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.

Taking the DIY Approach

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.

Not Utilizing Google My Business

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:

• 17% of consumers are visiting the business directly after reading positive reviews (up from 7% in 2016)
• 10% of consumers contact the business directly from the search results (up from 3% in 2016)
• 37% visit the business’s website as the next step (whereas 56% did in 2016!)

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:

• Only 68% of local businesses claimed their GMB listing
• Fewer than 0.1% have a virtual tour
• Nearly 12% of claimed listings don’t have a website
• Just 1.4% of businesses on GMB respond to reviews

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.

Not Claiming Other Listings

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.

 

Not Securing the Website

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:

• Data breaches
• Ransomware attacks
• AI weaponization

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.

No HTTPS Certificate

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:

• Drop in SEO
• Fewer sales (84% of consumers won’t buy online from insecure websites)
• Breaching General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Higher risk of security breaches
• Lawsuits and fines

It’s possible to get a free HHTPS-SSL certificate, so there’s no reason for small businesses not to take this step.

 

Long Page Load Times

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!

 

Not Meeting Web Accessibility Standards

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.

Focusing Too Much On Social Media

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:

• Reaching more customers
• Cross-pollinate to drive better results
• Better optimization
• Reducing risk
• Having more data to analyze
• Providing more relevant content
• Reducing dependency on one channel

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.

Conclusion

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?

Academic Tips to Be a Successful Student

Success in academics is the result of consistent effort, effective strategies, and a mindset geared towards learning. Being a successful student requires more than just attending classes and completing assignments. It involves active participation, critical thinking, and the development of essential skills. 

Whether you are in high school or pursuing higher education, implementing the right academic tips can make a significant difference in your performance and overall achievement. In this article, we will discuss a comprehensive set of academic tips to help you become a successful student.

Set clear goals

Goal setting is the foundation of success in any endeavor, and academics are no exception. Begin each semester or academic year by setting clear and achievable goals. Define what you want to accomplish academically and establish specific targets for grades, class participation, research projects, or extracurricular activities. Having clear goals provides direction and motivates you to stay focused and committed throughout your academic journey.

Manage your time effectively

Time management is crucial for academic success. Develop a schedule that allocates dedicated time for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and engaging in other activities. Prioritize your tasks based on importance and urgency. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, and set deadlines for each part. Avoid procrastination and create a productive environment that minimizes distractions. Utilize tools such as planners, calendars, or time management apps to stay organized and on track. If you struggle to manage your time effectively, consider utilizing an essay writing site for assistance with researching and completing written assignments. Such services can help you focus on studying more efficiently.

Take effective notes

Taking effective notes during lectures or while studying is a fundamental academic skill. Develop a note-taking system that works best for you, whether it’s outlining, mind mapping, or Cornell note-taking method. Actively listen during lectures, focus on key concepts, and write down relevant information. Use abbreviations, symbols, or highlighters to emphasize important points. Review and revise your notes regularly to reinforce learning and improve retention.

Develop strong study habits

Adopting effective study habits is crucial for academic success. Find a study environment that suits your learning style, whether it’s a quiet library, a comfortable corner at home, or a coffee shop with background noise. Break your study sessions into manageable blocks with short breaks in between to maintain focus and prevent burnout. Use active learning techniques such as summarizing information, teaching concepts to others, or creating flashcards for effective memorization. Experiment with different study techniques to discover what works best for you.

Seek clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek clarification whenever you encounter difficulties or have questions. Actively participate in class discussions, ask questions, and engage with the material. Take advantage of office hours or additional support services provided by your teachers, professors, or tutors. Form study groups or join online forums where you can collaborate with peers and gain different perspectives. Remember, seeking clarification shows initiative and a genuine desire to learn, which are essential traits of successful students.

Manage your resources

Make the most of the resources available to you. Utilize the library for research materials, academic journals, or online databases. Familiarize yourself with educational websites, online tutorials, or open educational resources that can supplement your learning. Take advantage of software applications or productivity tools that can help you organize your work, manage references, or enhance your study techniques. Many educational platforms offer free or discounted access to students, so explore these opportunities to broaden your knowledge. Use a research paper writing source to improve your understanding of formatting and academic style of your college assignments.

Stay organized

Being organized is crucial for academic success. Keep track of important dates, deadlines, and assignments. Use a planner or digital calendar to note down due dates, exam schedules, and other commitments. Break down larger assignments into smaller tasks and create a timeline to ensure you complete them on time. Organize your study materials, lecture notes, and textbooks in a systematic manner that allows easy retrieval when needed. An organized approach helps reduce stress and enables you to stay on top of your academic responsibilities.

