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  • TikTok after the US sale: What changed and how to use it safely

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    Since news broke in late January that TikTok’s U.S. operations would move under American-led ownership, many people who previously avoided the app are reconsidering. The shift has reopened conversations among parents, educators and older adults who once viewed TikTok as off-limits due to foreign ownership concerns.

    One reader summed up that hesitation clearly in an email we received. It reflects a question many families are asking right now.

    “I read a summary of the approved joint venture deal between China (20%) and U.S. Investors (80%). We do not have a TikTok account at this time. We’ve been following through the media about the helpful shorts and are considering opening an account, once the deal is consummated and control of accounts is in the hands of the U.S. side. Yet, we are not techies and are still concerned about the security of said accounts.”

    — Charlie

    That concern is understandable. For years, TikTok raised legitimate questions about foreign ownership, data access and national security. Those concerns were serious enough to trigger government bans, lawsuits and strong warnings to families. Now, that chapter has shifted. TikTok’s U.S. operations now sit under a U.S.-led ownership structure, with American investors holding a controlling interest and operational authority. That change matters. But it does not automatically change how the platform behaves. The more useful question today is not whether TikTok is allowed. It is how to use it wisely, with clear boundaries and better controls, especially for kids and teens. That is what this guide is about.

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    5 MYTHS ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT THAT PUT YOUR DATA AT RISK

    TikTok’s shift to U.S.-led ownership has parents and older adults reconsidering the app after years of security concerns tied to foreign control. (Kayla Bartkowski/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

    What the US ownership change actually improves

    It is important to acknowledge what is different now.

    US governance and control

    TikTok’s U.S. operations are no longer controlled by a China-based parent company. This removes the risk of direct access under Chinese national security laws.

    Stronger regulatory oversight

    The platform now operates under U.S. privacy expectations, enforcement standards and congressional scrutiny. That brings clearer guardrails around data handling.

    Clear accountability

    When something goes wrong, responsibility sits in one jurisdiction. There is no ambiguity about who answers for it. That is meaningful progress, especially for families who avoided TikTok entirely due to concerns about ownership.

    What TikTok says the new US structure safeguards

    TikTok says its U.S. operations now run through TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a majority American-owned entity created under an executive order signed on Sept. 25, 2025. According to the company, the joint venture is designed to protect U.S. user data, secure the recommendation algorithm and oversee trust and safety decisions for American users. TikTok says U.S. user data is stored in Oracle’s secure U.S.-based cloud environment and protected through a comprehensive privacy and cybersecurity program that is audited and certified by third-party experts.

    The company also says the recommendation algorithm used for U.S. users is retrained, tested and secured within the United States. TikTok adds that the joint venture has decision-making authority over trust and safety policies and content moderation for U.S. users, with ongoing transparency reporting and independent oversight. These safeguards focus on where data is stored, who governs it and how systems are audited, not on eliminating data collection or personalization.

    What has not changed at all

    Here is the part many people overlook.

    Even with new ownership, TikTok still operates on the same core business model as every major social media platform.

    • It tracks what you watch and how long you watch.
    • It learns your interests and habits.
    • It uses that information to shape your feed and target advertising.

    TikTok remains exceptionally effective at this. Its recommendation system adapts quickly, which explains both its popularity and its influence. That power makes privacy settings more important than ever.

    A smarter way to use TikTok as a family

    Pretending TikTok does not exist rarely works. Kids hear about it from friends. Adults see useful videos shared across other platforms. A better approach is to set up intentionally from the start. The steps below do not ruin the experience. They simply reduce unnecessary exposure and give families more control.

    Step 1: Stop TikTok from accessing your contacts

    Limiting contact access prevents TikTok from mapping your personal network.

    How to turn off Contacts and Facebook syncing

    • Open the TikTok app
    • Tap your profile in the bottom right
    • Tap the three-line menu in the top right
    • Select Settings and Privacy
    • Click Privacy
    • Tap Sync Contacts and Facebook Friends
    • Toggle both options off so they appear gray

    Why this matters

    When contact syncing is on, TikTok can learn who you know, even if those people never use the app. Turning it off limits how the platform connects your account to real-world relationships, reduces account suggestions tied to your phone book and helps keep your personal network from becoming part of TikTok’s data profile.

    Step 2: Reduce ad targeting

    You will still see ads. They will rely less on activity outside TikTok.

    How to disable off-TikTok ad tracking

    • Open the TikTok app
    • Go to your profile in the bottom right of the screen
    • Click the three-line menu in the upper right
    • Tap Settings and Privacy
    • Scroll to Ads and tap it
    • Under Manage your off-TikTok data, toggle Targeted ads outside of TikTok off so it turns gray
    • If available, also toggle Targeted ads off to further limit personalization

    Why this matters

    Turning these off reduces how TikTok uses data collected beyond the app to personalize advertising. You will still see ads, but they will be less closely tied to your browsing and app activity elsewhere.

    Step 3: Make your account private

    This step is especially important for kids and teens. A private account limits who can view content, comment and interact.

    How to make your account private

    • Open the TikTok app
    • Go to your profile  in the bottom right of the screen
    • Click the three-line menu in the upper right
    • Tap Settings and Privacy
    • Click Privacy
    • Toggle Private Account on so it turns blue
    • Toggle Activity Status off so it turns gray

    Why this matters

    A private account puts you in control of who can view your content and interact with you. This is especially important for kids and teens, since it reduces exposure to strangers, spam accounts and unwanted messages.

    WHY CLICKING THE WRONG COPILOT LINK COULD PUT YOUR DATA AT RISK

    Street view of the TikTok building.

    Families weighing TikTok now face a new question: how to use the platform safely, even under American oversight. (Kayla Bartkowski/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

    Step 4: Control how people can find you

    TikTok suggests accounts based on contacts, phone numbers and shared connections unless you stop it.

    How to turn off account suggestions

    • Open the TikTok app
    • Go to your profile in the bottom right of the screen
    • Tap the three-line menu in the upper right
    • Tap Settings and Privacy
    • Click Privacy
    • Tap Suggest Your Account to Others
    • Turn off all options

    Why this matters

    Account suggestions are often driven by phone numbers, contacts and shared connections. Turning these off makes it harder for TikTok to link your account to your offline identity or surface it to people you did not choose to connect with.

    Step 5: Hide what you like and follow

    Likes and follows send signals about your interests and habits. Keeping them private adds another layer of protection.

    How to hide your activity

    • Open the TikTok app
    • Go to your profile in the bottom right of the screen
    • Tap the three-line menu in the upper right
    • Tap Settings and Privacy
    • Click Privacy
    • Tap Following List under Interactions
    • Set it to Only you

    Why this matters

    Likes and follows reveal interests, habits and patterns over time. Keeping them private limits how much others can infer about you and reduces the data signals TikTok can amplify across the platform.

    Step 6: Download your TikTok data

    This step often changes how people view the platform.

    How to request your TikTok data

    • Open the TikTok app
    • Go to your profile in the bottom right of the screen
    • Tap the three-line menu in the upper right
    • Tap Settings and Privacy
    • Tap Account
    • Tap Download Your Data
    • Under Request data, review the types of information included and click the box next to it or select all 
    • Choose a file format
    • Tap Request data

    TikTok will begin preparing your file. This process typically takes a few days. Once your data is ready, you must return to the Download data tab to retrieve it. The download link expires after a short window, so check back regularly.

    Why this matters

    Requesting your data shows the full scope of what TikTok stores about your account, from activity patterns to interaction history. Seeing that information firsthand helps you decide whether the level of tracking aligns with how you want to use the platform.

    Pro tip: Protect yourself beyond app settings

    Privacy settings help, but they cannot stop everything. Social media platforms like TikTok are common delivery points for malicious links, fake giveaways and look-alike login pages designed to steal passwords or install malware. Using strong, up-to-date antivirus software adds a critical layer of protection by blocking dangerous sites and downloads before a single click turns into a problem. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

     Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

    Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

    WHATSAPP WEB MALWARE SPREADS BANKING TROJAN AUTOMATICALLY

    TikTok logo on a smartphone screen.

    (Photo Illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    TikTok says new safeguards protect where U.S. data lives and who controls it. Your personal settings still determine how much data exists in the first place. Ownership changes reduce certain risks, but they do not replace personal responsibility. Privacy on TikTok depends far more on how you configure it than who owns it. If you are considering opening an account now that control sits with U.S. investors, start slow, lock down the settings and review your data early. That approach keeps you in control rather than the algorithm.

    If a platform knows this much about you, how much access are you truly comfortable giving it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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    Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • America’s most-used password in 2025 revealed

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    Passwords play a huge role in how you stay safe online. They protect your accounts, devices and money. Still, many people pick logins that criminals can guess in seconds. 

    The latest NordPass report shows this problem again. This year, “admin” took the top spot as the most common password in the United States.

    NordPass and NordStellar, two cybersecurity companies that track leaked credentials and online threats, reviewed millions of exposed passwords to spot trends. They also examined how password habits differ across generations. The pattern is clear: many of us still rely on simple words, easy number strings and familiar keyboard patterns. These choices give attackers a quick path into countless accounts.

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    183 MILLION EMAIL PASSWORDS LEAKED: CHECK YOURS NOW

    Weak passwords like “admin” give attackers a quick way into your accounts before you even realize it.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Most common passwords in the United States

    NordPass shared its top 20 list for 2025. “Admin” sits at number one. Variations of the word “password” take up five spots. Number strings appear nine times. One explicit term even made the list.

