Google+ offers a great way to connect with family, friends, and colleagues with Google Hangouts.  Hangouts let up to 9 people video-converse at once and opens up the viewing for as many people as you want.  Additionally, you can save the chat onto YouTube for viewing anytime.

Most people know how to start an instant Hang-out with their on-line Google+ Circles.  But, what if you want to plan a Hangout Event? 

3 easy steps to schedule a Google Hangout

It’s easy…make sure your PC or mobile phone has a microphone and webcam and then follow these 3 easy steps to schedule an Event from Google+.

Step 1

First, from your Google+ page, click on the “Events” icon in the left-hand sidebar.

Step 2

Second, create the Event.   At the top right-hand corner, click on the “Create Event” button.

At the Create Event screen, give it a Title, assign a Time and then click on “Event Options”.  Select the   “Advanced” option, and then select “Google+ Hangout”.

Step 3

Third, invite some folks.  You can use their email addresses or click from your preset Circles, and click the “Invite” button.   Invitees will receive an email invite, and don’t worry; they won’t forget to join because they will receive an email reminder with a button to click when it is time to start the Hangout Event.

ClickHOST is excited about using Google Hangouts to conduct meetings, hold webinars, and offer consulting services.  We will be offering Hangouts to learn about your ClickHOST account, as an option for requirements gathering, and for navigating your new WordPress site.  Be on the lookout for our scheduled events, and let’s Hangout!
 

We offer many more how to guides including:

How to Install WordPress
Changing your HTML Website to WordPress
Three easy steps to transfer your domain name

I do this partly because I enjoy experimenting with new providers and services to see what they’re up to and to see if they can provide a much more fluid and simple experience for not only some of my projects but for some of my clients. I also do this because I’m insanely curious about hosting and I just want to know everything about it, at least from a user’s perspective!

But over my lifetime I’ve seen just as many newcomers hit the street as the ones that can’t seem to make it. Either through acquisition or closing down many of these smaller players can’t seem to make ends meet. The large ones will always be with us (unfortunately) but they don’t necessarily provide the “best in class” systems, support, and technology.

Over time I’ve become much more calculated in my approach to trying a new hosting provider and this strategy, which was once just an idea, has now become a very important part of my decision-making process; it’s also grossly overlooked when it comes to choosing a hosting provider for the very first time.

What is it?

It’s simply the human element in the hosting company’s business. In other words, it’s the relational component that really attracts me now. For example, the last 5 or 6 hosting providers that I’ve tried had the same thing in common: I knew someone on the inside and had been building a relationship with them for a while.

Whether it was through Twitter or Facebook or whether or not I actually met them in person didn’t really matter – it’s the fact that I knew someone, flesh and blood, and had begun a relationship before I committed to trying (not selling my life to them forever) their service.

What’s kept me going on many of these services are those same relationships. Go figure, right? Unfortunately most hosting companies don’t seem to “get” that part of the business modeling.

What can we learn from this? Two things, one for the customer and one for the provider:

1. Customers should engage with the provider like you would building a relationship. Try to create a real relationship with someone, even if it’s not an account representative. Many of my relationships are with IT engineers in the backend who never actually handle my account but who I feel very comfortable with.
2. Providers should actively stay open to these types of relationships and allow a “human element” in the mix of their business. It is sustainable, trust me. You just have to be creative and clever enough to figure that out.

Website hosting is an interesting world and one that continues to evolve technologically – you might as well invest in the one thing that doesn’t fundamentally change: Real quality relationships.

Do you agree?

This guest post by John Saddington. This is a guest post by John Saddington, entrepreneur and hacker. He’s the founder of 8BIT, editor of WP Daily, and creator of Pressgram.

The world of search engine optimization (SEO) can be a tricky one to figure out. With Google often changing the rules and with contradicting advice available all over the internet, it can be difficult to know what road to follow. With that in mind, I’m teaming up with SEO consultant Jenny Munn for a full-day workshop on Thursday, May 2nd to help small businesses cut through the clutter and get found on Google. Jenny’s approach is solid, safe and straightforward, and I’ll be teaching on some of the technical pieces that you can put in place.

