Admin Life Errors, Fixes, and Encounters

2Apr/19Off

freebsd 11 – install php, apache 2.4, Cyrus-sasl, postfix, postfixadmin, imap, pop3, squirrelmail, SpamAssassin, clamav

feebsd-update fetch
freebsd-update install
reboot

update ports
portsnap fetch
portsnap extract

portsnap fetch update

Install Mysql
cd /usr/ports/databases/mysql57-server
make install WITH_CHARSET=utf8 WITH_XCHARSET=all WITH_COLLATION=utf8_general_ci BUILD_OPTIMIZED=yes BUILD_STATIC=yes WITH_NDB=yes clean

Install Apache + Php
cd /usr/ports/www/apache24
make install clean

cd /usr/ports/lang/php56
make config
add
[X] MAILHEAD   Enable mail header patch

make install clean

cd /usr/ports/lang/php56-extensions
make install clean
add
[X] FTP         FTP support
[X] GD          GD library support
[X] IMAP        IMAP support
[X] MBSTRING    multibyte string support
[X] MCRYPT      Encryption support
[X] MYSQL       MySQL database support
[X] MYSQLI      MySQLi database support
[X] ZIP         ZIP support
[X] ZLIB        ZLIB support

cd /usr/ports/www/mod_php56
make config
add
[X] MAILHEAD   Enable mail header patch
make install clean

cp -rp /usr/local/etc/php.ini-production /usr/local/etc/php.ini

vi /usr/local/etc/apache24/httpd.conf
ServerName www.jason-tang.com
change
DirectoryIndex index.html
to
DirectoryIndex index.html index.htm index.php

AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps

Install Named
cd /usr/ports/dns/bind910
make install clean
vi /usr/local/etc/namedb/named.conf
change
listen-on       { 127.0.0.1; };
to
//      listen-on       { 127.0.0.1; };

vi /etc/resolv.conf
change to
nameserver 127.0.0.1
nameserver 8.8.8.8

vi /etc/rc.conf
syslogd_enable="YES"
syslogd_flags="-ss"
mysql_enable="YES"
apache24_enable="YES"
named_enable="YES"

reboot

cat /root/.mysql_secret

mysql -u root -p
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'test';
exit

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/mysql-server restart

Install Cyrus-sasl
cd /usr/ports/security/cyrus-sasl2
make install clean

vi /usr/local/lib/sasl2/smtpd.conf
pwcheck_method:authdaemond
log_level:3
mech_list: PLAIN LOGIN
authdaemond_path:/var/run/authdaemond/socket

Install cyrus-sasl2-saslauthd
cd /usr/ports/security/cyrus-sasl2-saslauthd
make install clean

vi /etc/rc.conf
saslauthd_enable="YES"

Install Postfix
cd /usr/ports/mail/postfix
make install clean
add
[X] MYSQL     MySQL database support
[X] SASL      Cyrus SASL support (Dovecot SASL is always built in)

Installing postfix-3.1.4,1...
===> Creating groups.
Using existing group 'mail'.
Creating group 'maildrop' with gid '126'.
Creating group 'postfix' with gid '125'.
===> Creating users
Creating user 'postfix' with uid '125'.
Adding user 'postfix' to group 'mail'.
Would you like to activate Postfix in /usr/local/etc/mail/mailer.conf [n]?n

echo 'postfix:  root' >> /etc/aliases
/usr/local/bin/newaliases
chown postfix:postfix /etc/opiekeys

pw groupadd vmail -g 500
pw useradd vmail -u 500 -g 500 -s /sbin/nologin -d /dev/null
mkdir /home/domains
chown -R vmail:vmail /home/domains
chmod -R ug+rwx,o-rwx /home/domains

mkdir /usr/local/etc/postfix/TLS
cd /usr/local/etc/postfix/TLS
openssl req -new -x509 -nodes -out smtpd.pem -keyout smtpd.pem -days 7300

Country Name (2 letter code) [AU]:CN
State or Province Name (full name) [Some-State]:Hong Kong
Locality Name (eg, city) []:Hong Kong
Organization Name (eg, company) [Internet Widgits Pty Ltd]:Jason Tang Ltd
Organizational Unit Name (eg, section) []:IT
Common Name (eg, YOUR name) []:Jason Tang
Email Address []: [email protected]

