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3. Limit Login Attempt
In section 1 of these of series, I mentioned that one of the way hackers highjack your website is by trying multiple combination on your website, although they use the assistance of bots in accomplishing this. But there is one way to limit and frustrate those hackers – by limiting the number of attempt on your website – this approach leads to frustration on the side of hacker, because it don’t allow them to try multiple combination at a go.
Install Login LockDown Plugin from WordPress Repository. Configure the setting and you are good to go.
Also please ensure you set the max attempt tries to 3. This will provide allowance in case you make any mistake during login.

Just as promised, Class no 2 has been added to the original post. It talks about the importance of Website Backup in regard to security, Deciding on backup strategy and how to implement such strategy in WordPress.

If you have any question, just drop it in the reply box.

Thanks

Introduction

The blog post is brought to you by WPDev – a WordPress Support and Web Development Service for Nigeria Entrepreneurs. http://wpdev.com.ng


Without doubt, WordPress is one of the most popular CMS and statistic has it that WordPress Powers over 26.4% of the Websites in the World as of March 2016. In my years of running a web development company, WordPress has been a helpful technology in building website and developing complex web application (by leveraging its API functions)

This popularity is due to its simplicity and open source nature – and this doesn’t come without its flaw – management and security issue. Due to its open source license, it has attracted different kind of people – from non tech savvy, web designer, internet entrepreneurs, web developers and hackers. This therefore make WordPress a two edged sword – opportunity and harm. Many have leveraged WordPress to build successful businesses, at the same time making WordPress number 1 target for hackers.

In online business, security of your site web presence is paramount. Therefore for the next few days, I will be running a series here on Nairaland, showing you steps by steps approach in keeping your WordPress website safe and secured.

Let get started:

1. Unique Username and Password

Let begin with the simplest one, before proceeding to the complex options. From my observation, one of the principal reasons why WordPress Site is hacked is because of poor username and weak password. Avoid using the default Wordpress Username: admin or any guessable username.

Basically the first step in keeping your site safe is avoiding the use of username like admin, administrator, site name or your author name. Many people don’t know that one of the principal method that hackers uses to gain access to the site is by trying different guessable username combination such admin, site name and other visible data such as post author etc.

Try and avoid this by using a unique username that is not easily guessable and if possible add some symbol to your username.
Note: if you have already using a username that is guessable – install the WordPress Plugin called Username Changer from WordPress Repository and change your username.

In creating a password, please ensure that your password is strong, there are some many free web tools that can help you create strong password. Basically a strong password should be made up of lowercase letter, uppercase, symbol and number. A combination of these four will make it very hard for any hacker to guess. For instance, you want to use “collin123” as your password. You can change this to something like: @COlliN_123.

From the above, the first is guessable collin123 (the Collin could be your name) but the second is not easily guessable.

Final Tips: In closing – I normally advise my clients to ensure they change their password every 3 months or 6 months depending on their choice. Many people think or believe that security is a onetime thing; no it is a continuous process.
Please also avoid using the same password for your social media and your important login such as email, payment gateway or website. This is because, if your social media accounts are hacked, then it means that any other platforms sharing the same password are vulnerable.

NB: Try and form a pattern of generating strong password and use that pattern to create password for different account – This method will help you remember your various password.

2. Website Backup
Many internet entrepreneurs fail to put a quality backup system in place. Backup is a paramount step in protecting your website. No matter the security measure you implement, putting a backup system in place is essential. It is more like staying one step ahead, because you never may know what will happen.

Last year, 2016, many of my clients, contacted me and asking for my help in regard to their site loss due to WhogoHost server failure. Luckily for them, I keep a backup of their sites but unfortunately for them – there was no way to recover their content. This meant that they had to start over again in creating content.

Yes, I partial blame WhogoHost because they are have in been in the business for a long time and should understands the unreliable nature of servers and at the same time should have create a backup – in their side – it was not professional.

