So far we’ve cleaned up our PC and smartphone, leaving us ready to sort out our website & server.  I don’t know about you, but my website and server become a repository for all sorts of things.  Sometimes I’ll use them to transfer files between people, test out new website designs, and even to try out different configurations for site structures.  Inevitably I find something I like, roll it out on my main site, and then forget to go back and clean up the test files.   Later on, when I want to test something new, I find the old stuff and typically ignore it with the mindset of “cleaning it up later.”  Not today, today we’re going to get in there and clean out what we don’t need.

Your Website and Server - Some people manage their sites and servers perfectly.  I’m not one of those people.  As I said above, I like testing and playing with things in a test environment.  As such, quite frequently I end up with pages of test code or entire test sites that linger.  Well, this is the perfect time of year to go through and get rid of stuff you’re not using!

• Clean out your subdomains - Instead of making changes to a live site, I have been known to use a subdomain as a temporary test site.  The ease of keeping files within the same domain makes this a go-to resource for me.  Unfortunately, when I’m done, I leave those subdomains alone.  I always intend to go back and clean them up, but rarely do.  So, go in via FTP (I prefer FileZilla) and download copies of your files, then delete those unnecessary files from your site.  Of course, if you are using the subdomain for hosting a site, please keep the files, we wouldn’t want to delete something in use.
• Review media files - When I’m working with my site, I’ll upload multiple media files for each post or page, just to test out how they look or because I may not be 100% certain as to what the finished post will be about.  Just like with the subdomains, I have every intention of going back and cleaning out the files I don’t use – but never do.  Here’s your change – use this holiday season to remove those files that didn’t quite make it.  Videos, pictures, sounds, etc., all eat up space.  Free that server up.  
• Back up your site - I cannot stress making back up copies of your site enough.  Do it monthly, weekly, etc., just DO IT!  As 2013 comes to a close, now is a great time to do a comprehensive backup.  I have numerous sites on my server and before the end of the year I will go through and make a complete backup copy of each site.  I will also make a comprehensive backup of my server.  Fortunately, my server software, Plesk, has a built in back up system that makes it very easy to do.  Contact your host and see if they have a backup option at the server level if you don’t see one on your Server admin panel.  If you have a more sophisticated software package on your server, or know your coding, you can set up regular back ups that can be saved to a repository on a different server.  This is a great idea and can really save your bacon in case of an emergency.
• Update your plugins - I’m a big fan of WordPress and use it quite a bit.  However, I am a bit lax on keeping up with all of the updates that come along.  Take a few minutes and get everything updated.  Be sure you make a backup of your site and database (I like the WordPress Database Backup plugin) before you run your update process.  This is a super easy way to make sure your site is up to date and completely optimized.

These are just a few of the ways you can update and clean up your server & website.  Got tips?  Leave them in the comments!  Very soon I’ll start posting my suggestions for starting the year off right with your websites.  Look for that series to start in the next few days!

Previously we took a look at cleaning up your PC, while today we’re going to talk about cleaning up your smartphone.  The advice I give can be applied to Android, iPhone, and Windows phones.  The steps to make it happen may vary some, but essentially, running through these maintenance items will have the same effect across all devices regardless of operating system.

Your Smartphone – Over the course of the year, you’ve talked, texted, and downloaded your way to a slower phone.  All of those text messages add up, all of those apps you’ve installed work against you.  Let’s do something about them, shall we?

• Clean out your text history - If you’re anything like me, you use your smartphone for texting more than talking.  We have become a society much more comfortable with looking at a device rather than looking at each other.  That data adds up and just sits on your phone.  Go through your text history and delete old conversations with people.  Clear out those long histories and get down to only the most recent messages.  I did this on my daughter’s phone recently and cleared out more than a gigabyte of data!
• Clean out your media - Do you really want to keep that video of your neighbor’s best friend’s kid riding the dog like a horse?  Sure, it was funny in March, but when was the last time you looked at it?  Download it to your PC if you’re intent on keeping it, but otherwise, dump it!  Clear those old voice-mails out.  Get rid of the pictures you took of different light fixtures for your remodeled dining room.  Spend some time going through that photo roll and delete the photos you don’t want.  For the media you want to keep, download it to your PC.  Get it off the device.  When I had an iPhone, I used iTools to gain greater access to my phone than what iTunes would allow.  Should you try iTools, tread carefully and stay within the basic framework.  We wouldn’t want to brick our phones while trying to download and remove some old songs.
  I added an external hard drive to my PC that is only for my mobile device downloads.  Newegg has great deals on external storage.  You don’t need some massive, 1 terabyte hard drive for this, I lean toward the USB-powered passport portables that run 500 gigabyte or less.  
• Clear out old apps - Was recently going through my phone and discovered that I had about 5 different versions of Angry Birds installed.  I haven’t played Angry Birds in months.  Clear ‘em out!  I went through and removed those megabyte-hogging apps.  I also discovered that I had some duplicate apps from when “new & improved” versions came out that required a different, fresh install.  I’m taking a six month approach to apps – if I can’t remember using it in the past 6 months, I’m deleting it.
• Update – After you’ve cleaned up your apps, make sure they are all up to date.  Go through the full update process.  When complete, shut the phone down completely, let it sit for 5 or 10 seconds, then start it back up.  Give it a minute to rest.  Most of us have our phones on 24/7 and rarely give them a break.  In fact, give it a day off!  I’m planning on shutting my phone down for the entirety of Christmas Day.

