Web Hosting

Generating Traffic with Search Engines

There are several ways to go about marketing your site and generating traffic.  However, some of these methods are quite risky and simply not worth the time and effort they require.  Marketing companies will attempt to sell you on everything from bulk email campaigns and pop-up advertisements to link farms and banner impressions.  While these tools have proven to be effective, most of them will not be well received by your niche market.  For instance, many people find mass mailings (spam) and pop-ups so intrusive and annoying that they stay away from anyone that uses them.  These methods certainly are not the best way to make impact on your audience and just could be a huge waste of money.  The hit or miss aspect of common marketing techniques is all the more reason to consider the search engines for bringing in traffic.

One of the best ways to gain a significant amount of traffic is to base your efforts on relevance, the driving factor of every online search engine.  A number of different studies show that an estimated 80% to 90% of first time visitors find a website via search engine.  These customers are more likely to lead to sales and conversions because they are already coming in with some level of interest.

On the web, first impressions are everything and you typically do not get a second chance to win over your visitors.  Chances are, someone who endured a bad experience on your site will never come back while the exact opposite could lead you to success.  If your site is user-friendly and offers the content they are looking for, the visitor will return whether they make an on the spot purchase or not.

Search engines like Google and Yahoo can provide you with a steady flow of targeted visitors.  And unlike other marketing techniques, these benefits will do not have to cost you a single penny.  The only thing a search engine wants from you is good, clean relevant content that matches up with what web surfers are looking for.  Give the roaming spiders what they want so they can do what they are programmed to.  If you are able to produce this content on your site, you will be rewarded with quality traffic.

Last Words

Rather than viewing your website simply as a virtual business card, think of it as a piece of real estate that increases in value just like residential property.  Research a few keywords that your niche audience is most likely to enter into a search engine to find you.  Clearly explain to visitors what is is that you do and how they can benefit.  Network with others in the industry to build yourself a fair amount of quality links.  Make sure your website is rich with content and optimized for the search engine.  All of this will enable you to generate traffic naturally.  When designing for both your visitors and the search engines, your rankings will inevitably increase and shower you with additional traffic.

Ensim Showcases New Unify Enterprise

Ensim Corporation, collaborative infrastructure and web hosting software company, recently gave a demonstration of its latest Unify Enterprise platform this year at the Microsoft Tech ED EMEA IT Professionals Conference.  The event took place in Spain and ran for five days, concluding on November 7.  Labeled as Version 2.5, Ensim Unify Enterprise Edition is structured in a manner that will allow companies to simplify common IT challenges by fully automating the administrative procedures.  This includes provisioning, password and role management and auditing as well as well remaining compliant to Active Directory servers.  Additionally, all Exchange applications can be managed through a secure web-based portal.

Ensim’s latest enterprise product is designed to standardize various procedures using IT policies to provision and provide access control for Active Directory, Exchange and mobile device infrastructure such as Windows Mobile and BlackBerry.  The components of Unify Enterprise can be installed as individual tools or as an entire suite, providing a turnkey environment where IT policies can be enforced and administered from a centralized interface, significantly reducing the downtime associated with configuration issues.

Ensim unveiled the power of its complete Unify Enterprise suite at the Centre Conventions International in Barcelona Spain, reportedly at Booth B8.  Some of the features of the new release include the following:

Fine Grain Role Delegation: Allows the role of system administrator to be restricted by organizational unit policies.

Simplified Provisioning: Automatically configures various integrated componets including logon scripts, end user home folders and the home drive.

Customizable Provision Policies: Allows system administrators to customize the creation of user accounts and provision processes.  This is done by making automatic configurations to specified Active Directory attributes as well as validated username patterns.

Ability to Modify and Audit Logs: Lets administrators keep track of changes made to individual objects.

Enhanced Alert Notification: Enables the customization of action reports such as end-user license notifications and usage statistics.

Multiple Domain Controller Support: Allows system administrators to leverage the software’s preferences to access a number of domain controllers.

Unify Enterprise Edition 2.5 is currently available on the Ensim website.  The company is currently offering an upgrade promotion of the standard Ensim Unify Enterprise Edition for NetPro, NetIQ and Quest users on the site as well.  http://www.get.ensom.com)Additionally, any enterprise currently using a competitor’s solution will qualify for a discount when switching to Ensim Unify product.  This promotion will be active up until December 31, 2008.

Microsoft Tech Ed EMEA IT Professionals is Microsoft’s premiere educational conference strictly made for IT professionals.  The 2008 conference runs five days, teaching administrators how to structure, deploy, administer and secure a networked enterprise with tips from Microsoft experts and other industry leaders.