Also I also blame the website owners – backing up your website is your responsibility and should be considers as part of your internet activity. Even the giant cloud hosting provider – Amazon AWS experience server failure. It means you shouldn’t rely on your host to backup your website expect they agreed to provide a premium backup service.

In order to appreciate the important of backup as a business owner, let put on our business cap.
Let’s assume you run an online business which you promote through your blog – by producing contents for your targeted customers and then something happens and your site is gone maybe due to server crash.

Assuming you have 150 blog posts that cost you N700 to produce (even if it is free, your time has a monetary equivalent)
1. 150 x 700 = N105,000 (or time equivalent)
2. Website Design and Other Theme and Plugin = N70,000 – 100,000
3. Search Engine Traffic will be lost
4. New Customers Lost.
5. Other Miscellaneous business expenses

Imagine the above listed items and what it means to your business. This means that your backup strategy is as important as your marketing strategy.

Now, how do I implement backup Strategy in my WordPress Site

Before you decide on the strategy. There are basically two type of backup:
1. Database backup
2. Full Site – WP-Content and Database

Your backup strategy should be based on two things
1. Publishing Calendar: How often does your site change
2. Nature of Content

Publishing Calendar
If you are freelancer that sells your service through your blog post and you publish 1 post per week – then your strategy shouldn’t be daily but weekly backup, but for news site that publish daily, then your backup plan should be a daily plan.

Nature of Content
The nature of your content will determine nature of backup – if run a blog and your content is mostly text and no image. Then database backup will be ok for you, but I will advise you to implement the full backup because it is now a norm in the blogsphere and among content marketers that relevant images enhance the impact of your blog post.
To setup backup in WordPress, there are free and paid plugin that can help you achieve that. These plugins can backup your site to your Dropbox, Amazon s3 or Google Drive. They are as follow:

1. UpdraftPlus
2. BackupWP
3. BackupWordPress
4. BackupBuddy (Paid)
5. VaultPress (Paid)

This Series will continue Tomorrow: 05-July 2017.
In the meantime, if you have any question, kindly ask.

I am sure you consider the effect across the past black friday across most eCommerce sites. But what makes this black friday special : it is due to lots of discounts offered on that day. Do you know you can create your own black friday by use of coupon


The fourth series has been updated
http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-discount-coupon/

Do you know that 90% of all buying decision is based on emotion (subconsciously) and upsell allows you to tap into the same emotions that triggered the first purchase decision in order to sell more thereby boosting your revenue per customer

You can learn more in the third series of Boost Sales Series: Upsell Technique
http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-upsell-technique/

The second series in the boost sales series has been updated. You must have heard there is power in number, read to see how it apply to product sales
http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-inventory-spread/

The post in the series has been updated...Tweaking your product name..Do you know that 8 of 10 people will see your product name while only 2 of 10 will check your product out. The only way to change that is to tweak your product name in order to engage your reader.

Here is the URL: http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-tweak-your-product-name/

CHEERS

Every business is at the mercy of generating sales. Many people shy away from this because they perceive it as evil and disturbing but it doesn't have to be so:

Here is a tutorial series that will start tomorrow, it will show you simple hack to use in promoting your post:

Series URL: http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/ways-to-sell-more-online/
Download the First Edition ebook: 10 Ways to Boost Online Sales https://sproutsale.com (wait for 5 sec for the free offer to pop out)

The Content of the Series

Headline [updated]:http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-tweak-your-product-name/
More Inventory Spread [updated] http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-inventory-spread/
Upsell Technique [updated] http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-upsell-technique/
Discount Coupon [updated] http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/12/boost-sales-series-discount-coupon/
SEO
Product Description Tweak
Product Review
Mobile Responsiveness
Data Analytic
Unique Product
Social Discount
Guest Blogging
Affiliate
Blogging
Email Marketing
Social Conversation
Low Price with Upsell
Sales Recovery
Provide Trust & Safety
Controversial Post

Every profitable internet venture has a product or service rendered through its platform. I believe failure to adhere to this simple principle, is the principal reason why most Nigeria bloggers has failed to earn a decent income from their blog because they depend on on advert. Many people believe in advertisement is a profitable business model but this has been proven wrong again and again.

http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/11/advertisement-business-model/ highlight the danger of depending on advertisement for niche blog.

