In today’s Tech News Tuesday episode we’re talking about a topic that’s often overlooked, but crucial for your online success: maintaining ownership and access to your digital presence. You may know someone who has faced the nightmare of losing control over their online assets, and we’re here to help you avoid that fate.
The Perils of Lost Access
Picture this: your business’s Facebook account gets hacked, and suddenly, you can’t access your business page or ad account anymore. Or maybe you had an amazing YouTube channel, but now it seems to have vanished into thin air, with no one having access to it. These horror stories are far too common, and we’re here to ensure it doesn’t happen to you.
Key Areas to Check for Access
To give you a head start, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist that you can download. This week we’re focusing on five key areas where you need to tighten the security and verify your access.
Domain Registrar: Your Name on the Internet
First thing, let’s talk about your domain registrar. Your domain name is separate from your website hosting or email provider, and it’s essential to safeguard your control over it. Make sure you know how to log in, stay informed about its expiration date, and avoid using your main domain email as the login email. Losing access to your domain can lead to a cascade of problems, so let’s prevent that!
Domain Email: Managing Your Professional Communication
If you have a domain-specific email (e.g., [email protected]), and you should, make sure you know how to access it and you have full rights to it. You should be the administrator, able to add or remove users as needed. Don’t rely solely on generic email services like Gmail or Yahoo. Take charge of your domain email and keep your business communication under your control.
Website: Your Online Front Door
Your website is your online storefront, and it’s crucial to have access to it for updates, changes, and maintenance. Check where your website is hosted—it may or may not be with your domain. Ensure you have full administrative access to your website, and consider having multiple accounts with access as a safety net in case something goes wrong. Keep the keys to your digital kingdom within reach!
Google Account: The Hub of Your Online Presence
We recommend having a centralized Google account that controls various Google services, such as your Google Business Profile, Analytics, Search Console, Ads, and your YouTube channel. It’s essential to maintain access to these tools and platforms. To be extra safe, add multiple managers or owners to your account. This way, if an issue arises, you won’t be left stranded without a backup plan
Meta Tools: Facebook, Instagram, and the Meta Business Suite
Social media—the environment where you connect with your audience. But what if your personal Facebook profile, which controls your business manager, gets hacked or shut down? To avoid a nightmare like that, ensure you have more than one email account associated with your Meta tools. This way, if one account is compromised, someone else will still have access to your valuable business information.
Other Social Channels and Review Sites
While we’re on the topic, take a moment to check if you’ve claimed your presence on other relevant platforms like TripAdvisor or Yelp. Being able to respond to reviews and update your business information is crucial for maintaining a positive online reputation.
The bottom line is this: securing your online presence is an ongoing process. Download our checklist, which serves as your peace-of-mind insurance and a handy reference as you work on enhancing your online marketing efforts. Start by identifying what you have access to today—it’s the first step towards a robust and secure digital presence.
Links in this episode: Who Has The Keys To Your Web Presence?