Develop critical thinking skills

Successful students possess strong critical thinking skills. Develop the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information critically. Engage with the material beyond surface-level understanding. Ask thought-provoking questions, challenge assumptions, and seek evidence to support arguments. Develop your analytical and problem-solving abilities through exercises, case studies, or discussions. The cultivation of critical thinking skills not only improves your academic performance but also prepares you for future challenges and real-world problem-solving.

Take care of your well-being

Academic success is not solely dependent on studying. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is equally important. Maintain a balanced lifestyle by incorporating regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and sufficient sleep into your routine. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, such as hobbies, sports, or spending time with loved ones. Seek support if you experience stress or anxiety and prioritize self-care. A healthy mind and body contribute to improved focus, concentration, and overall academic performance.

Stay motivated and persistent

Maintaining motivation and persistence is key to long-term academic success. Set rewards for achieving your academic goals, whether it’s treating yourself to something you enjoy or celebrating milestones with friends and family. Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals who encourage and inspire you. Remind yourself of the bigger picture, the reasons why you chose your academic path, and the future opportunities that await. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and stay resilient in the face of setbacks.

Summing Up

Becoming a successful student requires a combination of discipline, effective strategies, and the right mindset. Implementing these academic tips can help you develop the necessary skills, improve your performance, and achieve your educational goals. Remember, academic success is not solely about grades but also encompasses personal growth, critical thinking abilities, and a lifelong love for learning. By incorporating these tips into your academic routine, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling educational journey.

 

One of the most significant choices you will ever make is which institution to attend. The college you choose will have far-reaching effects on your future happiness and success. However, the reality is that a lot of students choose a college based on feelings or a narrow set of criteria. Or even simply a hunch. In this article, we have written some of the things to consider when choosing the right college for yourself. 

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Factors In Choosing A College

When deciding which college to attend. It is important to consider all factors that will affect your educational journey. These could include factors such as location, cost of tuition, availability of financial aid. Others include quality of faculty and staff, educational resources available on campus, extracurricular activities offered by the school, and more. Additionally, you may want to consider essay order online services if you need help with essay writing for college applications. With so many choices available to you today. It can be difficult to decide without doing a thorough research. It is important to take into account all aspects that are important for your future success in higher education. Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a college:

 

Accreditation

Check the school’s accreditation status before delving further into your research. This indicates that the school’s curriculum has been assessed by a credentialing body. This is to ensure that it satisfies the minimum requirements for a higher education program.

The admissions and about sections of a school’s website will often provide this data. Call or write to the admissions office if you need help locating it.

Accreditation for a school might be either national or regional. Individual schools, departments, and programs within a university may also get their separate accreditation. This assures that potential employers and other educational institutions will recognize your degree.

 

Academic Majors Available

Make sure the schools you’re looking at provide a major that fits in with your planned course of study. This is for those of you that already have a good idea of your academic future. Students who are sure they want to major in art history. For instance, should not give any credence to universities that do not provide that option.

On the other hand, students who have yet to settle on a certain field of study could benefit from attending a university that gives them options.

 

Affordability

College tuition is a key consideration for many high school students. When deciding on a college, you should make sure that tuition, room and board, and other costs are manageable within your financial means.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the annual tuition and fees at a private institution are close to $45,000. While those at a public university are above $20,000. Students should also factor in the local cost of living. Which includes things like transportation, extracurricular activities, and entertainment. In addition to tuition, fees, and housing & board.

 

Prestige Of The Institution

Reputation matters in the college selection process for certain students. Graduates with degrees from famous universities sometimes have an easier time finding employment or getting accepted to graduate schools. The prestige of a university’s faculty is indicative of the quality of the education you may expect to get there.

Considerations such as a school’s alumni network and standing in extracurricular activities. Academics, and athletics may help students determine how prestigious a certain institution is. Prospective students should investigate the school’s research programs. Also, grant money, and faculty publications to assess the faculty’s reputation, which is important in many professions.

 

Campus Environment

It’s vital to think about the campus atmosphere while picking a college. Since this is where most of your personal and professional development will take place. Consider institutions with active Greek life or a thriving art scene if they are areas of interest.

Consider colleges with well-known athletic programs. If you like attending sporting events and social gatherings with your peers. Similarly, participating in intramural sports at a busy university may help you meet people and have fun.

 

Conclusion

You may want to consider the college’s rating. The variety of student organizations, and the number of recreational opportunities while making your choice. Also, you may want to think about the value of a diversified student population. A vibrant dorm scene, and a competitive sports program should not be underestimated. Students with exceptional credentials may want to look into institutional assistance packages before committing to a school.

