Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date:           September 2026
Business Name:        Next Step Guide Ltd, trading as First Step Guide
Contact Email:           admin@firststepguide.com
Jurisdiction:                England and Wales
 
1. Introduction
Next Step Guide is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We understand that individuals accessing our resources may be navigating sensitive or significant life transitions. We therefore treat all personal information with discretion, care, and integrity.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in accordance with:
 

•     The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

•     The Data Protection Act 2018

•     The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 
   

2. Data Controller
For the purposes of data protection law, Next Step Guide is the Data Controller of your personal data.
Contact details:
                              admin@firststepguide.com
 
3. Personal Data We May Collect
We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Information You Provide Directly:

•    Name

•     Email address

•     Billing information

•     Purchase history

•     Communications you send to us

Automatically Collected Data:

•     IP address

•     Browser type

•     Device information

•     Website usage data (via cookies and analytics tools)

We do not intentionally collect special category data (such as health, political views, or religious beliefs). If such information is voluntarily disclosed, it will be handled sensitively and securely.
 
4. Lawful Basis for Processing (UK GDPR Article 6)
We process personal data on the following lawful bases:
 

• Contract — to process purchases and provide products you have ordered.

• Consent — where you choose to receive marketing emails or other optional communications.

• Legitimate interests — for activities such as operating and improving our website, responding to enquiries, maintaining security and understanding how our services are used, where those interests are not overridden by your rights.

• Legal obligation — where we need to retain or disclose information to comply with legal, tax or accounting requirements.

Where we rely on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
 
5. How We Use Your DataYour information may be used to:
 

•   Deliver digital guides and purchased products

•   Provide customer support

•   Process payments securely

•   Respond to enquiries

•   Improve website functionality and user experience

•   Maintain the security of our website and services

•   Send relevant updates or resources where you have chosen to receive them

•   Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

When you request a free guide, we use your name and email address to provide the guide and related service messages.

If you separately choose to receive occasional helpful emails from First Step Guide, we may also send guidance, resources and information about other guides or services.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time.

We will never sell, rent or trade your personal data.

 
6. Data Sharing

We may share limited personal data with trusted third-party service providers where this is necessary to operate our website and provide our services.
 

These may include:
 

• Website platform and hosting providers, including Wix

• Payment processing providers

• Email and communications providers

• Analytics providers

• Professional advisers, such as legal or accounting professionals

• Other service providers necessary to operate and support our business

We only share information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

Where third parties process personal data on our behalf, they are required to handle that information securely and in accordance with applicable data-protection law.

We may also disclose personal information where required to do so by law.

7. Data Retention
We keep personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

Different types of information are kept for different periods depending on why we hold them.

We take account of:
 

•   The purpose for which the information was collected

•   Legal, tax and accounting requirements

•   Whether an ongoing customer relationship exists

•   Whether the information is still needed to deal with enquiries, purchases or disputes

When personal information is no longer required, we will delete it or securely anonymise it where appropriate.

8. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:
 

•   Access your personal data

•   Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information

•   Request erasure of your personal data

•   Request restriction of processing

•   Object to certain types of processing

•   Request data portability where applicable

•   Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

•   Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

These rights are not absolute and may depend on the circumstances and the lawful basis on which we process your information.

Requests relating to your personal information may be sent to admin@firststepguide.com

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are concerned about how your information has been handled.
 
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
 
10. Cookies
Our website may use cookies to enhance user experience and analyse website traffic. You will be given the option to manage cookie preferences upon visiting the site.
 
11. International Transfers
If any data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR.
 
12. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The latest version will always be available on our website.