I'll show you how a privacy-friendly cookie banner works on WordPress with Borlabs and which Borlabs Cookie Alternative for different scenarios. You will receive practical recommendations, specific features and a comparison so that your consents are legally compliant, user-friendly and performant run.
Key points
- GDPR-compliantConsents before each non-essential cookie
- Borlabs: Strong design, statistics, content/script blocker
- Alternative: Real cookie banner with auto-scan and geo-restriction
- SEO & Performance: Clean opt-ins and short loading time
- Practice: Clear texts, simple options, reliable protocols
What makes a privacy-friendly cookie banner?
A good banner blocks all Marketing- and tracking services until users actively agree. I always show clear options: accept quickly, reject just as quickly and fine-tune by category. Transparent texts describe the purpose, storage duration and provider in an understandable way. Language. A banner remains accessible, works with a keyboard and meets WCAG requirements. I also log consent in an audit-proof manner so that I can reliably respond to inquiries or checks.
Borlabs Cookie at a glance: Strengths and use
Borlabs Cookie is considered very popular in the German-speaking established and offers a clear dashboard with cookie groups, individual cookies, content blockers, script blockers and statistics [1][5]. I adapt the design, texts, colors and position so that the banner matches the brand image and does not irritate users. I find the documentation of consents and the system status with UID search practical in order to quickly identify individual cases. check. Content blockers for YouTube, Google Maps or Facebook prevent unwanted data transmission until users actively agree [1]. It is also useful to link relevant pages such as data protection or the legal notice directly in the banner so that visitors have all the information they need before making their decision. See [3]. I also deal with related topics such as Google Fonts localso that no unnecessary data flows to third-party providers.
Real Cookie Banner as an alternative: Function profile
Real Cookie Banner stands out as a strong Option especially thanks to the automatic scan, which recognizes services on subpages and suggests suitable templates [2]. The solution comes with over 100 service templates and more than 60 content blocker variants, which significantly simplifies the initial setup. accelerated [2]. A guided checklist checks whether texts are complete and technical requirements fit, which reduces error rates during initial configuration [1][4]. I appreciate the geo-restriction, which controls the banner depending on the user's location - helpful for international users. Projects [4]. TCF 2.0/3.0 compatibility, flexible designs and reliable protocols round off the overall package and position Real Cookie Banner as a serious Borlabs alternative [4]. For US target groups, I am planning the opt-out flows in parallel and refer, for example, to a Do Not Sell-Pageif I have to take Californian requirements into account.
Feature comparison in practice
With both solutions, I achieve legally compliant Opt-inswhich reduce loading times and promote clear UI patterns. Borlabs scores with the editor and a very smooth user experience, Real Cookie Banner shines with auto-scan, geo-restriction and many templates [1][2][4][5]. I decide depending on the project goal: branding, international targeting, team workflows or special integrations. The decisive factor remains that no non-essential script loads before consent and that all consents assignable remain. The following table summarizes key points and helps with the selection.
| Feature | Borlabs Cookie | Real Cookie Banner |
|---|---|---|
| Quick start / Onboarding | Yes (quick start guide) [1] | Yes (checklist, automated) [1][4] |
| Statistics & protocols | Presentation of up to 10,000 consents [1] | Extensive, exportable logs |
| Customizable design | Comprehensive editor [5] | Many templates plus fine customization [4] |
| Content Blocker | Yes (YouTube, Maps, etc.) | Sophisticated templates [2][4] |
| Automatic scan | No | Yes [2] |
| Geo-Restriction | No | Yes [4] |
| TCF 2.0/3.0 | Partial | Yes [4] |
| Costs | Commercial license | Commercial license (graduated) [4] |
Legal requirements: GDPR, ePrivacy and CCPA
I never activate Tracking-scripts before clear consent is given. A clean banner must enable granular consent by category and make it revocable at any time. The ePrivacy Directive and national implementations require a clear opt-in for marketing and statistics, while technically necessary cookies may run without an opt-in to a limited extent. For US traffic, I consider opt-out paths such as "Do Not Sell" so that users can easily opt out of data sales. Reject can. If you are looking for a complete overview, it is best to read the Data protection requirements 2025 and uses it to define its own processes.
