Security and Architecture – always consider both together

Software or Systems architecture is often undertaken from a very technical point of view, the main concerns being around reducing technical complexity and dependencies to make it easier to deal with change in the long run. This is fine for ‘standalone systems’ but in today’s highly interconnected world – the boundary of a system is often Read more about Security and Architecture – always consider both together[…]

Software Architecture Really Matters to Business Success

Software Architect unfortunately is often seen as one of those ‘nice to do’ things by many businesses. Typically the architecture of a business system (especially in a start-up or online business) tends to ‘evolve’ (putting it nicely) over time – there is usually no unified attempt to create an architecture until you realise you have Read more about Software Architecture Really Matters to Business Success[…]

SEO dangers of one box hosting…

Something we have noticed is that people seem to be very keen to try and minimise their hosting costs, by getting the cheapest plan available and then putting all their websites into the one account. On the one hand this can be very good strategy at reducing recurrent costs, but if done ‘blindly’ it can Read more about SEO dangers of one box hosting…[…]

Setting up a new Website, the minimum you must do

When setting up a new website there are several key elements you need to get right from the start. 1. Setup Google Webmaster As soon as your website is live, you should really set it up to linked up to Google Webmaster, this will allow you to: Track what search terms on Google your website Read more about Setting up a new Website, the minimum you must do[…]

Vagrant and Propel – external configuration and tabs

I’m currently using Vagrant with a client to help automate their development build processes. We want to try as much as possible to make the dev environment match the final production environment. So I can set up the provision.sh script to use environmental variable overrides so we can easily go from an ‘all-in-one’ development deployment Read more about Vagrant and Propel – external configuration and tabs[…]

Website Analytics Graph

Growing your website traffic

Growing your website traffic is like any endeavour worth doing, it takes a certain degree of determination and focus combined with some knowledge and helpful tools & resources. You can grow your website traffic, it is possible – but you must understand this is not something that will occur overnight. There is no magic bullet Read more about Growing your website traffic[…]

Software Development- remember the user but don’t forget the engineer…

If you have been involved for software engineering for any length of time, you soon realise that there is a lot more to software than just the end product. Despite the efforts of many to try and turn the development of software into a turn key process, there is still an evident ‘gap’ between those Read more about Software Development- remember the user but don’t forget the engineer…[…]

Website Checker Soft Launch

We have just finished putting together an online tool for website owners or developers who are looking for a one stop place to check their websites. See https://webcheck.aykira.com.au/ The idea for the tool came from a core frustration with how bad most websites we came across were in terms of: Very Slow Performance – Taking absolutely Read more about Website Checker Soft Launch[…]

Security Upgrades to Website Hosting

In response to attacks on WordPress sites worldwide that use 3 common plugins (which are often included in Commercial themes) we have been busy upgrading our website hosting to effectively guard against such attacks. We now provide as standard for all websites we host: Scanning every 30 minutes of web files looking for viruses, back-doors, Read more about Security Upgrades to Website Hosting[…]

Mobile Responsive Websites – SEO effects

Google has just recently announced that your website being mobile responsive will be taken into account when they ‘rank’ your website in their index. What does this mean? Basically if your website does not display well on mobile devices (such as smart phones and tablets) they will mark down your website in the searches – Read more about Mobile Responsive Websites – SEO effects[…]

Small Business Exchange Expo – The Hills

Aykira is proud to inform you that we will be running a stand at the 2015 Small Business Exchange Expo at the Hills Shire Council Offices on the 11th March 2015. The expo is specifically designed to help small businesses with those day to day business issues that crop up when running a business. It Read more about Small Business Exchange Expo – The Hills[…]

Event Tourism & Accommodation Booking Engine Improvements

We are just putting the finishing touches to a whole range of new features for the Aykira Booking Engine . Fully automatic Gift Voucher support, no more printing or posting of Gift vouchers – let the booking engine take the load.. Delay booking payments – ideal for those large tour operators with constantly changing booking Read more about Event Tourism & Accommodation Booking Engine Improvements[…]

Is WordPress Secure? Can you build complex websites with WordPress?

I read with interest an article in a local Norwest publication making the claim that due to WordPress being widely used and Open Source it is a security risk.. Also that due to it being ‘unsophisticated’ you cannot do complex websites on it. These statements are so wrong and ill considered it’s difficult to know Read more about Is WordPress Secure? Can you build complex websites with WordPress?[…]

WordPress Booking Engine Upgrade

We have just finished adding support for Channels to the Aykira Booking Engine . Channels allow you to associate either a percentage or a fixed figure against a certain channel by which a booking was taken. This way resellers can be correctly rewarded for their efforts without you having to do any complex maths. The Read more about WordPress Booking Engine Upgrade[…]