Privacy and Cookie Policy

Heartland Digital Studio ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website https://www.heartlanddigitalstudio.com and provides web design, development, and digital marketing services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data.

This Privacy and Cookie Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services. Our services are delivered through our custom-built platform using modern web technologies.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked to you ("Personal Information").

A. Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Data: Name, email address, phone number, and business name provided via contact forms, demo requests, or service inquiries.
• Account Data: Billing information, login credentials, and business profile details for client portal access.
• Communication Data: Records of your interactions with our support team and client portal.

B. Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, and pages viewed.
• Tracking Data: Information gathered through cookies, web beacons, and pixels regarding your interaction with our site.

C. Information Processed for Clients (Service Provider / Processor)

In our capacity as a service provider, we may process lead and customer information on behalf of our contractor clients (for example: names, phone numbers, email addresses, service addresses, appointment details, message content, and related communications). In these situations, the contractor client is generally the Data Controller / Business, and Heartland Digital Studio is generally the Service Provider / Processor.

Client lead data is processed and protected under our Data Processing Addendum (DPA) and the applicable client agreement(s). Where the contractor controls the website, forms, and lead capture experiences, the contractor's own privacy policy governs their end-user relationship.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Service Delivery: To design, develop, host, and maintain your custom websites and digital marketing solutions.
• Automation: To facilitate missed call text-back, AI-driven lead responses, scheduling support, and automated follow-ups.
• AI Receptionist & Scheduling Support: To process lead data through AI-assisted logic in order to respond to inquiries, qualify leads, suggest or confirm appointment times, and route messages to the appropriate contractor/client team.
• Communication: To send project updates, invoices, and marketing communications (where permitted).
• Optimization: To analyze website performance and improve our SEO and conversion strategies.
• Compliance: To meet legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyze traffic.

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function (e.g., security and session management).
• Analytical Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with the site (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences, such as chat widget history.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to track the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.

Managing Cookies: You can set your browser to refuse all or some cookies. However, if you disable cookies, some parts of our website may not function properly.

4. SMS and Mobile Communication

Heartland Digital Studio may utilize SMS/MMS and mobile messaging for service communications and lead follow-up.

• Opt-In / Consent: By providing your mobile number or otherwise opting in, you consent to receive text messages related to the services you requested. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply.
• SMS/MMS Data Protection: Phone numbers and mobile messaging consent collected for SMS/MMS are not shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes. We do not sell or rent SMS/MMS opt-in data.
• Service Providers for Delivery: We may share the minimum necessary information with communications providers solely to send and manage messages you have consented to receive.
• Opt-Out: You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying "STOP." For help, reply "HELP" or contact us using the information in Section 10.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only as needed to operate our website and deliver services, including:

• Service Providers / Vendors: Third parties who assist in operations (e.g., hosting providers, analytics providers, payment processors such as Stripe, and communications delivery providers).
• Contractor Clients: When you submit information to a contractor's website, that information is shared with and accessible to that contractor client.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or to protect the rights and safety of Heartland Digital Studio and our clients.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures, including SSL encryption and secure API integrations through our CRM stack, to protect your data. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Lead data processed for clients is retained according to the client's subscription status and the terms of our DPA.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location and our role (Controller vs. Service Provider/Processor), you may have the following rights:

• Access / Right to Know: Request access to and/or details about the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate personal information.
• Deletion: Request that we delete personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Portability: Request a copy of certain information in a portable format.
• Objection / Restriction: Object to or request restriction of certain processing.
• Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time.
• Opt-Out of Marketing: Opt out of marketing emails/texts at any time.
• CCPA/CPRA: We do not sell personal information and we do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

Important (Data Separation): If your request relates to data submitted to one of our contractor clients, the contractor is the Data Controller and we may direct your request to that contractor.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy and Cookie Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

Brendan Makidon
Founder, Heartland Digital Studio
Alma, Michigan 48801
Email: legal@heartlanddigitalstudio.com
Website: www.heartlanddigitalstudio.com