Month: April 2020

Digital Branding

4 Web hosting types – Things you should know before going with a plan

on April 11, 2020

For an online business, having a good secure managed WordPress hosting service should be at the top of any priority list they have. With so many types of hosting to choose from and “players” to go with, it might get a bit confusing sometimes. 

Add in the fact that they all use the same terminology like bandwidth, SSD, storage, things can get even more unclear, especially for someone who is not that tech-savvy to begin with.

I want to discuss the main web hosting types in this text. As businesses grow, they may need extra resources which encourage better website speed, more storage space for media and servers that can handle larger amounts of public traffic.

Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll get a clearer idea for what each type is best for in what circumstances and what to go with for your own business.

Shared web hosting

Shared web hosting is best for those businesses who are still in their start up phase, meaning they do not need much extra resources to operate online.

If you need stable shared hosting under $1 with 99.98% uptime guarantee click here →

Why is it shared you may ask?

It’s quite simple. With these types of hosting plans you “share” webspace with others, sometimes, hundreds of websites hosted on the same server instead of having your own set of resources.

This leads to the biggest advantage that a shared web hosting plan can offer – it’s cheap price. The costs usually range from around 3 to 10 dollars per month and is quite obviously, the best choice for businesses who are still small and cannot afford to spend too much money on web hosting.

On the other hand, there are its limitations. 

As you can assume, sharing resources with tens, sometimes hundreds of websites on the same server is not a good idea if you are trying to handle a larger amount of visitors,some may just slow you down.

These things do happen, and if a website gets an increased amount of visitors, not only will it slow down by itself, it will also affect neighboring sites, since everyone’s in the same boat.

In summary: Shared hosting is the least capable type of hosting plan with limited resources, nevertheless, a very good option for those seeking a cheap way to host their website when just starting out.

Reseller web hosting

Reseller hosting is similar to a shared hosting plan in some ways, though, not as quite the same. You see, the idea here is that you buy a hosting plan (similar to the resource capabilities of a shared hosting plan) and resell it to others for a monetary gain.

Basically, you are paying for a hosting plan that has extra administration tools and can be resold for other parties. This way, the parent hosting company gains an extra client and you are making business as being the middleman.

Typically, the prices here range from 15 to around 50 dollars a month, depending what resources are given with the plan that’s resold. 

Apart from a regular hosting plan with a certain amount of bandwidth, disk space and capabilities of handling website visitors, you also gain a set of administrative tools which will let you take care of the people that you sold hosting plans to. 

In summary: this type of web hosting is best for those who want to have their own web hosting business, or are looking to gain more hosting perks for themselves, by reselling the services of the parent company. 

Cloud web hosting

Cloud web hosting is one of the latest innovations in the world of web hosting for businesses. Here, companies sell you a plan with the idea that you will need to expand in the future and gain more resources for your usage.

The biggest advantage of cloud web hosting is arguably its capabilities. You see, such servers are made up of smaller individual servers, joining up in one system capable of hundreds of websites with much bigger ease than that of a standard shared hosting plan.

In fact, after going with a shared plan at the start, it is best practice to move on to a cloud web hosting service as the next step. Most hosting companies in this case, offer prices based on the amount of resources you use up, so it’s more difficult to tell the exact price range for such.

In summary: if you want to go to the next level of your business growth after your initial plan, you can do that by choosing a very flexible cloud based hosting plan.

If you have not decided what to choose, give it a shot with web hosting trial offer from Hostens →

Virtual Private Server hosting

Yet another step forward after shared hosting could be by choosing a VPS or Virtual Private Server. It is what the name says – your own virtual private space. The main advantage here is that you also get additional resources when compared to a shared hosting plan.

It’s pretty-much another middle ground between sharing your resources with others, to having your own dedicated server. Even though the resources here are also shared among others, the difference from a shared hosting server is much more prominent in terms of what resources you have.

Here, you are also safe from neighbors, which may slow or even take you down with them as they receive more traffic, while also being a much cheaper option than a standard dedicated server. 

Prices here range from 50 to about 100 dollars a month for your hosting plan.

In summary: a VPS is a very capable option, designed for those who want to maintain their independence from others.

The article was prepared by prepared by Hostens.com team

Digital BrandingLegal BrandingSaaS Branding

Global E-Commerce Usability Errors

on April 9, 2020

If we talk about global errors, it is only one – the unwillingness to understand that there is a usability online store. Among businessmen, it is considered that this is a set of standards to follow. And rare owners know the truth: usability – an individual complex, which is determined only through regular testing.

