How do you set up a consent management platform?

1. Choose the right CMP

Start with a CMP provider that fits your needs. Popular options such as Cookiebot and CookieCode offer different functionalities. Consider:

• The size of your website
• Your budget
• Integration capabilities with your existing systems
• Support for international law if you operate globally
• Reporting capabilities

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2. Create an account

After choosing an appropriate CMP, you create an account on the platform. This process typically includes:

• Completing company information
  
• Selecting a subscription
• Linking your domain(s)

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3. Configure your CMP settings.

Now you can start configuring your CMP:

• Add your privacy policy and cookie policy
• Define cookie categories (necessary, preferences, statistics, marketing)
• Set the retention period of consents
• Configure language settings for international visitors
• Determine what information you want to collect and for what purposes

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4. Adjust visual settings

Make sure your cookie banner is consistent with your brand identity:

• Choose colors that match your corporate identity
• Customize fonts
• Determine the position of the banner (make sure it is un-negotiable)
• Make the texts user-friendly and clear
• Provide clear action buttons
• Make sure not to set a misleading cookie banner

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5. Deploy via Google Tag Manager

Integrate your CMP with Google Tag Manager (GTM):

• Log in to your GTM account
• Create a new tag for your CMP (via script or via tag template)
• Set it to trigger on Consent Initialization

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6. Configure Consent Overview in GTM.

Set the consent overview settings in GTM:

• Create variables that track permission status
• Create custom triggers that activate only when permission is obtained
• Configure all marketing and analytic tags to load only upon permission
• Make sure Google Analytics and other tools work with Consent Mode v2

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7. Test thoroughly

Before you go live, extensive testing is crucial:

• Check that the banner displays correctly on different devices
• Verify that cookies are placed only after consent is obtained
• Test different user scenarios (accept, reject, partially accept)
• Verify that all marketing tools respond correctly to different permission levels
• Ensure cookie banner meets accessibility requirements

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By carefully following these steps, you will create a compliant, user-friendly consent management system that both respects your visitors' privacy and supports your marketing goals.

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