web hosting

Four Hot E-commerce Tips that Payoff

With so many entrepreneurs and businesses profiting from the internet, it should come as no surprise that more hopeful people are investing in e-commerce solutions.  However, you should know that there are many online businesses out there and very few of them obtain the success they were looking for.  This serves as proof that simply having an online storefront does not mean you will be successful.  Luckily, there are some proven approaches that can be employed to help ensure that your e-commerce site is just as fruitful as the next.

1.) Create a Professional Design

Several beginners make their first critical mistake at the design stage.  Being that HTML programming is fairly easy to master, some develop the gumption to go at it alone and decide to build their own website from the ground up.  Even though web technology has made it much more feasible to create a site with little to no experience, there are many reasons why you may want to leave this task in the hands of someone else.  Building a fully functioning website from scratch can be a hassle and very costly when considering that you will have to invest countless hours on time that could have been spent focusing on something else.  By outsourcing this part of the project to a professional design or development expert, you can devote your time and energy to developing a sound business strategy.

2.) Make Easy Navigation and Usability a Priority

Creating an e-commerce site that offers simple navigation and usability is a must.  You can get a better understanding by viewing your website as the aisle of a retail store.  In an ideal environment, all items are organized accordingly and easy to find.  Customers should have no trouble finding what ever it is they want to purchase.  The same holds true for an online storefront.  Even it is a measly checkout button, it is should be made visible and easy to find on your site.

3.) Don’t Forget Your Inventory

There are some online store owners that get so caught up in running their business, they forget about other key areas such as inventory.  You can avoid this by cataloging all the items you have for sale.  Be sure to update your inventory on a regular basis to avoid scenarios where a customer tries to purchase something that is out of stock.  This can help you salvage a sale and elude embarrassment as well.

4.) Incorporate Customer Friendly Features

One surefire way to succeed with an e-commerce venture is to incorporate and make effective use of desirable features that will benefit your customers.  These features could range from essentials such as an easy to use shopping cart and SSL certificate to novelties like a site map and talking avatars.  You may also want to consider rich media features such as animation and video or something simple and effective like auto-responders to deliver immediate responses.  By pampering your customers, you can increase the probability of a pleasurable shopping experience that keeps them coming back for more.

How to Install osCommerce and Activate SSL Through cPanel

osCommerce is one of the most widely used e-commerce shopping cart programs available on the market today.  It is also an application that can be easily installed via Fantastico in your cPanel control panel.  To help you in maximizing the benefits of this software, we  will not only walk you through the steps of installing osCommerce, but also show you how to configure it to use with your dedicated or shared SSL certificate to ensure that your website transactions are secure.

osCommerce Installation

- Login into your cPanel account and click on the Fantastico icon at the bottom of the main page.

- Navigate to the “E-commerce” section and click on the “osCommerce” link.

- Next, click on the “New Installation” link.

- Now you must go through a multi-step process in order to define the installation location:

Step 1: Choose your domain from the provided drop-down menu.

Step 2: Enter the name of the directory where you want osCommerce to be installed.

Keep in mind that the “install in directory” field is the one part where several users make critical mistakes.  Enter a single phrase of the new folder that will be created for the osCommerce application.  If you try to add dashes, the installation will fail every time.

Step 3: Return back and double check the information you entered in the above field.  If you want your customers to access your store when visiting “http://yoursite.com,“ you would then leave the “Install in Directory” field blank.  On the other hand, if you already have an existing website, you want to enter a given directory name in that field.  For example, if you decide to use “store” as the name of the directory, customers would access your osCommerce store by visiting “http://yoursite.com/store”.

- After entering the required information for the installation destination, enter a user name and password for your osCommerce administrative area.

- Next, enter the name of your store, an owner name, and valid email address.

Activate SSL

Once you have the installation destination squared away, the proceeding steps are self explanatory.  The SSL process deserves a little more detailed explanation.