    Here are the 20 most common passwords in the USA this year:

    • admin
    • password
    • 123456
    • 12345678
    • 123456789
    • 12345
    • Password
    • 12345678910
    • Gmail.12345
    • Password1
    • Aa123456
    • f*******t
    • 1234567890
    • abc123
    • Welcome1
    • Password1!
    • password1
    • 1234567
    • 111111
    • 123123

    Weak logins remain a major problem because criminals rely on automated tools. These tools try simple words and common patterns first. When millions of people reuse the same easy passwords, attackers succeed fast.

    HOW TO USE PASSKEYS TO KEEP YOUR COMPUTER SAFE

    Reusing the same login across sites makes it easy for criminals to jump from one hacked account to another.

    Reusing the same login across sites makes it easy for criminals to jump from one hacked account to another. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Global trends show the same risky password behavior

    The United States is not alone. Globally, “123456” ranks as the most common password. “Admin” and “12345678” follow closely behind. These patterns appear because they are easy to remember. Sadly, they are also easy to crack.

    Researchers noticed one shift worth noting: more passwords now include special characters. The increase is sharp. However, most examples remain weak. Strings like P@ssw0rd and Abcd@1234 still follow predictable rules that tools can break with little effort.

    The word “password” stays popular around the world. People even use it in local languages. This shows how widespread the problem is.

    Why younger generations still make unsafe password choices

    Many people assume younger adults understand digital safety. They grew up with phones and social media. Research shows that this assumption is wrong.

    NordPass found that an 18-year-old often picks the same weak password patterns as an 80-year-old. Younger users favor long number sequences. Older users lean toward names. Neither group creates secure or random strings. Generations Z and Y tend to avoid names. Generations X and older use them often. Each approach carries risk because attackers expect both patterns.

    AI-POWERED SCAMS TARGET KIDS WHILE PARENTS STAY SILENT

    Researchers found that weak and predictable passwords still appear in leaked data again and again.

    Researchers found that weak and predictable passwords still appear in leaked data again and again. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Why weak passwords remain a big threat

    Weak passwords fuel data breaches and account takeovers. Criminals run scripts that check billions of combinations every second. When your password is common, they break in fast.

    A single stolen login can expose your email, social accounts, bank information and more. Many attacks start this way. Once criminals get inside one account, they often try the same password on others.

    Steps to stay safe with your passwords 

    You can improve your digital safety with a few simple habits. These steps help block common attacks and protect your accounts.

    1) Create strong random passwords

    Pick long passwords or short passphrases. Aim for at least 20 characters. Mix letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid patterns. 

    2) Avoid password reuse

    Use a unique password for each account. If one login gets hacked, the others stay safe.

    3) Review and update weak passwords

    Check your old logins. Replace anything short, predictable or reused. Fresh passwords lower your risk.

    4) Use a password manager

    A password manager creates secure passwords and stores them safely. It also fills them in for you, so you do not need to remember them.

    Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. 

    Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

    5) Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)

    MFA adds a second check before you log in. It is one of the easiest ways to block attackers.

    6) Keep your software updated

    Update your phone, computer browsers and apps on a regular schedule. These updates patch security gaps that criminals try to exploit. When you fall behind on updates, weak passwords become even riskier because attackers can pair old software flaws with easy logins.

    Pro Tip: Use a data removal service

    Leaked passwords often come from old profiles on data broker sites you forgot about. A data removal service can wipe your personal info from those sites and reduce how much of your data ends up on breach lists. When less of your information is floating around online, your accounts become less tempting targets.

    While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

    Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

    Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

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    Kurt’s key takeaways 

    Weak passwords remain a huge issue in 2025, even with new tools and better education. You have the power to improve your security with a few quick changes. When you build strong habits, you make it harder for criminals to get inside your accounts. Small steps add up fast and give you far more protection online.

    What do you think keeps people stuck on weak passwords even when the risks are clear? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter. 

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Here’s What Your Browser is Telling Everyone About You

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    The problem with browser fingerprinting is that it’s probabilistic in nature. It looks at a treasure trove of data to track you online, not any individual piece of information. A VPN, for instance, can hide your IP address and make you appear in a different location. If enough of the other data in your fingerprint is consistent, however, it can still be used to track you. Your IP address may be different, but just about everything else about your browsing is not.

    There may be practical use cases for fingerprinting, but you really don’t have much say in the matter. Even with protections like the GDPR, the moment you load a website, there are likely a few dozen (if not more) trackers copying the information your browser shares for their own purposes. Services like Fingerprint leverage that information to create an identifier, but make no mistake, the data is always there.

    How to Get Around Browser Fingerprinting

    You can’t get around browser fingerprinting, at least not without significant compromises to your browsing experience (more on that later). Even if you were to spoof or obfuscate every piece of data your browser sends along, that’d probably work against you. The goal with avoiding fingerprinting is to become a Jane Doe online; you want to disappear in the crowd, so every piece of data that makes you stand out sends up a red flag.

    The best way to fight back against fingerprinting is to hide or rotate enough information so that it’s more difficult to track you, not impossible. And that starts with a VPN, though it doesn’t make you fully anonymous. The clearest online fingerprint you leave is your IP address and physical location, and VPNs hide both. More importantly, many of the best VPNs today include additional tools to combat fingerprinting.

    ProtonVPN, which is what I use myself, includes NetShield to block trackers, ads, and malware. It doesn’t prevent fingerprinting, but NetShield can at least capture and block requests from well-known trackers to make you a bit more private online. NordVPN has a similar feature, as does Surfshark.

    The most robust version of this type of blocker comes from Windscribe. Through its browser extension, you can do things like rotate your browser’s user agent to make it appear as if you’re using a different browser, as well as spoof your language, time zone, and GPS information to match the VPN server you’re connected to. Again, this will not make you fully anonymous online. But an extension like the one Windscribe offers makes tracking your fingerprint more difficult.

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    Jacob Roach

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  • Want to Start a Website? These Are the Best Website Builders

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    Top Website Builders

    Best for Most People

    Squarespace Core

    Read More

    Best Cheap Website Builder

    Hostinger Website Builder

    Read More

    Best for Small Business

    Strikingly Core

    Read More

    Best Free Website Builder

    Strikingly Website Builder

    Read More

    Publishing a website is still more complicated than it has any right to be, but the best website builders streamline the process. Instead of juggling a bunch of files on a server and learning the ins and outs of networking, website builders do exactly what’s written on the tin. Piece by piece, using a drag-and-drop interface, you can design your website the way you want with immediate feedback, rather than spending time buried in code and hoping it comes out on the other end.

    There are dozens of website builders, and most of them range from decent to straight-up bad. Any web host with a bit of ambition has a website builder floating around, even if it’s slow, clunky, and lacking features. I focused on finding the best tools for building your website that go beyond just an add-on, and these are my favorites. If you’re after something simpler than a full-blown website, check out our list of the Best Portfolio Websites.

    Table of Contents

    Best Website Builder for Most

    Squarespace via Jacob Roach

    You’ve heard of Squarespace over and over again, I’m sure, and that’s not an accident. It’s an inviting website builder that made a name for itself with bold, striking templates. Beneath the veneer of attractive, but seemingly simple, websites, you’ll find one of the most capable website builders on the market. That balance of power and usability is what sets Squarespace apart.

    It feels like a creative tool. Where other website builders lag and stutter to get a new element on your page, Squarespace feels fluid. Your dashboard gives you quick access to edit your site, and around every corner, Squarespace feels designed so you never have to look up a tutorial. I started a simple photography website, and within an hour, I had a custom course page set up, an appointment schedule with automated confirmation emails, and services (with pricing and the ability to accept payments) configured.

    Squarespace isn’t cheap, but it also doesn’t meddle in restrictive, low-cost plans. Even on the Basic plan, you have access to ecommerce tools and space for multiple contributors.

    Squarespace Pricing and Plans

    Best Cheap Website Builder

    Hostinger via Jacob Roach

    Hostinger is better known as a web hosting provider, but it has a surprisingly robust website builder that you can use on its own or for free as part of a hosting package. You don’t get the same world-class template design and dense feature-set of a more expensive builder like Squarespace, but that’s OK. Hostinger’s website builder will run you just a few bucks a month, and based on my testing, it feels heavily angled toward newcomers.

    You sacrifice some power for convenience, but there’s an awful lot you can accomplish with Hostinger. Integrations with PayPal, Stripe, and Square allow you to quickly set up e-commerce. Add-ons with WhatsApp give you live chat capabilities, and Printful support means you can sell print-on-demand merchandise. And, if you outgrow the website builder, Hostinger allows you to export your website’s content to WordPress.

    Where Hostinger wins for me is through its AI tools. Just about every website builder these days has AI integrated in some way, but it’s around every corner at Hostinger. You need to pay extra for some of these AI features—the logo generator, for example, requires credits—but they give you a great starting point for mocking up the look, feel, and tone of your website.

    Hostinger Pricing and Plans

    Best for Small Businesses

    Wix via Jacob Roach

    Wix is undoubtedly the biggest competitor to Squarespace, and I had a hard time putting one above the other. Ultimately, Wix ended up in the backseat due to higher prices and a slightly less intuitive interface. That’s partly because of how powerful Wix is. Rather than corral you in an elegant (if restrictive) website-building workflow, Wix gives you a ton of options.

