Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how SME Business Blog (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information when you use https://www.smebusinessblog.co.uk (the “Website”).

This policy is provided for general information and should be reviewed to ensure it matches how your Website operates (e.g., analytics, ads, newsletter tools).

1) Who We Are (Data Controller)

Website: https://www.smebusinessblog.co.uk
Email: [sofia@smebusinessblog.co.uk]
Address: London, UK

2) What Personal Data We Collect

a) Data you provide to us

  • Contact enquiries: your name, email address, message content, and any details you choose to share.
  • Newsletter sign-ups (if enabled): your email address (and name if you provide it).
  • Comments (if enabled): your name (or username), email address, website (optional), comment content, and other fields shown on the comment form.
  • Contributor/guest author submissions (if enabled): name, email, bio, and any information you submit as part of your pitch or article.

b) Data collected automatically

  • Usage data: pages viewed, clicks, time on pages, referring pages, and similar analytics data.
  • Device and log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and approximate location (based on IP).
  • Cookies and similar technologies: see the Cookies section below.

3) How We Use Your Data

We use personal data to:

  • Respond to messages and enquiries
  • Send newsletters or updates (if you subscribe)
  • Publish and manage comments (if enabled), including spam prevention
  • Improve Website performance, content, and user experience
  • Monitor security, prevent fraud/abuse, and maintain site stability
  • Measure traffic and content performance (analytics)

4) Lawful Bases for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process personal data only where we have a lawful basis, including:

  • Consent: e.g., newsletter subscriptions or non-essential cookies (where required).
  • Legitimate interests: e.g., improving our Website, understanding which content helps readers, and keeping the site secure.
  • Contract: if you enter into an agreement with us (e.g., paid collaboration) or request steps before entering one.
  • Legal obligation: where we must comply with applicable laws.

5) Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. We may use:

  • Strictly necessary cookies (required for the Website to work properly and securely).
  • Analytics cookies (to understand how visitors use the Website).
  • Functional cookies (to remember preferences where applicable).
  • Marketing/advertising cookies (only if we run ads/remarketing and where applicable).

Where required, we will ask for your consent before placing non-essential cookies. You can also control cookies through your browser settings.

Cookie tools used: [Add your cookie banner/consent tool name if applicable]

6) Analytics, Advertising, and Embedded Content

Analytics

We may use analytics tools (for example, Google Analytics or similar) to measure traffic and improve content. These tools may set cookies and collect usage data.

Advertising (if applicable)

If we display ads, advertising partners may use cookies or similar technologies to measure performance and show relevant ads. If you do not run ads, you can remove this section.

Embedded content

Articles on this Website may include embedded content (for example, YouTube videos, social media posts, or other embedded articles). Embedded content behaves in the same way as if you visited the other website, which may collect data about you and use cookies.

7) Who We Share Data With

We do not sell your personal data. We may share data with trusted service providers that help us run the Website, such as:

  • Web hosting and infrastructure providers
  • Email/newsletter providers (if enabled)
  • Analytics providers
  • Security and spam prevention tools

These providers are only permitted to process data for the purposes we specify and in line with applicable data protection requirements.

8) International Transfers

Some of our service providers may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, we take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as contractual protections.

9) How Long We Keep Your Data (Retention)

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including:

  • Contact messages: typically retained for up to [12 months] for follow-up and record-keeping.
  • Newsletter data: retained until you unsubscribe.
  • Comments: retained as long as the post remains published (unless you request removal where applicable).
  • Security logs: retained for a limited period to help prevent fraud and abuse.

10) Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your situation, you may have rights including:

  • The right to be informed about how your data is used
  • The right to access your personal data
  • The right to correct inaccurate data
  • The right to request deletion of your data (in certain cases)
  • The right to restrict processing (in certain cases)
  • The right to data portability (in certain cases)
  • The right to object to processing (in certain cases)
  • Rights related to automated decision-making and profiling (if applicable)

To exercise your rights, contact us at [privacy@smebusinessblog.co.uk]. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

11) Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your personal data, you can contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to complain to the UK data protection regulator:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Website: https://ico.org.uk/
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

12) Children’s Privacy

This Website is intended for a general audience and is not designed for children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

13) Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data. However, no website can be 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

14) Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page with an updated “Last updated” date.

15) Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:
Email: [sofia@smebusinessblog.co.uk]