Cyber Security and How to Prevent a Cyberattack

A cyberattack can happen to anyone, from individuals to small businesses and even government organizations. Unfortunately, just like in the real world, there are criminals online hoping to find a weakness and exploit it. That’s why online safety and cybersecurity must be taken seriously. You wouldn’t drive without a seatbelt—likewise, you shouldn’t run your business without protections against a cyberattack.

What Is a Cyberattack?

According to Wikipedia, a cyberattack is any offensive maneuver that targets computer systems, networks, or personal devices. Cybercriminals use these attacks to steal data, disrupt operations, or extort money.

The Most Common Types of Cyberattacks

Malware Attacks

Malware includes worms, spyware, ransomware, adware, and trojans. Attackers install harmful software to damage computers, steal personal information, or spread infections. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides resources on preventing malware.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a common cyberattack method that tricks users into sharing sensitive information. The attacker sends fake emails that look legitimate to steal money, passwords, or account details. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers practical guidance on recognizing phishing scams.

Password Attacks

Hackers crack weak passwords using brute force or keylogger tools. NIST outlines standards for creating secure passwords.

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment to restore access. The FBI warns against paying ransoms, as it does not guarantee file recovery.

Pharming

Pharming redirects users to fake websites designed to mimic real ones. Always double-check URLs before entering personal or financial information. The FTC also provides tips for spotting spoofed websites.

Injection Attacks

Hackers inject malicious code into vulnerable sites, often targeting database-driven websites like WordPress. OWASP explains SQL injection and prevention strategies.

Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

Attackers flood servers with fake traffic, overwhelming bandwidth and causing shutdowns. Cloudflare provides a helpful overview of DDoS attacks.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

A hacker intercepts communication between two parties, stealing or manipulating data. This is often done through a spoofed IP address. Kaspersky explains how MITM attacks work and how to prevent them.

How to Help Prevent a Cyberattack

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use two-step verification for bank accounts and email. Microsoft highlights why MFA is critical.

• Use Strong Passwords: Create unique, long, and complex passwords.

• Keep Software Updated: Always update browsers, operating systems, and apps.

• Install Security Tools: Use anti-virus software, malware detectors, and firewalls. Norton explains why regular updates matter.

• Be Wary of Emails: Avoid clicking suspicious links or attachments.

• Use a VPN: A virtual private network encrypts internet traffic. Google One VPN is one option.

• Protect Mobile Devices: Only install apps from trusted sources and keep devices updated.

• Backup Your Data: Keep multiple backups, including one off-site, to recover after an attack.

The Takeaway on Cyberattacks

The cost of cyberattacks is estimated in the trillions of dollars each year. While no system is 100% safe, taking proactive steps drastically reduces your risks. Protect your website, your devices, and your data by addressing cybersecurity today. For additional guidance, see the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

If you have any questions, please Get in Touch

Online Safety

Unfortunately, just like in the real world there are criminals online hoping to find a weakness and exploit it. You can’t turn a blind eye and just hope that you aren’t a victim. The same reason you put your seat belts on when you get into the car, just in case. You need to make sure that you have your cyber security addressed and safety precautions in place. Even with all of the precautions, it doesn’t mean that cyberattacks can’t happen. We should all do our best to make sure that we have websites, emails, and personal information locked down. Even large businesses and the government have been comprised. It can truly happen to anyone.

What is a cyberattack?

According to Wikipedia, A cyberattack is any offensive maneuver that targets computer information systems, computer networks, infrastructures, or personal computer devices.

Some of the most common cyberattacks

Malware Attacks

This is one of the most common types of cyberattacks. “Malware” refers to malicious software viruses including worms, spyware, ransomware, adware, and trojans. The attacker installs unwanted software or programs that intentionally damage computers. This could mean deleting files, stealing personal information, and also spreading it to other systems. There are lots of different forms.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are also widely used email cyberattack strategies. The attacker essentially impersonates someone else who is a trusted contact and sends the victim fake emails. It can look so similar it takes an extra step to verify. Criminals use these fakes to get money, passwords, and possibly even your account details.

