Controlling who gets ahold of sensitive information or upcoming updates can be tricky. Whether you're a businessman trying to restrict access to your brand's data or a blogger who only wants selected people to read your blog, you deserve the right to privacy.
Unfortunately, the words "privacy" and "internet" are seldom used together. The internet (social media, in particular) seems to thrive on spreading data. There is a way, however, to limit a website's exposure. It makes sure that only selected people can access your site.
It's a password protection feature, and here's how it works.
What is the Password Protection Feature?
Password protection limits access to your website by requiring any visitors to type a password of their choice. If a random visitor somehow stumbles upon your site or unauthorized employees try to enter, they’d be met with the password protection feature.
How Is It Relevant?
Sites that require password access (except for social media and websites that require accounts) aren’t rare, but they’re uncommon. Think about it. When was the last time you encountered a site that requires passwords without an account?
With this in mind, you may ask, “How exactly are password-protected sites relevant?” Here are a few reasons why.
1. Helps with Preparation
When your site is password protected, you can allow only people with needed input to access it. So if you’re making changes to your site and it needs to be checked by a few people before it’s open to the public, this feature is perfect.
For example, your brand’s tenth anniversary is about to come. You plan on going all out on sales, promos, etc. So you hire a graphic designer and basically reconstruct your site. It’s good to go, and the last step is to have your colleagues' approval.
They all have the passwords to check if everything works perfectly. They find a few flaws and a few things they want to change. Because of the password protection, no visitor encounters the flaws, and when they access your site in the future, all they see is your team’s best work.
Besides, if a user visits your site and is met by a password restriction, the option to email you for a password or additional information is also a choice you can add.
2. A Social Media Alternative
The number of reasons to ditch social media has increased in the past few years. Several have become addicted, and productivity can decrease. From insufficient privacy to pornographic content being broadcasted on Instagram, social media has its cons.
Perhaps creating a simple site with password protection could be a fresh alternative for the more online-savvy people. Social media can often do more damage than good. When you have your own website, the limits of social media (and a lot of its negativity) become non-existent.
You can post about anything–even the most private things. Your secrets, thoughts, pictures, or videos are secure. And if one day you decide you want to share it with trusted friends and family, you can send them a link and a password. With password protection, you’re in total control.
3. Perfect for Organizations and Clubs
Password-protected sites aren’t limited to brands and businesses—they aren’t even limited to vloggers or bloggers. In fact, they’re also excellent for organizations and clubs! It’s the perfect way to make sure only members get to participate.
For example, if you have a “fun-run” event, you can simply post the requirements online. You can post when and where it will happen, what to wear, why you are doing this, etc. Simply copy the link and provide the password to members.
The club leaders can post updates, places of meet-ups, and details on different events. This way, members can get exclusive access to content when they get the password. It’s an incredibly efficient way to get information to a select group of people.
How Do You Set It Up?
There are several tutorials on password protection. There are resources online that will teach you how to do it. However, this route can take a lot of time and mental effort. It would be even more difficult for people who aren’t adept in technology.
A simpler way to enable password protection for your site would be to use link-shortening services. Short.io–a link-shortening service–provides a way to place passwords on your domains. Here’s a quick tutorial.
How to Set Up Password Protection with Short.io:
Note: This is available in the Personal Plan
- Log into your Short.io account. (If you don’t have one, you can register for free.)
- Shorten the link to the website you want password protected.
- Click the password protection icon. (It’s the one shaped like a padlock.)
- Click the toggle switch to turn on the password protection feature.
- Type in your password. (Make sure it’s secure!)
- Save.
And just like that, your website is protected! You can place a password on your site in just six easy steps; no other lengthy and complex tutorials are needed. Short.io also provides a more detailed tutorial with other options. With this, you can make a generally complex task simple and easy but effective.
Short.io Protects, Short.io Helps
While password protection is an impressive feature, it’s merely one of many. There are several features in Short.io’s arsenal, and they’re all designed to help you in your online endeavors. While password protection guards data, Short.io has features that can extract it from your users. They have features that track and monitor numbers. Check out Short.io and all it can do for you today.
Data Privacy
Data is valuable. The correct data can make or break a brand. In the wrong hands, it can be catastrophic. Safeguarding personal and important data is not an easy responsibility–so much of the internet is accessible to the public. Perhaps it is time to invest in tools that help you keep your data and privacy safe.