- Set the “Use SSL” option to”Yes”

- Enter the hostname for your secure server.

If you have a dedicated IP address and SSL certificate for your website, simply enter your domain name in the next field.  If not, just use the server name entered above.

- Choose the information you want to require from your customers.  You will see that these options are pretty straightforward and can be either set to “Yes or “No.”

- After entering the information, click on the “Install osCommerce” tab.

- Lastly, on the next page click “Finish installation”.

You have now successfully installed the osCommerce shopping cart program equipped with an SSL certificate for security.  Now all you have to do is the click the provided link or type the appropriate URL into your browser to log in and set up your online store.

The Need for PCI Compliant Hosting

More web hosting providers are offering services that provide customers with the help they need to achieve PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance.  Achieving compliance requires the use of numerous security tools and policies to meet the standards that apply to any business that accepts, processes and stores credit card information.  Those who do not adhere to these requirements are subject to penalties and may eventually lose their privileges to accept credit card payments, which is the most common method of payment on the web.  If you sell products or services online, investing in a PCI compliant hosting solution may be worthy of your consideration.

Though PCI standards were introduced to protect consumer information and ensure integrity across various industries, they have also introduced a new level of frustration for the smaller business that has a need to sell products or services online, but doesn’t possess the resources to meet compliancy.  There is a lot that goes into protecting sensitive card data and unfortunately, one too many organizations are not equipped to provide this protection.  Everyday, companies are scattering in attempts to gather the necessary resources to not only fend off attackers, but also keep the government out of their business.  Difficulties aside, PCI compliance is needed as threats are growing rapidly in terms of numbers and sophistication.

PCI-Friendly Hosting Features

Achieving compliance requires a multitude of security components.  Some of the essentials include:

Malware Protection – Malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojans and keyloggers pose a direct threat to card data stored on any computer or web server.  Businesses are strongly advised to keep their systems protected with reliable solutions capable of detecting and eradicating the latest malware programs.

Firewall - A firewall provides an organization with the ability to control inbound and outbound traffic going to and from the system.  With the right configurations, it can halt malicious traffic and also help to prevent basic hacking attacks.

Intrusion Detection – Though very effective, a firewall can only do so much.  An intrusion detection system enables PCI compliance by detecting the presence of malicious activities that pose a potential threat to card data resting on the system.

Network Monitoring – Even with all the right security mechanisms, card data can still be at risk due to a wide range of circumstances.  This could related to hardware failure or a problem with a backbone provider.  Network monitoring allows companies to stay one step ahead of such issues by watching over the network and reporting its status to system administrators.

SSL Certificate System - SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a must-have security feature for any business that sells goods or services over the internet.  Credit card data is in jeopardy whenever transactions are made on any website that isn’t protected.   With an SSL certificate, businesses can ensure the protection of sensitive information as the protocol creates an encrypted tunnel for which credit card details to travel through.

Not all hosting providers make the commitment to aid in PCI compliance but more are getting onboard with the concept.  Those who are should be commended for their efforts to aid in business-friendly solutions that take the stress out of meeting these demanding standards.

Practicing FTP Security

One of the most highly sought after features on the web hosting market is FTP.   Short for File Transfer Protocol, FTP provides a means for transferring data from your computer to the web host’s server.  While the protocol is quite useful, FTP also presents many security risks and making yourself aware of them is crucial.

Beware of FTP Attacks

FTP is ideal for transferring files to a remote location.  However, you should know that in its purest form, this protocol is far from secure.  FTP transmits your data over a network in plain text.  If the transmission is intercepted, the contents of those files can be viewed by unauthorized parties.  Furthermore, a knowledgeable hacker can use the FTP server as an entrance into your website.  This is done by repeatedly trying to logon with an incorrect user password.  In most cases, the profile is disabled after reaching the maximum threshold of three sign in attempts, thus giving the hacker all the ammunition they need to launch the attack.