The Ensim Corporation was founded in 1998, delivering products to enterprises and service providers throughout the world.  This company is leading provider of user provision and access control products, well known for its Ensim control panel software.  As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, it has strategic partnerships with several industry leading companies including Accenture, BroadSoft, Hewlett-Packard, Research in Motion and Siemens.

Designing Your Site for SEO

A well designed site is often one that leads to effective search engine optimization.  Genuine SEO can be achieved by a solid website design that is simple to navigate.  By making your site rich with content yet easily accessible, you not only provide simple navigation for your visitors, but also the search engine spiders looking to index your site.  This approach is one that could lead to long term success at search engine marketing.  Instead of trying to buy your way to the top of the rankings and trick the complicated search engine algorithms, you should create your pages with relative keywords and quality links.  When the spiders come crawling, they will usually reward the sites with good content and easy navigation.

Understanding the Spiders

Search engine spiders or robots, are programs designed to explore the web and visit website pages.  These programs automatically read text and click their way through links to view all the pages on a site.  A search engine spider usually collects information on titles and metadata and then combs the text on the page via its source code.  Most robots function like earlier web browsers, meaning they generally do not absorb frames, Flash content or dynamic scripting, all the more reason to keep your design simple.

Drop-down boxes, web forms and other dynamic creations cannot be comprehended by a search engine spider.  The best way to ensure a visit is to use static pages constructed in HTML.  If a dynamic script such as ASP is required, there are a few ways to keep your pages attractive.  One method is to use the rewrite capabilities of your server to transform complex URLs into simple ones.  If you must use Flash to make your pages more vibrant, use it sparingly rather than building an entire page with it.  Don’t let this technology get in the way of the search engine robots or your visitors.

Building an SEO-friendly site is fairly easy for anyone with minimal development skills.  Your main focus is to eliminate all the flashy content and stick with a simple, solid architecture.  Search engine spiders have no trouble comprehending text and have a thing for text links, more commonly known as anchortext.  When keeping your visitors in mind, the design process gets much easier.  Building for the search engines will increase your visibility on the web and help to bring new prospects in.

The most important you thing need to know about SEO is that search engines are attracted to the text on your website.  The more you stay on topic with a decent amount of relative links and keywords, the better the robots will be able to digest it.  After getting the information, it is delivered to a database and eventually translated into what you get in the search engine results.

Once your site has been designed, be sure to test it out for validation.  Check behind yourself to ensure that no programming errors exist as this will keep your pages from being indexed.  By designing with clean code and quality content, you can increase your chances of ranking higher and generating targeted traffic.

SSL for Your Online Store

E-commerce has taken off for one reason: it gives millions of people the opportunity to generate consistent streams of income online.  However, making money with E-commerce is virtually impossible when shoppers do not feel safe doing business on your website.  This is why it’s extremely important to make sure your site is secure and armed with SSL.

What is SSL?

Secure Sockets Layer or SSL, was introduced in 1994 and has been declared as the standard for securing E-commerce transactions.  SSL is a protocol that encrypts credit card numbers and other sensitive information by scrambling the data so it can not be accessed by eavesdroppers.  More than likely, you have visited a few sites protected with SSL encryption as it is typically indicated by a URL that starts with HTTPS opposed to HTTP and a padlock icon located on the top or bottom of the web page.  SSL works with a browser such as Firefox, encrypting the online transaction with 40-bit or 128-bit algorithms.  However, a browser can’t fully secure these transactions on its own so you must do your part as a business owner.

SSL Certificates

As the administrator of an E-commerce site, one of the most powerful security tools in your arsenal is an SSL certificate.  This mechanism lies on a secure server with the sole purpose of encrypting data and identifying you as the owner of a legitimate website.  The SSL certificate will tell potential customers who the certificate holder is along with the name of the CA (Certificate Authority) and the country it was issued in.

SSL certificates generally come with 40-bit or 128-bit encryption schemes.  Because the 40-bit variation has been proven as vulnerable, you should certainly invest all of your efforts in a 128-bit certificate.  While there are many ways to go about obtaining this level of encryption, VeriSign, a leading SSL certificate provider, reports that one needs a server-grade cryptography certificate in order to enjoy full 128-bit protection.

There are essentially two ways to get a valid SSL certificate: purchase one from a legitimate Certificate Authority or self-sign it yourself.  Though self-signing saves you the time and money of using a reputable vendor, it actually defeats the purpose of having such a mechanism in the first place.  While the data may be actually encrypted, a self-signed SSL certificate could also trigger a warning in the consumer’s browser, indicating that it isn’t recognized as legitimate.

Even though some people feel comfortable on certain sites and proceed anyway, several more click away as fast as they can.

It’s no secret that a website that establishes trust and security is more likely to profit than one that doesn’t.  Recent studies conducted by Verisign reveal that easily identifiable SSL certificates have a direct impact on increased internet sales.  The research found that fewer shopping carts are abandoned when consumers feel more comfortable with certificates that appear to be in good standings.

