Domain ownership certificate: what it is and how to get it

Owning and having control of your domain is essential for guaranteeing your online presence and protecting the digital reputation of your brand. One imperative step in this process is to get a domain ownership certificate, a document officially confirming that it is legally your property.

What is the domain ownership certificate?

This official certificate shows who the legal owner of a particular domain is. The document is issued by the authority responsible for registering domains or for domain registration companies and is proof of the domain’s ownership.

Why is it important?

Obtaining the domain ownership certificate is crucial for several reasons:

1. Confirmation of ownership: the certificate officially confirms who the owner of the domain is, establishing their legitimacy should any disputes or legal claims occur.

2. Brand protection: it ensures that the brand or company has complete control of their domain, avoiding the risk of unauthorised use or appropriation.

3. Digital security: the certificate provides an additional layer of security as the data and information associated with the domain are linked to its legal owner.

How to get a domain ownership certificate

The process to get a domain ownership certificate can vary slightly according to the registration company for your domain, but generally follows these steps:

1. Access your account with the registration company: log into your account with the registration company you used to get your domain.

2. Go to the domain management section: look for the section or tab for managing your domains within your account.

3. Request the domain ownership certificate: in the domain management section you will find an option for requesting and downloading the domain ownership certificate.

4. Verify the data: in some cases, the registration company might require you to verify your identity or ownership before issuing the certificate. This can mean sending additional documents or confirmation of the contact information associated with the domain.

5. Download the certificate: once the data are verified, you can download the domain ownership certificate from your account with the registration company. The document will normally be available in an electronic and/or PDF format.

Once you have your domain ownership certificate, we recommendyou keep a copy of it in a safe and accessible place. The document may be necessary for domain transfers, changes in domain management or legal disputes.

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Five tips for updating the design of your website

As the digital world evolves, the landscape of website design also changes to adapt to users’ needs and the latest technology. Here are some of the most notable trends in website design in 2024.

1. Dark mode

Dark mode continues to gain in popularity as it offers benefits such as reduced visual stress and battery power saving for mobile devices. Many websites offer clear and dark mode options so users can choose the one they prefer and improve the browsing experience.

2. Bento grid

The Bento grid aims to simplify and order website pages more efficiently. Inspired by the principle of the Japanese Bento Box, this trend organises content into clearly defined sections using a combination of generous white spaces and graphic or visual elements to separate the different parts of the website. The structure facilitates browsing and comprehension of information for users, creating a more intuitive and pleasing experience.

3. Innovative typographic design

Typography has always been a crucial part of website design, but now more than ever there is a greater use of personalised and bold typographies to capture people’s attention. Frome the use of variable fonts to typological experimentation, designers play with possibilities to create more interesting and attractive reading experiences.

4. Priority for accessibility

With a growing focus on digital inclusion and accessibility, websites prioritise accessibledesign to guarantee that all users, including those with some sort of disability, can access and engage with online content easily. This includes optimising screens for reading, contrasting colours better and improving simplified browsing.

5. Micro-interactions and subtle animations

Micro-interactions and subtle animations play an important role in user experience (UX) on websites. From buttons with transition effects to animation responses when moving the cursor, these details play a key part in improving user engagement with online content.

We hope these tips prove useful if you’re thinking of updating your website and adapting it to current trends to improve user experience and browsing.

Meta tags: what they are and how to use them

Meta tags, also known as meta elements or metadata, are fragments of HTML code that provide information about the content of a website for search engines and other online services. Using them effectively is crucial in SEO for a website and improving its position in search engine results.

There are different types of meta tags to bear in mind:

1.  Title tag: This is one of the most essential meta tags. It specifies the title of the page and is the text that appears in the title bar of the browser. It needs to be appealing, contain relevant keywords and not exceed the limits recommended for the search engine.

2.  Description tag: This provides a brief description of the page content. It is the fragment of text that appears beneath the title in search results. A well-drafted and informative description can drive up click rates.

3.  Canonical ERL tag: This is used to indicate the main page when there are a number of similar ones. It helps with page hierarchy and prioritises the indicated page as canonical. We should bear in mind that in this case, the meta tag is placed on the secondary page to indicate which page is the main one.

4.  Robot tag: This indicates if a search engine can index a page or not. Sometimes it can be used to prevent certain pages from being displayed in search results.