Password Attacks

A hacker cracks your password with various cracking programs. There are different types of password attacks such as brute force attacks and keylogger attacks to name a couple.

Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that uses encryption to deny access to resources (such as the user’s files), usually in an attempt to try and get the victim to pay a ransom. Once a system has been infected, files are irreversibly encrypted and accessible.

Pharming

Pharming is a type of cyberattack that sends a user to fake a website that is designed to look like the real website. A hacker infiltrates a computer system and installs code that redirects the traffic to a bogus website The user types in the legitimate web address but it forwards to a fake website that looks almost identical. This way they can gain access to financial and personal information, They will infect computers with viruses, malware, or other malicious software. Always check the website address and make sure the address is where you intended to go.

Injection Attacks

This can happen on a database-driven website such as any content-managed website, like WordPress for example. When the hacker manipulates the code, it injects malicious code into a vulnerable website making the server (the computer where your website holds the files, AKA,  the host) reveal crucial information.

Denial of Service Attacks

A Denial-of-Service Attack also known as a DDoS is a significant threat to companies. Attackers target systems, servers, or networks and flood them with traffic to exhaust their bandwidth and resources. This overwhelms the server computer and many times it can lead to a total shutdown.

Man in the Middle Attacks

A Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM) is an eavesdropping intrusion. In this attack, a cyber attacker comes in between a two-party communication. The attacker hijacks the session between a client and a host. By doing so, hackers steal and manipulate data. This is often done through a spoofed IP address, where the hijacker disconnects the client and requests information as if they were the host.

What can I do to help prevent a cyberattack?

Multi-Factor Authentication

Make sure that you enable multi-factor Authentication for all bank accounts, financial services, and anything that has personal information. This is also called two-factor authentication.

It requires users to provide two different authentication factors to verify themselves. This proves to be a vital step to secure information. Besides providing your password, a unique code will be sent to either a phone or email. This must be used in addition to your password. This provides an extra layer of protection.

Passwords

Make sure to use long and unique characters. Don’t use your kids or dogs’ names unless it includes different characters and numbers. Change passwords frequently! Don’t share your passwords or give them to anyone but a trusted source. Don’t just use one password for every online account, use different passwords for your accounts.

Update your browser

The latest browser versions have built-in protection that helps protect against fake websites and viruses. This is the biggest reason to keep your browser up to date. Do not use an old browser such as Internet Explorer. See the post on that subject here. As of June, it now redirects a user to Microsoft Edge.

Update both your operating system and applications regularly. This is a primary prevention method for any cyberattack. This will remove vulnerabilities that hackers tend to exploit. Use trusted and legitimate Anti-virus protection software.

Unknown email senders

Avoid opening emails from unknown senders. Scrutinize the emails you receive for loopholes and significant errors. Do not download anything that you were not expecting and make sure that it’s from a verified, trusted source.

Anti-virus, Malware detectors, and Firewalls

Install anti-virus software, firewall, and malware detection programs. Make sure to download the updates regularly.

Use a VPN

VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network” A VPN encrypts the traffic between the VPN server and your device. This blocks your identity and internet activity. You can go the extra mile and access your banking and financial account using this. Google offers a free one for Chrome found here 

Don’t forget mobile devices

Safeguard your mobile devices as they can also be a target for cyberattacks too. Install apps from only legitimate and trusted sources, and make sure to keep your device updated.

Your Data

It is ideal to have three copies of your data on two different media types and another copy in an off-site location (cloud storage). In the event of an intrusion, you can erase your system’s data and restore it with a recently performed backup.

The takeaway

We have not discussed anywhere near the different types of attacks that are out there but these are currently the most common. The cost of these attacks is estimated to be in the trillions of dollars.  Make sure that you protect yourself! Address your cyber security today!

A Final Goodbye

What Is a Web Browser?

A web browser, also called an Internet browser or simply a browser, is application software used to access the World Wide Web. Whenever a user requests a web page from a website, the browser retrieves the necessary content from a web server. Afterwards, it displays the page on the user’s device, making the information instantly viewable.