Let’s analyze the most common mistakes that arise from a lack of understanding of usability and lack of testing.

No information about the product in the shopping cart.

There’s a problem. The customer puts the goods in the basket. And when he wants to re-examine the features, he finds neither an enlarged image nor a link to a detailed description. The only thing available to him is the price of the goods. To reread the specifications and check whether the product is selected, he will have to go back to the catalog. And then the buyer leaves.

The solution. Give the customer access to complete information about the product from the shopping cart. Some customers prefer to put all the products they are interested in in the cart, and only then get acquainted with the characteristics of the product and select it. This behavior is often found in spontaneous purchases and sales.

No information on product availability

There’s a problem. The customer puts the product in the basket. He fills out a special form and at the end of the procedure he finds out that the product is over. This can make him angry, which will significantly reduce his loyalty.

It’s a solution. Inform about the presence/absence of the product in time – in the product card or shopping cart. This way the customer will be able to replace one type of product with another or will not fill out the form at all, which will save his time and save your reputation.

There is no option of auto storage of selected products in the shopping cart.

There’s a problem. The client formed a shopping list in the shopping cart and accidentally closed the page. After re-entering the site, he finds out that the selected lots from the shopping cart have disappeared. This is one of the typical usability mistakes on the site that scares away most customers.

The solution. Use the option to automatically save a list of selected items. The connection between the site and the customer can be interrupted for completely different reasons. These are both technical problems during payment and bad internet connection. If you do not take care of auto-preservation, the customer either refuses to buy or significantly shortens the list by reviewing its appropriateness.

No indication of changes in the order amount

There’s a problem. The customer chooses a product, goes through registration and finds out that the original order amount has increased for a reason he does not understand. The shop does not report that the chosen method of payment or delivery adds a certain percentage to the final amount.

Solution. If the increase concerns payment, it should be indicated at the stage of choosing the payment method. If delivery is made for a fee, it should be indicated when choosing a delivery method. The buyer can get information about additional payments with advanced product options extension.

Conclusion

These are the rudest and common usability mistakes. As you can see, they are quite simple and obvious. However, their presence can significantly reduce sales and spoil the reputation of the online store.

Solving such errors does not require huge investments and special technologies. You need to conduct internal testing, to understand the problems and start fixing them!

Legal Branding

How to Maintain the Cash Flow to Run a Business Successfully?

on April 6, 2020

A report released by the International finance corporation (IFC) indicates that up to 35% of Indian businesses receive payments after 90 days of delivering their services/goods. A majority of the revenue remains inaccessible in the form of receivables. Partly down to the logistic and bureaucratic issues, these not only postpone critical business ventures but also affect its expansion.

To maintain positive cash flow, the ratio between the gross working capital and current liabilities must be greater than 1.

Here are a few ways you can maintain the required cash flow that is necessary for a successful business:

Break-even point

The break-even point does not directly impact your cash flow. Nonetheless, experts state it is a way to set up goals that help you better manage your investments.

Knowing your break-even point allows you to strategize your budget accordingly. Top entrepreneurs consider it an optimal way to improve their cash management skills, enabling a better cash flow in the future.

Maintaining a cash reserve besides gross working capital

A cash reserve ensures that a business has necessary funds to rely on during shortfalls. Experts have stated that every company faces specific financial challenges during their lifetime.

Having proper financial support ensures that your business is not affected by any monetary requirements. Also, any gaps in your cash reserves can be easily overcome with the help of a simple business loan. This not only allows your business to grow freely but also ensures you have steady cash flow even during a crisis.

An early collection of receivables

In order to maintain the cash flow, business owners are advised to shorten their average collection period. Here are a few possible ways to collect receivables –

  • Issue a dunning letter which is a reminder sent to the customer/dealer stating their payment is overdue.
  • Divide the total number of overdue cases. Prioritise on the ones with the most amounts and focus your efforts on collecting them first.
  • You can even dispatch someone to approach them directly and ask for payments.
  • You can withhold the next set of services/goods. Nonetheless, experts suggest you inform them beforehand.

In most cases, it is observed that the key to collecting receivables is to be proactive and continuously following-up on your customers.

Partial payments

It is advised that you ask your customers to make partial payments if they are unable to pay you the entire overdue amount at once. Understand that your net working capital never needs the entirety of current assets available for the transaction into cash.

