Last Updated: January 2026
Introduction
The Salt Seller (“we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website chat widget and visit our website.
Information We Collect
Through Our Chat Widget
When you use our chat widget to place an order, request a service, or ask a question, we collect:
For Salt Orders:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Delivery address and postcode
- Product selection and quantity
- Optional message/special instructions
For Service Requests:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Description of service needed
For General Questions:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Your question
Technical Data:
- IP address (for spam prevention and rate limiting only)
- Chat conversation history (stored temporarily in your browser for 30 minutes)
Through Google Analytics (via Google Site Kit)
When you visit our website, Google Analytics automatically collects:
- Pages you visit and time spent on each page
- How you arrived at our site (referral source)
- Your approximate geographic location (country/city level)
- Device type, browser, and operating system
- Screen resolution and language settings
- Anonymous usage patterns and site interactions
Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to collect this information. The data collected is pseudonymized and does not directly identify you.
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal data to:
- Process your orders – Fulfill salt deliveries and contact you about your order
- Provide services – Respond to service requests and schedule technician visits
- Answer questions – Respond to your inquiries via email or phone
- Prevent spam – Protect our website from automated abuse
- Improve our service – Understand customer needs and improve our offerings
- Analyze website performance – Understand how visitors use our website to improve user experience, content, and functionality
Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
We process your personal data based on:
- Contract performance – To fulfill orders you place with us
- Legitimate interests – To respond to your service requests and questions, and to analyze website performance
- Your consent – By submitting the chat widget form, you consent to us contacting you. For Google Analytics, we rely on your cookie consent where required
How We Store Your Information
- Database Storage: Your information is stored securely in our WordPress database
- Email Records: Copies are sent to our business email for order processing
- Temporary Browser Storage: Chat history is stored in your browser’s local storage for 30 minutes, then automatically deleted
- Google Analytics: Data is stored on Google’s servers and retained for 26 months, after which it is automatically deleted
- Retention Period: We retain order and inquiry data for 7 years for business and tax purposes
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data:
- Form submission rate limiting to prevent spam
- Input validation and sanitization
- Secure database storage
- CSRF protection on all form submissions
- Regular security updates
- Google Analytics data is anonymized and pseudonymized to protect your identity
Your Rights (GDPR)
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Delete your data (“right to be forgotten”)
- Object to processing
- Data portability – receive your data in a portable format
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Opt out of Google Analytics – see “Managing Your Cookie Preferences” below
To exercise these rights, contact us at: sales@thesaltseller.net
Third-Party Sharing
We do NOT sell, trade, or share your personal data with third parties, except:
- Email service providers (to send you order confirmations)
- Google Analytics (Google LLC) – to analyze website traffic and user behavior
- Legal obligations (if required by law)
Google Analytics
We use Google Site Kit, which integrates Google Analytics into our website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google LLC that helps us understand how visitors interact with our website.
Data Collected by Google: Google Analytics collects information about your website usage through cookies and similar technologies. This data is processed by Google in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy.
Google’s Use of Data: Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize ads within its advertising network. For more information about how Google uses data, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
Data Processing Location: Google processes data on servers located in the United States and other countries.
Your Google Privacy Controls: You can manage your Google privacy settings and ad personalization at: https://myaccount.google.com/data-and-privacy
Cookies and Local Storage
Chat Widget Storage
Our chat widget uses:
- Browser Local Storage (not cookies) to temporarily save your chat conversation for 30 minutes
- This storage is essential for maintaining your conversation if you navigate away from the page
Google Analytics Cookies
Google Analytics sets the following cookies:
- _ga – Distinguishes unique users (expires after 2 years)
- _gid – Distinguishes unique users (expires after 24 hours)
- _gat – Used to throttle request rate (expires after 1 minute)
Essential WordPress Cookies
We use essential WordPress cookies for security and session management (strictly necessary).
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Opt Out of Google Analytics: You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by:
- Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Using browser settings to block third-party cookies
- Using “Do Not Track” browser settings (we honor DNT signals)
Essential Cookies: You do not need to accept analytics cookies to use our chat widget or place orders, as we only require strictly necessary storage for core functionality.
Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
International Data Transfers
Google Analytics may transfer your data outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to countries that may not provide the same level of data protection. Google has implemented appropriate safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses, to protect your data during such transfers.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy occasionally. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be communicated via a notice on our website.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data:
The Salt Seller
Email: sales@thesaltseller.net
Phone: 01276 28815 or 07977 057673
Website: https://thesaltseller.net
Complaints
If you’re unhappy with how we’ve handled your data, you can complain to:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113
This privacy policy applies to data collected through our website and chat widget.
