Calling to make a camping reservation this morning and spoke to a woman that doesn't feel website security is important....crazy....read on...http://ping.fm/OSrD8

Credit Card Security and Your Website

Interesting thing happened today, I'm making reservations to go camping later this summer, when I noticed the campground's website is asking for credit card information over an unsecured form....that's a BIG NO NO.

So I call to make the reservation and just mention to her that that her site isn't secure, so she shouldn't be accepting credit cards.  She says "So", I say "a hacker can easily intercept the credit card information, you really need to have a SSL certificate on the website".  Her justification is that she has been accepting credit cards over her website for 20 years (highly unlikely) and has never had any problems.  I told her she just needs to have a problem once.

She then wanted to know how exactly hackers get the information.  They get the information by intercepting packets over the internet....but does it really matter.....however they get the information, THEY GET IT!  Sometimes people need to be whacked over the head before it gets through to them.

A great way to avoid problems that come along with accepting credit cards is to collect your credit card information using a payment gateway, i.e. PayPal or an online merchant account.  Then the security is on them not you and your company.  If you want to accept credit cards on your website make sure you have an SSL certificate and a dedicated IP address.

I highly recommend consulting your web developer when implementing any type of e-commerce on your website.  It might cost you a few dollars but it will be worth it.

Today is your last chance to buy tickets for Wednesday's Greater Raymond Area Business Summit. For more information check out, http://ping.fm/NVu8v Tables are also available for the Business Showcase, just $30. Don't Miss It!

You would be amazed of the people that I run into that still don't have a website and think they don't need one. If your still one of the doubters, read on......http://ping.fm/GY3KN

This is a great article about three common marketing mistakes companies make. Make sure before you put all kinds of money into marketing your tracking your ROI. http://ping.fm/T6Vgu

What's a MoxDog?

Funny story....I go into a store this past week and a lady in the store sees the name of my company on my truck and says...What's a MoxDog?  I chuckled and said it's my company and I design custom websites.  She looks puzzled for a second and says, "For Dogs???"  And I said "Yes I design websites for dogs"....Here's your sign... ;) 

No, I don't design websites for dogs, although I do design for a lot of dog lovers!  MoxDog is the nickname for my beloved Chocolate Lab, Moxie and it just seemed to fit when I started my company.  And I have to admit, it's a great marketing tool, because I often hear that question, "What's a MoxDog?"

MoxDog specializes in custom websites, web hosting, email and more.  Check out our newly launched website at www.moxdog.com. See what MoxDog has to offer and take a minute to sign up for our monthly newsletter that has website and general marketing tips, new products and specials.

**Website Tip** Don't Have the Cash for a Super Bowl Commercial, Spruce Up Your Website Instead with Some Client Testimonials!

So your mother brought you up to be humble, not to talk on and on about yourself, not to brag....so why am I telling you to disregard your mother's teachings???!!!

As a business, people want to know if your any good, will you do what you promised.  What better way to do just that than putting client testimonials on your website.  It tells people that your good, you do a great job, and, by golly, people like you.

Putting other notable items on your website are great too.  Have you been in the paper lately, won an award or hold some prestigious office...let people know about it.  Soon they will be coming to you hoping you can do the same great job for them.