10 WordPress Plugins That Protect Your Site |  |
- 10 WordPress Plugins That Protect Your Site
- Decisiveness: Three Steps To Making a Decision
- Todd Crawford on Opportunities in Affiliate Marketing #AMDays
- 4 Steps To Improve Your Google Plus Profile for Business
- 2 Tips to Manage Your Up Front Production Costs
| 10 WordPress Plugins That Protect Your Site Posted: 29 Mar 2013 02:00 AM PDT
WordPress plugins are an easy way to protect a valuable company asset, your site. That includes the content of your website or blog, making up the sum total of your business’s online marketing, communications, branding and even intellectual property. A report this week of a vulnerability in WP Banners Lite, a WordPress plugin designed to help site owners insert and manage ad banners, is a reminder of just how easily your data can be put at risk. Fortunately, there are other WordPress plugins that provide a solution, allowing you to back up your valuable data and protect it from malware and hackers. In a recent Computerworld post, tech writer Jack Wallen looks at some of the best WordPress plugins to protect your business site. Let’s explore them below. WordPress Plugins That Protect Your SiteBlogger Salman Ashan tells his story of having his site hacked several times and of the danger of relying on your Web host to protect your site from attack. In each case, Ashan says he was able to recover his data and writes about the features of the BackupBuddy WordPress plugin including WordPress security, migration and restoration, WordPress backup and other features. Mastermind Blogger Site owner Zac Johnson gives us a detailed look at BlogVault, a paid service which lets you do the equivalent of backing up your server every few hours. Johnson catalogs a number of problems from denial-of-service attacks to coding issues, which can wipe out a blog and the hundreds or even thousands of pages of content created for it. ZacJohnson.com Freelance software developer Tony Brown gives us an overview of this WordPress plugin, another premium tool. This one backs up your data on the service’s own servers monthly, weekly or even hourly depending upon the business of the site and your needs. The service backs up both code files and database, meaning both content and design of your site is preserved and can be restored in the event of a problem. QuickstepIT.net WordPress developer Joost de Valk divides WordPress plugins for data protection into two groups. There are plugins that automatically back up your data to your own server or email files and those that save data to a remote and safe location. Of these two choices, de Valk clearly prefers the latter. De Valk gives an overview of a plugin that does just that, Online Backup for WordPress. Yoast The dowload page for this free WordPress plugin says it allows you to “Create a instant live backup of your database with just a click of a button and restore your database just as fast.” Here’s a page of frequently asked questions about the tool to give you a better feel for how it works and whether this plugin might be for you. WordPress.org Sarah Gooding, a partner in Untame, a digital boutique marketing company with a specialty in open source content management systems and social networking, explains the features of this free WordPress plugin allowing backup of your files and database through a customizable dashboard. The plugin is also open source, giving other developers the opportunity to add features over time. WPMU.org Combining two popular online tools, WordPress and Dropbox, this WordPress plugin backs up data to the storage site for safe keeping, another example of backing up your data elsewhere in case of an attack or other problem. Here, trainer Ed Andrea gives us an overview of how to install this WordPress plugin using step by step instructions and illustrations. OSTraining Developer Agbonghama Collins says he uses this WordPress plugin for his own site. The plugin allows backup of an entire site, including folders, files and database. Collins says the plugin can be customized to select the kind of data to save, how often to save and whether the data is saved on your server, in email or on a remote data base. Tech4Sky When your blog or website is a part of your business, you can’t have it failing on you. One well-known site owner says he would have suffered serious down time without this WordPress plugin. The plugin is a paid tool with several different versions, but prides itself on storing all of a blog’s content and code, right down to comments and revisions of your posts. John Chow dot Com This WordPress plugin is a distinct improvement over predecessor Updraft, writes blogger and owner of the website Social Web Tools, Charnita Fance. The new plugin encrypts your saved data and then you can choose to back it up on Amazon S3, Google Drive, FTP or email. You can also set different schedules for database and file backup. ManageWP Your blog is an important part of your business. Sometimes it IS your business. WordPress plugins can help you secure that business by protecting the content you create. Plugin Photo via Shutterstock The post 10 WordPress Plugins That Protect Your Site appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Decisiveness: Three Steps To Making a Decision Posted: 28 Mar 2013 02:00 PM PDT
