SQL injection, like ColdFusion Cross-Site Scripting, is a type of digital attack where a potential intruder will look for weaknesses in application and database systems that can be exploited to gain access to user information such as usernames and passwords. ColdFusion SQL injection is an SQL injection attack aimed at ColdFusion installations.

There are several types of ColdFusion SQL injection attacks. The most common form of attack is referred to as a classic SQL injection attack. This kind of attack is performed when a web interface does not properly filter out special characters such as semicolons. In this attack, the intruder will go to a web form field such as the log in field, and type in their username followed by a special character and an SQL command. Since many web forms are run on the database with administrator permissions this will allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code to gain access to the database.

Experienced ColdFusion programmers will know how to prevent these ColdFusion SQL injection attacks. Simple changes such as only granting the web server SQL user the permissions it needs are a start, but the defenses against this kind of attack need to be as varied as the methods of performing a ColdFusion SQL injection attack.
Because of this and other concerns, it is recommended that only expert ColdFusion programmers be allowed to develop secure web applications that are going to be facing the public.

Expert ColdFusion programmers will be familiar with parameterized statements, escaping special characters, and other defensive measures to prevent these sorts of attacks, while inexperienced developers will not take these precautionary steps and this could result in a public relations nightmare as thousands or millions of customer database entries are compromised.

The importance of proper SQL hardening cannot be overstated. There have been several cases in recent memory of multinational mega-corporations not hiring experienced SQL programmers and having customer credit card numbers and social security numbers stolen. Not only did these customers have to be alerted to the intrusion, causing a massive loss of confidence in the company. These incidents frequently cost companies millions of dollars.

So in summary it is of the utmost importance not only for the integrity of your data but also legally, as companies do frequently face legal penalties for not maintaining proper database security, to ensure that when you are developing any application that you only have expert ColdFusion programmers to do the work.

It goes without saying that social networking is a powerful force for reaching potential customers and maintaining relationships with existing customers. Combining ColdFusion With Social Networks gives you an unparalleled ability to leverage this powerful platform.

ColdFusion is both a development platform and a programming language used on that platform, and allows for incredibly rich user interfaces and data management features. By combining ColdFusion with social networking you have a powerful tool for brand management and marketing as well as one for maintaining customer loyalty.

ColdFusion developers have extensive experience combining ColdFusion With Social Networks. Allowing you to monitor site information such as existing users and their information, prevent people from creating multiple accounts and abusing your social networking services, and even keep track of the content of the postings on your social networking site to cut down on offensive language.

With these advantages you can spend far more time using your social networking site for reaching your target audience instead of wasting time trying to develop ColdFusion software to work with your social networking site or spending your time tracking down multiple accounts, spammers, and trolls.

ColdFusion With Social Networks integration includes features such as an integrated JavaScript editor, an automated site map, and meta data management. These features and others mean that when you decide to use our ColdFusion integration website solution you’re getting the absolute most bang for your buck.

Social networking has proven itself time and time again to be an amazingly powerful resource for brand recognition. Allowing your users to drive the discussion gives them a feeling of control that you can’t get with normal advertising, and the fact it’s social networking based means that your users have done some of the targeting for you. People who are interested in technology tend to go to technology oriented social networking sites, and that means your advertising dollar goes further than it would normally.

These users also tend to be more likely to purchase products online, or feel that digital goods have more value than a user who doesn’t use social networking sites, and every time they talk about your product on your site, it is even more content.

Using the advantages of ColdFusion with your social networking needs means having the ability to literally crowd source your marketing and brand recognition needs, without having to spend more time than it is worth chasing down miscreants or managing your site.

The last post on this subject focused on the technicalities: load time, aesthetic, and ease of use. These are all fairly easily definable and fairly simple to implement. A clean, thought out design will address these issues. However, there are other factors which are more difficult to specify as to why people leave a website. These can be broken down into user interactivity and attempting to handle too many services in one instance.