Partial payments are considered as one of the key cash management tips for seasonal business owners. Top entrepreneurs even ask for partial payment as a security deposit in order to maintain the cash flow. They state that it also encourages them to pay in parts since they do not have to pay a considerable amount of money all at once.

Offer discounts

Business owners are known to offer attractive discounts to customers who are willing to pay before the pre-decided term.

Hire an expert

Large-scale businesses appoint one or multiple accountants to look after the cash flow. Hiring a CFO can become a significant liability for individual small scale businesses. Nonetheless, an experienced CFO does not only with managing the cash flow. They can also help you avoid the common cash management pitfalls occurring in businesses.

Extend payables

When working with your suppliers, it is advised that you decide the longest payable date possible. Consider your current financial situation and contingencies together to decide on such a payable date.

If your gross working capital to liabilities ratio is close to or lesser than 1, the cash flow of your business may not be sufficient to manage future contingencies. In such a scenario, you can consider business loans offered by financial institutions.

Opt for additional benefits that can help you avail the loan with more ease. For instance, Bajaj Finserv brings pre-approved offers that make availing loans quick and simple. These offers are available on business loans as well as on personal loans, home loans, etc.

Top business owners focus on their cash flow as they are aware that it is a critical factor in ensuring the success of their organisation. The points mentioned above are some of the most practised methods by experienced entrepreneurs.

Digital Branding

How to Use Digital Marketing in 2020

on April 2, 2020

Digital marketing is an industry where everything happens with lightning speed.

Every year new trends appear while others pass into history. There is hardly a company that does not invest in marketing activities today. Software development agencies, eCommerce and even your favorite coffee-house at the corner, all use different means to promote their businesses.

Today, it is important to build a whole digital marketing strategy to maximize performance and minimize expenses. Let’s jump right into juicy details and learn what it takes to build successful marketing activities in 2020.

What is Digital Marketing and Why Use It?

Digital marketing encompasses all marketing activities performed on the Internet. Today, it consists of a wide range of marketing efforts and includes content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, paid to advertisements, etc.

Consumers spend a lot of time on the Internet surfing social media, looking up information and entertaining. In most cases, if you need to reach the target audience, the online world is the best place for that. 

Digital marketing forms the basis of all marketing activities for a company. Embracing it, you will be able to stay competitive. Moreover, customers expect companies to invest in marketing so that they have the ability to interact with their favorite brands online.

Main Types of Digital Marketing

As was already mentioned, digital marketing consists of different activities that companies engage in to attract new clients and retain existing ones. Let’s take a look at the main types of digital marketing that can be applied in 2020.

Search Engine Optimization

You’ve probably heard a thing or two about SEO. During the process, you need to optimize the website and its content to make it rank higher in search engine results.

Search engine optimization includes both on-page (you perform directly on your website) and off-page activities (one that you perform outside your website but in relation to it). The first type of SEO usually includes working with keywords, meta tags, etc., while the second encompasses link building, guest posting, etc.

Content Marketing

Content marketing directly correlates with SEO. The main purpose of this marketing activity is to improve brand awareness with the help of content, including blog posts, ebooks, whitepapers, infographics, etc. For example, if your company provides software development services, you can write an article “How much does it cost to develop an app?” explaining to the readers of your blog how your company approaches app development.

Social Media Marketing

The promotion of brand and content through social media channels is a common practice both among big and small companies. Based on the type of business you are running, you might need to engage Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Content that your share on social media should be fun, interesting, and created with less formality. Often, companies show the behind-the-scenes life of their companies and people that back-up all their operations.

PPC

Pay-per-click ads are thriving and bringing great results for companies that utilize them wisely. Aside from the most famous Google Ads, almost every social media offers such services. You can set up paid campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even on Quora.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the type of marketing activity when you pay other people or companies for promoting your services and bringing new customers. It is based on providing your affiliate partners with links that direct users to your website. You either pay some percentage from the sales generate from a brought customer or operate on the per-customer-based basis.

Email Marketing

Even though some say that email marketing will be dead soon, today it brings no less significant results than it brought a few years ago. Companies use email marketing as a way to communicate with their audience, promote content, offer discounts, tell about holiday sales, invite to events, and much more.

Influencer Marketing

In 2020, the number of social media users worldwide has surpassed 3.8 billion. For some companies, including eCommerce, fashion, and lifestyle, there is no better way to reach a target audience.

While the creation of your own dedicated group of followers on Facebook or YouTube can take a lot of time, you can speed up the process of building brand awareness with influencer marketing.

