Setting up a business used to be a cumbersome process, requiring a commercial lease, sometimes even before the first customer comes in the door. Now setting up a business online can be done in less than a day, and more brick and mortar businesses are turning to the web to find customers.
The numbers are growing. 64% of small businesses now have a website, which is up from 46% in 2016. What’s more, the majority of small businesses without websites plan on building one.
Despite this positive trend, there are still a few common mistakes that small businesses are making in their online marketing efforts – ones that can be voided.
Any pro will tell you that the key to productivity is delegating. Yet, for some reason, many small businesses still try to tackle digital marketing entirely by themselves.
Forbes reports that upwards of 70.8% of small businesses do ALL their marketing in-house. Only about 4.4% of small businesses are outsourcing to a third party, agency, or contractor.
Yet it’s the small businesses who outsource who are happiest with the results for both increasing sales and bringing in new customers.
Yes, finding an affordable graphic design service and reliable SEO company can be tricky – but spending time getting up to speed on marketing, if you haven’t done it before, takes away time from your primary business. Getting help will almost certainly beat taking the DIY approach.
Sometimes businesses think they can get away with a local listing on Google, but the opposite is also true. Sometimes businesses invest purely on a fancy website and forget to optimize the local business listing.
Trends show that consumers aren’t following local searches with website visits as frequently as in the past. Instead, they are relying on the plethora of information given right in the SERPs as part of Google My Business Listings.
Google My Business (which is a hub that replaced Google Places) provides opening hours, phone numbers, addresses and directions, and reviews of local businesses. It can even provide wait times for restaurants.
With all this information given right in the SERPs, there’s less need for consumers to bother with a website visit.
A Bright Local study found that, after a local business search:
With Google My Business replacing local websites, why are so few local businesses using it? Bill Hartzer reports on a review of over 9,000 local businesses. It found that:
It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to optimize a Google My Business listing. So, there is really no reason for local businesses to be missing out on this marketing opportunity.
Google My Business isn’t the only platform replacing websites. There are many online directories and review sites where consumers go to find local businesses. Yet, many businesses missing these opportunities.
Bite Size Media reports that only 33% of local businesses have a Yelp listing, 21% have a Yahoo listing, and just 19% have a Yellow Pages listing.
Hacking isn’t just happening in the political sphere with elections. The MIT Technology Review warns that cyber threats are something website owners need to worry about in 2018. The threats that small businesses should worry about include:
According to Inside Small Business, hackers love small businesses because they have fewer security measures in place. Research shows that anywhere from 43% to 61% of breaches are targeted at small businesses.
Despite the risk, 51% of small businesses aren’t allocating any budget to reduce the risk.
Cyber attacks cost businesses revenue – 38% of those attacked lost more than 20% of their revenue. The attacks also have other costs, such as losing reputation and customer loyalty.
Small businesses should look at investing in better security can be viewed as insurance against potentially devastating losses.
This goes along with the “not securing website” mistake. As Google writes, an HTTPS certificate is an internet communication protocol. It allows data to be sent through three layers of protection.
Google announced that, as of July 2018, all websites without HTTPS encryption will be marked as “not secure.”
According to EuroDNS, fewer than 30% of websites are using an HTTPS-encrypted SSL certificate. These websites face many risks, including:
It’s possible to get a free HHTPS-SSL certificate, so there’s no reason for small businesses not to take this step.
A Google report found that the average mobile web page takes 22 seconds to load. Note that this is for all mobile sites. It is likely that small business pages take even longer to load than their big-business (and bigger budget) competitors.
This statistic is alarming because 53% of visitors will leave a mobile site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. For online retail, a one-second delay can decrease conversions by up to 20%!
Practical Ecommerce backs up these findings. They report that a 100 millisecond delay in load time can decrease conversions by 7% and bounce rates increase by 103% when load time increases by 2 seconds.
Slow load time is particularly devastating for ecommerce, but local businesses are also impacted. The same Google report found that consumers are more likely to abandon a mobile site if it takes too long to load. Small businesses could be losing 53% of mobile traffic if their site takes more than just 3 seconds to load!
Because of strict laws, virtually all small business owners know that their storefronts must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Yet, few realize that their websites should also be accessible.