User Interactivity

As the YouTube generation continues to become more and more of the Internet citizenship, an increasing amount of user interaction is expected with websites. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and personal blogs, anyone can create an item and immediately receive feedback, both positive and negative. With companies looking to expand their own website offerings, interest should be placed in allowing user interaction and creativity with the brand.

Websites that provide solely static content prove of little use to most users. Sites like Wikipedia and other reference sites need little updating to most of their offerings. However, for a website that is hoping to have customers loyalty and interaction, additional thought must be put in to ways in which a dialog can be ongoing between consumers and business.

One common pitfall that companies have is limiting their customers’ creative spirits by strictly cracking down on items which may infringe on intellectual property. Rather than trying to discern what uses are fair use and what are infringing, mutually constructive activities always garner more support and free publicity. Many musicians encourage listeners to remix their songs, which ultimately gains more exposure. While most businesses do not offer something as easily mutable as music, thought needs to be put into ways in which an ongoing, constructive dialog can be built between both parties.

Have a Purpose

As mentioned before, static websites are quickly being phased out with those augmented by web apps, social media interaction, and self-publication. The major pitfall with this approach is overuse of social media and a lack of clear purpose for visitors. As mentioned previously, a clearly defined goal should be set forth to the user: learn more information here, purchase here, contact us here. Long gone are the days of drop down menus with fifteen options apiece. Rather, a clearly defined set of user options should be presented with a singular purpose in mind. Models such as Google prove that doing one thing extremely well, augmented by their other offerings available to the more inquisitive user, translates into a reliable, trusted service which has excellent customer retention.

Conclusion

The web has transformed from a frontier where anyone with a webpage could make it big to a multi-trillion dollar arena. Each website is constantly vying for attention and the loyalty of their customers. However, far too many companies solely dictate to their customers what it is they should do, without offering them a chance to actively engage and become vested in the product and brand. One of the many ways companies do this is by trying to be everything to everyone. In this crowded marketplace, a clearly defined set of goals and services will prove to engrain customers to a company and keep extraneous overhead at a minimum.

Apple has a history of being a very private company. Stemming from its roots with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, both having personalities that keep intimate matters close at hand, Apple is never one to divulge its secrets; without a plan, that is. Apple cultivates a following and brand loyalty that is close to unheard of, not only in the tech industry, but anywhere. The secret to their success on this matter is their deliberate release of key information at key times to bolster buzz and maximize free publicity.

As many are aware, according to Cnet, Apple has recently lost a second iPhone, the iPhone 5 prototype. Those who recall last summer’s fiasco remember the phone being left at a bar, taken and then sold to Gizmodo for device images, review, and teardown information. It seems odd that a second unreleased prototype would go missing in much the same manner. Simply put, this may all be a giant publicity stunt for Apple.

There is no secret that a new iPhone 5 is in the works. Rumors have been circulating for months about which processor, screen, and form factor will be used. In addition to technology websites, Apple may be starting to tire out mainstream media. They have established a solid brand with tremendous customer loyalty and have an immense market share in the states. Apple is no longer the underdog; the company has been valued as the single most valuable company in the world, and it’s hard to keep everyone balking in awe with every new release. Innovation is expected as the norm, and this has slowly tired out broadcast media.

The fastest way to disseminate information is a scandal, and Apple has managed to manufacture one just for their liking. Even a quick survey of top news sites has the stolen iPhone prototype at least mentioned, which at this point is all Apple needs. Just as Apple has always innovated to create new products by giving consumers what they want, so are they now leaking just enough information to keep its customers hanging for an official word?

Google’s App Engine service is starting to get some mainstream attention, though it’s attention for all of the wrong reasons. A recent price increase for its service is having many developers question their commitment to this brand and offering.

The Google App Engine is a service designed to host web apps. With it,

If Google hopes to challenge apple in the mobile app business, they will need to keep the developers using the platform happy

The method of calculating CPU time has transitioned between a primarily resource driven price structure to one of front-end usage. This means that even applications that have very low bandwidth and resource requirements but that are constantly running will see a huge price increase. Some sources have reported that an application that used to cost around $3 a day to run is going to hit $70 by November when the complete transition is complete.

