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Website Automation - The Key To Online Success!
by Kaviraj Kodai
 Digital Download Protection
Many webmasters are taking advantage of the benefits of adding digital downloads to their website. Digital downloads can be music, games or other information, like ebooks, that are downloaded from the website to the visitors computer. Digital downloads help to free up space on the website and allow the user to keep the information handy on their own computer to use whenever they desire. Many products are also sold in the digital download format. This cuts down on printing and manufacturing costs, as well as shipping costs for the business and provides immediate access to the product for the consumer. There are some concerns and issues with digital downloads that webmasters need to be aware of before adding one to their website.
Setting Up Payment For Digital Downloads
One of the biggest issues with digital downloads is how to charge for them. There are basically two ways to charge for a digital download. The visitor can be charged per copy or pay for a license. Per copy means the user pays for a single copy and use of the product. A license gives the user rights to the product to use for an indefinite period of time.
Per copy rates are usually cheaper while license rates are usually more expensive. Per copy is good to use for music where the person is buying just the right to listen to the music with the copyright still protected. A license is good for a game, where the user will be using it for a long period of time. Both can be used in any situation, but for each product there is a way to charge that has become almost standard online, so customers expect to pay that way no matter where they go. It is a good idea for a webmaster to check into how other companies are charging for similar products so they can stick to the standard.
Additionally, a webmaster can also offer pay per download or subscription services. Pay per download is best if the website offers limited digital downloads where subscription services are good for a website that offers many downloads that a customer will want to download often.
Typically, music is sold under a subscription service because people are going to be buying a lot of it. By charging for a subscription the customer is going to save money verses buying it per copy. Usually, though, websites will still offer per copy purchases to those customers who choose not to get a subscription. This is an example that helps define the subscription verses per copy sales.
Security Concerns With Digital Downloads
As mentioned there are many concerns a webmaster will have to address before putting digital downloads on their website. Piracy, which is the illegal downloading or stealing of a digital download is one of the biggest issues with digital downloads. If the download is not protected, it is possible for visitors to download it without having to pay for it. Unauthorized access to a digital download opens the door for piracy.
When setting up a digital download a webmaster must ensure that they take every precaution against unauthorized access. They have to set up safeguards and other security features to keep unauthorized users out. Hackers and those that are skilled with programming may be able to easily bypass simple systems. If possible, a webmaster should use a digital download software program to set up their download or set up their download on another website where they can ensure it is secure.
There are many different programs a webmaster can download to give protection to the websites digital downloads. Many online banks offer some form of digital download protection program. These programs are nice because they are already set up and ready to go. All a webmaster has to do is install it into the website.
There are additional things a webmaster needs to do to protect their websites digital downloads. They need to check with their web host service and see if they offer password protection for digital download directories. A password helps keep them locked form unauthorized access.
It is also important to make sure the directories are not easily accessed by including an index.htm file. The download pages should also not be linked to other pages of the website. By not linking the page is more secure and isolated from hackers.
The downloads also need to be inaccessible form a search engine. The pages need to not come up in searches. To prevent this a webmaster should give them uncommon file names, like using a string of numbers. They should also provide them as a .zip file since search engines do not usually bother with .zip files when doing searches. A search engine will index the download page if the tag does not include the ‘no follow’ command. If a search engine gets a hold of a directory file then unauthorized access is likely to occur.
Delivery Of Digital Downloads
There are a few different ways a webmaster can deliver their digital download to the customer. The delivery method is often dependent upon many factors, from the bandwidth of the website to the size of the file to the number of downloads. The three most common methods of download delivery are unique links, download offsite and email attachment.
Unique links are where the download page is set up to a link that is only for a one time use and for that particular customer. The link is usually delivered via email after the customer as made their purchase. Using a unique link can provide additional security since links can be deleted easily. However, they do require a little more work on the webmasters part to set them up and ensure they are working properly. This can be a hassle for a webmaster who is having many downloads per day.
Downloading digital downloads directly off the website is, perhaps, the most common delivery method. This method is easy to set up, but requires the website have enough space to handle the file. It can also put strain on the server load, depending on how many downloads are being conducted at a time. For the webmaster it is simply a matter of attaching the file to the website and setting up the download option. The customer will only need to push a download link and the digital download is then downloaded to their computer.
Email attachments are where the digital download file is sent as an email attachment to the customer. These are easy to set up and easy for the customer. The biggest issue with this method, though, is that some files may be rather large and email limits may prevent it from going through to the customer. Additionally, many people are weary of email attachments as they are known to harbor viruses and other malicious items that when opened can infect a computer.
How To Use Digital Downloads
Digital downloads are great for a business that sells information. Books, classes or music can all be sold through digital downloads. Anything that is intangible can be sold through a digital download.
By selling products this way a business is making their product available to the customer immediately. They are also eliminating shipping costs, which are a huge downfall of online business.
Digital downloads are a great business tool online. They can provide immediate product access and help save money. They are an automation tool that really provides a good benefit to both the customer and the business. With digital downloads a webmaster can sell products or simply make their website more appealing.
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Published by eBizAC.com
Copyright © 2010 by NetProSoft/Kaviraj Kodai. All Rights Reserved. |
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