ReaderBound: Behind the scenes benefits for book publishers

ReaderBound is a powerful website platform that helps publishers easily showcase and sell their books online.

It combines sophisticated content management and e-commerce solutions, client support, website hosting, and maintenance into one convenient package.

We often explain the ReaderBound benefits in terms of what it enables you to do. However, one of its key benefits is what it takes off your plate: a number of site maintenance worries.

What's in it for you?

Each ReaderBound site is hosted on its own private server, which is maintained for you by the ReaderBound team.

The team handles all aspects of server maintenance, from the initial setup, to backups as well as security updates, and ongoing monitoring.

There are a number of benefits to having one team handle it all, which may not be obvious at first:

1. Cost savings: Taking care of the server and the site is already included in the package. No need to pay third parties to host, secure, and back up your site.
2. Convenience: You don't have to worry about security, backups, or site operation.
3. Single point of contact: The people you contact for support handle every aspect of your ReaderBound site, avoiding the run-around between different service providers.
4. Around the clock support: The ReaderBound team is global, which means there is always someone around to help.

Some of the things we do behind the scenes

Backups

Your site's databases as well as the site files and configuration are automatically backed up daily. So you never need to worry about losing your files. 

In addition to daily backups, we also do a monthly backup.

These backups are stored remotely, separate from your site in case of critical failure.

SSL certificate renewal

ReaderBound sites are 'HTTPS everywhere', meaning all communication between the user's browser and the site is secured by the site's SSL certificate.

SSL certificates expire and need to be renewed and installed on the server regularly, which the ReaderBound team takes care of for you.

Monitoring

ReaderBound uses monitoring services that let us know quickly if there is a problem with your site, whether that means access to the site itself or due to server performance issues. We'll know about it as it happens.

Operating system updates

Like your personal computer at home or your mobile phone, computer systems need updates from time to time.

We review and update your ReaderBound server's operating system regularly to keep it running at its best.

These updates often include security patches for critical issues, like the recent vulnerabilities dubbed 'Spectre' and 'Meltdown'.

Low impact maintenance

While downtime is sometimes unavoidable, we aim to keep it to a minimum.

That means we'll apply updates in a way that doesn't interrupt site operation. Where restarts of services are required, we'll do so without the user noticing whenever possible.

If interrupting site operation is unavoidable, we will contact you in advance and plan a maintenance window that has the least impact on you or your users.

This usually means some time very late at night or early in the morning.

As we have team members across the globe, providing such a time slot is not a problem.

Would you like to know more?

While you may have seen and used a site powered by ReaderBound, some of its value may not be obvious at first glance.

Hopefully this article helped to shed some light on these hidden features.

If you would like to know more about ReaderBound, please head on over to the ReaderBound site, read one of our case studies or get in touch.

We'd be happy to chat!