SME Website GDPR Mistakes: How to Fix Cookie Consent, SSL, and Privacy Policies — Expert Advice from Ensurety
A staggering 57% of UK SME websites are falling short of basic GDPR requirements — missing SSL certificates, clear privacy policies, or compliant cookie banners. It’s an oversight that could cost dearly in fines, lost customer trust, or both.
Keith Budden, UK GDPR specialist and founder of Ensurety.co.uk, warns: “SMEs often believe GDPR is just for big firms — but regulators make no distinction when it comes to data security basics. Your website is your shopfront. If you don’t get it right, you’re at risk.”
3 Common SME GDPR Compliance Mistakes
Missing or Inadequate SSL Certificate
Without HTTPS encryption, personal data (like contact form details) can be intercepted — breaching GDPR’s security principles.
Keith’s Tip: “SSL certificates are inexpensive and essential. Ensurety always recommends renewing and testing your certificate regularly — don’t just set and forget.”
Non-Compliant or Absent Cookie Banners
Simply informing users isn’t enough — under GDPR, consent must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous before non-essential cookies load.
Keith’s Tip: “Many SMEs use free cookie banners that don’t block scripts until consent is given. That’s a regulatory trap. Ensurety helps clients deploy GDPR-compliant consent tools that integrate with Google Tag Manager and analytics.”
Missing or Outdated Privacy Policies
A privacy policy must clearly state:
✅ What data you collect
✅ Why you collect it
✅ Who you share it with
✅ How long you keep it
✅ How users can exercise their rights
Keith’s Tip: “Off-the-shelf policies rarely fit. We create tailored policies SMEs can update as their business grows.”
✅ Quick Wins SMEs Can Implement Today
* Run an SSL checker (e.g. Qualys SSL Labs)
* Review your cookie consent tool — does it block cookies until acceptance?
* Update your privacy policy to cover third-party tools and processors