People with disabilities use various tools to help them access the internet. For sight-impaired people, for example, this could mean using a screen reader. People with motor impairments might use tools like mouth sticks or voice commands.
If a website doesn’t meet certain standards, it could be difficult or even impossible for people with disabilities to access the website.
Not only is this bad for business (approximately 20% of online users have some sort of disability), but businesses could find themselves hit with a lawsuit for not being accessible.
The best practices include meeting WCAG 2.0 standards and performing manual testing to ensure everyone can access the website.
There is no denying that social media is important for small businesses. Being present on social media can boost branding, customer loyalty, sales, and new leads.
But social media isn’t the end-all of online marketing!
According to stats at Blue Corona, 32% of small businesses are only investing in social media.
What about all the other methods of digital marketing – like local SEO, email marketing, Adwords, content marketing, or coupon deals?
As Entrepreneur notes, diversifying digital marketing methods means benefits like:
So, while small businesses certainly don’t want to stretch their budgets to cover all digital marketing methods, they should think outside of social media to get better results.
The sheer number of platforms and tools for online marketing can be overwhelming, but the key to remember is that you have to start somewhere. Marketing drives the continuous growth of businesses.
What mistakes do you think are the worst in small business marketing?
Unlike many other commonly used editors, using an AI video stabilizer might be a new concept for many people. Most of them are familiar with only the basic editing in videos e.g. fixing colors, hues, saturation, contrast, etc. People may also know how to crop, resize, or add frames or stickers to the videos. However, many of them haven’t either used video stabilization or aren’t aware of how important this tool is. If you’re also one of them, this article is for you. Using a YouTube video editor for stabilizing and editing your videos is the most important for guaranteed success. To understand why, let’s go through the below discussed important reasons.
If you love creating and sharing videos on any platform, you must consider using a video stabilizer. For example, an AI-based video stabilizer is a must-use tool for generating professional-level videos without any skills. So, here are the following crucial reasons to use an AI-based video stabilizer.
The most important reason for using a video stabilizer is that it stabilizes the videos with AI and gyroscope technology. Both of these are incredible role players in assuring a higher level of stability by replacing shakiness in videos. It is a task that is almost impossible by using manual editors but many people lack advanced editing skills. So, this tool is the one that you must use for your video to take them to the next level.
Secondly, AI video stabilization is a one-click fast technology that automates the editing process. The computer automates and generates the quickest results through an AI-based video stabilization tool. Hence, it doesn’t only save your time but also unnecessary stress about making the right edits.
The third most compelling reason to use video stabilization is that it fixes distortions and blurs in videos. At the same time, it also works on improving the video frame with enhanced focus on the main subject/object.
Additionally, it also refines and makes the necessary adjustments to other parameters of the video. For example, it caters to eradicating the dullness and vagueness of video while adjusting its color palettes precisely.
As a result, this incredible editor generates higher-quality video footage with greater visuals, clarity, and stability. It adds a touch of higher royalty and sophistication to the videos to make them look more interactive.
Another important reason for using this is that it saves you money by offering you a free signup. You don’t need to worry about spending money here to stabilize your videos. Instead, simply visit the video stabilization tool and enjoy transforming your videos through it.
In addition, it eliminates the need to worry about not having the basic or advanced editing skills to get results. Instead, the AI algorithms handle everything by themselves and generate 100% professional results within seconds.
Here, you can also enjoy watermark-free downloads for your stabilized videos. There is no fee or no other restrictions i.e., how many downloads you make per day/month for free without a watermark.
Last but not least, this incredible tool is available online for every person around the globe. There are no country or area restrictions or no other limitations to use and benefit through this video stabilizer. Besides being online and readily available for everyone, it is also the easiest and simplest to use.
Can’t wait to transform your ordinary videos into incredible and artful masterpieces by using this fantastic stabilizer? Follow these steps!
Go to the CapCut website www.capcut.com and hit the “Signup for Free” button on the first loaded page. Follow the steps and quickly verify your account. After verification, your account will be created and you can access it anytime by using your Email ID and password.
Under the tools section on the homepage, click on “Video stabilization” which will create a new window. Here, click on the upload button to upload your photo. Also, feel free to use your Cloud or Dropbox, etc. to take any video from there for stabilization. However, you may also simply use the drag-and-drop feature of this tool for uploading your videos.