Although using advert placement as a business model may work for a news or gist blogs but not effective model for niche blog. Although it can serve as a profitable market research tool for niche blogs in discovering product ideas.

Without doubt, creating and promoting of content is not enough. You need to setup a business behind your blog and use the content to build your audience and in turn market to the audience leveraging the trust they have for your expertise.

Challenges of Selling Online in Nigeria

The typical journey of an information marketers in Nigeria can be stressful due to the stress attached to selling online such as product storage, file delivery, payment confirmation and lot more, but recently the reverse is the case due to the advancement of technology in Nigeria.

Sproutsale https://sproutsale.com/ a shopping cart solution for digital marketers in Nigeria which provide secured product storage, masked product delivery, epayment, sell international, discount, social selling, invoice, affiliate and much more.

Sproutsale in it drive to encourage is eCommerce in Nigeria among individual internet entrepreneurs will be giving away offer worth N97,500 in form of free 30 Days Subscription of their basic plan to 150 serious entrepreneurs

For more details Read:http://blog.sproutsale.com/150-sproutsale-promo/

radragan:
I've looked at the site, and I'm interested. Are you the founder/creator of Sprout Sale?

Yes, I am. I thank you for your review and your interest. You can signup for the service at https://sproutsale.com/auth/signup
The pricing is available at https://sproutsale.com/help/pricing

Since our 150 customers promo is still on. You are qualified for 1 free month subscription. After signup, just contact me at hello@sproutsale.com or sproutsale@gmail.com to activate the free offer for you.

Mark
Sproutsale

You can now sell your digital products in Nigeria and abroad using SproutSale shopping cart software. It handle product storage, product delivery, epayment, discount coupons, social sell, affiliates and much more

The url is https://sproutsale.com

It is very cheap and affordable. With unlimited bandwidth and sales per month all for 650 naira.

Here is post that talk more on it: [url] http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/11/how-to-sell-digital-product-in-nigeria/[/url]

I totally agree with article but I prefer your number 1 (Selling Digital Product) and number 4 - Affiliate marketing: This is due to the leverage advantage attached to these two form of online money generation stratgey - create one and sell as many time as possible. The true secret of wealth is leveraging your self via a product. musician leverage their music via cds, developers via software, writers via book and articles.

I have noticed that to implement this two model are hard due to lack of software - like shopping cart that is tailored to Nigeria audience. Most shopping cart software like e-junkie, dpd, samcart and many other are tailored to US market. But here is a simple & affordable shopping cart called [url]sproutsale.com[/url] that provide secured storage, masked file delivery, customer invoice, social selling, discount coupon, building your affiliate and many more.

https://sproutsale.com/

Nice and a well detailed post. I agree totally with you on the fact of having a digital product to sell. The most important fact is building a product and using your blog or content to promote the product - more like writing on the problem that the digital product solves. It is a very important key that most top blogger all over the world are using - they have digital product that they are selling either an ebook, software, video or anything.

I believe Nigerians should learn from this: use a blog as marketing channel and the product as the business: There are two post that throw more light on this:
http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/10/rethinking-blog-business-model/

http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/10/making-money-online-myth-or-reality/

I have also noticed that selling digital product online especially in Nigeria is a huge pain. This is because lack of software such as shopping cart. But of recent, there are software available - a shopping cart that Nigerians can use to sell online.
It is Sproutsale https://sproutsale.com

This platform allows you to host your file, it handles payment, secured file delivery to customers, discount, affiliate, auto generated invoice to customers, social share and many more.