Setup with Borlabs Cookie: This is how I proceed
I start with cookie groups like essentialstatistics and marketing and fill them with services. I then formulate clear descriptions with purpose, duration and provider so that users understand the implications of their decision. I then activate script blockers and set content blockers for embedded media so that no data is transmitted without Opt-in flow [1]. I set up the design to be high-contrast, easy to read and optimized for mobile devices, including equivalent "Accept"/"Decline" buttons. Finally, I test the banner in the private window, delete cookies, check several devices and evaluate the logs.
Setup with Real Cookie Banner: Practical guide
I run the auto scan and check the suggested Templates for services and blockers [2]. I then go through the checklist step by step, adapt texts and activate the appropriate categories [4]. Geo-restriction helps me to treat EU visitors differently from access from regions with opt-out obligations without having to maintain multiple setups [4]. I keep an eye on the logging of consents and export them if necessary in order to quickly process requests for information. answer. Finally, I optimize colors, button labels and the presentation on small displays so that the selection is always easy.
Design, UX and accessibility of the banner
An effective banner needs short Textsclear contrasts and a clear hierarchy of buttons. I do without dark patterns, place Reject on an equal footing with Accept and do not make the primary action visually more dominant than the alternative. I place the settings per category logically so that users can make an informed choice with two to three clicks. Focus states, keyboard operation and screen reader texts are among my mandatory criteria for real Accessibility. I also pay attention to clear checkbox labels and unambiguous status displays.
Performance and SEO: loading times, consent mode and tracking
I do not load Third-Party-scripts without opt-in and use local resources whenever possible. Script blockers ensure that tracking starts at the earliest after consent, which supports the Largest Contentful Paint and thus SEO signals. Clean consent flows reduce bounces, increase dwell time and strengthen signals that search engines rate positively. I check whether events are correctly sent to analytics or advertising platforms only after consent Go. Caching, local fonts and lean banner assets keep the PageSpeed values consistent.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
I never use premature Trackereven if a service "recommends" it - consent comes before convenience. Unclear texts or hidden decline options often lead to complaints and falling trust ratings. I punish overly dominant colors in Accept or weak contrasts in my reviews until the presentation is fair and understandable. After every plugin update, I check whether recommended texts need to be adjusted so that the wording remains up to date [4]. I also regularly check whether new integrations (e.g. a chat widget) are blocked correctly and only enabled after approval. loaded become.
Consent Mode v2 and Tag Manager setup
I use Google Consent Mode v2 so that all signals are set to "denied" by default and only switch after opt-in. The four core signals are decisive for me: ad_storage, analytics_storage, ad_user_data and ad_personalization. The banner sets these states via API, and I listen in the Tag Manager for consent_updateto only fire tags when consent has actually been given. It is important that I separate server and client tags: on the client side, I prevent any request before consent; on the server side (e.g. on my own tagging server), I ensure that no personal data is processed if there is no opt-in. For GA4, I only use events after consent - pings without consent are anonymized and do not contain any identifiers. In the event of changes to consent (revocation), I reset the signals and, where possible, delete client caches and non-essential cookies.
I map the CMP categories cleanly to my tags: Statistics controls analytics, marketing controls ads tags and remarketing, convenience controls embedded media. In more complex setups, I use additional conditions per region in the Tag Manager so that geo-restriction and consent status jointly decide which scripts fire. This keeps international projects consistent - without having to manage separate containers [4].
Multilingualism, regions and international focus
For multilingual sites, I create consistent but culturally understandable texts for each language. I avoid technical jargon and adapt examples to the target group. With Real Cookie Banner, I use geo-restriction to control whether a banner is shown at all or which categories are standard [4]. In Borlabs, I use separate configurations and clearly labeled texts to reflect regional characteristics. Important: The Possibility of revocation must be equally accessible in all languages, for example via a fixed button or a link in the footer.
If subdomains are involved (store, blog, app), I plan the consent cookie domain wide (e.g. .example.com) and ensure uniform category names. This way, there is no break when users switch between areas. For legally divergent markets (e.g. EU vs. USA), I define clear rules in the CMP as to when opt-in, when opt-out and which additional notices (e.g. "Do Not Sell") appear.
WooCommerce and e-commerce cases
In the store, I make a strict distinction between technically necessary cookies (shopping cart, checkout, payment processing) and everything that goes beyond this. Necessary cookies run as long as they are really essential. I only start product and campaign measurement after consent has been given: page views, add-to-cart, begin checkout, purchase - everything fires in a controlled manner via the CMP states. I document which tools are used for what (e.g. A/B tests vs. performance measurement) so that users understand why I am asking for consent.
