With a world that seems to have moved almost entirely online, having a strong web presence is more valuable than ever. Aside from having a user-friendly and up-to-date website, there are other issues to consider. 

Website safety isn’t something that we typically worry ourselves about, that is, until it’s too late. 

Hackers, bots, and scammers can ruin a beautiful website in no time at all. Without the proper safety precautions, you run the risk of losing a lot of time, money, effort, and even business assets. It is so important to do what we can to implement proper website security.

With such intense risks, what can we do to protect the heart of our business online? Read on to learn what measures we, here at The Mug, take to protect our clients. 

Start with a safe and reputable hosting service.

Research and seek out high quality hosting services. These may be more expensive than other options, but, as always – you get what you pay for! 

Shared Hosting

As hinted by the name, Shared Hosting is a service provided by a company that allows multiple websites to share the cost of using their server. This is a less secure option, however, many of the best hosting companies have package levels for businesses of all sizes with the ability to add on additional security features. We love BlueHost for this very reason! They make it super easy to purchase a URL, subscribe to their hosting services as well as add extra security to make it a simple, one stop shop without compromising on quality! 

Dedicated Hosting

More expensive than shared hosting, dedicated hosting allows you to have complete control on your own dedicated server! While the added cost is something to consider, this option is typically much more secure than shared hosting. This option could be considered the baseline suggestion for high traffic, intricate websites with custom coding. BlueHost has options for this as well, so does HostGator, among others. 

These are the two main types of hosting that you might hear about. There is a middle ground called VPS, or Virtual Private Server. With VPS, you get some of the benefits that you’d get with Dedicated Hosting while enjoying a bit of a cost break. 

If you opt for hiring out your website design and development, hosting may be included! Here at The Mug, we offer website hosting with added security measures. 

Keep an eye on your content management system.

Whether you use WordPress, Drupal, WooCommerce, or any other CMS platform, it is important to ensure that it stays up to date. Change your passwords frequently, update your software when needed, and check through your settings regularly. CMS security is a major concern when it comes to protecting your website.

We have a few tips for you check in your CMS settings:

• Restrict file uploads.
• Review comment capabilities.
• Update user controls.
• Consider additional security plugins.

When you expend a lot of business resources into creating an amazing website, you want to make sure that it stays safe. It’s important to consider these safety precautions before something bad happens. 

Have any additional questions about website safety and security? Don’t hesitate to reach out!