You’ve successfully installed DigiConsent—congratulations! Now comes the important part: properly configuring the plugin to meet your specific needs and compliance requirements. This guide walks you through the essential first steps to take after installation, ensuring your cookie consent management is set up correctly from day one.
Step 1: Verify Installation Success
Before diving into configuration, take a moment to confirm that DigiConsent installed correctly and is functioning properly.
Check the Admin Menu
Look in your WordPress admin sidebar for the DigiConsent menu item. It should appear with a cookie icon and include four submenu items:
- Dashboard
- Settings
- Analytics
- Logs
If you see all these menu items, the plugin is properly installed and ready for configuration.
View the Default Banner
Open your website in a private/incognito browser window (this ensures you see the banner as a new visitor would). You should see the DigiConsent cookie banner appear with default settings. If you see the banner, installation was successful and the plugin is actively displaying on your site.
Note: If you don’t see the banner, clear your website cache (if you use a caching plugin) and try again. Most caching issues resolve after clearing the cache.
Step 2: Review the Dashboard
Click on DigiConsent in your admin menu to access the Dashboard. This is your command center for consent management.
Understand the Initial Statistics
On your fresh installation, you’ll see four statistic cards showing zeros or very low numbers:
- Total Views: Will start increasing as visitors see your banner
- Total Accepts: Will increase when visitors accept cookies
- Total Rejects: Will increase when visitors reject cookies
- Acceptance Rate: Will calculate once you have accept/reject data
These numbers will populate naturally as visitors interact with your consent banner. Don’t worry about the zeros—this is normal for a new installation.
Review the Getting Started Guide
The Dashboard displays a three-step getting started guide. These steps provide a helpful roadmap for initial configuration:
- Configure your cookie banner design and content
- Add your tracking scripts to cookie categories
- Monitor consent statistics
This guide serves as your checklist for the configuration process we’re about to walk through.
Step 3: Choose Your Consent Behavior
This is the single most important configuration decision you’ll make. Your consent behavior determines how cookies are handled before user interaction and must align with your legal obligations.
Navigate to Settings
Click DigiConsent → Settings in your admin menu. You’ll land on the General Settings tab, which contains the Consent Behavior dropdown.
Select the Appropriate Mode
DigiConsent offers three consent behavior options:
Opt-in (Block cookies until consent)
This mode blocks all non-essential cookies until users explicitly accept them. Tracking scripts will not execute until consent is given. This is required for GDPR compliance in the European Union and is the strictest, most privacy-friendly option.
When to use opt-in:
- You serve visitors from the EU
- You want maximum privacy compliance
- Your industry has strict data protection requirements
- You want to build trust with privacy-conscious users
Opt-out (Allow cookies, user can reject)
This mode loads all cookies by default, but gives users the option to reject them. Scripts execute immediately unless a user actively rejects them.
When to use opt-out:
- You primarily serve visitors from regions with less strict requirements (most of the US)
- Your analytics data is critical for business operations
- You’ve confirmed this meets your legal obligations
Notice-only (Informational)
This mode simply informs users that your website uses cookies without requiring any action. All cookies load regardless of user interaction.
When to use notice-only:
- You only use essential/functional cookies
- You’ve removed all tracking and marketing cookies
- Your legal jurisdiction doesn’t require consent
Recommendation: When in doubt, choose Opt-in. It provides the highest level of compliance and protects you from regulatory issues. You can always change this setting later if your requirements are different.
Step 4: Select Your Banner Layout
The banner layout determines where and how your consent banner appears on your website. DigiConsent provides visual previews to help you choose.
Layout Options
In the General Settings section, you’ll see four visual layout options:
- Bottom Banner: Displays at the bottom of the screen, spanning the full width. This is the default and most familiar option for users.
- Top Banner: Appears at the top of the page, spanning full width. More visible but can push content down.
- Side Banner: Shows on the left or right side of the screen. Modern appearance that doesn’t block vertical content.
- Fullscreen: Takes over the entire screen until dismissed. Maximum visibility and engagement.
Making Your Choice
Consider these factors when selecting a layout:
- User Experience: Bottom banner is least intrusive
- Visibility: Fullscreen ensures everyone sees it, but may frustrate users
- Mobile Compatibility: All layouts work on mobile, but bottom/top are most mobile-friendly
- Website Design: Choose what fits aesthetically with your site
Recommendation: Start with Bottom Banner. It’s familiar to users, works well on all devices, and is the least disruptive to user experience. You can experiment with other layouts later.
If you choose Side Banner, you’ll see an additional option to position it on the left or right side of the screen.
Step 5: Customize Your Banner Text
Clear, honest communication is essential for both compliance and user trust. Take time to customize your banner text to accurately reflect your cookie usage.
Pre-Heading Text
The default pre-heading is “Hi there!” This small text appears above your main heading. Keep it friendly, brief, and welcoming. Examples:
- “Hi there!” (default—friendly and approachable)
- “Welcome!”
- “Cookie Notice”
- “Before you continue…”
Heading Text
The default heading is “We’re the cookies!” This is the main title users see. Make it clear and specific. Examples:
- “We use cookies” (simple and direct)
- “This site uses cookies”
- “Cookie preferences”
- “Your privacy matters”
Description Text
This is your opportunity to explain what cookies do and why you use them. The default description is informative but generic. Customize it to be specific to your website:
Good example: “We use cookies to analyze website traffic, remember your preferences, and show relevant advertisements. You can choose which types of cookies to accept.”
Better example: “We use cookies to improve your shopping experience, remember items in your cart, understand which products you like, and show you relevant offers. You have full control over which cookies we can use.”