We’ll be covering a variety of topics during the day, including:

• SEO Basics: Provide an SEO overview in a way you can understand – we limit the technical gobbleydook geek speak!
• Keyword Research: Help you find practical, realistic, strategic keywords for your business
• On-page Optimization: Explain the basics of optimizing your website
• Managing an SEO Program: Show you SEO does not take a huge time or monetary investment
• Off-page/Linkbuilding: Explain what SEO involves that takes place off your site
• Content, Social Media & Blogging: Clarify how content marketing, social media marketing, and blogging come into play with SEO
• Local SEO: Make sure your business shows up in the local search results
• Tracking & Metrics: Show you how to track your SEO effectiveness, efforts and wins

The cost for the bootcamp is $199, but as a fan (or hopefully a customer) of ClickHOST you can receive $20 off by using the promotional code “clickhost” at checkout. You can learn more about the event at jennymunn.com/seobootcamp. We hope to see you there!

Event Registration Online for SEO Bootcamp for Small Business Owners powered by Eventbrite

This guest post by Mickey Mellen. He is the co-owner of GreenMellen Media, where they believe that a website is much deeper than it’s design, and that social media is not just a medium to share what you ate for lunch with the world. Mickey has been using WordPress for over nine years and passionate about helping small businesses. Link for GreenMellen Media: http://www.greenmellenmedia.com

Have all the events of this past week got you wondering, “What in the world is going on?”  Trouble seems to have been delivered in the combo-pack, and it leaves us wondering how prepared we really are for pending disasters.

In the midst of it all, nearly a hundred thousand WordPress sites came under brute force attacks beginning April 11.  While it first seemed to be just a blip, within 24 hours, it was obvious that a full-scale attack of unsuspecting websites had fallen prey to a botnet.  Through internet-connected programs, malicious tasks can be executed within a network of infected computers. The end result is never good.  So what is the intent this time?  Experts can only speculate at this time, but it does appear that the attacks are widespread.

Upon first glance, experts at Sucuri determined that while the attack has great reach and was simultaneous, sites with even a modicum of prevention are immune.

Here are Three Tips You Should Follow NOW!

If you thought that something like this would never happen to your site, now is the time to think again and take some action.  Here are our three simple steps to a more secure WordPress site:

#1 – Create a unique username:

Is “admin” your username?  Then you are a prime target!  Change this immediately.  Oh, but wait… you can’t change a WordPress username.  Don’t fear.  First log in as you normally would.  Under “profile,” change your email address to an alternate email.  (This is because you can’t use the same email address for more than one username). Now create a new user choosing a unique username that is not admin, test, administrator, Admin, or root, as these are the top usernames being targeted. For this new username, you may now include your normal email address. After creating the new user, then delete your old username.  Poof!  That was easy! (Here are 4 steps provided by Judi Knight)

#2 – Update OFTEN!

This is like getting your teeth cleaned.  You can keep putting it off, but eventually the consequences of your procrastination are certainly going to increase your chances for problems.  Consistently check your WordPress version as well as plugins, and make sure that everything is up-to-date! Mickey Mellen gives more tips here.

#3 – Password creativity is essential!

Use strong passwords including upper and lower case letters.  Include numbers and special characters, and avoid normal key sequences and words, such as the top hits like 12345678 and qwerty.   If you must use words, choose a pass phrase like “correcthorsebatterystable.”  Exchanging 0 for o is easily guessed, so avoid that.  To be super-safe, we recommend that you use a password manager, like lastpass.com.

Celebrate your success with these bonus cleanup tips:

• Install a security plugin.  Sucuri is a favorite that ClickHOST recommends to their customers. We offer FREE malware scanning with all our hosting plans as well as FREE malware removal for our BEST plan customers.
• Delete any old WordPress installations.  Move on!  It makes sense to keep things cleaned up.
• Delete all unused plugins and themes.  Think of this as spring cleaning!  If you aren’t using it, then the time has come to delete it! Keep learning about WordPress!  And it goes without saying that you really need a good backup plan.  Our post on WordPress Backup Options will help.

If you are ready to learn more about WordPress security then check out ClickHOST’s 2013 WordCamp presentation on this subject.

So that was very simple, and because this attack is also very basic, then you are safe.  As always, make sure you chose a host like ClickHOST that keeps on guard for issues like this. Thank you for taking the time to read and follow these steps.  Please comment here and let us know what you will be doing right now to assure your site is prepared to fend off these attacks.  Malicious code is looking for an easy target. Prepare your site now so you are no longer in the bulls-eye for attack!

Post by Rhonda Pugh — ClickHOST Web & Support specialist.