    First, templates. You get a few hundred elsewhere, but Wix offers over 2,000 templates. At the time of writing, there are 223 pages of them on Wix’s website. They aren’t all winners, but I was able to mock up a quick photography portfolio website within a few minutes by browsing the templates and uploading a few photos.

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    Jacob Roach

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  • Notorious people search site returns after massive breach

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    Over a year ago, National Public Data (NPD) made headlines for one of the largest breaches in history. The people search site exposed the personal information of 3 billion individuals. After disappearing from the internet, the site has returned under new ownership, sparking fresh concerns about privacy.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
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    Who owns National Public Data now?

    NPD has relaunched under Perfect Privacy LLC, a company that sounds protective but is not affiliated with the VPN service of the same name. Despite the new name behind the scenes, the business model has not changed. The site still allows anyone to look up personal data about friends, relatives or strangers with just a name.

    MAJOR DATA BROKER HACK IMPACTS 364,000 INDIVIDUALS’ DATA

    Although NPD includes disclaimers about the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), nothing prevents users from misusing this data when making decisions about employment, housing or credit.

    National Public Data, a people search site, exposed the personal information of 3 billion individuals in one of the largest breaches ever. (NPD)

    Accuracy issues and data sources

    According to NPD, the data comes from public records, property ownership databases, social media and government agencies. The company claims to verify and filter this information to ensure it is accurate and up to date. However, users may find that profiles still contain mistakes.

    A quick test search revealed a mix of outdated and accurate information. The site struggled with hyphenated names but pulled up correct details in other cases.

    We reached out to NPD for a comment but did not hear back before our deadline.

    A woman types on a laptop on a wooden table.

    A woman searches for herself online. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    How to remove your information from NPD

    If you prefer not to have your information available on NPD’s site, you can request removal directly:

    • Search your name on nationalpublicdata.com.
    • Open your profile and copy its URL.
    • Visit nationalpublicdata.com/optout.html.
    • Paste the URL into the “Your Profile Link” field.
    • Enter your email address to confirm deletion.

    Keep in mind that each profile needs its own request and confirmation email. After you submit, check back in a few days to make sure your data is actually gone.

    Pro tip: Use an alias or disposable email address for these requests. This makes it easier to track confirmations and keeps your main inbox clear.

    For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit CyberGuy.com.

    The opt-out page of the National Public Data site

    NPD offers an opt-out function for users who prefer not to have their information available on the site. (NPD)

    Why NPD is only part of the problem

    Removing your information from National Public Data is only the beginning. Dozens of other people search sites may still display your personal details. Many of these platforms pull from the same public databases, which means your address, phone number or relatives’ names can keep reappearing.

    The return of NPD shows how quickly data can resurface online. A breach may fade from the headlines, but the exposed information rarely disappears. To protect your privacy, you need a broader plan.

    1) Regularly check for your data

    Start by searching for your name on people search engines several times a year. Look beyond NPD. Sites like Whitepages, Spokeo and Radaris often host similar data. Regular checks help you spot new profiles before they spread further.

    STOP DATA BROKERS FROM SELLING YOUR INFORMATION ONLINE

    2) Use a personal data removal service

    A removal service can save time by scanning hundreds of databases at once. These services request opt-outs on your behalf and track new listings. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.  They aren’t cheap and neither is your privacy.  These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.  It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.  By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

    Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

    Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com.

    3) Monitor your accounts closely and use strong antivirus software

    Protecting your privacy goes beyond deleting profiles. Keep an eye on your bank statements, credit reports and online accounts. Criminals can use exposed data for phishing attempts, fake loan applications or identity theft. Monitoring activity gives you an early warning if something looks suspicious.

    The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, which could potentially access your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

    4) Set up alerts for your identity

    Many banks and credit monitoring services let you create alerts for suspicious activity. You can also set up free fraud alerts with the credit bureaus. These warnings tell lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing new credit.

    Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

    See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at CyberGuy.com.

    5) Remove data at the source

    People search sites often pull records from government databases. Review your local county’s property, court or voter registration records. Some jurisdictions allow you to request redactions or limit what is shown online.

    6) Lock down your social media

    Since NPD and similar sites scrape from social media, tighten your privacy settings. Limit what strangers can see on Facebook, LinkedIn and other platforms. The less public information you share, the less these databases can collect.

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    The return of National Public Data is a reminder that your personal information can resurface at any time. Even if you remove yourself from one site, dozens more may still hold your details. That is why protecting your privacy requires more than a quick opt-out. With regular checks, credit freezes and stronger account monitoring, you can reduce your risk and stay one step ahead.

    Do you think stronger laws should be in place to stop companies from collecting and selling personal data, or is it up to individuals to protect themselves? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com newsletter.

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Take Your Business Online With This $50 Hosting Platform | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    More than 70% of small businesses worldwide have a website, according to the Market Data Report 2024. If you’re hoping to join the ranks but aren’t sure where to start, PawnHoster can be a great tool for entrepreneurs who are looking to build and grow their online presence. Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to PawnHoster for just $49.99 (reg. $69).

    Build, host, and grow your business online with ease with this affordable platform

    Entrepreneurs often juggle everything themselves — but building a website doesn’t have to be one of those challenges. If building your own website has been on your to-do list, make it happen with some assistance from PawnHoster. This handy platform provides all the resources and tools you’ll need to get your site up and running.

    PawnHoster delivers fast, reliable web hosting and even includes a free domain for your first year. Launch and manage more than 400 platforms — including WordPress, Joomla, and Magento — with simple one-click installation. Easily manage websites, servers, mailboxes, and billing through an intuitive control panel.

    Already have a website? PawnHoster makes migration simple — and it won’t cost you a thing. And if you encounter any issues, PawnHoster offers round-the-clock expert support for all technical matters.

    This lifetime subscription gives you an entry-level hosting package that can be perfect for entrepreneurs. You’ll get firewall and DDoS protection, faster page loading, and a free SSL certificate included, the company says.

    If you need a professional email address, PawnHoster also lets you create custom email addresses with enhanced spam protection that you can easily access with IMAP, POP3, or Webmail.

    Take your company online with this lifetime subscription to PawnHoster for just $49.99 (reg. $69).

    StackSocial prices subject to change.

    More than 70% of small businesses worldwide have a website, according to the Market Data Report 2024. If you’re hoping to join the ranks but aren’t sure where to start, PawnHoster can be a great tool for entrepreneurs who are looking to build and grow their online presence. Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to PawnHoster for just $49.99 (reg. $69).

    Build, host, and grow your business online with ease with this affordable platform

    Entrepreneurs often juggle everything themselves — but building a website doesn’t have to be one of those challenges. If building your own website has been on your to-do list, make it happen with some assistance from PawnHoster. This handy platform provides all the resources and tools you’ll need to get your site up and running.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • His Side Hustle Earns 6 Figures a Year: 1-2 Hours of Work a Day | Entrepreneur

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    This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Dennis Tinerino, 39, of Los Angeles, California. Tinerino worked in online sales when he first learned about domain names and launching websites, which helped him discover domain investing as a side hustle. Here’s how he turned the gig into a lucrative business that brings in six figures a year — with about an hour or two of work per day. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Domain Smoke. Dennis Tinerino.

    When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
    I started my side hustle in 2014 after discovering that domain names are like real estate, only online. Realizing the right ones could keep growing in value was all the inspiration I needed to dive in. My interest first sparked when I was launching a new website and came across a domain name for sale. I had no idea what the cost might be, so I filled out the form on the seller’s website. A domain broker from Afternic replied, explaining that the name was for sale and would require a six-figure minimum offer. Unfortunately, this domain was out of my budget for this project, but thankfully, they were very helpful and explained why it was valued at that price, even suggesting other names that were closer to my budget at the time. That conversation grabbed my attention and pushed me to do a deep dive into the world of domains.

    Related: These 31-Year-Old Best Friends Started a Side Hustle to Solve a Workout Struggle — And It’s On Track to Hit $10 Million Annual Revenue This Year

    What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How much money/investment did it take to launch?
    When I started, I did not know anyone personally who was doing this, so I had to teach myself. I dove into blogs, read FAQ sections on marketplaces and learned everything I could about how domains are bought and sold. Like most new investors, my first stop was GoDaddy, where I began registering domains that sounded cool or interesting. Luckily, I kept my spending in check and only bought four domains for a total of $36. One of them, LawyerBoss.com, ended up selling for $700 on Afternic less than two months after I bought it for about $8. That sale was a turning point. It was exciting to see that I could learn the process, list a name and have someone actually buy it for their business. From that moment on, I was hooked and started looking for more ways to find new domains to invest in.

    If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
    If I could hop in a time machine, I’d go straight back and immediately sign up for the Domain Academy course on day one. It covers everything about domains, with resources from A to Z, and there’s nothing else like it. I could have skipped months of trial and error, saved a few gray hairs and gotten in the game faster with a deeper understanding of domains and the industry as a whole. There are countless strategies in domain investing, but before you dive in, you need to understand how domains work, what end users are looking for and the different ways to approach them. Trust me, learning this early is a lot cheaper than buying cool names and hoping for the best.