In the Beginning

The first web browser, written in 1990, was simply called WorldWideWeb. At the time, it was the only way to view the web. In addition, it functioned as a browser editor, which meant that it could not only be used to create web pages but also to browse websites. As a result, the name was eventually changed to Nexus to avoid confusion between the program itself and the abstract information space known as the World Wide Web.

In the early 90s, meanwhile, Netscape Navigator emerged as a proprietary web browser. At first, it quickly became the dominant browser throughout the decade. However, by 2003, its popularity had almost disappeared. This shift occurred because Microsoft preloaded Internet Explorer on every computer it sold and, in a strategic move, placed it directly on the start-up page. In other words, Microsoft made it nearly unavoidable for everyday users.

Microsoft Steps In

Microsoft was primarily a software company in those early years. It made money by licensing its operating system to computer manufacturers and by selling programs that worked with that system. For example, its most well-known products include Word and Excel. By the early 2000s, Internet Explorer controlled an incredible 95% of the web browsing market.

Browsers Change

Eventually, most people stopped using Internet Explorer as their main browser with the emergence of Firefox and Google Chrome. Of course, there were still a few die-hard holdouts. Over the years, I had many conversations with clients, letting them know it was time to switch browsers. Internet Explorer was outdated, slow, prone to crashing, and vulnerable to hacks. In contrast, competitors like Google Chrome were fast, secure, and frequently updated.

Internet Explorer (often called IE) served from August 1995 until June 2022. After a slow decline, it finally disappeared, closing out a 27-year run.

Browsers Today

These days, Google Chrome dominates the browser market, holding roughly a 65% share worldwide. Meanwhile, Apple’s Safari follows in second place with about 20%.

Of course, the internet is always evolving. For that reason, there are many other browser options available today. Below is the current top ten list, though it could easily change tomorrow:

• Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Apple Safari
• Opera
• Brave
• Vivaldi
• DuckDuckgo
• Chromium
• Epic

As always, Grateful Web Services is here to help you get your website on the World Wide Web, or if your website needs updating, we are here to help take the chore off your shoulders. It’s easy to forget that your website is on display 24/7. Even if you aren’t looking at it, potential customers could be. 

 

How Email Works
Basics and Protocols Explained

Most of us use email every day, often multiple times. But have you ever wondered how email works and why it has become such an important part of daily life? From login passwords to instant delivery, email has become the backbone of modern communication.

The invention of email changed everything, especially in the workplace. Before email, people relied on USPS mail, often called “snail mail,” or even earlier, horse-drawn mail carriers. Eventually, mail trucks delivered messages across towns and cities. Today, an email can arrive within seconds. As a result, technology has completely transformed the way we connect.

A Brief History of Email

The first version of what became email appeared in 1965 at MIT. It was part of the Compatible Time-Sharing System, which let users share files and messages on a central disk while logging in from remote terminals. You can read more about its history on the Computer History Museum.

Later, services such as Hotmail (later purchased by Microsoft), Yahoo, and AOL helped email reach the mainstream. Microsoft Outlook and Gmail eventually became dominant platforms, shaping how we use email today. My own father still uses his @aol.com address!

How Email Works

Email works through a set of rules called protocols that transfer messages between computers. When you send an email, one computer delivers the message to a mail server, and the recipient’s computer then accesses it.

There are four common protocols: IMAP, POP3, SMTP, and Exchange. Each handles storage and access differently.

IMAP and POP

IMAP

The Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) lets you read email directly from the server without downloading it. This means you can check your inbox from anywhere, on any device. For example, whether you are traveling, visiting a friend, or sitting at a soccer game, IMAP keeps your email synced. Learn more from Mozilla Thunderbird’s IMAP guide.

POP

The Post Office Protocol (POP) works differently. It downloads messages to your computer through a mail client such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail. Once downloaded, the sent and received messages stay on your device, not on the server. Many internet service providers still rely on POP accounts. More details are available from Google Workspace.