During uploading, the editor will make the necessary adjustments, stabilization, and other changes to the videos. In less than a minute, it will generate a stabilized and refined version of your video. Now, click on the preview button if you want to compare it with the original video. Otherwise, move to the next step.
At your screen’s top right side, you will see a blue colored export button. When you click on it, you will see the download button in the submenu. Click on this download button to save this beautifully stabilized video to your device.
If you’re not sure if using the video stabilization tool is right for you or not, read the above reasons for why you should use it. These most compelling reasons show that every content creator must use this incredible tool for the utmost results. Just give it a try and see the magic happening with your videos.
Neverwinter is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons. With its vast open world, challenging quests, and intense PvP battles, it’s no wonder that millions of players are hooked on this game. However, mastering Neverwinter requires more than just basic knowledge of the game mechanics.
In this article, provide the key strategies; character builds, and gameplay techniques that will help you rise to the top of the Neverwinter leaderboard. Whether you’re a beginner looking to level up your skills or a seasoned player aiming for victory, this article is your ultimate guide to becoming a Neverwinter master.
To start playing Neverwinter you must create your character. The game allows you to customize your character’s facial features, skin complexion, hairstyle, and hair color.
You can also decide whether you want to play as a male or female character. Then select your character’s race from the available options. Each race in Neverwinter has its own unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, so choose one that aligns with your preferred playstyle.
Choose a class for your character. Neverwinter offers a variety of classes, such as warrior, wizard, rogue, cleric, and more. Each class has its own set of skills, abilities, and playstyles. Consider your preferred playstyle and the role you want to fulfill in the game when selecting a class.
The class you select will greatly impact your gameplay. For example, some say that selecting the fighter class will be easier. If you become a cleric, you can heal and keep yourself and your friends alive during battle.
Once you’ve chosen your class and race, it’s time to customize your character. You can change your character’s facial features, clothes, and weapons. Use a free fantasy name generator to create a unique name for your character.
You’ll then need to select where your character comes from. This choice won’t affect your gameplay, but it will affect your roleplaying. The next step is to choose one of the 12 deities you’d like to be in the game. This choice also doesn’t seem to affect gameplay.
When you start playing Neverwinter, you get to choose crafting capabilities and professions. In the game, there are nine professions to choose from:
You can master all of these professions, but you may not need to based on the class you’ve chosen. However, all game characters may need to level up their alchemy abilities to craft healing potions.
As you progress through Neverwinter, you’ll see group content quests. These quests are for dungeons and skirmishes, which help to level up your character. Dungeons require three players to complete the event, which makes it easier to tackle.
There are also epic dungeons that you can complete when you’ve retrieved the correct weapons and leveled up your character. Skirmishes are five-player events and have shorter run times.
Astral Diamonds serve as the primary currency in the game. Players need them to purchase various items, equipment, and resources that are essential for character progression and enhancing the gameplay experience. These can include powerful weapons, armor, consumables, mounts, and companions.
The more you level up in Neverwinter, the more powerful you’ll become. You’ll also have access to powerful weapons and difficult dungeons. To level up your character, you must play specific quests, kill monsters, and complete events.
You can level up quicker if you have specific items. For example, you can equip artifacts at any level, and the stats are quite powerful, especially for lower-level characters. It would be ideal to get a rare-quality artifact to level up faster.
Companions in Neverwinter can be glowing stones or creatures that can assist you while you fight monsters. These companions are an excellent way to increase your stats. You can get Epic quality companions from the Auction House.
It will be easy for you to master Neverwinter if you start off strong in the game. Choosing the right class, race, profession, and items can greatly impact your gameplay. Use the tips in this article to help you become a master in Neverwinter.
Gaming has long gone beyond just a hobby. The game development industry is the most active and fastest growing, improving other niches, including technology, management, advertising, etc. This is more than a hobby and entertainment; even gamers are divided into categories based on their skill or favorite genre of games or gaming at a professional level. So, if you want to change and become a better gamer, pay attention to our 5 tips.
Let’s start with the fact that gaming is considered a sport. People train, practice, and get in shape for each gaming session, combining gaming, sports activity, and mental practice. If you want to try the best online casino tables or be competent in some shooter, MOBA, or MMO RPG, it is always important to follow the regime and not overdo it. And this applies to both ordinary gamers and eSports professionals. Balance is not only about the fairness of certain heroes, builds, or abilities. This balance becomes better without sacrificing health (physical and mental).
