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besteccbest · 6 years ago

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5 Essential Apps & Websites for TikTok Fans and Creators

TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social networks today, with some of the best video content you’ll see on the internet. These five websites and apps only make it better than ever before.

For the uninitiated, TikTok is a social network much like the old Vine, and similar to Instagram or Snapchat. It only supports videos, with a maximum limit of 15 seconds. You can merge multiple videos into one longer Story.

If you want to know more, check out our primer on what is TikTok and how does it work. If you already know TikTok, jump on to the apps.

1. TikTokforWeb (Web): Unofficial Web Client for TikTok

Now, TikTok is only available as a mobile app for Android and iOS. We’ve seen this before with Instagram and other social networks, where the web client is launched years later. And till then, you get third-party developers making unofficial versions like this one.

TikTokforWeb doesn’t let you sign in with your own account, so this is a generic web viewer for random TikTok Videos. You can search for an account or hashtag you already know. You can also select your country to see the top TikTok posts currently in your region.

The TikTok web viewer also allows you to watch TikTok Live channels, where users are live streaming to the masses. There is also a TikTok TV option, where you can watch a continuous stream of TikTok videos with other users in a channel.

TikTokforWeb also includes a mini-app you can use to download TikTok videos.

2. Video Downloader for Social Media (Android): Easiest Way to Download TikTok Videos

If you want to download a TikTok video to your drive, perhaps to make a reaction video or make it a part of your own clip, check out the strangely named Video Downloader for Social Media by Avalon Inc. It is one of the most highly rated among thousands of other such apps on the Play Store.

The app’s claim-to-fame is that it removes the TikTok watermark from the video, so it’s easier for you to use.

Just copy-paste the link and the app does the rest. You can even download only the sound from the video to use it as a ringtone. A handy video manager tab lets you decide what to do with all the files you’ve saved.

Download: Video Downloader for Social Media for Android (Free)

For iOS Users:

Unfortunately, this is only available for Android users and there aren’t any particularly good iPhone apps now. For now, you can use a web-based app like TikTok Video Downloader.

It doesn’t remove the watermark, but you’ll be able to save an MP4 video to your phone or computer. TikTok videos can also be downloaded through the TikTok Lite app if you’re using that.

TikTok is still new and so it isn’t yet supported by many of the best free all-in-one apps to download any video on the internet. But hopefully, this should be fixed soon enough as TikTok gets more and more popular.

3. TikTok Lite (Android): Best for Lurkers and Casual TikTok Users

If you use TikTok to check out the videos rather than make your own, the main app is overkill. It is packed with features that you won’t use, and it drains your battery. Instead, get the official TikTok Lite app.

As with other storage-saving lite apps for Android, TikTok Lite is smaller in size. It also focuses on ensuring it uses less data than the main app, which is critical to anyone on mobile networks and not Wi-Fi. Heck, it even lets you download and save a few videos for watching them offline.

TikTok Lite is best for passive users since you don’t even need to sign in. Download the app and you can use it without a TikTok account, thus protecting your privacy a little more.

TikTok Lite didn’t let users upload videos, but now there is an update. When you tap the upload button, it prompts you to download a 10MB “Video” feature before being able to use it. It is a stripped-down version of the main uploader though, so we still wouldn’t recommend it for serious TikTok users.

Download: TikTok Lite for Android (Free)

4. Vizmato (Android, iOS): Best Video Editor for TikTok

Vizmato is the best video editor for TikTok today. Even the free version is packed with enough features for you to make great videos, and the paid pro version ($11.99 / year) only adds more fun.

It covers the basics of everything you’ll need to create videos. Here’s a quick run-through of the best features available in the free version of Vizmato:

Split any video, trim a video, or join multiple videos to make a single video.

Select multiple photos and turn them into a slideshow video, complete with background music.

Add several sound effects.

Record videos through the app itself, adding music and filters live.

Add popular filters to any video, and video effects like ripples, shocks, transitions, etc.

The free version has a few limitations in the use of filters, effects, songs, and the time limit of the videos. It also adds a visual watermark at the end, but you can always trim that out in the TikTok app before you post your video.

However, if you love the free app and want to avoid all that, just buy the Pro version. It’s worth it for any serious video creator.

Download: Vizmato for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Hashtags for TikTok (Web): Hashtag Generator for TikTok

It is important to use trending hashtags and popular topics if you want to get more fans and followers on TikTok. Not sure which hashtags to use? There’s an app for that.

You can easily think of one hashtag based on the video you have made. For example, if you shot a cute video of your puppy, you would tag it with #dog.

So type the word “dog” into Hashtags for TikTok to instantly generate a box of 15-20 hashtags. Tap “copy” and paste it into your new TikTok video or as its first comment.

Think about this though: Hashtags for TikTok is the only generator of its kind right now but doesn’t say where it is getting the data for these hashtag recommendations.

There are plenty of similar apps for Instagram though, and this app even recommends keywords that are based on hashtags for Instagram. Make of that what you will…

Best TikTok Tips and Tricks

Third-party apps and websites will only get you so far. If you really want to be a TikTok power user, you need to dive into the main app and tweak it to suit your needs. Check out these TikTok tips and tricks for beginners and transition to a seasoned TikTok user.

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thelmasirby32 · 6 years ago

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How to Use Technology in Business Growth Strategies

For every business, the ultimate and undeniable focus is always growth. But the mainstream challenge is how to attain it in the most feasible and inexpensive way possible.

Today, businesses are using technology to automate, integrate, and re-engineer most operational processes. This has led to improved scale, streamlined processes, reduced operation costs, and increased production times.

But how can you use it in business growth strategies? Well, here is where digital technology come in handy.

More than 80 percent of business owners agree that technology creates financial opportunities for their businesses. It’s just a matter of what you use and how you integrate them to ensure a seamless process.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how you can capitalize fully on technology to execute your business strategy and ensure growth.

Let’s get straight to it.

1. Make Life Easier with Mobile

The truth is, millennials are important in SMB marketing, and they’re leading in the use of mobile devices. This is something you can’t overlook in this digital age, particularly when developing your business growth strategies.

If you have a beautiful website, consider making it mobile friendly to improve user experience and boost your SERPs rankings. In 2015, Google, the search giant, introduced the Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) project to help speed up mobiles pages, and this is an important thing you need to look into.

Other simple tips for making your business or e-commerce website mobile-friendly include:

Getting a responsive theme

Adding a viewport meta tag

Checking your font size

Using high-resolution images

Improving site speed

Using a simple main navigation

Think about developing a mobile app for your business.

Mobile devices offer the most convenient way for customers to interact with your business. When developing the app, you don’t need to lade it with features. Just make it simple to allow customers to access your information, products, and services with ease.

Still, there are more ways to go mobile, such as using text messaging marketing and enabling mobile payments to ensure a feasible payment experience.

Bear in mind that having a mobile-friendly design also impacts your SEO in a great way.

2. Rock with Social Media

Since the inception of Facebook in 2004, there are so many things that have happened in the social media’s sphere. It’s evident that social media has changed how companies develop and implement their business growth strategies.

Facebook is the biggest of them all, boasting about 1.28 billion active daily users as of March 2017. However, it’s not the only option; Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are available, too.

Also, it’s projected that the total number of active social media users will hit 2.55 billion by 2018.

This simply means that social media is an enormous gold mine for marketers. All you need to do is to tap into it and target your potential customers while still connecting and engaging with your current customers.

