent Management Platform (CMP) setup
• Google Consent Mode configuration
• Cookie and tracking technology reviews
• Ongoing website privacy management
We focus on implementing the technology while working alongside your legal or compliance advisors when appropriate.
Need help implementing website technologies?
Whether you're adding analytics, configuring consent tools, reviewing third-party services, or simply trying to understand what's running on your website, we're here to help.
One Eleven Web Design helps businesses evaluate, implement, and manage the technologies that power modern websites—balancing performance, functionality, visitor privacy, and long-term maintainability.
Schedule a Website Technology Review →
Legal notice
One Eleven Web Design helps businesses implement website privacy and accessibility solutions, but we are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. The information in this Resource Center is provided for general educational purposes only. Because privacy laws, regulations, and court decisions continue to evolve, businesses should consult qualified legal counsel regarding their specific compliance obligations.
