Privacy Policy

Effective Upon: March 3rd 2024

At Business Guide HQ, we are deeply committed to transparency. We aim for clarity in how we handle, utilize, share, and safeguard your personal information. It's important to us that you, our valued user ("you" or "your"), fully grasp our practices.

This Privacy Policy governs your interactions with us and your usage of our website (www.businessguidehq.com), products, services, and features, whether online or offline (collectively referred to as the "Services").

By utilizing our Services, you signify your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. Should you disagree with any aspect of this policy, kindly refrain from using our Services. If you require clarification or have inquiries about this policy, please reach out to us before proceeding to use or continue using our Services.

We reserve the prerogative to revise our Privacy Policy periodically by posting such changes here. Additionally, we'll notify you of significant alterations by prominently displaying them on our website, via email, or both. Your continued use of our Services post-revision indicates acceptance of the amended terms.

Types of Information We Collect

We gather two fundamental types of information: personal and non-personal.

Personal information encompasses details that pertain to you and can either identify you or be used to identify you ("personal information"). Depending on your device and interaction with us or our Services, we may collect the following personal information:

Contact Information: Includes name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and other contact details.
Demographic Information: Such as date of birth and gender.
Device Information: Covering IP address, browser type, version, plug-in types, operating system, platform, device type, and identifiers.
Financial Information: Encompasses credit card number, banking information, transactional and financial data, and billing and shipping addresses.

Non-personal information comprises data that does not personally identify you or has been anonymized ("non-personal information"). When combined with personal information, we treat the amalgamated data as personal information.

You always reserve the right to decline furnishing information, except where necessary for engaging with our Services or receiving responses to inquiries or other pertinent information.

How We Collect Information

We necessitate the collection of personal information to deliver our Services and enhance your user experience. You may provide personal information through various means, including:

Visiting our website or utilizing our Services.
Registering for an account on our website.
Corresponding with us via surveys, promotions, or other means.
Subscribing to our newsletter or promotional materials.
Seeking customer service, support, or assistance.
Interacting with us online or offline, including through our Services.

Like numerous websites and apps, we utilize "cookies"—small text files stored on your computer or device when you visit specific online pages. These files record your preferences and actions. Cookies aid us in monitoring traffic, enhancing our website, and tailoring it for your convenience and relevance. We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to:

Identify you when accessing our Services to offer personalized service.
Determine your browser for proper functioning of our Services.
Assist in sending notifications.
Generate analytics regarding your Service usage.
Estimate audience size by discerning first-time visits.

You can configure your browser or device to reject all cookies or notify you when one is sent. Deleting cookies or setting your browser to decline them might impede certain Services' functionality. Presently, our Services do not alter their operation based on Do Not Track signals or similar indications.

Online Analytics

We employ various online analytics, including Google Analytics—a web analytics service by Google, Inc.—on our Services. Google Analytics employs cookies or similar tracking technologies to analyze user interaction with and usage of our Services, compile activity reports, and provide related services. Information collected by Google Analytics may include your IP address, visit time, repeat visit status, and referring website. Google's privacy policies govern information generated by Google Analytics. For more details on Google's partner services and opting out of tracking, please refer to their resources.

To enhance our products and advertising, we use Microsoft Clarity to analyze your website usage. Your utilization of our site implies consent for us and Microsoft to collect and employ this data. For further insight into Microsoft's data collection and utilization practices, consult their Privacy Statement.

Offline Interactions and Other Sources

We may also acquire personal information from other sources, such as partners or third-party service providers, or through offline interactions. This assists us in verifying or updating our records and customizing Services to better suit your needs.

Social Media Integration

Our Services may occasionally feature links to and from social media platforms. You can opt to connect with us through platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, allowing us to gather additional information like screen names, profile pictures, and contact details. It's crucial to note that these platforms may also collect information from you. Clicking on social media plug-ins triggers direct connection to the respective provider's servers. We do not regulate social media platforms' data collection, usage, and sharing practices, thus we advise reviewing their policies before engaging with them.