There have been debates about physical health and the harm of gaming for a long time. Impaired vision, back and neck problems are just a short list of what many sacrifice to increase the “level” of gaming. And there are already legends, jokes, and true stories (not always with a happy ending) about the mental health of the gaming community. So, balance must be paramount, regardless of goals and objectives.
Gear Inside and Outside the Game
As mentioned above, gaming has made big changes to other niches, and the companies that make devices have benefited the most from this—for example, the Razer company, which initially created technologies for medicine and the automotive industry. But now, the company is known for its gaming devices, such as mice, headsets, keyboards, webcams for streaming, etc. So, at the moment, a gamer without gaming devices raises a ton of questions, and there are reasons for this.
The difference between office mice/keyboards and gaming ones is obvious. The characteristics and features of such “equipment” are ideally adapted to different games, and based on this, they are a must-have tool for a high-quality gaming experience.
Selecting a Game and Direction
Some people are in love with one game universe, while others play everything. Both options are acceptable, but to improve, it is best to focus on one thing, for example, a genre or a specific game. The choice of games is very wide, so there shouldn’t be any problems with the search, taking into account various reviews, guides, let’s plays, or if we’re talking about competitive games (like Dota 2, CS: GO, or LoL) e-sports tournaments and POV replays.
In any case, choose what you like, especially if your goal is e-sports and gaming as a way to earn money.
Many believe those playing games develop specific characteristics, such as reaction, analysis, finger dexterity, etc. But still, in gaming, results and performance are valued. You may be good at analyzing game situations but mechanically weak. In this case, especially when playing in a team, you must clearly understand your weaknesses and strengths. In esports, as in regular sports, age plays a key role. Some players understand this, while others suffer from the younger generation of geniuses. An example of someone who switched to the reserves at the right time and then emerged as one of the best coaches in Dota 2 is
Xu “BurNIng” Zhilei. Mechanically, he will lose to most tier 3 players, but in terms of game analysis, 35 years legend fulfills the duties of a coach perfectly.
The main advice is to clearly understand your capabilities, skill level and what to do next.
And the main top tip on how to become a better gamer is setting priorities. Gaming is a paradoxical phenomenon; some people recognize it in all its forms, while others are skeptical about all games. As everywhere else, people can believe and support you or dissuade you from certain goals. The arguments may differ, but this should be fine if this is your desire and what you love to do.
But it is essential to understand that this hobby, be it regular gaming or the path to cyberspace, will not interfere with ordinary life. Gaming is great and opens up new horizons, but you shouldn’t spend all your time in front of a monitor. There must be balance in everything (which we mentioned in the first part).
As you can see, to become a better gamer, you don’t need to move mountains and go beyond the limits of your capabilities. The main thing is to have fun, and then the games will bring relaxation and good profit. Still, the prize money at cybersports events is much higher than in regular sports.
Bitcoin investment in Arkadelphia has seen a substantial upswing recently. Increased awareness about digital currencies, coupled with the potential for high returns, has resulted in more individuals and businesses embracing this investment avenue. Investors, both seasoned and novices, are exploring the capabilities of Bitcoin not only as an investment tool but also as a novel way to transact, reducing dependence on conventional banking systems. Explore quantum prime profit platform for gaining proper tips and tricks of bitcoin trading.
The city’s younger workforce, especially, is driving this change. They see cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as the future of money, one that offers more freedom and control over individual finances. This demographic is inclined towards technological advancements, and their involvement is instrumental in shaping the future of Bitcoin investment in Arkadelphia.
However, it’s not just the private sector that is showing interest. Local governments are finding themselves considering Bitcoin as part of their investment portfolio. The potential for high returns and the opportunity to diversify their financial assets has spurred interest. The future of Bitcoin investment in Arkadelphia looks promising, but it also entails risks that investors need to be aware of.
The proof-of-work consensus mechanism, first applied by Bitcoin, has profoundly influenced numerous other blockchain projects. This technical innovation ensures the security and integrity of the blockchain network, by requiring miners to solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions. As the first cryptocurrency to utilize this mechanism, Bitcoin has set the standard for many subsequent digital currencies, demonstrating the efficacy of proof-of-work in preventing fraudulent activities and maintaining network stability.
