Launch Day GDPR Compliance: The Complete Checklist

It's 11 PM and You're Launching Tomorrow

We've been there. Product is ready. Landing page is polished. Stripe is configured. You're about to go to sleep.

Then you remember: "Wait. GDPR. Cookies. Do I need... something?"

You start Googling. Articles from 2018. Lawyer blogs about €20 million fines. Enterprise CMP websites that want you to "schedule a demo."

Your launch is in 10 hours. Don't panic.

Here's exactly what you need, in priority order, with time estimates.

The 30-Minute Checklist

Priority 1: Cookie Consent (5 minutes)

Must have for launch. Do this first.

1. Go to getcookies.co
2. Sign up (Google = fastest)
3. Add your domain
4. Copy this to your <head>:

<script src="https://getcookies.co/api/v1/widget/loader.js"
        data-domain-id="YOUR_DOMAIN_ID"
        async></script>

5. Deploy

What this gives you:

• Cookie consent banner
• Google Consent Mode v2
• Script blocking until consent
• Consent logging
• CCPA support (automatic)

Priority 2: Privacy Policy (15 minutes)

Must have for launch. Do this second.

Options (free):

• Termly - Generator
• Iubenda - Generator
• PrivacyPolicies.com - Generator

Steps:

1. Use a generator
2. Answer the questions honestly
3. Host at /privacy or /privacy-policy
4. Link from your footer

Key sections to include:

• What data you collect
• Why you collect it
• How long you keep it
• Who you share it with
• User rights (access, deletion, etc.)
• Contact information

Priority 3: Cookie Policy (5 minutes)

Should have. Often combined with privacy policy.

Your cookie policy should list:

• What cookies you use
• Purpose of each cookie
• Duration of each cookie
• Third-party cookies

GetCookies helps: Dashboard shows what cookies are detected. Use this to populate your policy.

Priority 4: Terms of Service (5 minutes)

Should have, especially for SaaS.

Same generators work:

• Termly
• Iubenda

Host at /terms or /terms-of-service.

Priority 5: Contact for Data Requests

Must have. Takes 30 seconds.

Add an email like [email protected] or just use your main email.

Link it in your privacy policy.

When someone emails asking for their data or deletion, you must respond within 30 days.

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The Full Checklist

Copy this and check off as you go:

Absolute Must-Haves

• Cookie consent banner (GetCookies)
• Privacy policy page
• Privacy policy link in footer
• Contact email for data requests
• Scripts don't fire before consent

Should Have

• Cookie policy (can be section of privacy policy)
• Terms of service
• Cookie settings link in footer (GetCookies badge handles this)
• Clear data retention periods in privacy policy

Nice to Have

• Custom consent banner colors
• Custom consent banner text
• Separate policies per regulation (GDPR, CCPA)
• DPA ready for B2B customers
• Data processing records

Don't Need Yet

• DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment) - only for high-risk processing
• DPO (Data Protection Officer) - only for large orgs or specific cases
• EU representative - only if you're outside EU with significant EU presence

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Quick Verification Checks

Check 1: Cookie Consent Works

1. Open incognito browser
2. Go to your site
3. Banner should appear
4. Open DevTools → Network
5. No tracking requests should appear before clicking Accept

Check 2: Privacy Policy Exists

1. Click privacy link in footer
2. Policy should load
3. Policy should mention your company name
4. Policy should have contact info

Check 3: Scripts Are Blocked

1. In incognito, choose "Reject All" on banner
2. Reload page
3. Open DevTools → Network
4. Filter for "google", "facebook", "analytics"
5. Should see no requests (or only cookieless pings)

Check 4: Settings Accessible

1. Accept cookies
2. Banner hides
3. Look for badge/button to reopen settings
4. Click it
5. Should be able to change preferences

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Framework-Specific Launch Checklist