5.  Alt image tag: This describes what an image shows. Besides being one of the elements that helps with positioning, it is important in terms of site usability for people with visual impairment who use screen readers that include these texts.

To use meta tags effectively to improve your search engine positioning, you should make sure that they are in keeping with the page content and that they include relevant keywords. It is important to maintain a coherent structure and avoid the excessive use of keywords, as search engines can penalise this. Finally, it is a good idea to review and update meta

tags regularly to adapt to changes in search trends and the algorithms of search engines.

Keys to avoiding hotlinking and protecting your online resources

Hotlinking describes a practice where somebody uses a link to an image, video or other multimedia file on one website and links it directly to their own platform, without hosting the image or the content themselves. This can lead to various problems for website owners, including the unauthorised use of content and unauthorised consumption of hosting and bandwidth. Fortunately, there are various ways of preventing this practice.

To start with, many websites use protection which disables direct linking through configurations on their servers. This way, when somebody tries to link an image or multimedia resource to another site, access is blocked and just an empty image or error message appears. While this is an efficient measure, some platforms or hosting may not offer this option directly.

Another common strategy to avoid hotlinking is to use a .htaccess file. This can be configured to only allow access to certain websites and block other domains that try to directly link to resources. Configuring the .htaccess file requires technical knowledge but offers accurate control over who can access website content.

Other methods include the use of content delivery networks (CDN) that can manage and distribute content and prevent hotlinking. These services provide specific links which are protected and are only accessible from the owner’s website or platform.

Despite these preventive measures, some users try to avoid them. In these cases, website owners can choose to replace images which have been directly linked with others that display a clear message on the prohibition of hotlinking and add a watermark showing the origin and ownership of the file.

We hope this article helps you to recognise the practice of hotlinking and offers you some ideas on avoiding it. While in most cases some technical knowledge is required, adding a watermark to your multimedia files can be the simplest way of protecting your online resources.

Keys for improving your digital sustainability

With technology becoming part of our daily life, digital sustainability has emerged as a new concept that refers to the capacity to use technology responsibly, minimising its environmental impact and maximising its contribution to society. In an increasingly connected world, digital sustainability is essential for ensuring a prosperous and equitable future.

Here are ten tips to help you to be more sustainable in your use of technology:

1.    Optimise energy use: Configure your devices to use the energy saving mode and turn them off or leave them powered down when you’re not using them.

2.    Reduce, reuse, recycle: Where possible, use refurbished or reconditioned electronic devices instead of buying new ones. Recycle your old electronic devices responsibly.

3.    Use the cloud for storage: Use cloud services to store files and data instead of using servers and physical discs.

4.    Buy energy efficient devices: When purchasing new devices, look for energy efficient options with certificates such as ENERGY STAR.

5.    Minimise unnecessary browsing: Avoid the automatic reproduction of videos and animations, as these consume a large amount of energy and data.

6.    Eliminate unnecessary apps and files: Clean your devices and servers of apps and files you no longer use. This will help reduce the burden that the use of resources has on the system.

7.    Use digital communication: Choose email, instant messaging and videoconferencing instead of paper communication or unnecessary journeys.

8.    Keep software updated: Keep your software updated to ensure you’re using the safest and most efficient versions.

9.    Protect your privacy: Be aware of your personal data and how you share it online. Use safety tools and privacy configurations to protect your information.

10.  Foster digital responsibility: Educate yourself and others about digital sustainability and promote the responsible use of technology through education and awareness.

We hope these tips provide some guidance and help you to use technology and the digital environment more sustainably.

Web3: What is it and what uses has it got?

In recent years we’ve seen technology develop very fast, revolutionising the way we interact and share information via the internet. One new trend is the Web3 concept, an evolution of the current website which introduces a new paradigm based around decentralisation.

Web3, or the decentralised website, seeks to overcome the limitations of the current website, known as Web2. While Web2 is based on centralised architecture where data and control are mainly in the hands of companies and organisations, Web3 has the goal of decentralising this infrastructure and handing control to users through technologies such as blockchain and other distributed registry systems.

Web3 structure is conceived for uses such as:

1. Digital identity: With Web3, users can have greater control over their digital identity. Cryptographic systems mean each individual can have a unique identifier and verify their data without depending on a central authority. This can improve online security and privacy, as well as avoid fraud and identity supplantation.