Your first step is to build a robust and compelling social media presence to boost your online visibility. Let your customers know your business is now available on social media.

Next, leverage these platforms with marketing campaigns. With social media, you can:

promote your products and services

connect with influencers

engage your customers

attract new customers

offer customer service

share actionable content with customers

The trick here is to use three platforms that the majority of your current and potential customers are already using. This will make it easier to leverage targeted social media campaigns to earn the ROI you want.

Social media marketing has already demonstrated to be one of the best business growth strategies that can yield significant ROI. Don’t miss out on its benefits!

3. Leverage the Power of Cloud Computing

In the past, businesses would use programs and applications through software downloaded on their computers or servers to complete tasks. This is not to mean that it was inefficient. For the better part, this worked just fine.

But, cloud technology takes things a notch higher for your business. So, if you want to deploy powerful business growth strategies, cloud technology should be a top consideration.

Is cloud computing something new to you?

Think of it this way. Do you update your Facebook status? What about checking your account balance online? Have you ever shared documents via services such as Google Dive or Dropbox?

If yes, those are all instances of cloud computing.

Power your business by reaching the cloud to use solutions, such as Zoho, that offer a one-stop shop for marketing, invoicing, collaboration, and finance tools.

The benefit of the cloud is that you can manage your business operations from anywhere, anytime, and with any device. Using cloud technology eases your day to day operations, reduces costs, increases productivity, and boosts mobility.

It’s also the best backup and security tool for your files. For example, if you use cloud and you happen to lose your laptop, you can still access your data and files in the cloud.

Additionally, with cloud computing, the servers are off-premise. So, your supplier is responsible for managing them and making software upgrades. You’re free to focus on growing your business.

4. Big Data Makes You “Big”

With everything going digital, there are literally hundreds of data sources you can use to streamline your business growth strategies. Businesses are getting terabytes and petabytes of data from sources such as mobile and web media, customer service channels, and operational and transactional tools.

When you get the best tools for collecting and analyzing data, the benefits are more than you can imagine. A good example of the use of big data is Amazon’s recommendation system, which uses the customers’ purchasing history and reviews to ensure a personalized experience.

The idea is that you can have access to big data, but you’re not fully realizing its full potential.

When used correctly, big data analytics can help you to:

boost performance through enhanced data analysis

understand your market and competitor

reduce risks through actionable insights

improve your services and products

monitor and improve your online reputation

Big data analytics has become important to those businesses that want to grow in this age of technology innovation. It offers many opportunities for businesses to understand their customers, improve performance and better customer service.

In the long run, you’re confident about enjoying a seamless operation that boosts business growth.

5. Productivity Tools Are Amazing

Maximizing your efficiency through the use of productivity tools is one of the best business growth strategies you need to leverage. Being able to get more done in less time means a lot to your business.

Productivity can help determine your performance and track your progress. Here, you can implement cloud services for productivity, too.

Better productivity in business should be an ongoing strategic initiative that supports the overall growth of the business. Today, millennial workers want access to productivity tools that feature the latest technologies.

For example, having a time tracking software helps to track tasks and determine the ones that generate revenues and those that don’t within a certain set of time. This will help you to figure out the type of tasks you can outsource, combine, improve or eliminate.

Planning tools are also important in your business growth strategies. For example, a calendar system is a must-have. Such tools will help you stay organized, set and achieve your goals, and work within your set period.

Some of the best productivity tools that you can deploy for daily use include Slack, StayFocusd, Google Drive, Producteev, TopTracker, Wunderlist, and MiniNote.

6. Try Online POS Systems

Well, I know your old cash register has been a true friend; helping you register and calculate those transactions is no joke.

But online POS solutions are the new kid on the block, and your old cash register may not keep up with their performance and efficiency. This means it might be the right time to let go, especially if you’re implementing digital business growth strategies.

iPad and Android-based register solutions are great choices for small businesses that need to streamline their processes. Unlike old cash registers, the initial costs for setting up an online POS system is quite affordable.

They’re not only easy to use, but also come packed with features such as staff management, customer data collection, task automation, inventory management, and other capabilities.

Some of the popular POS options on the market include ShopKeep, TouchBistro, Bindo, and Vend.

Moreover, some of these solutions allow third party integration, meaning you can link sales to a cloud-based system, such as QuickBooks.

7. Easier Bookkeeping With Accounting Software

Even if you have an in-house bookkeeper or accountant, accounting software still are meaningful tools to use.

The right software will help you to understand the financial fundamentals of your business through tracking and reporting transactions. Moreover, it helps to determine the level of your business’s performance and the effectiveness of your business growth strategies.

With the reporting feature, you can assess the financial state of your business at any given point. The software gives you precise data to use in making sound and informed decisions.

Another great benefit of using accounting software is that it helps to make tax preparation easier. You don’t need to wait until the end of the year to start preparing your cash returns. Some programs, such as QuickBooks, are compatible with popular tax software, which can be integrated to save you the costs of tax preparation.

8. Integrate Your CRM and ERP systems

A CRM and ERP are two different systems that businesses use in their day-to-day operations

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps in managing your sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, distribution, manufacturing, and orders.

On the other hand, Customer relationship management (CRM) software helps your sales and marketing departments to understand your customers, identify new opportunities, automate marketing processes, and improve customer support.

Businesses that are using both of these systems can simply integrate them to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.

This integration will give you a 360-degree view of your customers thus helping you to re-define your business growth strategies. You get a closer view to your customers’ needs, order history, habits, and preferences.

It also helps to eliminate manual tasks thus boosting productivity through streamlining processes and automating your workflows.

The long-term benefit is that you are able to identify new opportunities for growing your business.

9. Track Your Progress

The growth of technology has penetrated the domain of tracking and monitoring your business’s productivity and growth. Running a business is a long-term initiative that requires you to identify the direction your business is taking.

During the end of each period, review your performance and determine what’s working and what’s not. There are tools you can use to analyze your growth metrics in real time and make changes where necessary.

Generate reports and use them to refine your business growth strategies. This way, you can get the information you need to steer your business in the right direction.

Also, identify any mistakes that you made along the way and find ways to avoid or fix them. True business growth is realized through acknowledging a mistake and formulating a long-term fix for it.

The important growth metrics you need to keep an eye on include customer acquisition costs, operating productivity, gross margin size, customer retention, sales revenue, overhead costs, monthly loss or profit, variable cost, and inventory size

Business Growth Strategies – The Takeaway

Technology is a powerful tool for deploying business growth strategies. But, the reality is, the process of digitalization is not that simple. It takes time, and it involves learning your internal processes even better to find ways to incorporate technology into your operations. Moreover, treat this process as a strategic resource rather than an IT operational cost.

Listen to what your customers say and know your essential in-house needs. Identify tools that you can easily combine to enjoy digital value. Then, test and build technologies from the inside, levering what you have with what you need to design a robust digital capability that works for your business.

As you grow, continue to learn and keep abreast of new technology tools and trends that can benefit you through the development of effective business growth strategies. Remember, technology is dynamic and ever-changing.

Let us know your thoughts.

Source: https://riserr.com/how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies

from Riserr https://riserr.wordpress.com/2019/11/26/how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies/

0 notes

williamlwolf89 · 6 years ago

Text

How to Use Technology in Business Growth Strategies

For every business, the ultimate and undeniable focus is always growth. But the mainstream challenge is how to attain it in the most feasible and inexpensive way possible.