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/main.cf
myhostname = mail.jason-tang.com
mydomain = jason-tang.com
myorigin = $mydomain
mydestination = $myhostname localhost localhost.$mydomain
mynetworks = 127.0.0.1/32
inet_interfaces = all

virtual_mailbox_base = /home/domains/
virtual_mailbox_maps = mysql:/usr/local/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_mailbox_maps.cf
virtual_mailbox_domains = mysql:/usr/local/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_domains_maps.cf
virtual_alias_domains =
virtual_alias_maps = mysql:/usr/local/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_alias_maps.cf

virtual_uid_maps = static:500
virtual_gid_maps = static:500

virtual_transport = maildrop
maildrop_destination_recipient_limit = 1
maildrop_destination_concurrency_limit = 1

message_size_limit = 51200000
virtual_mailbox_limit = 209715200

broken_sasl_auth_clients = yes
smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated, permit_mynetworks, reject_unauth_destination
smtpd_sasl_local_domain = $mydomain
smtpd_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
smtpd_sasl_path = smtpd
smtpd_banner=$myhostname ESMTP $mail_name ($mail_version)

smtp_use_tls = yes
smtpd_use_tls = yes
smtp_tls_note_starttls_offer = yes
smtpd_tls_key_file = /usr/local/etc/postfix/TLS/smtpd.pem
smtpd_tls_cert_file = /usr/local/etc/postfix/TLS/smtpd.pem
smtpd_tls_CAfile = /usr/local/etc/postfix/TLS/smtpd.pem
smtpd_tls_loglevel = 1
smtpd_tls_received_header = yes
smtpd_tls_session_cache_timeout = 3600s
tls_random_source = dev:/dev/urandom

mime_header_checks = regexp:/usr/local/etc/postfix/mime_header_checks.regexp

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/master.cf
smtps     inet  n       -       n       -       -       smtpd
-o smtpd_tls_wrappermode=yes
-o smtpd_sasl_auth_enable=yes
-o smtpd_client_restrictions=permit_sasl_authenticated,reject
-o milter_macro_daemon_name=ORIGINATING

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_alias_maps.cf
user = postfix
password = postfix
hosts = localhost
dbname = postfix
table = alias
select_field = goto
where_field = address
additional_conditions = AND active = '1'

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_domains_maps.cf
user = postfix
password = postfix
hosts = localhost
dbname = postfix
table = domain
select_field = description
where_field = domain
additional_conditions = AND active = '1'

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_mailbox_maps.cf
user = postfix
password = postfix
hosts = localhost
dbname = postfix
table = mailbox
select_field = maildir
where_field = username
additional_conditions = AND active = '1'

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/mime_header_checks.regexp
/filename=\"?(.*)\.(bat|cmd|com|pif|exe)\"?$/ REJECT

vi /etc/rc.conf
postfix_enable="YES"

Install Sudo
cd /usr/ports/security/sudo
make install clean

vi /usr/local/etc/sudoers
www ALL=(vmail) NOPASSWD: /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-mailbox-postcreation.sh, /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-mailbox-postdeletion.sh, /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-domain-postdeletion.sh

Install Postfixadmin
cd /usr/ports/mail/postfixadmin
make install clean
add
[X] MYSQL  MySQL database support

1. Copy *.sh Files
cp -rp /usr/local/share/postfixadmin/ADDITIONS/postfixadmin*.sh /usr/local/bin
chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin*.sh

vi /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-mailbox-postcreation.sh
change
basedir=/var/spool/maildirs
to
basedir=/home/domains

change
maildirmake "$maildir"
to
/usr/local/bin/maildirmake "$maildir"

vi /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-mailbox-postdeletion.sh
change
basedir=/var/spool/maildirs
trashbase=/var/spool/deleted-maildirs
to
basedir=/home/domains
trashbase=/home/domains

vi /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-domain-postdeletion.sh
change
basedir=/var/spool/maildirs
trashbase=/var/spool/deleted-maildirs
to
basedir=/home/domains
trashbase=/home/domains

2. Create the MySQL Database
mysql -u root -p
test
CREATE DATABASE postfix;
GRANT ALL ON postfix.* TO postfix@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "postfix";
exit

3. Configure PostfixAdmin
vi /usr/local/www/postfixadmin/config.inc.php
$CONF['configured'] = true;
$CONF['database_type'] = 'mysqli';
$CONF['database_password'] = 'postfix';

$CONF['admin_email'] = '[email protected]';

$CONF['aliases'] = '0';
$CONF['mailboxes'] = '0';
$CONF['maxquota'] = '0';
$CONF['domain_quota_default'] = '0';

$CONF['domain_quota'] = 'NO';

$CONF['vacation'] = 'YES';
$CONF['vacation_domain'] = 'autoreply.jason-tang.com';

$CONF['footer_text'] = 'Return to mail.jason-tang.com PostfixAdmin';
$CONF['footer_link'] = 'http://mail.jason-tang.com/postfixadmin';

$CONF['mailbox_postcreation_script']='/usr/local/bin/sudo -u vmail /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-mailbox-postcreation.sh';
// $CONF['mailbox_postedit_script'] = '';
$CONF['mailbox_postdeletion_script']='/usr/local/bin/sudo -u vmail /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-mailbox-postdeletion.sh';
// $CONF['domain_postcreation_script'] = '';
$CONF['domain_postdeletion_script']='/usr/local/bin/sudo -u vmail /usr/local/bin/postfixadmin-domain-postdeletion.sh';

$CONF['new_quota_table'] = 'NO';

4. Configure Apache
vi /usr/local/etc/apache24/httpd.conf
Alias /postfixadmin "/usr/local/www/postfixadmin/"
<Directory "/usr/local/www/postfixadmin">
Options Indexes
AllowOverride ALL
Require all granted
</Directory>

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/apache24 restart

5.http://IP/postfixadmin/setup.php
You should see a list of 'OK' messages.