Webmail

Services such as Outlook, Gmail, Hotmail, and iCloud offer webmail, which you access through a browser. Simply log in online and manage your inbox.

Email apps such as Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail make it easy to manage multiple accounts in one place. When you add a webmail account, the app usually sets it up as IMAP. If it fails, it may default to POP. In that case, you need the POP and SMTP server information from your provider. Example settings might look like this:

• Incoming Mail (IMAP): imap.[provider].com

• Incoming Mail (POP): pop.[provider].com

• Outgoing Mail (SMTP): smtp.[provider].com

SMTP

The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) handles outgoing messages. Mail servers and message transfer agents use SMTP to send and receive email. Learn more about Cloudflare’s SMTP guide.

Email with Grateful Web Services

Understanding how email works may seem technical, but setting it up doesn’t have to be stressful. At Grateful Web Services, we include email hosting as part of our hosting packages. With your website and email managed under one roof, you can simplify your business operations. Have questions? We’re here to help.

Email Definitions

What is IMAP?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. It lets you read email directly from the server without downloading it, which keeps your inbox synced across devices. Learn more in Mozilla’s IMAP guide.

What is POP?

POP stands for Post Office Protocol. It downloads messages to your computer, where they are stored locally. This is common with accounts set up in programs like Outlook or Apple Mail. See Google’s POP guide.

What is SMTP?

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is the standard method used by mail servers to send and receive email messages. Read more at Cloudflare’s SMTP overview.

What is Webmail?

Webmail is email that you access through a browser, such as Gmail, Outlook.com, or iCloud. You don’t need a mail client, just an internet connection and your login credentials.

Grateful Web Services offers email along with our hosting service. Have questions? Ask us about it!

Business Website Checklist

This blog highlights a few things you need in place to open the door to your new business. Of course, we are not attorneys or tax professionals, so please consult those experts for the official rules and regulations.

Your Business

We love working with businesses—non-profits, for-profits, and organizations of any size. Starting a business requires several key steps. At first, the process may feel overwhelming, but focus on the excitement of building something new.

Starting Your Business

Every business requires paperwork. You must file city and county documents for licensing, permits, and operations tax. If you are not using your own name, you also need a fictitious name filing.

If you have a brick-and-mortar location, you must work with a landlord for leasing and set up utilities at that location. For home-based businesses, most cities require a permit to operate legally. Your city’s official website is a great place to find information about local requirements.

Market Research and a Marketing Plan

Knowledge and preparation are critical. A strong marketing plan and business plan will give you a road map. These can evolve, but you need a clear starting point.

Most of your research can be done online, but books still offer great insights. Nolo Press has a reputation for clear, practical information. Their website also includes online forms and helpful guides.

At this stage, you must also choose a business structure: corporation, LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Speak with a tax advisor to determine the best choice for your situation.

Your Business Name

Your name matters. Choose one that tells people what you do, then secure the domain. Renew your domain on time to keep ownership.

Before you decide, make sure the name is available. Use a search engine, or try a registrar like GoDaddy. Their tool lets you check availability and suggests alternatives.

You can also use WhoIs to see who owns a domain and when it expires. Another useful option is the ICANN Lookup Tool.

The Logo

Your logo is the face of your company. You will use it on documents, your website, and social media. If your budget allows, hire a professional designer. A custom logo ensures uniqueness and credibility.

If you need a low-cost option to start, online logo tools exist. However, many are not exclusive, so you may see the same design used by another business. For a custom, one-of-a-kind logo, ask a graphic designer to create one for you. Grateful Web Services can help guide you in the right direction.

Website

Your website is often the first impression people have of your business. It must look professional, function properly, and be easy to navigate. DIY tools like Wix or GoDaddy builders may seem tempting, but they often limit design flexibility and SEO features.

If your site isn’t programmed well or updated often, you risk losing credibility and potential customers. A professional website shows your brand’s value. At Grateful Web Services, we create custom designs that look sharp and are built to be found on Google.

Hosting

Every website needs hosting. Make sure your provider runs updated, secure software. We offer hosting services to keep your website, maintenance, and updates all under one roof.