Despite its advantages, the proof-of-work system has been criticized for its high energy consumption, leading some blockchain projects to explore and adopt alternative consensus mechanisms like proof-of-stake and delegated proof-of-stake. These newer mechanisms aim to maintain network security while reducing the environmental impact. Ethereum, for instance, has announced its plan to shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake to increase its scalability and decrease its carbon footprint.
Nonetheless, Bitcoin’s proof-of-work continues to be a cornerstone in the world of blockchain technologies. As the pioneer, it has paved the way for the continuous evolution of consensus mechanisms, each iteration aiming to enhance security, efficiency, and sustainability. It’s an ongoing process of learning and development within the blockchain community, balancing the need for security with sustainability concerns.
Bitcoin’s rise has had a transformative impact on the development of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. As the first successful application of blockchain technology, Bitcoin demonstrated the potential for decentralized peer-to-peer financial systems and sparked the invention of many other digital currencies. Its decentralized nature challenged traditional financial systems, propelling the concept of DeFi into the limelight.
In addition, Bitcoin’s innovative blockchain technology forms the backbone of many DeFi platforms. These platforms leverage the security, transparency, and immutability offered by blockchain to provide decentralized financial services such as lending, borrowing, and trading. The result is a more open, inclusive, and efficient financial system that disintermediates traditional financial intermediaries.
Bitcoin’s influence on DeFi is indelible. However, the future of DeFi is not without challenges. Issues such as regulatory uncertainty, systemic risk, and the need for better security measures are calling for more attention. As the DeFi space continues to evolve, it must address these concerns while continuing to push the envelope of financial innovation.
Bitcoin’s impact in Arkadelphia and the broader financial landscape is undeniable. It represents a technological revolution changing the way we perceive and handle money, fostering a decentralized, peer-to-peer financial system that enables individuals to regain control over their financial affairs. Its influence extends beyond the boundaries of investment, shaping the future of transactions, remittances, and even governmental financial portfolios.
The evolution of the consensus mechanism, initially introduced by Bitcoin, demonstrates the continuous effort within the blockchain community to address emerging challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. While the proof-of-work system provided a solid foundation for network security, its high energy consumption has ignited a search for more sustainable alternatives. This is a testament to the blockchain community’s commitment to balancing security and environmental concerns.
The world of online slots continues to evolve, offering players a dynamic and captivating gaming experience that goes beyond the traditional pull of the lever. From the buy bonus feature in Fat Panda free demo slots to interactive gameplay, the realm of online slots is a playground of innovation.
In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the latest trends and groundbreaking innovations in online slot features. Get ready to explore the future of slot gaming!
Bonus rounds have always been a highlight of slot gameplay, but recent innovations have taken them to new heights. Developers are creating intricate and multi-layered bonus games that blur the lines between traditional slots and video games. Players can expect:
Progressive jackpots have long been a draw for players seeking life-changing wins. Today’s online slots are pushing the boundaries of progressive jackpots with exciting features:
Themed slot games have taken a leap beyond merely featuring symbols on the reels. Modern themed slots offer immersive adventures that transport players into fully realized worlds:
Gone are the days when spinning the reels was the only interaction. Interactive elements now offer a level of engagement that keeps players captivated:
The online slots industry is going through an exciting period of innovation, revolutionizing the player experience. With advancing technology, players can expect even more immersive interactive experiences that push the boundaries of online slots.
Yes, reputable online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure that the outcomes of online slots are random and unbiased. Regulatory bodies also oversee the fairness of games offered by licensed casinos.
When selecting slots, it’s recommended to opt for those with higher RTP percentages as they typically offer better odds. Also, consider the slot’s volatility. Low volatility slots yield more frequent but smaller wins, while high volatility slots provide less frequent yet larger payouts.
Absolutely! Many online casinos offer players the opportunity to play free versions of their slot games. This allows players to enjoy the gameplay, try out different strategies, and get acquainted with the mechanics of the game before wagering real money.
While online slots are primarily games of chance, you can adopt strategies to manage your bankroll, set limits, and select games with higher RTP percentages. Keep in mind that there’s no guaranteed strategy for winning consistently due to the random nature of slot outcomes.