We’ve cleaned up our PC (which may need another cleaning after downloading all of our smartphone media), and now it’s on to our websites & servers.  Don’t you feel better already?

Take advantage of the holidays and clean up your technology. Right now is an ideal time of year to go through your devices, sites, servers, etc., and get them ready for the new year. A fresh start is a great way to begin 2014. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started cleaning up your Computer.

Your PC – Quite possibly your most important device. You use your computer for work, play, and who knows what else. My guess is, it isn’t running nearly as fast as it used to. To combat this, I used to spend the holidays doing a complete wipe of my computer and starting fresh. After spending more time on the PC than with the family, my wife decided I needed to alter my priorities. Instead, using a few simple tools and tricks, I speed up my laptop; and get it rolling for the new year.

• Update your software – I go through every piece of software I use and make sure it is up to date and running the latest version. Now, there may be reasons why you want to stay on a prior release, but typically the newest version runs the smoothest.
• Keep it clean - Make sure you run a comprehensive anti-virus and anti-malware scan. If you don’t have a good program, my friend Mark Weber with Weber’s Computers recommends BitDefender and has a special deal that get’s you 3 licenses for the low price of $69.99.
• Clear out old files - I have a terrible habit of keeping everything – I’m a data hoarder.  This time of year I like to go through my computer and get ride of those files that were needed one time and are no longer necessary.  I can clear out gigabytes of space by removing lingering ZIP files, screen grabs, and especially duplicate files.  Try out the Fast Duplicate File Finder tool and its counterpart Folder Size.  Both are by MindGems Software and are free and easy to use.  I always back up before I delete, just to be safe.  Right now storage is very cheap, use it.
• Decrapify - One of my absolute most favorite tools to use when I buy a new PC is the PC Decrapifier.  It roots out the bloatware that comes with almost every fresh PC.  I’ve found that it is useful to run well after I’ve got the PC to where I like it. Takes just a few minutes to run and occasionally finds a bit of software you’d forgotten about.

That should help you get started.  Our next post will deal with cleaning up your Smartphone!

1. Contact the websites you are currently linked to to optimize the links. Ask them to change the “click here” to another anchor text containing relevant keywords since the anchor text encourages people to click the ad.
2.  Monitor the websites 404 statistics. Keep track of the links that are old or misspelled URLs. Google has a great tool for tracking URLs and links. 
3. Create a “link to us” link on your website. This provides information for others to link to your site including anchors, URLs, and logos. Keep this page updated with current information and additional links.
4. Use spell check and grammar checker to correct any errors. The users will notice when you have errors in your links, pages, and content.
5. Search the internet for other sites that mention your website but are not linked to your site. Contact them to have them link your site.
6. Post comments on blogs with a link to your site in your signature line. When you add comments that are relevant and informational you will build traffic.
7. Make sure your navigation is spiderable by the search engines. Use anchor text or image text to increase the search engine results.
8. Use a sitemap on your website. Link all the pages on each page with the sitemap for a user friendly site.
9. Link your site to relevant topics on other websites. Link to the important pages on the site. 
10. Link to sites with high search engine rankings. They will drive traffic to your site.
11. Check on the sites your competitors are using. Get the same links to add to your site.
12. Post comments from clients that are positive to add the trust and interest of future clients. 
13. Create a free eBook containing your expertise or niche. Offer the eBook as a gift for people viewing your site who provide their personal contact information.
14. Teach an online seminar regarding your expertise. You should be considered an expert in your field and will attract people to the webinar. Post announcements of the seminar.
15. Use Google AdWord’s content to build your network with other sites with relevant products and content.
16. Join an affiliate program that promotes and sells the same type of product. Add links to your website.
17. Add a “donate to charity” link to your site. Describe the charity and how you donate the proceeds received. Pick a charity that people are willing to donate.
18. Submit your URL to social media sites to promote your products and services. Make sure the sites have quality services and products offered on their sites.

Valentine's Day is a day for lovers.