Important Components of Successful Online Stores
Any successful online store, which will provide its owner with excellent sales, should have the following elements as described in the article prepared by Utah Web Design Company.
Any successful online store, which will provide its owner with excellent sales, should have the following elements as described in the article prepared by Utah Web Design Company.
In this article you will learn steps on how to improve website speed and performance. These guidelines, if followed, improve your pages loading speeds.
Recently, I have had experience that a few of the clients reported that our company’s website had a virus or some kind of malware. I was not aware of it, until I started digging into it and found out that a few files have been injected with some kind of malicious code that would either redirect users to other websites or collect users information. I hurried and took care of this issue by removing the malicious software and establishing the security policy for our website. Results were positive and I continue until today to observe security policies and practices for each website that I am working on.
When we create a website most of the times from my personal experiences most of us don’t think of the most important thing, it is its security. Probably because we don’t have much experience working on creating new websites that’s why we do not think about it, but now it’s time to start thinking about it. The most important thing is always ask yourself the question: “What would happen if …?”. If you always ask this question, then your website will always be protected by almost 100%.
The site security is an urgent task for many website owners today. The emergence of a huge number of resources such as “Hacking for Dummies”, even those Internet users who previously had no business to your site or did not know much about Internet in the past, are eager to try their gained knowledge and brag about it by hacking your site.
What to do to protect your website from hacking? Where to start?
I will try to provide a few steps you need to start taking in order to secure your website from hacking. Security policy should start from the safe use of development tools to build your site. But I will not go into the details of programming, and present a number of actions of Safety when working on site that is built on content management system (CMS). I will continue to emphasize that the most secure sites are the ones that are written by yourself, as a programmer, from scratch.
For a start I will list non-programmatic methods that I use to protect the site from hacking. Surely, you have not even heard about them, but maybe you just did not pay attention.
Here is the Website Security List:
Please consider these main “anti-hacking” actions to secure your site:
# Use PHP5.3 Single php.ini as default
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php53s .php
##### RewriteEngine enabled – BEGIN
RewriteEngine On
##### RewriteEngine enabled – END
##### RewriteBase set – BEGIN
RewriteBase /
##### RewriteBase set – END
##### File execution order — BEGIN
DirectoryIndex index.php index.html
##### File execution order — END
##### No directory listings — BEGIN
IndexIgnore *
# For security reasons, Option followsymlinks cannot be overridden.
#Options +FollowSymLinks All -Indexes
# For security reasons, Option all cannot be overridden.
#Options +SymLinksIfOwnerMatch All -Indexes
Options SymLinksIfOwnerMatch ExecCGI Includes IncludesNOEXEC -Indexes
##### No directory listings — END
##### Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits — BEGIN
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} proc/self/environ [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} mosConfig_[a-zA-Z_]{1,21}(=|\%3D) [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} base64_(en|de)code\(.*\) [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (<|%3C).*script.*(>|%3E) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} GLOBALS(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2}) [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} _REQUEST(=|\[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2})
RewriteRule .* index.php [F]
##### Rewrite rules to block out some common exploits — END
##### File injection protection — BEGIN
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_METHOD} GET
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} [a-zA-Z0-9_]=http:// [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} [a-zA-Z0-9_]=(\.\.//?)+ [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} [a-zA-Z0-9_]=/([a-z0-9_.]//?)+ [NC]
RewriteRule .* – [F]
##### File injection protection — END
## Disallow access to rogue PHP files throughout the site, unless they are explicitly allowed
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} (\.php)$
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !(/index[23]?\.php)$
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f
#RewriteRule (.*\.php)$ – [F]
## Disallow access to htaccess.txt, php.ini and configuration.php-dist
RewriteRule ^(htaccess\.txt|configuration\.php-dist|php\.ini)$ – [F]
##### Advanced server protection — END
<?php
$mysqli =new mysqli(“localhost”,“root”,“”,“mydb”);
$array[“first”]=“1”;
$array[“second”]=“2”;
foreach($array as $key => $value){
$mysqli->query(“DELETE FROM `my_table` WHERE `field`=’$value'”);
}
?>
If you initialized the array so: $ array = array ();, then everything would be in order. However, I am sure that not all of you are doing it. As a result, the attacker goes to the following address: http://www.yourdomain.com/your_script_name.php?array [zero] = 0, and your script safely removes that record, which should not have been removed. And nothing would have happened if it had been that the directive register_globals was disabled.