Change setup password
Setup password           <-------- Input your Setup Password
Setup password (again)   <-------- Input your Setup Password again

And then click "Generate password hash"

If you want to use the password you entered as setup password, edit config.inc.php or config.local.php and set

$CONF['setup_password'] = '8c487e1722baa627e55712178141b21b:518761bc455e27d52eb1ed0faffecb8aeea2c90e';

vi /usr/local/www/postfixadmin/config.inc.php

$CONF['setup_password'] = '8c487e1722baa627e55712178141b21b:518761bc455e27d52eb1ed0faffecb8aeea2c90e';

You should see a list of 'OK' messages.

Create superadmin account
Setup password      <-------- Input your Setup password
Admin:              <-------- Input your Email address(Just for postfixadmin)
Password:           <-------- Input your Password
Password (again):   <-------- Input your Password again

And then click "Add Admin"

The admin [email protected] has been added!

You are done with your basic setup.

You can now login to PostfixAdmin using the account you just created.

mv /usr/local/www/postfixadmin/setup.php /usr/local/www/postfixadmin/setup.php.disabled
chmod 000 /usr/local/www/postfixadmin/setup.php.disabled

Install Courier-imap
cd /usr/ports/mail/courier-imap
make install clean
add
[X] AUTH_MYSQL   MySQL support

chmod +x /var/run/authdaemond

vi /usr/local/etc/authlib/authdaemonrc
authmodulelist="authmysql"
authmodulelistorig="authmysql"

vi /usr/local/etc/authlib/authmysqlrc
MYSQL_SERVER            localhost
MYSQL_USERNAME          postfix
MYSQL_PASSWORD          postfix
MYSQL_SOCKET            /tmp/mysql.sock
MYSQL_DATABASE          postfix
MYSQL_USER_TABLE        mailbox
MYSQL_CRYPT_PWFIELD     password
MYSQL_UID_FIELD         '500'
MYSQL_GID_FIELD         '500'
MYSQL_LOGIN_FIELD       username
MYSQL_HOME_FIELD        concat('/home/domains/',maildir)
MYSQL_NAME_FIELD        name
MYSQL_MAILDIR_FIELD     concat('/home/domains/',maildir)
MYSQL_QUOTA_FIELD       concat(quota,'S')
MYSQL_WHERE_CLAUSE      active='1'

cp -rp /usr/local/etc/courier-imap/pop3d.cnf.dist /usr/local/etc/courier-imap/pop3d.cnf
/usr/local/share/courier-imap/mkpop3dcert

cp -rp /usr/local/etc/courier-imap/imapd.cnf.dist /usr/local/etc/courier-imap/imapd.cnf
/usr/local/share/courier-imap/mkimapdcert

/usr/local/share/courier-imap/mkdhparams

vi /usr/local/etc/courier-imap/pop3d-ssl
TLS_CIPHER_LIST="SSLv3:TLSv1:HIGH:!LOW:!MEDIUM:!EXP:!NULL:!aNULL@..."

vi /usr/local/etc/courier-imap/imapd-ssl
TLS_CIPHER_LIST="SSLv3:TLSv1:HIGH:!LOW:!MEDIUM:!EXP:!NULL:!aNULL@..."

vi /etc/rc.conf
courier_authdaemond_enable="YES"
courier_imap_pop3d_enable="YES"
courier_imap_pop3d_ssl_enable="YES"
courier_imap_imapd_enable="YES"
courier_imap_imapd_ssl_enable="YES"

Install Maildrop
cd /usr/ports/mail/maildrop
make WITH_AUTHLIB=yes install clean
[X] AUTH_MYSQL   MySQL support

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/master.cf
maildrop  unix  -       n       n       -       -       pipe
flags=DRhu user=vmail argv=/usr/local/bin/maildrop -d ${recipient}

Install Squirrelmail
cd /usr/ports/mail/squirrelmail
make install clean

#for multiple language support
cd /usr/ports/mail/squirrelmail-translations
make install clean