The biggest problem that this is going to have for Google is the transition by developers from Google services to other platforms. Android Developers are now more restricted to Google’s APIs and huge price increases, especially if they are taking advantage of the App Engine. This could lead android developers to transition to being iPad and iPhone developers as Apple has a brilliantly simple payment plan. While they do charge a heft percentage for their mobile apps, it is the same across the board without deviation.

While some developers may choose to transition away from Google, the most haunting issue is the lack of new blood coming into their ecosystem. With the cost of entry now catapulting ahead, a rise in iOS development will probably be seen. This only makes the problem worse in that competition in the mobile apps marketplace is not exceedingly high. Apple has a stronghold, at least in the states, but with Google’s fractured Android system, plus their new pricing structures, Android developers may be making the transition to a unified, streamlined production process. Ultimately, Google needs to step up and make their mobile app platform as a bit of a loss leader if they ever hope to chip away at the Apple dominance in the app market.

The Internet arguably one of the most important invention of the 20^th century. It allows information to spread like wildfire; breaking news is what happened on Twitter fifteen seconds ago, entire encyclopedias are editable by anyone, and colleges and universities continue to offer great services to their students. But the real reason the Internet has grown so quickly and become ubiquitous is money. Plain and simple, the Internet has reduced barriers of all kinds for both businesses and consumers alike, and it is this driving economic force that continues to drive innovation and development on the web.

The easiest way to take advantage of this ecosystem, to get your piece of the pie, is to have a well-designed, effective e-commerce site. E-commerce is no longer just about having a Yahoo shopping page, but rather a pleasing aesthetic that encourages consumers to peruse and shop as in a normal brick and mortar store. It also needs to convince them that your product is such a great investment that they should immediately part with their hard earned money.

The Layout

Just as in traditional physical stores, customer experience should be molded. An e-commerce site that has products arranged in logical ways and is easy to navigate by consumers will alleviate many headaches and keep customers returning. Maintaining a simple, elegant design will invite customers in and quickly show them the products they are looking for. An effective search function is vital to this. Along with the ability to search, care should be taken into what is shown to the customer.

The Front Page

The first page of your website is much akin to a store front. It needs to show off the latest trends and special deals or promotions. This will entice the customer to then inquire further about one of those featured products. From this point, they can gain more information, see different colors or styles, or view similar items.

Similar Items

One of the easiest ways to capitalize on a customer’s interest is by showing them similar items. Much like a salesman would offer to show other items that are either comparable, or would logically go with the item, such as accessories, so can a website cater to a customer’s shopping habits. It also gives you the option to push merchandise on which there is an overflow or sale to try and move it out of inventory faster.

The Design

Now that layout, landing page, and similar items have been established, it is good to think about the E-commerce page design. The problem that many e-commerce sites run into is an overbearing aesthetic. Care should be taken to keep design elements organized and, in some cases, hidden when not needed. Just as a store that is piled floor to ceiling with every possible item a customer could ever want is going to have problems with organization and, thus, profit margins, a well-thought out design scheme will keep customers happy, familiar with new products, and raise profit margins.

The Power of the Brand

As everyone knows, the Internet is teeming with websites vying for customers’ money. One of the major indicators which separates highly successful businesses is branding. A consistent, well-designed and implemented brand will encourage repeat customers and a sort of grassroots following. One other thing to keep in mind is product sustainability. It is a selling point which is quickly growing in consumer appeal and can often open the door to many more customers if a sustainable, eco-friendly solution is in place. This can be as simple as having a “green” server and advertising that, or, looking further, establishing sustainability in production and shipping practices.

The Checkout

Almost ubiquitously used on the Internet today is the shopping cart method of purchasing. This allows customers to keep all items they are looking at in one, central location and can ease shipping costs on the business. In addition, many companies offer special deals when a certain dollar amount is reached. A simple shopping cart icon with a label saying how much more needs to be spent for a discount may prove to persuade a customer to purchase additional items. Keep in mind that a simple, elegant shopping cart feature will be more effective than a flashy one that does not necessarily work as well.