    Related: I Interviewed 5 Entrepreneurs Generating Up to $20 Million in Revenue a Year — And They All Have the Same Regret About Starting Their Business

    When it comes to this specific business, what is something you’ve found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren’t?
    The hardest part for newcomers is getting the right education. Too many jump in blind, skip the basics and end up spinning their wheels. It’s like trying to fix a car without ever popping the hood. Making uninformed investments is a quick way to waste time, burn cash and get frustrated fast. Another big surprise is how much upkeep a domain portfolio requires. This is not a buy it and forget it business. You have to watch your names, keep up with renewals, follow the market and be honest when it is time to let go of names that are no longer relevant or valuable.

    Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it?
    In my early days, I started doing outbound marketing to create interest and generate sales for my domains. I was not thinking about trademarks at the time and reached out to companies that owned marks similar to my names. That mistake earned me a stack of legal threats and cease and desist letters. Thankfully, I was able to resolve each situation on good terms by finding common ground with the parties involved. It was a valuable lesson to always check for trademarks before investing or reaching out to buyers, and I am glad I learned it early. Avoiding legal battles is high on my priority list.

    How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue? How much did the side hustle earn?
    It wasn’t until my second to third year of domain investing that I began to see consistent monthly revenue come in. What I noticed is that after my first year, when I started to educate myself more, build up my domain portfolio with better quality domains and then began outbound marketing, my sales accelerated, and steady monthly revenue came in. In the first year, I earned a few thousand with my first initial sales. In the second year, it was in the lower five figures, and it kept ramping up from there as I invested more time and resources.

    Related: This Couple’s ‘Scrappy’ Side Hustle Sold Out in 1 Weekend — It Hit $1 Million in 3 Years and Now Makes Millions Annually: ‘Lean But Powerful’

    What does growth and revenue look like now?
    Back in 2014, the portfolio was just a handful of domains. Today, it has grown to roughly 8,000 to 10,000 names. There were stretches where I was buying one name a day, and some days I went on a spree and grabbed 20, using profits to keep scaling and building the portfolio. Each year, I have consistently added another 500 to 1,000 names, experimenting with different top-level domains (TLDs) and country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) when I spot a trend. The real growth has come from .com domains, which remain the most in-demand with end users. What started as a few thousand dollars a year has grown into a business generating steady six-figure revenue for the past five years. That growth comes from years of research, relentless market tracking, careful portfolio maintenance and making the right moves at the right time, even when they were tough.

    How much time do you spend working on your business on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?
    On a typical day, I spend one to two hours building and managing my portfolio. Over a week, that adds up to 15 to 20 hours, and by the end of the month, it’s usually 60 to 80 hours.

    How do you structure that time? What does a typical day or week of work look like for you?
    My time is split between portfolio management, searching for fresh inventory, outbound marketing and closing deals. Each week, I set aside blocks of time to review my portfolio, adjust prices and prepare names for marketing. Once you get past a few hundred domains, daily portfolio management becomes essential. It is easy to let small tasks slip through the cracks, and that is when mistakes happen. What has saved me the most time is staying organized. It sounds easier than it is, but creating workflows, keeping detailed spreadsheets and using the right tools will save you from falling behind on your daily tasks.

    Related: These Friends Started a Side Hustle in Their Kitchens. Sales Spiked to $130,000 in 3 Days — Then 7 Figures: ‘Revenue Has Grown Consistently.’

    What do you enjoy most about running this business?
    Domain investing can get a little lonely sometimes because you have to put in the hours to stay sharp and up to date. But the thing I have enjoyed the most is the investor community. We are very active on X, and I have met incredible people from all over the world who have helped me grow as an investor, taught me a ton and become lifelong friends.

    The freedom that comes with this business is unlike anything else. You can run it from anywhere in the world with minimal tech skills. You set the rules, choose your hours, decide your prices, pick where to sell your names and choose which names you want to buy.

    Over the years, as an investor, I found myself looking at tens of thousands of domains coming to auction or expiring every day. As great as many of those names were, I knew I could not buy them all, but I also did not want to see those opportunities go unnoticed by other investors. That got me thinking about how I could share this research and these findings with others. That is when I launched Domain Smoke, a daily newsletter sharing industry news, investment opportunities and the best domains hitting auction each day. Since its launch in 2019, it has grown to thousands of readers worldwide who read it every day.

    Based on your journey so far, what’s your best advice for someone who wants to get started with this kind of business?
    When I got started, there were a few things I would change if I could, and I hope my experience can help you find success in your own journey as a domain investor. If you are new to domain investing, here are three tips that can help you start on the right foot:

    1. Be patient with hand registrations
      This one is not easy, but you will thank me later. Try to hold back from registering new domains by hand until you have a proper understanding of domain investing. The easiest mistake beginners make is buying names that are not likely to sell. Many of them also have little or no appeal to end users. That costs both time and money you will not get back. Once you get past the learning phase, you will have plenty of time to acquire domains that actually fit your strategy. When you know what to invest in, you will be glad you waited.
    2. Invest in yourself early
      They say the more you learn, the more you earn, and that is definitely true with domains. Avoid rookie mistakes by investing in your education. One of the best places to start is the Domain Academy course from GoDaddy, which teaches the ins and outs of the business. Just like any other form of investing, there are many ways to make money, but the best way to improve your chances of success early on is to educate yourself.
    3. Keep learning and follow the data
      It is easy to get started, build up a bit of knowledge and then think you know it all. But markets evolve, trends shift, and change is constant. Stay up to date with domain blogs, industry news, eBooks, Domain Sherpa shows and forums like NamePros, which is full of free knowledge for beginners. Most importantly, follow the data. Study sales and trends using resources like NameBio, dotDB and DNJournal. These will help you understand what is actually selling, what is trending and why. That insight gives you a competitive edge and keeps you aligned with the market.

    Related: I’ve Interviewed Over 100 Entrepreneurs Who Started Businesses Worth $1 Million to $1 Billion or More. Here’s Some of Their Best Advice.

    Start small, stay consistent and give yourself time to learn. Every successful investor was once a beginner. The more you study and track sales data, the sharper your skills will become. And remember, the community side of this business matters too. The investors and connections you build can be just as valuable as the domains you own.

    Want to read more stories like this? Subscribe to Money Makers, our free newsletter packed with creative side hustle ideas and successful strategies. Sign up here.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • ‘We Were Wrong’: An Oral History of WIRED’s Original Website

    ‘We Were Wrong’: An Oral History of WIRED’s Original Website

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    Kevin: When we went to do the IPO, it was very, very clear that the digital side was far more valuable than the magazine side. That was the beginning of the craziness. Here’s a magazine that has a lot of revenue, respectability, great enthusiasm, and support from the readership. And here’s this really weird digital side that’s worth 10 times the magazine.

    Jane: When Condé Nast bought WIRED and Lycos bought HotWired, the company combined was worth less than the company separated. To this day, we liken it to Nike deciding to sell their footwear to Puma and their apparel to Adidas. Why would you do that? Why would you take the premier brand that had both the technical credibility as well as the upside of the lifestyle and culture stuff and pull it apart?

    Jeff: It was a very traditional and typical tech acquisition where the startup gets acquired and comes into the bigger corporate culture. It just doesn’t work very well.

    Jane: Louis and I were so crestfallen, heartbroken, and devastated, and everyone’s like, “Yeah, but everyone got rich.” That was not the point. It was a very, very difficult time.

    June: Almost all of us started to feel a pretty profound sense of loss and grief that the culture we knew, the values we believed in as innovators and creators, had been lost. That the industry was no longer about innovation, invention, creativity, and certainly not about democratization. That everything was about money.

    Well, maybe. There are 5.45 billion internet users on planet Earth, and sure, some of them are bad actors—no argument from WIRED. But most of us are still raving around the internet, hanging with pals, cruising for jobs and mates, catching up on gossip and news, buying and selling stuff, and finding fellow travelers who share our woes and our passions. And, yes, a slice of us are into fraud, abuse, and bad ideology. Did HotWired not anticipate that humans would be human?

    A day at the HotWired office

    Photograph: Courtesy of Julie Chiron; TREATMENT: JAMES MARSHALL

    Ian: Back in those days, we’d say, The nice thing about the internet is how safe it is. Everybody’s there to help you, and everybody just wants to do good things. People asked, Why require passwords for stuff, because who’s going to do anything terrible on the internet?

    Kevin: Today, a new thing comes along and people immediately say, “I don’t know what it is, but it’s going to hurt me. It’s going to bite me.” That’s definitely a change that wasn’t present when we were starting.

    Jeff: But nostalgia can be dangerous. It was really hard what we did, and stressful, and we didn’t know what we were doing. When people say, “If we could only go back to then,” I’m like, no, we only had modems. It was terrible.

    John P: As a business, HotWired failed. But all that stuff that we were doing, it was scientific investigation.

    Jonathan: We thought the internet was going to be good for people. We were wrong.

    Jeff: I still feel like literally anybody with an idea can start hacking on the web or making apps or things like that. That’s all still there. I think the nucleus of what we started back then still exists on the web, and it still makes me really, really happy.

    John: We were lucky with WIRED. With HotWired there was no choice, and we couldn’t do it differently if we went back and tried. But we were unlucky to be first.

    Condé Nast eventually bought WIRED’s website too—in 2006.

    Animation: James Marshall

    Let us know what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor at mail@wired.com.

