Most new site owners get the cookie banner working, connect Google Analytics, and consider the job done. The cookie policy page — the actual document explaining what cookies your site uses and why — often gets skipped entirely, or filled in with a copied template that doesn’t match the site’s real setup.
That creates a couple of problems. Many consent banner plugins require a linked policy page to function correctly — without one, visitors have no context for what they’re accepting. And if you’re running analytics or any kind of tracking, having a policy that accurately describes it is a basic part of being transparent with visitors.
Creating one doesn’t need to be complicated. A clear, accurate cookie policy that matches what your site actually does is more useful than a lengthy legal document full of categories you don’t use.
Quick Answer
Create a new WordPress page titled “Cookie Policy” with a simple /cookie-policy/ slug. Write a short explanation of what cookies are, list the types you actually use, explain how visitors can manage them, and link the page from your footer and cookie consent banner. Keep it specific to your setup rather than copying a generic template.
Why This Matters
A cookie policy page explains to visitors what data is being collected and stored in their browsers when they use your site. If you’re running Google Analytics, using a consent banner, or have any plugins that set cookies, the policy page is where that’s documented in plain language.
I treat it as part of the same set of pages as a privacy policy and terms and conditions page — the legal foundation every serious website should have in place. Missing one of these, or having one that’s inaccurate, makes the overall setup feel incomplete.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Cookie Policy Page
Step 1: Create a New Page in WordPress
Go to Pages → Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Give it the title Cookie Policy and set the URL slug to /cookie-policy/. Keep it consistent with your other legal pages.
Don’t publish it as a blank placeholder — have the content ready before you set it live.
Step 2: Write a Short Cookie Explanation
Open the page with a brief, plain-language explanation of what cookies are. One short paragraph is enough — something like: cookies are small files stored in a visitor’s browser that allow the website to remember information between pages or sessions. No need to go deeper than that.
Step 3: List the Cookies Your Site Actually Uses
This is the most important section. Break your cookies into categories — but only include the categories that apply to your site.
Essential cookies are required for the site to function. Login sessions, security tokens, basic functionality. These are always active regardless of consent.
Analytics cookies are used to understand how visitors use the site. Google Analytics is the most common example on smaller WordPress sites.
Marketing or advertising cookies — only include this category if you’re actually running ads or have tracking pixels installed. Most smaller sites don’t need this section.
In most sites I build, analytics cookies are the only non-essential category. Including a marketing section when you don’t run any marketing tools is misleading — and if someone reads it carefully, it looks careless.
Step 4: Mention Specific Tools Where Relevant
If you’re using Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or a cookie consent plugin, name them briefly under the relevant category. A line or two is enough — you’re not writing technical documentation, just being transparent about what’s active on your site.
Step 5: Explain How Visitors Can Manage Cookies
Add a short section covering how visitors can control or refuse cookies. This typically includes accepting or rejecting non-essential cookies through your cookie consent banner, changing browser settings to block or clear cookies, and updating their preferences at any time.
If you’re using a consent plugin, mention that users can return to the banner to adjust their choice.
Step 6: Link the Page in Key Places
Once published, link the cookie policy page from:
- Your website footer — alongside the privacy policy and terms
- Your cookie consent banner — the banner should reference the policy directly
- Your privacy policy — where you mention cookies in the broader data section
The page is only useful if visitors can find it. The footer and consent banner are the two non-negotiable placements.
Step 7: Keep It Accurate as Your Site Changes
If you add a new analytics tool, install a plugin that sets cookies, or remove something later, update the policy page to match. An inaccurate policy is worse than a simple one — it creates inconsistency between what you say you do and what your site actually does.
Practical Tips
Write for your actual setup, not a template. A page that accurately reflects what your site does is more valuable than a comprehensive generic document. If you started from a template, go through it and remove anything that doesn’t apply.
Align it with your privacy policy. Your privacy policy likely covers cookies as part of a broader data section — the cookie policy goes into more detail on that specific topic. They shouldn’t contradict each other.
Use a plugin if your setup is complex. Consent management plugins like CookieYes can scan your site for active cookies, generate a policy page automatically, and keep it updated as you add or remove tools. For a site with multiple tracking tools or an e-commerce setup, that’s a meaningful time saving.
Publish it before you go live. A cookie policy should be in place before you start collecting visitor data. It’s one of those things that’s easy to handle at launch and awkward to add later when the site is already indexed.
Common Mistakes
Copying a generic template without editing it. Templates include categories and tools that many sites don’t use. If your policy mentions Facebook Pixel and you’re not running Facebook ads, remove it. List only what you actually have.
No link from the consent banner. If your cookie banner doesn’t link to the policy, visitors have no context for what they’re accepting or rejecting. Most consent plugins have a dedicated field for the policy URL — fill it in.
Letting it go out of date. Adding a new analytics platform or tracking tool without updating the policy creates inconsistency that’s easy to avoid. Treat the policy page like any other site content that needs occasional maintenance.
Burying it where visitors can’t find it. The cookie policy should be as easy to find as the privacy policy. Footer placement is standard — don’t hide it in a sub-menu or a page that isn’t linked anywhere obvious.
When to Use a Plugin vs Write It Yourself
For a straightforward site — a blog or portfolio with basic analytics — writing the page manually gives you full control and takes under an hour. There’s no reason to add a plugin if your cookie setup is simple.
If you’re running an e-commerce site, using multiple tracking tools, or running advertising campaigns, a plugin is the practical choice. It scans for cookies automatically, keeps the policy in sync, and integrates directly with your consent management setup. That’s the kind of site where manual maintenance quickly becomes impractical.
If you’re still setting up your site and want a broader view of how all these pieces fit together, the step-by-step guide to building a WordPress website covers everything from hosting to legal pages in sequence.
Conclusion
A cookie policy page only needs to do one thing well: accurately describe how your site uses cookies. Write it to match your actual setup, link it from the footer and your consent banner, and update it when your tools change. Keep it specific, keep it honest, and the page will do its job.
Etienne Basson works with website systems, SEO-driven site architecture, and technical implementation. He writes practical guides on building, structuring, and optimizing websites for long-term growth.