Conclusion

E-commerce, and E-Commerce Development, is a huge part of Internet business today. The consumer now has a literally world-wide marketplace in which to purchase items, and the key to maintaining customer loyalty is often a well-designed, easy to use e-commerce website. Keep these tips in mind when looking at developing your own e-commerce website and the gains will be great!

When developing an E-commerce site, it is important to think about what will keep people on your site. Try to avoid Things that will make people leave your site.

GoDaddy has recently announced it will discontinue Godaddy ColdFusion Hosting Services as of November 2011. The lack of proper configuration options for ColdFusion Administrator, for ColdFusion debuggig support, and a shared schema that cannot cater to a serious ColdFusion customer has led GoDaddy ColdFusion into oblivion with some alternative options. This move from GoDaddy ColdFusion was anticipated, as ColdFusion Hosting is not a “Go Daddy” type of Service. GoDaddy Hosting works well with small Websites and Applications, but the ColdFusion Hosting platform is more demanding – simply because it’s more rewarding!

Looking into ColdFusion Hosting Alternative Services, when GoDaddy will turn the lights off on its GoDaddy ColdFusion Hosting Clients, you may notice that most other ColdFusion Hosting Companies charge more for CF Hosting. That is mostly because GoDaddy ColdFusion was cheap in comparison, and you do get what you pay for, right? But wait a second, now since you pay more, do you get more than GoDaddy ColdFusion Hosting? Yes, most ColdFusion Hosting alternatives will offer you more Services than GoDaddy CF, and the support is probably much better. If you are thinking about, or need Enterprise Level ColdFusion Hosting, look no further than… ANYTHING BUT GoDaddy ColdFusion.

In your quest for GoDaddy ColdFusion Hosting alternatives you will find a bunch of smaller ColdFusion Hosting providers, that could be a good fit for your needs if your ColdFusion Website or ColdFusion Application is not very demanding. However, if you are running ColdFusion, there is a big chance that you are looking to host intermediate to advanced ColdFusion Websites and Applications, and require Dedicated ColdFusion Hosting. Nevertheless, you probably won’t get it cheaper than GoDaddy ColdFusion Hosting, but it will be real ColdFusion Hosting, and will finally offer the appropriate tools and support for ColdFusion Developers to maintain your business. Just ask your ColdFusion Developer, they will agree !

Although both are subjects that have been greatly discussed over the years, confusion still sits with what the differences are. If an average person on the street should be asked, they may reply that they are the same thing, no matter what they are told otherwise. Although they are easy to confuse, there are differences. While the information below does not cover everything, it should nonetheless be put under consideration by the reader. Knowing the Difference between Web Design and Web Development can help a person in their pursuit to put together a website or simply educate themselves.

Web Designer

A web designer plays their own important role in how a website comes together. They are responsible for coming up with a visual design that is both appealing and professional, depending on the needs of the client. If an individual should choose to go without a designer, they may find themselves with a layout that others, particularly potential customers, will reject. A pleasant color scheme, along with suitable graphics and an easy to understand setup, catch the attention of the people that visit. They will want to come back again, additionally spreading the word to their friends and family members.

Web Developer

Web Development has a different place when it comes to making a website public. They do not spend hours drawing up a layout for the website. They do not take on worries such as what is an appropriate color scheme and what users will find visually appealing. A web developer simply focuses on the technical aspects of the project. In other words, they work behind the scenes to make sure that everything is running as it should. To them, the important part is making sure that people can navigate properly, and that links and forms work as they should.

The Difference between Web Design and Web Development has been a subject of discussion for quite some time, whether those wondering are average Internet users or a manager at a business. Because they are similar, or at least appear to be, many people confuse them. They do not understand how they could be two different things, regardless of what they may have been told. However, as the information above will show, there are noticeable differences. These two different jobs, whether a person is looking for Web Development or Web Design, they should consider choosing a company that has an understanding of both so they get exactly what they want from their website.