But how can you use it in business growth strategies? Well, here is where digital technology come in handy.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how you can capitalize fully on technology to execute your business strategy and ensure growth.

Let’s get straight to it.

1. Make Life Easier with Mobile

Other simple tips for making your business or e-commerce website mobile-friendly include:

Getting a responsive theme

Adding a viewport meta tag

Checking your font size

Using high-resolution images

Improving site speed

Using a simple main navigation

Think about developing a mobile app for your business.

Still, there are more ways to go mobile, such as using text messaging marketing and enabling mobile payments to ensure a feasible payment experience.

Bear in mind that having a mobile-friendly design also impacts your SEO in a great way.

2. Rock with Social Media

Facebook is the biggest of them all, boasting about 1.28 billion active daily users as of March 2017. However, it’s not the only option; Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are available, too.

Also, it’s projected that the total number of active social media users will hit 2.55 billion by 2018.

Your first step is to build a robust and compelling social media presence to boost your online visibility. Let your customers know your business is now available on social media.

Next, leverage these platforms with marketing campaigns. With social media, you can:

promote your products and services

connect with influencers

engage your customers

attract new customers

offer customer service

share actionable content with customers

Social media marketing has already demonstrated to be one of the best business growth strategies that can yield significant ROI. Don’t miss out on its benefits!

3. Leverage the Power of Cloud Computing

But, cloud technology takes things a notch higher for your business. So, if you want to deploy powerful business growth strategies, cloud technology should be a top consideration.

Is cloud computing something new to you?

Think of it this way. Do you update your Facebook status? What about checking your account balance online? Have you ever shared documents via services such as Google Dive or Dropbox?

If yes, those are all instances of cloud computing.

Power your business by reaching the cloud to use solutions, such as Zoho, that offer a one-stop shop for marketing, invoicing, collaboration, and finance tools.

It’s also the best backup and security tool for your files. For example, if you use cloud and you happen to lose your laptop, you can still access your data and files in the cloud.

Additionally, with cloud computing, the servers are off-premise. So, your supplier is responsible for managing them and making software upgrades. You’re free to focus on growing your business.

4. Big Data Makes You “Big”

The idea is that you can have access to big data, but you’re not fully realizing its full potential.

When used correctly, big data analytics can help you to:

boost performance through enhanced data analysis

understand your market and competitor

reduce risks through actionable insights

improve your services and products

monitor and improve your online reputation

In the long run, you’re confident about enjoying a seamless operation that boosts business growth.

5. Productivity Tools Are Amazing

Productivity can help determine your performance and track your progress. Here, you can implement cloud services for productivity, too.

Some of the best productivity tools that you can deploy for daily use include Slack, StayFocusd, Google Drive, Producteev, TopTracker, Wunderlist, and MiniNote.

6. Try Online POS Systems

Well, I know your old cash register has been a true friend; helping you register and calculate those transactions is no joke.

They’re not only easy to use, but also come packed with features such as staff management, customer data collection, task automation, inventory management, and other capabilities.

Some of the popular POS options on the market include ShopKeep, TouchBistro, Bindo, and Vend.

Moreover, some of these solutions allow third party integration, meaning you can link sales to a cloud-based system, such as QuickBooks.

7. Easier Bookkeeping With Accounting Software

Even if you have an in-house bookkeeper or accountant, accounting software still are meaningful tools to use.

With the reporting feature, you can assess the financial state of your business at any given point. The software gives you precise data to use in making sound and informed decisions.

8. Integrate Your CRM and ERP systems

A CRM and ERP are two different systems that businesses use in their day-to-day operations

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps in managing your sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, distribution, manufacturing, and orders.

Businesses that are using both of these systems can simply integrate them to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.

It also helps to eliminate manual tasks thus boosting productivity through streamlining processes and automating your workflows.

The long-term benefit is that you are able to identify new opportunities for growing your business.

9. Track Your Progress

Generate reports and use them to refine your business growth strategies. This way, you can get the information you need to steer your business in the right direction.

Also, identify any mistakes that you made along the way and find ways to avoid or fix them. True business growth is realized through acknowledging a mistake and formulating a long-term fix for it.

Business Growth Strategies – The Takeaway

Let us know your thoughts.

from https://riserr.com/how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies

from Riserr - Blog https://riserr.weebly.com/blog/how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies

0 notes

racheljhaydentx · 6 years ago

Text

How to Use Technology in Business Growth Strategies

For every business, the ultimate and undeniable focus is always growth. But the mainstream challenge is how to attain it in the most feasible and inexpensive way possible.

But how can you use it in business growth strategies? Well, here is where digital technology come in handy.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how you can capitalize fully on technology to execute your business strategy and ensure growth.

Let’s get straight to it.

1. Make Life Easier with Mobile

Other simple tips for making your business or e-commerce website mobile-friendly include:

Getting a responsive theme

Adding a viewport meta tag

Checking your font size

Using high-resolution images

Improving site speed

Using a simple main navigation

Think about developing a mobile app for your business.

Still, there are more ways to go mobile, such as using text messaging marketing and enabling mobile payments to ensure a feasible payment experience.

Bear in mind that having a mobile-friendly design also impacts your SEO in a great way.

2. Rock with Social Media

Facebook is the biggest of them all, boasting about 1.28 billion active daily users as of March 2017. However, it’s not the only option; Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are available, too.

Also, it’s projected that the total number of active social media users will hit 2.55 billion by 2018.

Your first step is to build a robust and compelling social media presence to boost your online visibility. Let your customers know your business is now available on social media.

Next, leverage these platforms with marketing campaigns. With social media, you can:

promote your products and services

connect with influencers

engage your customers

attract new customers

offer customer service

share actionable content with customers

Social media marketing has already demonstrated to be one of the best business growth strategies that can yield significant ROI. Don’t miss out on its benefits!

3. Leverage the Power of Cloud Computing

But, cloud technology takes things a notch higher for your business. So, if you want to deploy powerful business growth strategies, cloud technology should be a top consideration.

Is cloud computing something new to you?

Think of it this way. Do you update your Facebook status? What about checking your account balance online? Have you ever shared documents via services such as Google Dive or Dropbox?

If yes, those are all instances of cloud computing.

Power your business by reaching the cloud to use solutions, such as Zoho, that offer a one-stop shop for marketing, invoicing, collaboration, and finance tools.

It’s also the best backup and security tool for your files. For example, if you use cloud and you happen to lose your laptop, you can still access your data and files in the cloud.

Additionally, with cloud computing, the servers are off-premise. So, your supplier is responsible for managing them and making software upgrades. You’re free to focus on growing your business.

4. Big Data Makes You “Big”

The idea is that you can have access to big data, but you’re not fully realizing its full potential.

When used correctly, big data analytics can help you to:

boost performance through enhanced data analysis

understand your market and competitor

reduce risks through actionable insights

improve your services and products

monitor and improve your online reputation

In the long run, you’re confident about enjoying a seamless operation that boosts business growth.

5. Productivity Tools Are Amazing

Productivity can help determine your performance and track your progress. Here, you can implement cloud services for productivity, too.

Some of the best productivity tools that you can deploy for daily use include Slack, StayFocusd, Google Drive, Producteev, TopTracker, Wunderlist, and MiniNote.