It is affordable by every Nigerian.
Once again, @Fertilenigeria. Your post is awesome

Most Nigerians believe that making money online in Nigeria is an illusion, but I wouldn't blame them for this, considering their past experiences of trying various money making strategies that self acclaimed guru propose.
The simple truth is that making money online is a reality and different not from the strategy of making money offline. I explain this strategy in two simple concepts:

1.Value creation/leverage
2. Value Distribution

This two key is the basic key to wealth generation through the internet

Here is a post that explain this concept plus a clear perspective of what the internet is really - this perspective is needed for any individuals that want to make a living from the internet.

http://blog.sproutsale.com/2015/10/making-money-online-myth-or-reality/

Drop your opinions below...thanks

nice listing but I recommend this

this will help

bnbmart sell and buy new and used items online with safety and guarantee

This will help you with free epayment

Jeffy1206:
Available Brands are:

THL
DOOGEE SMARTPHONES
GIONEE
CUBE
Power Banks and many more...

All this will be available at ( Naija Made prices unbeatable services).

nice listing, list it on this

oluwashegunfunm:
Pocketprice ltd dealers IN laptops and all electrical gadgets brings to you
40 pieces OF hp elitebook 6930p

THIS LAPTOPS LOOKS LIKE NEW

Description:
hdd 160gig
2 GB RAM
2.5GHZ
webcam
wireless
Bluetooth
BATTERY 2HRS WORKING
DVD SUPER DRIVE
finger print scanner
feel free to come to our office.
shop 24 army barracks oshodi..
lagos
add us on bbm to get our latest offe pocket price 33301C5A
PHONE NUMBER 08177524021

this will help you reach more seller

Check this oout

I think this site will help out

Good day nairalander, today I will be guiding on how to sell your used and new items online. I am sure everybody has something to sell irrespective of your status and class in the society.
Basically, there are two basic online service that enable Nigerians to sell online in Nigeria, and they are

1. OLX
2. BNBMART.COM

I am sure you must have heard any of these services before, but the fact is that bnbmart is more robust that olx.com since olx is just a classified ads site.
I am going to highlight the features of both service and leave you to choose the one that best suit your need.

1. OLX
Basically, olx is a classified ad site – in other words, it is where people post advert for certain item or service. In the case of olx – they includes items like phone, laptop, real estate, car etc.
To understand how olx actually work, just picture it as a newspaper section with ads. And each ad points to a mean of getting what is advertised.
Although, it offer feature such as allowing prospective buyers to email you through their service. That is, but it is still a good way to reach people

2. BNBMART.COM
This is a peer 2 peer trading platform; it is more like ebay but with more features to enhance the safety of its users. BnBMart not only allow you to add listing just as olx but it gives the opportunity to negotiate with prospective buyers online, accept payment online and on the Go. Set a buy now price, internal communication system to communicate with buyers
Also, it helps protect its sellers from fraud through their fraud spam report system. For those of you like me that hate to sell, you will love this one: it actively promote your product through their social media campaign and email marketing. This mean you have the opportunity of reaching more prospective sellers.

The last time, I check they offer 14 days free front featured on their front page.
Let me hear your opinion, what do you think?

Nice listing, but let me give a tips that can help you sell this product fast. You can consider adding your listing to or bnbmart.com but i will advise that you use bnbmart.com since bnbmart offer more flexibility such as online instant payment, security plus they help market your product online.

So check it out

bnbmart.com

cheers

Just came across another idea why most nigerian based bloggers fail to make money from their blog and that is lack of business approach. How you view a blog determine the approach and your approach determine your result at the end of the day

More point please

An intro to a blog series titled “3 days to boosting your blog’s income” said that the principal reason why most bloggers fail to make a full time money from their blog is due to wrong strategy or business model (as the author refer it to as)

The author asked a question: which I believe is certain: Are you a blogger or publisher? He highlighted most bloggers fail to succeed because many use the publisher’s model instead of the entrepreneurial model

Although it was an intro article to the main post series, but it was rich and enlightening. I will like to hear your opinion on the same topic

Here is the link to the post http://blog.beepbay.com/boost-blog-income/