Conclusion:
Perhaps you will find safety a troublesome occupation, but do not forget that you and only you are responsible for keeping the passwords to access the site safe. Also, you must understand that even the use of all these tools do not give 100% guarantee of protection against hacking. Also remember that the probability of a hacker attack is directly proportional to the value of the information stored on the server. If you own a personal blog, these steps if followed help to forget about the Internet intruders. And, finally, you don’t have to be the one doing all the work. Hire someone who has experience and knows how to do it.
Today is the first day of the new column, I will share useful / interesting links for a web designer.
A huge collection of icons Iconmonstr (SVG, PNG)
Collection of design for e-mail newsletters from MailChimp
selection templates for various devices sketches
gridwax – horizontal rhythm
Net Browser hexcolortool – instument for quick selection of hues
retinize – Script for those who are already working with the retina. Accelerates the process of cutting @ 2x
As a Webmaster I have been asked "What information do you need to design a good website". I follow a few steps as outlined in "Website Design" article.
Here is a list of Free search engine optimization tools that I use for Search Engine Optimization to obtain high ranking on search engines:
FREE: Good Keywords – free downloadable software which can be used for preliminary keyword research. (http://www.goodkeywords.com)
FREE: Ontology tool – finds related keywords using the Google ~ search. (http://www.gorank.com/seotools/ontology/)
Various Prices (Can be FREE or Paid Membership): WordTracker – web based leased product which has many more features than the other tools. WordTracker traffic is generally more representative of actual traffic than Overture’s tool since many fewer automated bots scour its data collection network than Overture’s. (http://www.wordtracker.com). This tool can be used free for one day, but you will have to register. WordTracker will send you a temporal link, that you can use to log into your temporal account and research keywords for your website.
Various prices: Keyword Discovery ‐‐ deep database of keyword data. Contains historical data. Some of their partners made them sign a non disclosure agreement. The database may not be as clean as the WordTracker database, but it does contain more data. (http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/)
FREE: Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool – offers search frequency for the prior month throughout the Overture network. Please note that many bid checkers and other automated bots cause this number to skew high. (http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/)
FREE: Google Keyword Sandbox – shows related search terms but not search quantity. (https://adwords.google.com/select/main?cmd=KeywordSandbox)
FREE: Google Search Suggestion Tool – auto‐completes search queries to help you find more related search terms (http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en)
Once I wrote an eBook entitled “Vital Search Engine Optimization: Simple Steps to get to top of Google Pages for Free“. The main reason I wrote this eBook was just because after so many years of doing organic Search Engine Optimization on one of the websites, and collecting so many useful tips and tricks about it, I had to write about it and remember what steps I took to make sure that my website gets to very top of Google without spending a peny.
Well, what did I write about in this eBook and How do you get on Google Top Searches for Free?
There have been many books written on how to do search engine optimization. But for a man who is familiar with coding it is too much information. Therefore I prepared a few checklists that will help you get to the top pages of Google. If you follow all of the items in these checklists it is guaranteed that you will get the best position on Google.
If you have already created a brand new website and posted it live hoping that you will see it on Google without using Search Engine Optimization then you ought to rethink it again. So, to help you in the process of achieving the best results on getting to the top pages of Google or any other search engines, I’ve put together this eBook. In here you can find a few checklists that help you to quickly identify key points that may affect the Search Engine Placement.