6. Try Online POS Systems

Well, I know your old cash register has been a true friend; helping you register and calculate those transactions is no joke.

They’re not only easy to use, but also come packed with features such as staff management, customer data collection, task automation, inventory management, and other capabilities.

Some of the popular POS options on the market include ShopKeep, TouchBistro, Bindo, and Vend.

Moreover, some of these solutions allow third party integration, meaning you can link sales to a cloud-based system, such as QuickBooks.

7. Easier Bookkeeping With Accounting Software

Even if you have an in-house bookkeeper or accountant, accounting software still are meaningful tools to use.

With the reporting feature, you can assess the financial state of your business at any given point. The software gives you precise data to use in making sound and informed decisions.

8. Integrate Your CRM and ERP systems

A CRM and ERP are two different systems that businesses use in their day-to-day operations

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps in managing your sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, distribution, manufacturing, and orders.

Businesses that are using both of these systems can simply integrate them to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.

It also helps to eliminate manual tasks thus boosting productivity through streamlining processes and automating your workflows.

The long-term benefit is that you are able to identify new opportunities for growing your business.

9. Track Your Progress

Generate reports and use them to refine your business growth strategies. This way, you can get the information you need to steer your business in the right direction.

Also, identify any mistakes that you made along the way and find ways to avoid or fix them. True business growth is realized through acknowledging a mistake and formulating a long-term fix for it.

Business Growth Strategies – The Takeaway

Let us know your thoughts.

from Riserr Marketing https://riserr.com/how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies from Riserr https://riserr1.tumblr.com/post/189305682011

0 notes

riserr1 · 6 years ago

Text

How to Use Technology in Business Growth Strategies

For every business, the ultimate and undeniable focus is always growth. But the mainstream challenge is how to attain it in the most feasible and inexpensive way possible.

But how can you use it in business growth strategies? Well, here is where digital technology come in handy.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how you can capitalize fully on technology to execute your business strategy and ensure growth.

Let’s get straight to it.

1. Make Life Easier with Mobile

Other simple tips for making your business or e-commerce website mobile-friendly include:

Getting a responsive theme

Adding a viewport meta tag

Checking your font size

Using high-resolution images

Improving site speed

Using a simple main navigation

Think about developing a mobile app for your business.

Still, there are more ways to go mobile, such as using text messaging marketing and enabling mobile payments to ensure a feasible payment experience.

Bear in mind that having a mobile-friendly design also impacts your SEO in a great way.

2. Rock with Social Media

Facebook is the biggest of them all, boasting about 1.28 billion active daily users as of March 2017. However, it’s not the only option; Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are available, too.

Also, it’s projected that the total number of active social media users will hit 2.55 billion by 2018.

Your first step is to build a robust and compelling social media presence to boost your online visibility. Let your customers know your business is now available on social media.

Next, leverage these platforms with marketing campaigns. With social media, you can:

promote your products and services

connect with influencers

engage your customers

attract new customers

offer customer service

share actionable content with customers

Social media marketing has already demonstrated to be one of the best business growth strategies that can yield significant ROI. Don’t miss out on its benefits!

3. Leverage the Power of Cloud Computing

But, cloud technology takes things a notch higher for your business. So, if you want to deploy powerful business growth strategies, cloud technology should be a top consideration.

Is cloud computing something new to you?

Think of it this way. Do you update your Facebook status? What about checking your account balance online? Have you ever shared documents via services such as Google Dive or Dropbox?

If yes, those are all instances of cloud computing.

Power your business by reaching the cloud to use solutions, such as Zoho, that offer a one-stop shop for marketing, invoicing, collaboration, and finance tools.

It’s also the best backup and security tool for your files. For example, if you use cloud and you happen to lose your laptop, you can still access your data and files in the cloud.

Additionally, with cloud computing, the servers are off-premise. So, your supplier is responsible for managing them and making software upgrades. You’re free to focus on growing your business.

4. Big Data Makes You “Big”

The idea is that you can have access to big data, but you’re not fully realizing its full potential.

When used correctly, big data analytics can help you to:

boost performance through enhanced data analysis

understand your market and competitor

reduce risks through actionable insights

improve your services and products

monitor and improve your online reputation

In the long run, you’re confident about enjoying a seamless operation that boosts business growth.

5. Productivity Tools Are Amazing

Productivity can help determine your performance and track your progress. Here, you can implement cloud services for productivity, too.

Some of the best productivity tools that you can deploy for daily use include Slack, StayFocusd, Google Drive, Producteev, TopTracker, Wunderlist, and MiniNote.

6. Try Online POS Systems

Well, I know your old cash register has been a true friend; helping you register and calculate those transactions is no joke.

They’re not only easy to use, but also come packed with features such as staff management, customer data collection, task automation, inventory management, and other capabilities.

Some of the popular POS options on the market include ShopKeep, TouchBistro, Bindo, and Vend.

Moreover, some of these solutions allow third party integration, meaning you can link sales to a cloud-based system, such as QuickBooks.

7. Easier Bookkeeping With Accounting Software

Even if you have an in-house bookkeeper or accountant, accounting software still are meaningful tools to use.

With the reporting feature, you can assess the financial state of your business at any given point. The software gives you precise data to use in making sound and informed decisions.

8. Integrate Your CRM and ERP systems

A CRM and ERP are two different systems that businesses use in their day-to-day operations

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps in managing your sales, marketing, accounting, human resources, distribution, manufacturing, and orders.

Businesses that are using both of these systems can simply integrate them to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.

It also helps to eliminate manual tasks thus boosting productivity through streamlining processes and automating your workflows.

The long-term benefit is that you are able to identify new opportunities for growing your business.

9. Track Your Progress

Generate reports and use them to refine your business growth strategies. This way, you can get the information you need to steer your business in the right direction.

Also, identify any mistakes that you made along the way and find ways to avoid or fix them. True business growth is realized through acknowledging a mistake and formulating a long-term fix for it.

Business Growth Strategies – The Takeaway

Let us know your thoughts.

from Riserr Marketing https://riserr.com/how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-technology-in-business-growth-strategies

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ntrending · 7 years ago

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The best hidden Instagram tricks

New Post has been published on https://nexcraft.co/the-best-hidden-instagram-tricks/

The best hidden Instagram tricks

In 2010, Instagram burst onto the web scene with a simple mission: To improve the quality of all our smartphone snaps. Since then, the photo-centric service has grown into a fully-fledged message and social network—and along the way, Facebook bought it up.

Even if you’ve installed Instagram on your phone, you probably don’t know everything it can do. Some of its best features may be hidden away, but we’re here to bring them to light. Read on for Instagram tips and tricks within the app, which you can use on both Android and iOS.

Instagram originally made its name through filters, which overlay your image and make it look great. Today, filters are still the first set of options you see after you snap a picture. What you might not know is that, once you’ve selected a filter, you can change its strength to get a more subtle effect.

To set how dramatic the alteration will be, choose a filter, and then tap on the thumbnail again. A slider will appear: Use it to adjust the filter strength and then tap Done. While you’re toying with these settings, here’s a related tip for hiding away the filters you don’t often make use of: Scroll all the way to the end of the filters and tap Manage to add or remove options you like or dislike.

Get alerts from your favorite people

We’re all fighting against notification overload from our smartphones. Luckily, you can adjust your notification settings so you’ll only see alerts when the Instagrammers you’re really interested in post something new. This option only works for users you’re already following, and it’s also pretty well hidden inside the app.

