by Nick Throlson | Jul 14, 2017 | Web Design, Website Security
A Guide for Handling 5 Key Program Interface Development IssuesIntroduction Application Programming Interface, API, is a set of tools, routines, and protocols used to build software applications. It specifies the interaction between software components. You can as well use it to design the elements of GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces). A good API provides all software building blocks. All you have to do is put them together. APIs have become the primary channel used by large services to reach users. These services include Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Google Maps, and Netflix. The APIs handle more users than the front-ends of these online giants. It is no surprise then that by developing your API, you will significantly improve the quality and deliver-ability of your business? services.However, developing APIs can be a daunting task for beginners. This article covers some of the key API development issues you need to keep in mind and how to handle them.Importance of QualityProgram Interface's quality is crucial to the implementer and clients. High-quality APIs require less training, documentation and easily become popular. Additionally, they experience fewer support calls. To the customer, a poor quality API causes high defective rates and longer product development cycle. Fortunately, there are numerous tools you can utilize for to improve you API?s quality. Akamai for developers is one place where you can find the tools which will enhance your API?s usability.1. DesignIt is hard to use an interface that does not conform to the architecture of the applications for which you are building. If the application already depends on a particular API design approach, use the same design to create a new one.The design of most program interfaces uses REST or SOAP approaches. SOAP APIs focuses on remote procedures and process while REST is applicable for resources. If you are developing an API for exposing features and utilizes componentization, REST is the best option. 2. ProtocolsYou need to choose the right protocol for your API.HTTP/HTTPsHypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP/HTTPs, is a protocol used to connect your program interface with web applications and users. If your application is to connect to a browser, you should use HTTP together with XML (Extensible Markup Language) or Hypertext Markup Language data formats to create a GUI. Alternatively, you can use it with JavaScript or JSON, JavaScript Object Notation, on the client devices.TCP and UDPTo separate Web activity and API traffic, you should use User Data Protocol, UDP, or Transmission Control Protocol, TCP, instead of Webport 80. However, this choice comes with firewall limitations which will require specific system configurations to navigate. The settings can expose your APIs to remote access.3. Data FormatsDeciding on the right data format for your API is crucial for proper information exchange and parameter expression. XML is a general data format that you can use in both SOAP and REST design approaches. But it is best for structure less data. For rigidly defined data elements like in RESTful approach, JSON is the best choice. It is easier to use and provides variable types used widely in API development.4. SecuritySecuring your application and its user is a primary concern for developers. When your app is not properly secured, malicious hackers can harm both your business and your clients. They can achieve this by creating a spoof app with malware, compromising your company?s backend network, intercepting sensitive information and much more. To for complete security, you should understand the real threats then secure your API, backend network, and user data. Below is a quick guide on how to achieve these.Understanding ThreatsThe deployment of Program interfaces can be internal or external. Each deployment model has its unique risks. Understanding these threats is necessary for helping you decide on effective security measure to implement. For example, external deployment exposes sensitive data to untrusted developers through the internet. In this case, you should use encryption or Transport Layer security to protect the data while in transit and at rest. Additionally, you should use dynamic and static code tools to test your API for OWASP top vulnerabilities. Also, conduct a periodical audit for abnormal behaviors on your API.API Authorization and AuthenticationThe best tool for securing your API is the Open Authorization, OAuth framework. OAuth.2 provides authorization constraints for mobile apps, desktop and Web applications and even Internet of Things. It achieves this via a 3-legged flow as follows; after a successful user authentication, the authorization server awards the native app an access token and a refresh token. The access token is used to access protected API resources. The refresh token renews the access token. The approach provides continuous user experience by eliminating the need to sign in repeatedly. When the tokens are compromised, you simply use the safety valve to revoke them.For sequential user authentication, you should use OpenID Connect. It comes together with the OAuth standard.Backend Network securityYou need to secure the servers and cloud servers accessed by your own API?s applications and third-party apps. Securing the servers prevents unauthorized access consequently protecting sensitive data. Use database encryption and encrypted connections to secure the network. Encrypted connections include Transport Layer Security, TLS, Secure Socket Layer, SSL and Virtual Private Network, VPN. Storing your documents in encrypted containers, a practice known as containerization, adds extra security. Additionally, you should spread your resources across different server, with separate keys. This measure is known as Federation.Besides these measures, have an internet specialist conduct a regular vulnerability assessment penetration testing of your network to ensure the integrity of your network security.Securing User DataToday most of the user?s data are stored on the local device. Leaky apps can release sensitive user information such as age, location, and device usage behavior. To secure your users, employ file-level encryption, encrypt device databases and eliminate the storage of sensitive information such as credit card details on the local device.- Testing
You probably understand by now that it is important to test your API before releasing it to the market. Unlike many developers, do not focus your test on usability and functionality only. Test your security measures as well. Use device, browser, and operating system emulators to test the behavior of your program interface in a simulated environment.