The internet is all about anonymity and if you can’t prove who you say you are, it will be hard to establish trust with your visitors.  With SSL encryption you can ensure integrity and the security of your online transactions.  As scams and other exploits are a common thing, SSL has become a tool you simply can’t do without.

How Much Should You Pay for a Domain Name?

In the early days of the internet, all domains where generally the same price – about $70 per name for the first two years with a $35 per year renewal fee thereafter.  Needless to say, many people are glad that those days are long gone as domains can now be easily secured for under $10.00 a year.  However, there is no set price for domain names as the costs vary among different registrars.  There are a many companies with budget services that only offer the name while more offer additional features such as domain parking, security mechanisms and other services.

Renewal runs anywhere from $5 to $15 with discounts available for registering years in advance. Aside from getting a better deal, there are several reasons to pay for multiple years at a time.  By securing your domain for the future, you can save yourself the frustration of having to register at the last minute and also keep it off the market and away from others who might want it.  The last thing you want to do is let time elapse and come to find that your domain name is no longer available.

Fortunately, you typically have 30 days to redeem a domain after it expires though some companies charge steep fees when it goes into the redemption period.   Once the redemption period has elapsed, there is usually five days before the domain becomes available on the market.  During this period, the domain is locked and can’t be transferred, restored or modified in anyway.  You can try waiting out the five days to avoid paying redemption fees, but take heed.  At this stage, your domain is placed back on the market and can be registered by anyone.

After purchasing a domain name, you have the freedom to renew or transfer it with any registrar you choose.  Most companies will charge a fee of around $15 for holding the domain on their server.  The key is to shop around the net and find the best deal as bargains are widely available.  With stiff competition in the industry, registrars want to offer a good price to keep you around over the long haul.

Buying Security Features

When searching for a place to register your domain, look for a registrar that offers some kind of security.  Many companies will conceal your contact information using various  strategies.  The results are generally the same which is keeping your name, phone number and address from being displayed when someone performs a search on your domain. Although registrars go to great lengths to keep your information secure, clever spammers may still be able to exploit the system by harvesting email addresses and delivering bulks of unsolicited messages.  You can however, limit this exploit by opting for a private domain registration.

All in all, a domain name is a small investment that can work wonders for your online presence.  As long as you keep it registered and secure, you can avoid all the ridiculous fees and other issues and get the most out of your website.

Preventing Fraud on Your E-commerce Site

There are many opportunities for making money online.  However, fraud is one of the biggest problems facing the internet today and should be a major concern for anyone running an E-commerce site.  The fear of fraud is the main reason why consumers do not want to shop online.  If you cannot prove that your site is 100% secure and sensitive information is protected, potential customers will be very hesitant to shop with you.  Fortunately, there are number of preventive measures that can be taken to protect your E-commerce site against fraud.

Fraud Detection

A fraud detection service will help you ensure that the individual entering credit card information is actually the owner of the card.  While useful, this type service does not entirely eliminate the risk of fraud.  Here is how it works.

The fraud detection services asks the consumer to verify an address and compares it to what is one file with the credit card issuer.  If there is a match, the customer is allowed to proceed.  If not, they will be denied rights to make a purchase.  For the simple fact that numerous residential addresses can be found online, a determined fraudster may be able to bypass this mechanism.  This is still a good option as it will reduce the risks.

CCV Codes

The credit card verification code or CCV, is the three numbers found on the back of a credit card.  You need to make sure these numbers are required when someone shops on your site, calling for the owner to look at their card and then enter the information.  In order for someone to commit website fraud, they most possess the credit card numbers and the credit card as well.  By implementing this type of scheme on your site, you can reduce the risks of fraud significantly, mainly because credit card numbers are typically stolen rather than the actual card.  Indeed, a credit card can be stolen and used to purchase items online, though it’s less likely to occur because people usually notice that their card is missing and cancel it before any damage is done.

Website Design

While a fraud detection service can be very effective, this mechanism should always be paired with a flawless website design that limits the possibility of fraudulent activities.  Your E-commerce site should be designed with the latest versions of scripting languages and programs to fight off hackers and protect the integrity of your business.  You may have to shell out extra money to make sure fraud is not occurring, but it is well worth it in the long run.  Having a secure site will save you money and protect your customers, which is perhaps the most important aspect of online business.

If you are considering E-commerce, the best thing you can do is learn about the dangers of internet fraud before even creating your site.  Equipped with this knowledge, you will be able to find ways to protect yourself, the website and your customers from the sea of busy internet criminals.  Fraud occurs everyday online but neither you, nor your customers have to be a victim.