First, you need to navigate to the profile page of the relevant person inside Instagram. Tap the three dots in the top right-hand corner, then choose Turn on Post Notifications to get an alert for new updates.

You love your friends and family, of course, but they might not post the best photos. Tap on the Search & Explore tab (the magnifying glass icon) to see public photos and videos from users all around the world. You can also like and comment on these shared images.

One useful way to use the Search & Explore tab is to check out locations before you visit them. Just type the name of a city or place into the search box at the top of the screen, switch to the Places tab, and pick the correct result. You’ll get a host of images and clips to browse through.

Instagram recently added the ability to bookmark photos you like so you can look them up later. No one else can see the posts and collections you’ve saved—not even the account you’re saving photos from. So bookmark away as much as you like.

To save any photo or video, tap once on the nearby bookmark icon—it looks like the tail end of a ribbon. Or press and hold on that icon to put the post into a specific collection. If you’d like to see all of your saved posts, open the app, head to the Profile tab, and tap on the bookmark icon.

Use the app for instant messaging

Instagram has come a long way over the last seven years, adding more and more abilities to its roster. And one of those features is instant messaging. Your messages don’t need to include a photo, although messaging can be a useful way of sharing pictures privately. You can also go through the photo posting process as normal and choose direct message at the end.

If you tap on the Send icon, in the top-right corner of the front screen, you can tap out a message to any of your contacts. If you’d like to send a message to multiple contacts, you’re in luck—Instagram also supports group chats.

Make your Stories more private

Instagram hasn’t been shy about ripping off Snapchat’s best features. For example, they recently added the option to create Stories—a carousel of photos and videos that appear at the top of the feed for 24 hours before vanishing. If you have some fleeting impressions to share, this is where to do it. But before you do, you can choose who can and can’t see these temporary posts.

Stories don’t appear on your Instagram profile, and you may not want them to be as publicly viewable as your main feed. Open the Profile tab, go to the Instagram options page (hit the menu button on the top right), and select Settings > Story controls. From here, you can hide your Stories from specific contacts.

When Instagram posts one of your pictures, it resizes the photo—partly to cut down on data usage and upload times, and partly to stop other people from stealing your images at their full resolution. But what if you want to keep the full-size copies? You can save them separately.

Go to the Profile tab and hit the button in the top-right corner, followed by Settings. Then scroll down to Original photos (if you’re using the iOS app) or Original posts (on Android). Here, you can make sure that Instagram is storing copies of your media on your phone as well as online, and you can back up these images to other places, such as Google Photos or iCloud Photo Library.

Share your pictures everywhere

Instagram includes some helpful options for sharing your pictures on more social networks so all your friends can see them.

On the final sharing screen, tap Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr to connect those networks to your Instagram account and seamlessly share your post across them all. For even more options, use the free service IFTTT, or If This Then That. Not only can you share your Instagram posts to more platforms, you can also do more with your photos and videos, such as automatically backing up your precious media to Dropbox or Google Drive.

See what your friends are up to

You might spend the least amount of time in Instagram’s Activity tab (marked with a heart symbol), but it’s worth checking out. The Activity tab, much like Facebook’s News Feed, gives you a handy way of checking in on what your friends are up to, as well as finding interesting new people to follow.

Tap the heart icon at the bottom of the screen, then the Following tab at the top, and you’ll get an edited highlights breakdown of what’s been happening on your Instagram network. Tap on any photo, video, or user for more details. And to see your own activity, tap the You tab.

Use your Nametag to make friends

Instagram recently added a feature called Nametag, which lets you add new contacts by snapping their Nametag with your phone’s camera. Think of it like an instant Instagram business card.

To find your own Nametag, open the Profile tab, tap the menu button on the top right, and pick Nametag. Now you can show your Nametag to someone else, let them photograph it, and become contacts in a snap . Alternatively, choose Scan a Nametag from the bottom to be the one who adds a new contact.

In a Direct Message (DM) conversation, words can’t always express what you need to say. So throw in a GIF or two.

To get started, open any conversation and tap the GIF button on the bottom left. Currently-popular GIFs will pop up right away, or you can run a search for a specific reaction. If you want to let fate steer your search, then hit the Random option, which looks at the images that match your query and picks a random one.

Turn off your activity status

Instagram lets you see which contacts are currently active: When you open the direct message section (from the Home tab, hit the Send icon on the top right), you’ll see green dots beside their names. While this might be helpful, it means everyone else will also be able to see when you’re scrolling through photos. If that bothers you, you can disable your activity status—just be aware that this prevents you from seeing when your friends last used the app.

To do so, open your Profile tab, tap the menu button on the top right, and select Settings > Activity status. Here, turn off the toggle switch.

Mute instead of unfollowing

If a friend’s posts are getting on your nerves, Instagram lets you mute them without actually unfollowing them. This means your pal won’t know you’ve shut them up, and you can unmute them whenever you want to check back in.

To mute someone, tap through to their profile, hit the three dots in the top right corner, and choose Mute. For a more spontaneous option, go ahead and scroll through your feed until you encounter a post you dislike or find irrelevant. Then tap the three dots in its top right corner and, again, hit Mute.

When you put together Instagram Stories, you can now adjust the font. Even a slight tweak can change the mood of your post, so go ahead and play around with this feature.

After you capture a photo for a Story, tap the Aa button in the top-right corner and then hit the font name at the top of the screen to cycle through your options (Classic will appear by default). You can also create a post that’s just text and color: In Stories, simply swipe to the right before snapping a picture, and you’ll find yourself on the Type screen.

Add a musical touch to your next Instagram Story by embedding some music in it. The app doesn’t include every track, but you’ll find a reasonable selection of well-known tunes—Instagram says its library includes thousands of clips.

When you’ve snapped a photo, swipe up and tap Music. You can either pick a popular tune right away or hunt down specific clips via the search box at the top of the screen. Once you’ve picked one, drag the selection bar left and right to choose the exact snippet you want to embed in your Story.

Include hashtags and mentions in your bio

Your bio is a great way to tell people a little about you and perhaps attract some new followers. Recently, Instagram added the option to dress up this summary with hashtags and @mentions, allowing you to trigger a hashtag search or link to another Instagram profile.

To get started, tap the Profile button at the bottom of the screen and select Edit Profile. Then tap inside the Bio box and preface any word with “#” or “@,” turning those terms into hashtags or mentions, respectively. They’ll go live as soon as you save your changes.

This story was originally published on Jun 13, 2017. It has been updated with additional tips.

Written By David Nield

#DIY

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nedsvallesny · 7 years ago

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T-Mobile Employee Made Unauthorized ‘SIM Swap’ to Steal Instagram Account

T-Mobile is investigating a retail store employee who allegedly made unauthorized changes to a subscriber’s account in an elaborate scheme to steal the customer’s three-letter Instagram username. The modifications, which could have let the rogue employee empty bank accounts associated with the targeted T-Mobile subscriber, were made even though the victim customer already had taken steps recommended by the mobile carrier to help minimize the risks of account takeover. Here’s what happened, and some tips on how you can protect yourself from a similar fate.

Earlier this month, KrebsOnSecurity heard from Paul Rosenzweig, a 27-year-old T-Mobile customer from Boston who had his wireless account briefly hijacked. Rosenzweig had previously adopted T-Mobile’s advice to customers about blocking mobile number port-out scams, an increasingly common scheme in which identity thieves armed with a fake ID in the name of a targeted customer show up at a retail store run by a different wireless provider and ask that the number to be transferred to the competing mobile company’s network.