The Internet has taught people that instantaneous is best. Whether it is streaming music, movies, or television, purchasing items online and having them shipped to your door, or ordering a pizza for dinner in thirty minutes, the general Internet user’s attention span is extremely short. As such, it is important to have a well designed, interactive website if you want customers to stick around. You may be asking yourself “Why do people leave a website?” There are a multitude of reasons that people may choose to leave and this post will explore a few of those, as well as some simple solutions to retain your customer’s interest.

Long Load Time

The first point at which people may leave your website is before it even loads. Long load times, typically anything more than 2-3 seconds for text or pictures to begin appearing and anything more than 4-6 seconds for the entire page, including CSS formatting and Flash videos ready to play, will deter a user. This is where webpage optimization plays a role. Having a well designed website means that it is ready to actively use within a few seconds. We are past the days of loading screens for web pages. Rather, a simple, quick displaying page with the option to load resource heavy features such as a Flash demonstration applet separately will tend to retain customers. There is no need to have time-consuming e-commerce additions and the like on the front page. Rather, allow the user to settle in before pushing too much at them. Another area to watch along with load times is ease of navigation and design principles.

It’s Confusing

No one wants to load a webpage and see a confusing array of links, buttons, colors, flashing lights, and clip art. The modern aesthetic of the Internet tends to lean to a simpler, more elegant solution. Influenced by companies such as Apple and Google, sparse backgrounds are not necessarily bad. But the thing to keep in mind when looking at examples such as these is the form and function work together. Google has one job: search. It does its job extremely well with little to no distractions. Apple funnels people towards its new product lines and directly to specific information for what they are looking for. From there, a seamless transition moves the user from information to the ability to purchase with their e-commerce system.

It’s Ugly

When choosing a web page design, think as a user. What would be their first impressions? What is the purpose of the website? Take away the extraneous. Put it in a document or technical specification section. You dictate how your customer or viewer moves around your site through the placement of links, search features, and leading lines in pictures. Remember to take into account design and journalistic principles. While not everything from classic journalism translates well, the movement of a user’s interest is vital to be able to take into account and plan for. Keep a simple, streamlined service with exactly what the consumer wants and nothing more.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the reasons people tend to leave a website. However, if these principles are followed, a definite return on user experience will be noted. Giving consumers a fast connection to just the information they want, followed by a simple, intuitive relationship between pages and information will stop forcing you to ask yourself the question “Why do people leave a website?” because it will not be your website they are leaving.

For more information on this subject see part-2 of this post.

E-commerce sites need to be ahead of any technological curves to make sure that they do not lose customers to competing online stores. One of the most popular additions to hit Internet stores are video clips embedded into product pages. By using videos on a store page, it gives the visitor a chance to see the details of product in a way that a still image would not allow. It also can be used to make the product look more appealing, similar to how television shopping channels demonstrate products to make potential customers more interested.

If you are wondering “What can video do for e-commerce?” then take a look at what adding videos has done for many of the most popular online stores that have recently began adding video clips. For example, Zappos has seen a 24 percent increase on sales of items that have had videos added that feature a demonstration of the product being sold. Essentially, these videos allow users to see what exactly they are buying, which makes them more likely to follow through on their purchase. Create a video that shows the product being taken from its packaging and include clips of the product actually being used to get the best results.

Videos are very easy to add into your e-commerce development project. Many different hosting sites are available for videos, including YouTube, Vimeo and Oculu. After creating videos for your site, you can upload the files to one of these services. Once the file is uploaded, an HTML code can be generated to embed the clip directly to the page for the item on your store. Now, when a customer views the item, videos will also appear for them to watch.

Also, videos added to an e-commerce store will help in bringing more visitors to the website. Search engines like Google include a special section for videos when users are searching for a particular item and you can use search engine optimization tricks to make sure that your videos will appear before your competitors. This includes providing accurate title and description tags, backlinks to your web page, incoming links from other sites and RSS feeds and many other factors.

Once you get started in producing and uploading videos for your online store, you won’t be asking “What can video do for e-commerce?” and instead wonder “How did online stores manage without this fantastic promotional tool?”