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    Virginia Heffernan

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  • Why It’s So Hard to Fully Block X in Brazil

    Why It’s So Hard to Fully Block X in Brazil

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    The social network X has been largely inaccessible in Brazil since Saturday, after the country’s Supreme Court ordered all mobile and internet service providers to block the platform. The court order followed a months-long dispute between Judge Alexandre de Moraes and X CEO Elon Musk over the company’s misinformation, hate speech, and moderation policies.

    With Brazil’s population of 215 million people, a mature democracy, a sprawling land mass, and more than 20,000 internet service providers, it isn’t straightforward to block a web platform in the South American nation. And while the biggest ISPs have implemented the ban, many are still scrambling to comply with the order, leaving a patchwork of access to the site.

    “Brazil has made headway blocking X on the main internet providers, but our telemetry indicates there’s a long tail of local and regional ISPs where the service is still available,” says Isik Mater, director of research at the internet censorship analysis group NetBlocks.

    The Open Observatory of Network Interference reported that a similar progression played out in when Brazil’s Federal Police obtained a court order in April 2023 for ISPs to block the communication platform Telegram because it would not fully share information about users involved in neo-Nazi group chats. Some large ISPs began blocking Telegram immediately; “however, the block was not implemented by all ISPs in Brazil, nor was it implemented in the same way,” the group wrote. “This suggests lack of coordination between providers, and that each ISP implemented the block autonomously.”

    A similar progression has been playing out with the X ban. Brazil’s 20,000 ISPs produce a notably competitive market, but only a few have infrastructure nationwide. About 40 percent are tiny regional providers with 5,000 customers or fewer. The human and digital rights watchdog Freedom House rates Brazil’s internet freedom as “partly free” and trending to be more restrictive, because of the country’s far reaching efforts to crack down on political misinformation in recent years and its three-day ban on Telegram. Brazil also blocked the secure communication platform WhatsApp in December 2015 and again in May 2016 because it did not respond to similar data requests.

    Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency ANATEL did not respond to WIRED’s multiple requests for comment.

    Unlike in countries including Russia, Iran, and China, there is currently no legal apparatus or technical infrastructure by which the Brazilian government can systematically and comprehensively restrict access to particular websites or online platforms or impose connectivity blackouts on its citizens.

    Reports indicate that many Brazilian ISPs that have implemented the ban are using the technique known as “DNS filtering” to block access to X. The Domain Name System is the internet’s phonebook for looking up the IP addresses associated with URLs like www.wired.com. DNS queries are sent to a DNS “resolver” that does the IP address lookups, and ISPs can configure their resolvers to filter or block requests for particular websites.

    Mobile apps like X’s Android and iOS apps don’t rely on DNS, though, so DNS filtering alone is not enough to block all connections to a web platform. Some Brazilian ISPs seem to also be using IP address “sinkholing”—redirecting online traffic to a different server than the users intended to visit—as a way to send traffic meant for X into the abyss.

    “We’re seeing variation by provider in Brazil and right now it looks they’re each trying their own thing to see what works,” NetBlocks’ Mater says. “Brazil has a diverse network infrastructure with lots of ways for data to enter and leave the country, so there isn’t that centralized choke point and ‘kill switch’ we see in [some] authoritarian-leaning countries.”

    VPN usage has surged in Brazil this week under the ban as a way around ISP attempts to block X, but the court order ban includes a provision that people could be charged a fine of 50,000 reais—about $8,900—per day for using circumvention tools like VPNs.

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    Lily Hay Newman

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  • Thousands of Corporate Secrets Were Left Exposed. This Guy Found Them All

    Thousands of Corporate Secrets Were Left Exposed. This Guy Found Them All

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    If you know where to look, plenty of secrets can be found online. Since the fall of 2021, independent security researcher Bill Demirkapi has been building ways to tap into huge data sources, which are often overlooked by researchers, to find masses of security problems. This includes automatically finding developer secrets—such as passwords, API keys, and authentication tokens—that could give cybercriminals access to company systems and the ability to steal data.

    Today, at the Defcon security conference in Las Vegas, Demirkapi is unveiling the results of this work, detailing a massive trove of leaked secrets and wider website vulnerabilities. Among at least 15,000 developer secrets hard-coded into software, he found hundreds of username and password details linked to Nebraska’s Supreme Court and its IT systems; the details needed to access Stanford University’s Slack channels; and more than a thousand API keys belonging to OpenAI customers.

    A major smartphone manufacturer, customers of a fintech company, and a multibillion-dollar cybersecurity company are counted among the thousands of organizations that inadvertently exposed secrets. As part of his efforts to stem the tide, Demirkapi hacked together a way to automatically get the details revoked, making them useless to any hackers.

    In a second strand to the research, Demirkapi also scanned data sources to find 66,000 websites with dangling subdomain issues, making them vulnerable to various attacks including hijacking. Some of the world’s biggest websites, including a development domain owned by The New York Times, had the weaknesses.

    While the two security issues he looked into are well-known among researchers, Demirkapi says that turning to unconventional datasets, which are usually reserved for other purposes, allowed thousands of issues to be identified en masse and, if expanded, offers the potential to help protect the web at large. “The goal has been to find ways to discover trivial vulnerability classes at scale,” Demirkapi tells WIRED. “I think that there’s a gap for creative solutions.”

    Spilled Secrets; Vulnerable Websites

    It is relatively trivial for a developer to accidentally include their company’s secrets in software or code. Alon Schindel, the vice president of AI and threat research at the cloud security company Wiz, says there’s a huge variety of secrets that developers can inadvertently hard-code, or expose, throughout the software development pipeline. These can include passwords, encryption keys, API access tokens, cloud provider secrets, and TLS certificates.

    “The most acute risk of leaving secrets hard-coded is that if digital authentication credentials and secrets are exposed, they can grant adversaries unauthorized access to a company’s code bases, databases, and other sensitive digital infrastructure,” Schindel says.

    The risks are high: Exposed secrets can result in data breaches, hackers breaking into networks, and supply chain attacks, Schindel adds. Previous research in 2019 found thousands of secrets were being leaked on GitHub every day. And while various secret scanning tools exist, these largely are focused on specific targets and not the wider web, Demirkapi says.

    During his research, Demirkapi, who first found prominence for his teenage school-hacking exploits five years ago, hunted for these secret keys at scale—as opposed to selecting a company and looking specifically for its secrets. To do this, he turned to VirusTotal, the Google-owned website, which allows developers to upload files—such as apps—and have them scanned for potential malware.

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    Matt Burgess

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  • Stop Overwhelming Your Online Customers With Information Overload. Hook Them In With This Approach Instead. | Entrepreneur

    Stop Overwhelming Your Online Customers With Information Overload. Hook Them In With This Approach Instead. | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Users spend an average of 5.59 seconds looking at a website’s written content. I don’t know about you, but it seems like there is hardly enough time to gain users’ interest, let alone relay the information you want to share — and the information they want to find.

    However, following best practices, there is no reason to bombard users with an avalanche of information when they land on your homepage. While there may be a lot of great information about your business, putting it in their faces when they arrive can have the inverse effect, making users feel overwhelmed and pushing them to leave the site.

    So, what is the alternative? Thoughtfully crafted messages and content aligned with the customer journey and revealed through a slow, strategic drip known as progressive disclosure.

    Related: Your Online Customer Experience Is More Than a Buzzword — It’s the Backbone of Your Business. Here’s How to Optimize It.

    But what is progressive disclosure?

    Progressive disclosure is about strategically revealing the information a user wants or needs at the precise moment the customer wants or needs it (rather than throwing it at them upfront). This is essentially a strategic approach to planning and releasing content throughout the customer journey to maximize engagement and move a customer through the conversion funnel.

    Here’s an example: If you have a product-heavy website, the navigation should direct the user through a seamless navigation. If the navigation is designed strategically to align with the customer journey, then each click is a point on the path of progressive disclosure. As users move around the site, they will slowly but surely learn more about the products and services and find the information they need. This is precisely why websites use a thoughtful navigation system based on logic and integrated into the information architecture that outlines the content and where it should be placed within the site.

    Why is progressive disclosure powerful?

    The simple answer is that this process is customer-centric. It focuses on what customers want to accomplish rather than what you, the business owner, want to share.

    In addition, progressive disclosure accomplishes the following:

    • Reduces friction: Information overload leads to confusion and decision paralysis. By presenting information relevant to the user’s immediate needs, you remove unnecessary hurdles and guide them seamlessly toward their goals.
    • Boosts engagement: Curiosity thrives when there is something more to discover. As users uncover new features and functionalities, their interest remains piqued, encouraging further exploration and deeper product engagement.
    • Builds trust: When users feel they’re being led, not overwhelmed, trust flourishes. Progressive disclosure shows respect for their time and attention, fostering a positive relationship between them and your product.

    Related: 7 Ecommerce Customer Experience Strategies for Effective Branding in 2024

    Want to rework your website so it’s aligned with your customers?