The most effective way to protect yourself from an FTP password attack is through the use of an FTP server logon exit program.  This mechanism can provide security in the following ways:

Rejecting logon requests by any user profiles that you have not granted FTP access to.  With the use of an FTP server logon exit program, the logon attempts from the profiles you decide to block are not counted towards the maximum sign in count.

Limiting the number of clients from which a user profile is able to access the FTP server.  For instance, if someone from accounting is granted access, you can make configurations where only users with an IP address from the accounting department have FTP access.

Recording the credentials and IP addresses of all FTP logon attempts.  This allows you to regularly view the activity of each FTP logon attempt.  If a profile is ever disabled for reaching the maximum count, you can use their IP address, identify the perpetrator and handle the matter accordingly.

FTP Security Recommendations

Because FTP is naturally insecure, you may want to strongly consider backing it up with a reliable security mechanism.  The most highly recommended is Secure Sockets Layer, or simply SSL.  SSL is an encryption protocol that enables secure communications between the FTP server and client.  It ensures that transmissions are encrypted, maintaining confidentiality and integrity for all data that passes through.  This includes files as well as usernames and passwords.  Most FTP severs support SSL through the use of a digital certificate which also provides additional security with client authentication.

Though some recommend the use of anonymous FTP for the sharing of non-confidential data, this can be an even greater security risk.  With anonymous FTP, anyone can upload to your server without a username or password.   They could be transferring pirated software or malicious files.  Before taking such a gamble, be sure to weigh all the risks and take the appropriate measures to ensure that your FTP communications are secure.

SSL For Your E-commerce Site

With credit card fraud and identify theft on the rise, consumers are more cautious than ever about shopping online.  If you are running a store online, this means that potential customers are more reluctant to buy products and services from your site.  In order to boost consumer confidence and make them feel safe, you need a reliable security mechanism that keeps their personal information secure.  What you need is an SSL certificate.

What is an SSL Certificate?

Secure Sockets Layer or SSL, is a security protocol that enables encrypted communications between the customer’s web browser and the server your store is hosted on.  This is accomplished by what is known as a handshake, a process where the server’s identity is confirmed and a secure connection created.  SSL typically offers 128-bit encryption, formulated by an algorithm which generates a key that is virtually impossible to crack.  An SSL certificate shows that your site is secure and safe for shopping.

How to Get a Certificate

SSL certificates are offered by entities known as Certificate Authorities, with the most popular being GoeTrust, Thawte and Verisign.  For the most part, these authorities provide certificates that give you the same level of security.  A single certificate can encrypt the data traveling between the server and each of your customers’ web browsers.  The average online storefront can get adequate protection from a basic SSL certificate.  You also have the option to purchase additional services to strengthen the level of security.

Installing the Certificate

Although many web hosting providers offer SSL certificates as add-on products, you typically have the freedom to incorporate one purchased from a third-party vendor as well.  In most cases, you can learn how your SSL certificate is to be installed via the instructions in the control panel software or by contacting the host’s technical support department.  Some of the most advanced control panels even allow you to incorporate an SSL certificate directly from the interface.  Once installed, the certificate is automatically enabled.  You will know it is activated when noticing “HTTPS” in front your URL rather than “HTTP”.

Designing for SSL

The design of your site is very important when implementing an SSL certificate.  In order for your web pages to be viewed as secure, all scripts, graphics and media elements must be deemed secure as well.  You have probably visited web sites where a warning displays stating that some of the elements of a particular page are not secure.  These messages are prompted when external elements of a web page are not called using the HTTPS protocol.  In many cases, the certificate is valid and secure but the page isn’t designed properly for SSL.  All the external elements of your page must be called using links that include the full URL.  One simple graphic that doesn’t use HTTPS will generate a “not secure” error.

Conscious online shoppers are increasingly looking for SSL certificates and if you don’t have one, you are missing out on a lot of business.  You can have some of the most beneficial products online but if no one feels safe buying them, they will hesitate to proceed with the transaction.