Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how ABACUS BLINDS AND AWNINGS (SOUTHEAST) LTD  (referred to as “Abacus Blinds”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and protects any personal data collected through our website, https://www.abacusblinds.co.uk/ . We are committed to protecting your privacy in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. Data Controller Contact Details

The Data Controller responsible for your personal data is ABACUS BLINDS AND AWNINGS (SOUTHEAST) LTD.

Registered Address: Unit 14, Viewpoint, Boxley Rd, Penenden Heath, Maidstone ME14 2DZ

Contact Email: info@abacusblinds.co.uk

2. Information We Collect and Why

2.1. Information You Provide (Inquiry Data)

When you fill out a contact or inquiry form (via our Go High-Level form on the Website), we collect the following personal data:

• Your Name
• Your Contact Information (Email address, Phone number)
• Details regarding your inquiry (e.g., product interest, location)

Purpose: This data is collected under the lawful basis of Legitimate Interest  or Contract Preparation  to enable us to respond to your specific request, provide a quote, and potentially schedule an appointment.

Handling: The form submission is routed directly via email to our contact email address and automatically enters our CRM system (Go High-Level) for efficient record-keeping. The data is not used for any marketing services ; it is retained only for the purpose of replying to your inquiry.

2.2. Website Analytics and Usage Data

We collect non-personal data about your visit to help us understand how our website is being used and how we can improve the user experience.

Plausible Analytics: We use a self-hosted version of Plausible Analytics to track website traffic and visitor numbers. Plausible is a privacy-focused analytics tool that does not use cookies and does not collect, store, or process any personal data . It provides us with aggregated, anonymous data (such as page views and referral sources).

Microsoft Clarity: We use Microsoft Clarity to gain valuable insights into how visitors interact with our pages. This uses a script that may record sessions and mouse movements on the site. This tool helps us to understand visitor habits and spot opportunities for improvement, ensuring the website is easy and intuitive to use.

Elementor & Google Fonts: We use the Elementor page builder. This may employ essential technical cookies or scripts necessary for the proper functioning and design of the website. We also use Google Fonts, which means your browser will download the required font files from Google servers to display the site correctly.

3. Data Retention Policy

We adhere to the UK GDPR principle of Storage Limitation, ensuring personal data is not kept for longer than necessary.

Initial Inquiry Data: If your inquiry does not result in a booked appointment or paying customer, we will retain your data in our CRM (Go High-Level) for a maximum of 24 months from the date of your last interaction. This allows us to follow up and service any ongoing sales cycle. After this period, the data will be securely deleted or permanently anonymised.

Customer Data: If you become a paying customer, your personal data will be retained for the duration of the guarantee period and any period required by UK financial or tax law (typically 6 years plus the current financial year) to comply with legal obligations.

4. Cookies and Your Choices

We use cookies and similar technologies for necessary website functionality and analytics.

We utilise a **cookie pop-up** that enables you to manage your preferences. Upon request through this pop-up, you have the option to block non-essential cookies.

Please refer to our separate Cookie Policy [link to your cookie policy page] for a detailed list of the cookies we use.

5. Third-Party Data Transfer

We do not sell or trade your personal data. Your Inquiry Data is shared with the following essential third parties, who act as data processors on our behalf:

Go High-Level : Used to process and store inquiry submissions in the CRM.

Microsoft Clarity : Used for website analytics and session recording.

Plausible Analytics : Used for privacy-focused, anonymous website statistics.

Social Media Links : Our website includes direct links (icons) to our social media pages. Clicking these links will take you to those external sites. We do not use any social media tracking pixels on our site; however, your activity on the external social media platforms is governed by their own privacy policies.

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access  the personal data we hold about you.

Rectify  any incorrect or incomplete personal data.

Erase  your personal data (the ‘Right to be Forgotten’).

Restrict  the processing of your personal data.

Object  to the processing of your personal data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 1. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe we have processed your data unlawfully.

Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how ABACUS BLINDS AND AWNINGS (SOUTHEAST) LTD (“Abacus Blinds”, “we”, “us”, and “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website, https://www.abacusblinds.co.uk/ .

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information and remember your preferences. Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for you to browse the website and use its features, such as remembering your selection on the cookie banner.

Functionality Cookies: These are used by services like the Elementor page builder to ensure the correct layout and function of the website content.

Analytics and Performance Cookies: These help us understand how visitors interact with the website, identifying popular pages and areas for improvement.

3. Types of Cookies Used

We primarily use cookies that fall into the following categories:

3.1. Strictly Necessary & Functionality (Always Active)

Purpose: To ensure the smooth, secure operation and design of the website. This includes storing your consent preferences from our cookie banner.

Example Service: Elementor (Page Builder).

3.2. Analytics and Performance (Subject to Consent)

These cookies are used for data collection and analysis to improve our website. They are only activated if you consent via our cookie control panel.

Microsoft Clarity: This service may use cookies to capture anonymous, aggregated user interactions (such as mouse movements and clicks) to help us optimise the website’s design and user interface.

Plausible Analytics: Our implementation of Plausible Analytics is **fully cookieless**. It does not place any cookies on your device and collects data anonymously without identifying you personally. It is an analytics tool that respects user privacy by default.

4. Third-Party Technologies and External Content

Google Fonts: When you visit our site, your browser downloads font files from Google to display our text correctly. While this is not a cookie, it involves a connection to Google’s servers, which may log technical information (like your IP address).

Go High-Level: Our inquiry forms are connected to the Go High-Level CRM. This system may use technical cookies necessary for submitting the form and ensuring the connection is secure.

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have control over the non-essential cookies placed on your device.

Cookie Pop-up Control: When you first visit our Website, our cookie pop-up allows you to **accept or decline** the use of non-essential cookies (such as those used by Microsoft Clarity). You can change your selection at any time by revisiting your browser settings or using the re-open function of the consent banner.

Browser Settings: Alternatively, most web browsers allow you to control cookies through the browser settings. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you disable strictly necessary cookies, some features of the Website may not function correctly.