Before you build a WordPress website, or if you already have a WordPress powered website, you need to consider how you’re going to keep it safe from hackers. According to Dave Clements’ article, How To Change Your WordPress Database Prefix, “…WordPress powers about an eighth of the world’s websites…” That makes WordPress sites a very popular target for hackers.

As Clements points out, one of the easiest ways hackers can get into your WordPress site is by attacking your database. By default, all WordPress databases start with “wp_” as the prefix. If you don’t change the default prefix, hackers can easily determine where your database information is stored. Unless you make regular backups, which you really should do anyway, it can be very difficult to restore your site after it has been hacked.

How To Change Your WordPress Database Prefix provides step-by-step instructions for changing your database’s prefix, including infographics. The article also shows exactly what you have to do to reconfigure WordPress to read from the renamed database file. Clements’ advice is easy to follow and it could make the key difference between your site getting hacked or not getting hacked.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages works with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition. I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project. In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action. If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Why Your Website On Page SEO is Like Your Toes

Small businesses are always trying to find ways to market their website on a shoestring, cut corners, or follow the advice of well-meaning associates.  But sometimes cutting corners will cost you much more in the long run.

SEO with your online business website is as important as your feet are to walking.

On-page SEO is as important to your website as your toes are to your feet.

On-page SEO only accounts for 20% of your effective overall search engine optimization strategy.  Yes, that is a small portion but it should not be neglected.  Your toes account for a small percentage of your feet but if they are missing or not working as they should, your walking ability will suffer.

Still, I see so many small business try to save money on their website development and neglect to find a qualified SEO professional to take care of this critical 20% piece of their online marketing strategy.  They effectively cut their toes off of their feet and awhile later wonder why they haven’t gotten as far as their competition.

True, on page SEO is not equivalent to brain surgery.  It is possible to spend time researching for yourself how to best implement on page factors and improve your website rankings to support your greater goal.   If you have the time, go for it.  Just be aware that there is a lot of misleading information out there.

A word of caution… any technique that seems to be the “Holy Grail” of SEO is likely to either:

1. Be completely ineffective and waste of time & money, or…
2. Get your site penalized by search engines.

Everyone has encountered that situation or opportunity that seemed too good to be true.  Well, the same principle applies to search engine optimization.  So, before you go cutting off your toes with your SEO, get yourself educated.  Your website is part of your online business.  It is an investment in your business.  Invest in some good SEO so your website can do the job it is meant to do!

If you need to hire a professional SEO provider and don’t know where to start I recommend reading this article on 13 Questions to Ask an SEO Consultant.  It’s a good one!

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…

I work with skilled and professional service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.

I am different from other custom built website providers because I bring a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.

In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.

If any of this speaks to you and your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

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Do you spend a lot of time checking your email? Does it seem like your blog consumes your life? Daily Blog Tips recently posted an article, Interview: 12 Top Online Entrepreneurs Share How Hard They Work, which shares some insights about how online entrepreneurs spend their days.

Just as there is no one route to success, they do not all approach things the same way. Some of them check their email all day long, others block out a couple hours of a day to address emails. The same goes for scheduling too. Some entrepreneurs have a fixed routine; others handle things as they happen.

The author assembled a fantastic group of interviewees such as Darren Rowse, Rand Fishkin, Aaron Wall and more. These men are at the top of the online marketing field and the interview is worth reading for their diverse – and interesting – responses. If you want to learn from some of the world’s top online entrepreneurs, this article is mandatory reading.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages works with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition. I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project. In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action. If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Many people have a list of reasons why they should not pursue their entrepreneurial dream. However, what most people don’t know is that many of these reasons are based on common misconceptions. In 9 Common Myths About Entrepreneurs author Gary G. offers hope for those who might be afraid they’re not cut out to be an entrepreneur.

Whether you are worried about not having enough money, timing, or not knowing the right people, the author tackles all these subjects and more. There is no perfect combination for success. Just because popular entrepreneurs may have had similar things in common, it doesn’t mean that these things are a prerequisite for success. For example, having a large start-up fund is helpful, but many people have started with nothing and built their business up to the point where they became profitable.

