Unlock Your Digital Potential

Gain free access to our Website Survival Guide. Learn to avoid scams, hire trusted professionals, and build secure websites for your organization.

Course Overview

Our Website Survival Guide course is designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small business owners seeking to build secure, effective websites. Gain practical skills, recognize red flags, and access downloadable tools to protect your digital presence—empowering you to navigate the online world confidently.

The Complete Website Survival Guide

Access our free course to learn essential online safety tips and tools.

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6-Module Online Training Series for Non-Technical Entrepreneurs

A step-by-step, beginner-friendly course series to help small business owners, nonprofits, and educators build and protect their websites with confidence. Each self-paced module is filled with real-world tools, quizzes, downloads, and interactive guides designed to help you launch a secure, professional site—even if you’re not a tech expert.

MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU’RE BUILDING

Getting Started

Define your goals (e.g., blog, store, portfolio)

Decide what features you need

Understand the roles: Designer, Developer, SEO, etc.

Decode key web terms (CMS, FTP, DNS, SSL)

Includes:

  • “What Kind of Website Do You Need?” Quiz
  • Glossary Matching Activity
  • Download: Website Planning Worksheet

MODULE 2: HIRING WITHOUT GETTING HACKED

Where to find and how to vet freelancers

Red flags and safety practices

Contracting and payment strategies

Why not to share master credentials

Includes:

  • Job Post Template
  • Freelancer Vetting Checklist
  • Click-and-Reveal Red Flags Activity

MODULE 3: ACCESS CONTROL BASICS

Choosing a Hosting Provider (Pre-Access Setup)

How to pick a host with security features

Domain registration do’s and don’ts

Creating sub-users and separating access

Permissions – The Keys to Your Castle

CMS, Hosting, FTP, SSH role

How to assign access safely

Revoking access & tracking who has what

Includes:

  • Access Tracker Sheet (Google Sheets)
    Interactive Permission Levels Chart
  • Hosting Provider Comparison Tips

MODULE 4: BACKUP, MAINTENANCE & COMPLIANCE

Security Basics Before Hiring

Password manager & 2FA setup

Backup strategies (plugin, manual, cloud)

Recording access before major changes

Data Protection & GDPR for Beginners

What data you collect and why it matters

Using HTTPS (SSL)

Basic legal requirements: Privacy Policy, Terms of Use

Storing data securely or not at all

Routine Maintenance Checklist

Includes:

  • Interactive Backup Tutorial
  • Maintenance Calendar Setup
  • Compliance Readiness Checklist

MODULE 5: EMERGENCIES & CLEAN-UP

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

How to respond if your site is hacked

Reclaiming access, cleaning files

Security plugin options

Includes:

  • Emergency Recovery Checklist
  • Decision-Tree Flowchart
  • Hosting Support Contact Prep Sheet

MODULE 6: YOUR WEBSITE SECURITY PLAN

Full summary of what you’ve built and protected

Create your personalized ongoing plan

Final assessment

Includes:

  • Website Security Plan Template (fillable PDF)
  • Knowledge Quiz
  • Optional Completion Certificate
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Explore Key Topics from Our Training Series


Each of the articles below touches on essential skills and decisions explored in The Complete Website Survival Guide—our comprehensive course designed to help educators, nonprofits, and small businesses build and manage secure, professional websites. Whether you’re choosing the right web host, protecting your site from threats, or launching a nonprofit platform, these insights are just a preview of what you’ll master in the course.