by Nick Throlson | Jul 6, 2017 | Web Design
What Does It Take to Set up an Online Store? - A ChecklistE-Commerce is the retail wave of the future as more people are opting to spend their money online. You will have more and more competition in the e-commerce world, so it is important that you make sure to have not only a vision for success but an actual e-commerce business plan. Here is a checklist for you to consider when setting up your own e-commerce company: - E-Business Plan Structure
If you were to take a course in e-commerce structure and it?s the basic foundation of an e-business plan, it would include the following elements: Software platform: Many elements of e-commerce are unique to this type of retail selling like how to market inventory and display product features, so you would be wise to choose a platform that specifically is designed for an e-commerce business. Merchant account Understand that there are several types of merchant accounts, so focus on an e-business type of transaction instead of a point of sale one. This means you want to set up something that will process a cardholder not present transaction (CNP) or a mail order/telephone order account (MOTO). Also, ask about all the fees that could possibly be included with each transaction. This may include:- Monthly user fee
- Discount rate fee
- Per transaction fee
- Termination fee
- Extra fees including refund fees
When you choose a merchant account, consider what the needs will be for your e-commerce business in terms of volume of merchandise that you intend to sell as opposed to higher-end products that may sell for more but not in large quantities. This relates to the fees as well. Accounting package: Once again, you need to consider an accounting system that specializes in e-commerce activity. There is an entirely different type of inventory tracking to consider when you have an e-commerce business that needs to be a part of an accounting package. The idea of even trying to do it with a simple accounting software or even manually is an impossible task. As your business grows, the software must be easy to upgrade. Because e-commerce is becoming so popular, there are many software companies that offer these three basic components as an ?all-in-one? package. Many will offer you an online model store that you can use to test out their software. - How Can Your E-Commerce Site Be Unique from all the Rest?
You will have a multitude of e-commerce sites competing with you to entice a consumer to click on their link. Here are some ways you can set your e-commerce business apart from the rest:- Unique Site Design: According to e-commerce web designer John Atkins, your site needs to be convenient and easy to maneuver around as well as pleasing to the consumer?s eye or they will be gone in a matter of minutes. This includes detailed descriptions of each product and a focus on the products themselves and not the quantity of the products that you offer. So, it is vitally important to explore specific online models for e-commerce design. Each item needs to be presented as originally as the next so that the products do not blend one into another and lose their value to the consumer.
- Niche Items: If you offer the same type of products that ten other e-commerce sites offer that are listed right along with you, then you will not stand out at all. But, if you offer several unusual products or services that are hard to find or even only found on your site, it is worth a consumer?s time to click on your site and take a look at them even if they are not intending to buy this item, it will pique their interest to enter your e-commerce site.
- Deals, deals, deals: The name of the game in competition is usually who can offer the best deal for the same product, and many consumers only choose an e-commerce site based on this. So, making sure that you are undercutting the competition without hurting your bottom line probably one of the most important business decisions you can make. Then, you will be known for the site the gives the best deals, which will make you unique in the eyes of the consumer.
- What are My Competition?s Weak Points?
