Setting Up Back-Up Systems
Posted by NovaAngel at January 8th, 2007
What is a back up system and why do I need to set one up?
A back up system is a system of backing up all of your website, autoresponder and credit card processing information.
A back up system is needed because sooner or later, your computer system will fail, your website will go down or your credit card processor will have problems preventing your customers in placing orders.
Sometimes two or three of these events will happen at the same time. A back up system is necessary to keep the flow of money going into your bank account and keeping your visitors and customers happy.
You also need to back up your computer each night.
A few weeks before I started this book, I had my primary credit card processor go down for a two-week period. Within a half-hour I had changed the buying links on my pages to activate my secondary account processor. It was a lifesaver. I received over 100 orders or $1000 in that period that I would have lost forever.
People want immediate gratification when ordering eBooks. They will move on and purchase your competitors’ books if they find a problem on your website.
Here are some “Cheap and Easy” ways of insuring an effective back up system.
1. Credit card processing. Always remember that people want to order on-line and in real time. They want immediate credit card fulfillment. If you only have one credit card processor then, mention in a customer service area of your website or somewhere on the ordering page, that if there is a problem to “click here to order.” The link they are clicking on will take them to your eBook description on Mightywords, the Booklocker or the 1stbooks Library eBook Stores.
When they reach the store, web visitors will be able to purchase all of your eBook titles because you will have already uploaded eBooks from the information you learned in Chapter Three.
Make it very easy for your customers to purchase your eBooks even if your systems go down.
2. Give your customers an opportunity to order by phone, fax or e-mail. Some people never will trust posting their credit card on-line. They will however give their credit card information to a disembodied voice or fax it to a strange, long distance number. Give your customers that option.
Install voice mail on your telephone and make it clear that your customers can leave a detailed message complete with name as it appears on the card, the credit card number, expiration date, and the item that they wish to order.
Out of every 500 or 600 orders, I will get a phone call for help or to place an order. Most problems are solved however through the effective use of e-mail.
3. Computer systems for file back up. Compact disc re-writers are the rage for backing up computer systems. Good ones cost less than $300.00. When you hear people talk about burning in CD’s, that’s what they are talking about.
You can back up all of your files on CD-ROMs and then store them in another room. If you burn up a hard disk or lose information that includes your website pages, you can easily restore all of the information from your CD- ROMs.
Get in a habit of restoring your computer every time you make a change on your website. You can back up the text files that you are using for your autoresponders the same way.
Of course you have autoresponder text stored on you hosting website, but if the information becomes corrupt or lost, you can easily restore from your back up CD-ROMs.
Now, with the low prices, of CD-ROM Re-writers, you will not only have a great way of backing up your files, but also a new version of a printing press to create CD-ROM eBook titles.
At this point in time, Amazon.com does not allow you to sell eBooks from their catalog as downloaded files. However, if you have published CD-ROM versions of your eBooks and have valid ISBN numbers assigned, you can include them in Amazon.com’s on-line book catalog.
You may add book reviews and commentary just like the big-time publishers. You can even get Amazon.com to stock your CD-ROM’s in their “Advantage” program.
For details on the Advantage Program go to:
You may use your new CD-ROM Re-writer as your in-house printing press. You can now become author, publisher, printer and distributor of your own products!
There are many software programs that allow you to design your own CD-ROM labels and J-cards for placing in the CD-ROM jewel cases.
Even with an inexpensive color ink jet or laser printer, you can create professional and attractive CD-ROM eBook packages.
The URL for Amazon.com’s Advantage Program is at:
Once your CD-ROM has a valid ISBN number and you have registered it properly in the Bowker Books-In-Print directory, you will receive a free listing in the Borders.com, and Barnes & Noble on-line book catalogs.
You will then need to add cover art and commentary to your free listing.
I believe that soon, Borders.com will be including Adobe Acrobat PDF eBooks so it will be wise to add eBook listings to their catalog.
Borders.com is located at:
