SiteBeat: January 2014
Welcome to 2014! The staff at HEROweb hopes you had a happy and prosperous holiday season.
In 2013, HEROweb completed two key objectives: developing the MightyMerchant mobile platform and rolling out our responsive design framework.
2014 promises to be an exciting year as we focus on refining many of the existing features of MightyMerchant and giving the Site Manager a much-needed facelift.
The Internet sea continues to present site owners with fast-changing waters that require skill, knowledge, and tenacity to navigate successfully.
We look forward to continuing with you on this exciting voyage in the year ahead.
In This Issue
Google's Decision to Encrypt Data is a Game Changer
Google has changed the way keyword data is collected in Analytics and you will now face a real challenge in analyzing the organic search traffic that comes to your site from searches on Google.
In a nutshell, Google has made all searches done on the Google search engine default to "secure search" which is supposed to protect the privacy of the searcher. Although protecting the privacy of users is a positive, the end result is that you will no longer be able to track the search terms that users type into Google to get to your site. From a marketers perspective, this is a big negative.
To learn more about secure searches in Analytics and to get some tips on how to work around this lost data, check out our article on what to do with (not provided) in Analytics.
Introduction to the Redactor Text Editor
During 2013, HEROweb has integrated a new text editor, called Redactor, into the MightyMerchant Site Manager.
In making this change, we have seen an interesting phenomenon: new customers have loved the new editor; however, some existing customers have had challenges with making the transition from the previous editor and adjusting some of the methods they have developed. Based on customer feedback, we have done fine-tuning over the past several months to address some key issues that customers have reported.
We feel confident that once you use Redactor, you will appreciate its elegance and ease of use.
We have written up a short article that dives a little deeper into several features Redactor has to offer as well as provides a few tips and shortcuts to get your editing your site faster and more efficiently. Check out our article on Using The New Redactor Editor
Handling Fraudulent Orders
We've emphasized many times over the years how important it is that site owners remain vigilant in scrutinizing orders for signs of fraud. The recent major security breach at Target reminds us that air-tight security is a formidable challenge. Our advice at HEROweb has always been to stick to a three step process when it comes to preventing, and handling, suspicious orders.
- Prevention - The first and probably most important step is to take precautionary measures to prevent fraud in the first place. Use a secure server during checkout, have your orders processed by a real-time credit card gateway, and post warnings on your site that let potential scammers know you use anti-fraud procedures so that they know you will not be an easy target.
- Scrutiny - Even with good preventative measures, some smart scammers may find a way around the system. It is up to you to notice any red flags from an order, for example if the shipping address doesn't match the mailing address, the ip address is from a different country than either address,or if it is an unusually large order from a first time customer. Any of these could be potential signs of a fraudulent order.
- Follow-up - If you suspect someone has placed a fraudulent order, do some follow-up work to try and confirm your suspicion. Look up the persons phone number and see if it matches the name they've given. You can even Google the person, in the modern era of social media odds are pretty good you can at least find out if this person exists and lives where they say they do. Follow up with an email or phone call and let them know you take security seriously and are just confirming the order they placed on your site.
Sadly, internet fraud is a very real problem for many online businesses. However, with good preventative measures, and diligent scrutiny, you can protect yourself and your business from scammers. For more tips and detailed steps check out our video: HEROweb's tips on fraud prevention and read our article with more in-depth steps to avoid fraud.
Welcoming New Sites
December saw the launch of two new sites in the HEROweb family, as well as one stylish redesign
www.shavershop.com is a family-owned business specializing in shaving equipment and accessories. They not only sell a huge variety of shaving products on their site, they are also a high quality repair and sharpening service. This site utilizes our responsive design, ensuring the site looks just as slick on smartphones and tablets as it does on a desktop.
www.heritageseedlings.com is a wholesale provider of deciduous trees and shrubs, with an amazing selection of over 500 different varieties. They have a strong commitment to promoting responsibility and stewardship of natural resources. Their website features MightyMerchant's faceted search as a quick and easy way to sort through their huge selection of plants.
www.segalranch.com is a family hop farm that provides high quality, unique hops to craft brewers. The site is an information focused site featuring many unique navigation styles to keep the design streamlined.