2. Decentralised markets: The arrival of Web3 brings decentralised markets which allow users to exchange assets and services without the need for a central intermediary. These markets work through smart contracts, which are programmable agreements executed automatically when the established conditions are met. 

3. Internet of Things (IoT): Web3 may also have a significant impact on the Internet of Things. With decentralised infrastructure, connected devices can communicate directly without depending on central servers. This can improve the security and privacy of the data generated by IoT devices, reducing vulnerability to central attacks and minimising the dependency of companies on service providers.

4. Decentralised finance (DeFi): One of the most notable applications of Web3 is the development of DeFi platforms. These decentralised finance platforms enable users to conduct transactions, loans and other financial operations without the need for traditional intermediaries such as banks or finance institutions. 

5. Decentralised governance: Another important area of application for Web3 is decentralised governance, With the use of blockchain and decentralised voting systems it’s possible to foster citizen participation for collective decision-making.

With technologies such as blockchain and other distributed registry systems becoming more broadly adopted, Web3 is likely to continue to expand and open up new opportunities for collaboration, security and participation for all internet users.

Automatisation tools: simplifying content dissemination for small businesses

Disseminating content is a fundamental process nowadays for all businesses, big and small. Yet for small companies, managing content dissemination can be a challenge as there is often a lack of time or resources for doing so effectively. This is where automatisation tools can play an important role. These tools offer simplified solutions for automating various tasks and optimising content dissemination. 

Tools we can use for this include:

  • IFTTT (If This, Then That) is a popular tool combining free plans and others with tariffs, allowing users to create automatic processes based on a structure of “if A happens, we generate B”. With IFTTT, small businesses can integrate their social media platforms and other online services so that they are activated automatically when certain things happen. For instance, if the business publishes a new blog article, IFTTT can automatically share it on social media.
  • Make is a free tool similar to IFTTT, combining free plans and others with tariffs, but with greater flexibility and personalisation. This tool enables users to create personalised workflows which are triggered according to various sequences and actions. Make allows small businesses to automatise tasks such as sending welcome emails to new subscribers or automatically updating content on different platforms.
  • Zapier is another popular automatisation tool combining free and chargeable plans. It connects various applications and services to transfer data automatically. For small businesses, Zapier offers the possibility of automatising tasks such as sending auto-reply messages to clients, synchronising data between project management tools and automatic follow-up of potential clients.
  • Microsoft Power Automate (previously Microsoft Flow) is an automatisation tool which users can integrate into the Microsoft environment (charges apply). Power Automate enables small businesses to connect and automate various Microsoft applications and services such as SharePoint, Teams, Outlook and many more. This means tailored workflows can be created to simplify tasks such as document approvals, scheduling meetings and sending notifications.
  • Leadsbridge is a specialist tool for the integration and synchronisation of data between marketing platforms, combining free plans with chargeable ones. For small businesses, Leadsbridge offers functions such as the automatic collation of data for potential clients from website forms and synchronisation with client relationship management tools (CRM) and email platforms. This helps small businesses automatise the process to attract new clients and efficiently keep a database up to date.

The main advantages offered by these automatisation tools are:

  • Time saving: content dissemination tasks tend to be repetitive and time consuming. These tools mean small businesses can schedule and automatise them, allowing staff to devote more time to other aspects of the business.
  • Coherence and consistency: automatisation ensures that content is published more consistently and at the most appropriate time. This helps maintain an active and cohesive online presence.
  • Broader reach: automatisation allows small businesses to disseminate content on various platforms and social media channels simultaneously. This broadens the reach and visibility of messages and helps attract new sectors of the public.
  • Personalisation: despite automatisation, these tools allow small businesses to personalise messages and adapt them for different platforms and specific audiences. This helps create a more personal and relevant experience for clients.
  • Integration with other tools: automatisation tools can be integrated with other tools and management platforms, such as web analytics, CRM and email platforms. This also allows for more efficient management and thorough follow-up of content dissemination.

In short, automatisation tools such as IFTTT, Make, Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate and Leadsbridge offer small businesses an efficient and simplified way of disseminating content. Automatisation means businesses can save time, maintain a consistent online presence and reach a broader audience. In the long run, it can help them improve their visibility, attract new clients and grow in today’s increasingly competitive digital environment.

How to reduce your website’s bounce rate

Reducing the bounce rate for your website or blog is a key factor in improving its health. The bounce rate measures the percentage of visitors to the site who then leave without visiting more pages or engaging with it. There may be various reasons for this, including technical issues, UX issues, poor content or a poor content structure etc.