Influencer marketing entails cooperation with influencers, people or organizations that are widely known for having an expert level of knowledge and social influence in some specific field. When choosing such influencers, it is important to pay attention to their target audience and whether it relates to your target audience and niche.

Digital Marketing in 2020: Final Thoughts

With thousands of companies offering the same services and products, the need to invest in marketing activities has never been so pressing. There is a saying that if a business is not online, no one will know about it.

Digital marketing is a complex approach to business promotion that requires the participation of a whole group of specialists. Still, for small and medium businesses, it is possible to select up to three types of activities and concentrate all the efforts on them and later move to others.

Author’s Bio

Ana Lastovetska is a technology writer at MLSDev, a custom software development company in Ukraine. She has been researching the field of technologies to create educative content of distinct topics including app development, UX/UI design, tech & business consulting, etc. The opportunity to deliver information for people who want to understand more about IT and app development processes is something that inspires Ana. You can get in touch with her on LinkedIn or reach her at ana.lastovetska@mlsdev.com.

Digital Branding

5 Do’s and Don’ts of Conversion Rate Optimization You Need to Understand

on April 1, 2020

Conversion Rate Optimization is crucial for successful e-commerce. It is important that you convert visitors into customers otherwise e-commerce will not be able to earn a profit no matter how many visitors it gets. Whenever a visitor decides to come to your store, there is an opportunity to improve the conversion rate.

To enhance CRO e-commerce needs to observe customer behavior and offer a shopping experience that will help in earning their trust and loyalty. Learn from the actions of the customers and position your website in a way that customers are encouraged to make purchases.

Successful conversion rate optimization requires proper planning and strategizing. Here are a few important dos and don’ts regarding CRO.

Do’s

  1. Technology has made its way into every aspect of our life. It is hard to imagine getting through the day without using your smartphone or laptop. To compete with other e-commerce businesses you must be aware of the latest technologies that you can use to improve conversion rate and improve sales. Digital marketing is continuously evolving and keeping up-to-date with all the emerging technologies. It is important to integrate the latest technology and you will be able to bring up the conversion rate.
  2. To improve the conversion rate you need to be observant and vigilant. You also need to take a scientists’ approach and test strategies of the e-commerce site. By testing strategies, you will know if you are dedicating your resources and effort to the right strategy or not. You should also keep an eye on the competitors.
  3. Measuring results is vital for CRO success. If you are not measuring results then you will not know if you are achieving your goals or not. Measuring results let you know about the effectiveness of the strategies you are using. You need to collect data and analyze it to get better results.
  4. You must not let any sales opportunity pass by. There are going to be visitors that are ready to make a purchase and are on your e-commerce just to explore. You need to figure out a way to encourage customers to come back to your e-store and make a purchase. Make sure that you allow signing up for an email alert or newsletter so that you can keep them updated about what you have to offer. Easy signups are effective in bringing customers back to the online store and make some purchases.
  5. Using exit-intent technology is a smart move as it offers a second chance to convert visitors just as they are about to leave the website. You need to offer a well-timed incentive that makes visitors curious and they are compelled to try out whatever you are offering.

Don’ts

  1. Never make the mistake of thinking that you can never be wrong. To achieve success you need to focus on numbers as they are instead of as you want them to be.
  2. It is not easy to find visitors for an e-commerce site because there is a lot of competition. If you are having trouble finding visitors then you should not just sit around and wait for visitors to come. Consider using paid advertisements as it will give you the boost you need.
  3. Mistakes are a part of life and to run a successful e-commerce business you will need to take some risks. You need to realize that not all of your strategies are going to work. You should always plan for the best but prepare for the worst. Do not get discouraged if you make any mistakes because they offer a great learning experience. Mistakes let you know what strategies you need to avoid in the future.
  4. Making drastic changes is not good for the conversion rate. It is the aim of every online store to quickly increase conversions but it is not something that is going to happen overnight. Conversion optimization takes planning and time as it is the science of making incremental changes and keep track of everything. Drastic changes do not pay off so it is better to add up changes and achieve the result you want.
  5. Never forget the importance of business metrics. Metrics help in tracking the progress of a business and find ways to increase the conversion rate.

About the author

Usman Raza is the co-founder of a Church Marketing Company and marketing strategist working with various brands online. Usman is the content marketing manager at an Email Marketing Agency, WordPress Customization Service, and Nano Hearing Aids. He is devoted to helping small businesses bridge success gaps by providing in-depth, actionable advice on digital marketing, SEO, and small business growth. Follow him on Twitter @usmanintrotech.

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