    If you want to rework your website or consider how your content is aligned with your customers, here are a few considerations that will help ensure you are applying progressive disclosure principles:

    • Map the customer journey. Understand the different stages users go through, from awareness to consideration, purchase and beyond. Identify their needs and pain points at each stage.
    • Prioritize information. Categorize features and information based on their importance and relevance to each stage of the journey. Highlight core functionalities initially and unveil advanced features later.
    • Use microlearning. Chunk information into digestible pieces, delivered through tutorials, tooltips, and interactive prompts. This makes learning effortless and avoids cognitive overload.
    • Leverage visual cues. Employ clear design elements like hierarchy, icons, and animation to guide users’ attention and highlight key information.
    • Gather feedback. Continuously analyze user behaviors on your site and collect feedback to understand what resonates. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and implement valuable changes.
    • Use multiple touchpoints to communicate. While this strategy can be applied to a website, it applies to all digital communication channels. Most who visit your website either have a specific reason or are fact-finding. So consider using other digital channels, such as SMS and digital cards, to communicate more important (or urgent) messages in real-time.

    Applying progressive disclosure isn’t just about withholding information; it’s about crafting a captivating narrative that unfolds as the user interacts with your brand. Applying this approach can foster trust, increase engagement, and ultimately create satisfied customers.

    Remember, we’re not just selling products or services; we’re guiding users on a journey, and every step along the way matters. By unveiling the right information at the right time, we transform their experience from overwhelming to empowering, paving the way for sustainable success.

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    Louis Lombardi

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  • AT&T Users Report Major Problems Making Calls in U.S.

    AT&T Users Report Major Problems Making Calls in U.S.

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    Photo: Pau Barrena / AFP (Getty Images)

    Update, 7:50 p.m. ET: AT&T says the issue has now been fixed, telling Gizmodo over email, “We collaborated with the other carrier to find a solution and appreciate our customers patience during this period.” The original article remains below.

    Google’s Antitrust Case Is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to AI

    AT&T customers across the U.S. are reporting major network issues on Tuesday that’s stopping them from making calls to people with other network carriers. DownDetector appears to show reports from customers at T-Mobile and Verizon as well, though both carriers tell Gizmodo they’re not experiencing outages and those reports are from people simply trying to reach AT&T users.

    “There is a nationwide issue that is affecting the ability of customers to complete calls between carriers,” an AT&T spokesperson told Gizmodo. “The carriers are working as quickly as possible to diagnose and resolve the issue.”

    The company told ABC News that calls to 911 are not impacted and should be working normally.

    AT&T suffered a widespread outage across the country back in February that hampered not only voice calls but any connectivity on the network nationwide. Initial suspicions online saw users speculate it may have been the result of a cyberattack, a rumor that AT&T denied.

    AT&T eventually apologized for the outage and offered customers a $5 credit. Some customers complained, but AT&T defended the rebate by saying it was roughly the “average cost of a full day of service.”

    Other tech companies have experienced major outages recently, with ChatGPT down for thousands of users Tuesday morning. The first ChatGPT outage appears to have started around 3:00 a.m. ET and a second outage hitting around 10:30 am ET. Things appear to be back up and normal with the AI chatbot service as of Tuesday evening.

    Hundreds of thousands of Facebook and Instagram users experienced a serious outage earlier this year and LinkedIn saw the same thing back in March. It seems a number of companies are just struggling to keep their sites up for a host of different reasons.

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    Matt Novak

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  • These Website Mistakes Could Be Costing You Thousands. Here’s How to Maximize Your Return and Drive More Sales. | Entrepreneur

    These Website Mistakes Could Be Costing You Thousands. Here’s How to Maximize Your Return and Drive More Sales. | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    You’re losing thousands of dollars on your website and might not even know it. You have a site and a marketing team, and traffic is flowing in. But your site — and business — may fail because you’re losing customers and conversions.

    How?

    Leads fail to convert because of poor user interface, slow speeds and bad design practices. If your site isn’t optimized for SEO, it gets even worse: leads will never land on the site in the first place.

    How much does a website cost?

    Small websites cost $500 to $5,000. Your costs will vary depending on whether you use a template, hire a developer and the complexity of the site. Sites with hundreds of pages, expert optimization and design can cost $10,000 to $20,000. Your initial investment can’t be recuperated if your site isn’t optimized properly or set up to convert leads into sales.

    Site visitors have higher expectations, and there is a growing list of requirements that sites must meet. You need a snappy site, and it must be accessible. However, you also need to capture the right data from your forms, continually optimize your site and fill in the leaks that are causing you to lose money.

    Related: 3 Powerful SEO Techniques That Will Boost Your Website’s Search Engine Ranking

    Is your website investment worth it?

    Small business owners lose customers, even with a well-functioning website, because they don’t know how to utilize the data available to them. So, after all, is your website investment worth it, and if yes, how can you make sure you get an ROI?

    Nobody tells you that web forms can cost you a lot of money

    Forms are boring input fields to failing site owners and a goldmine to successful ones. What are leads doing when they enter data into the form? Are errors causing potential customers or clients to leave the site? According to WP Forms, more than 67% of site visitors will abandon your form forever if they encounter any complications; only 20% will follow up with the company in some way. Analyzing how users interact with forms is especially critical for small businesses, which may not have as many opportunities as larger corporations. They can identify common issues such as broken forms, confusing fields or errors. This insight allows small businesses to simplify and optimize the form-filling process, improving the overall user experience and significantly increasing the chances of conversion. Thankfully, you can use a form tracking system that will help to pinpoint problems with data entry and missed opportunities, ensuring that small businesses are not carelessly losing leads.

    Testing your forms and sales funnel regularly can save you a lot of money if you fix issues that are found in the test phase.

    Data is the king of website optimization

    Analytic data is king of website optimization, but you need to know what to look for and how to make changes. For example, if you have a high bounce rate, your site may look like it was designed in 1999, or it takes 15 seconds to load.

    Bounce rate means users are leaving the site on the page of entry, and you have multiple areas of potential improvement.

    Review your site speed and follow PageSpeed Insights’ recommendations to optimize your site. Try to bring loading time down to two to three seconds at most. Complex navigation and poor-quality landing pages can also cost you sales. Work with a copywriter to optimize your sales funnel copy.

    Data will help businesses to pinpoint exactly where users engage most frequently and where they face obstacles. With careful analysis of this data, companies can optimize every aspect of their website, from navigation to content.

    Important aspects of a high-converting website

    High-converting websites have a lot in common:

    Content

    Expertly written content, with the help of a copywriter, will allow you to hit on the pain points of leads and close more sales. Hooks and storytelling from an experienced copywriter can help you turn a low-performing sales funnel into one that exceeds sales forecasts.

    Design

    Poor design practices cause sites to fail. Yahoo! is a prime example. The site was once Google’s biggest competitor, but with the bland and outdated design, the bounce rate was high, and people flocked to Google.

    Work with a design team to create a functional, feature-rich site that appeals to your target demographic.

    Lead capture forms

    High-converting sites use lead capture forms to collect basic information about visitors, such as their email or phone number.

    In exchange for providing information, leads receive something valuable in return, such as a discount or free eBook.

    Once a user provides their email address or phone number, you can start nurturing them and eventually convert them into a customer. It’s important to note again that receiving instant notifications about broken forms and issues is a solution to avoid losing potential customers.

    Related: 9 SEO Tips to Help You Rank No. 1 on Google in 2024

    Call-to-action: More than just a button

    Call-to-actions (CTAs) tell visitors what to do next, such as signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase or scheduling a consultation. They play a crucial role in improving your site’s conversion rates.

    Without them, visitors would leave your site without taking action, resulting in lost opportunities to convert leads.

    To increase conversions, CTAs must be clear and concise and use action-oriented language, like “Buy now” or “Contact us.” Tell your visitors exactly what to do next so there’s no confusion and they feel confident taking the next step.

    CTAs are highly effective at improving conversion rates, but visitor behavior can change over time. Testing and optimizing your site’s CTAs can help maximize your conversion rate and adapt and change as user behavior changes.

    Make sure that you’re engaging in A/B testing to determine which CTA works best for your audience.

    You must respond to leads right away

    Research shows that 78% of customers purchase from the first responder. Surveys also show that the highest-ranking companies in lead response audit reports respond to leads in 30 minutes or less. The quicker you respond, the better. Conversion rates can be as much as eight times higher if you respond in the first five minutes.

    Every minute that passes increases the chance that the lead will move on to a competitor.

    How can you improve your lead response time? Start by automating your lead qualification process to identify and prioritize high-quality leads. Track the lead from start to finish and pinpoint the issues that leads are facing. Set response time goals, train your reps, and streamline your lead management processes to reach out to leads as quickly as possible.

    Conclusion

    You spend thousands of dollars on a website. To maximize your return, you must ensure that your site has all the right elements to increase conversion rates. Once you have these elements in place, you must respond to leads immediately to seal the deal.

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    Ludwig Makhyan

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  • 8 Common SEO Myths Debunked | Entrepreneur

    8 Common SEO Myths Debunked | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In today’s digital landscape, a strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy is crucial for businesses to thrive. SEO helps websites rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), driving organic traffic and boosting online visibility.

    However, the world of SEO is also riddled with myths and misconceptions that can lead businesses astray. Let’s debunk some of the most common SEO myths and separate fact from fiction.

    Myth 1: More keywords mean better rankings

    Gone are the days of stuffing your content with every keyword imaginable. Google’s algorithms have shifted towards natural language processing (NLP), prioritizing content quality and user experience above keyword density. While keywords remain important, focusing on keyword intent and strategic placement throughout your content is far more beneficial than keyword quantity.