#for multiple language support
chown -R www:www /usr/local/www/squirrelmail
/usr/local/www/squirrelmail/configure
10->1->zh_TW->2->utf-8->S->Q

vi /usr/local/etc/apache24/httpd.conf
Alias /webmail "/usr/local/www/squirrelmail/"
<Directory "/usr/local/www/squirrelmail">
Options Indexes
AllowOverride ALL
Require all granted
</Directory>

cd /usr/local/www/squirrelmail/config
cp config_default.php config.php

reboot

Test:
http://IP/postfixadmin
http://IP/webmail

Install clamav
cd /usr/ports/security/clamav
make install clean
[X] MILTER        Compile the milter interface

vi /usr/local/etc/clamav-milter.conf
AddHeader Yes

vi /etc/rc.conf
clamav_clamd_enable="YES"
clamav_freshclam_enable="YES"
clamav_milter_enable="YES"

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/clamav-clamd restart

/usr/local/bin/freshclam

Install SpamAssassin
cd /usr/ports/security/p5-IO-Socket-SSL
make config
Add
[X] IDN        International Domain Names support
OK

make install clean

cd /usr/ports/mail/spamassassin
make install clean

/usr/local/bin/sa-update

vi /usr/local/etc/mail/spamassassin/local.cf
rewrite_header Subject *****SPAM*****
report_safe 1
required_score 5.0
use_bayes 1
bayes_auto_learn 1

vi /etc/rc.conf
spamd_enable="YES"
spamd_flags="-u spamd -H /var/spool/spamd"

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/sa-spamd restart
chown -R spamd:spamd /root/.spamassassin

cd /usr/ports/mail/spamass-milter
make install clean

vi /usr/local/etc/rc.d/spamass-milter
change
: ${spamass_milter_socket_mode="644"}
to
: ${spamass_milter_socket_mode="777"}

vi /etc/rc.conf
spamass_milter_enable="YES"

vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/main.cf
milter_connect_macros = b j _ {daemon_name} {if_name} {if_addr}
smtpd_milters =
unix:/var/run/clamav/clmilter.sock
unix:/var/run/spamass-milter.sock
milter_default_action = accept

Install Virtual Vacation
1. Create a local account
pw groupadd vacation -g 501
pw useradd vacation -u 501 -g 501 -s /sbin/nologin -d /nonexistent -c "Virtual Vacation"

2. Install vacation.pl
mkdir /var/spool/vacation
cp -rp /usr/local/share/postfixadmin/VIRTUAL_VACATION/vacation.pl /var/spool/vacation/vacation.pl
#had to download vacation.pl from https://github.com/postfixadmin/postfixadmin/blob/master/VIRTUAL_VACATION/vacation.pl
chown -R root:vacation /var/spool/vacation
chmod -R 750 /var/spool/vacation

3. Setup the transport type
vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/master.cf
vacation  unix  -       n       n       -       -       pipe
flags=Rq user=vacation argv=/var/spool/vacation/vacation.pl -f ${sender} -- ${recipient}

4. Setup the transport maps file
vi /usr/local/etc/postfix/main.cf
transport_maps = hash:/usr/local/etc/postfix/transport

vi /usr/local//etc/postfix/transport
autoreply.jason-tang.com       vacation

/usr/local/sbin/postmap /usr/local/etc/postfix/transport

5. Configure vacation.pl
vi /var/spool/vacation/vacation.pl
change
#!/usr/bin/perl -X
to
#!/usr/local/bin/perl -X

our $db_type = 'mysql';
our $db_username = 'postfix';
our $db_password = 'postfix';
our $db_name     = 'postfix';
our $vacation_domain = 'autoreply.jason-tang.com';

/usr/local/etc/rc.d/postfix reload

perl -MCPAN -e 'install DBI'

cd /usr/ports/databases/p5-DBD-mysql/
make install clean

reboot

 

ref: http://www.jason-tang.com/index.php/system/15-bsd/88-install-postfix-on-freebsd-11-0-minimal-ports-src-sshd-enable-disable-sendmail

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4Feb/15Off

Send a test mail using Telnet

Telnet into the smtp server (postfix)

# telnet localhost 25

The server should reply with:

Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to localhost.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 mytestmail.com ESMTP Postfix

Great. Postfix is listening and wants us to speak SMTP:

ehlo example.com

Postfix appreciates the EHLO and tells us which features it provides:

250-my-new-mailserver
250-PIPELINING
250-SIZE 10240000
250-VRFY
250-ETRN
250-ENHANCEDSTATUSCODES
250-8BITMIME
250 DSN

Hey, Postfix, we have a mail from [email protected]:

mail from:<[email protected]>

Looks like Postfix is happy with that because return codes that start with a '2' are good news:

250 2.1.0 Ok

Tell Postfix who the recipient of the mail is:

rcpt to:<[email protected]>

Postfix accepts that:

250 2.1.5 Ok

Then we are ready to send the actual mail:

data

Postfix agrees and tells us we can send the actual mail now and end our input with a dot on an empty line:

354 End data with <CR><LF>.<CR><LF>

Okay, type in the mail:

Hi John,

just wanted to drop you a note.
.

