Privacy policy

This policy explains what personal information Solent Web collects when you use this website or get in touch, why it's collected, how it's looked after, and what your rights are. It's written in plain English — if anything isn't clear, just ask.

Who we are

Solent Web is a web design and development business based in Southampton, run by Cameron. For the purposes of UK data protection law, Solent Web is the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

Contact: project enquiry form or SolentWeb@hotmail.com

The short version

• This website has no advertising and no tracking cookies.
• If you fill in our project enquiry form or email us, we use your details to reply and, if you become a client, to deliver your project.
• We never sell your information or use it for anything you wouldn't expect.

What we collect

When you fill in the project enquiry form

Our Start a project form asks for your name, email address and (optionally) phone number, along with information about your business and the website you'd like — for example your business name, type and location, your goals, design preferences, budget and timescale. Only a few questions are required; everything else is up to you.

While you fill it in, your answers are saved as a draft in your own browser (using local storage) so you don't lose them if you leave the page. That draft never leaves your device until you press send, and it's deleted as soon as you submit.

When you contact us

If you email us, we'll receive your name, email address and anything you include in your message — for example details about your business or project. If we speak by phone or video call, we may make notes of the conversation.

If you become a client

We'll also keep information needed to deliver and invoice your project, such as your business name and address, billing details, project correspondence, and any content you supply for your website. If you share logins for your domain, hosting or other accounts so we can set things up, we only use them for that purpose.

When you browse this website

This site doesn't use analytics or tracking tools. Like all websites, though, some technical information is processed automatically:

• Hosting: our hosting provider may record basic server logs, such as your IP address, browser type and the pages requested, to keep the site running securely.
• Fonts: the site loads its fonts from Google Fonts, which means your browser connects to Google's servers and shares your IP address with Google. See Google's privacy policy.

Why we use it, and our lawful basis

UK data protection law requires a lawful basis for using personal information. We rely on:

• Taking steps to enter into, or performing, a contract — to reply to enquiries, provide quotes, and deliver the work you've asked for.
• Legal obligation — to keep financial and tax records.
• Legitimate interests — to run and secure this website, keep sensible business records, and occasionally follow up on a quote we've sent you. We only do this where it doesn't override your rights.

We won't send you marketing emails or newsletters unless you've clearly opted in, and you can opt out at any time.

Cookies and browser storage

This website does not set any cookies. The enquiry form saves your unfinished answers in your browser's local storage, as described above — you can clear them at any time by submitting the form or clearing your browser data. The homepage also stores one small setting in your browser's session storage so its opening animation only plays once per visit. It contains no personal information, isn't shared with anyone, and is deleted automatically when you close the browser tab.

Who we share it with

We only share personal information with trusted services that help us run the business, and only as much as they need:

• Email: Microsoft (Outlook/Hotmail), which handles our email.
• Website hosting and forms: Netlify, which hosts this site and receives and stores enquiry form submissions on our behalf. See Netlify's privacy policy.
• Client projects: where needed to build your site — for example domain registrars, hosting or payment providers — usually set up in your own name.
• Professional advisers: such as an accountant, for bookkeeping and tax.
• Authorities: if we're legally required to.

Some of these providers may store data outside the UK. Where they do, we rely on the safeguards recognised under UK law, such as adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.

How long we keep it

• Enquiries that don't lead to a project (including form submissions stored by Netlify): up to 12 months, then deleted.
• Client project records and correspondence: for as long as we work together, plus up to 6 years afterwards.
• Financial records (invoices, payments): 6 years, as required for tax purposes.

How we keep it safe

We use reputable providers, strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication, encrypted (HTTPS) connections and up-to-date devices. Access to your information is limited to Solent Web.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Ask us to correct information that's wrong or incomplete
• Ask us to delete your information
• Ask us to restrict how we use it, or object to us using it
• Ask us to transfer information you've given us to another organisation
• Withdraw consent at any time, where we rely on consent

To use any of these rights, email SolentWeb@hotmail.com. We'll respond within one month. There's usually no charge.

Complaints

If you're unhappy with how we've handled your information, please contact us first so we can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or on 0303 123 1113.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page, with the date it was last updated at the top.