So-called “port out” scams allow crooks to intercept your calls and messages while your phone goes dark. Porting a number to a new provider shuts off the phone of the original user, and forwards all calls to the new device. Once in control of the mobile number, thieves who have already stolen a target’s password(s) can request any second factor that is sent to the newly activated device, such as a one-time code sent via text message or or an automated call that reads the one-time code aloud.

In this case, however, the perpetrator didn’t try to port Rosenzweig’s phone number: Instead, the attacker called multiple T-Mobile retail stores within an hour’s drive of Rosenzweig’s home address until he succeeded in convincing a store employee to conduct what’s known as a “SIM swap.”

A SIM swap is a legitimate process by which a customer can request that a new SIM card (the tiny, removable chip in a mobile device that allows it to connect to the provider’s network) be added to the account. Customers can request a SIM swap when their existing SIM card has been damaged, or when they are switching to a different phone that requires a SIM card of another size.

However, thieves and other ne’er-do-wells can abuse this process by posing as a targeted mobile customer or technician and tricking employees at the mobile provider into swapping in a new SIM card for that customer on a device that they control. If successful, the SIM swap accomplishes more or less the same result as a number port out (at least in the short term) — effectively giving the attackers access to any text messages or phone calls that are sent to the target’s mobile account.

Rosenzweig said the first inkling he had that something wasn’t right with his phone was on the evening of May 2, 2018, when he spotted an automated email from Instagram. The message said the email address tied to the three-letter account he’d had on the social media platform for seven years — instagram.com/par — had been changed. He quickly logged in to his Instagram account, changed his password and then reverted the email on the account back to his original address.

By this time, the SIM swap conducted by the attacker had already been carried out, although Rosenzweig said he didn’t notice his phone displaying zero bars and no connection to T-Mobile at the time because he was at home and happily surfing the Web on his device using his own wireless network.

The following morning, Rosenzweig received another notice — this one from Snapchat — stating that the password for his account there (“p9r”) had been changed. He subsequently reset the Instagram password and then enabled two factor authentication on his Snapchat account.

“That was when I realized my phone had no bars,” he recalled. “My phone was dead. I couldn’t even call 611,” [the mobile short number that all major wireless providers make available to reach their customer service departments].”

It appears that the perpetrator of the SIM swap abused not only internal knowledge of T-Mobile’s systems, but also a lax password reset process at Instagram. The social network allows users to enable notifications on their mobile phone when password resets or other changes are requested on the account.

But this isn’t exactly two-factor authentication because it also lets users reset their passwords via their mobile account by requesting a password reset link to be sent to their mobile device. Thus, if someone is in control of your mobile phone account, they can reset your Instagram password (and probably a bunch of other types of accounts).

Rosenzweig said even though he was able to reset his Instagram password and restore his old email address tied to the account, the damage was already done: All of his images and other content he’d shared on Instagram over the years was still tied to his account, but the attacker had succeeded in stealing his “par” username, leaving him with a slightly less sexy “par54384321,” (apparently chosen for him at random by either Instagram or the attacker).

As I wrote in November 2015, short usernames are something of a prestige or status symbol for many youngsters, and some are willing to pay surprising sums of money for them. Known as “OG” (short for “original” and also “original gangster”) in certain circles online, these can be usernames for virtually any service, from email accounts at Webmail providers to social media services like Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Youtube.

People who traffic in OG accounts prize them because they can make the account holder appear to have been a savvy, early adopter of the service before it became popular and before all of the short usernames were taken.

Rosenzweig said a friend helped him work with T-Mobile to regain control over his account and deactivate the rogue SIM card. He said he’s grateful the attackers who hijacked his phone for a few hours didn’t try to drain bank accounts that also rely on his mobile device for authentication.

“It definitely could have been a lot worse given the access they had,” he said.

But throughout all of this ordeal, it struck Rosenzweig as odd that he never once received an email from T-Mobile stating that his SIM card had been swapped.

“I’m a software engineer and I thought I had pretty good security habits to begin with,” he said. “I never re-use passwords, and it’s hard to see what I could have done differently here. The flaw here was with T-Mobile mostly, but also with Instagram. It seems like by having the ability to change one’s [Instagram] password by email or by mobile alone negates the second factor and it becomes either/or from the attackers point of view.”

Sources close to the investigation say T-Mobile is investigating a current or former employee as the likely culprit. The mobile company also acknowledged that it does not currently send customers an email to the email address on file when SIM swaps take place. A T-Mobile spokesperson said the company was considering changing the current policy, which sends the customer a text message to alert them about the SIM swap.

“We take our customers privacy and security very seriously and we regret that this happened,” the company said in a written statement. “We notify our customers immediately when SIM changes occur, but currently we do not send those notifications via email. We are actively looking at ways to improve our processes in this area.”

In summary, when a SIM swap happens on a T-Mobile account, T-Mobile will send a text message to the phone equipped with the new SIM card. But obviously that does not help someone who is the target of a SIM swap scam.

As we can see, just taking T-Mobile’s advice to place a personal identification number (PIN) on your account to block number port out scams does nothing to flag one’s account to make it harder to conduct SIM swap scams.

Rather, T-Mobile says customers need to call in to the company’s customer support line and place a separate “SIM lock” on their account, which can only be removed if the customer shows up at a retail store with ID (or, presumably, anyone with a fake ID who also knows the target’s Social Security Number and date of birth).

I checked with the other carriers to see if they support locking the customer’s current SIM to the account on file. I suspect they do, and will update this piece when/if I hear back from them. In the meantime, it might be best just to phone up your carrier and ask.

Please note that a SIM lock on your mobile account is separate from a SIM PIN that you can set via your mobile phone’s operating system. A SIM PIN is essentially an additional layer of physical security that locks the current SIM to your device, requiring you to input a special PIN when the device is powered on in order to call, text or access your data plan on your phone. This feature can help block thieves from using your phone or accessing your data if you lose your phone, but it won’t stop thieves from physically swapping in their own SIM card.

iPhone users can follow these instructions to set or change a device’s SIM PIN. Android users can see this page. You may need to enter a carrier-specific default PIN before being able to change it. By default, the SIM PIN for all Verizon and AT&T phones is “1111;” for T-Mobile and Sprint it should default to “1234.”

Be advised, however, that if you forget your SIM PIN and enter the wrong PIN too many times, you may end up having to contact your wireless carrier to obtain a special “personal unlocking key” (PUK).

At the very least, if you haven’t already done so please take a moment to place a port block PIN on your account. This story explains exactly how to do that.

Also, consider reviewing twofactorauth.org to see whether you are taking full advantage of any multi-factor authentication offerings so that your various accounts can’t be trivially hijacked if an attacker happens to guess, steal, phish or otherwise know your password.

One-time login codes produced by mobile apps such as Authy, Duo or Google Authenticator are more secure than one-time codes sent via automated phone call or text — mainly because crooks can’t steal these codes if they succeed in porting your mobile number to another service or by executing a SIM swap on your mobile account [full disclosure: Duo is an advertiser on this blog].

from Technology News https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/05/t-mobile-employee-made-unauthorized-sim-swap-to-steal-instagram-account/

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ouraidengray4 · 7 years ago

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12 Super-Achievable Ways to Unplug More This Year

We use our phones for absolutely everything. Need to eat? Seamless or Grubhub is just minutes away. Need to send your exact location to a friend? Drop a pin. Need a date? Hop onto Bumble and swipe until you line one up. While 24/7 access to these technologies has greatly improved our quality of life in many ways, our mental health and social skills have also taken a hit, at least according to The TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin.