Receiving Payments

Once your business launches, you need ways to accept payments. Open a business account at your bank to handle transactions. Many businesses also add PayPal and Venmo to offer convenient payment options.

If you run an online store or nonprofit, Grateful Web Services can set up eCommerce for you. This way, customers can pay for products, and nonprofits can receive donations easily.

Ready, Set, Go!

Starting a business is exciting. Take time to celebrate your progress and appreciate the process. Yes, there will be stress, but this is the beginning of something meaningful.

Resources

Here are a few resources mentioned in this blog:

• Nolo Press

• Small Business Administration

• WhoIs

• ICANN Lookup

• PayPal

• Venmo

Cheers to a Happy New Year!

Cheers to a happy new year! Happy 2022 to all of our clients and potential clients. We are all ready for a new year with hopes of combating this pandemic. The last couple of years have been difficult, but it is more important than ever to keep looking forward and do our best to make the most out of what we have.

Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022

Grateful Web Services welcomed the new year with too much to do to sit and type this blog, a little like the gardener who doesn’t do their own lawn. We have lots happening over here, and we are grateful for that. Right now, we are working with several non-profits and truly enjoy helping organizations with a purpose. Of course, we also love helping business owners with their web presence and visibility.

Superior customer service has always been what keeps our clients coming back to us. We care, and our clients know that. Each company or organization is treated as if it were our only client. No matter how much we grow, this is a commitment that we will always honor.

The new year brings hope and new opportunities. We are here to help even more businesses and non-profits with their online presence—whether that means a brand-new website, a revamp of an existing one, reliable maintenance, secure hosting, or SEO support to improve search engine placement. Cheers to a happy new year! We’re excited to make 2022 a year of growth for our clients as well as our community.

We realize that there are many other companies you could choose to work with, and we are grateful to all of our clients who have supported us throughout the years. Visit our Testimonials page and our Google Business Profile to see what clients are saying.

Thank you, and cheers to making 2022 the best year yet!

 

Hosting is necessary, but what is it?

Website hosting is a term that many of our clients find confusing. Hopefully, after reading this, you will have a better understanding!

A website cannot be viewable to anyone on the internet, without hosting. This is a critical piece to launching a new website. A server must hold your website files,so that when someone types in your domain name, the website shows up for them. Imagine trying to get your US Mail without an actual mailbox, it’s impossible.

Your website is comprised of images, files, code, database, and all of this is stored on a computer server. It is “Serving” up the files to be viewed. Without a home to store your files, no one would be able to view your website online. This is essentially rental space for your website files.

It is very important to make sure that your server computer is running the latest versions of software and has security precautions in place in case there is a breach. You need a firewall, backup, and an SSL certificate.

There are different types of Hosting

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is the most common type of web hosting and is acceptable for most website owners. With shared hosting, your website files sit on the same server (Computer) along with multiple other websites.

These are a few examples of hosting providers

• GoDaddy
• Bluehost 
• DreamHost
• SiteGround

Your web company may need to confirm that the host has

• Backups and Security
• Up to date software and equipment
• Good customer service
• Reliability and fast upload 
• Scalability, if your needs change

There are several advantages to shared hosting including:

• Affordability — It’s much cheaper to share the space on a server than to rent the entire computer.
• Ease of use — Your server is preconfigured, well-organized, easy to use, and your hosting company does all the maintenance and security updates for you.

Although,  it is crucial that your host has a firewall, backups (in case your website becomes infected), and security programs. It is also critical that every website on this shared environment is up to date on its own website plugins. You don’t want one website infecting other websites on the server. This is very important!

Dedicated Hosting

Rather than sharing space, you get a server all to yourself. No need to make sure that other websites are up to date. 

Advantages to dedicated hosting include:

• Customized— You can customize the software and hardware to meet your individual needs
• Unlimited Resources — Since you don’t share the server with anyone, all the storage space is yours
• Full control — You can configure the setup however you’d like

Of course, this is a pricier option but may make the most sense for those who are running very large websites, such as e-commerce and other large sites.

Virtual Private Hosting

This is a blend of shared and dedicated hosting, This is designed for users whose website may have outgrown their shared hosting environment but don’t need a server all to themselves. Virtual Private Hosting or VPS for short allows for multiple clients to use a single server.

Each website on a VPS server is partitioned into its own space so that it uses its own allocation of server resources and can run its own operating system and applications.

• Space – Each website has its own allotment of resources
• Safe from other websites on the  server – Users can only access their own control panel and are not affected by malware and other contaminants from other websites on the shared server
• Control –  Each website has its own virtual space and users have complete control over their site files

VPS hosting could be the right choice and makes it less likely that a sudden spike in usage from someone else on the VPS will slowdowns other websites, unlike shared hosting. 

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is often considered the most reliable of all of the services. Rather than relying on the disk space of a single server, it pulls its power from several resources, making sure you never have any downtime. Other benefits include:

• Scalability — You can add to your cloud space at any time.
• Unmetered bandwidth — You don’t have to worry about your site going down due to a server failure.

However, Amazon’s cloud service recently went down. So, when it comes to anything computer-related, things can happen!

WordPress Managed Hosting

Periodically our clients come to us to either build a new website or make updates to their website. If they happen to have WordPress-managed hosting, this limits what files can be edited. Managed WordPress hosting, is an all in one service, where all technical aspects of running WordPress are managed by the host.

• Updates to WordPress — all updates to WordPress core and plugins taken care of for you
• Daily backups included — You don’t have to worry about your site going down due to a server failure.
  

More often than not, our clients ask us to handle their hosting. This way, all of the website services are under one roof, so to speak.  We have a shared server for the convenience of our clients. Many times, we also host our client’s emails as well. If something goes wrong, you just need to reach out to Grateful Web Services and we will handle the situation and get the website up and running! Only one phone call with a live person 😊 We are also very attentive to emails as well if you prefer.

Website Animation

At the beginning of the year, when planning out ideas for the Grateful Web Services blog, paying homage to Flash was on the list. For me, this was the start of animating the World Wide Web. It made an otherwise static website come alive. Before Flash, it was just animating GIFS. Graphics Interchange Format. We used this as an animation tool for businesses to rotate their logos or specific text. Setting the rotation to 360 degrees gives the illusion of 3D on the screen.

When Flash emerged on November 3, 2002, it was revolutionary and oh so cool. It was first a Macromedia product, and Adobe would go on to acquire Macromedia in 2005 along with its products: Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Director, Cold Fusion, and a few other lesser-known titles. These were my favorite tools from “back in the day” when I first started in this ever-evolving technology industry. This was pretty early on in the Internet’s life span. Of course, before search engine placement was really even a “thing”. Now, of course, it’s everything. Old technologies and website features that are not recognizable by the search bots can’t or shouldn’t be used. As it’s been said so many times, a website can be beautiful, but if no one can find the website and no one visits, it’s close to useless.

Adobe, as well as all web browsers, discontinued supporting Flash back in January of 2021. Of course, this means that Adobe will not issue any more updates or security patches. Web browsers will no longer display Flash content, and any website will just give users a broken experience. This also applies to web games using Flash; after January 1, 2021, they are no longer playable.

This just came into play with the 20th anniversary of 9/11
Journalism is often considered the first draft of history, but what happens when that draft is written on a software program that becomes obsolete? Some of the news coverage of the September 11th attacks and other major events from the early days of online journalism is no longer accessible. For example, The Washington Post and ABC News both have broken experiences within their September 11th coverage. See the full story for more information on this at CNN

Many of us spent a lot of time learning how to use Flash. Technology is always changing, and this is a big part of the reality for those of us who work in this ever-changing technology space. It is fun, exciting, and frustrating all at the same time. These days, we have other ways to use animation in websites that don’t hinder searches, and most are much easier to implement.