 

Finally, hopeful entrants should evaluate their odds of being accepted. Applicants should apply to some institutions within their credentials. You need to be honest about their academic performance.

The range of the crypto market is what makes it more volatile but equally exciting for people as investors, not only do new trading coins continue to rise but new currencies also come to surpass others. 

With the impact of Doggy coins and Liticons on high altitude over the past month, a new module has risen to compete in the market called TMS network that has got huge support even in presale. 

The maturity of its influence has made it the talk of the town as its growth is significant and many experts e considering it to overshine other currencies in trend currently. Want to invest in rising values like TMS? Register now at Quantum Prime Profit for free

Influx in market 

The pattern of trade is volatile in crypto standards which also suggests that the influx of market continues to rise and dip with leaders making a sharper impact on what they want to proceed and demolish here. 

TMS network has shown promising signs and its influx is happening fast as you don’t need to create an account and can link your wallets directly. 

This also brings the state of fear or worry as risk involvement is bigger and access points have to play their more effectively to continue such influx. 

 

Leverage of doggy coins 

This is one of the more effective currencies as it has a direct edge to stardom with the influence of Elon Musk where few tweets can make its volatile standards up and one speech can fall to a low percentage. 

The influence by which Doggy coins work is susceptible as its dependency on one single brand ambassador can put it in a rush and trade investment can be a kind of risk 

People are looking for more surges in doggy coins especially in the coming months, but they are trying to use options like TMS to get a better hand on newly rising volatile currencies in the market. 

 

Direct impact on LTC 

The rush of the market is also a course by which things are balanced in the crypto world and for LTC coin, it has been a kind of moving from better to worse situations this year with halting and effects in values. 

The impact of its liquidity and rates rising to 10-fold has shown that people have to face problems but it has got influence somehow to negate them or face the heat of the moment. 

This is where people are looking to get a choice in the form of a TMS network so they can cover their trade values and also gain better growth through the right investment process. 

 

Financial estimates 

If you have to see how new modules are working in the crypt market, then you have to seek out the financial status, and current estimates, and TMS, does have a much better hand in such terms. 

The way people are trying to adjust values, gain entries into wallets, and also have access to market push has led to double its value up to 1400 times stronger which shows the current growth. 

People are willing to go for the TMS network and want to try it as it may be safe currently, but they would have to see how it is going to negotiate trade funding in longer terms. 

 

Trading goals 

Finally, to check for performance and profit stages, you also have to find out the goals of trading, how developers have worked on them, and identify core solutions. 

TMS network has been introduced with the idea to insure people focus on core values with the combined effort of wallets and gain over the capital with a rush to control supplies. 

This hints at the fact that they will try to balance capital gains and have certain trading goals but if they have to outperform others, then it is prudent to adjust strategy and make sure they are not outdone.

Competing in the crypto world is not easy, TMS N is a new volatile framework in progress, but how far it can compete with Doggy cons or LTC, only its growth models would explain in the further course. 

the pattern in use, people who would accept and complete outsell responses would be the final stake to identify as jus by Presale, we can’t predict long so it comes to how it works in future stages. 

Taking care of your home loan is very important when you own a home. If you want to buy a house for the first time or change your current mortgage, it’s important to be prepared and informed. This article will give tips to help you better manage your home loan. Following these tips will make it easier for you to handle your loan and avoid stress.

 

Do’s:

• Assess Your Financial Readiness:

Before taking out a loan to buy a home, ensure you have enough money. To find out how much cash you have saved, look at your income, debts, ability to make timely payments, and savings. Then, ensure that you can access adequate cash to pay for your home and other important expenditures without any problems.

 

• Shop Around for the Best Rates:

To get a home loan, you must be careful and research. Check different places that give money and find the one that suits you best. Look for loans that have low-interest rates, terms that fit your needs, and features that can help you achieve your financial goals. Looking at different prices, you can save more money when paying back your loan.

• Consider Pre-Approval:
  

Pre-approval for a mortgage is a wise decision that may help you determine how much you can spend and simplify negotiating with sellers. Pre-approval is disclosing financial information to a lender so they can determine if you qualify for a loan and the amount you may borrow.

 

• Maintain a Good Credit Score:
  

Your credit score is important for getting the best home loans Australia easily. Lenders look at it to decide if they should lend you money and how much interest they will charge you. So having a good credit score when you’re getting a home loan is really important.

 

• Understand the Loan Terms and Conditions:
  

You must read and understand all the rules before signing a loan. Ensure you understand how much extra money you might have to pay when you have to and if you can pay it early. If you’re not sure about something or worried, ask your lender or someone you trust who knows about money.