Calculating a bounce rate is easy and is done with website statistics tools such as Google Analytics or Matomo. However, it’s important to bear in mind that there’s no such thing as a good or bad bounce rate, as it depends on what type of site is being measured. For instance, a landing page or a final content page can have a high bounce rate, but this is not necessarily a bad thing if the page requires no additional engagement.

The following tips can help reduce the bounce rate for a website or blog:

  • Check the speed of the website and optimise its images, as a slow-loading page can turn visitors away before they engage with the content.
  • Improve the structure of content and the user experience: make the content more interesting and relevant, improve the accessibility of the site through responsive design,enabling users to view it from their mobile or tablet.
  • Guarantee the security of the website, through an SSL security certificate or by including legal texts (privacy policy, legal notice, cookie notice and contractual conditions where applicable).
  • Including internal links on pages can be a good way of reducing the bounce rate for your website or blog. This way users will engage with the different sections, pushing up the time spent on the website.

In summary, it’s important to keep an eye on the bounce rate for your website or blog, as this is an indicator of its health and will help you understand what changes you can make to improve user experience.

How to optimise images for your website

When it comes to designing and developing a website, images play a key part in attracting and maintaining visitors. Yet heavy images can make your site slower to load. That’s why it’s essential to optimise images, to ensure users have a good experience.

Here are some practical tips on optimising images for your website:

1. Reduce file sizes
The size of image files directly influences the time it takes the page to load. It’s important to reduce the size of image files without losing quality. You can do this byusing image compression tools such as TinyPNG and Compressor.io.

2. Optimise the image format
The most common formats for images are JPG, PNG and GIF. Each format has its own characteristics and advantages. JPG files are suitable for photos and images with complex colours, while PNG files are the best for images with transparent parts. GIFfiles are a good option for animations and images with few colours.

3. Use descriptive file names
The names of image files are also important for SEO purposes. Use descriptive file names that include keywords linked to the image to help search engines index the image and show it in search results.

4. Include alt text and a title
Alt text and titles are important elements for accessibility and SEO. Alt text describes the image for users with screen readers or who have visual impairment, while titles appear when the mouse moves over them. Include descriptive keywords in the alt texts and title to help search engines index the image.

5. Avoid images in Flash
Images in Flash are less accessible for users and incompatible with many devices. Avoid using images in Flash and go for more accessible image formats such as JPG and PNG.

6. Reduce the number of images
Having too many images on a page can mean the page takes longer to load and have a negative effect on SEO. Just use the images you need for the page and optimise them to reduce their size.

We encourage you to follow these simple tips and you’ll improve the loading speed of your website while improving your position in the result of image searches.

How to use ChatGPT for your internet business?

If you haven’t used it yet, you’re likely to have heard talk of it at some point. We’re talking about ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence system developed by OpenAI which can generate texts and conversations and obtain answers for just about anything you ask it.

The tool is currently open-access and free to use. All you need to do is register, type in your question and in a matter of seconds ChatGPT will start generating your answer.

How can ChatGPT be of use to me?

It is important to bear in mind we’re talking about an artificial intelligence tool which builds its answers from an extensive source of data. Consequently, its response will be approximate, but we can’t take it to be 100% correct.

Even so, the tool can be very useful for complementing our work and getting a first draft of the material we want to work with.

The most common uses of ChatGPT are:

  • Creation of texts: you can ask the tool to write any sort of text, establishing a specific number of characters, type of text, language, style, tone and more. You can use it to describe a product on your website, to generate an email with information for your customers, as a presentation text and more.
  • Content generation: the tool can help you produce a first version of an article on any topic, or you can even ask it to suggest tweets for a text you have already published. This can be very useful for keeping an active profile on social media and getting visitors to your website. It won’t do all the work for you, but it can save you a lot of time.
  • Resolving doubts: the tool can help you in many ways here, not just in resolving doubts you may have, but for example by creating a Q & A section for your customers or users. Similarly, with SEO, as you can ask it to give you keywords to work with in your sector or in relation to the product or type of service you offer.

From here on you can let your imagination take over. This AI tool (and many of those which will spring up in the future) can help you develop anything which involves generating a text. That said, it’s always necessary to check that the data make sense and it’s a good idea to adapt the information to give it a more personal and authentic touch.