You cannot set yourself apart from your competition if you are not familiar with what your competition has to offer. You can consider some of the following strategies: - What are they missing on their site that you offer? This gives you an opportunity to market to one specific product or service that you know is not offered by the competition and you can say so in your advertising.
- Read customer reviews on their website: Customers will tell you everything you need to know about the shortcomings of your competition through reviews of products and services that they offer to them. Have a dedicated team on staff to review these and note where they are falling short and offer the customer what they are missing.
- Hire a company to track the number of visitors that a competitor is getting. Someone you perceive as being your greatest competition may, in fact, be getting far fewer customers to their site than you.
- SEO Strategy
Richard Lazzazera, a well-known e-commerce blogger on Shopify and expert on e-business strategies, says in his weekly blog, The Lemonade Stand, that there are six things to consider when putting together an e-commerce marketing strategy before you jump into spending marketing money- Up-Selling
- Abandon Cart Follow-up emails
- Customer Referrals with bonus offer
- Retargeting
You can accomplish this by beginning with a simple marketing plan: - Unique visitors: First, you don?t want to grow so large in the beginning that you can?t handle the traffic, so an initial goal of 50,000 unique visitors per month is manageable.
- Keywords and phrases: Google is king when it comes to searching for online shops, so become familiar with the words your customers will use to find your products or services to optimize the amount of traffic you will receive. There are a multitude of keyword tools like wordstream.com to use to become familiar with consumer keywords.
- URL overload: Make sure to embed your URL anywhere that you advertise whether it is something in print like a business card or in every email you send out to a customer.
- Free advertising: Make sure your site is listed on Google?s shopping search engine Froogle. It is free and many consumers go there to comparison shop.
- Advice: This is also free. Talk to other e-commerce business owners and see what is working for them.
Just working your way through this checklist of important things to consider when you begin to plan an e-commerce business will put you on the right track to initial success and long-term e-commerce growth.
by Nick Throlson | May 23, 2017 | Web Design
The Internet is an amazing platform for any business that sells products, be it clothing, food, car parts, diet pills, or something else. However, there is no bigger threat to your business? online presence than cyber criminals. The importance of securing your e-commerce website cannot be undervalued. The impact of a breach could be devastating, resulting in downtime for your e-store, as well as non-compliance fines, negative press, and broken consumer trust. This is the last thing any business wants. With that in mind, read on for some e-commerce website security tips to follow.Demand strong passwords - Make sure all of your users have strong passwords by implementing requirements they need to meet when creating a password. For instance, enforce all users to create a password containing lower and upper case letters, special characters, and numbers. You can also introduce two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. In most cases, users will be sent a code via email or to their smartphone, and they will need to enter this once they have input their password. Don?t store sensitive billing information - You need to be cautious about the data you keep. Don?t store all customer billing information for the sake of it. In fact, you should keep as little as possible. Any of the data you do store needs to be heavily encrypted. When it comes to credit and debit card data, the only information you should keep a hold of is the data needed to process chargebacks and refunds. You will find more advice on securing customer data here.Use numerous layers of security - One security solution is never enough. No security approach is perfect, and hackers are persistent, meaning they will always find a way in. That is why you need to ensure that they are met with another brick wall when they do.Choose a secure e-commerce platform - There are many e-commerce platforms available today. However, a lot of people have a tendency to choose the flashier platforms over the secure platforms. The latter is definitely the most important. Choose an e-commerce package that enables you to enforce strong passwords. Also, the checkout page needs to be secure too. Have a recovery plan in place - Last but not least, it is essential to have a technological service such as disaster recovery by Infrascale in place. No matter how much time or money you spend in securing your company, you can never fully guarantee that a breach will not take place. By establishing a recovery plan, you can ensure that the impact of the data breach is minimized as much as possible, giving your business a fighting chance of recovering from the horrendous event. As you can see, there are a number of different ways you can protect your e-commerce website from a breach, and you are advised to take each and every method on board. After all, if you do not protect your e-store adequately, you are simply asking hackers to target your business.