 

• Regularly Review Your Loan:

If you borrowed money to buy your house, it’s a good idea to check if you can get a better deal on your loan from time to time. This is called refinancing. If the interest rates go down or you have more money, you can think about refinancing. This might help you save money, too, in the long run.

 

Don’ts:

• Overlook Loan Fees and Closing Costs:

You must also consider other costs like fees and closing costs when you get a home loan apart from interest rates. In addition, you might have to pay for some things when you get a loan, like fees for starting the loan, checking the property’s value, making sure the property is legally yours, and paying a lawyer. If you don’t include these costs, you might be surprised by how much money you need during the loan process. 

 

• Overextend Your Budget:

Don’t borrow too much money to buy your dream home, or you might have trouble paying it back and could lose the home. Instead, only borrow what you can afford to pay back. Consider how much money you make, how much you spend, and what you want to do with your money in the future when deciding how much to borrow. 

 

• Make Major Financial Changes:

When getting a home loan, it’s important to keep your money situation steady and not make any big money changes. Don’t get new credit cards, borrow more money, or switch jobs. Doing these things can make getting a loan harder or mess up your money situation.

 

• Neglect Saving for a Down Payment:

You can get a loan with a small down payment, but saving more money for a bigger down payment is better. If you give more money initially, you will have to borrow less and pay less every month. It also shows that you are good at saving money. 

 

 

To do well as a homeowner, you need to take good care of your home loan. To make good choices, keep your money safe, and have a better home loan experience, do the right things and avoid doing the wrong things. Speak with knowledgeable people who understand mortgages and finances to receive guidance suitable for your circumstances. Then, if you make a good plan and take care of your home loan, you can buy a home and have all the good things that come with it.

Treadmills are part of many people’s workout routines. They love walking on it every day as part of their cardio routine. One can also perform other workouts on a treadmill to stay fit. And it is great equipment for cardiovascular exercises and strength training. But you will agree that treadmills don’t look great in your home. Placing the treadmill there is perfect if you have a separate room for workouts. It blends right in and looks attractive. But it loses some of its appeal if you don’t have space and put the treadmill in the living room or your workspace. No one wants their guests to come to their house and be welcomed by a bulky machine. Do they? So, even though you love your treadmill with all your heart, you must find a way to hide it when not in use. One way is to use a foldable treadmill, which you can fold and keep away when not in use. But not everyone wants that. For a professional treadmill, try these ideas to hide it when not in use.

 

A room divider

With the help of an attractive folding screen or room divider, you can make your treadmill disappear. Use the treadmill with or without anyone present, as the room divider will separate the space. It hides the equipment while also giving you private space to exercise. Moreover, room dividers are foldable too. So, you can use them any way you like near the corners. They come in multiple materials and sizes. So, when buying a treadmill online, know the measurement to buy the perfect divider. Also, you can build the room dividers into the room using sliding doors. Popular in Japan, it creates a completely new room for your treadmill.

 

Use a throw

It’s not a perfect choice, but it does work well. It is the best choice, especially when you have guests coming over and no way to hide the treadmill. For instance, you use throws for furniture anyway, right? So, there shouldn’t be any issue using it over a treadmill. If the equipment is in the living room, surrounded by multiple shelves and furniture, no one will notice it or think it is out of place. They might appreciate the design, so get a beautiful throw for the treadmill. Don’t be quick to select the throw. Give it some time and find a design, fabric, and print that match the room. A cheap way to hide the treadmill.

 

Use curtains or drapes.

An alternative to a room divider is curtains or drapes. Just cover the room you put the treadmill in with drapes or a curtain. The room will get an aesthetic look while hiding away the equipment. When it comes to using drapes or curtains, your options are numerous. Get one that complements the design of the room. Or one that matches the color of the furniture. Anything goes as long as the symmetry is there. In

 

Get an elegant treadmill.

This point is not about hiding the treadmills but letting them be visible. It happens when you buy an elegant treadmill that looks like part of the room. A treadmill that uses expensive materials has sleek lines or looks like a piece of art doesn’t need to be hidden. If you can afford such expensive equipment, go for it. There are curved treadmills that use walnut, cherry, or oak, making them ideal for placing in a room.

 

Covers

If you are putting your treadmill in a room away from prying eyes, but it gets dusty, or you still want to keep it hidden, use a cover. A customized cover for a treadmill usually comes in black, or you can find a transparent one too. It keeps the treadmill safe from dust, and no one will be able to figure out what is inside the cover. For instance, you can put it in your room or closet with the cover on.

 

Use these ideas to hide the treadmill away without compromising your workout. Treadmills are amazing workout equipment with multiple benefits for all age groups. So, use it to better your health and put it away using the above ideas when not in use.