| > | | | | code to do that here. |
| While there is no perfect method to prevent product | | | | Using the robots.txt fileMany advise to place a disallow |
| theft, there are a number of things you can do to help | | | | in your robots.txt file like so... |
| minimize it from simple, common sense techniques to | | | | User-agent: *Disallow: /downloads |
| more advanced, technicial methods using htaccess. | | | | We feel this is not the best method because you are |
| Make the download page difficult to findPlace your | | | | in a sense advertising where your downloads are |
| product in an obscurely named folder and avoid using | | | | stored and bad bots will disregard this file anyway. |
| the product name itself as either the folder name or | | | | Instead we suggest that you add something similar to |
| the file name. Something like yoursite.com/85478dep | | | | this instead. |
| iisile458.html is better than yoursite.com/downloads | | | | User-agent: *Disallow: /*.zip$Disallow: /*.pdf$ |
| thankyou.html | | | | Note that Googlebot does obey this statement but not |
| Make Your Policies Clear To Your CustomersMake | | | | all bots recognize this and other steps should also be |
| sure that your customers understand what their rights | | | | taken. More information on the robots.txt file can be |
| are and what your policies are regarding your | | | | found here. |
| product. It is best to have this information clearly | | | | Use Meta Tags On Your Product Download |
| stated on your product download page. We notice | | | | PagesAgain, as with the robots.txt file, this will not |
| that many copywriters place such notifications within | | | | protect from the bad bots but is better to have in |
| the product itself in either the EULA or directly in the | | | | place than not. Place the following code on your |
| ebook if it is that type of product. | | | | download page between the and tags. |
| Unfortunately, many products are passed around to | | | | Confirm Your Product Page Has Not Already Been |
| friends and family before your product is actually | | | | IndexedDo a search on Google for a list of pages |
| accessed by the paying customer. This is especially | | | | already indexed by searching with the following search |
| true for ebooks and is something that may be | | | | If you find that your download page or product has |
| deterred by making it clear before they download your | | | | already been indexed, you can use the Google |
| product. | | | | Automated URL Removal System to have it |
| Appearance Is ImportantIs your download page | | | | removed. You must first add the Meta Tag above to |
| professional looking or does it look like it was thrown | | | | the page before using this tool. More information can |
| together at the last minute with nothing but a downlink | | | | be found on Googles site here. |
| link. Do you have contact information available so | | | | Restrict Access Through Your HtaccessThrough the |
| that your customer may contact you if they have a | | | | use of .htaccess on Unix servers you are able to |
| problem accessing the file? | | | | moderate access to directories or even certain files. |
| If it looks like your don't care about your product then | | | | There are numerious techniques and variables |
| your customer may not take your policies serious. By | | | | available when utilizing these directives, so many that it |
| having a tidy looking download page with full contact | | | | is outside the scope of this particular page to try and |
| information and a detailed policy statement you portray | | | | fully explain them all so here we will provide you with a |
| a professional company image, one that takes their | | | | short example and you can find more information here. |
| policies seriously. | | | | Adding the following to your .htaccess file in your |
| You can increase your professional image by | | | | download folder ... |
| displaying your customers IP address along with a | | | | Order Deny,AllowDeny from allAllow from |
| timestamp near your copyright policies. This lets them | | | | yourdomain.comAllow from ... will only allow users who |
| know that their download activities are being logged. | | | | have been referred either directly from your website |
| If your pages end in .php and your host supports php, | | | | or from your payment processors website to access |
| this is easily accomplished by adding the following lines | | | | any documents in that folder. If unsure of your |
| of code... | | | | payment processors referring domain you should |
| If your page ends in .html and can not be changed for | | | | contact them directly for clarification as sometimes it |
| whatever reason, you may add the following code to | | | | may be different that what you think. You also have |
| your .htaccess file in your download directory to force | | | | the ability to allow or deny access by referring IP as |
| your server to parse the page as if it were .php | | | | well as country if you choose. Be sure and test |
| AddType application/x-httpd-php .php .html | | | | before going live with this method by making a few |
| You can modify your time stamp by changing the | | | | test purchases. |
| "echo date" code. You can find more information on | | | | You could add to this by directing disallowed referrers |
| the php date format here. | | | | to either your sales page or a support page where |
| You can make this look even more professional by | | | | someone could contact you if they felt they were |
| displaying this information in an image, you can find the | | | | denied access by mistake. |