by Nick Throlson | Feb 23, 2017 | Business, Web Design
Making a site popular is a combination of loads of different areas. First, of course, your site has to look good. If your site looks bad; people won?t want to use it. Then, you need to make sure that it?s filled with relevant content. Without it, people wouldn?t have a reason to visit. And, you need to work on SEO. Or, your customers will never be able to reach your site. SEO mostly involves changes to the website in question. But, there?s work you can do outside of it towards the effort. Often, this can be the only thing stopping you from getting to the top. To help you out, this post will be going through some ways to improve your SEO off of your own site.
Social media is a great way to improve your SEO. Certain social media sites have millions of active users. This means that, when you use them, you have the chance to reach out to loads of people. And, when people see your posts, they will be directed to your website. This is a great way to make sure that you are catching people?s eyes without having to do much more. When it comes to SEO, social media does a lot of work. Because the sites are so popular, having more than one instance of a link to your site on them can be a great benefit. You just need to make sure you?re popular. To get the ball rolling, it can be worth buying some likes and followers. To find out about this, visit SocialProof for more information, or find another company.There are loads of blogs online. In fact, you can find a blog for most areas of interest. These sites are usually run as side projects that people do for fun. But, they?re always looking to improve their content. This makes them a great candidate for a post written by you. This sort of activity is called guest posting. You, as a business, benefit from having links to your site on someone else's blog. And, the blogger benefits because they get some free content. In some cases, popular bloggers will ask for money for this service. But, it can be worth it. Having backlinks on other people?s sites is a great way to make sure that your SEO is up to snuff.It seems simple and obvious, but a lot of companies neglect traditional advertising to bring people to their sites. Advertising on other people?s websites is nice and easy. You just have to make sure that you have a small budget for it. Companies like Google offer their own advertising services. They have their own pool of websites which are advertised on. And, they also handle the people who want to be advertising. Their systems are very complex and powerful. They?re able to keep your adverts to just people who are interested in them. So, this is a great way to make sure that people are seeing your site.Hopefully, this will help you in the quest to get more people viewing your site. It can be hard to improve your presence online. But, once you?ve started working, you?ll see the improvement very quickly. Any money that you have to spend at this stage can be seen as an investment into your business.
by Nick Throlson | Jan 19, 2017 | Business, Web Design, WordPress
Beautiful images. Bold color schemes. A sleek design.These are all important elements of a great website design. After all, they are the first things a new visitor notices and judge you by. Your website acts as a virtual front door to your business. If people don?t like what they see inside, they hit the back button and leave without converting. But, here?s the deal: although the design is one of the most important factors in deciding the credibility of a company, functionality plays a more important role. Think about it that way: would you spend time on a site that looks good but works poorly? Probably not.Let?s take a look at all the important elements that, together with the design, make your website a force of nature.
The number one trick to follow is to build your website so as to provide comfort to your customers. You want everything to be as easy and flowing as possible. That said, if any design feature interferes with your site?s functionality, then you should disable it. Try to identify what would provide users with a seamless onsite experience and implement those instead.Last but not least, make it easy for potential prospects to contact you. Include a search bar, preferably on the top of your blog. Fast, easy access to desired information is essential.- Responsive Website Design
One the same note, you want to make your website responsive for mobile use. A wide majority of the time spent online is on mobile devices. You want your web design to be easily translatable into various screen sizes. To make sure your website runs smoothly via smartphones and tablets, test it with Google?s Mobile-Friendly Test. - Make It Relevant and Specific
While you do want to have enough content and features to cover up a wide spectrum, relevance is still important. In other words, you need to cut the fluff and stick to what matters to your audience. Sure, everyone might be talking about the latest trend in tech, but that doesn?t mean you should jump on the bandwagon if the topic doesn?t fit your business profile.
