Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

ScaleLocal is a trading name of Improve My Search Ranking Limited, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 09427532). Our registered office is Unit 3, 2 Thayers Farm Road, Beckenham, BR3 4LZ. We operate the website scalelocal.co.uk and provide search engine optimisation services to local businesses.

For the purposes of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, ScaleLocal Ltd is the data controller for personal data collected through this website.

Contact: privacy@scalelocal.co.uk  ·  020 3657 9111  ·  Unit 3, 2 Thayers Farm Road, Beckenham, BR3 4LZ

2. What data we collect

We collect personal data in the following ways:

Data you provide directly: When you fill in our contact or audit request form, we collect your name, email address, phone number, business name, website URL, and the message you send us.

Data collected automatically: When you visit our website, we collect standard log data including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, time on site, and referring URL. This is collected via cookies and analytics tools (see Section 8).

Data from communications: If you contact us by email or phone, we may keep a record of that correspondence.

We do not collect sensitive personal data (such as health information, financial account details, or data about children). Our website is not directed at children under 16.

3. How we use your data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

• To respond to your enquiry or audit request
• To provide and manage our SEO services if you become a client
• To send you relevant communications about your account or our services (where you have given consent or we have a legitimate interest)
• To improve our website and understand how visitors use it
• To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations
• To detect and prevent fraud or abuse of our services

We will never use your data for automated decision-making or profiling that has a legal or similarly significant effect on you.

4. Legal basis for processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Contract: Processing necessary to fulfil a contract with you or to take steps before entering a contract (e.g. responding to an audit request, delivering our services).
• Legitimate interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as improving our services, website analytics, and direct marketing to existing clients — where these interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Consent: Where you have given clear consent, such as opting in to email marketing. You may withdraw consent at any time.
• Legal obligation: Processing required to comply with a legal obligation, such as retaining financial records.

5. Who we share your data with

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We may share data with:

• Service providers: Trusted third-party companies that help us operate our business, including email platforms, CRM software, analytics tools, and hosting providers. These companies process data only on our instructions and are bound by data processing agreements.
• Google Analytics / Search Console: We use these tools to understand website traffic. Data is collected in accordance with Google's privacy policy.
• Legal authorities: Where required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of ScaleLocal or others.

Where data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (such as standard contractual clauses or adequacy decisions).

6. How long we keep your data

• Enquiry / audit form data: Retained for 12 months from your last contact, unless you become a client.
• Client data: Retained for the duration of the contract and 6 years thereafter (in line with UK legal requirements for business records).
• Analytics data: Retained for 26 months in Google Analytics (industry standard).
• Email correspondence: Retained for up to 3 years.

After these periods, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

7. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification: You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to erasure: You can ask us to delete your data in certain circumstances ("the right to be forgotten").
• Right to restrict processing: You can ask us to restrict how we use your data in certain circumstances.
• Right to data portability: You can request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@scalelocal.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days. If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.

8. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies on our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use:

• Essential cookies: Necessary for the website to function. Cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies: Used to understand how visitors use our site (via Google Analytics). These are only set with your consent.
• Marketing cookies: Used to track the effectiveness of our advertising. Only set with your consent.

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time via our Cookie Policy page or your browser settings. Withdrawing consent for non-essential cookies will not affect your ability to use our website.

9. Security

We take the security of your personal data seriously. Our website uses HTTPS encryption. Access to personal data within our business is restricted to staff who need it to do their jobs, and all team members are trained on data protection responsibilities.

Despite our precautions, no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed as completely secure. If you believe your data has been compromised, please contact us immediately at privacy@scalelocal.co.uk.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@scalelocal.co.uk
• Phone: 020 3657 9111
• Post: Improve My Search Ranking Limited (trading as ScaleLocal), Unit 3, 2 Thayers Farm Road, Beckenham, BR3 4LZ