“Vital Search Engine Optimization” has four main sections.
The first section is called “Where to start”. This section provides the basic steps for optimizing web pages. For those who want to make changes to their current website to make sure Google or other search engines see them in no time, this section is the way to go. Once completed steps in the first section, I would recommend moving on through the remaining sections in this eBook.
The second section “Best practices of well optimized and designed websites” talks about key points of a website that may be considered Search engine friendly. You may want to review this section before planning to develop your new website or redesigning your current one. Then, during the development phase you should implement the key points described in this section. Although you don’t have to follow all the steps in this section, for best results I highly recommend to read it before doing any work. It is important that you do your homework first before doing the actual work.
For detailed steps on search engine optimization you should visit sections called “Search Engine Optimization Checklist” and “How-To”. Both of those sections will tell you in detail what professional SEO consultants do to their clients’ websites to ensure their web pages high rankings. “How-To” section provides visual examples of certain software and online tools that I use for doing Search Engine Optimization and Website Analysis. Oft times I find these basic tools helpful if you don’t own a complete package for Search Engine Optimization of your website.
For more advanced tools used in Search Engine Optimization, web developers, and web/SEO consultants should reference my last section called “Free Search Engine Optimization Tools”. Definitely, some of those tools made it possible for me to achieve positive results in Search Engine placement today. You shouldn’t be afraid to try new tools in your web development and marketing process.
So, let get right into the vital information about this long process of Search engine optimization and good practices of website design.
I will be posting some tips and tricks from this eBook under “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” category of my blog.
Vital Webmaster, LLC is an Orem, Utah based web design and development company. It offers Web-related and creative arts services to businesses and individuals in the United States. Its service portfolio includes website design, graphics design, print media design, web development, ecommerce, blog development, search engine optimization, digital marketing and promotion.
Vital Webmaster, LLC has been providing webmaster services for its clients for over 7 years which has built extensive experience and a great portfolio in the professional development of websites.
Vital Webmaster, LLC is ready to make a real, truly working website or blog for your business. To create a project, we use the most advanced technologies and techniques, combining creativity and usability. The level of the site will match the level of your company.
This video covers the services offered by Vital Webmaster, LLC.
Check out our portfolio here: https://www.vitalwebmaster.com
While working here in America, I have learned a few things about writing business type emails. Although there are many good things that are already on Internet about Business Writing, I would like to add my few cents in this article “5 Things Worth Remembering When Writing Business Emails”. Those are just a few things that I apply every day at work.
I understand that those may not be the best practices, but if you have any other great ideas on this topics, you are welcome to comment here.
Remember, that by following any rules when writing emails (either personal or business) you provide clarity in your expectations, are able to persuade your readers, show your professionalism and care, and avoid an opportunity of your emails being deleted before your message is read (about 80% messages are not read because of not following simple rules in writing).
So here they are, 5 Things Worth Remembering:
Here is an example of the email I wrote to one of my clients at work:
Subject: Follow-up on Pricing Discussions – Please reply by 12-20-2012
Dear Joe Doe,
I am writing to you to follow-up on our pricing information that we have presented last week during our visit.
First of all, I appreciate the time you took to meet with us and to discuss current and new business opportunities. Based on our discussion we had last week, I would like to present to you our updated pricing information:
Product XYZ | ||||
Description | Qty | Dimensions | Total | |
22mm | 33mm | |||
With Supply Agreement | 1200 | $393 | $345 | $885,600 |
W/out Supply Agreement | 100 | $488 | $434 | $92,200 |
We are confident we can help you create a plan to get your new business off the ground. Working with The Company would be an effective way to do that because The Company provides the four things you need most at this point in your business:
I’ll call you next week to continue the conversation but in the meantime, please reply to my email and let me know by this Friday, 12-20-2012 whether presented pricing is acceptable and when should we expect a Purchase Order from you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Vitaly
Well, good luck in your business writing. Comments are appreciated!emai