Cookies
This statement was last updated on 03 May 2021

What are cookies?
"Cookies" are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. In our case we use a mixture of Cookies and Local Storage. Local storage does the same thing as cookies but does not get sent to the server like cookies do so it is ideal for storing your preferences.

The cookies and storage allows the website to recognise your device and remember if you have been to the website before. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work more efficiently, as well as providing information to the owners of websites on site usage and performance.

There are different types of cookies. Necessary cookies enable a site's core functionality - a website cannot function properly without these cookies. You can disable necessary cookies by changing your browser preferences. Analytical cookies measure the pages a customer visits on a website - website owners collect this information to make site improvements and report on site usage. Third party cookies can be used for advertising purposes. You can read about the different types of cookies that we use on this page.

The UK Information Commissioner's Office provide guidance on how to manage and delete cookies.

How are cookies used on spotreg.com?
Some of the cookies we use are essential for site functionality.

Other cookies help us to improve your website experience, including the content and technical performance of spotreg.com, by providing insights into how the site is used. For example, they allow us to count the number of visitors to specific pages, and to analyse website usage patterns and trends.

Some cookies help us to match relevant business support with your interests – this assistance may appear in the form of advertisements via websites you visit.

The information we collect does not enable us to identify any website visitor personally. No individual data or personal information is stored in our cookies.

Measuring website usage (Google Analytics)
We use Google Analytics software to collect information about how you use spotreg.com. We do this to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements, for example improving site search.

Google Analytics stores information about:

  • the pages you visit on spotreg.com
  • how long you spend on spotreg.com
  • how you got to the site
  • what you click on while you're visiting the site

We do not collect or store your personal information (eg your name or address). We do not allow Google to use or share our analytics data.

Google Analytics sets the following cookies:

Universal analytics

Cookie namePurpose of the cookieExpires
_gaThis helps us count how many people visit spotreg.com by tracking if you've visited before2 years
_gidThis helps us count how manay people visit spotreg.com by tracking if you've visited before24 hours
_gatUsed to manage the rate at which page view requests are made1 minute


JavaScript detection
We measure how many people visiting spotreg.com are using JavaScript.

Cookie namePurpose of the cookieExpires
has_jsThis tells us if you are browsing spotreg.comwhile running JavaScriptSession cookie (when browser is closed)


Our introductory message
You may see a pop-up welcome message when you first visit spotreg.com. We will store a cookie so that your computer knows you've seen it and knows not to show it again.

Cookie namePurpose of the cookieExpires
CookieConsentSaves a message to let us know that you've seen our cookie message4 months


Advertising
We occasionally advertise spotreg.com's business support and guidance through third party sites (eg Twitter and LinkedIn). These sites use cookies to identify and display content based on your interests. The cookies also enable us to evaluate the success of any advertisements.

Third party sites set the following cookies:

Cookie namePurpose of the cookieExpires
frFacebook uses this cookie to show you spotreg.comsupport and guidance based on your interests and to report on and verify traffic from an online advert.90 days
BizoIDLinkedIn uses this collection of cookies to show you spotreg.com support and guidance based on your interests and to report on and verify traffic from an online advert.6 months
UserMatch-History6 months
langSession cookie (when browser is closed)
bcookie2 years
lidc24 hours
guest_idTwitter uses this collection of cookies to show you spotreg.com support and guidance based on your interests and to report on and verify traffic from an online advert.2 years
personal-ization_id2 years
IDEThese cookies allow us to advertise on third party websites through the Google Advertising network. Google uses this cookie to tailor advertising to you, and help match activity across devices.13 months
test_ cookie1 minute