Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 26, 2026

Hofstad Solutions ("Hofstad Solutions," "we," "us," or "our") is a sole proprietorship registered in British Columbia, Canada, owned and operated by Samuel Hofstad. We design and host websites and provide marketing and customer follow-up systems for local trades and service businesses.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and the choices you have. It applies to our website at https://hofstadsolutions.com, our chat widget and forms, our text message (SMS) and email communications, and the services we provide to clients. We handle personal information in line with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).

Contents

Information we collect
How we use information
Text messages (SMS)
How we share information
Client data we handle
Cookies and analytics
Where information is stored
Security
How long we keep it
Your rights and choices
Children
Changes to this policy
Contact us

1. Information we collect

Information you give us

Contact details: your name, business name, phone number, email address, and website.
Messages and requests: anything you send us through our chat widget, forms, booking calendar, email, phone calls, text messages, or social media.
Client information: if you become a client, the photos, logos, service lists, service areas, reviews, and other content you provide for your website, plus your billing contact details.
Consent records: when you agree to receive text messages or emails, we record the date, time, method, and wording of that consent.

Information from public sources

Publicly available business details, such as a business name, phone number, service area, website content, logo, and photos, which we may use to prepare a free website preview for that business.

Information collected automatically

Basic technical data your browser or device sends when you visit our website, such as IP address, device and browser type, pages viewed, referring page, and approximate location.

Payment information

Payments are processed by Stripe. We do not see or store your full card number. We receive limited details such as your name, billing email, the last four digits of your card, and payment status.

2. How we use information

To respond to your questions and requests, including quotes, website previews, and booking calls.
To send you text messages and emails you have agreed to receive (see section 3).
To build, host, maintain, and support the websites and systems you purchase from us.
To process payments, send invoices and receipts, and manage your account.
To improve our website, services, and customer experience.
To protect against fraud, spam, and misuse of our services.
To meet our legal, tax, and accounting obligations.

We only use personal information for the purposes we identify here, or for purposes a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances. If we want to use it for a new purpose, we will ask for your consent first unless the law allows otherwise.

3. Text messages (SMS)

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

How you opt in. You can choose to receive text messages from Hofstad Solutions by entering your phone number in the chat widget or a form on our website and checking the consent box, or by texting us first and agreeing to receive messages. Consent is never a condition of purchase.

What we send. Depending on what you agree to, we may send:

Informational and transactional messages: replies to your questions, website preview links, appointment confirmations and reminders, and account or service updates.
Promotional messages: information about our website and marketing services, offers, and follow-ups.

Frequency and cost. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply, based on your mobile plan.

Opting out. Reply STOP to any message to unsubscribe. You can also reply END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT. You'll receive one message confirming you've been unsubscribed, and we won't text you again unless you opt back in. Reply HELP for help, or contact us using the details in section 13.

Who handles your number. Your phone number and messages are processed only by the service providers that deliver our text messages (our CRM and messaging platform and its telecom carriers), and only to deliver those messages. Full SMS program terms are in our Terms & Conditions.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share it only in these situations:

Service providers that help us run our business, including our CRM, website, and messaging platform (HighLevel / LeadConnector) and the telecom providers it uses to deliver texts and calls, payment processing (Stripe), email, website hosting and security, and file storage. These providers may use your information only to perform services for us, and we require them to protect it.
Legal reasons when required by law, court order, or government request, or when needed to protect our rights, our clients, or the public.
Business transfer: if the business is sold, merged, or transferred, personal information may be transferred to the new owner, who must keep protecting it as described in this policy.
With your direction or consent, for any other purpose you agree to.

As stated in section 3, text messaging opt-in data and consent are never shared with third parties for their own marketing.

5. Client data we handle

When we build or host a website or follow-up system for a client business, that business may collect information from its own customers (for example, through a quote form on its website). In that case, the client business is responsible for that information and its own privacy practices, and we process it on the client's behalf only to provide our services. Questions about how a specific business uses your information should go to that business.

If we prepared a free preview website for your business using public information and you'd like it taken down, contact us and we will remove it.

6. Cookies and analytics

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to make the site and chat widget work, remember your preferences, understand how visitors use the site, and measure the results of our advertising. These may include tools from our website platform and analytics or advertising providers such as Google and Meta.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. If you do, some features, like the chat widget or forms, may not work properly. You can also opt out of interest-based ads through your Google and Facebook ad settings.

7. Where information is stored

We are based in Canada, but many of our service providers store and process information in the United States and other countries. When your information is stored outside Canada, it is subject to the laws of that country and may be accessible to its courts, law enforcement, and national security authorities. By using our website or services, you acknowledge this transfer.

8. Security

We use reasonable physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect personal information, including password-protected accounts, two-factor authentication where available, and access limited to people who need it. No method of internet transmission or storage is completely secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security. If a breach creates a real risk of significant harm to you, we will notify you and the appropriate regulator as required by law.

9. How long we keep it

Leads and inquiries: for as long as we're in contact, then up to 24 months after our last interaction, unless you ask us to delete it sooner.
Client and billing records: for as long as you're a client, then as long as required for tax and accounting purposes (generally up to 6 years in Canada).
Opt-out records: we keep a record of your opt-out so we don't contact you again.

When information is no longer needed, we delete it or make it anonymous.

10. Your rights and choices

Access and correction: you can ask to see the personal information we hold about you and ask us to correct it.
Deletion: you can ask us to delete your personal information, subject to any records we must keep by law.
Withdraw consent: you can withdraw consent at any time. Reply STOP to texts, click "unsubscribe" in emails, or contact us.
Complaints: if you have a concern, please contact us first so we can try to fix it. You also have the right to complain to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To make a request, contact us using the details below. We'll respond within 30 days and may need to confirm your identity first.

11. Children

Our website and services are intended for businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has given us their information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we'll change the "Last updated" date at the top. If we make a significant change to how we use your information, we'll let affected clients know directly.