Category: Resources

SSL certificate: what it is and why you need it

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The SSL certificate is a communication protocol which guarantees the secure transmission of information on the internet through data encryption.

Without a certificate it wouldn’t be possible to establish a secure connection between the server and the user, and data would be exposed. This means sensitive data such as users, passwords and bank details.

How to know if a website has got an SSL certificate?

The easiest way to quickly know if a website has got an SSL certificate is by looking at the URL that appears in the browser. If we see it starts with ‘https://’ that final ‘s’ tells us that this website has got an SSL certificate and is therefore a secure site. In contrast, if the URL starts with ‘http://’, without the final ‘s’, this tells us that the website hasn’t got an SSL certificate and any data transmitted through it could be accessed by third parties and misused.

There are also tools such as ssl.cat and sslchecker, which tell us if a website has got an SSL certificate and consequently whether it’s safe. These types of tools are highly recommended for checking URLs which are unfamiliar to us or which might take us to websites with malware or infected with some virus.

How to get the SSL certificate for my website

The most advisable way to install an SSL certificate on your website is to do so via your registration company. Many of these offer free certificates when you get a domain. Whether they are free or they have a cost, bear in mind that they all guarantee the security of your website. The difference between a free certificate and one with a cost lies in the additional features and usability.

If you see that your registration company offers various options, it’s best to contact them so they can help you choose the one that most suits your needs.

How to create secure passwords

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Every day we use various applications and programmes which we need passwords for. In this article we offer some recommendations for creating secure passwords which are difficult to decipher and which protect your data.

Passwords such as 124, password, abc123 or 111111 are still some of the most commonly used and also some of the least secure. We all like a password which is easy to remember, but there are some tricks to ensure this isn’t incompatible with security.

Some basic tips

  • If the system creates a default password when you register as a user, change it straight away. 
  • Avoid obvious keys such as your name, date of birth, phone number, pet name or anything else which might be public on your social media or which is known to others.
  • Use a key for each account. If you use the same password for each of your devices, email, social media, bank account or online payments, you’re putting all your accounts in danger. If somebody manages to decipher your password in one application, they’ll have access to all your accounts.
  • Use a password manager to save the keys for each of your user profiles. This is the safest way to have them to hand and ensure you don’t forget any of them.

Tricks to create and memorise your secure passwords

Creating a safe password and remembering it might seem impossible, but these tricks make it a bit easier:

  • Create keyboard patterns and replace the numbers with letters. For instance, take the first six digits of your phone number and combine them with the letters of the keyboard just below them. Imagine your number is 635312, with the letters this would give you 6y3e5t3e1q2w. To add more security, you can alternate the characters in lower case and capitals and add symbols. For instance: &6y3E%5t3e!1Q2w.
  • Choose a phrase, lyrics from a song, a book title or a film and transform it into a secure password. For example, with the Catalan expression “Al maig, cada dia un raig”, you might:
    • Choose the first letter from each word: amcdur.
    • Alternate lower case and capitals: AmCdUr.
    • Insert numbers and symbols between the letters: !Am6C@dUr$

And if your memory lets you down…

We insist that using a password manager allows you to keep them all safe and to hand whenever you need them. This way you only need to remember the password that gives you access to the manager.

How to choose keywords to promote your website

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When it comes to promoting your website on the internet and getting results from your campaigns on Google Ads, a publicity service which among other things allows you to appear in the best positions in Google search results, it’s important to choose your keywords well, just as you do when you work on the SEO for your website to get well-positioned by Google.

When choosing keywords to activate your ads, you should bear in mind which words your potential customers might use when carrying out a search in Google. Take into account that your ad will appear in the search when the keyword you’ve chosen for your campaign coincides with the word typed in by the person looking for your products and services.

The recommendation is to choose between 5 and 20 keywords. To choose these, you need to analyse the business services and products you’re offering and how you would look for them with Google. Think about the words and phrases which best describe each of the categories which your business embodies.

If, for instance, you have a cafeteria, you might like to think of terms such as “cafeteria” and build on this to add things like “best breakfast”, “where to have a coffee”, “cafeteria Sants” (or the neighbourhood your business is in.

