Effective date: April 25, 2026
This is the Privacy Policy for backroadbuilding.com. I’ve tried to write it the way I’d actually explain it to a client over coffee — clear, specific, and without legal padding where it isn’t needed. The legal-language sections that have to be precise stay precise. Everything else reads like a person wrote it, because one did.
Who I am
Back Road Building is a one-person digital marketing consultancy run by Michael Venia, based in San Luis Obispo, California. I own and operate this site myself — there’s no team, no parent company, and no third-party data brokers in the mix. When you reach out, you reach me directly.
What information I collect
Information you give me directly
When you submit a contact form, request a free strategy audit, sign up for an email list, or send me an email, you may share your name, email address, phone number, business name, website URL, and whatever else you choose to include. I use that information to respond to you and, if we end up working together, to deliver the work you hired me for.
Information collected automatically
Like every modern website, this one collects some technical information automatically when you visit — IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, the pages you view, the time and date of your visit, the referring page, and similar diagnostic data. This is collected through analytics tools (more on those below), aggregated rather than stored against individual identities, and used to understand how the site is performing and where it can be improved.
Cookies and tracking technologies
This site uses cookies and similar tracking technologies — small text files placed on your device that help websites remember information about your visit. The categories of cookies in use here:
Essential cookies are required for the site to work. They handle things like keeping form data while you fill it out and remembering basic preferences during your visit.
Analytics cookies help me understand how visitors find and use the site. Specifically, this site uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Tag Manager (GTM) for measurement. Google Search Console is also connected for search performance insights. The data collected here is aggregated to show patterns — page views, time on site, traffic sources, and similar engagement metrics — and is not used to identify individual visitors. Google’s privacy practices are documented at policies.google.com/privacy.
Advertising and conversion cookies are used when running paid advertising campaigns. Google Ads conversion tracking measures whether ads result in inquiries or other meaningful actions. Meta Pixel (used for Facebook and Instagram advertising) tracks similar conversion events for paid social campaigns. Both help me — and any clients I’m running campaigns for — understand which advertising investments produce real results. These cookies do not collect personally identifying information like your name or email; they track aggregated behavioral signals tied to anonymized identifiers.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you refuse cookies, delete existing cookies, or notify you when cookies are being set. Disabling cookies may affect how parts of this site function — particularly forms and analytics — but won’t break your ability to read the content.
How I use your information
The information collected through this site is used to: respond to inquiries and contact requests; deliver services to clients I’m engaged with; send occasional emails related to active projects (not marketing newsletters unless you’ve explicitly opted in); understand how visitors interact with the site so I can keep improving it; detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or technical issues; and meet legal obligations when they apply.
I don’t sell your information. I don’t trade it. I don’t share it with data brokers, lead-generation networks, or “marketing partners” you didn’t sign up for. The only parties who ever see your information are the service providers I use to operate the business (described next) and any legal authority that compels disclosure under valid legal process.
Sharing of information
Information may be shared with:
Service providers who help me operate the website and business — including the website hosting provider (Cloudways), email service, analytics platforms (Google, Meta), and any tools used to deliver services to clients. These providers each have their own privacy policies and are bound by their terms of service to protect the information they receive.
Legal authorities if required by law, court order, subpoena, or to protect the legal rights, property, or safety of myself, my clients, or others.
Data retention
Contact form submissions and email correspondence are retained for as long as needed to respond to your inquiry and, if we work together, for the duration of our engagement plus a reasonable period for business records. Analytics data is retained according to the default settings of the analytics platforms used (typically 14–26 months for GA4, similar windows for Meta Pixel). You can request deletion of your information at any time by emailing michael@backroadbuilding.com and I’ll handle it promptly.
Your rights
California residents (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):
The right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold. The right to request deletion of personal information held about you. The right to correct inaccurate personal information. The right to opt out of the sale of personal information — note that I do not sell personal information. The right to non-discrimination for exercising any of these privacy rights.
To exercise any of these rights, email michael@backroadbuilding.com with your request. I’ll verify your identity and respond within the timeframes required by law.
Other jurisdictions
If you visit from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. By using this site, you consent to that transfer.
Children’s privacy
This website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and I don’t knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this site, contact me and I’ll remove the information promptly.
Changes to this policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in practices, technology, or legal requirements. The “Effective date” at the top of the page will reflect the most recent revision. If a change is significant, I’ll do my best to communicate it clearly through a notice on this page or, where appropriate, by direct contact.
Get in touch
Questions about this policy, your information, or any of the rights described above — reach out:
Michael Venia
Back Road Building
San Luis Obispo, California
michael@backroadbuilding.com