This might sound obvious, but your website?s design and functionality must fit your customer?s needs like a glove. Know your target audience well enough to translate their needs into your web design. Think about what they might want when they land on your page and try to put that information in front of them. Make navigation simple and intuitive and don?t make them think too much about how to find their ways around your site.If you don?t know where to start from, try asking yourself this: Why would anyone want to visit my website?Do a thorough research ? there are plenty valuable resources out there on what user-centric design is and how to apply it.
Last but so not least, don?t forget that a well-designed website can help with your SEO efforts. Google prefers websites that have a clean structure with friendly navigation, solid backlinks, and descriptive image file names. ?Building a good website that looks great and works properly is no easy task. By paying attention to these elements, you can rest assured that your website won?t be just another pretty face on the internet.
by Nick Throlson | Jan 6, 2017 | Business, Marketing, Web Design
The most successful web designers will all tell you one thing: keep it simple. Forget the fancy effects and Flash-based menus and systems that take forever to load and don?t work on mobile devices. The key to running a successful website is to use the right tools, keep it basic and don?t overload your humble site with too much useless junk.You want your users to focus on the content, not the fact that you have a sparkling trail following the mouse or a viewer count that spins every time your user loads your website. Get rid of the fancy widgets that make your website look like it hasn?t been updated since the 1990s and take control. Here are some tips on how to market your products and services on your website with ease.Picking the Right HostCreating a beautiful website is a time-consuming job if you?re not keen on designing. To remedy that, you can always pick a host such as Squarespace or WordPress. These two services have hundreds of different templates that you can pick and edit yourself. They?ll give you a good base to start your website and all you need to worry about is putting your content out there.Pricing is also a concern. You don?t want to spend too much money for a web host if it?s not going to make you money. There?s no reason to pay a web designer a tonne of money just to edit or change your website when you can do it yourself for cheap using hosting services, and there?s no need to pay for more storage space if your website is mainly text and pictures. Some web hosts offer easy integration for online storefronts too. You?ll have to pay a little extra, but it means you can easily sell your products on the internet and the only thing you need to worry about is printing shipping labels and packaging items to send.You also want to consider customer service. Look up reviews for the host that you plan to use and make sure they offer a 24/7 customer support service. If your website goes down, then you need to contact your host to get it back up again or ask them what issues there are. A web host that constantly fails will make it hard for your business to thrive, so ensure that uptime and customer service are top-notch before committing.Designing a LogoLogo design is expensive if you are hiring a freelancer with a lot of experience. You can make huge savings by using programs such as Photoshop or GIMP to create your own logos and designs?all it takes is a bit of reading and dedication. For example, these photoshop text effects tutorials are a great introduction to stylized logos that are easy to create and look great. You?ll be able to create some excellent art in a short amount of time and you can use it as a temporary logo until you upgrade your business.However, it might also be worth hiring a junior freelance designer that?s looking to expand their portfolio. Many freelancers that are just starting out are willing to work for cheaper rates or even for free. However, make sure that you speak to them directly and tell them what you want. It?s a gamble and you might get an expertly crafted piece of work for free, or you might just end up with something unusable due to their inexperience.How to Keep it SimpleWhether you?re creating a freelancing portfolio or you want to set up a web store to sell handcrafted memorabilia, you don?t want to overload your customers and visitors with an abundance of useless information they don?t care about. Even if you offer a very technical service, you don?t want to drown people in your technical jargon because chances are, they know they need your services, but they don?t know a thing about how it works and nor do they care. It?s also a good idea to keep your website simple enough to run smoothly and cleanly on mobile devices.Let?s say you want to focus on building custom computers for gaming enthusiasts. There?s no point listing information such as maximum temperatures or fan speeds right off the bat. They?re gamers that may or may not have an idea about the exact specs or why they?re important. Show them useful information such as how fast smoothly their games will run or the maximum graphics settings the computer is capable of. If they want to know more, simply add a ?technical specifications? link that shows all the details.
You will have a multitude of e-commerce sites competing with you to entice a consumer to click on their link. Here are some ways you can set your e-commerce business apart from the rest:
You cannot set yourself apart from your competition if you are not familiar with 