My first WordCamp, I didn’t know what to expect.   I found it to be an open forum of sharing and networking.  Regardless of your expertise, you can increase your knowledge of WordPress from navigating the Dashboard to sophisticated design.   Being fairly new to WordPress myself, it was a great learning opportunity.  Let me share a couple of points that I learned:

Tip #1: Choose your WordPress Theme wisely

It is important to find a Theme that has the “bones” of what you need for your site or blog.  Plot an outline, look at your content, media, etc. You can always customize pages, add color and plugins, but you don’t want to get many hours into it and find your Theme is missing a crucial component that you need.  The Speaker, Judy Knight jokingly said choosing a Theme is like dating, you don’t want to get 3 months down the road and realize it’s not working for you, and you have to start all over!  Plan ahead and give some thought to choosing your Theme.

Tip #2: Use SEO Keywords

Jenny Munn delivered a great presentation on SEO and its importance for driving traffic to your site.  I learned that keywords should be in the language of your customer.  Think about what they will Google to find you.  Create titles, tags and descriptions with your keywords.   And, don’t forget to utilize your social networking site plugins.

Tip #3: Play with your website while you learn

It is a great idea to put your learning into practice right away, ask questions, and get hands-on help while at the camp.  WordCampers are some of the nicest folks around and very willing to share knowledge and help you be a better WordPress user. Btw, ClickHOST has some great WordPress how-to guides.

These are just a few points that I retained.  However, there was one other important thing I learned at WordCamp…“Friends don’t let Friend Host on godaddy!”  Oh, wait!  I already knew that!  :)

Photos and fun at WordCamp Atlanta

Here are some fun pictures and blog posts regarding WordCamp Atlanta 2013:

• Speaker/Sponsors party at 8bit’s shiny new offices.
• Flickr photos stream.
• Woothemes blog post and video.

 
Tell us about your WordCamp experience in the comments.

Really…really, you don’t know! OK, so I’m not as famous as Ma.tt who recently visited Mr Cameron at 10 Downing Street.
Now back to the reality.
Last year I met Matt at WordCamp 2012 in Atlanta. He is very personable and just popped into one of the sessions I attended. This is what makes WordCamps so exciting. You never know who you’ll bump into and community members are always very willing to help other WordPress users, especially newbies.

This year I’ll be speaking at WordCamp Atlanta, so hopefully you’ll see more of me. I love my topic and with the rise in cybercrime, hacking, and malware, I believe this is a very important topic for all beginner WordPress users. I’ll be presenting on

“Backing Up WordPress and Basic WordPress Security.”
— Saturday 11am, March 16, 2013

Here are some of the highlights:

• Top 3 ways to backup your WordPress website
• Top 3 tips to secure your WordPress installation
• 3 security myths, including, “Why you are not that special!”

You don’t want to miss this one.

ClickHOST is serious about security

At ClickHOST we are very serious about security and offer FREE malware/hacking monitoring for all our website hosting accounts. Malware removal is included in our BEST plan. All hosting plans also include automatic and full backups: daily, weekly, and monthly.  If you encounter any issues with your website, just email us and we will restore from any one of these backups — no charge.

by Carel, ClickHOST.com

PS:
Don’t forget our awesome $1/month WordPress hosting offer. Pay only $12 for a full year of WordPress hosting plus a FREE domain name. Check it out here: WordCamp 2013 $1 hosting offer.

PSS:
If you tag me at WordCamp you get one of our special, “Friends don’t let friends host on Go Daddy!” t-shirts. Cool, yes?

The topic: “Backing Up WordPress & Basic Security”. WordPress security is a big deal for us, and we provide free malware monitoring to all our customers.

Here at ClickHOST, we love WordPress! Now, we have a chance to share this love with our fellow WordPress users in the Atlanta area.  So, please join us for WordCamp Atlanta 2013, March 15-16 at the LouderMilk Center. Get your tickets here, before they are gone.

What is WordCamp you ask? WordCamp is a two-day exploration and sharing of the wonders of WordPress. Cool WordPress experts,  from around the world, will be speakers as well as a great many involved in the Atlanta metro WordPress scene.

$1 WordPress hosting again!

Yes, we are doing it again!  We are so excited about our attendance and sponsorship of WordCamp that we decided to offer $1 hosting to all WordCamp Atlanta attendees. This offer is good for ClickHOST’s BETTER annual plan and includes one FREE domain name for a year. You get $120 in value for just $12! We only have a limited number of promo codes (WCATL2013), so sign up quickly.
 

WordCamp Atlanta 2013 Resources:

Here is the full line-up of all the WordCamp Atlanta 2013 speakers. No worries, if you won’t be attending this year, we hope to learn a lot and share with you on the ClickHOST blog. You can follow the event on Twitter by using the hashtag: #WCATL. If you don’t follow us already, use: @clickhost on Twitter.