Postfix tells us it has received the mail and queued under a queue ID:

250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as AK782JKD4

Thanks, Postfix, we are done:

quit
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4Feb/15Off

ezjail / jail setup on freebsd 9.3

# cd /usr/ports/sysutils/ezjail
# make install clean

create a base jail

# ezjail-admin install -sp

update the basejail with freebsd-update
# ezjail-admin update -u

update the base jail's ports tree

# ezjail-admin update -P

rc.conf entry ensures our jail will be started at boot and gets the IP it needs.
# ifconfig em0 alias 192.168.1.13 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255
# echo 'ifconfig_em0_alias0="inet 192.168.1.13 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255"' >> /etc/rc.conf
# echo 'ezjail_enable="YES"' >> /etc/rc.conf

Create the jail
# ezjail-admin create myjail.com 192.168.1.13
# cp /etc/resolv.conf /usr/jails/myjail.com/etc/
# service ezjail start
to see running jail
# jls

to get console access to the jail
# ezjail-admin console myjail.com
to stop a jail
# ezjail-admin stop myjail.com

to archive for you to copy a jail
# ezjail-admin archive myjail.com

The archived file should appear in /usr/jails/ezjail_archives. you can then duplicate it as many times as you want. If you install ports, don't bother copying the jail to another machine, there will be missing libraries...
# ezjail-admin create -a /usr/jails/ezjail_archives/myjail.com.tar.gz myjail.com 192.168.1.13
# ezjail-admin start myjail.com
 
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4Feb/15Off

freebsd 9.3 error warning: smtputf8_enable is true, but EAI support is not compiled in

if you are getting this error "warning: smtputf8_enable is true, but EAI support is not compiled in" on freebsd 9.3 (maybe freebsd 10) it's a bug in the port config. EASY way to fix it (well best way to fix it) is to compile postfix with EAI support.

# cd /usr/ports/mail/postfix-current/
# make config

Make sure you select EAI from the list

# make install clean
or
# make reinstall clean

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30Jan/15Off

How to build php5 module into apache22 with freebsd

The Apache module is no longer inside ports/lang/php5. there is no option to build php with apache.

The fix:

use www/mod_php5 to get apache to run php

Also note that

The Apache PHP module has been separated from the main PHP port. If you had the APACHE OPTION selected, you have to perform the following steps:

1) update your lang/php* options (i.e. 'make config')

2) rebuild lang/php* port

3) install www/mod_php* port

It is mandatory to build both ports with the same DEBUG and ZTS options, so if you have a threaded Apache (i.e. worker or event MPM) you have to select the ZTS option in lang/php* port.

 

if you have this error

===>  mod_php55-5.5.17_1 is marked as broken: : Error from bsd.apache.mk. apache22 is installed (or APACHE_PORT is defined) and port requires apache.
*** [install] Error code 1

then make sure you add this line to /etc/make.conf
DEFAULT_VERSIONS=apache=2.2

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27May/14Off

Ways to cut back your time spend on SEO and increase natural search performance

SEO is very critical to attract quality web traffic and it also needs time to implement the correct strategies for increasing natural search performance. It is important to use the white hat techniques so as to rank well in search engines. If you are looking for the ways to speed up your SEO process in a way you follow SEO rules as well. In this article it is discussed about ways that will save your time spend in SEO and will help you in increasing natural search performance.

Let’s look at effective internet marketing tactics to improve your business and speed up the SEO process:

  1. Get the ideas for keywords from your internal search data: When people search inside your website using your search bar (present in your website), then it shows that, they are doing so as they are not able to get the content immediately they are looking for. By tracking these searches, you will get fresh new keywords that you know your customers are already interested in. Now building the content around these keywords will pay you off automatically both in terms of SEO and will satisfy both search engines and visitors.
  2. Find suggestions for keywords using Google Adwords Keyword Planner: Since most of Google Analytics has turned into not provided, you have to get a bit clever when it comes to get the information about keyword from search giant. Here are the steps to find keywords using Google Adwords Keyword Planner:
  • Sign  into Google Adwords Keyword Planner
  • Select the option “ search for keyword and ad group ideas”
  • Enter the URL of your website into “your Landing Page” field.
  • Choose the targeting option to your country
  • Run your search

The keyword ideas tab will provide you a series of phrases that Google believes to be related to your website.

  1. Add Google Authorship code to the header of your site: There are various ways to set up and claim authorship. For instance, if you have a WordPress site, then do not worry about plugins or email confirmations. Instead use the following code into the header.php file of your website.

