Tag Archive for: Cyber Security

The Calm Before The Storm

We’ve all had those days; You know, when your WordPress Website has been running smooth for weeks and then BANG! It just breaks.

One of the ‘problems’, is when you set plugins to update automatically. Sometimes, just sometimes, plugin updates may very well be good for the plugin, but may not want to party with other plugins, or your theme. Unfortunately, it’s a sad fact that this happens.

Don’t worry though, what breaks, can be fixed – if you know what to do.

The first step, is to get onto YouTube and search for a fix – you may find a solution that was created back in 2011. JUST KIDDING! Kind of. Current updates that cause problems will not have a fix available on YouTube, although if you know what to look for, some simple error messages can be fixed by searching YouTube.

The easiest way to resolve a plugin issue, is to deactivate all your plugins (place your website into maintenance mode if possible first), then reactivate each one, refreshing the website in another tab. When your website ‘breaks’ again, you found the culprit. You can install a FREE plugin called WP Rollback that will allow you to go back to the previous version of the plugin. Then you can just wait until there is a fix from the plugin developer, and update again. Simple.

It’s not always as ‘simple’ as that though.

Sometimes, the best method, especially if you operate an e-Commerce website, is to contact a WordPress Professional, like me, who will pinpoint your problem and resolve your issue rather quickly. It can be the difference between a minor fix, or a more complex repair or total rebuild – that may cost you thousands.

Do you operate a commercial (e-Commerce) WordPress Website that you rely on to pay your bills?

I’ve stated this before – Over the years, I’ve been contacted by people that needed some ‘maintenance’ work done to their website, only to thumb their nose at the price. They’ve gone elsewhere, only to find cheap doesn’t always work right. In the end it’s cost them more. This guarantees me more work, because they know who to turn to when they need to update. Besides, it’s all tax deductible anyway.

I began providing a monitoring service late 2018. I charge $199 per month which gives you access to a cheaper rate for all work required (half price). I also maintain an active monitoring of all websites, and check for updates 3 times per week, and perform all necessary work relating to plugin updates and website security as part of the monthly fee.

It’s called Peace of Mind for WordPress. I’m notified via email as soon as there’s an issue (monitored 24/7), and can perform all work to repair – even when not in ‘the office’, so you’re up and running again as soon as possible.

Protect your Business. Protect your Brand. What price do you put on your future income? I’d like to think most people take their business seriously.

Note* Although I’m notified immediately of ‘problems’, I perform the majority of all work between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am – 7 days. I’m like that guy that polishes the floor at your local supermarket – I work when your customers sleep. Less disruption = more business, for you.

Like always, if you have a question or comment about this post or any other post on this website, contact me. I’d also appreciate a share or 15, to your friends if you believe they may be interested.

Until next time, I hope everything remains calm :)

 

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Freelance Websites Vs Local Business

Great subject. Who would you rather turn to, to get work done on your WordPress Website? Local or International?

I watched the video below, a few days ago – Stefan is worth subbing, if you’re into development, and I’ve been thinking about writing about this subject, discussing what I believe are the Pro’s and Con’s with using Freelance Websites as opposed to a Local WordPress Professional.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on websites that weren’t based in Australia. The issues I primarily faced, was payment related, and time differences which was a bit of a problem when needing to communicate with the websites’ owner. Chasing someone overseas for payment was pretty much a waste of time.

In Australia, we have a rather high cost of living / standard. Sometimes, if you’re doing work on a US or Canadian, or European Country-based website, the exchange rate can work in your favor, because you can lower your rate to match or ‘beat’ another WordPress Professionals’ rate. Other things that come into play, are the quality of work, and accessibility of communications, so it’s not always price-based that matters most.

The ‘problem’ we, as professionals, now face – and I use that term loosely, is that you have emerging economies such as India / Pakistan, and the Philippines, who have entered this area of work, and are charging ridiculously low rates, and they ARE getting the work. In some ways, this has ‘forced’ some WordPress Professionals to lower their rates, to get any work at all.

This is where your Branding comes into play – and has the ability to benefit you so much more than someone operating in one of the BRIC economies.

Some people with a little entrepreneurial flare have embraced this, and actually build their brand, based on pushing out cheap websites – using people in BRIC economies to build these cheap websites. The issue I have with using these operators, is that people have been left with ‘broken’ websites, that these operators refuse to repair. People like me are left to pick up the pieces and fix websites that are just horribly written, and most need to be built again, from scratch. These operators will take your money and run.

This is part of the reason why I tell people up-front, that I am not cheap – but I get the job done, and will provide assistance free-of-charge, if there’s an issue. Not one customer of mine has ever had to say a bad word against me – because I do whatever it takes to do the job. I don’t leave people in the lurch if there’s an issue.

My name is my brand. I’ve said it before, and will continue to say it.

