![[Project] Allowing Your Clients to Log In to Your Website](https://printandwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Griffin.jpg)
by Myra Stacey | Jun 8, 2017 | Project Files
Client login systems are a useful way to let your client pay bills, see their latest update from you, or download information about their project.
We recently set up a login system for Griffin Land Surveying, Inc. Their website was several years old, which meant we needed to create a new one. Newer technology is more secure. Plus, the old website was not responsive. Responsive websites are built to look appealing and function well on all phones, tablets, and computers. Such design is imperative for SEO and best practices.
We redesigned the website, updating the images and designing some new graphics to give the company a state-of-the-art look.
Griffin’s team wanted to make sure clients could log in and access surveys and other documents, which is called an extranet. Extranets are helpful to streamline company processes and improve customer satisfaction. While the old site had an extranet, the older technology was struggling to handle larger files.
Challenge: The control panel on the back end of the website is large, due to the sizes of the files clients download. This takes up a lot of memory and slows things down.
Solution: We helped Griffin’s team put a system in place to clean up and delete files each year without affecting current clients. Regular cleanup is crucial to maintaining your website (and all your technology, really).
Extranet Security
If you work with a company to create an extranet, be sure security measures are in place. Here are some tips and things to consider:
● Will clients create their passwords? In this case, we set it up so Griffin created the passwords, which are likely to be more secure. (Check out this infographic for some scary stats about passwords!)
● Make sure the back end of the extranet is secure so those passwords are not easily visible.
● Create a security policy for your extranet and a plan in case it is hacked.
The team at Griffin is thrilled with the new site and smoother functionality for clients.
“My experience with Myra, and her team has been seamless,” said Amy Knuckles, manager. “She is always available if I have any questions or concerns. I’d highly recommend her and Print and Web Designer!”
If you have questions about making your website work better, contact us to learn more.
![[Project] What To Do When Your Website is Hacked](https://printandwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/b2ap3_large_ndb-1080x649.jpg)
by Myra Stacey | May 25, 2017 | Project Files, Services
A hacked website is more than just irritating; it means you’re losing money.
When your site is hacked, potential clients may not reach you. In some cases, a hack can affect your email, too. Then there is the time spent correcting the problem, and, as we know, time is money for small business owners.
That’s exactly what happened to one of our clients from many years ago, NBD Commercial. The company handles commercial real estate mainly for shopping centers. We created a website for them five years ago. Since then the site wasn’t updated or maintained. The site went down recently, along with their email.
Challenges: The hackers had done a thorough a job. We took several steps to secure the site and restore order, but it was too far gone and there wasn’t a backup.
Solution: We decided to delete the entire site and start over. While that measure sounds drastic, you might think of it like an old shopping center. In some cases, you renovate to keep what’s there. In others, renovating is far more expensive and time-consuming than creating a new one. Starting over on this website cost the client far less time and money.
Mitigate Your Risk for Hacking
Hacks are frequent. According to “Key findings from the Global State of Information Security® Survey 2017” by PricewaterhouseCoopers, scams and cyber security incidents have increased 38% in the past year. These hackers are not just targeting large companies. Hackers often rely on small websites to gain access to the servers where your website is hosted or to send scams from your email.
Believe it or not, many hacks are automated attempts, brute-force attacks by software created to guess your username and password. If your password is six lowercase letters, this software will crack it in just 10 minutes. (Also, you must change your login name to something other than “admin.”) Read more about WordPress security and ways to make your WordPress site more secure.
To reduce your risk of hacking, you must maintain your website. Many business owners create a website and think it’s done. Not true. Like any other, this house you built requires regular upkeep, so it doesn’t fall apart. Check out these signs you need website maintenance.
If Your Website is Hacked
If your website is hacked, contact your website provider or hosting company immediately to get help. Alert people in your address book not to open any suspicious emails from you. Once you have fixed the problem, be sure to take steps to secure your website.
Do you have questions about website security? Contact us for help with your hack.