"<link rel="author" href="https://plus.google.com/+guneetsinghseo-expert/posts" />"

Doing so, ensures that your profile code is propagated to all pages of your site, which Google can find it easily and give you the credit for your efforts.

  1. Submitting all domains to disavow Links tool: When this tool came, SEO’s were very cautious about submitting only individual links. It was right to be cautious at that time so as to know exactly what impact the tool would have on the performance of the site. If the tool devalued any links submitted immediately, and then would have a widespread impact- taking down both good and bad links. If in the analysis of back links of your site inbound links leads to few negative issues, then don’t worry about being selective in request for disavowal. Submitting all domains is a good SEO practice and helps you to save time.
  1. Use Google tag Manager and combine JavaScript tags with it: Twitter, Google Analytics and Google+ are the few sites that request you to install JavaScript code on your website so as to power up the functionalities. But unfortunately these snippets that you install slow down your site’s speed and we all know that the slow sites are bad for SEO. To save the time required to fire the each snippet individually, use Google’s Tag Manager Tool. You just have to enter the code pieces into tools tag generator, this will provide you with a site wide tag that will fire each JavaScript file as per the rules you specify. This tag helps in increasing the site’s speed.

Summary: Aforesaid are some of the simple and effective ways to speed up your SEO process and get the natural rankings in search engines.

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30Aug/12Off

6 Steps for Getting Your Small Business Online and In Front of Customers

Are you a startup taking your rst steps into the online space? Do you have a small business that’s been operating without a website? Or do you have a website that isn’t driving the sales you want?
Then this is for you. We’ll take you through the basics of getting online and in front of customers with a site that will:

  • Help customers, prospects and potential employees and partners nd your business
  • Provide clear information about your products and services
  • Persuade people to do business with you
  • Generate sales

 

 

Step 1 – Naming the Baby: Choosing & Registering Your Domain Name

You’ve conceived and developed your business idea and committed the time and resources to start making it a reality. Now it’s time to give your business its online name – a name that will be spoken, linked to, searched for, printed and displayed in a variety of ways throughout the life of your business. Choose wisely.

Make Your Domain Simple and Memorable Keeping your domain name simple will help people remember it and make it easier to nd.

  • Try for your exact business name or a shortened variation.
  • Make sure it’s easy to spell, but also register a few potential misspellings (for example, www.gogle.com or www.amizon.com).

Take Advantage of Longer Registrations
Register your domain name for 2, 5 or even 10 years.

  • Longer registrations usually mean better pricing.
  • Save yourself the headache of dealing with an expired domain every year.
  • Expired domains are eventually re-opened to the public for purchase – don’t lose your name!

 

 

Step 2 – Creating the Experience: Writing & Building Your Website

So now you have a domain name, but what will people find when they visit it? Creating a clear, user-friendly website sounds easy, but it takes planning. Make sure your goals for the site are clear as you begin writing your content and creating the design.

Decide What Type of Site You Need

  • Informational: Do you want a website that simply allows customers to nd you and learn more about your business? If so, all you’ll need is a few web pages with content and graphics.
  • Ecommerce: Do you want people to be able to purchase from your website? You’ll need content that drives people toward a shopping cart function.

 

Decide What Extras You Want
There are several general pages that most websites include (see common website pages, right), but do you want any extras?

  • Blog
  • Event Calendar
  • Support Info

Common Website Pages
Informational
• Home page – the main entryway to your website
• Services page – what are you selling or oering?
• About page – who are you?
• Contact page – how do customers reach you?
Ecommerce
• Home page – the main entryway to your website
• Product page – what are you selling?
• Consider adding multiple pages per product or an overview page if you have more than 10
• Reviews/testimonials page – what do people say about your products?
• About page – who are you?
• Contact page – how do customers reach you?

 

Step 3 – Getting Found: Making Your Site Google-Friendly

No matter how much time you spend creating a beautiful, functional website, it’s of no value if it can’t be found. Search engines, such as Google, Bing and Yahoo! act like customized online directories, pointing the user to
websites matching the terms the users used in their search.

How Google and Other Search Engines
Work Using software robots called spiders, search engines “crawl” through websites to analyze content and determine what the site is about and how valuable its information is. Among other things, the spiders note:

  • What keywords are used within the web pages and where – see Choosing Your Keywords for more information
  • What other sites link to the website – links to your site from reputable or well-established websites can help improve your ranking
  • How recently the site’s content has been updated –spiders like content to be fresh and constantly updated

Submitting to Search Engines
First things, first. To get your website on the list you have to tell the search engines that it’s there. You can do this yourself, or use a search engine submission service. Submission services will take care of submitting your site to each major search engine and can also provide you with reports, tips for increasing search engine rankings, and a keyword suggestion tool.

