If you're asking "is my website GDPR compliant?" - the answer is probably no. Studies show that 70% of websites violate GDPR in some way. This guide helps you take a free GDPR test, understand how to get GDPR compliance, and fix violations quickly.

Quick GDPR Compliance Self-Assessment

Answer these 10 questions honestly:

1. ☐ Does your website have a cookie consent banner?
2. ☐ Can users reject all cookies easily?
3. ☐ Do you block tracking cookies until consent?
4. ☐ Do you have a GDPR-compliant privacy policy?
5. ☐ Can users download their data?
6. ☐ Can users delete their account?
7. ☐ Do you use HTTPS encryption?
8. ☐ Have you signed DPAs with vendors?
9. ☐ Do forms have unchecked consent boxes?
10. ☐ Can users change cookie preferences later?

Score:

• 10/10: ✅ Likely compliant (verify with scanner)
• 7-9/10: ⚠️ Mostly compliant (minor fixes needed)
• 4-6/10: ❌ Not compliant (major issues)
• 0-3/10: 🚨 Serious violations (immediate action required)

For a detailed analysis, run our free GDPR test:

🔍 Free GDPR Test (60 seconds) →

5 Signs Your Website Is NOT GDPR Compliant

Sign 1: No Cookie Banner or Incomplete Banner

Check: Does your website show a cookie consent banner before loading any tracking cookies?

Violation indicators:

• ❌ No cookie banner at all
• ❌ Banner says "By continuing, you accept cookies"
• ❌ No "Reject All" button
• ❌ Pre-checked consent boxes
• ❌ Cookie wall ("Accept to continue")

How to fix: Install a proper cookie consent banner with Accept/Reject/Manage options.

Generate free cookie banner →

Sign 2: Loading Tracking Cookies Before Consent

Check: Open Developer Tools (F12) → Application → Cookies. Do you see Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or other tracking cookies before clicking the banner?

Common violations:

• ❌ _ga (Google Analytics) loads immediately
• ❌ _fbp (Facebook Pixel) loads before consent
• ❌ Any marketing/analytics cookies present without consent

How to fix: Block all non-essential cookies until user accepts. Use script wrappers or consent management platform.

Sign 3: Incomplete Privacy Policy

Check: Does your privacy policy include ALL of these:

• ☐ Controller information (who you are)
• ☐ Data collected (what personal data)
• ☐ Legal basis (why you process data)
• ☐ Purpose (how you use data)
• ☐ Retention periods (how long you keep it)
• ☐ User rights (access, deletion, portability, objection)
• ☐ Data transfers (if you send data outside EU)
• ☐ Contact information (how to reach you)
• ☐ Supervisory authority (how to complain)

Missing even ONE of these = privacy policy not GDPR compliant.

Generate compliant privacy policy →

Sign 4: No User Rights Implementation

Check: Can users easily:

• ☐ Download their data?
• ☐ Delete their account?
• ☐ Update incorrect information?
• ☐ Object to processing?
• ☐ Restrict processing?

If you don't have mechanisms for these rights, you're not compliant.

Sign 5: Using Third-Party Services Without DPAs

Check: Do you use any of these WITHOUT signed Data Processing Agreements?

• Google Analytics
• Facebook Pixel
• Mailchimp
• Stripe
• Any cloud hosting (AWS, Google Cloud)
• Any marketing tools

Using processors without DPAs = GDPR violation.

How to Run a Free GDPR Test

Method 1: Automated Scanner (Recommended)

Our free GDPR test scanner checks:

• Cookie detection - All cookies on your site
• Cookie classification - Essential vs optional
• Consent mechanism - Banner functionality
• Cookie blocking - Scripts blocked until consent
• Privacy policy - Completeness check
• User rights - Implementation verification
• Security - HTTPS, encryption
• Vendor compliance - Third-party checks

How to use:

1. Go to GDPR Scanner
2. Enter your website URL
3. Click "Scan"
4. Wait 60 seconds
5. Review detailed compliance report

The scanner gives you a compliance score (0-100) and specific issues to fix.

Method 2: Manual Testing

If you prefer manual testing:

Test 1: Cookie Banner Check

1. Open your site in Incognito mode
2. Does banner appear immediately?
3. Does it have Accept/Reject/Manage buttons?
4. Are buttons equally prominent?
5. Can you reject and still access site?