Surveys and Promotions

We may periodically offer opportunities to partake in surveys or promotions, some sponsored or conducted by third parties. Participation in such activities is voluntary, and we may request specific personal information. Rules and conditions may govern sweepstakes, raffles, or surveys beyond this Privacy Policy. By participating in such promotions, you agree to adhere to those rules, including receiving promotional communications via email.

How We Use Information

Personal information may be used to:

Provide our Services.
Facilitate interactions and transactions.
Respond to your requests, inquiries, suggestions, or feedback.
Manage your account and our relationship with you.
Enhance and maintain our Services.
Measure performance and develop new products or features.
Understand customer preferences.
Personalize Services, content, and ads.
Deliver and improve marketing offers or information.
Enable your participation in surveys and promotions.
Fulfill legal obligations or defend our rights.
Prevent fraud or assist in emergencies.
Comply with applicable laws.

We may aggregate personal information from diverse sources, including our Services, to create customer profiles for the aforementioned purposes.

Retention of personal information aligns with our business requirements, including backup, archival, accounting, and audit purposes.

Personal information may be utilized to generate non-personal data for legitimate business objectives. We retain non-personal information as required by our business needs.

How We Share Information

Save for disclosures outlined in this Privacy Policy, we refrain from sharing personal information with entities beyond our partners, affiliates, and their associates. Under no circumstances do we sell or lease personal information.

We may share personal information with third-party service providers, vendors, and partners to:

Fulfill functions delineated in the "How We Use Information" section.
Support marketing and promotional endeavors.
Comply with your directives or granted consent.

Disclosure of personal information to law enforcement, regulatory authorities, or other third parties may occur as mandated or permitted by law, such as:

Responding to legal processes.
Safeguarding rights or assisting in emergencies.
Adhering to applicable laws.

Personal information might be transferred or assigned to third parties due to sales, mergers, or similar events. In legal proceedings, we may disclose relevant information about you to third parties.

Non-personal information may be shared with third parties to fulfill our business needs.

How We Protect Information

We prioritize the security of personal information. Stringent measures are in place to ensure secure transmission and storage. While we take utmost care in safeguarding personal information upon receipt, it's important to note that no transmission method is 100% secure. Suspected unauthorized use or security breaches should be reported promptly to [email protected].

Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors under 13. Individuals under this age should use our Services with parental consent and supervision and refrain from providing personal information. If inadvertent collection occurs, please notify us immediately.

Your California Privacy Rights

We do not share personal information for third-party marketing without consent. California residents under 18 may request removal of personal information or content posted on our Services under certain circumstances. To exercise California privacy rights, please contact us.

Your Choices

We afford you certain choices regarding our Services:

Access to Your Personal Information: You have the right to request access to personal information collected, used, and disclosed about you. Discrimination for exercising this right is prohibited. Submit access requests via contact.
Deletion of Your Personal Information: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions. Once confirmed, we will delete your personal information (and direct partners and service providers to do likewise), unless exceptions apply. Discrimination for exercising deletion rights is prohibited. Submit deletion requests or designate an authorized agent via contact.
Updating Your Personal Information: Accurate information is paramount. You can update personal information via email or by accessing your account and profile.
Email Communications: You can opt out of marketing emails anytime by following instructions in emails and adjusting email preferences. However, certain emails essential for Service operation will persist.
Cookies/Beacons: Customize information collection by adjusting device or browser settings. Rejecting cookies might impact Service functionality, and offers may become less relevant.
Network Advertising Initiative: Opt out of specific network advertising programs via the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) Opt-Out Page. Note that online browsing may still display ads, albeit less targeted. Learn more or opt out at aboutads.info.
Do Not Track: Some devices and browsers support Do Not Track (DNT) features, signaling disinterest in cross-site tracking. Third-party responses to DNT signals are beyond our control. Consult third-party privacy policies for details.

Third Party Websites and Apps

Our Services may include links to third-party websites or apps. This Privacy Policy excludes practices of third-party websites and apps. We bear no responsibility for their actions or privacy policies.

Questions, comments, or feedback about this Privacy Policy or our personal information management are welcome. For your protection, identity verification may be required before addressing your request.

Email: [email protected]

California Consumer Privacy Act Appendix

For details on personal information categories collected, how they are collected, purposes, and sharing, refer to the appendix.