Choosing Your Keywords
What Are Keywords?
Keywords are words used within the content of your site that help search engines identify what the site is about. They usually relate to your industry, your products and services, your location and anything else a customer might search for when trying to nd a business like yours.

Identifying Keywords
Google oers a free keyword tool at www.google.com/adwords  where you can enter words related to your company to see how often they’re searched.

  • Create a list of often-searched terms and work them into your website content where you can (these are called “short-tail search terms”).
  • Then, create a list of more specific terms or phrases related to your company and work them in as well (these less-searched, but more specific terms are called “long-tail search terms”).

Step 4 – Engaging in the Conversation: Building Your Community with Social Media Your site is up and running, you’re creating content, you’re marketing online to your customers – do you REALLY need to spend time on social media? Yes. The reality of today’s culture is that whether you choose to participate in social media or not, customers and prospects WILL talk about you online. Being part of the conversation gives you the opportunity to change perceptions, create loyalty and win sales.

Monitoring the Conversation
Before you begin posting on social media, it’s vital that you have tools in place to monitor what’s being said about your business.

  • Positive feedback helps you identify which products and services your customers value.
  • Negative feedback can be key in identifying areas that need improvement.
  • In addition, customers often post customer service complaints online – monitoring social media for mentions of your company gives you an opportunity to respond to these and resolve situations you might not know about otherwise.

To set up a monitoring program:

  • Sign up for a social media monitoring tool, such as Hootsuite, Tweetdeck or one of the other available online.
  • To get started, just enter the terms you want to monitor on Twitter and Facebook, making sure to include your company name, industry key words, competitor names, etc.
  • The monitoring service will then send you notications anytime those terms are used.

 

Which Social Media Platforms Should I Use?
Twitter posts are limited to 140 characters, so most businesses use Twitter for sharing links to company news and announcements, “retweeting” (sharing) other announcements from the industry, responding to customer mentions and support questions.
Facebook has good tools in place for running contests, posting photos or videos and writing longer posts.
LinkedIn is great for connecting with other businesses, joining educational groups related to your industry and posting job openings.
FourSquare is good for restaurants, stores, and other businesses with physical locations. Customers can “check in” on FourSquare to tell their friends/followers where they are at the moment. You can create a FourSquare profile for your business so anyone seeing that check in can learn more about you. Some businesses also oer customers rewards for
having the most check-ins, etc.

Whichever platorm you choose, be sure to add buttons on your website encouraging people to follow you, like you, or connect with you. You can download these free from AddThis.com.

Strategize Before Clicking ‘Post’
Now that you’re monitoring conversations about your business and industry, you can consider what type of information you want to post on your social media accounts. Unlike direct marketing, social media is a two-way conversation between you and your customers/prospects about your brand. While on the surface social media platforms can seem informal, remember that you are representing your business brand, so post carefully.

  • What to Post: Social media is a very ‘in the moment’ platform. Write content that is timely and current. Make posts about new product launches and important company news but also current events outside your company.
  • Just Say Hello: Let conversations happen – if you post something and someone responds, feel free to respond back. Not only is it polite, you are building connections with your readers.
  • Responding to Problems: For better or for worse, these days businesses are expected to provide support and assistance through their social media platforms. Be sure you have a plan in place to address customers who bring support concerns to you – do not ignore them and do not delete them, except in the instance of profanity or other blatant abuse.
  • When to Post: The timing is all up to you. A good rule of thumb is to be consistent, so if you post once a day, try to maintain that momentum. No one wants to interact with a stagnant brand.

Other Quick Tips for Promoting Your Site Through Social Media

  • Announce a referral program. Provide prizes and /or discounts for customers who mentioned they were referred through social media.
  • Create a brand ambassador program. Get your customers promoting your brand for you.
  • Provide incentives for customers who post reviews via social media.
  • Create a loyalty program. Hold special promotions for customers based on their buying habits and referral frequency.
  • Reward your followers. Offer special promotion codes, discounts or other rewards only available to your fans and followers.

Step 5 – Taking It to the Next Level: Engaging with Your Community

Now you have your site up and running and are ready to begin driving people to it. Because of the way search engines find information (see How Google and Other Search Engines Work on page 14), the more updated, relevant content you have on your site, the more your site will show up in search results.

Share Ideas & News with a Blog
Blogging is an informal and personal way to attract visitors to your website and promote your industry expertise.

  • Set up a blog using an online blogging service, such as Blogger, Joomla, or WordPress. Add a link to your blog on your homepage. You also have the options of “mapping” the blog to your website so it appears as a part of your site — ask your blogging service provider about how to do this and whether there’s an extra charge.
  • Assign time for yourself to create posts about product features, business news and commentary on what’s happening in your industry.
  • Sort your posts by category, so visitors can easily find the topics that interest them the most.