The option you have is simple – Pay the going rate (based on experience and quality) in the country you live, or pay the penalty through a dud WordPress Website.

We all have choices. Sometimes we make choices based on what we can afford, I get that. But, given the fact that more and more WordPress Websites are used for business, I ask you this very simple question;

What value do you place on your business, your brand, your future?

I often ask people to think very carefully about who they trust with their websites. The consequences can be pretty scary.

In Australia, for example, we have plenty of laws that basically make you liable for security breaches – be it, insurance-wise, or criminally. I for one, work within these laws, because I know that I ‘could’ face charges of not securing your data, whereas, if you (for example) were to have a website built by someone from a BRIC economy, they would be untouchable, whereas you would be completely liable.

I think it’s a very serious subject, that needs greater transparency regarding liability.

Just think about your choices. It could mean the difference between owning your home, or losing it – and going to jail.

Whatever you choose, make it the right one.

As always, I’d appreciate a share or seven, and please feel free to contact me for any information about this post or any other subject I’ve written about.

EDIT – I’ve been asked by a few people where I get my images for websites that I build. If you’re in need of images for a new website, or if you’re updating a website, visit websites such as Pixabay or Unsplash – AVOID using images you ‘just like’, it’s illegal unless the image has been labelled for reuse.

Finding your own images can save you hundreds of dollars off a build.

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Best Time To Backup Your Website

Backing up your WordPress website is one of the most important procedures that you, as a website owner, can perform.

I was contacted by a new client during the week that was extremely desperate to get their eCommerce website back up and running, after being hacked. They had no backup. After spending 14 hours sorting out the damage done, securing and providing a safe backup, it cost the owner almost $1700, when all it should have cost, was the price of a plugin (about $50).

Whilst I enjoy getting paid, I feel sorry for people that become complacent (or ignorant) to the dangers that we, as business website owners face, on an almost daily basis.

About a third of my emails are from desperate website owners whose websites have either been hacked – or are self managed (WordPress) sites, that have been broken, because they didn’t know what they were doing, and had NO backup.

Backing Up is a simple routine that EVERY website owner should do manually, or given the right plugin, set-up scheduled back-ups – at least once a month, or preferably on a weekly basis.

The downside of Scheduled Backups – in my opinion

Imagine you’ve set up scheduled backups to be performed each month.

Now, the problem you MAY face, is a hacked or ‘broken’ website that is backed up, that becomes your ‘go-to’ backup in an ’emergency’. Think about the consequences of having a backup of your broken or hacked website.

Best Time To Backup Your Website – in my opinion

As a WordPress Website owner (personal OR business), you should have your website periodically Updated, Audited and Secured by a WordPress Professional.

If the WordPress Professional is any good at their job, they’ll backup your website for you, after they perform the required work. This way, you will have the most up-to-date Plugins, Themes and Security settings (including an optimized database) backed-up and ready to go, just in case something were to happen.

Remember, there’s a lot of bad people on the World Wide Web, that are out to do you harm. Be prepared.

The BEST Backup solution available – in my opinion

Now, I’m not being paid by BACKUP BUDDY – Let’s make this clear. I’m not getting paid any commissions, nor is this a paid advertisement.

Put simply, I believe that as of the date I posted this, it’s the best Backup Plugin you can buy.

There are FREE Backup Plugins in the WordPress Repository, but many, if not all, have restrictions.

WordPress, as a platform to build your website is FREE. Many thousands of Themes and Plugins are FREE as well.

Consider this. What price do you place on your website, especially if you operate a Business / eCommerce website;

  • Stolen Client Data – hacked website
  • Completely unusable website – broken
  • $50 Plugin
    or….
  • Spend $1700 to get your website secured and back in working condition

Stop being cheap bastards, and spend money where you need to, especially when the security of your data, and that of your clients, is at risk.

Conclusion….

Most people don’t think of backups, until it’s too late. Don’t be one of them. Invest in a good plugin to backup your WordPress website.

Take action today, using one of the options I’ve given you;

Please Note; I don’t like handing out FREE how-to instructions on my website. Past experience has shown that people get in touch when their websites break. But, feel free to try things yourself. There is an abundance of websites that can help you (most are outdated though), if you prefer to do things on your own. One such website is WPBeginner.com, who just happens to provide help with your Backup Buddy Plugin.

You can find instructional videos on YouTube, again though, most are outdated, and WordPress is constantly updating, and things change, so just beware. I’m always here if you have trouble.

Every couple of months at a bare minimum, have your website Updated, Audited and Secured by a WordPress Professional. You don’t need to use me, I’m not cheap (but I’m pretty good at what I do, and guarantee my work)

As always, feel free to contact me about this subject or any other WordPress issue you may have.

I’d appreciate it if you shared this post to someone who may be interested. Simply use the share options below this post.

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