Privacy policy.

1. Introduction

Welcome to rachelstroud.com. This privacy policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal data when you visit my website and interact with my services, including subscribing to my mailing list, booking appointments via Calendly, purchasing or downloading resources, and how I use Google Analytics to analyse user behaviour on my site. I am committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.   

2. Who I Am

Rachel Stroud is the data controller responsible for your personal data. You can contact me at:

3. What Information I Collect

I may collect the following types of personal data:

  • Information you provide directly:

    • Name, email address, and the reason for the appointment when you book an appointment through Calendly.

    • Name and email address when you subscribe to my mailing list through the Squarespace newsletter block.

    • Name, email address, and payment information when you purchase downloadable resources through Squarespace Commerce.

    • Name and email address when you download free resources.

    • Name and email address when you contact me via forms or email.

    • Any other information you choose to provide in your communications.

  • Information collected automatically:

    • IP address, browser type, operating system, and other technical information when you visit my website.

    • Information about your browsing behaviour on my website, such as pages visited, time spent on each page, and interactions, collected via cookies and Google Analytics.

4. How I Use Your Information

I use your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To manage and schedule appointments booked through Calendly.

  • To respond to your inquiries and provide you with information or services you request.

  • To process your purchases of downloadable resources through Squarespace Commerce, using payment processors such as Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay (via Stripe), and Google Pay (via Stripe).

  • To provide you with free downloadable resources.

  • To analyse website traffic and user behaviour using Google Analytics to improve my website.

  • To improve my website and services.

  • To comply with legal obligations.

  • To send you newsletters and promotional materials via Mailchimp, which you have consented to receive by subscribing to my mailing list.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

I process your personal data based on the following legal bases:

  • Consent: When you provide me with your explicit consent to process your data for specific purposes, such as subscribing to my mailing list, booking an appointment, downloading a free resource, or for certain analytics cookies.

  • Contractual necessity: When processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you (e.g., scheduling an appointment, processing a purchase).

  • Legitimate interests: When processing is necessary for my legitimate interests (e.g., improving my website, analysing website traffic), provided that your rights and interests do not override those interests.

  • Legal obligation: When processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation.

6. Google Analytics

  • I use Google Analytics to collect information about your interactions with my website.

  • Google Analytics collects data such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on my site.

  • Google analytics uses cookies.

  • This data helps me analyse website traffic and improve my website's performance and user experience.

  • Google’s privacy policy can be found here: Google’s Privacy Policy Link.

  • You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on: Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on Link.

7. Squarespace Commerce (Downloadable Resources) and Payment Processing.

  • When you purchase downloadable resources, Squarespace Commerce collects your name, email address, and payment information to process the transaction.

  • Payment processing is handled through Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay (via Stripe) and Google Pay (via Stripe).

  • Squarespace's privacy policy can be found here: Squarespace Privacy Policy Link

  • Stripe’s privacy policy can be found here: Stripe’s Privacy Policy Link

  • Paypal’s privacy statement can be found here: Paypal's Privacy Statement Link

  • I use this information to fulfil your order and provide you with access to the purchased resources.

8. Free Downloadable Resources

  • When you download free resources, I collect your name and email address.

  • I use this information to provide you with the download, and potentially for follow up communication if you have given consent for marketing.

9. Calendly Appointment Bookings

  • I use Calendly to allow users to book appointments with me.

  • Calendly collects your name, email address, and the reason for the appointment.

  • Calendly's privacy policy can be found here: Calendly Privacy Notice Link.

  • The data collected within Calendly is used to schedule appointments, and to communicate with you regarding your appointment.

10. Mailing List (Mailchimp)

  • I use Squarespace's newsletter block to collect your name and email address for my mailing list.

  • This data is then transferred and stored securely within Mailchimp, my email marketing platform.

  • Intuit is the owner of Mailchimp. Intuit’s Global Privacy Statement can be found here: Intuit’s Global Privacy Statement Link

  • I use Mailchimp to send you newsletters and promotional materials that you have consented to receive.

  • You can unsubscribe from my mailing list at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link provided in each email.

11. Cookies and Similar Technologies

  • I use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing behaviour. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.   

  • I may use analytics cookies to understand how my website is used.

  • Essential cookies may be used for website functionality.

12. Data Sharing

I may share your personal data with:

  • Squarespace Commerce, to process your purchases.

  • Calendly, for the purpose of scheduling and managing appointments.

  • Mailchimp, my email marketing platform, for the purpose of sending you newsletters and promotional materials.

  • Google Analytics, for website analytics.

  • Stripe, Paypal and associated payment methods, for processing payments.

  • Third-party service providers who assist me with website hosting, analytics, and other services.

  • Legal authorities if required by law.

  • I will not sell your personal data to third parties.

13. Data Security

I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.   

14. Data Retention

I will retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.   

  • Purchase data will be retained for as long as needed to fulfil the order and for legal/accounting reasons.

  • Free download information will be retained as long as it is required to provide the download, and for marketing purposes if consent is given.

  • Appointment data will be retained for as long as needed to manage the appointment and for a reasonable time thereafter.

  • Contact information will be kept for as long as needed to deal with the enquiry.

  • Mailing list data will be kept until a user unsubscribes.

  • Analytic data will be kept for a reasonable amount of time. Google Analytics retention information should be looked at within your google analytics account settings.

15. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • Right to access: You can request a copy of the personal data I hold about you.

  • Right to rectification: You can request that I correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

  • Right to erasure: You can request that I delete your personal data in certain circumstances.

  • Right to restrict processing: You can request that I restrict the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

  • Right to data portability: You can request to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.   

  • Right to object: You can object to the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.   

  • Right to withdraw consent: If I rely on your consent to process your data, you can withdraw your consent at any time, including unsubscribing from my mailing list or cancelling an appointment.   

  • Right to complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

I may update this privacy policy from time to time. I will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on my website.   

17. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact me at:

  • Email: hello@rachelstroud.com

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

You can find further information about your data protection rights on the ICO website: www.ico.org.uk