Your information, in plain English.

Who I am

Square & Level is the trading name of Joshua Williams, a sole trader based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK. I'm the "data controller" for any personal information you give me, which means I'm responsible for looking after it.

If you have any questions about your information, email me at [email protected] or write to 53 Fearns Avenue, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 8NA.

What I collect

When you fill in the contact form, or get in touch by email, phone, WhatsApp or social media, I collect:

• your name and business name
• the type of business you run
• your email address and/or phone number
• anything you tell me in your message

If you become a client, I'll also keep the things you send me for your website (such as text, photos and logos), the messages we exchange, and the details I need for invoices.

I don't use tracking or advertising cookies, and I don't sell or rent your information to anyone.

Why I use it, and the legal basis

• To reply to your enquiry and build your free example. You've asked me to do this, so I use your details to take steps before we enter into an agreement, and because I have a legitimate interest in responding to people who contact me.
• To build and look after your website if you become a client. This is needed to carry out our agreement (contract).
• To keep business and tax records. The law requires this (legal obligation).

I won't add you to a mailing list or send you marketing unless you've asked me to.

Who else handles your information

I use a small number of trusted services to run my business. They only handle your information on my behalf:

• Formspree receives contact form messages and emails them to me. Formspree is based in the United States, and information sent through the form is transferred there with appropriate safeguards in place.
• Cloudflare hosts this website. Like all web hosts, it processes basic technical information (such as your IP address) to deliver the site and protect it from attacks. It may set a strictly necessary security cookie.
• Google Fonts provides the fonts on this website. When the page loads, your browser connects to Google, which receives your IP address.
• Google (Gmail) stores the emails we exchange.
• WhatsApp and Facebook, if you choose to message me there.
• PayPal, if you choose to pay that way.

How long I keep it

• If you get in touch but don't go ahead, I delete your details after 12 months.
• If you become a client, I keep your details for as long as I'm working with you, and keep invoices and business records for 6 years as required for tax purposes.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

• ask for a copy of the information I hold about you
• ask me to correct anything that's wrong
• ask me to delete your information
• object to, or ask me to limit, how I use it
• ask for your information in a format you can take elsewhere

To do any of these, email [email protected]. It's free, and I'll reply within one month.

Complaints

If you're unhappy with how I've handled your information, please tell me first so I can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.

Changes to this policy

If I change how I use your information, I'll update this page and the date at the top.