Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy describes how Web Sprout Digital LLC ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares personal information of users ("you", “Clients” or "users”) of our website, www.websproutdigital.com (the "Website"), and the services we provide, including website design, website management, and search engine optimization (the "Services").
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Information You Provide Directly:
Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address, company name.
Account Information: Username, password, and other registration details.
Communication Data: Information you provide when you contact us, such as through email or contact forms, including the content of your communications.
Project-Related Information: Information you provide related to your website and SEO needs. This may include:
Details about your business and target audience.
Content (text, images, videos) for your website.
Access credentials for existing services or platforms you wish us to integrate with (e.g., social media accounts, analytics platforms).
Target keywords and SEO objectives.
Any preferences or specifications for your website design and functionality.
Information Collected by Third-Party Platforms and Services (and shared with us, or accessed by us on your behalf):
Website Platform Data (Squarespace & WordPress): When we design and manage your website using platforms like Squarespace or WordPress (hosted by Google Cloud Services), these platforms and their integrated services (e.g., analytics plugins, form builders) may automatically collect certain data about your website visitors. This may include:
Usage Data: IP addresses, browser types, operating systems, referring URLs, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and dates/times of access.
Device Information: Device model, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Both Squarespace and WordPress (and their plugins) utilize cookies and similar technologies to function correctly, provide analytics, and enhance user experience. While we manage your site on these platforms, the direct collection and initial processing of this data is primarily handled by the respective platform or hosting provider.
Please note: While we work with these platforms on your behalf, our direct access to raw "log data" (like server access logs) is generally limited as it's managed by Squarespace or your WordPress hosting provider. We primarily access aggregated analytics and performance data provided by these platforms or their integrated tools.
Payment Information (via Stripe): When you make a payment for our Services, your payment information (such as credit card details) is collected and processed directly by our third-party payment processor, Stripe. We do not store your full credit card information on our servers. Stripe's privacy policy governs the collection and use of your payment information.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use your personal information for the following purposes:
To Provide and Maintain Our Services: To design, build, manage, and optimize your website, manage your account, process your requests, and deliver the website management and SEO services you have requested. This includes using content and access credentials you provide to perform our Services.
To Communicate With You: To respond to your inquiries, provide customer support, send you project updates, and communicate important notices, invoices, and promotional materials (in accordance with your communication preferences).
To Improve Our Website and Services: To analyze aggregated and anonymized usage data (where available from platform analytics), identify trends, and make improvements to our Website, Services, and client experience.
To Personalize Your Experience: To tailor our service delivery and recommendations based on your business needs and preferences.
For Marketing and Advertising: To send you promotional emails and other marketing communications about our Services that may be of interest to you. You can opt-out of receiving these communications at any time.
For Billing and Payment Processing: To process payments for our Services, facilitated by Stripe.
To Detect and Prevent Fraud and Abuse: To protect the security and integrity of our Website and Services.
To Comply With Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
For Other Legitimate Business Purposes: Such as project management, internal reporting, and developing new service offerings.
3. How We Share Your Information
We may share your personal information with the following categories of recipients:
Service Providers: Third-party companies and individuals who provide services on our behalf to help us deliver our Services. This includes:
Website Hosting and Platform Providers: Squarespace, and third-party WordPress hosting providers (e.g., [mention specific hosting providers if you consistently use one, otherwise keep it general]).
Payment Processors: Stripe, for processing payments.
Communication & Marketing Tools: Email marketing platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Analytics Tools: Tools integrated into Squarespace or WordPress that provide us with aggregated website performance data.
Other Service Providers: Accountants, legal counsel, and other professional advisors. These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and only use it for the purposes for which it was provided.
Business Partners: We may share information with business partners to offer you co-branded services or promotions, but only with your explicit consent where required.
Clients (in aggregated and anonymized form): We may share aggregated and anonymized data about overall website performance and SEO results (derived from analytics platforms) with our clients for reporting purposes. This data will not directly identify you or individual website visitors.
Legal Authorities: We may disclose your information to law enforcement agencies, government bodies, or other third parties if required by law or legal process, or if we believe it is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or other business transaction, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will provide notice if your personal information becomes subject to a different privacy policy as a result of such a transaction.
With Your Consent: We may share your information with third parties when we have your explicit consent to do so.
4. Your Choices and Rights
You have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:
Access and Correction: You have the right to access and request correction of the personal information we hold about you.
Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., necessity for billing or legal compliance).
Opt-Out of Marketing Communications: You can opt-out of receiving promotional emails from us by following the unsubscribe instructions in those emails or by contacting us directly.
Cookies: While we do not directly manage the technical cookie settings for Squarespace or WordPress, you can typically control cookie settings through your web browser. For detailed information on how Squarespace and your WordPress site (via plugins) use cookies, please refer to their respective privacy policies or your website's own cookie notice.
Data Portability: You may have the right to receive a copy of certain personal information you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
Withdraw Consent: If we are processing your personal information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We may require you to verify your identity before processing your request.
5. Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include [Specify the security measures you take, e.g., using strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, secure file storage, reputable service providers like Stripe and Squarespace]. While we select reputable platforms and service providers with strong security protocols, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Data Retention
We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The retention period may depend on the nature of the information, the services provided, and our legal and regulatory obligations.
7. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our Website and the websites we manage for you may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party websites or services (including the general privacy practices of Squarespace, WordPress.com, or your specific WordPress hosting provider beyond our direct use of their services). We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those third parties before providing any personal information.
8. Children's Privacy
Our Website and Services are not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without verifiable parental consent. If you believe that we have collected personal information from a child without such consent, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete the information.
9. International Data Transfers
If you are accessing our Website or using our Services from outside the United States, your personal information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers (including Squarespace, Stripe, and WordPress hosting providers) are located. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from the laws of your country. By using our Website and Services, you consent to the transfer of your personal information to these countries. We will take appropriate safeguards to ensure that your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
10. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post any changes on this page and update the "Last Updated" date at the top of the policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any updates. Material changes to this Privacy Policy will be communicated more prominently, such as through a notice on our Website or via email.