Best practices for description text:
- Be specific about what cookies do on YOUR site
- Use plain language, not legal jargon
- Keep it concise (2-3 sentences maximum)
- Explain value to the user, not just what you collect
- Be honest—don’t hide what you’re tracking
Step 6: Link Your Privacy Policy
Providing access to your detailed privacy policy is essential for compliance and building trust.
Select Your Privacy Policy Page
In the Settings page, find the Privacy Policy Page dropdown. Select the WordPress page that contains your privacy policy. If you see “Select a page” as an option, it means no page is currently selected.
Don’t have a privacy policy page? You need to create one before continuing. Your privacy policy should explain:
- What data you collect and why
- How you use collected data
- Who you share data with (third-party services)
- How long you retain data
- Users’ rights regarding their data
- How to contact you about privacy concerns
Customize the Link Text
After selecting a privacy policy page, you can customize the link text (default is “Privacy Policy”). Most websites keep this default, as users recognize and expect this standard text.
Step 7: Configure Button Settings
DigiConsent allows you to customize which buttons appear and what text they display. Scroll to the Button Settings section in the General Settings tab.
Accept Button
The Accept button is enabled by default with the text “Ok For Me.” This button allows users to accept all cookies. Keep this button enabled—it’s essential for opt-in and opt-out modes.
You can customize the text to:
- “Accept All”
- “Accept Cookies”
- “I Agree”
- “Got It”
Reject Button
The Reject button is enabled by default with the text “No Thanks.” This button allows users to reject optional cookies. For GDPR compliance, you should keep this button enabled.
You can customize the text to:
- “Reject All”
- “Decline”
- “No Thanks”
Settings Button
The Settings button is enabled by default with the text “Let Me Choose.” This button opens a detailed modal where users can accept or reject individual cookie categories. Keep this enabled to give users granular control.
You can customize the text to:
- “Customize”
- “Cookie Settings”
- “Manage Preferences”
Step 8: Set Consent Expiration
The Consent Expiration setting determines how long user consent remains valid before you ask for it again. The default is 365 days (one year).
Choosing the right expiration:
- 365 days: Standard choice, balances compliance with user convenience
- 180 days: More conservative, ensures regular consent refresh
- 90 days: Very conservative, good if your cookie usage changes frequently
Recommendation: Keep the default 365 days unless you have specific reasons to change it. This is aligned with GDPR guidelines and user expectations.
Step 9: Save Your Initial Settings
After completing the configuration steps above, scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and click the Save Settings button. Wait for the success message confirming your settings were saved.
Important: If you use a caching plugin, clear your cache after saving settings to ensure changes take effect immediately.
Step 10: Test Your Banner
Before proceeding to add tracking scripts, test that your basic configuration works correctly.
Visual and Functional Testing
- Open a private/incognito browser window
- Navigate to your website’s homepage
- Verify the banner appears in the layout you selected
- Check that all your customized text displays correctly
- Verify the privacy policy link appears and works
- Test all three buttons (Accept, Reject, Settings)
- In the Settings modal, verify all cookie categories appear
- Accept cookies and verify the banner disappears
- Refresh the page and confirm the banner doesn’t reappear
Mobile Testing
Open your website on a mobile device or use browser developer tools to simulate mobile:
- Verify the banner displays properly on small screens
- Check that buttons are easily tappable
- Ensure text is readable without zooming
- Test the Settings modal on mobile
Step 11: Plan Your Cookie Categories
Before adding tracking scripts (covered in the next step), take time to plan which scripts belong in which categories. Make a list of all tracking services you use:
- Necessary: Session cookies, security tokens, authentication
- Analytics: Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Hotjar
- Marketing: Facebook Pixel, Google Ads, TikTok Pixel
- Functional: Intercom chat, Zendesk, YouTube embeds
Having this list prepared makes the next configuration step much faster and ensures you don’t forget any important scripts.
Step 12: Consider Google Consent Mode
If you use Google services (Analytics, Ads, Tag Manager), consider enabling Google Consent Mode v2. This is found in the General Settings tab, in the “Google Consent Mode v2” section.
Enable GCM by toggling the switch to ON. This integrates DigiConsent with Google’s consent framework, allowing Google services to adjust their behavior based on user consent while still providing some anonymized data.
Set the Default Consent State to Denied for GDPR compliance. This will update to “Granted” when users accept cookies.
Initial Configuration Checklist
Before moving on to adding tracking scripts, confirm you’ve completed these essential steps:
- ✓ Verified DigiConsent installation is working
- ✓ Reviewed the Dashboard
- ✓ Selected appropriate consent behavior (opt-in recommended)
- ✓ Chosen banner layout
- ✓ Customized pre-heading, heading, and description text
- ✓ Linked privacy policy page
- ✓ Configured button settings and text
- ✓ Set consent expiration period
- ✓ Saved initial settings
- ✓ Tested banner on desktop and mobile
- ✓ Planned cookie category assignments
- ✓ Considered Google Consent Mode (if applicable)
Next Steps
With your initial configuration complete, you’re ready to move on to more advanced setup:
- Cookie Categories: Add your tracking scripts to appropriate categories
- Design Customization: Customize colors and styling to match your brand
- Advanced Settings: Explore additional configuration options
- Monitoring: Start tracking your consent analytics
These first steps establish a solid foundation for your cookie consent management. By taking time to configure DigiConsent properly from the start, you ensure compliance, build user trust, and create a professional consent experience that respects user privacy while maintaining the functionality your website needs.