The more specific, the better

Think of words to connect with a specific user, this way you can reach a customer who is interested in a very specific product. You can run specific ads with keywords such as “best croissant in Barcelona”, “best sourdough bread” or “vegan cakes”, for people specifically looking for this product.

Create different groups of ads according to keywords

For ads to become relevant and reach customers with an interest in your products and services, it’s a good idea to group together keywords to match the different areas or categories of your business.

If you add a keyword in the same group of ads, a customer looking for “vegan cakes” might see your “cafeteria in Sants” ad when this might not really fit in with what they’re searching for. The best way is to group ads together by topic, thinking how they might be replaced or be of interest to a customer searching for one of the keywords or phrases in the same group of ads.

Don’t forget negative words

You probably won’t want your ads to display to people looking for a product or service which is not linked to your business. Because of this, you can add negative keywords to your list. This will stop your ads from appearing in searches which are of no interest to you and is a good way of cutting costs. To mark negative keywords you need to put the symbol – in front of the word in question.

Bear in mind concordance for Google Ads

Google Ads doesn’t simply take into account the keyword you add to your list. The words you add do not always correspond to those which users type in for their searches.

• Broad concordance: this is the default option. It allows an ad to display when search words and phrases are similar to those you added as keywords. This includes relevant variations and synonyms of your keywords.

• Exact match: this option only allows ads to display when the user’s search includes the word or phrase you established as a keyword. To choose this option you simply need to put the word or phrase between inverted commas.

For instance, if you choose “cafeteria Sants” as a keyword, when somebody looks for “cafeteria Badalona” or “haberdashery Sants” it’s unlikely that your ad will appear on the search results page. Yet if you put the keyword “cafeteria Sants”, it will only appear when the search includes the phrase “cafeteria Sants”.

Basic cybersecurity advice for SMEs

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The security of information and data is a very important factor for any business. Large companies usually have a department devoted to cybersecurity and the prevention of IT attacks, but for small companies it can be complicated to devote part of their resources to cybersecurity.

Because of this, here we set out a series of basic tips on cybersecurity which you can start applying to your company the moment you get to the end of this article.

What are the most common attacks?

If your company suffers an IT attack, it will likely come in the form of:

  • Malware: any sort of malicious software or programme.
  • Virus: malware which infects or alters the functioning of programmes and devices with harmful or malicious ends.
  • Spyware or trojan horse: seemingly normal programmes or which are hidden inside others to steal information.
  • Phishing: supplantation of identity through email with the goal of obtaining sensitive information.
  • Ransomware: software which infects hardware and is used to coerce users, facilitating information in exchange for money.

What can you do to keep your SME secure?

Install an anti-virus on your devices

It might seem basic, but it’s the first step in detecting any cyber-attack and keeping your devices protected. Some of the most widely used anti-virus programmes are Avast, Kaspersky, Bitdefender and Norton. Most have a free version or plans to suit different types of companies.

If you use the Windows operating system, bear in mind that from Windows 8 onwards this includes the anti-virus service Windows Defender.

Remember that anti-virus services must be kept up to date at all times to remain effective.

Update the programmes on your devices

Make sure your devices have the latest version of programmes and apps. Cyberdelinquents often exploit bugs and possible deficiencies in previous versions to attack hardware.

Secure passwords

Make sure that the passwords your company uses are secure and comply with the following requisites:

  • Create long passwords that combine capital and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters such as an exclamation mark or question mark.
  • Avoid using passwords generated for you by default.
  • Use passwords which are unique to each programme.
  • Use a password manager to stay on top of them all.

Limit installations

Make sure that the programmes installed on your devices have been downloaded from a trusted source. If you’re unsure or your computer or mobile detects a suspicious file, we recommend you delete it rather than installing it.

If you have devices which are shared between various workers, you can also limit permission to install new software. This way you can avoid any malicious software being installed.

Be careful with attached files and suspicious links in emails

Email is one of the main ways in for attacks on businesses. If the link is from an unknown source or you don’t know what you are being sent, it’s best not to open it. Check the sender’s address properly and make sure it’s not a phishing attempt. 