Starting a new business in an intimidating venture, but it is even scarier if you approach it with a “can’t do” attitude. Gary G. offers solid reasons why you can be an entrepreneur. Not everyone who starts a business succeeds, but the ones who never get started don’t have a chance at all.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages works with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action. If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

David Meerman Scott, a renowned speaker and author of the #1 bestselling book The New Rules of Marketing & PR, recently posted an inspiring article titled Transforming your business and yourself in 2011 at Web Ink Now.

Very few us of have just one skill or talent that is marketable. Just because you have branded yourself as an expert in a certain field or you’ve tailored your business to a key market, there is always room for expansion. The most successful entrepreneurs in the world all share one common trait; they don’t limit themselves to just one venture.

The article not only encourages readers to try their other talents, but also provides real life examples of people who have done it. From the designer who became a comedy writer to the lawyer who became a full time blogger, Scott’s examples encourage readers to start 2011 by adding new bullet points to their curriculum vitae.

The best example in this article is country music star Billy Dean who has built several different businesses using skills he acquired as a singer/performer. If you want to turn you passion into profits, read David Meerman Scott’s article to help supercharge your ideas.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

You have an idea. You have the skills to make it happen. But, where are you going to get the startup funds to pay for it?

DzineBlog.com has a great article, 10 Tips to Fund Your Start Up Freelance or Internet Business, which is necessary reading for aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are looking for practical advice on how to get money to start your new business, this article gives you ten different ways to make your ambition a reality.

Some people start their new ventures with nothing more than their own savings account. Other aspiring business owners seek out investors who have greater financial means. Whether your goal is a small freelance business or to start your own corporation, the author provides suggestions for finding the right funding as well as tips about the pros and cons of each method.

Money should not be an obstacle to your dreams. The old adage, “Where there’s a will there’s a way” is still true. If you have the talent, the commitment and the ambition, you can find a way to make your goals happen. Read the article for yourself to see how easy bringing your dreams to life can be.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Sometimes there just are not enough hours in the day.  SEO is a full time job. If you are overwhelmed trying to keep up with building links, submitting to directories and/or creating SEO-friendly content for your website then it may be time to consider outsourcing some tasks so that you can focus on what you do best.

Fivver.com

• Fivver is a great place to find people willing to build links and submit your site to directories for only $5. There are also Fivvers who offer content creation for the same price, but it is a good idea to keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Check every Fivver’s Feedback Rating before you commit to hiring them for a job. Fivver is a great resource for simple tasks like link building and directory submissions, but not always the first place you want to go for quality content.

Elance.com

• Elance is a good resource to find qualified content writers and graphic designers at a reasonable price. You can also find CSS experts to help you with WordPress theme difficulties. Elance’s bidding system keeps prices competitive; however you need to thoroughly check out every provider’s feedback and client reviews before hiring them. It is also a good idea to see if they provide any samples of their work before you make a decision.

Freelancer.com

• Formerly GetAFreelancer.com, Freelancer is very similar to Elance. You post your job and service providers have the opportunity to bid on that job. You can also check their ratings, previous feedback as well as look at portfolio samples before you hire them.

You need to assess your budget before you hire a freelancer and compare rates to make sure you are getting a fair price. In the case of writers, it is a good idea to run their work through CopyScape to make sure their content isn’t repurposed from another website. Most freelancers are ethical and provide good work at a reasonable price, but there is always the possibility that you can run into someone that doesn’t play by the rules. Protect your website, and your reputation, by checking out any potential freelancer’s background as much as possible and verifying that the work they provide from you is original.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

The web is constantly evolving. As new trends emerge, what was a great website design a few years ago may not be now. When it comes time to revamp your business’s website, you need to find a designer with the right skills for your business’s needs. All designers have their own strengths and weaknesses. Make a list of what your business’s website goals and needs are before you start the interview process.

Research/Interview Tips

• Any reputable web designer should be able to provide you with at least a half dozen links to websites they’ve created for clients. Visit the sites and see if they all look similar or if they are tailored to the client’s needs. Good designers have a diverse portfolio.
• Don’t just visit the designer’s personal website and decide to hire him or her because you love their website design. Take an overall look at their work. Sometimes designers design better sites for themselves than they do for their clients.
• If SEO is important to your business, then make sure they’re experienced with SEO. Ask them how they can help your SEO and ask them to show you examples of websites they’ve ranked. If your business depends on local customers, make sure they have local SEO knowledge.
• If you need something specific, like a “Request a Quote” form, verify that the designer has experience creating forms. The same things applies if you want or need an eCommerce site.
• Check for contact information on the designer’s portfolio sites. Contact the small business owner, or whoever worked directly with the designer, and ask them how the experience went. Satisfied clients will be more than happy to give a recommendation. If someone is hesitant to offer a reference, it may be a bad sign.
• Ask them if they have a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn profiles are great because you can quickly see how many, or how few, recommendations they have.

Finding the right web designer for your business’s website requires time and patience. You may have to interview several designers before you find the right one. However, your business’s website is the linchpin of your online marketing strategy; it’s worth investing your time to insure that you’re putting it in good hands.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Whether you are starting a new website or modifying an existing one, picking the right WordPress theme is an important decision. There are dozens of existing themes to choose from if you can’t have one custom designed. WordPress offers many free themes and other websites sell reasonably priced premium themes.

SEO Functionality

• Some themes are designed to be visually stunning while others combine both aesthetics and good SEO. An SEO-friendly theme is one that is easy to update with meta tags, header tags, descriptions and other key elements that search engines look for. The best way to find an SEO-friendly theme is to include “SEO” in your search criteria.

Sponsored Themes

• Many themes, especially free ones, are sponsored themes. You can use the theme, even modify it, as long as you do not remove the links the creator has put in the footer. You may want to consider if the link(s) on a free theme will detract from the design of your website or make it seem less professional.

Support

• Free WordPress themes rarely offer support. Premium themes from sites like WooThemes or iThemes often feature tutorials, forums and email support. If you are managing your own website, the availability of support makes a premium theme a wise investment.

Popularity

• Check how often the theme has been downloaded. Not everyone who downloads a theme will ultimately use it, but the number gives you an idea of how popular the theme is. Avoid themes that have hundreds of downloads unless you have the resources to heavily customize it and make your site unique.

Suitability

• Does the theme suit your tastes? While functionality is important, choosing a theme that doesn’t appeal to you just because it has extra features will ultimately make you unhappy. Try to find a theme that has the best combination of the right look and features. You can always have someone customize the code later if you need additional functionality the theme does not support.

You don’t always want to go with the first WordPress theme that catches your eye. There are many things to consider during the selection process. Take your time and weigh the pros and cons of each theme you find to make sure your website will ultimately convey the impression you want and have the features you need.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Your online brand is important. You need to keep track of what people are saying about you online. Reputation monitoring is crucial to your success. Reputation monitoring involves keeping track of not only what appears in search engines, but what people say about you on social media and other networking sites as well.

Why Reputation Monitoring is Important

• In the early days of the World Wide Web, businesses only had to contend with direct feedback on their website. Blogs and other user-input sites were not as prominent, so the results generated by search engines were normally positive. Most results simply pointed to the businesses in question.

• As the popularity of interactive and personal sites grew, the ability to manage what internet users see after conducting a search became more difficult. The growth of personal blogs and websites encouraging user participation now gives consumers a broader medium to express their opinions.

What Sites Do I Need to Monitor?

• The easiest way to start managing the reputation of your site is to set up Google Alerts with your business name, blog name, and personal name. You will receive daily emails letting you know if anything referring to you has been published. You’ll receive information about traditional websites, Wiki updates, blog posts, directory submissions and more.

• Knowing what is being said about you and your website will not only show how you are perceived in public, but it allows you to take swift action if you need to engage in public relations to defend your reputation.

• If someone is posting about you on a forum, you’ll have the opportunity to publicly address that person’s complaints. If people are bashing you on high-ranking blogs, you need to create a lot of positive new content and promote it heavily to help push the negative search results off the critical first two search result pages.

Reputation monitoring gives you the capability to improve your relationships while learning more about your potential market and the products and services they are looking for. It is a proactive approach that will help prevent major headaches in the future.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with service based business owners who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.