Making a decision can be tough, especially when it’s a business decision. You face an almost infinite range of things that you could be doing in your business at any particular moment. You could choose to deal with a staff issue, a bank issue or a cash flow issue. You can decide to focus on a new customer acquisition tactic or strategy, a new ad campaign or an issue that has come up with a customer. You can choose to deal with administrative details or you can choose to deal with personal and family issues that so often seem to be intertwined with the business. Or you can choose to do any of the other infinite possibilities that face you as a business owner. For many business owners, this massive number of options can cause them to put off making a decision. They fall into believing that if they can just gather more data and consider more options, they may be struck with a flash of brilliance that will guide them. In most cases, the hoped-for flash of brilliance doesn't materialize and you are eventually forced into making a decision (i.e. payroll needs to get paid; the lease is expiring this month; you need more sales, etc.). When faced with the sudden pressure of making a decision, the decision that is made is often a poor one. It ends up being based on a default position that is based on ease rather than what is optimal for creating the results you want. There is a better way. Three Steps To Making a DecisionAvoid this situation by applying a proven three-step process:
1.) Perceived Rather Than Actual ComplexityA lot of what masquerades as complexity is really only a natural reaction to a lack of clarity. When you get right down to it, there are only four things you need to focus on:
Everything else you think you need to deal with (all the other sources of perceived complexity) are simply variations of the four things listed above. 2.) Create Your CVM (Could Versus Must) ChartTo focus your mind and effort even further when making a decision, you should do your best to only focus on the thing(s) you must deal with at any particular point in time. An excellent way to do this is to create a CVM Chart. This a powerful way to examine any current situation and identify the high impact things you really should be focusing on. To create a CVM Chart, take a blank sheet of paper and on the left hand side of the page, list everything you can think about that you could do at this very moment in your business. This is where you will generate a laundry list of things that play around in the back of your mind. List them down and acknowledge them. It will get them in front of you where you can deal with them. Next, on the right hand side of the page, distill from your list of all the things you could do into three things that you must do right now. Keep the four things from step one above in mind as you identify these three things. 3.) Don't Look For A Sports Car When A Minivan Will DoI must admit that my heart races whenever I think about owning a sexy sports car. The reality, however, is that as a father of four children, as sexy as that sports car might be, it really wouldn't be a good or useful solution for me. You need to apply the same type of realistic mental discipline when you consider the things you must do. For example, don't get caught up thinking you need to create an entirely new product or service offering if you can get a sufficient boost in your financial results by simply asking your existing customers to buy more from you. Adopt this three-step process in your business any time you start feeling overwhelmed by making a decision. You will feel more in control and you will make better decisions. Decision Photo via Shutterstock The post Decisiveness: Three Steps To Making a Decision appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Todd Crawford on Opportunities in Affiliate Marketing #AMDays Posted: 28 Mar 2013 11:00 AM PDT Meet Todd Crawford, an affiliate marketing veteran, Co-Founder of Impact Radius, and former VP of sales and business development at oneNetworkDirect. Todd also contributed to the founding team at Commission Junction in 1998, and worked at the affiliate network for more than seven years. At Affiliate Management Days 2013, Todd will be participating in a keynote panel on the role of the affiliate network. * * * * *
Todd Crawford: Diversifying your publisher base. Almost every advertiser I talk to has 10-15 publishers that are driving 90%+ of their results. Many of these top publishers have similar business models. A healthy program needs to be as diversified as possible, leveraging multiple types of publishers. Dig into the mid-tier publishers and segment them to determine alternative opportunities. Have a goal of balancing your publisher base so the top 10-15 are only 50%-70% of your results. It's hard work but it makes for a healthier, stronger channel. Question: What do you see as the main areas of opportunity for affiliate marketers in 2013 – 2014? Todd Crawford: I think the single biggest opportunity is utilizing better tracking, data and analytics. From what I am seeing and hearing, legacy solutions aren’t providing the level of data