Use secure networks

It is important that your internet connections are safe and encrypted. Your routers must have firewalls and be up to date. You can also limit the devices which connect to your network by configuring your hardware.

If you use a public network to connect to the internet at any point, remember that you may be sharing data and exposing information to others. Avoid this wherever possible.

We hope these tips help you to keep your SME secure. Think about making back-up copies whenever you can, so that all your information can be re-established in the event of a cyberattack.

New subsidy call for the Kit Digital programme

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Managed by the Spanish government through Red.es, the Kit Digital programme is funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and is opening a second call for subsidies to help drive the digital transformation among small companies.

From 2 September this year to 2 September 2023, companies with between 3 and 10 workers can apply for a digital subsidy of 6,000 euros via the Red.es electronic portal.

This second call covers a broader catalogue of digital solutions which companies can apply for, including: website and basic internet presence, community management, e-commerce, customer management, virtual office tools and services, business intelligence and analytics, process management, e-invoicing, safe communications, cybersecurity and now advanced internet presence and marketplace.

Companies wishing to apply for subsidies must register at www.acelerapyme.es and complete a simple test to gauge their digital maturity. Once this is completed, they should apply for their digital subsidy using the Red.es electronic headquarters.

Once checks show the company meets the requisites, the digital subsidy is awarded. Companies can consult the catalogue of digital solutions available, as well as accredited digitalisation agencies at acelerapyme.es or the portal elKIT.CAT, which brings together all the authorised agents in the Catalan-speaking lands, such as the OOMKT agency, who we interviewed a few months back on our website.

At this point the company should choose one or more digitalisation agencies to develop the digital solutions which best satisfy their digital needs and sign up to the agreement for the provision of digitalisation solutions.

The Kit Digital programme aims to help SMEs and the self-employed in the Spanish state go digital over the next three years. The first companies to be able to apply for these subsidies were businesses with between 10 and 50 workers, and now it’s the turn of companies with between 3 and 10 workers. During the last quarter of the year, the call will be opened up for companies with fewer than 3 workers. 

How to develop your brand on social media

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Getting your brand out there for people to engage with is a basic step for people to identify with you. Social media not only helps promote your company’s products and services, but also offers a chance to generate a community, disseminate the mission and values of your brand, gauge the needs of your target audience and, ultimately, make your brand more human and familiar.

Work your brand identity well

It is really important for your brand to be coherent across all platforms, making it easier for people to recognise. When somebody looks for you on social media, they need to know that your profile corresponds to your brand.

  • If you have various social media profiles, try to get them to have the same name across all media platforms. 
  • The profile image should be your logo.
  • Add the URL of your website to your social media profiles.
  • Use a similar visual design across all platforms, consistent with your website. 

Identify your audience and your social platform

Don’t jump the gun when it comes to creating a social media profile. First be sure of the profile you are targetting and the characteristics of each platform. Consider who you want to reach (their age, where they live, their interests, how they express themselves etc.) and identify which social media you will find them on. For example, users on TikTok and Instagram will be younger than those on Facebook and Twitter.

Once you know your target audience and which social media you want to be on, consider the type of content you need. For instance, Instagram and Pinterest are highly visual platforms and need good quality image-based content, with photos and videos alike. In contrast, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are perfect for text content, sharing articles, explaining new projects, asking users things and so on.

Plan and be consistent

Now you have identified your audience and the social media platforms you want to be on, it’s time to generate content.

Produce a calendar for social media content. This will help you know what and when to communicate. Identify key days for your brand, capitalise on current events, international days which have some connection with your brand or its values etc.

Create quality content: think about what you want to give to your audience. What do they need? What content generates interest? Create content which offers value, explain real stories and stick to the same tone and style in all your communication. If you’re unsure, you can try one sort of content and when you have a minimum base of followers, conduct surveys or ask them what sort of content they would like to see on your profile.

Generate special content for your followers. Maybe you can clear up queries with a live video for your followers, publish tutorials, reward your followers with a draw or competition of some sort…

Most of all, be patient

Share your social media on all your channels, from the website to visiting cards. This is a good way to get people who see your brand somewhere to track you and perhaps end up engaging with your brand.