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Of course, there are also plenty of emotional benefits to our smartphones: Many folks live far away from family and old friends, and contemporary technology plays a vital role in keeping those relationships intact. But where do we draw the line?

When reflecting on this past year, I realized that I had gotten sucked into my online world with the good intention of keeping in touch with my loved ones, but that being connected 24/7 had cost me some mental health—and a lot of time. So I’ve resolved to make some major changes this year to help me disconnect, which will also help me focus on myself and my goals, and upkeep those relationships in a more healthy way. Here are 12 ways that you can do this too:

1. Join an accountability group (kind of!).

Sometimes because I work so much, I don’t get to see my friends very often. Weeks or months of "we need to catch up" texts will go by until finally, we find an hour when we’re both free (and exhausted) after work. At this point, the hangout, which is almost always grabbing a drink at the bar, can feel more like a chore than anything else.

But there are ways to combat this struggle—and the constant scheduling ping-pong that precedes it. Seek out friends who also want to unplug and take turns planning outings and evenings where you can leave your cellphones at the door and enjoy each other’s company instead. You can theme it up too: Get into a murder mystery game, host a wine tasting, do some karaoke...

2. Plan work lunch dates.

Usually, when I eat lunch at work, I end up blindly surfing the web. I feel like I desperately need to pause from the day’s tasks, but I don’t actually leave my desk, so I mindlessly browse Facebook or Pinterest... but I don’t ever take an actual break. And I’ve noticed that since I’ve fallen into this pattern, I don’t really have a lot of friends at work or know much about my co-workers.

This year, I’ve started asking my co-workers to eat lunch with me. I’m learning more about my colleagues, which is fun, and also helps out when navigating how to alleviate tension at work and understanding how my colleagues work best. It’s also great for avoiding that end-of-day technology hangover.

3. Give yourself a home project.

This year, I decided that instead of sitting on my couch looking through Instagram on the weekends, I’d give myself small projects in my home, starting with a super-easy DIY chalkboard wall, working up to redecorating my bathroom.

Pinterest can be overwhelming—especially considering how many Pinterest endeavors, once you actually try them, end up being epic fails—but there are a few good ones in the pile. One of my favorite projects that actually panned out was this pallet coffee mug organizer, only with one alteration: I used "S" hooks that you can buy at your local hardware store instead so that I can switch out what I hang there. Sometimes I use it for my mugs, other times to hang herbs. Another successful project: DIYing old glass jars into decorative containers to store bathroom items like Q-tips and bobby pins.

4. Get a workout buddy.

You may have a fitness goal this year, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll spend half your time at the gym adjusting your playlist and snapping photos on your Instagram Story. Look! I worked out! Here’s proof! You end up leaving the gym two hours later with only about 45 minutes of actual working out accomplished.

Next time you work out, bring a buddy and leave your phone in your locker instead. You can’t get lost in your own world if you’re busy catching up in between sets, plus your friend can push you to achieve your fitness goals and vice-versa.

5. Schedule phone calls and Facetime.

I often find myself overwhelmed by a deluge of text threads from out-of-town family and friends. Keeping up with those relationships is very important to me, but sometimes I feel like I’m taking hours at a time to catch up via text. Worse yet, I usually feel like we never even truly connect and instead just gush about how much we miss one another.

This year’s solution: scheduling phone calls and Facetimes with my loved ones so I can give them my undivided attention. Sure, yes, I’m still on my phone, which isn’t exactly disconnecting, but a one-hour, high-quality Facetime or phone call allows me to catch up with my loved ones way more than hours of distracted text messaging can. What’s gained? Time and real connections. Plus, we can plan for when we’re going to talk, so it’s convenient for both of us—and we have far more real news to catch up on by the time we can speak on the phone.

6. Make a reading list.

As a kid, I loved reading, and as an adolescent, books helped me escape. But as an adult, I’ve fallen completely flat. The excuses are endless, but primarily center around the same concern: I feel like I don’t have the time. This year, I decided to make a reading list so that I couldn’t make any more excuses.

Now every time someone recommends a book, I write it down in my planner with a note on the genre or subject matter so I have a running list to choose from. Instead of surfing the web, I make sure I use that critical 30 minutes before bedtime to read. According to The National Sleep Foundation, unplugging before bedtime improves the quality of your sleep. Combine that with the positive effects of reading, including increased connectivity in the brain, and you’re out of excuses to avoid doing something you already love.

7. Pass The '90s Test.

Being a child of the new millennium, I have no idea how to date without social media and cell phones—we’ve grown up learning to take our social cues and flirtations from Instagram, Snapchat, and text messages. I was thinking recently about what my relationships would be like if they weren’t so rooted in online communication and realized that most of them would be effectively nonexistent. So I realized I needed to stop developing more 2D relationships and focus instead on seeing potential romances in person.

So I came up with what I call "The '90s Test." I’ll only use my phone to set up a date with a person (like you would when you called someone’s landline back in the day). I make sure to leave on time so I don’t have the crutch of texting updates when I’m late, and I bring a book to read while I wait if they’re late. I’ve found that this also sets the standard of not using phones on the date, so that it’s uninterrupted and genuine. This way, if it’s a good date, you’ll know quickly that you have a real connection—and if it’s not going anywhere, you won’t have to wonder. You’ll figure it out fast instead of hiding behind your phone.

8. Invest in a camera.

The beauty of the modern age is that we don’t need 800 different devices to do everything we want; your iPhone can do practically everything. But how many times have you been on vacation or at an event where you promised yourself that you’d only bring your phone for pictures, but end up posting all over (and subsequently scrolling through) Instagram, or pretending to be occupied with something on your phone in order to avoid mingling or diffuse an awkward situation? I’ve done that so many times, and I walk away from the experience feeling like I kind of missed it all. This has led me to buy a simple camera. It makes me stay in the moment, and later, if I really want to upload any to Instagram when I’m bored at home, I always can.

9. Pioneer nights.

Growing up in Florida, this is how my parents used to make losing power during a hurricane fun. My parents would challenge my brother and me to avoid using anything electric all night. We’d eat by candlelight, talk instead of watching TV, and go to bed when we were actually tired.

Try this at home alone or throw an adult sleepover with friends: Break out your favorite candles, no-cook snacks (cheese, wine, and a box of frozen cupcakes should do the trick), and board games, and spend the night sans electronics. Go to bed early, and you’ll feel like a million bucks the next day.

10. Get a pen pal.

A while ago, my friend Lauren and I decided to become pen pals. You might assume that going old-school this way would make keeping up our friendship harder, but while we speak less than we might otherwise, the quality of the communication is much higher. I feel like so much online communication is one-sided, but as pen pals, we’re forced to ask questions about each other’s lives.

When I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, who is a mutual friend, I sent Lauren a letter about it. About a week later, I received a letter from her expressing her condolences and agreeing that he was a jerk, and a week after that, I sent her a letter back, updating her on how I was doing. By the time she’d sent the next letter, I was already healing and there wasn’t any room for petty he-said/she-said talk. It felt like a really natural way to process the breakup and receive support from a friend. Now we send each other goodies like homemade jewelry in the mail too, and she’s one less friend I have to worry about texting—we’ve got our own thing going.

