SEO Strategist

SEO Strategist Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective date: 18 April 2026

SEO Strategist respects your privacy and handles personal information in accordance with applicable South African law (including POPIA). This policy explains what data is collected, how it is used, how long it is retained, and your rights.

1. Who is responsible for your personal information

SEO Strategist is responsible for deciding why and how personal information is processed through this website and during client or enquiry interactions.

For privacy-related requests, contact SEO Strategist via the website contact form or available business contact details on the website.

Data subject request response time (SLA):
Requests will be acknowledged and responded to within 7–14 business days, depending on complexity.

2. What information is collected

Information may include:

  • Name, email, phone number, business details
  • Website and project information
  • Messages submitted via forms or email
  • Technical data such as IP address, browser type, and device information
  • Website usage behaviour (pages viewed, navigation patterns)

3. How enquiry data moves through the business

When you submit an enquiry, the information is:

  1. Received via the website contact system
  2. Reviewed manually to assess context and intent
  3. Used to determine whether and how to respond
  4. Stored only if follow-up, discussion, or service delivery is required

Enquiry submissions trigger human review and direct follow-up only.

4. Cookies and analytics

Cookie categories used on this site:

  • Essential cookies – required for website functionality and security
  • Analytics cookies – used to understand site usage and performance trends
  • Marketing cookies – not used unless explicitly enabled in future

Analytics clarification

Analytics data is used for aggregate site measurement and pattern analysis only, not for direct communication or response to users.

5. Analytics vs enquiry data (key distinction)

  • Analytics data tracks general website behaviour (pages visited, traffic patterns, device types)
  • Enquiry data is intentionally submitted by the user and is reviewed manually for direct response and follow-up

These data types are processed differently and are never treated as equivalent.

6. Retention periods

Personal data is retained only as long as necessary for legitimate business or legal purposes:

  • Enquiry data: 12–24 months after last interaction
  • Client/project data: duration of engagement + up to 3–5 years post-completion
  • Billing and financial records: 5–7 years (legal and tax compliance requirements)
  • Analytics data: 12–26 months depending on platform settings

After these periods, data is deleted, anonymised, or securely archived where required.

7. How information is used

Information is used to:

  • Respond to enquiries
  • Provide SEO consulting services
  • Manage client relationships and project delivery
  • Issue invoices and maintain business records
  • Improve website performance and user experience
  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
  • Protect legitimate business interests (e.g. fraud prevention, dispute handling)

SEO Strategist does not sell personal information.

8. No automated decision-making

SEO Strategist does not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

All enquiry assessments, client decisions, and service-related decisions involve human review and judgment.

9. Third-party service providers

SEO Strategist may use third-party services for:

  • Website hosting
  • Email communication
  • Form submission handling
  • Analytics tracking
  • Invoicing and accounting
  • Scheduling and project management tools

Only the minimum necessary data is shared for operational purposes. Personal data is never sold or shared for unrelated advertising.

10. Cross-border processing

Some service providers may process or store data outside South Africa depending on their infrastructure. Where this occurs, reasonable safeguards are applied to ensure data protection standards remain appropriate.

11. Data protection measures

Security measures include:

  • Access control and authentication protections
  • Secure hosting infrastructure
  • Limited internal access to personal data
  • Encrypted or secured transmission where supported
  • Regular system updates and maintenance

12. Your rights under POPIA

You may request:

  • Access to your personal data
  • Correction of inaccurate data
  • Deletion of data where legally permitted
  • Objection to certain processing activities
  • Withdrawal of consent (where applicable)

13. Complaints

If you believe your personal information has been handled unlawfully, you may:

  1. Contact SEO Strategist directly for resolution
  2. Lodge a complaint with the South African Information Regulator

Information Regulator contact:
https://inforegulator.org.za/complaints/

14. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated periodically. The latest version will always appear on this page with the effective date above.

15. Contact

For privacy-related requests, contact SEO Strategist via the website contact form or available contact details on the website.