Generating a community of followers on social media is not a fast process. It’s best to have some followers who identify with your brand and engage with it than to try to quickly build a base of followers regardless of their profile.

Why doesn’t my website show up in Google?

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If you search for your website and it doesn’t appear in the first page of results in Google, the chances are that potential clients won’t find you. But don’t fret, there’s a solution. Here’s how to do it.

Patience and SEO

If you only recently published your website, you’re going to have to be patient. The newest sites don’t tend to get ranked instantly on Google. It’s likely you’ll have to click through the pages with Google search results to find your website. Bear in mind that there’s content which is similar to yours on the internet, dating back further and which people have purposefully worked on to position it.

But keep your chin up, by following a series of steps you can do it too. The first thing you need to know is that your web is listed in the Google index. To check this, access Google and search for site:elteudomini.barcelona (instead of elteudomini.barcelona type the name of your own domain).

If no results show up it means that Google doesn’t know that your website exists. In this case you need to find out why it is not listed. One way of checking is to register your domain with Google Search Console.

If you find some results, you’re on the right track and Google knows your site exists. In this case you will need to work on your SEO to improve the position of your site and gain visibility.

Finding the keywords you need

If you want your customers to find you on Google you need to speak the same language. Perhaps you’re using words that are too technical or too generic for the texts on your website. The more generic your keywords are, the more difficult it will be to position your site, as you’ll be competing with a lot of others. A .barcelona domain will help you achieve a better position in searches using the name of your city as a keyword and on the map.

Think about who your audience is. For instance, if your business is travel, instead of using travel as a key word you could use family travel, weekend getaways, group travel, travelling with kids and so on.

If you’re unsure of the words your customers use for Google searches, you can carry out a keyword study. We suggest you start by brainstorming words and phrases you think they might use in a search. Bear in mind:

  • Products and services: what customers look for when they want to purchase, for instance, travel Barcelona.
  • Problems customers have: what they look for to solve these, for instance, how to book a pet-friendly hotel in Barcelona.
  • Desired results: when they know what they’re looking for, for instance, booking a pet-friendly hotel in Barcelona.
  • Characteristics: when they search for details on your products, for instance, pet-friendly hotel Barcelona.

Once you’ve got a list of possible keywords and phrases, you can find out how frequently people search for them on Google and what competition you’re facing. Various SEO tools can help you find this information. One of the most widely used is the Google Ads keyword planner.

In the ‘Ideas’ section for keywords you can type some of the words or phrases from your list to see the monthly average number of searches for each of them and how competitive they are (high, medium or low). The tool also suggests related phrases which could be used.

All you need to do to use this tool is configure a free account with Google Ads.

Each keyword in its place

Once you’ve identified the keywords and phrases for your website, you need to include them in the right place to optimise your website and improve your position in Google searches.

Think about which keywords are best suited to each of the pages on your website. You probably won’t put the same ones on the home page as you will on a page for a specific page or blog entry. Each page has different information which will fit in better with the keywords on the list you’re working with.

Once you’ve chosen them, you’ll need to include them in various places:

  • Title: SEO experts affirm this is the most important place when it comes to adding a keyword. Even though you don’t see it directly when accessing content on a site, it is the word that gets highlighted in search results.
  • Meta description: This information is not in view when you visit a website, but it is when you do a search. It is usually the same text which appears beneath the title when you do a search.
  • Heading and subtitles: When we edit pages we find HTML tags which go from H1 to H6. These heading tags are for titles within the content which tend to appear highlighted within the text. Many visits will only focus on these parts, so it’s important they are well-written and highlight the words we want to draw attention to.
  • Links within the website: In addition to external links which direct users to your page (such as those on social media), you can also include links from an internal page to another within your website. Instead of linking these with generic texts such as “click here” or “more information”, use texts with a description for the link.

A page for each section

If you’re starting out, perhaps you’ve put all the information into a single page within your website. We suggest you create a page for each of the sections of your website. Google, or any other search engine, prefers each page to have specific content.