    Fact: Research relevant keywords related to your target audience and their search queries. Use those keywords naturally within your content, focusing on providing informative and engaging information that fulfills user intent.

    Related: Ultimate SEO Guide On How to Get 100,000 Visits Per Month From Google

    Myth 2: Meta tags don’t matter anymore

    While meta tags may not hold the same weight they once did, they’re far from irrelevant. Title tags and meta descriptions are like billboards for your content, serving as the first impression users see in search results. Compelling and informative meta tags can significantly improve click-through rates (CTR) and user engagement.

    Fact: Craft clear, concise, and keyword-rich title tags that accurately reflect your content. Similarly, write engaging meta descriptions that entice users to click. Keep your title tag under 60 characters and your meta description around 160 characters to ensure they display fully in search results.

    Myth 3: Social media directly influences SEO rankings

    Social media shares and likes don’t directly translate into higher search rankings. However, social media plays a vital role in online visibility and brand awareness. Strong social media engagement can drive traffic back to your website, indirectly contributing to SEO by increasing user engagement and potentially influencing click-through rates.

    Fact: Utilize social media platforms to share your content and connect with your audience. Encourage social media followers to share your content further, expanding your reach and driving more visitors to your website.

    Myth 4: Backlinks are no longer relevant

    Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, remain a cornerstone of SEO. High-quality backlinks from reputable websites act as a vote of confidence for your content, signaling to search engines that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. This can significantly boost your domain authority and improve search rankings for relevant keywords.

    Fact: Focus on acquiring backlinks from relevant websites within your niche. Create high-quality content that others will find valuable and link to naturally. Avoid spammy link-building tactics, as they can actually harm your SEO efforts.

    Related: 9 SEO Tips to Help You Rank No. 1 on Google in 2024

    Myth 5: SEO is a one-time effort

    If you think you can optimize your website once and reap the benefits forever, think again. Search engines constantly update their algorithms, and SEO is an ongoing process. To maintain strong search rankings, you need to stay on top of SEO best practices.

    Fact: Regularly update your website content with fresh, informative, and engaging material. Review your keyword strategy periodically and adapt to changes in the search landscape. Stay updated on the latest SEO trends and best practices to ensure your website stays relevant.

    Myth 6: Mobile optimization doesn’t matter

    With the majority of web searches now conducted on mobile devices, having a website that’s optimized for mobile browsing is no longer optional. Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly websites in search results, ensuring users have a positive experience when accessing your content.

    Fact: Make sure your website has a responsive design that adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. Ensure fast loading times and easy navigation for mobile users.

    Myth 7: Paid advertising can replace SEO

    While paid advertising (PPC) can be a valuable tool to drive immediate traffic, it’s not a replacement for SEO. The benefits of SEO are long-term and sustainable, with organic traffic continuing to flow to your website even without ongoing ad spend.

    Fact: Develop a strong SEO strategy alongside your paid advertising efforts for a well-rounded digital marketing approach. Organic traffic can provide a more cost-effective source of website visitors in the long run.

    Myth 8: Focusing on local SEO doesn’t matter if I sell online

    Even for e-commerce businesses, neglecting local SEO can be a missed opportunity. If you have a physical location or offer local delivery, optimizing your website for local search terms can significantly increase your visibility to potential customers in your area.

    Fact: Claim and manage your Google My Business listing to ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date. Utilize location-specific keywords throughout your website content and target local search queries.

    Conclusion

    Staying informed about SEO best practices is crucial for optimizing your website and achieving success in the digital marketplace. Don’t be swayed by outdated myths or quick-fix SEO schemes. Focus on creating high-quality content, building a strong backlink profile, and staying updated on the latest SEO trends.

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    Ludwig Makhyan

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  • What’s the Best Place to Watch the Solar Eclipse? This Simulator Can Help You Plan

    What’s the Best Place to Watch the Solar Eclipse? This Simulator Can Help You Plan

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    A total solar eclipse is coming to North America on April 8. The Great North American Eclipse, as it has been dubbed, will be visible across 13 US States, plus parts of Mexico and eastern Canada. But it will not look the same for everybody.

    For those living along the path of totality—the projection of the moon’s shadow on the Earth’s surface—the celestial event is bound to delight. For everyone else, experiencing the total eclipse will require extensive planning … which, if you’re organized, should’ve already happened, but let’s face it, it probably has not.

    I, for one, was considering Lexington, Kentucky, as my viewing venue. I had read that the eclipse there would be “deep partial,” but having never before witnessed a solar eclipse, I wasn’t sure whether that was good enough. My quest to find out led me to a nifty solar eclipse simulator that helps users visualize what April’s solar eclipse will look like from any city, town, mountain peak, or desolate patch of land in the northern hemisphere. To feed your imagination as you “try out” various locations, the simulator lets you set choose one of more than 50 landscapes to match the vibe you’re looking for—a city skyline, a snowy mountain range, or a placid lakefront. You can drag a slider on a timeline and watch the sun and the moon glide across your screen until they become one as the sky turns a dusky shade of blue.

    The tool, which is based on centuries-old astronomical calculations as well as modern data, was built by Dan McGlaun, a retired mathematician from Purdue University and a self-professed geek who has been chasing eclipses since he was 10 years old. To date, McGlaun has witnessed 15 eclipses from incongruous places like airplanes and cruise ships. “I went to Kenya for an 11-second eclipse and it was the best day of my life,” he says.

    The solar eclipse simulator is a side feature of McGlaun’s main website, through which he sells eclipse safety glasses. (These protective shades are an absolute must if you’re planning to look up at the sky during the eclipse.) But it only takes a minute on the phone with McGlaun to understand that the simulator is an absolute labor of love and the safety glasses business exists to fund it.

    In 2017, McGlaun built a smartphone app that allowed people to choose an eclipse-viewing location on a map of the US to find out whether their chosen spot was in the path of totality for the eclipse during August of that year. Now, he’s furthered his effort to “evangelize eclipses” by building a more complex simulator, this one with an educational bent.

    It took less than a minute of tinkering for me to understand that I would not be spending April 8 in Lexington, Kentucky, for the simple reasons that a partial eclipse—however “deep”—was nowhere near as impressive as the total eclipse I saw (on my screen) in places like Dallas, Texas, or Mazatlan, Mexico. Other notable locations in the path of totality are Russellville, Arkansas; Carbondale, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse in New York; northern Vermont; central Maine; central New Brunswick, Canada; and central Newfoundland, Canada.

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    Elissaveta M. Brandon

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  • This Tiny Website Is Google’s First Line of Defense in the Patent Wars

    This Tiny Website Is Google’s First Line of Defense in the Patent Wars

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    A trio of Google engineers recently came up with a futuristic way to help anyone who stumbles through presentations on video calls. They propose that when algorithms detect a speaker’s pulse racing or “umms” lengthening, a generative AI bot that mimics their voice could simply take over.

    That cutting-edge idea wasn’t revealed at a big company event or in an academic journal. Instead, it appeared in a 1,500-word post on a little-known, free website called TDCommons.org that Google has quietly owned and funded for nine years. Until WIRED received a link to an idea on TDCommons last year and got curious, Google had never spoken with the media about its website.

    Scrolling through TDCommons, you can read Google’s latest ideas for coordinating smart home gadgets for better sleep, preserving privacy in mobile search results, and using AI to summarize a person’s activities from their photo archives. And the submissions aren’t exclusive to Google; about 150 organizations, including HP, Cisco, and Visa, also have posted inventions to the website.

    The website is a home for ideas that seem potentially valuable but not worth spending tens of thousands of dollars seeking a patent for. By publishing the technical details and establishing “prior art,” Google and other companies can head off future disputes by blocking others from filing patents for similar concepts. Google gives employees a $1,000 bonus for each invention they post to TDCommons—a tenth of what it awards its patent seekers—but they also get an immediately shareable link to gloat about otherwise secretive work.

    TDCommons adds to Google’s long-standing, and far more vocal, efforts to carve out greater space for freewheeling innovation in an industry where patents can be used to hobble or extract cash from competitors. The site may be dowdy and obscure, but it does the trick. “The beauty of defensive publications is that this website can be pretty simple,” says Laura Sheridan, Google’s head of patent policy. “It needs to establish a date. And it needs to have documents be accessible. There’s not much more we need to do.”

    In reality, the experiment has struggled to cut through government bureaucracy and overcome competition from more robust archives. Sheridan acknowledges it’s a work in progress. TDCommons needs a bigger flow of uploads to become less peculiar and more vital. It offers a unique hope of expanding public access to the technical creativity happening inside corporate walls—and shifting more resources toward that work.

    Playing Defense

    The strategy underpinning TDCommons dates back decades to the 1950s, when invention powerhouses IBM and later Xerox began publishing journals filled with what they called technical disclosures. They’d then ship the journals to patent offices, in part to serve as prior art, staking a claim on the ideas contained within. About 84 percent of patent applications denied by the US Patent and Trademark Office in the 12 months ending September 2023 were scuppered at least in part by prior art, according to the agency.

    During the early-2000s internet boom, entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to bring these defensive publications, or dpubs, to databases online. IP.com is widely considered the leader, with 215,000 inventions uploaded so far and searchable access to millions of additional documents from outlets including open-access research library arXiv.org. Unlike TDCommons, posting to or accessing IP.com isn’t free. Uploading a dpub costs $395 for up to 25 pages, while viewers pay $40 for individual downloads or $49 monthly for unlimited access. The USPTO is one of IP.com’s largest customers, according to the company, with subscriptions for most of the agency’s 9,200 examiners and supervisors.