Next.js Launch

// app/layout.tsx
import Script from 'next/script'

export default function RootLayout({ children }) {
  return (
    <html>
      <head>
        <Script
          src="https://getcookies.co/api/v1/widget/loader.js"
          data-domain-id="YOUR_DOMAIN_ID"
          strategy="afterInteractive"
        />
      </head>
      <body>
        {children}
        <footer>
          <a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a>
          <a href="/terms">Terms of Service</a>
        </footer>
      </body>
    </html>
  )
}

• GetCookies script added
• Privacy page at /privacy
• Terms page at /terms
• Footer links added

Nuxt Launch

// nuxt.config.ts
export default defineNuxtConfig({
  app: {
    head: {
      script: [{
        src: 'https://getcookies.co/api/v1/widget/loader.js',
        'data-domain-id': 'YOUR_DOMAIN_ID',
        async: true
      }]
    }
  }
})

• GetCookies script in nuxt.config.ts
• Privacy page at /privacy
• Terms page at /terms
• Footer component with links

Static Site Launch

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <script src="https://getcookies.co/api/v1/widget/loader.js"
          data-domain-id="YOUR_DOMAIN_ID"
          async></script>
</head>
<body>
  <!-- Content -->
  <footer>
    <a href="/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a>
    <a href="/terms.html">Terms of Service</a>
  </footer>
</body>
</html>

• GetCookies script in head
• privacy.html exists
• terms.html exists
• Footer on all pages

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What If You're Missing Something?

Missing Privacy Policy?

Generate one now with Termly. It takes 10 minutes. Use placeholder text if needed, then improve it later.

Missing Terms?

Launch without them if you must. Privacy policy is legally required. Terms are strongly recommended but not strictly required in most cases.

Missing Cookie Consent?

This is the highest priority. Without it, you're not compliant. GetCookies takes 5 minutes.

Missing Cookie List?

GetCookies scans your site and shows you what cookies exist. Use this to populate your cookie policy after launch.

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Post-Launch Improvements

Once you've launched, improve compliance over time:

Week 1

• Review GetCookies analytics for consent rates
• Fine-tune banner text if needed
• Complete cookie policy with actual cookie list

Month 1

• Review and update privacy policy
• Add DPA template for B2B customers
• Document data flows internally

Quarter 1

• Set up data deletion workflow
• Train team on data request handling
• Review third-party vendors

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The "We're Launching in 1 Hour" Version

Absolute minimum:

<head>
  <!-- This is all you need for cookie consent -->
  <script src="https://getcookies.co/api/v1/widget/loader.js"
          data-domain-id="YOUR_DOMAIN_ID"
          async></script>
</head>

<footer>
  <!-- Link to any privacy policy for now -->
  <a href="/privacy">Privacy</a>
</footer>

Create a /privacy page with even just:

Privacy Policy

We respect your privacy. We use cookies for analytics and marketing (with your consent).

For questions: [email protected]

Full policy coming soon.

This isn't ideal, but it's better than launching with nothing. Improve it within the first week.

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Common Launch Day Questions

"Can I launch without a privacy policy?"

Technically, no. But a minimal one is better than none. Use a generator or write 200 words covering the basics.

"Do I need GDPR compliance if I'm in the US?"

If you have any EU visitors (you probably do), yes. GDPR applies based on where your users are, not where you are.

"What about CCPA?"

GetCookies handles CCPA automatically. Just focus on GDPR - it's the stricter standard.

"Do I need consent for analytics?"

In the EU, yes. Google Analytics uses cookies. Cookies require consent. GetCookies handles this.

"What if someone asks for their data?"

You have 30 days to respond. Cross that bridge when you come to it. For now, just have an email they can contact.

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Launch Confidently

GDPR compliance doesn't have to delay your launch. With GetCookies:

1. 5 minutes for cookie consent
2. 15 minutes for privacy policy
3. 10 minutes for everything else

30 minutes total. Then ship it.

Your launch is more important than perfect compliance. Good compliance today beats perfect compliance next month.

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GetCookies: Launch compliant. Improve continuously.