Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to website owners.

Cookies are not programs, they cannot run code or deliver viruses. They are simply data files. However, some cookies can be used to track your browsing behaviour across multiple websites, which is why cookie transparency is important.

Similar technologies include:

• Web beacons (tracking pixels): tiny invisible images embedded in web pages or emails that record when the page is opened
• Local storage: data stored in your browser that persists beyond a session
• Session storage: data stored only for the duration of your browsing session
• Fingerprinting: the collection of browser/device attributes to identify you without a cookie (we do not intentionally use this)

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function. Without them, you cannot navigate the site or use its features. They cannot be disabled.

Examples on our site:

• Session management cookies (keeping you logged in during your visit)
• CSRF protection cookies (security against cross-site request forgery attacks)
• WooCommerce session cookies (maintaining your shopping cart)
• WordPress authentication cookies (if you have an account)
• Cookie consent preference cookies (remembering your cookie choices)
• Load balancer cookies (ensuring consistent server routing)

2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect anonymized information about how visitors use our website. This helps us improve the site experience.

Services we use:

• Google Analytics (GA4): collects anonymized data on page views, sessions, traffic sources, user behaviour, and conversions. IP addresses are anonymized. Data is stored on Google’s servers in the United States. You can opt out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• WordPress / Elementor analytics (if applicable): plugin-level analytics for page builder performance

2.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to provide enhanced, personalized functionality.

• Language and region preferences
• Remembered form data to make future form completion easier
• Pop-up dismissal preferences (e.g., if you have closed our lead capture pop-up, we remember this)
• Video player settings (e.g., volume preferences)
• Accessibility preferences

2.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Services we may use (where advertising campaigns are active):

• Meta Pixel (Facebook/Instagram): tracks actions taken on our website after clicking on a Meta ad. Used to create Custom Audiences for retargeting. You can opt out at facebook.com/settings?tab=ads
• Google Ads Conversion Tracking: tracks conversions (e.g., appointment bookings, form submissions) after clicking a Google ad
• Google Ads Remarketing: serves ads to past visitors when they use Google Search or browse sites in the Google Display Network
• Google Tag Manager: a tag management system that controls when and how tracking tags fire on our site

2.5 Third-Party Embedded Content Cookies

Some pages may include embedded content from third parties, which may set their own cookies:

• Google Maps embed: sets cookies when you interact with the map (e.g., on our Contact page)
• YouTube embeds: sets cookies if we embed videos from YouTube
• Fresha booking widget: the booking widget may set functional cookies to manage your booking session
• Instagram feed embeds (if applicable)

3. Cookie Duration

Cookies can be categorized by how long they persist:

• Session cookies: temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. Used for core website functionality
• Persistent cookies: remain on your device for a defined period. Duration varies by purpose: analytics cookies typically last 13-26 months; marketing cookies typically last 30-180 days; preference cookies typically last 12 months
• Third-party cookies: duration is set by the third party and outside our control

4. Full Cookie Register

The following is a representative list of cookies in use on our site. This list may not be exhaustive, as third-party services may add or modify cookies without prior notice to us. We review and update this list periodically.

• _ga (Google Analytics): persistent, 2 years, distinguishes unique users
• _ga_XXXXXXX (Google Analytics 4): persistent, 2 years, session state
• _gid (Google Analytics): persistent, 24 hours, distinguishes users
• _fbp (Meta Pixel): persistent, 90 days, Facebook conversion tracking
• fr (Facebook): persistent, 90 days, delivers and measures ads on Facebook
• woocommerce_session (WooCommerce): session, maintains shopping cart
• woocommerce_cart_hash (WooCommerce): session, stores cart contents hash
• wordpress_logged_in (WordPress): session, authentication status
• wordpress_sec (WordPress): session, security token
• PHPSESSID: session, PHP session management
• cookielawinfo-checkbox (cookie consent plugin): persistent, 1 year, records your cookie preferences

5. Managing and Controlling Cookies

5.1 Our Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner that gives you the option to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie preferences link in our website footer.

5.2 Browser Settings

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions
• For mobile browsers, access cookie settings through your browser’s Settings menu

5.3 Opt-Out Tools

• Google Analytics: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Google Ads personalization: adssettings.google.com
• Facebook/Instagram ads: facebook.com/settings?tab=ads
• Network Advertising Initiative opt-out: optout.networkadvertising.org
• Digital Advertising Alliance (Canada): youradchoices.ca

5.4 Do Not Track

Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals because there is no universally accepted standard for what DNT means or how websites should respond to it.

6. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, our practices, or applicable regulations. We will update the effective date at the top of this page when changes are made.

7. Contact

For questions about our use of cookies or to request that we provide more information:

Email: [email protected]

Website: balancedbeautymedspa.ca

Address: 700 Chrislea Rd, Woodbridge, ON L4L 8K9