11. Take a class.

I’m the biggest culprit of complaining I have no time for anything, but then spending hours on my phone, doing a whole lot of nothing. I’d always like to go to that yoga, painting, or acting class, but then my day flashes before my eyes. This year, though, I plan to go to a class once a week.

I know it’s not possible for everybody, but if you can, consider trying to build an extra $30-60 per week into your budget. Learning new things is an amazing act of self-care. And when you actively engage in learning as an adult, not only will you feel an incomparable sense of accomplishment you can’t get at work, but you’ll also just become a more interesting human.

12. Jump into your side hustle.

Probably the only thing more popular than the puppy filter on Snapchat right now is having a side hustle. So many of us are coming into our own as creators and want to be in charge of our own source of income. Whether that means making personalized t-shirts or starting your own production company, consider starting to take baby steps toward your entrepreneurial dreams instead of endlessly checking Facebook. When you’re doing something for yourself that you’re passionate about, the benefits are endless.

Anie Delgado is a freelance writer, actress, and musician based in NYC. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @anie_delgado and check out her music on Spotify. from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2EmanGT 12 Super-Achievable Ways to Unplug More This Year Greatist RSS from HEALTH BUZZ http://ift.tt/2mbt1L9

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barbaraboatright · 8 years ago

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How to Boost Your WooCommerce Store Sales

According to a recent report by eMarketer, global retail e-commerce sales are expected to reach $4 trillion by 2020. These trillions explain how online shopping is ready to take over the traditional retail stores.

There are a number of e-commerce platforms and WooCommerce tops this race with a market share of over 40%. Part of the reason lies in the simple fact that WooCommerce is so customisable, ideal for small to large online businesses and startups. As I write this, WooCommerce has been downloaded 45K to 50K times per day, and has more than a million active users.

It seems that the internet is flooded with tricks for boosting your WooCommerce store. Here is my selection of WooCommerce tips to help you stay on top of the fierce online shopping game.

Use an eye-catching WooCommerce theme

The first impression is often the last impression and the first thing that a visitor sees on your online store is the theme and the layout. Based on the theme, the visitor makes a snap decision about whether to continue with the purchase or close the tab!

Web visitors expect an eye-catching store with a very intuitive UI/UX. My advice is that the design should be visually appealing yet simple, so that the widest range of users can interact with the store without thinking twice.

For WooCommerce store owners, themes fall into three options: Free, Paid and Custom. Pick the option that suits your pocket but keep one thing in mind; the theme should be attractive enough to make sure that the visitor enters the sales funnel!

A friendly user-experience

According to many experts, a friendly experience is the key to more sales and popularity of the store. Visitors should feel at ease while shopping at your store. Navigation plays a huge role in providing a precise and relaxed environment for your visitors.

Visitors always need to know three important pages: the one they were on, the one they are on and the one that they will go to after clicking a particular link on your store. This can be achieved via breadcrumb links and intuitive navigation menus.

An important plugin to use for your store is WooCommerce Product Table. This plugin presents your product descriptions in separate boxes on the store, along with other information such as product name, price, reviews, attributes, variations and even add to cart buttons. This really helps the shoppers get instant information about the products so they can make quicker buying decisions.

A fuelled-up web store

Any e-commerce business depends upon reliability and speed. Most customers will not wait around for slow loading online stores. Thus it is vital that you continuously monitor the load time of the store to ensure a high speed website.

Picking the right WooCommerce hosting is the best way of ensuring the speed of the store. When shopping for a host for your store, you should look for reliable and persistent performance and availability of (free and paid) plugins and themes that help in making your web store blazing fast.

P.S. You should always keep an eye on plugins and themes that could slow down your web store.

Security above all

Security is the ultimate requirement for any web store. An insecure web store simply means no sales.

Online stores are a goldmine of customer information including personal information and credit card numbers. Even the rumour of a breach could permanently destroy the reputation of an online store!

You have to make sure that your WooCommerce store is secured with an SSL certificate. Other ways to secure your store include setting up a complex password for the site’s administrator account, updating the WooCommerce store to the latest version and regular backups of the store.

Engaging and clear product descriptions

Visitors can be converted into customers through clear and engaging product descriptions. The product description is a selling pitch, so it should be unique and attractive.

Another important thing to remember is that you should never mislead your visitors about a product. This is because they will not visit your store again after a bad experience. In fact, this could often result in a vicious social media campaign.

To avoi this situation, your product descriptions should perfectly reflect the products. Research the popular trends and check out your competitors’ product descriptions for inspiration. Remember that SEO-based descriptions help in getting your product rank higher in Google.

Impressive product images

The right picture gives customers the right vibe about a product.

Customers do not buy products after reading the engaging product descriptions. Rather, they look at the images to check out the quality of the products. Therefore, your product images should be of top quality and should attempt to capture all details of the product.

Your images should show different aspects of your product. The good thing about WooCommerce is that it supports 360-degree images which offers a very detailed visual description of the product.

Create product videos

Today, the Internet is all about videos. Product videos are the latest trend in the e-commerce industry.

Potential customers always check out product videos because a one-minute video can provide the information that hundreds of pictures simply can’t.

The good thing about product videos is that you can produce a video once and then promote it on several platforms such as Youtube, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.

Focus on store SEO

Optimising your WooCommerce store for search engines is one of the most effective practices of generating more traffic and sales. Always make sure your online store integrates the latest trending keywords to get your pages and products listed on the very first page of Google.

Your store’s interlinking structure should be stable as Google looks for the authority of your store. A sitemap is an essential aspect of the SEO strategy for a WooCommerce store. Each page should be optimised individually. Similarly, using keywords in product descriptions is good.

However, remember that excess of everything is bad. Google penalises web stores filled with keywords.

Live chat

The customer is the king, and customer support is the key to success for any web store. You should provide your customers prompt pre- and after sales services and work toward resolving their queries promptly. If your customers feel valued, they are more likely to return for more shopping and recommend you to others.

Live Chat is a premium WooCommerce plugin that helps in improving customer experience. It saves customers’ time because they can contact your store immediately without much waiting. There are also several other plugins that integrate live chat capability straight into your WooCommerce store to make your web store more reachable.

Sell to existing customers!

It’s all well and good trying to attract new customers. But it’s well documented that your efforts will get the best value for money by focussing on getting repeat business from existing customers. Users Insights have written a good article about how to increase your WooCommerce sales from returning customers.

Refund policy and/or money-back guarantee

This tip relates to all e-commerce stores in general, as well as WooCommerce shops. A well-defined refund policy means that customers at your store can feel easy about their purchases. If they do not like the product, they can easily return the product without any issues.

Similarly, if you feel confident enough, you could offer a money-back guarantee at your store. This is the ultimate offer you could make, but remember that you have follow through and be good for your words.

Final thoughts

WooCommerce is a wonderful platform for e-commerce stores. If you implement the above WooCommerce tips and tactics in your store, you can see a significant increase in revenues and customer base.

By Jamil, SEO specialist from CloudWays.

This article first appeared in Barn2.uk. | Image credit: Pixabay

The post How to Boost Your WooCommerce Store Sales appeared first on Akimi Technologies.

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