How important is a Firewall for your Dedicated Server and how to apply it?

Firewall is one of the most effective types of security measure to implement to keep all the viruses far from the web application or the servers. Well, this software is complex but it is essential to know how to work and how to set them up. The firewall will remove or stop any unwanted connections to the website and it is very essential to have a firewall because of the website being under constant attach where Firewall can be one of the best defenses. 

Intro – Firewall:-

Firewall blocks unwanted access to your website or server where your current work also won’t get disrupted. It is usually required practically for everyone who has a website or a server. 

Blocking:

Blocking the server doesn’t mean that no one will be able to access it but you can set up the Firewall by specifying as to what kind of users can view your website which will be then identified by their IP addresses. So by configuring this setting, the firewall will block the websites that can be a huge threat to the website. 

Minimize threat:

Most of the server store sensitive information that includes password, documents and email addresses. There are hackers who are on the lookout to see the vulnerability in the website so that they can steal such valuable information. In a server, all the information are encrypted but just to make extra sure a firewall is the best option.

Easy to use:

Content Management System and Hosting providers offer the option to configure specific types of firewalls on the website or server.

Implementation of Firewall on a Server or Website:-

When it comes Firewall there are many options for setting up the firewall but we will be focusing on the easiest method which is based on IP tables and advanced policy firewalls. 

IP Tables Configuration:

IP tables allow you to deny or grant access to specific IP address or services. This will give you the full control over everything that goes out and in your server including the Secure Shell and Transmission connections. This is mostly preferred for those who like to utilize the command line. If you are on Virtual Private Server or the Dedicated Server then you should have iptables program which usually comes by default with Linux distributions. Review first that it doesn’t have any rules configured by default. 

To check the review you have to type iptables –L on the console. 
After doing this three sets of chains or rule will be shown which will be incoming, outgoing and forwarding packets and the line should end with ACCEPT. 

But if you have to add a new rule to a particular chain then use this command iptables –A INPUT –p tcp –dport 7822 –j ACCEPT. 
By doing this you will enable the incoming TCP connections via port 7822 which is commonly used by SSH. 

You can add another rule which will enable the incoming TCP connection via port 80 (HTTP) type: iptables –I INPUT –p tcp –m tcp –dport 80 –j ACCEPT. 
Port 80 is commonly used for the servers to migrate information since the HTTP protocol is still in use. 

But if you set up the secure sockets layer certificate for the website then you need to also enable access via port 443. 
To enable access via port 443 type: iptables –I INPUT –p tcp –m tcp –dport 443 –j ACCEPT. 

Use this command: iptables –I INPUT rulenum –s ‘IP address goes here’ –j DROP to block specified IP address from accessing your server. The Drop Rule will send the signal to the server to block all type of connection from the specified IP address.

You can click here to know more command that can be utilized with the program

Advanced Policy Firewall:

Advanced Policy Firewall is an alternative method for the people who are not a big fan of the command line. With this method, you can configure a firewall using the simple text editor. But for this, you will also require a particular program which isn’t included in most of the Linux distributions. Now anyway you have to use the command line for configuration but the process will be simple. Follow the instruction here and once you are done try the following method down below. 

/etc/apf/conf.apf

You can use any text editor of your choice but the process will remain the same. For Vim user you can use this command. 

VI /etc/apf/conf.apf .

SET_MONOKERN=”0”
HELPER_SSH_PORT=”22”
IG_TCP_CPORTS=”22”

The above values are default configuration but you will need to change them so that the firewall is effective. Change the SET_MONOKERN to 1to enable the program to be installed and not as the package so that it can perform the task. You will also need to change value HELPER_SSH_PORT to 7822 which is the default for SSH connections and then add the TCP ports you want to enable. 

IG_TCP_CPORTS=”80, 7822, 443”

This will enable the connections via HTTPS, HTTP, and SSH. After this save the changes to the conf.apf file and start the APF program utilizing this command.

Apf - -start

Firewall is very essential when you are trying to stop attacks on your local computer and also on your website. Your website will be under attack even though if you are not aware of it, therefore, it is important to implement a Firewall. Now depending on your hosting plan you can use two type of firewalls on the website which is IP table firewalls and Advanced Policy Firewalls. 

Does One Page Website benefit you for SEO and Google Ranking purpose?

A lot of websites are now opting for one-page websites and for sure it looks very attractive and has got great graphics. Many people now know the importance of using mobile-friendly websites because most of the users use their Smartphone to view websites. When people choose one-page websites they look forward to it because it is attractive and neat but they also go for it because they are cheap. Now there are many pro and cons to it and after a lot of research, it indicates a false economy. It is been estimated that High Ranking Websites have more pages. 

High Ranking Website topping on Google Search Ranking...

With High Ranking Website, they have a lot of pages which gives them the capacity to put lots of keywords and you can explain in depth about your services or products. With One page Website, you are not giving an opportunity for your website to come forward in Google Search Ranking because the website doesn’t have sufficient keywords or content. By having a one-page website you are just crowding one place a lot so it doesn’t indicate every service or product uniqueness. For example, if you are offering total 10 service and all those services are different from each other and when people come to your website they are just fed with only one or two lines content. This way the customers have to search for it in other tab and someone else will grab your opportunity where it was actually mean for you.

