A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Do Not Sell My Info Page for WordPress
Establishing a trustworthy website begins with safeguarding your visitors' personal data.
Privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA aim to assist with this, yet they can appear complex when you're simply aiming to act responsibly.
Several of these regulations mandate the inclusion of a 'Do Not Sell My Info' page on your site, and the initial steps aren't always obvious. Many website administrators have faced this challenge.
After exploring various methods, a clear, sequential approach has proven effective for those new to the process.
This tutorial details a practical method for constructing a professional 'Do Not Sell My Info' page within WordPress. It will also cover how to manage incoming user requests, enabling you to protect visitor privacy and maintain compliance with global data protection standards.
The Importance of a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ Page
A 'Do Not Sell My Info' page provides a straightforward method for visitors to opt out of having their personal information shared with external organizations. While often a legal requirement, it also serves as an effective strategy for fostering user confidence.
Some website operators mistakenly believe these privacy laws are irrelevant if they aren't directly selling products. However, under statutes like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the definition of "selling" personal data extends beyond monetary exchange.
It can encompass sharing user information with other entities for advertising, tracking, or analytics purposes, even when no financial transaction occurs.
For instance, if your site utilizes advertising networks, tracking pixels, or embedded media from platforms like YouTube, you might still be considered "selling" or "sharing" personal data under these regulations.
Given the broad interpretations, implementing a 'Do Not Sell My Info' page helps ensure adherence to privacy rules while empowering users with greater control over their information.
As a site owner, complying with these laws and offering genuine data control is essential. Although specific requirements vary, most regulations necessitate providing users an option to opt out of third-party data sharing or sales.
This specific page is mandated by the CCPA. While the GDPR doesn't explicitly name it, incorporating such a page can aid in fulfilling its requirement for user data control.
Beyond legal compliance, demonstrating a serious commitment to privacy can increase the likelihood of visitors subscribing to newsletters, completing purchases, or engaging longer with your content.
Ultimately, a 'Do Not Sell My Info' page helps meet contemporary privacy expectations and enhances your site's credibility.
Creating a Do Not Sell My Info Page in WordPress
As privacy standards become increasingly stringent, establishing a 'Do Not Sell My Info' page has transitioned from a recommendation to a necessary compliance measure.
This guide provides a step-by-step process for creating this page on your WordPress site, along with strategies for efficiently handling user requests to maintain legal compliance.
Step 1. Configure a Privacy Compliance Plugin
A streamlined method for adding this page involves using a dedicated privacy compliance plugin. Many experienced developers recommend solutions that assist in meeting key privacy standards by enhancing user control over personal data.
Such plugins typically include features like customizable cookie consent banners, privacy policy generators, and consent logging for audit trails.
They often offer a specific addon for creating a dedicated opt-out form page with minimal effort. Visitors can submit this form to request that their personal information not be sold.
Submitted requests are usually stored in a dedicated database table on your site, allowing for prompt review and response.
A free version of such a plugin may be available from the official WordPress repository, containing essential features for GDPR compliance.
The specific addon for the opt-out form typically requires the premium version. Once the plugin is activated, an onboarding wizard usually guides you through the initial setup, which can often be completed within a few minutes.
Begin by clicking the 'Let’s Get Started' or similar button to proceed.
This setup assistant will walk you through key tasks, such as scanning for third-party scripts and configuring a cookie notice.
Completing these steps aids in adhering to important privacy laws. After finishing the setup, you will be returned to the WordPress admin area.
Step 2: Create a Dedicated WordPress Page
The plugin generally allows you to place the opt-out form on any page or post. For clarity and ease of access, it is advisable to create a new page specifically for this purpose.
Navigate to Pages » Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
Assign a descriptive title to this page, such as 'Do Not Sell My Information.' You may also include explanatory text outlining the form's purpose and its benefits for users.
Once satisfied with the content, save the page as a draft temporarily.
Step 3: Activate the Necessary Addon
The core plugin provides tools for general privacy law compliance. To enable the specific 'Do Not Sell' functionality, you must install an additional addon.
Go to the plugin's settings menu, typically found under its own name in the dashboard sidebar, and locate the section for the opt-out addon. Click the button to install and activate it.
The addon should install and activate automatically.
Step 4: Configure the Opt-Out Form
Next, return to the addon's settings area and open the configuration tab.
Here, you can specify where the form should be displayed. Use the provided dropdown menu labeled 'Do Not Track Page' or similar to select the dedicated page you created earlier. This action will insert a basic form template onto that page.
The default form usually includes several required fields for user identification:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
These fields are typically mandatory and cannot be removed, as they are necessary to process and identify the request accurately.
