Is Webflow GDPR compliant?

So, you've landed here because you want to learn more about GDPR and how it applies to your Webflow website. Well, you’re in the right place. Here you will get the knowledge of what GDPR is about, why it matters for your website, and how you can make sure you're staying compliant with all those regulations.

And don't worry, it’s not as hard as it may sound. Let's dive right in and start your journey to a safer and more privacy-friendly website!

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

So let’s introduce you to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). GDPR is a law from the EU, that also exists in the UK that protects your rights and freedom when you browse online. Specifically, it protects your data, so even if you may not think about it very often it does indeed do you a lot of good.

Why should you care about GDPR when building a website?

But it’s not just you that it protects, when you build a website for a client you have to make sure you protect their visitors as well! Keeping users' data safe is not just about following rules, it's about building trust and showing respect for their privacy.

As a web developer , you have the power to make sure your visitors are secure and protected on your website. So, let's be responsible and give everyone the peace of mind they deserve.

What does Webflow say about GDPR?

Let's talk about what Webflow themselves says about the approach to handling user data and form submissions when building your website. Webflow understands the importance of privacy and data protection for you, so they've put some solid measures in place to keep your data secure.

For example, they store all your form submission data on their secure servers, which are currently located in the US. As such it is not possible to be be compliant with GDPR if you use Webflow’s native form functionality. 

So in order to stay compliant while collecting form submissions you are required to use a third-party provider that stores data in the EU. Webflow's got our back for security and compliance to a certain degree, but you as a developes got to do your part too.

GDPR Compliance Requirements

Let’s break down the compliance requirements that you need to follow. At a quick overview, GDPR requires websites to:

• obtain user consent, 
• allowing users to access, modify or delete their data, 
• and notifying users about data breaches.
• Maintain a clear and easy to understand privacy policy

But there’s one more important thing; form submissions. When people submit forms on your website, make sure you have clear consent checkboxes for users to accept or deny you handling their personal information. And you should let users view, modify, or delete their data anytime they want. 

Effects of third-party integrations

Another important aspect of being GDPR compliant is being mindful of those third-party integrations that you’re plugging into your website. 

These third-party integrations may affect your website’s overall compliance status since they often collect, process, or store personal information from your users in ways that you don’t want them to and have no control over

However, responsibility still falls back on you as the website owner, so let’s give you some examples of tools to avoid to make sure you’re on the right track!

Common non-compliant tools

For example, there is an email marketing tool or an analytics platform to keep track of your visitors, or even a chatbot to make your customer support more interactive. It sounds great, but just keep in mind that you need to ensure these tools are GDPR-compliant before integrating them into your website.

LiveChat and Tidio are however two tools that are GDPR compliant, that you can use for your website without worry.

How to stay GDPR compliant while using Webflow

To summarize, keep these actionable advice in mind and you’ll be well on your way to be fully GDPR compliant. 

Native form functionality

If you're working with Webflow's native form functionality, remember that they store data outside of Europe. So when you now are concerned about GDPR compliance, it's essential for you to explore alternative solutions that handle data storage within the EU.

Cookies

Never load personally identifiable cookies without the user's consent. 

To help you with this, Finsweet Cookie Consent is a fantastic solution. It's user-friendly, customizable, and helps you stay GDPR compliant while giving your visitors control over their cookie preferences. Give it a try!

Analytics software

Last but not least, you should remember that the analytics software you choose can impact the overall GDPR compliance as well. There are multiple services out there but some of the best include Plausible, SimpleAnalytics, and Fathom. 

They’re privacy-friendly, respects your users' data, and doesn't require annoying cookie banners. Plus, it offers great insights to help you improve your website.

All this GDPR talk might feel a bit overwhelming but once you get going it's a lot easier than it may sound.

As long as you stay informed, keep an eye on those third-party integrations, and follow the actionable advice you just got, you'll be on your way to making your clients’  website a safe and secure place for all your visitors.

And remember, it's not just about following the rules – it's about building trust and respecting the privacy of your users. Good luck, and remember, you’re on a good start with just reading about GDPR compliance!