There are lots of ways to add movement to your otherwise static website. I will keep this part short so you don’t start to glaze over. This is why you hire someone else to deal with these details! Your developer can use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to keep your website design consistent. It also works for basic animations, but if you need more than three in a row, CSS alone won’t be enough. So that leads us to JavaScript, which can handle sequential animations and is more powerful and flexible. Another choice would be to use SVG’s, which stand for Scalable Vector Graphics. SVG elements can be animated with CSS.

You can use videos as a background, create button animations, content that slides in, fade-in, and website loading features. Many loading plugins can help keep the ever-impatient human entertained while the website loads. Otherwise, users have to wait while everything loads: website pages, PDF files, maps, videos, and other content. This brightens up the wait and creates the sense that your website is there and loading. You can use an image, or logo, or even progress bars and shape-changing animations.

Animations can be a great addition to a website’s look and feel, but they have to be worked in the right way to fit your style and goals. Animations definitely add to the user-friendliness of a website. When subtly added, animations are capable of building a strong connection between users and the content on the screen. Just use it thoughtfully and sparingly. Too much or careless integration of animations into your website can be a real eyesore – and no one wants that 😊

We have easier and better ways to do things as time moves forward, but it is apropos to honor the official passing of one of the early tools. This was the beginning of giving visual appeal to websites that were no longer just a static, dry place for information. This breathed life and stylized a user-friendly approach. Designers place information in a visually pleasing way so users respond best, and that appeal and psychology matter just as much as the content itself. People naturally seek aesthetics, and our need for beauty is part of the human experience.

Why should I Blog?

The importance of a blog seems like an appropriate subject. I always tell our clients that they need to update their blog at least once a month. I should follow my own advice since GratefulWebServices.com hasn’t been updated in quite a few months. It’s like the analogy that the gardener’s own garden is overgrown with weeds. So much time is spent taking care of other people’s websites that, at the end of the day, the Grateful Web Services blog is put on the back burner.

Yes, a blog is very important to your business. This is probably one of the best things that you can do to help your search engine ranking. Adding new content lets Google know that your website is alive and breathing. Google wants to rank websites that appear to have more activity. Those with the least head to the end of the line.

Blogging is an inexpensive way for small businesses to drive traffic. This means more business, equaling more money!

Increased website traffic, in the form of pageviews from organic and social sources, can help your business. Every time you publish a new post, you get another opportunity for web crawlers to find your website and suggest it to those who are searching Google with relevant keywords.

The amount of traffic that you can earn from your blog depends on the topic, how much you promote the articles, and how good the content is.

According to HubSpot, the average business can get 55 percent more visitors with a blog.

I recommend that our clients make a list of 6 topics so that each month, for the next 6 months, you know what you are going to write about. This makes it much easier to plan. Now, I will take my own advice!

Embracing Lifelong Learning
Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New

Goodbye to the old and hello to the new! As we look forward to 2021, one theme stands out for me: embracing lifelong learning.

Finding Growth in a Difficult Year

However, 2020 was tough for all of us, especially for those who have been ill, lost loved ones, or lost jobs. In addition, many of us lost the simple joys of going out to a movie, concert, or even dinner at a friend’s house. My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered through this pandemic.

Nevertheless, there were also blessings. For me, 2020 offered a chance to focus on learning new things. As a result, I rediscovered how much I love embracing lifelong learning.

Lessons from My Father
on Lifelong Learning

For example, my 83-year-old father embodies this lesson. His pursuit of knowledge has taken him around the world and into many languages, even learning to speak Mandarin later in life. Moreover, he showed me that you are never too old to grow.

Embracing Lifelong Learning in My Own Life

Meanwhile, I worked on building my website development skills, improving design, creating art, cooking, and enjoying growth. Ultimately, my focus is staying healthy, making the most of each day, and embracing lifelong learning as a way of life.

I am grateful for my health, my loved ones, my curiosity, and the chance to help other entrepreneurs through my work at Grateful Web Services. The web is always changing, just like life, and staying open to learning is the best way to adapt.

If you’d like to explore more about the psychology of learning, visit Psychology Today’s overview.

Laura Rider
Owner
Grateful Web Services