This way you can put your keywords to good use, explain each section in detail, add photos, videos and work your links well too.

All these steps will help you improve your position on Google, and as we said at the beginning, patience, to give Google time to index all the information and changes on your website and get it higher up in search results.

The .barcelona domain helps you stand out on Google Maps

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A geographical domain such as .barcelona helps geolocate your project, allowing you to increase traffic to your website and improve your organic position in Google’s Search Engine Result Pages (SERP). All this makes a domain such as .barcelona the best option for naturally boosting your website’s presence on the internet.

Google studies show that 80% of internet users rely on search engines to obtain local results. Organic search results with Google actually display local results, and we should bear in mind that users tend to choose one of the options which comes up in the top positions. The best example of this is Google Maps. A good position on Google Maps results in a higher ranking in Google’s organic search results.

Consequently, using a local geographical domain such as .barcelona plays a key role in facilitating access for future clients. In short, thanks to a domain such as .barcelona:

  • It’s easier to find you
  • It’s easier to remember your name
  • It’s easier to attract new visitors
  • It’s easier to sell your end product
  • Your organic positioning will improve

Check if your domain is available: domini.barcelona/registra/

Domain, website and email: how they are similar and how they differ

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When we talk about the internet there are some related concepts which can cause confusion between them. While plenty of people know what a domain is, some might not realise that registering one does not give you a website. People may also confuse a URL address with an email address.

What is a domain?

A domain name is simply the name we choose for our website. Technically, it is a ‘translation’ using words that are easy to remember and which correspond to an IP address where all the information on our website is hosted. This IP address is a very long unique number, which we essentially substitute with the domain name. Consequently, the domain name must also be the only one of its kind in the world. An example of a domain would be mercat.barcelona.

Does registering a domain mean we have a website?

No. If we register a domain, we have only registered what we want to call ourselves on the network (domain name). If we want a website, we must rent space where it will be housed. To do this we need to acquire space on the server where we will save all the files that make up our website. We do this through a web hosting company.

So, what is the difference between a domain and a website?

The domain is the name we write in the browser, while the website is the page itself. In other words, all the information it contains: files, texts and images.

And email?

An email address is the address we use to send and receive emails, from a webmail or an email management programme such as Outlook. This service is provided from an email server. The email address very often includes the domain name, as most web servers offer the option of registering email addresses too. This way we can manage everything from the same domain management panel.

An email address differs from a website address as it has the symbol @ in the middle. This separates the name of the recipient from the email domain. For instance, if our domain is mercat.barcelona, the email address could be info@mercat.barcelona. We can register as many email addresses as we wish or as many as our server allows.

The geoTLD group welcomes .miami and .boston

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The geoTLD group came together for a virtual meeting on 10 February, enabling members to get up to date with the latest in the sector and draft the activity and management plan for 2022. The group also used the session to welcome the new domains of .miami and .boston, the two newcomers bringing the number of geoTLD members around the world to 37.The meeting was also a chance for geoTLDs to prepare for the upcoming ICANN 73, an open virtual gathering to be held from 7 to 10 March.

But how relevant are these meetings for internet users? To answer this, we should take a look at the bodies mentioned and how important each one is.

  • The ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers): a non-profit corporation to benefit the public, with participants from all over the world. This body manages the assignation of domain names and addresses for the IP protocol.
  • Domain Name System (DNS): all internet domains operate with the DNS. Users access information online using domain names rather than IP addresses because it is much easier to remember the name of a website than a ten-digit number.

One of the most common issues relating to the security and stability of DNS is abuse. Malicious practice is based on registering domains which make reference to people, companies or recognised brands with the intention of the targeted party paying out money to get their domain back.

  • geoTLD (Geographic Top-Level Domain): one initiative by the ICANN was to set up top-level domains. These include geoTLDs, a type of high-level domain to serve and represent geographical areas, languages or cultures. They includes geographical names such as .barcelona; geographical indicators such as .nyc (New York City) and names of geographical origin, such as .cat. GeoTLDs also allow for the use of characters which are unique to each language, such as Arabic or Chinese symbols.