The Vulnerability of PHP

The PHP programming language has become one of the most efficient web development tools available.  First introduced in 1994, this language has literally been used to create millions of websites throughout the world.  While PHP offers the ability to create dynamic web pages and can be configured to run in a secure fashion, many of today’s servers are configured in a manner that leaves these scripts quite vulnerable.

PHP Functionality

Most servers running PHP are configured with the mod_php module as well as the Apache server application itself.  This enables HTTP requests to be sent through the PHP engine, which is responsible for processing the request before data is sent to the client.  Although this configuration offers a simple and effective way to get PHP functioning, it also raises security issues, especially in a shared or virtual private server hosting environment.

With the Masses Comes Massive Risk

Rarely will you find a company hosting one site on a single server.  Because many personal and small business sites only require a fraction of the server’s resources, web hosting providers generally host a number of sites on a single machine.  Though certainly more affordable than a dedicated server account, shared hosting offers numerous security risks.  Some of these vulnerabilities exist because an HTTP server such as Microsoft IIS or Apache require a significant amount of control over the content served to the client.  So if your website applications give visitors the ability to upload files or input data into web forms, you are essentially at risk as the HTTP server needs to have permission to write to a particular directory.

In the average shared hosting environment, the HTTP server is granted write permission to directories, giving anyone using PHP scripts on the server to write to directories as well.  This is an issue that puts shared hosting customers at the mercy of their neighbors.  Fortunately, there are a few preventive measures that can be taken to minimize these security risks, strategies that can be employed by both the server administrator and the end-user.

If you are hosting your site on a shared server configured with PHP, there are a few things that need to be done to remain isolated from common dangers.  One of the easiest ways to prevent the exploits in your applications is to perform a sanity check.  This simply means that if you require a user to enter alphanumeric characters, you need to make sure that is what you get instead of just letters or numbers.  Additionally, you should never allow direct SQL queries without validation first, which requires the proper configuration of your databases as well.  If your applications are not properly configured, you could easily be the victim of an SQL injection or similar exploits.

Allowing people to upload files to your site is risky, yet often necessary in some cases.  Since PHP allows you to obtain information on uploaded files before they are written to a final destination, you should take of advantage of this privilege and make sure everything is in order.  A common hacker exploit involves uploading malicious PHP scripts to gain access to sensitive files.  A simple way to validate file types is to ensure that they are what you anticipate.  For instance, if you only allow files that end in jpeg., anything else should strike you as suspicious.

All programming scripts have their vulnerabilities and PHP is one of the most widely exploited.  You can enjoy all this amazing development tool as to offer by understanding the permissions on the host server and designing your site with security in mind.

A Control Panel for Your Dedicated Server

When making the decision to host your site on a dedicated server, you need to prepare for an entirely different level of complexity.  Unlike a shared server where the web hosting company takes care of all the management tasks, you are essentially on your own and responsible for making sure your site stays operating.  There are several factors that need to be considered but one of the most important of all is the control panel software.

The control panel a company offers can make your web hosting experience a smooth one or extremely frustrating.  Keep in mind that every provider has their own preference, preferences in which you may be forced to accept upon signing up with them.  What is the primary significance of control panels?  The answer is simple – power.  A control panel gives you the freedom to control the features of your web hosting account.  It allows you to access all the essentials such as your domains, email and FTP accounts, files, databases and much more.  When it comes to dedicated server hosting, the control panel is what will enable you to create the best site possible by putting the administrative power in your hands.

Available Control Panels

With so many programs available, choosing one for your dedicated server can be a grueling process.  The best way to make this determination is to know what you are looking to achieve and what a particular control panel has to offer.  In general, control panels are designed for specific platforms or operating systems, which usually boils down to Windows, Linux or Unix.  Some of the most popular options include cPanel, Plesk, Ensim, Hostopia, Sphera and vDeck, all of which are very reliable.

If you are new to the dedicated server environment then you want a control panel that is intuitive and easy to use.  However, if you already have a bit of experience, you may prefer something that offers more power and flexibility.  Programs such as cPanel and vDeck are very popular and extremely easy to use while control panels like Ensim tend to be more functional and suited for advanced users.  If you want something that offers the best of both worlds, Plesk might be a good option as it is both user-friendly and highly functional.

Choosing a Control Panel

One way to find a control panel suited for your dedicated server is to play around with a few demo versions.  Many companies will provide you with temporary login credentials to get a feel of the software before making a decision.  By doing so, you will experience a number of different platforms and are more likely find a control panel that works best for your requirements.  Always remember that any program has a learning curve and will take some time getting used to.  Because each control panel has its own set of features and capabilities, you should choose a program that matches your skill level.  When basing a control panel on your personal needs, its functionality and your abilities, you will be able to find one that is just right for your dedicated server.