
March Tips, Tricks & Shiny Stuff
Est. reading time 4 minutes
As we prepare for tomorrow's Google workshop, here is this month’s collection of useful tips, reviews, and links of interest.
Things that make you go 'Hmmm'
One Google AdWord we did for a local plumber was 'disapproved' by Google. The ad (modified to protect the innocent):
24/7 Drain Rooter Service
[website]
Professional Drain Scopes & Repair.
Call Now And Receive $25 Off!
The reason Google gave for disapproving it? Their Guns & parts category. It seems the Scopes part triggered their anti-weapons filter.
Hmmm...
Password Tip
It is a good idea, a really good idea, not to use the same password for everything. Do not use an identifiable password, either. You have dozens of accounts requiring passwords, and probably think it is convenient to use as few passwords as possible. If a hacker gets into one of your accounts, that hacker can get into the others, and then you are doomed.
How do you keep track of all these passwords without having your brain explode? Should you write them on paper and store that paper in a very safe spot? Yes, that is an option. Just remember to keep that paper updated. Another option is a password wallet, or a password locker. These are programs which let you save and manage your passwords, accessed through one master pass code. Here are some password locker programs, recommended by Marc Goodman (security specialist, works with INTERPOL, member of the UN High Level Experts Group on Global Cybersecurity, and more). He recommends:
These software programs are from legitimate companies. It is not an exhaustive list, (and as a legal disclaimer, we at Radar Hill are not paid by any of these companies to endorse their products, nor are we responsible for any outcomes), but if you are considering using a password wallet to help keep your accounts secure, consider one of these.
For any password programs you use, be wary of where you get these programs from. Some are developed by hackers so they can easily infiltrate them, and gain access to exactly what you are trying to prevent. Only download from reputable sites such as iTunes or the Microsoft Store, or from the legitimate developer's own website.
Pyramid CMS
When we built our own Content Management System to we asked ourselves “what do our clients get frustrated with when managing their own websites?” This was the guiding principal through all of our development. Too many times we have seen Content Management Systems built to accommodate the most technically advanced user. Sure, all the tools you could ever dream of were stuffed into a large and unwieldy administrative nightmare. The reality is that a large majority of regular business owners require simple and easy access to content. The belief that “I need to control everything” is the road to option overload, a steep learning curve and continual training.
In our Content Management System, named Pyramid CMS, buttons are labelled according to the language of our particular client: "Add a boat", "Add a newsletter", "Edit staff members" as examples. This labelling is in the language of the industry, the options are customized to the client's needs and the complexity is low. This is a win-win for us and our customers: Pyramid CMS is easy to use so it generates few support calls. “If you can read and type you can operate Pyramid CMS!”
Helping you in Google: With Radar Hill being a Google-certified company, we incorporated features into Pyramid CMS to make our websites more search engine friendly, including Meta management and application of markup such as Open Graph and Schema. These enhance your site's information in search results and on social media, leading to more shares and clicks — without any extra work on your part. Contact us to find out more...
Definition
SEO: SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's organic search result. Organic means natural results or unpaid, as contrasted with paid advertising for search results.
Recommendation Podcast: Social Media Examiner Show
This 10-minute daily podcast, with a lively and engaging host, was recently launched by the people at the Social Media Examiner. It delivers snack-sized, useful and informative social media advice every day.
- Website: SocialMediaExaminer.com
- iTunes link
Links
- Warnings for anyone using social media, from the NY Times: How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life. How some people’s lives have been badly affected by inappropriate social media posts.
- What to do about a staff member's bad post, from Star Tribune: How to handle an employee's offensive social media post. The article relates to US law, so for questions about Canadian employers' perspectives on social media, contact Dynamic HR Solutions.
- Concerned about sending junk mail? From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business: Canada’s Anti-Sp-am Law (CASL) – What does it mean for my business? This covers the requirements under Canada’s junk mail legislation (CASL) which came into effect on July 1st, 2014. CASL has the threat of very severe penalties for those caught in noncompliance. (If you are wondering, spelling the nasty word with a - is deliberate, to help this newsletter bypass your mail rules set up to stop the nasty stuff via keyword.)
- This is not a surprise. We have had enough clients tell us their experiences. From CBC News: Yelp accused of bullying businesses into paying for better reviews.
- If you are following the Lenova Superfish controversy, here is a test for your Microsoft Windows system from LastPass.
- Wondering about your pricing structure? From Inc.com: Why the Smartest Business Leaders Raise Prices Instead of Lowering Them. Think higher prices will send your customers to less expensive competitors? Not necessarily.
- From Fast Company: How To Fix 6 Bad Habits That Come With Being Your Own Boss.
- From CNN: Scanadu: The medical Tricorder from Star Trek is here. A handheld medical device that reads vital signs in seconds: the Tricorder is no longer science.
Closing Quote: There is no perfect computer security. Do the equivalent of the common sense stuff... reduce your threat by 85%.
~ Marc Goodman ~
Comments and content suggestions are always welcome,
The Team at Radar Hill