Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how X3WEB (Pty) Ltd ("X3WEB", "we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website at x3webdesign.com. It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and how you can control them.

This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides more information about how we handle your personal information.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies can be:

Session cookies — Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser
Persistent cookies — Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
First-party cookies — Set directly by X3WEB on our website
Third-party cookies — Set by third-party services we use (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Pixel), when those services are configured on our website

2. Similar Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as:

Pixels / web beacons — Small transparent images or requests that record page views and actions on our website (e.g., Meta Pixel, Google tag)
Local and session storage — Browser-based storage that the third-party scripts described in this policy may use to keep short-lived data on your device
Scripts and tags — Code snippets from third-party services that may collect data about your browsing behaviour (e.g., Google Analytics 4, Google Ads conversion tracking, Meta Pixel, Microsoft Advertising UET)
Google reCAPTCHA v3 — When enabled on our forms, a Google script that collects device, browser, and interaction information to help tell real visitors from automated submissions
Google Fonts — The fonts on our pages load from Google's servers, so your browser sends Google your IP address and basic browser details when it requests them

References to "cookies" in this policy include all of the above technologies unless stated otherwise.

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Essential for the website to function correctly. They cannot be switched off as they are required for security, session management, and form submission.

Examples: A PHP session cookie, a CSRF security cookie that protects our enquiry forms, and a cookie that remembers the choice you made in our cookie banner. When Google reCAPTCHA v3 is enabled on our forms, it may also set a security cookie.

Your choice: These cookies are always set. You can block them in your browser, but our forms may then stop working.

3.2 Preferences / Functional Cookies

Allow a website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, personalised features.

Examples: None at present. Our website does not currently set preference or functional cookies of its own.

Note: If we start using cookies in this category, we will list them in Section 4.

3.3 Analytics / Performance Cookies

Help us understand how visitors interact with our website so that we can improve it.

Examples: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) — measures page views, session duration, traffic sources, and how visitors use the site. It is loaded only when it is configured for this website.

Your choice: These cookies are only set if you choose "Accept" in our cookie banner. You can change your choice at any time — see Section 5.

3.4 Marketing / Advertising Cookies

Used to measure how our advertising performs and, where the platform supports it, to recognise visitors across websites and show relevant advertisements. Set by our advertising partners (Google, Meta, and Microsoft). If you have accepted these cookies and then send us an enquiry form, our server also reports that enquiry to Meta, as described in our Privacy Policy.

Examples: Google Ads conversion tracking, Meta Pixel, and Microsoft Advertising UET (Universal Event Tracking). Each is loaded only when it is configured for this website.

Your choice: These cookies are only set if you choose "Accept" in our cookie banner. You can change your choice at any time — see Section 5.

4. Specific Cookies Used

Cookie Name	Provider	Category	Purpose	Duration
PHPSESSID	X3WEB	Necessary	PHP session management	Session
X3_CSRF	X3WEB	Necessary	Form security (CSRF protection)	30 days
x3_consent	X3WEB	Necessary	Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics and advertising cookies	6 months
_GRECAPTCHA	Google reCAPTCHA	Necessary	Spam and abuse protection on forms (when reCAPTCHA is enabled)	6 months
_ga	Google Analytics	Analytics	Distinguishes unique users	2 years
_ga_XXXXXXX	Google Analytics	Analytics	Maintains session state (GA4)	2 years
_fbp	Meta (Facebook)	Marketing	Meta Pixel — ad delivery and measurement	90 days
_fbc	Meta (Facebook)	Marketing	Meta click ID — conversion tracking	90 days
_gcl_au	Google Ads	Marketing	Google Ads conversion tracking	90 days
_uetsid	Microsoft Advertising	Marketing	UET session ID — conversion tracking	1 day
_uetvid	Microsoft Advertising	Marketing	UET visitor ID — conversion tracking	13 months

Note: The specific cookies set may vary depending on which pages you visit and which features are active. Analytics and marketing cookies are set only when the corresponding tool is in use on this website and you have accepted them. Durations for third-party cookies are those published by each provider, and third-party providers may update their cookies at any time.

5. How to Control Cookies

Your Choice on This Website

When you first visit, a banner asks whether you accept analytics and advertising cookies. Nothing in those categories is loaded unless you choose "Accept", and rejecting them is just as easy. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time using the "Cookie settings" link at the bottom of every page.

5.1 Browser Settings

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies, delete existing cookies, or be notified when a cookie is set. Please note that blocking some cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

How to manage cookies in common browsers:

5.2 Opt Out of Google Analytics

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5.3 Opt Out of Meta (Facebook) Advertising

You can manage your Meta advertising preferences through Facebook Ad Preferences or by visiting Your Online Choices.

5.4 Opt Out of Google Advertising

You can manage your Google advertising preferences at Google Ad Settings.

5.5 Opt Out of Microsoft Advertising

You can manage your Microsoft advertising preferences on Microsoft's personalised ad settings page.

5.6 Do Not Track

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals, as there is no industry standard for how to respond to these signals.

6. Cookies and Personal Information

Some cookies may collect personal information (such as IP addresses or identifiers that can be used to identify you). Where cookies collect personal information, that information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Third-party providers (such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft) may combine cookie data with other information they hold about you. Please refer to their respective privacy policies for more information.

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will post the updated version on this page and change the effective date above. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

8. Contact Us

X3WEB (Pty) Ltd
Registered office: 4 Edmonton Alley, Northcliff, Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: info@x3webdesign.com
Phone: +27 68 906 3369

CookiePolicy