Bring the Content to Your Audience with a Newsletter
As you add customers, collect their email addresses so you can drive trac back to your website with a monthly email newsletter. As your newsletter list grows, so will your ability to attract new visitors—just remember that the goal is always to include links to your web pages within your content to drive leads and sales on your site.
Newsletters can highlight:

  • New products/services
  • Interesting industry news
  • Educational tips for your customers
  • Sales and special promotions
  • Change in hours of location
  • Custom testimonials or success stories
  • Survey or request for feedback

Step 6 – Trying New Things: Analyzing & Improving Your Website

You have your domain name, you’ve established your web presence, your social media is up and running, and you’re seeing traffic – now what? Find out what you’re doing right and what you can do better by using a statistics and analytics package to identify, track and help you learn more about who is visiting your website.

Identify the Source
Using your statistics and/or analytics software to figure out where your visitors are coming from can give you a good idea of which marketing eorts are working:

  • Direct entry (they typed your domain name into their browser address bar)
  • Inbound links (clicking a link to your website from another website)
  • Search results (finding your website via a search engine)

Make Improvements
Analytics can tell you a great deal about features and pages of your site that are and aren’t working.

  • Find out which pages are the most common “exit points.” If a large number of visitors consistently leave your site when they reach a certain page, examine the content – Is there a clear call to action? Why might visitors be leaving?
  • Where are the most common “entry points”? See where the traffic to those pages is coming from, and make sure the pages’ content makes sense to someone entering your site at that page.

 

Conclusion
While the setup phase will probably be the most consecutive time you spend on your website, the reality is that your site will never be “finished.” Maintaining and updating the content will be necessary as long as your company exists. But your site will also be one of your most cost-eective sales tools and the rst touchpoint for many customers. So make time to make it good – it’s your company’s home base and face to the world. Good luck!

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30Aug/12Off

5 Thrifty Tips for Driving Sales with Online Video

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a moving picture adds to that figure exponentially. As a dynamic and immediate marketing tool, video is the next best thing to greeting potential customers face-to-face. Plus, not only can videos help deliver traffic from search engines like Google, but video thumbnails tend to catch the eye in search results better than linked text.

But if a slick, professionally produced clip isn’t within your budget, that’s ok – today’s affordable web and phone cams make it inexpensive to create do-it-yourself videos that look and sound clean enough to get your message across in a professional way.

Online video powerhouse YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine, reaching 4 billion views per day in January. And as a free service, you don’t need budget to upload videos. That means, all you need to start connecting with your audience is a camera, a story and a plan.

Don’t know where to start? Here are five tips for messaging and presentation of your video:

Tip 1 – Make it unique:  Because the chances are there are already countless videos out there related to your field, it’s important to make your message as unique as possible. Offer hard-to-find information that satisfies a real customer need. Don’t discuss what you want to. Focus on what they want to learn about.
Tip 2 – Make it friendly:  Keep your tone light and conversational. Try to make a personal connection. Present a real-life situation, and address it with a demo of your product. Entertain if you can.
Tip 3 – Make it quick:  Bear in mind the attention span of the viewer. Deliver the message as succinctly as possible – 5 minutes or less for best results. For in-depth or supplemental info, link to a blog post. (You have a blog, right? No? No worries – you can easily start one with the free WordPress blog capability we include in our discounted hosting packages.)
Tip 4 – Make a deal:  Share a video coupon, a special code for a discount or deal for those who watch the video to its end.
Tip 5 – Make it viral:  Upload it to YouTube; post it on Twitter and Facebook. Do whatever you can to make it spread. Craft your message with this in mind: Be funny, be poignant, be memorable.

For other tips, see our blog – http://blog.domainpeople.com/

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11Jul/12Off

Send/Receive Frequency for outlook 2007

To change the Send/Receive Frequency for outlook 2007

You can change the frequency of how often Outlook 2007 checks the server for new email.

  1. Go to Tools -> Options... The Options window opens.
  2. Click the Mail Setup tab.
  3. Click the Send/Receive... button.

From here you can edit the schedule's automatic send/receive. You can also initiate a Send/Receive manually via the Send/Receive button on Outlook's toolbar.

27Mar/12Off

eAccelerator freebsd error shmmax

Freebsd has an issue with eAccelerator right now where when you try to start it it gives you an error "eAccelerator: shmmax should be at least 2MBPHP Warning"

To fix this we're going to remove eAccelerator then reinstall it:

# cd /usr/ports/www/eaccelerator

# make deinstall

# vi MakeFile

The "CONFIGURE_ARGS=" line needs to be changed so it looks like this
CONFIGURE_ARGS= --with-eaccelerator-shared-memory \
--with-eaccelerator-userid=80 \
--without-eaccelerator-use-inode

save the file and exit

then
# make install clean

restart apache

Filed under: Errors, FreeBSD No Comments