advertisers need to manage their marketing channels. There are so many more data points that need to be analyzed in order to understand the value of the affiliate channel and the individual publishers. I know the term "big data" gets thrown around a lot, but more and more companies are analyzing more data points and affiliate managers need to have access to similar data. Otherwise they run the risk of not being able to defend or champion their channel or even worse, not being able to answer questions raised by management. Question: It isn’t unusual to hear that since affiliates operate in the mix with other marketing channels that merchants use (paid search, retargeting, social, etc.), with this multi-touchpoint eCommerce, the last-click attribution model is no longer an optimal one. What do you recommend? Todd Crawford: We need to remember there is a difference between modeling data and firing pixels. I think last click is still vital for actual tracking and de-duplication across channels, but that attribution analysis is becoming critical for understanding the role and value of media as well and the true costs. Don't confuse tracking and pixel firing logic with attribution modeling – they are two very different things. Once you understand the overall contribution of affiliates, you can then start changing your payout rates to be better aligned with the value of those partners. For example, many content sites play a role higher up in the funnel and consequently don't get credit for as many last clicks sales. You may want to increase their payout rate or give them a spot bonus to compensate them for their efforts earlier in the buying cycle. Question: As co-founder of an international marketing technologies company, what do you view as the main area affiliates can truly help online merchants, adding value to the pre-sale process? Todd Crawford: Personally, I am influenced by in-depth reviews. Especially videos when considering purchases. If it works on me, I imagine it works on quite a few other people. Introduce your visitors to unique information and opportunities that they can't get from other sites. This isn't easy, but it builds sustainable traffic and long-term value for your website(s) and advertisers. Question: If you were to leave online advertisers, merchants and affiliate managers with one piece of advice, what would it be? Todd Crawford: Having personal KPIs (key performance indicators) so they can measure their progress towards weekly, monthly and quarterly goals. If your company doesn't help create these KPIs, you can still create your own. Look at the high-level objectives for your department and company overall and develop KPIs that help you track your contribution towards achieving those goals. Without KPIs in place, you often end up showing up for work everyday doing the same things without understanding which efforts will move the needle and help you hit your goals. A simple example is talking to 10 new affiliates each day to recruit them into your program(s). This means you may need to actually call 50 to get 10 on the phone. Leaving voice messages doesn't count. * * * * * The upcoming Affiliate Management Days Conference takes place April 16-17, 2013. Follow @AMDays or #AMDays on Twitter. When registering, make sure to use the code SBTAM250 to receive an additional $250.00 off your two-day (or combo) pass. See the rest of the interview series here. The post Todd Crawford on Opportunities in Affiliate Marketing #AMDays appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 4 Steps To Improve Your Google Plus Profile for Business Posted: 28 Mar 2013 08:00 AM PDT Google Plus for business continues to gain momentum in the social media universe and it’s important to know how to create the best possible profile. This is especially true if you’re promoting your business. Below are four steps to improve your Google Plus profile visibility in search engines and make your online profile stand out from the others. Improve Your Google Plus Profile for Business1. Create a Strong, Simple Tagline
Taglines need to be strong, yet brief. Remember, the tagline might be the only thing people see, so create one that’s interesting and alluring and gets to the point quickly. Readers scanning websites online won’t likely take the time to read a long, drawn out tagline. For example, a heating and air conditioning contractor might select a tagline such as, “Offering [your city] the best service and lowest prices. Period.” A restaurant tagline might read, “Best Buffalo wings south of Buffalo.” The point is, to get to the point quickly and make it easy for readers to grasp what you’re about in an instant. 2. Add a Professional Photo
Photography Photo via Shutterstock A grainy, out of focus or unprofessional looking photo is an instant turnoff. The photo is your one shot to grab and hook the casual reader who’s scanning for information. It’s best to invest in a professional photographer to get a clean, good-looking shot. Many businesses add photos of their owner or staff standing around smiling. This is fine, and adds a personal touch. But action shots paint a more alluring picture and draw in readers. Consider a photo of your best chef working over an open flame, or one of your contractors hard at work performing his craft. Give readers an instant visual image of your business in action. 3. Be Sure Your Website is Linked