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    Paresh Dave

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  • How to Design an Eye-Catching Website That Truly Captures Your Audience | Entrepreneur

    How to Design an Eye-Catching Website That Truly Captures Your Audience | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Modern-day websites represent the culmination of years of technological advancement and scientific research, forming incredible symphonies of code and servers that define the internet. However, these digital platforms are also highly expressive art forms. Similar to music or theater, the rules governing a “well-designed website” are in constant flux.

    Consider Spotify Wrapped, for instance. If everyone’s most-streamed songs were consistently the same year-over-year, it wouldn’t be very exciting, would it? Instead, interests evolve and websites are no exception.

    Users now anticipate different things from modern websites compared to 10 or even five years ago. They prioritize accessibility more than ever and are moving away from the thin fonts and minimalistic designs of the 2010s.

    If you aim to design websites that captivate your visitors and engage your audience, staying ahead of these trends is essential. Your website is your storefront on the internet — an indispensable extension of your brand. You wouldn’t want it to appear dated, would you?

    Related: 8 Tips to Make Your Website More Sticky

    Animated hover effects

    Motion has long been a crucial element of high-quality UI design, and that trend isn’t fading away anytime soon. Users increasingly expect high levels of interactivity from the sites they visit. They desire fluid animations and clear signals when elements like buttons and menus are interactive. Enter “hover effects.”

    Graza, a trendy olive oil brand, incorporates hover animations throughout its website. Buttons exhibit interesting depth and images seamlessly transform into videos with a simple wave of your mouse pointer. Other websites may take hover animations to the next level with effects that follow your mouse, revealing additional information or changing the design as your pointer navigates the landing page.

    Implementing this trend is easier said than done. Poorly-executed complex animations can be distracting. On a technical level, slow animations can make your website appear dated and may even harm your SEO performance. Instead, aim to use animations thoughtfully and judiciously. Create interactions that excite and delight, but don’t add these effects just for the sake of having them.

    Dark, futuristic websites

    In recent years, Apple has been showcasing its “Pro” series of products with dark, futuristic landing pages. Check out the iPhone 15 Pro’s product page and you’ll notice vibrant colors set against a dark background. This has been a growing trend for years, one that continues to gain momentum.

    This website design leverages the highlighting effect of black and black-adjacent backgrounds to emphasize vibrant, almost “neon” colors. Figma and Github also embrace this style for various landing pages and features. Others commonly use it to promote conferences and events, as well. This isn’t a trend exclusive to tech companies, either. Fashion brands, often on the cutting edge of design, are adopting it too. Nike created a vibrant community website using their “volt yellow” color against a futuristic dark design.

    Remember, this trend is all about dark backgrounds, bright colors and sharp angles. When designing a website this way, aim to create something that feels like it’s from 3023, not 2023.

    Related: How Modern Technology is Rewriting the Rules of Marketing

    Typography-first design

    Arguably, the most crucial part of a website has always been its content — that’s why people visit a website, after all. Modern design acknowledges this with large, beautiful fonts that capture visitors’ attention and quickly convey the necessary information.

    Gumroad, for example, utilizes typography in an almost magazine-like way, creating a website that feels exceptionally fresh and modern. In fact, magazines are an excellent example of this trend. Websites that utilize a typography-first design approach use large, creative and attention-grabbing fonts in a thoughtful way, much like a high-end magazine, to create a unique experience centered around information.

    The key takeaway here is that these websites feel “modern” in a way that minimalism no longer does. Audiences, especially Gen Z members, have developed an appetite for maximalist designs. This trend is a trend you’ll quickly notice when walking up and down the aisles of Whole Foods.

    Gradients

    Sticking with the “maximalist” theme is the unsurprising revival of gradients. Modern audiences love bright, interesting colors and gradients are the ideal vehicle to deliver those colors.

    Stripe has long used gradients in its branding, featuring a lava lamp-esque animated gradient on its homepage for quite some time now. Spotify, too, has always embraced striking gradients as part of its well-regarded design language.

    The common thread among these websites is the liberal use of exciting, brand-oriented colors. These gradients accentuate other design elements and can help present a brand’s website as friendlier and more inviting.

    Related: Website Builder Features That Will Boost Your Agency’s Bottom Line

    Putting it all together

    A perceptive observer may notice that many of the example websites listed above incorporate a mix of these upcoming design trends. That’s the real secret to website design — knowing which trends to use and, more importantly, when. While it’s crucial to create designs that feel fresh and modern, you also want to ensure that your decisions respect and empower your brand.

    Luckily, once you figure out where the pieces fit, implementing these design trends becomes a breeze. A drag-and-drop website, offering flexibility and access to front-end code, can empower your team to craft cutting-edge designs that keep you ahead of the curve.

    Take some time to consider your next steps, experiment a bit and start building. You wouldn’t want these trends to go stale.

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    Itai Sadan

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  • Get This 10-Year .ART Domain Name with Site Builder for $69.99 | Entrepreneur

    Get This 10-Year .ART Domain Name with Site Builder for $69.99 | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Whether your business in the art world is to showcase your own work, that of your company, or someone you represent — finding a target audience can be difficult. It’s said that registering your website with your own .ART domain can make it easier for your target audience to find you and either buy your works or hire out your services.

    For a limited time only, you can get this 10-Year .ART Domain Name with Site Builder on sale for just $69.99 (reg. $128).

    .ART is the most popular web address for the creative community according to this builder, and it’s said to offer enhanced SEO results, better branding possibilities, and an email address and blockchain address to go with your custom website.

    Once you register via this deal, you will have your .ART domain name for a full decade. You can use its own custom builder to design your site, and you can start to share your enhanced brand with the world.

    Discover why over a quarter-million creatives use .ART domain names, including places like the Institute of Contemporary Arts London, the National Museum of 21st Century Art Rome, and the Hauser & Wirth Gallery.

    This limited-time deal can set your art-driven business up for success for a full ten years with the possibility to extend beyond if you wish. Considering the potential payoff, the affordability of this change makes it seem well worth trying.

    Get this 10-Year.ART Domain Name with Site Builder on sale for just $69.99 (reg. $128).

    Prices subject to change.

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  • Build and Host a Website Affordably with This Service, Now $39.97 for Life | Entrepreneur

    Build and Host a Website Affordably with This Service, Now $39.97 for Life | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Don’t forget to gift yourself something this holiday season! According to Expert Market, 98% of small businesses have a website, and if you’re among them, we bet you would appreciate finding a way to make your website hosting more affordable.

    Just in time for last-minute holiday gifting to yourself or another, you can get a lifetime subscription to DoRoyal Website Hosting for the best price online right here at just $39.97 — $185 off the usual price — with no coupon code required. But you’ll need to act fast, as this deal only runs through December 25.

    With DoRoyal, hosting your website has never been simpler. With this handy service, you’ll have access to everything you need to get your website up and running and start attracting customers. Unmetered bandwidth, web space, and plenty of features — from building your website to a WordPress manager and more — are all available for a one-time low price for life with this fantastic deal.

    You’ll enjoy flexible hosting solutions for life, like unlimited domains and subdomains, email accounts, and databases, while also gaining access to DoRoyal’s support team when needed.

    With a 4.3 rating on Trustpilot, you can rest assured others appreciate this handy and affordable service, with reviews like this one from Al, who raved, “I have never had the kind of support that I have had at DoRoyal. They act on the instant and don’t close a ticket until it has finished to your satisfaction. Best hosting service in the business, whether you run a blog or a corporate website.”

    Give yourself or a loved one the gift of a lifetime of hosting with this DoRoyal Website Hosting: Lifetime Subscription, available here exclusively at the best price online, just $39.97 through December 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT — no shipping required.

    Prices subject to change.

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  • Get a Lifetime of Web Hosting for Just $40 | Entrepreneur

    Get a Lifetime of Web Hosting for Just $40 | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    If you’re running a business, there’s a very good chance you need a website. There’s also a very good chance you need to be conscientious about your spending. So, going with just any web hosting solution isn’t going to cut it. You need to meet performance with price, which is precisely what DoRoyal Web Hosting does. As we gear up for Black Friday, you can get a lifetime subscription for just $39.97 (reg. $225) if you order through November 16.

    DoRoyal is a leading web hosting solution that gives you everything you need to get your site up and running quickly. They’ve been in business since 2012 and have earned a 4.3/5-star Trustpilot rating.

    With DoRoyal, you get unmetered bandwidth and web space to grow your website, an online file manager to stay organized, and a Softaculous script installer to expand and customize your website to make it exactly what you want it to be. It also offers security features like a Spam Assassin and anti-virus technology built-in.

    With a Jester’s Plan, you’ll have 8GB of disk space support and unlimited domains, subdomains, email accounts, and databases.

    Verified user Al Dente writes, “I have never had the kind of support that I have had at DoRoyal. They act on the instant and don’t close a ticket until it has finished to your satisfaction. Best hosting service in the business, whether you run a blog or a corporate website.”

    Lock in a lifetime of quality web hosting at a reduced price.

    Now through November 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a lifetime subscription to DoRoyal Web Hosting for just $39.97 (reg. $225).

    Prices subject to change.

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