For conversion APIs (e.g. server-side events), I adhere to the same principle: no matching of personal data without opt-in. Hashing does not replace consent. I also plan fallbacks: if users decline, no measurement events are generated - my reports are still clean because I monitor consent rates in parallel and interpret the data accordingly.
Single-page apps, AJAX and technically tricky setups
In SPAs or with heavy use of AJAX, I make sure that content and script blockers are also enabled after pushState or DOM updates take effect. I reinitialize the blockers after navigation events and query the current consent status via the CMP API. If widgets are loaded dynamically (chat, ratings, social embeds), I encapsulate them in a function that only executes with valid consent. This prevents subsequent reloading from bypassing the locks.
With page builders (Elementor, Divi, etc.), I also test whether inline scripts are blocked correctly. Where necessary, I move user-defined code to the Tag Manager or to the blocker mechanism of the CMP. This minimizes edge cases in which inline events trigger prematurely.
Governance, roles and verification
I define responsibilities: Who changes texts, who adds new services, who checks legal aspects? I document changes with the date, person responsible and changelog in the team wiki. I only keep as much data as necessary in the logs and define retention periods. Particularly sensitive: Children and young people. For projects with potentially underage target groups, I use age-appropriate wording and refrain from personalized advertising without the express consent of parents or guardians.
Transparency is more important to me than aggressive opt-in rates. I formulate purposes precisely, name providers clearly and avoid contradictory statements. I have the following documents ready for audits: a list of processing activities, a list of the services used, sample texts for each category, a technical description of the blockers, an export of the consent logs and test scenarios. This means that if I have any queries provehow the consents are obtained.
Migration: From Borlabs to Real Cookie Banner (or vice versa)
When I switch, I plan a transition phase on a staging environment. I first adopt the category names and purposes so that users see similar options on return visits. Then I map services, check content blockers and adjust the design parameters. A clean cutover is important: old banner off, new banner on - no double overlays. I then delete test cookies, check revocation links, consent mode signals and run through several user flows (first visit, rejection, partial consent, revocation, renewed consent). Only when all paths are stable do I roll out live.
Technical quality assurance: caching, CDN and security
I make sure that the banner is not "swallowed" by the caching. To do this, I work with cache exceptions for the banner output and set short TTLs for content-specific assets so that changes are live quickly. With the CDN, I pay attention to SameSite- and Secure-attributes of the cookies. I adapt inline CSPs (Content Security Policy) so that blocked scripts are not inadvertently allowed. At the same time, I leave the CSP as strict as possible to prevent shadow scripts or injections.
Checklist for the go-live
- Categories clearly named, purposes clearly formulated, providers named
- "Accept" and "Reject" equally visible, no dark patterns
- Test content/script blocker: YouTube, maps, chat, external widgets
- Consent Mode v2: Signals "denied" by default, switchover after opt-in
- Tag Manager: Trigger only with valid consent, revocation resets everything
- Multilingualism checked: Texts and revocation identically accessible in all languages
- Subdomains and domain scope of the consent cookie matched
- Caching/CDN: Banner not cached, exceptions configured, CSP checked
- Log export and retention periods defined
- Samples on real devices: Mobile, tablet, desktop, different browsers
Monitoring and optimization: metrics and A/B tests
I observe the Consent ratethe bounce rate, dwell time and conversion metrics to measure the impact of the banner. I use A/B variants to test texts, button labels, color tones and the placement of the settings. If rejections are very high, I formulate the purposes more clearly and present benefits for users without pushing. Statistics in Borlabs and the logs in Real Cookie Banner provide clues as to where I can make adjustments. should [1][4]. The aim remains a balanced quota with transparent benefits - not one-sided pressure.
Briefly summarized
Borlabs Cookie convinces with strong Editor, content/script blockers and a superior operating concept - ideal for WordPress projects with high demands on design and control [1][5]. Real Cookie Banner shines as Borlabs Cookie Alternative with auto-scan, geo-restriction, checklists and flexible templates - a plus for teams that want to achieve reliable results quickly [2][4]. Both solutions document consent reliably and can be integrated cleanly into workflows. I choose the right solution based on target groups, internationality, branding requirements and existing services. Solution. This keeps the site legally compliant, user-friendly and fast - the basis for trust, better signals to search engines and reliable data for optimization.


