Cookie Policy

Definition and Purpose

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognize your device and remember certain information about your visit.

We use cookies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you navigate our website
• Improve your browsing experience
• Provide personalized content and advertisements
• Analyze website performance and usage patterns

Types of Cookies

We use several types of cookies with different purposes:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly
• Performance cookies: Collect information about website usage
• Functionality cookies: Remember your preferences and choices
• Targeting/Advertising cookies: Used to deliver personalized ads

Cookie Duration

Cookies can be classified based on how long they remain on your device:

• Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a longer period (days, months, or years)

First-Party vs. Third-Party

• First-party cookies: Set by the website you are visiting (ricarbathplan.com)
• Third-party cookies: Set by other websites or services that run content on our site

We use both first-party and third-party cookies, but all are managed according to this policy.

Similar Technologies

We also use other tracking technologies that work similarly to cookies:

• Web beacons (tracking pixels)
• Local storage (browser storage)
• Device fingerprinting

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms.

Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.

Website Functionality

We use cookies to ensure our website works properly and to provide essential features:

• Site navigation: Remember your place when moving between pages
• Form functionality: Preserve form data during multi-step processes
• Security: Protect against fraudulent and malicious activity
• Load balancing: Distribute website traffic efficiently
• Cookie preferences: Remember your cookie consent choices

Analytics and Performance

We use cookies to understand how visitors interact with our website:

• Page views: Track which pages are most popular
• User behavior: Understand how visitors navigate our site
• Traffic sources: Identify where visitors come from
• Bounce rates: Measure engagement and site quality
• Conversion tracking: Measure the effectiveness of our services

Personalization

We use cookies to provide a more personalized experience:

• Language preferences: Remember your preferred language
• Display settings: Remember your screen preferences
• Recent activity: Show recently viewed services or projects
• Location-based content: Provide region-specific information

Marketing and Advertising

We use cookies to deliver relevant advertising and measure campaign effectiveness:

• Interest-based ads: Show ads based on your interests
• Ad frequency capping: Limit how often you see the same ad
• Ad performance: Measure clicks and conversions
• Cross-device tracking: Recognize you across different devices
• Retargeting: Show ads for services you've viewed

Analytics Services

We use third-party analytics services to understand website usage:

• Google Analytics: Tracks website traffic, user behavior, and conversion metrics
• Hotjar: Provides heatmaps and session recordings to understand user interaction
• Microsoft Clarity: Offers session replays and heatmaps for user experience optimization

Social Media

Social media platforms set cookies when you interact with their content on our site:

• Facebook: Tracks visits from Facebook and measures ad effectiveness
• Instagram: Measures engagement with Instagram content
• Pinterest: Tracks pins and repins from our website

Advertising Networks

We work with advertising networks to deliver targeted ads:

• Google Ads: Tracks conversions and delivers personalized ads
• Facebook Ads: Measures ad performance and retargeting
• Programmatic advertising: Real-time ad bidding and targeting

Embedded Content

We may embed content from other websites that set cookies:

• YouTube: Videos embedded from YouTube may set tracking cookies
• Google Maps: Location maps may set cookies for location services
• Form providers: Third-party form services may set cookies

We do not control the cookies set by these third-party services. Please refer to their privacy policies for more information.

Cookie Consent

We provide a cookie consent banner that allows you to manage your cookie preferences:

• Accept All: Enable all cookies for the best experience
• Decline All: Only essential cookies will be enabled
• Manage Settings: Choose which types of cookies to allow
• Change Later: Update your preferences at any time

You can typically find cookie settings in the footer of our website or through your browser settings.

Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Block all cookies (may affect website functionality)
• Block third-party cookies only
• Delete cookies manually
• Set up notifications when cookies are received

Note: Disabling certain cookies may prevent you from using some features of our website.

Mobile Devices

On mobile devices, you can manage cookies through:

• Browser settings on your mobile device
• Device privacy settings
• Third-party cookie blocking apps
• Private/incognito browsing modes

Cookie Management Tools

Various tools can help you manage cookies:

• Cookiebot or CookieYes for website compliance
• Ghostery or Privacy Badger for blocking trackers
• uBlock Origin or AdBlock for blocking ads and tracking
• Your browser's developer tools for viewing cookies

Opting Out of Advertising

To opt out of interest-based advertising:

• Visit YourAdChoices.com
• Use AboutAds.info
• Install the NAI opt-out tool

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding cookie data:

• Access: Request information about cookies we use
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate cookie data
• Erasure: Request deletion of cookie data
• Restriction: Limit how we process your cookie data
• Portability: Receive your cookie data in a structured format
• Objection: Object to certain types of cookie processing

Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect data collected through cookies:

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Secure servers and data storage
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments

Data Retention

We retain cookie data only as long as necessary:

• Essential cookies: As long as needed for website functionality
• Analytics cookies: Typically 1-2 years
• Advertising cookies: Usually 90 days to 1 year
• Functionality cookies: Varies by purpose (30 days to 2 years)

International Transfers

Cookies may result in data being transferred to countries outside your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses
• Binding Corporate Rules
• Adequacy decisions from data protection authorities

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our business practices. When we update this policy, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Add a notification banner on our website for significant changes
• Provide advance notice for material changes where possible
• Maintain previous versions for reference upon request

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our cookie practices, please contact us:

You can also manage your cookie preferences using the cookie consent banner on our website.