When you’re working with a web developer to build or maintain your website, they may request access to several of your accounts, including Google, hosting, email, payment gateways or even banks, and domain registration. While it might seem invasive at first, there’s a good reason for these requests based on the project you are working on. In this blog post, we’ll explore why your web developer needs access to these accounts, how it benefits your website and business and how to securely manage access.
Google Account Access
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that provides insights into how visitors interact with your website. Your developer needs access to set up tracking, create goals, and analyze the data. This information helps improve your site’s performance, user experience, and conversion rates.
reCaptcha
To protect your site from spam and abuse, your developer may integrate Google’s reCaptcha. This requires access to your Google account to generate the necessary API keys. reCaptcha ensures that your site’s forms are only being used by real users, reducing the risk of automated attacks.
API Keys
Various Google services, such as Maps, YouTube, and others, require API keys for integration. Your developer needs access to your Google account to generate these keys and implement them on your site. This allows your website to leverage Google’s powerful services seamlessly.
Email Hosting Connection (DNS)
For email services tied to your domain (like G Suite or MSN Outlook), your developer needs to configure DNS settings. This requires access to your Google account to ensure that your email services are correctly connected and functioning or domain registrar in order to point proper records to the email host and assure deliverability settings are in place.
Domain Registration or DNS Access
Adding Security Layers
To enhance your website’s security, your developer may need to integrate services like CloudFlare. This often requires access to your domain registration account to update DNS records.
DNS Changes
Your developer might need to make changes to DNS records to verify domains, connect email providers, or set up subdomains. Proper DNS configuration is crucial for the smooth functioning of various website features.
Hosting Account or cPanel Access
Launching or Modifying the Website
Your hosting account is where your website’s files and databases are stored. To launch a new website or make significant changes to an existing one, your developer needs access to upload files, manage databases, and configure server settings.
Database Management
Websites often rely on databases to store content, user information, and other critical data. Your developer may need to access your database via cPanel or another hosting control panel to optimize, update, or troubleshoot any issues.
Email Account Access
Service and Application Verification
Many web services and applications require email verification during setup. Your developer might need access to your email account to complete these verifications, ensuring that all services are properly configured and operational.
Integration and Notifications
To integrate various tools and services with your website, your developer may need to set up email notifications and alerts. This could involve configuring email services or setting up SMTP settings for your website, which requires email account access.
Payment Gateway Access
Connecting Payment Systems
If you run an eCommerce site, your developer might need access to your payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, SquareUp, or your merchant bank account. This is necessary to set up, configure, and test the payment processing systems, ensuring that transactions are handled securely and efficiently.
Social Media Accounts
Integration
To integrate social media feeds, sharing buttons, or login functionality on your site, your developer might need access to your social media accounts.
Analytics
To set up and analyze social media marketing campaigns and monitor their performance directly, developers may need access to these accounts.
FTP/SFTP Access
File Management
To upload, download, and manage your website files directly on the server, developers might need FTP/SFTP access.
CMS Admin Access
Content Management System
Access to platforms like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal allows developers to manage site content, install plugins, or perform updates.
CDN (Content Delivery Network) Access
Performance Optimization
To configure and manage content delivery services such as Cloudflare or Amazon CloudFront for faster load times and enhanced security, developers might need access to your CDN account.
Ad Accounts
Advertising Management
Developers might need access to Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or other advertising platforms to create, manage, and optimize ad campaigns.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Systems
Integration
To connect your website with systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho for seamless customer data management and lead tracking, developers might need access to your CRM.
Development Environment Access
Staging Servers
Access to a staging server allows developers to test new features, updates, or changes before going live.
Version Control Systems
Access to repositories on platforms like GitHub or Bitbucket is crucial for collaborative code management.
Healthy Security Practices
Let’s talk about steps you can take to assure your assets are safe and your web developer is out of suspicion after the fact. A few practical steps will place your mind at ease and protect you both in this professional interaction.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Generate strong passwords using a password manager and ensure they are unique for each account.
Limit Access Permissions
Grant the minimum level of access necessary for the developer to perform their tasks. For example, provide read-only access if write permissions are not required.
Monitor Account Activity
Regularly review account activity logs to monitor for any unauthorized access or changes. Maintain 2FA control where possible, while your developer has access, just don’t be hard to reach. Developers may be a bit “needy” and access your account frequently. Respond promptly, so they can move along efficiently and ask them for the “end of work” notification, so you can restrict control and regain peace of mind, in case your accounts are of sensitive nature or high value such as bank accounts.
Implement Access Controls
Use role-based access control (RBAC) to assign permissions based on the user’s role within your organization.
Regular Backups
Ensure that regular backups of your website and data are taken and securely stored. This ensures that you can recover quickly in case of any data loss or breach. If you know enough about your hosting features, backup your existing data prior to giving access to anyone who will be working with it. Although it is likely that your developer will have knowledge beyond your comprehension and be careful making their own backups, you may be diligent and careful with tools you have access to.
Enable Security Alerts
Set up alerts for any suspicious activities or login attempts on your accounts. Some accounts will allow you to put them on high alert and keep you posted about any activity, changes in settings or permissions. Take advantage of those features and cooperate with your developer while they are tooling through your assets.
Use Secure Connections
Ensure that all communications with your web developer use secure methods like HTTPS, VPNs, or encrypted messaging services. Ask them if they use a password manager and if it’s different than yours, use features such as “one time share” in yours, if they are available.
Regularly Update Software
Keep all software, including CMS, plugins, and server software, up to date to protect against known vulnerabilities. Web developers are likely to observe what version of software your CMS is running and build code that will work with your version, however if your version is latest and best – their work will have to be up to date with the latest security, performance and features available to you.
TRUST YOUR DEVELOPER
Last but not least, you have got to do your research and once found the developer you like, you have to trust your developer with the task at hand. We all have to take a leap of faith when trusting our cars to the mechanic and our health to the doctor. Trusting your online tool is no different, it’s just some code, images and data, and your interaction with the developer should be trust-based, not paranoidal and fearful roller coaster.
Conclusion
Granting access to various accounts is often necessary for web developers to effectively build, manage, and optimize your website. However, it’s crucial to balance this access with robust security practices. By understanding the different access points and implementing the recommended security measures, you can collaborate safely and effectively with your web developer while protecting your digital assets. Finally – trust them, they are the professionals.
