Agency Secrets: How much should lead source reporting really cost you?

Warning: Are you being overcharged by your marketing automation agency?

If you have been billed or quoted more than 1500 dollars, or if the work took more than 6 to 24 hours (2 to 3 working days) by a marketing automation agency, you might be paying far more than you should.

Contact me urgently, you are likely being overcharged, and I can help.

At the bottom of this page, you will find a real life scenario with a detailed breakdown of all tasks, exactly how long they should take, and the fair costs associated with them.

Save yourself significant budget by following this step by step guide for your Eloqua developer and web team. It explains how to stop Eloqua tracking for users who opt out of tracking cookies, without overpaying for unnecessary services.

As with all my guides, I have included the true resource costs and time estimates. If you need this work done, get in touch with me for a more competitive quote. Let me help you get the job done efficiently and affordably.

Greg Staunton

1. JavaScript Method: Deleting Eloqua cookies when users opt out

How the JavaScript cookie opt out method works

In this method, Eloqua cookies are deleted from the user’s browser when they opt out. While this approach is straightforward, it may not be fully compliant with privacy laws like GDPR because it does not prevent cookies from being set initially. It only removes them after the fact.

Why this method might be ideal for your website

Why This Method Might Be Ideal for Your Website

• Easy to implement without needing server side changes.
• Users can immediately delete Eloqua cookies after opting out.
• Great for small businesses or websites with simpler setups that do not want to modify server side configurations.

This method is particularly good for quick fixes when you need something fast and low maintenance without diving into more complex configurations.

Pros: Easy to implement, does not require server changes.
Cons: Cookies may still be set before deletion, which is not fully GDPR compliant.

Step by step guide for JavaScript cookie opt out implementation

Steps for the website manager

• Add the cookie banner to your website before </body>.
• Test if the banner appears for new users.
• Verify that clicking “Opt Out” deletes Eloqua cookies.

Steps for the Eloqua developer

• Identify the Eloqua cookies used on the site.
• Ensure that the script is correctly deleting these cookies.
• Work with the website manager to confirm compliance with regulations.

JavaScript cookie opt out banner for Eloqua cookies

JavaScript Cookie Opt Out Banner for Eloqua Cookies

<div id="cookie-banner-js"
     style="position: fixed; bottom: 0; width: 100%; background: #222;
            color: #fff; padding: 10px; text-align: center; display: none;">
  This site uses cookies to improve user experience.
  <button id="accept-js"
          style="background: green; color: white; padding: 5px 10px;">Accept</button>
  <button id="optout-js"
          style="background: red; color: white; padding: 5px 10px;">Opt-Out</button>
</div>

document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
  let consent = localStorage.getItem("cookieConsentJS");

  if (!consent) {
    document.getElementById("cookie-banner-js").style.display = "block";
  }

  document.getElementById("accept-js").addEventListener("click", function() {
    localStorage.setItem("cookieConsentJS", "accepted");
    document.getElementById("cookie-banner-js").style.display = "none";
  });

  document.getElementById("optout-js").addEventListener("click", function() {
    localStorage.setItem("cookieConsentJS", "optout");
    document.getElementById("cookie-banner-js").style.display = "none";
    deleteEloquaCookies();
  });

  function deleteEloquaCookies() {
    document.cookie.split(";").forEach(function(cookie) {
      let cookieName = cookie.split("=")[0].trim();
      if (cookieName.includes("ELOQUA")) {
        document.cookie = cookieName
          + "=; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC; path=/; domain="
          + window.location.hostname;
      }
    });
  }
});

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3. Google Tag Manager (GTM) Method: Preventing Eloqua scripts from loading

How the GTM method for cookie opt out works

The GTM method utilizes Google Tag Manager to block Eloqua scripts from loading if users have not given consent. This prevents Eloqua tracking altogether, making it the most effective way to comply with GDPR and CCPA.

Why this method might be ideal for your website

Why This Method Might Be Ideal for Your Website

• Best for GDPR compliance by preventing tracking altogether.
• Easy to implement if you are already using Google Tag Manager (GTM).
• Centralised control over all tags, making it easy to manage tracking across the website.

This method is perfect for businesses using GTM who want to block Eloqua cookies proactively, ensuring compliance without needing to modify server side code.

Pros: Best for compliance, easy to manage.
Cons: Requires GTM knowledge.

Step by step implementation

Steps for the website manager

• Add the cookie banner to your website.
• Test if GTM prevents Eloqua scripts from loading when users opt out.
• Ensure GTM reads the cookieConsentGTM value from localStorage.

Steps for the Eloqua developer

• Modify GTM triggers to check for cookieConsentGTM.
• Ensure Eloqua scripts only load when consent is accepted.
• Test using GTM Preview Mode.

GTM cookie opt out banner

<div id="cookie-banner-gtm"
     style="position: fixed; bottom: 0; width: 100%; background: #222;
            color: #fff; padding: 10px; text-align: center; display: none;">
  This site uses cookies to improve user experience.
  <button id="accept-gtm"
          style="background: green; color: white; padding: 5px 10px;">Accept</button>
  <button id="optout-gtm"
          style="background: red; color: white; padding: 5px 10px;">Opt-Out</button>
</div>

document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
  let consent = localStorage.getItem("cookieConsentGTM");

  if (!consent) {
    document.getElementById("cookie-banner-gtm").style.display = "block";
  }

  document.getElementById("accept-gtm").addEventListener("click", function() {
    localStorage.setItem("cookieConsentGTM", "accepted");
    document.getElementById("cookie-banner-gtm").style.display = "none";
  });

  document.getElementById("optout-gtm").addEventListener("click", function() {
    localStorage.setItem("cookieConsentGTM", "optout");
    document.getElementById("cookie-banner-gtm").style.display = "none";
  });
});

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