Will you be at WordCamp Atlanta this year? Say hi, and we’ll give you one of our cool, “Friends don’t let friends host on Go Daddy!” t-shirts.

Of late, the craze of Internet surfing has been tremendous, and it is steadily increasing. After all, Internet use is not just limited to PCs anymore. An increasing number of people are accessing the Internet on their new 3G & 4G smart phones.  Due to the immense increase in the use of mobile phone surfing, there has been an even greater need to have mobile websites for your business based upon a few reasons:
 

1.  Mobile handsets have comparably smaller screens. Although the website might be presentable and informative for a PC user, after being compressed into 3.5” screen (or even smaller) it is difficult to navigate and equally as hard to read as well.

2.  When data from the standard desktop website is downloaded to a mobile device, the device memory fills, preventing or slowing additional data from loading.

3.  When mobile users search using their phone, they are normally ready to buy.

 
Hence, in order to save yourself from loosing esteemed and valuable customers, you need websites that are optimized for mobile devices to help you to generate more business. Thanks to the increasing number of mobile users who only rely on their smart phones to for online buying, they will be greatly benefit as they can now easily complete transactions on your mobile website.

The solution is ClickHOST Mobile Designs. They build your mobile-friendly website to mimic the look and feel of your main website, yet it is enabled  with some tech-savvy features. This includes “Click-to-Call” where the searcher just has to click a button and they are instantly connected to one’s business. The site is also constructed with a “Click-to-Email’ button and even a convenient “Find Us” button that integrates with Google Maps to provide quick and easy directions for someone trying to find your business or office.

Mobile searchers want quick and fast information. These sites are trimmed to include only essential content while still including most facts and information necessary to make a buying decisions or other critical data. Analytics are also great on these sites, providing information about traffic, if the site visitor placed a call, sent an email, or requested map directions to your business.

Consider the facts! Mobile Internet searchers are more likely to buy now compared to desktop and laptop searchers that are usually more in a research mode.  Another little tip is that mobile website marketing is inexpensive when compared to marketing geared toward desktops and laptops. Google estimates that currently search terms are close to 30 percent lower in comparison to paid clicks on desktop and laptop ads.  Plus, by utilizing a few locally targeted directories, your site will always be visible.

So if your site is not Mo-Ready, call ClickHost today. Design services for advanced mobile websites are as low as $350. This may be one of the best advertising bargains of the year.   
 
 

This is a question that many small business owners are beginning to ask. They wonder if having a mobile presence is necessary. Most that ask this question probably already know the answer.  The answer is ‘yes!’

According to Google, 40 percent of all searches are currently being done on mobile devices. People are buying smart phones and Internet enabled devices, such as tablets, at an increasing rate. Mobile search is becoming a powerful tool that consumers use to make buying decisions. Many shoppers compare prices and read reviews on items even while shopping at a brick and mortar store. Statistically, 70 percent of the people searching for a product or service using a mobile device will buy in the near future. This exceeds the buying probability of desktop and laptop users, who often do more research than active buying.

So the answer is ‘yes.’ To meet this search demand, most businesses could benefit from having a mobile website that is designed correctly and loads fast. However, it is best to seek mobile website experts to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

What features should a mobile website have?

Features such as Click-to-Call and Click-for-Directions are two of the must-have features for any good mobile website. These make it easy for consumers to call or find you. These two buttons will be a must as web searchers develop their expectations on how a website should perform for them.  Another key feature that is nice especially for service-based businesses is Click-to-Email. Again this allows for easy and convenient communication.

Internet users are also looking for a site that renders quickly and properly. Slow-load mobile sites are often abandoned or deleted by the user. Also having a site that is readable with pinch-to-zoom is also a key element one should look for from a mobile website designer.

What information should be included?

Mobile website content needs to be quick and to the point. Mobile users normally want fast information to use in a buying decision. Therefore, having a straight forward site is usually the best practice. Other users may need directions to your place or need to call for quick questions or perhaps make a reservation.

How about hosting?

A mobile website usually requires special hosting and a little maintenance. Here at ClickHOST, we provide this service for as low as $10.75 per month. Mobile websites require special platforms where the features such as Click-to-Call and Click-for-Directions can run smoothly. Your typical hosting service often does not provide this capability.

The bottom line

Pricing for mobile website design can be as low as $350 for a standard site. The price can vary due to design element requests and other functionality that may be needed. ClickHOST designers are experienced in all aspects of mobile design creation and can help work you through this process.

 
What questions do you have?  Is your site mobile-enabled now?  Please share your comments.