One page Website is absolutely fantastic when it comes to graphics and looks. It is very good for people who are tight on a budget because it is cheap compared to the websites who have a lot of pages. It looks amazing on mobile devices so yes you will be gaining new users but not like the way you will be able to gain on Google Search Ranking basis. 

How can you exactly top the Google Search Ranking Page?

Now when you are thinking about for one-page website for building business and getting higher ranking on Google is not so easy compared to multiple pages website.

First, you should have a lot of contents on your website so that you have sufficient amount of keywords.

Second, your website should have multiple pages so that you can easily describe each service and product in depth.

Third, your content should be giving detail description of the product or service you are offering.

Forth, Blog is essential for your website because the blog itself can drive 3/4th of the visitors onto your website.

Fifth, Your Website should be attractive so it’s better you hire a web designer to design your website.

Sixth, when you are building a website for your business then your content or description about your service or product should be like as you are the industry leader. When you believe in yourself that you can provide 100 percent quality service then only people will buy your products. Your website is the place where you can brag a lot about your business but it should be legit bragging. Through your website, you should make people believe in yourself no matter what part of the world they are living in and to make it happen you should use video marketing, content development, testimonial video and much more as your strength to showcase people that you are the best in this specific business. 

When you have a one-page website you will not benefit much because you won’t have much space to deliver the detail description of your business. One page website is not at all good for SEO but if you are widely popular or you are some huge company then having a one-page website is not a big deal. 

How Can One-Page Websites benefit you?

For Pay per click campaign, a one-page website is a great option. When this page is separate from the main website then you can direct the paid traffic there and download it to a report which will come in use give some particular information or sell a service. When there is paid search then is against that so SEO is only for the main website for the main business.

When you are building a brand and business at just starting level then its better you avoid one-page website. It won’t help you for Search Engine Optimization and it won’t let you come first on Google Ranking Website.

Evaluate Your Website’s Performance for a better Conversion.

You are dedicated to your business, you have a very beautiful website with important information for your user, but have you ever check how effective your website is?

When did you check up your website last time?

Did you ask a question to yourself that did evolute your site will help your customer?

I believe your answer will be “NO” for all the above questions!

Now let's dive into how evaluation will speed up your website performance.

As we all know that for an online business your website will be your very first step of creating an online presence, which will give you an identity in the Internet world. Your website can be promoted by several factors which were known as internet marketing strategy. If you fail in business or achieve success in your business all depend on your website performance.

If you are thinking of checking the analyse data of your website then it will be no use until you don't know the goal of your website. Before you start analyzing and optimizing your website you need to find the answer to the following points respectively:

• What is the percentage of visitors coming from various sources?
• What is the percentage of visitors getting converted?
• How much revenue getting per visitor?
• What is investment per sale?

However, almost all websites have installed Google and Bing analytic tool, if you don't have then install one or you can install both analytic and it is free of cost.

Here you can sign-in and get your free tracking code:

Google Analytic

Bing Analytic

Well, if you have done with the install then you will start getting your visitors information. In this case, most challenging part is to track the conversion customer details.

If you are getting a conversion rate of 4% to 8%, then is a normal conversion rate and if you are getting a conversion rate of more than 8% think it is good. However, if you are getting traffic from different sources like paid traffic, affiliate, referral, E-mail marketing, etc. then the conversion rate also varies respectively. If your running multiple program or source to get user then you have to track each source with the conversion rate for better performance.

Ladies and gentleman to get a petty conversion rate you have to work on multiple factors such as a landing page, font type, design, color combination, keyword density, image, etc. If you run some offer or discount on your product can rise -up your conversion rate. Also, a good landing page can increase 5% conversion, then your present conversion.

Sometimes your optimization may give you a negative result and some time good, but still you have to put your best effort in Optimization as organic traffic is the most powerful one you most look into, and the conversion rate also higher than other platform.

The conversion killing element is time, don't put your customer in a puzzle once they fall into your website. Set-up your sales funnel and according to your customer interest and demand, take help from analytic and work on that to get a simple way to customer for better conversion.

In India, nothing will happen till the moment customer won't trust you. Try to build the trust factor with the customer by providing guarantees, offers and great service. Also, if your product or service needs some documentation or formality then make it simple as it can be and process it faster.

Give multiple purchasing platforms with a different currency. A sales conversion needs lots of money and effort. If a user doesn't purchase something after surfing multiple pages, then may be the user is not getting the information what he is looking for.

Don't harsh your customer by providing wrong information or by opening multiple pop-ups or by run multiple ads on your website. It may force your customer to leave the website without any conversion.

Work for SEO and social media marketing as they are the basic source of user now a days.

Do needful for competitor analysis and online reputation management.

Consult with your website developer to improve website performance and loading time.

However, the market is changing so does the marketing technique. Keep your website updated, informative and user-friendly which is the real success mantra.