Always link up your Google Plus account to your website and post all of your articles or blog posts to Google Plus. Make sure to select “public” for all posts, so they’ll be visible to everyone. Posting regularly is also important. Google rates pages higher when they’re frequently updated with quality information. Which brings us to another point: Only post quality content and only link to quality content on Google Plus or any other social media networking site. Google and other search engines are working hard to promote excellent content in their search results and severely punish poorly written or spammy content. If you’re going to post, make sure it’s content that’s valuable to readers. 4. Adjust Your Visibility Setting
One of the things that attracts users to Google Plus can actually be a downside to business. Google Plus more emphasis on protecting personal privacy than Facebook and some of the other social networking sites. The defaults are private and you have to manually set them as public. To make your Google Plus profile visible, go to the “about” section and select “profile discovery.” Then, make sure “visible” is selected. When you set up a Google Plus profile, “visible” is not automatic, so you have to do this before your profile is publicly seen. Once you make these four easy changes to your Google Plus profile, you’ll soon see better local search engine rankings and enjoy more action on your site. The post 4 Steps To Improve Your Google Plus Profile for Business appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 2 Tips to Manage Your Up Front Production Costs Posted: 28 Mar 2013 05:00 AM PDT
Your company is doing great. Sales are increasing phenomenally, profits are strong and more new customers are calling every day. Yet you suddenly find you can't pay your bills. What has gone wrong? By focusing on sales growth, you may have ignored the signs of a mounting cash flow problem. Profits may only be on paper. You may not have collected from customers yet, but you have incurred the costs—and your creditors are knocking on the door. This scenario can happen when you have a product that requires you to pay for the costs of production up front, such as with a manufacturing company. Growth is desirable, but if it occurs too quickly there may not be may not be enough cash to meet commitments. For example, let's say you need to manufacture 10,000 widgets at a cost of $4.00 each. You will sell them for $10.00 each and net a nice profit. Getting these widgets to the market will require $40,000 up front to manufacture them. Unless you can get credit, you would need $40,000 to pay your production costs. Now suppose your widgets increased in popularity and sales suddenly rose to 50,000 widgets. Your outlay of cash to build the widgets would rise from $40,000 to $200,000. If you have enough credit to borrow that much money, then fine. But if you can't find the credit, you probably have to find other sources of funding, from loans to equity investments to factoring. And the challenge is that raising funding is not easy. If you are facing this type of situation, below are two tips to manage production costs. Tips to Manage Production CostsCreate Financial ProjectionsAnd make sure they’re complete with an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. Of particular importance is your cash flow statement. Because even though your income statement may show lots of profits, you need to make sure you don't run out of cash. Estimate different levels of sales and the amount of cash shortfalls you might have at each level. Seek Funding EarlyRaising funding for your business is hard and it takes time. If you are too desperate for funding, you are at a terrible negotiating disadvantage. For example, if raising $100,000 dictates the life or death of your company, and an equity investor says they'll only give you the money for an exorbitant amount of equity in your company, what will you do? By starting early, you won't put yourself in such a position. In addition, get creative with your funding options. Sure, you should seek out traditional funding like credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. But consider new, more creative funding alternatives, such as giving customers small discounts when they pay all or part of their invoices up front, or getting unique payment terms from your suppliers. When you are getting lots of sales from your customers, it's a good thing. But it doesn't mean that success is guaranteed, as cash flow (and lack thereof) can literally bankrupt you. So plan ahead and raise the funding you need to ensure you can effectively grow your business. Production Costs Photo via Shutterstock The post 2 Tips to Manage Your Up Front Production Costs appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
Question: If you were to emphasize one important issue that every affiliate manager should be paying more attention to, what would it be and why?
| You are subscribed to email updates from Small Business Trends To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment