How Secure is the New WordPress Version 4.2.4 ?

Good news for all the WordPress Users: Version 4.2.4 – security and maintenance update is here! WordPress developers were recently provided with the latest version released for reliable web development solutions. Being security and maintenance specific, this update is expected to patch the security loopholes left by earlier version. It mainly focuses on 6 major issues including XXS (3 cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, SQL injection flaws and other bug fixes.

Four from the list of six new fixes allows developers to cover-up the security loopholes that may lead hackers to compromise WordPress website.

Why WordPress Released the New Version Few Days after the Earlier Version?

It is clear from the list of fixes offered with this version that the earlier WordPress version, though being a security update, was left with few issues that affected WordPress websites on the whole.

The earlier update contained 2 issues and 20 bug fixes from the previous update i.e. 4.2.2. But still developers had a great challenge to develop a WordPress websites that can keep hackers away. The safety breaches in this version were so severe that attackers can easily edit any post.

What Benefits will WP 4.2.4 Offer?

• No more SQL injection vulnerability.
• Attackers now cannot modify any posts.
• WordPress websites and CMS would be having security-first approach.
• WP users can avail excellent security and maintenance services.
• Reduced cross-site scripting vulnerability.
• Service providers can help WP engine customers by patching the update on customer websites.
• Bitnami WordPress users get automatic version update.

With WordPress 4.2.4 version update, website owners can sit back and rest as major security issues met earlier are now fixed. Professional developers can now lock the posts and avoid hackers to add or modify the WP website. So, for all WP users, it is time to update the WP version to avoid all security vulnerabilities making your website safe and secure.

Entrepreneur’s Attitude BUILD or RUIN Enterprise

Do you think it’s the business owner who is responsible for success and downfalls? Some might be thinking that not only his/her attitude but other factors too work upon that. I agree, but 90% of the result is due to an entrepreneur's attitude and dedication towards the work. Competitors might be succeeding and your business might be running at a low speed. Why is it happening? Is it because, you are lacking some qualities? Should your attitude be blamed? Is it taking your business to a dead end? Analyze yourself prior to analyzing your system and staff.

Right from the day an idea strikes an entrepreneur's’ mind, the work starts. Briefing the idea, creating strategies and gathering funds is what the initial steps should be. You can only get it right with the right attitude.

Let us see what those crucial factors are that affect the business severely!

Dissatisfaction

Dissatisfied entrepreneurs always tries to achieve great heights in their business. The dissatisfaction in the mind makes them stronger to gear up themselves towards new peaks. It is the attitude that makes their roadmap to success easy and fruitful. But if the dissatisfaction is affected by other factors like the employee behavior, workflow or any other aspect, it might even dismantle the created empire.

Dedication

“Dedication is the key to success”. This is an ancient belief that helps entrepreneurs to build and grow their business. Business owners must know their startup business needs and they must be highly dedicated to accept challenges no matter how difficult it would be. If they are not prepared for the worst case scenario, they cannot prepare themselves to defeat the competitors, which would result in a failure. A thorough analysis of the situation will give them the right envision that will help them formulate an unbeatable business solution.

Confidence

Confidence can make anything possible. It can take an enterprise to new heights. Overconfidence may block the success path. Entrepreneurs seeking success need to make mistakes, learn from the situations and gain experience. This way they could build the confidence to manage the functioning of the enterprise. The crucial decisions taken by the entrepreneurs are not 100% correct every time; it is possible that the result might be unexpected or undesirable. Confidence more than required brings disasters too.

Behavior

Every employee expects a professional yet friendly behavior from his/her boss, trust me, it’s their secret desire! The entrepreneurs need to be very smart to understand the situation and react accordingly. Taking employees’ psychology seriously, a strong and reliable company culture can be created to make the work atmosphere inspiring. If the entrepreneur behavior and attitude is unpleasant, chances are that you might lose valuable customers or your loyal employees might even transit from your enterprise.

Optimism

Optimism refers to being positive. Every entrepreneur, be it an owner of a small startup or a big company, is expected to have optimistic attitude. This will make them better entrepreneurs having thorough business insights. Practicing optimism will help the business owners to take the right decisions once they analyze the situation completely and implement it at the right time span. There might be situation where just a single small mistake would affect the business severely. Thus, an optimistic entrepreneur never differentiate any situation as weak or strong, they believe in making the solution strong that can beat the challenges with best returns.

I hope this article will help millions of entrepreneurs, who are either thinking to venture into the business or the ones who are in search of some guidance to grow their business. To all those, I would like to conclude with the sentence “It’s the attitude that can build and can terminate too!”

Is Personalized Shopping Forthcoming Generation Trend?

“Online shopping” are the words that can excite millions of users as well as scare many. As we all know there are pros and cons of every aspect and so is the case with eCommerce applications. But, in this case the myriad of benefits overshadow comes its scary side. Majority of the world’s population, surrounded by technology all the time, uses smart ways to live life. Online shopping is a smart way to spend money as per their desires, they believe! They are absolutely correct. Modern age shopaholics refer to eCommerce website for product quality and price. They can get better deal for the products as compared to brick and mortar shops.

They get better deal, better price, superfine quality and home delivery. Don’t you think these benefits are enough for one who wishes to buy a product from another country? Well, we all are aware of the scenario in which eCommerce web solutions are replacing bricks and mortar stores gradually.

Personalized Shopping Experience is New eCommerce Tactic!

Getting personalized shopping experience is what every shopper expects from eCommerce giants. Getting too personal with the customers will definitely annoy them. Online stores track customer’s browsing history and sell crucial customer data to the third party. They make the worst use of it by annoying the customers to a great extent.

Buyer like getting store discounts, real-time deals, complimentary items, compare price of the products prior to adding it to their shopping cart. Around 60% of the customers like personalized shopping but majority of them hates getting too personal. But, this percentage ratio may vary for different countries.

Customers avoid visiting online stores tracking their locations, feedbacks for their personal choices. They can even believe to what the store tells not to buy, due to some reasons. For instance an online medical store owner may ask their customers to avoid some drugs that may harm their health and the millennial do consider this as personalized suggestion. They are recommended the items that suit their taste, budget and are beneficial.

Is Personalized Approach Better than Generalized?

Well, if we start comparing both the approaches, we would find more reasons why companies are getting personalized. They use emails to send customers, who are specific about the deals, discounts or recommendation.

Who would not like the attention? Modern eCommerce business marketer uses this fact to improve business strategies. For all the attention seeker online buyers, personalized approach boosts their shopping experiences.

Whereas, this might not be the case with generalized shopping experience where store owners treat every customer equally. They use a generalized marketing strategy that might not work well in the eCommerce era where getting personal means more business!

Verdicts

Personalized shopping experience can be the next eCommerce trend that is set to change the online shopping phase completely. Buyer’s choice and affordability would be the most crucial aspects, eCommerce marketers need to focus in near future.

Tips to Block Hackers Accessing your Online Store!

“Hacking” is the malpractice that the entire world of eCommerce field is scared of. The biggest shopping destination i.e. online market is in the need of reliable security standards to avoid frauds and offensive practices affecting eCommerce websites’ rep. Online shopping trend was developed due to the ease and efficiency offered by online stores to the shopping process. But what if, they are “hacked”? What about all the crucial details of the customers stored in the website database?

Hackers do not care whether it is an eCommerce websites or a blogging site while stealing essential and sensitive details like customer and business data. Ecommerce web solution providers need to take extra care of the security standards infused in the website.

Protecting eCommerce website is smartness more than an art! I have listed few tips that would help saving the website getting hacked or fraud.

Avoid Saving Unnecessary Data

All eCommerce website would ask for sensitive credit/debit card details while a customer makes the payment in the checkout process, but not all of them save all the details received from the customers. It is better not to save the details that are not required whenever a customer returns to the store. Details like expiry date of the credit/debit card, registered name, CVV number etc. must not be stored.

Saving the unnecessary customer data that is not required is strictly prohibited by PCI standards. It might be inconvenient for the customers, as they need to repeat the data filling process. Explain them the reason of not saving their data. Saving crucial details increases the chances of data theft. “If you don’t have any secrets within you, no can reveal it even”!

Test Your Online Store

Ecommerce websites are required to test their security standards on a regular basis. It is one of the most crucial prerequisites of a successful ecommerce website. This will keep the hackers away by making your web store highly secure. It is important for online stores to adhere to PCI DSS compliance prior to initiate retailing.

There are possibilities that modern hackers might have infused vulnerability through advertisements or third party content. Consult ethical hacker to check the website and identify harmful elements, if any. Integrate security apps in your online store that helps scanning and identifying malfunctioning of the web store that might harm customer’s essential details.

Use a Secure eCommerce Platform

Ecommerce platform, used for the online identity of your business, is very crucial. Today, the trend of using open source eCommerce platforms is ignited by the web development companies. But, professional developers need to consider the intense requirements of the eCommerce website and choose the development platform accordingly.

Magento is the leading eCommerce development platform used by millions of web developers around the world. It can easily be configured with the SSL. This platform is highly secure and takes care of various factors affecting the security of the website.

Upgrade the System

Keeping the system up-to-date is the best method to keep the system away from becoming a victim to cyber-theft . As soon as the updated version is released, web development companies ensure the eCommerce websites get upgraded for better performance. Online stores using the latest version of the web development platform, reduce the risk of developing security loopholes. No matter which platform you choose, it needs to be regularly updated!

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) of the eCommerce website reduces the hacking risk. Thus, its upgradation is mandatory for discarding the hacking possibilities.

Encrypt the Website Data

It is significant to clear up or encrypt all the communication done through eCommerce website as hackers might get the crucial details from the transaction related communication. Of course no one would like their conversations getting public. Emails, chat or any other communicational means should be encrypted to maintain privacy.

Even the passwords prior to storing in the database should undergo the encryption process. Encrypt the hard disk of the system to avoid the data loss when the storage devices are misplaced or stolen.

Train Your Employees and Customers

Being an eCommerce business owner, educating your employees and your customers is the best practice to save your online store from security malpractices. Train your employees for the worst situation that can happen along with the security measures that saves user data. Make your customers aware about various possible methods used by hackers to capture intense details like credit card details, passwords etc. and save them from becoming cyber victims. Teach them to differentiate a suspicious behavior against the friendly one.

Incorporate security laws and policies to avoid the situations such as website being hacked or data being affected through unauthorized factors.

Modern customers consider cyber security as the highest priority in the eCommerce websites. Online stores lacking security standards aren’t considered reliable. No online business owner would get happy if his business revenue generation is affected due to insecure online system and cyber theft. A robust security ecosystem can save online store owners by increasing their store popularity over the internet!

Analyze your Website: Is it Modernized?

Remember: “Website represents business to the internet users!” This sentence is no more just a belief, but a reality. There are several businesses that totally depend on their website and online customers. eCommerce websites is the biggest example that proves online business website is as crucial as bricks and mortar store. The changing world aims to make internet as their prime requirement after food and shelter.

Internet users are coming across several types of websites active over World Wide Web. These websites are said to be modern not because it is packed with attractive images and creative fonts, but because they contain all the latest features and functionalities simplifying users’ requirements.

What it takes to Modern Website Design?

Enticing Appearance

You can make your website design highly attractive and this is one of the crucial must have factors for your website. Does that mean you need to consider website design trends of 2015? Of course, considering on the latest design trends will offer your website an astounding and unmatched look and feel.

Today’s website needs to be responsive by nature. This is the ultimate requirement for the world going mobile. If you’re up to making an excellently attractive website packed with reliable features and enticing visual content and if it does not fit the mobile device screen when accessed through smartphones or tablets, it would be hard for visitors to stay on the website for more time.

It is also advisable to keep the design matching the category of the website. For instance, if you own a music website, infuse the theme with dark color shades and suiting visual elements, the same way if you own a website that retails apparels for females, infusing the theme with eye-catchy colors and attractive theme elements would be the best idea. Well, appearance of the website design is equally important as its speed and performance.

Optimized Content

You might be thinking that the visitors arriving to the website will get attracted towards the website design; it is true, but this does not mean your website content should be dull. To avail great visibility, the content of the website must be optimized. This will help your website get good ranking among popular search engines.

It’s the era where even images used in the website need to be optimized for better visibility. Visual content is the latest trend igniting the website popularity. Giving creative website designer, a reason to innovate with the visual content trend, websites are adapting modernized approach.

Seamless integration

Integration is the term referring to syncing of any module or website element with the website architecture. Easy integration is the must have feature of any modern websites serving across the industry verticals. The need for new modules or features is irrespective of time. You need to develop flexible websites to match the requirement of integration.

Elements of Current Trends that your Website should Contain

Visual Content

“What you see is what you get.” Visualized content, like images with content, video and audio content is trending nowadays. Build websites having visual content and increase its popularity over internet.

Content Management System

Adding or removing content to and from the website is an easy task if the content management system used is packed with latest features and functionalities. Choose the web development platform that offers an excellent CMS solution for simplified content management.

Build a business website that impacts the visitors strongly. Feature-packed attractive website is what will change the forthcoming design trends.

Can Mobile App Marketing Budget Crash your Company Finances?

Mobile apps are the next big thing responsible to bring the revolution after the arrival of smartphone devices in the market. There are many factors liable for success or failure of any mobile app. As internet is getting responsive, mobile apps of businesses are the flexible alternatives to stay connected and updated with the latest happening.

In the era of mobile-first m-commerce store, apps play crucial role in promoting the business. Mobile app marketing budget is one of the factors that affect its performance. Budget has always been a matter of concern for companies, be it a growing enterprise or a heavy-weight empire. A budget of mobile app development also includes pricing plan for branding and marketing strategies created for app promotion. Competing with millions of other apps existing in the market is really a tough task. Either your app needs to be unique and unmatched or your marketing strategy needs to be very powerful to sustain in the completion.

Advertising campaign includes information, like the market to be targeted, budget for the campaign, strategies and more, out of which, budget needs to be designed very intensely as, one mistake can toss the company finances.

Wise marketers often research the market prior to building unbeatable strategies. The next step would include starting the campaign with existing budget, which can later be modified, if required.

10 Big Questions Affecting App Promotion Budget:

1.Do you want your app to be in the top lists of app store?
2.Is your company financially strong to take big risks?
3.Is your team of marketers highly creative?
4.What makes your app stand out in the competition?
5.Is your app technically tested?
6.Do you use social media platform for campaigning ?
7.Is your app highly optimized?
8.Are you planning to promote only on niche app store?
9.Are you dividing the marketing campaign into pre-launch and post-launch strategies?
10.Are you willing to implement video marketing?

It is not always correct that “if you spend more on app promotion you can avail better exposure.” There are several cost-effective tricks that can be used for brand marketing through native apps.

I would place the cost-effective marketing strategies at the top of the list. Thus, by doing this, company’s financial planning won’t be affected severely.

Will Mobile Advertising Join the Race of eCommerce Trends in 2015?

What is Mobile Advertising? It is a term that refers to advertising through mobile or smartphone devices. It is a way of mobile marketing. There are several methods used by top brands for mobile advertising like text messages, promotional ads within the apps, ads within the mobile browsers, image ads, video ads etc. This is the newest marketing trend adopted by the organizations nowadays. By considering the mobile using habits of individuals, mobile advertising has received remarkable response too.

Start a mobile first ad campaign to boost ROI exceptionally. Mobile advertising is expected to join the bandwagon of eCommerce trends 2015. It is the next big thing affecting branding and promotional campaigns conducted by top brands.

Factors Fueling Mobile Advertisement

• Smartphones are being used by every age group of individuals.
• Mobile software upgradations have made mobile devices highly convenient.
• Shopping is done through smartphones.
• Mobile generations are being updated.
• Secure and reliable payment gateways fulfill customer requirements.
• Crucial data are protected.
• Mobile app development companies create and offer exciting apps.
• Mobile hardware manufacturing companies have refined their strategies.
• M-commerce is the future next.

Working Principle of the Mobile Advertisement Process

Not only attractive images and enticing content, mobile marketing has much more to explore. Studying your customer’s likes, requirements, wants, desires etc. can make the mobile marketing campaign much easier.

Let us check what aspects can make the mobile advertisement campaign successful.

• Target right audience only after researching the market.
• Utilize social media to target wider spectrum of the customers.
• Add rich content to make your customers curious and sensitized about the products being promoted.
• Select the correct media channel to market the products or services giving you higher ROI.
• Ads covering the whole screen of the smartphone have more chances to get clicked by the users.
• List out the strategies you would use to build up a brand through mobile advertising.

Branding through mobile ads helps you reach your users easily. Mobile users are increasing at a light speed. Product marketers are paving the way for improving marketing strategies for generating desired ROI.

How to Plan Mobile Ads Marketing Campaign?

Here listed are few ticks to make your mobile ad campaign successful.

• Make the use of mobile browsers effectively as they can be used as the base for featuring mobile ads.
• Use app stores, be it an android, iOS or any other mobile operation system. Every mobile OS will have an app store that is used for downloading and checking the app alternatives. The average time spent for this process by an individual increases exponentially. This, this is the source of getting desired response to the sponsored ads.
• Track the users’ mobile behavior to hit the ads at the right time. Find out when the mobile usage reaches its peak. Plan to display the ads during that specific time to get better output.

2015 is the year that has accepted several new eCommerce trends that are ruling the digital market. Mobile advertising is one of the latest trends that will change the branding process completely.