Your website is the digital home of your business– just as you wouldn't leave your actual door unlocked and let intruders wander into your house, you wouldn't leave your digital home vulnerable, right? 

So, let's talk about how to protect your website from hackers. 

Can your website be hacked? Absolutely

The Internet is full of unsavoury characters looking for an easy score. And they're getting bolder. Trust us– it's no longer a matter of if, but when. 

Today's hackers are very sophisticated, with a lot of reasons to target small businesses websites. They use a variety of tools and techniques to exploit any vulnerability they can find, and they're not just interested in data anymore (in case you were thinking "But my site doesn't store sensitive information, so why would hackers bother?"). 

Some are after money, stealing credit card information or holding sites ransom. Others want to use your site to distribute malware to unsuspecting visitors, using you to infect your customers. And some just hack for the thrill of it, to prove they can, leaving a trail of digital destruction in their wake.

What's at risk?

Okay, so your site gets hacked, and you just roll back. No big deal. You'll call your IT guy, he'll sort it out. Done. 

Honestly, we wish it was that simple. But a malicious attack isn't always that easy to get over. 

• Over 30,000 websites are hacked every single day (Forbes)
• 43% of hacks and cybersecurity threats target small businesses (CNBC)
• 60% of small businesses go out of business within 6 months of an attack (INC)
• On average, it can take over 100 days to even discover you've been breached (IBM)

We're not trying to scare you. But this isn't a problem that will go away. 

Businesses that don't take website security seriously end up dealing with: 

• loss of customer trust from data breaches, or from your compromised website infecting them
• major financial losses from paying ransoms to gain access to your own site, recovering data, fixing the breach, restoring your website (if you even can)
• getting on a Google blacklist and experiencing serious negative SEO impacts like quickly dropping keyword rankings on search engines
• loss of revenue from not being able to run ads (because ad platforms will shut your ads down instantly when they detect malware)

And so much more. 

How does a website hack work?

Essentially, cyber attackers use vulnerabilities in your system like out-of-date plugins, old CMS themes, leaked passwords, etc to gain access and inject malicious code into the code of your site. These malware infections can sit there, undetected, for months before hackers activate them and actually take down your site - by which time the infection has spread, making it so much harder to find and eradicate. It also usually means most of your site backups are compromised as well (they also contain malicious code) which is why you can't just roll back your site. 

So, how do you protect your website from hackers?

You have to approach cyber security with a multi-tiered approach. Think of it like locking your home, having a security camera and taking out a home insurance policy. There's no such thing as being too safe. So, here are a few security measures you should take.

Most of these are aimed at WordPress websites, mainly as WordPress sites are the primary target of hacks– in 2022, 96.2% of infections happened on a WordPress site. Which makes sense given WordPress websites are also the most popular CMS option.

The post How to protect your website from hackers appeared first on Dilate Digital.

And when you're looking for the closest shoe store, tax accountant or dentist, Google Maps swings into action, showing you the top businesses in your area. 

Making sure your business is listed on Maps is a must. 

If you haven't already set up your Google Business Profile, here's how you can get started: How To Optimise Your Google My Business For Local SEO

Google Maps API takes that one step further, putting the map on your business (website). So, let's find out exactly how you can take advantage of that. 

What is Google Maps API?

Picture this: a user lands on your website, looking for your services. They find a sleek, interactive map highlighting your location, they can zoom in, view the area, and get a feel for what's around. This is Google Maps API at work. It's more than just showing a location; it's about creating an experience, a connection. 

It's a way to integrate Google Maps on your site, with personalised directions, in a matter of minutes. 

How is a Google Map integration going to help my business?

With the integration, you could showcase delivery routes and service areas, plan out itineraries, show off upcoming events and so much more. The best part is, you can customise it to match the look and feel of your site, fitting in seamlessly with your current user experience. 

It's also a powerful tool for local SEO. By integrating Google Maps, you're telling search engines exactly where you're located, boosting your chances of appearing in local searches. And in the world of digital marketing, visibility is key.

Still not convinced? Then let's talk stats. 

• Intoscana saw visitors spending 30% more time on average exploring site content after interacting with the Map
• Opodo users were 2x as likely to make a purchase as those that didn't use their Map
• NSCPCC saw a 54% conversion rate when they integrated the map with their form fills

And there are a lot more use cases, examples and evidence - the opportunities are endless. 

What is a Google Maps API key?

This is a bit of personalised code that actually allows the integration. Currently, the Google Maps Platform offers several API keys depending on what fits your business best. Some of these include:

• Maps Static API for a simple embedded Google Map - this feature doesn't allow much interaction but is a good way to just show one location with a map marker
• Maps Javascript API for more customisable options that allow user interaction
• Places API which can show off multiple points of interest, for example, if you have multiple offices or branches
• Directions API which, as the name suggests, gives you directions for a set route 
• Street View Static API which offers a non-interactive panorama of your location in a "real-world" view

And the list goes on. If you're not quite sure what API is right for you, check out Google's own API Picker to get you started!

How to set up Google Maps API

Before you can integrate, you'll need to create a Google Maps API key. This is free, though the use of the API does technically have a cost. But don't worry, Google also offers a very generous $300 trial credit in the first 90 days, and an additional $200 credit every single month. 

This covers you for 100,000 static map requests (views) each month, or 28,000 dynamic requests. So there's a lot of free usage to get through before you need to worry about being charged. 

So, let's get started!

The post How to set up Google Maps API: A step-by-step guide appeared first on Dilate Digital.

Mobile web design isn't just about making your website look stellar on smaller screens. It's about having a seamless and enjoyable experience while interacting with the website on tablets or mobile devices. A good mobile user experience (UX) can lead to increased engagement, higher conversion rates, and improved brand loyalty. Creating good mobile designs that support exceptional UX has become crucial for businesses and website designers.

So how can you make your mobile web design effective?

The post Mobile Web Design Principles for a Good User Experience appeared first on Dilate Digital.

I'm sure you'll agree when I say your website serves as a window into your business in this modern world. It can offer insights into your brand, expertise, and services. But just as a physical store requires regular cleaning, maintenance, and security measures to operate smoothly, your website demands the same level of care. Neglecting this can lead to consequences, including downtime, security breaches, and dwindling user experiences.

This is where website maintenance comes into play, ensuring your digital storefront remains open for business 24/7. A huge part of this digital healthcare regimen revolves around plugin updates–but before delving into the importance of plugin updates and website maintenance, let's understand what plugins are.

The post The Importance of Plugin Updates and Website Maintenance: Keep Your Website Healthy appeared first on Dilate Digital.

What is website branding – and why does it matter?

A brand is the distinct set of features or characteristics that distinguish your business from others. Website branding is the process of researching, defining and applying those features throughout your website.

Along with other types of branding, website branding gives your business a unique identity, the power to attract the right audience and hold their attention. It can also drive up brand recognition, customer loyalty and employee satisfaction. In other words, your branding is a business asset. Invest in good branding and you’ll reap the rewards long into the future.

8 Website branding tips every business should be using

Whether you’re a well-established business or just starting out, every organisation will benefit from a strong branding strategy. While the tips below are great for designing new websites from the ground up, they’re equally as useful when auditing your existing site and looking for ways to improve.

Here are 8 branding tips that you can start using on your website today:

The post Website Branding Tips Your Business Could Benefit from appeared first on Dilate Digital.