Why E-Commerce Sites Need a Cookie Policy
Online stores are among the heaviest users of tracking cookies. A typical Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom e-commerce site uses:
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics, Hotjar)
- Advertising cookies (Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel)
- Functional cookies (cart contents, login state, saved addresses)
- Payment processor cookies (Stripe, PayPal, Klarna)
- Affiliate tracking cookies
Under GDPR (EU), the ePrivacy Directive, and CCPA (California), you must disclose all of these in a cookie policy â and for most of them, obtain consent before setting them.
Categories of Cookies to Disclose
Essential / Strictly Necessary Cookies - Shopping cart cookies - Session cookies (keeping users logged in) - Security cookies (CSRF protection, fraud prevention) - Load balancing cookies
These do not require consent under GDPR. You must still disclose them.
Functional Cookies - Language/currency preferences - Recently viewed products - Saved wish lists
These may be considered essential if the user explicitly chose the setting; otherwise consent is required.
Analytics Cookies - Google Analytics (_ga, _gid) - Hotjar - Microsoft Clarity
These require consent under GDPR. Users must be able to opt in or out.
Advertising and Retargeting Cookies - Google Ads (conversion tracking, remarketing) - Facebook/Meta Pixel - TikTok Pixel - Pinterest Tag
These require explicit consent under GDPR. This is where most e-commerce sites face the highest compliance risk.
What Your Cookie Policy Must State
For each category of cookies:
- Purpose (why you set the cookie)
- Duration (session vs. persistent; specific expiration if known)
- First-party vs. third-party
- Who controls the cookie (your site vs. Google, Meta, etc.)
Your policy should also explain:
- How users can manage cookies via browser settings
- How to opt out of Google Analytics specifically
- How to use Google's "My Ad Center" to control ad personalization
- What happens if cookies are disabled (e.g., "Your cart will not function without essential cookies")
Generating a Cookie Policy for Your Store
TermsDock's Cookie Policy Generator lets you select which cookie categories you use. Select "Essential + analytics + advertising" for a full e-commerce cookie policy.