Test 2: Cookie Blocking Check

1. Open DevTools (F12)
2. Go to Application → Cookies
3. Before clicking banner, check cookies
4. Only essential cookies should be there
5. After accepting, analytics/marketing load

Test 3: Privacy Policy Check

1. Find your privacy policy
2. Verify all 9 required sections present
3. Check it's accessible from footer
4. Verify "last updated" date is recent

Test 4: User Rights Check

1. Try to find "Download my data"
2. Look for "Delete account" option
3. Check if process is clearly explained

Test 5: Form Check

1. Find any contact/signup form
2. Verify consent checkboxes NOT pre-ticked
3. Check privacy policy link present
4. Separate boxes for different purposes

How to Get GDPR Compliance (Step-by-Step)

Phase 1: Cookie Compliance (Week 1)

Step 1: Audit your cookies

• List all cookies
• Categorize (Essential, Analytics, Marketing)
• Document purpose and duration

Step 2: Install cookie banner

• Choose solution (free generator or paid)
• Customize design and text
• Add to all pages

Get free cookie banner →

Step 3: Block cookies before consent

• Wrap tracking scripts in consent check
• Test that nothing loads without consent
• Verify with DevTools

Phase 2: Privacy Documentation (Week 2)

Step 4: Create privacy policy

• Use privacy policy generator
• Include all 9 required sections
• Add to footer of every page

Generate privacy policy →

Step 5: Update forms

• Add unchecked consent checkboxes
• Link to privacy policy
• Separate consent for different purposes

Step 6: Create cookie policy page

• List all cookies with details
• Explain management options
• Link from privacy policy

Phase 3: User Rights (Week 3)

Step 7: Implement data access

• Create download portal
• Export data in JSON/CSV
• Respond within 30 days

Step 8: Implement data deletion

• Add "Delete Account" button
• Delete from all systems
• Keep only legally required data

Step 9: Consent management

• Add "Cookie Settings" in footer
• Let users change preferences
• Store consent records

Phase 4: Security & Vendors (Week 4)

Step 10: Enable HTTPS

• Get SSL certificate
• Force HTTPS redirect
• Update all links

Step 11: Secure data storage

• Encrypt passwords (bcrypt)
• Use prepared statements
• Regular encrypted backups
• Access controls

Step 12: Sign DPAs with vendors

• List all data processors
• Find their DPA pages
• Sign and store copies

GDPR Compliance by Industry

E-commerce Websites

Additional requirements:

• Customer data processing agreements
• Payment processor DPA (Stripe, PayPal)
• Order data retention policies
• Shipping data handling
• Marketing consent at checkout

SaaS Applications

Additional requirements:

• User account data export
• Account deletion functionality
• API access to user data
• Sub-processor list
• Security certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001)

Blogs and Content Sites

Main requirements:

• Cookie consent for analytics
• Email subscription consent
• Comment moderation and deletion
• Newsletter unsubscribe

Marketing Agencies

Additional requirements:

• Client data processing agreements
• Multi-site cookie management
• Lead data handling procedures
• CRM GDPR compliance

How Much Does GDPR Compliance Cost?

DIY Approach: $0-50/month

Tools needed:

• Free GDPR scanner (Guardian of Compliance)
• Free cookie banner generator
• Free privacy policy template
• SSL certificate ($0-50/year)

Time investment: 20-40 hours initial setup

Automated Tools: $8-100/month

Options:

• Guardian of Compliance: $8-35/month
• Cookiebot: $99-249/month
• OneTrust: $500+/month

Time investment: 5-10 hours initial setup

Legal Consultation: $2,000-10,000+

When needed:

• High-risk data processing
• Large customer base (100,000+)
• Complex data workflows
• Previous GDPR violations

GDPR Compliance Timeline

Small website (1-10 pages): 2-3 weeks

• Week 1: Cookie compliance
• Week 2: Privacy docs
• Week 3: User rights + testing

Medium website (10-50 pages): 4-6 weeks

• Additional time for multiple forms
• More complex cookie setup
• Team training

Large website/E-commerce: 6-12 weeks

• Payment integration
• Customer data handling
• Order processing compliance
• Vendor management

What Happens If You're Not Compliant?

GDPR Penalties

Fines:

• Up to €20 million OR
• 4% of annual global turnover
• Whichever is higher

Examples of recent fines:

• Amazon: €746 million (2021)
• WhatsApp: €225 million (2021)
• Google: €90 million (2020)
• H&M: €35 million (2020)

Other Consequences

• Reputational damage - Loss of customer trust
• Legal costs - Defending against claims
• Business restrictions - Temporary processing bans
• Competitive disadvantage - Customers choose compliant alternatives

Maintaining GDPR Compliance

Monthly Tasks

• ☐ Run compliance scan
• ☐ Check for new cookies
• ☐ Process data requests
• ☐ Review consent records

Quarterly Tasks

• ☐ Review privacy policy
• ☐ Audit vendor DPAs
• ☐ Test user rights functionality
• ☐ Security audit

Annual Tasks

• ☐ Full GDPR audit
• ☐ Update privacy policy
• ☐ Team training
• ☐ Review data retention policies
• ☐ Update vendor agreements

Conclusion: Check Your Compliance Now

Don't wait for a fine or complaint. Check if your website is GDPR compliant today:

1. Run free GDPR test - 60 seconds
2. Fix critical issues - Cookie banner, blocking
3. Complete documentation - Privacy policy, forms
4. Implement user rights - Access, deletion
5. Monitor ongoing - Monthly scans

🔍 Free GDPR Test - Check Now →

Related Resources:

• How to Check GDPR Compliance
• Complete GDPR Compliance Checklist
• Free Cookie Banner Generator
• Privacy Policy Generator