Cookie Policy

Last Updated: October 15, 2025

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how iGotDomain uses cookies and similar technologies, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

How Cookies Work:

Cookies are stored in your browser
They can be "session cookies" (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remain until they expire or are deleted)
Cookies can be "first-party" (set by the website you're visiting) or "third-party" (set by other services)

Similar Technologies:

LocalStorage: A browser storage mechanism that persists data locally (similar to cookies but with different storage limits)
SessionStorage: Similar to localStorage but cleared when the browser session ends

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential/Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences.

APP_LOCALE Cookie:

Purpose: Remembers your country preference to provide localized content and currency
Duration: 1 year
Type: HTTP-only cookie (cannot be accessed by JavaScript)
Domain: igotdomain.com
Can I disable it? Yes, but you'll need to manually select your country each visit
Consent Required: No (essential cookie)

2.2 Functional Cookies / LocalStorage

These enhance functionality and personalization but are not strictly necessary. We use localStorage (not technically cookies) for these purposes.

Location Cache (localStorage):

Purpose: Caches your location data (country, currency) to improve performance and avoid repeated API calls
Storage: Browser localStorage
Duration: 24 hours
Data Stored: Country code, currency code, country name, expiry timestamp
Key: app_location_data
Can I disable it? Yes, clear your browser's localStorage, but location detection will run on every visit
Consent Required: No (improves user experience, minimal data)

Theme Preference (localStorage):

Purpose: Remembers your dark/light mode preference
Storage: Browser localStorage (via next-themes library)
Duration: Persistent (until cleared)
Can I disable it? Yes, clear localStorage, but theme preference won't be remembered
Consent Required: No (user preference setting)

2.3 Analytics Cookies

Currently: None

We do not currently use analytics cookies (such as Google Analytics). If we add analytics in the future, we will:

Update this Cookie Policy
Implement a cookie consent banner
Obtain your explicit consent before setting analytics cookies
Provide clear information about what data is collected

2.4 Marketing/Advertising Cookies

Currently: None

We do not use marketing or advertising cookies. We do not:

Track you across websites
Show targeted advertisements
Share your data with advertising networks
Use retargeting pixels

If we add marketing cookies in the future, we will:

Update this Cookie Policy
Implement a cookie consent banner
Obtain your explicit consent
Provide opt-out mechanisms

3. Third-Party Cookies

We use some third-party services that may set their own cookies:

3.1 Location Detection Services

ipapi.co:

Service: IP geolocation (client-side)
May Set Cookies: Check ipapi.co's privacy policy: https://ipapi.co/privacy/
Purpose: Detect your location for currency and TLD suggestions
Data: IP address (implicitly via API call)

Geoapify:

Service: IP geolocation (server-side)
May Set Cookies: Check Geoapify's privacy policy: https://www.geoapify.com/privacy-policy
Purpose: Server-side location detection
Data: IP address

3.2 Domain Registrar Websites

When you click through to a domain registrar's website to complete a purchase, that website may set its own cookies. We do not control these cookies. Please review each registrar's cookie policy:

GoDaddy
Namecheap
IONOS
Other registrars

4. Managing Cookies

4.1 Browser Settings

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

View cookies stored on your device
Delete cookies
Block cookies from specific sites
Block all cookies
Delete cookies when you close your browser

How to Manage Cookies by Browser:

Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions

Note: Blocking essential cookies may affect website functionality.

4.2 Managing LocalStorage

To Clear LocalStorage:

Open your browser's developer tools (F12)
Go to the "Application" or "Storage" tab
Find "Local Storage" in the left sidebar
Select your website (igotdomain.com)
Click "Clear" or delete specific keys

Or use browser settings:

Most browsers allow you to clear site data, which includes localStorage
This is usually found in "Clear browsing data" or "Clear site data" options

4.3 Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable essential cookies:

You'll need to manually select your country preference each visit
Location-based features may not work optimally

If you clear localStorage:

Location cache will be cleared (will be recreated on next visit)
Theme preference will be reset to default

Note: Disabling cookies will not prevent you from using our website, but some features may be less convenient.

5. Cookie Consent

5.1 Current Status

We currently only use essential cookies that are necessary for website functionality. These cookies do not require consent under GDPR and similar regulations.

Essential Cookies:

APP_LOCALE (country preference)
Location cache (localStorage, not a cookie but similar technology)

No Consent Required For:

Essential cookies
Functional cookies that improve user experience (location cache, theme preference)

5.2 Future Cookie Consent

If we add non-essential cookies in the future (analytics, marketing), we will:

Implement a Cookie Consent Banner:
- Show on first visit
- Allow granular consent (by category)
- Provide clear information about each cookie type
Store Consent Preferences:
- Save your choices in a cookie
- Allow you to change preferences anytime
- Respect your choices
Update This Policy:
- Clearly document new cookies
- Explain their purpose and duration
- Provide opt-out instructions

5.3 Withdrawing Consent

For Essential Cookies:

You can clear cookies through browser settings
Note: This may affect website functionality

For Future Non-Essential Cookies:

Use the cookie preference center (when implemented)
Or clear cookies through browser settings

6. Do Not Track

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites indicating you don't want to be tracked. Currently, we do not respond to DNT signals because:

We don't use tracking cookies
We don't track users across websites
We only use essential cookies for functionality

If we add tracking in the future, we will respect DNT signals.

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will:

Update the "Last Updated" date
Post a notice on our website if changes are significant
Notify newsletter subscribers if we add new cookie types

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Email: admin@igotdomain.com

Subject: Cookie Policy Inquiry

Summary:

We use minimal cookies (only essential ones)
We use localStorage for location cache and theme preference
We do NOT use analytics or marketing cookies
You can manage cookies through browser settings
We respect your privacy and choices