Daily Archives: July 3, 2019

4 Functionality Problems That Are Ruining Your Business Website

by

Every business needs a website these days, otherwise, you’ll struggle to find new customers. But having a website isn’t enough, you need a good website that potential customers can use easily. The most important thing when building a website is functionality because a website that isn’t user friendly isn’t going to get many conversions. If people enter your site and they can’t work out how to navigate the pages and find the products that they’re interested in, they’re quickly going to leave. If your website isn’t getting that many conversions, you might be making one of these simple functionality mistakes. 

Image From Pixnio

Not Making A Mobile Version 

The majority of websites are accessed on mobile devices and tablets rather than laptops or desktop computers these days. If you only have a browser version of your website, it will be incredibly frustrating to use on a mobile device because the proportions will be all wrong, and that means that the majority of users aren’t experiencing the best version of the website. It’s so important that you make a specific mobile version of the site so it runs smoothly on all devices. If you’re having trouble with this, you need to get in touch with a professional digital marketing agency that specializes in website building. They will be able to help you create a website version of the site that functions properly on all devices. 

Too Much Going On 

When you’re creating a website, you need to consider the 3 I’s; inform, invite, and intrigue. You need your website to look good and it needs to have enough information, but still leave room for people to explore the website. But you won’t be able to achieve that if you have too much going on. It also means that people can’t easily spot what they’re looking for. It’s good to have pictures and videos on the site as well, but if the front page is filled with them, it becomes overwhelming. Less is more when it comes to website design so only include things that are absolutely necessary and cut the rest. 

Tiny Hyperlinks 

Hyperlinks are there for a reason, to be clicked on. So why would you make a website with tiny hyperlinks that are hard to spot and frustrating to click on? You’d be surprised how many people make this basic mistake and it makes navigating the website very frustrating for the user. You don’t have to put giant buttons on everything but when you’re adding hyperlinks to your website, make sure that you’re not making them too small. 

Too Many Pop-Ups 

Pop-ups can be useful on your website, especially for things like building your email list or advertising deals and offers. However, you’ve got to remember that people hate pop-ups and they can quickly become annoying. If somebody goes on your website and they are met with a pop-up, they’ll close it down and it won’t bother them too much. But if they have to close down 5 separate pop-ups before they can even see the homepage, that is going to be a problem. You can still use pop-ups, just use them sparingly. 

If your website isn’t converting very well, it’s likely that you’re making some of these simple functionality mistakes.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Is It Time For A Career Change?

by

If you’re not happy in your career, it could be a huge sign that you need to make a career change. But how do you work out what you really do want to do? Let’s take a look.

Following Your Passion

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Or do something creative? Or teach? Maybe you’re in the wrong career right now, and you know it! Then why not think about what you need to do to change jobs or move industries? Or, start to write your first book. Just make sure that you have savings behind you if you decide to take a pay cut, before you make the move.

Doing Your Own Thing

Or maybe you’ve always wanted to start your own business? Or go freelance? When this is the case, you’re going to want to put the work in behind the scenes, in order to build this up before you change careers. It’s always important to know that this can work, and have savings behind you as we talked about in the previous point.

Going Back To School

You’ve also got the option to go back to school to get your master’s. This can be either in your current field, or in something new if you’re looking to move. With a master’s, you may be able to go after a better job, earn more, or even start teaching yourself. There are so many benefits of going back to school and getting your master’s. Just take a look at the infographic below and you can see why.


Infographic Design By Kent State University

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

The Mindset Of An Entrepreneur: 7 Simple Changes That Will Inspire Success

by
Mindset, Programmer, Machine Learning, Brain, Mind

Image

Running a successful business is hard work, but equipping yourself with the right mindset will boost your chances. Conversely, falling into the common pitfalls will significantly hold you back. 

In many aspects of business, the simple shits in approach generate the biggest improvements. Here are seven that you need to incorporate for maximised results in the quickest possible time. 

#1. Embrace The Skills Of Employees 

Most companies invest a lot of time, money, and effort into their recruitment policies. After all, a quality team is the most valuable asset at any company’s disposal. However, finding the best candidates is a little redundant if you don’t allow them to showcase their talents.

As a leader, you naturally wish to guide your staff to success. Still, they are the experts in their specific fields. Placing your trust in them allows them to unlock their full potential. Moreover, it’ll work wonders for their motivation levels, which will translate to greater productivity. 

#2. Focus On Your Customers Alone 

Knowing how to win new customers by going beyond basic lead generation is vital. While it may be tempting to chase the biggest possible audience, though, it’s imperative that you learn to focus on your demographic. Unnecessary diversification can alienate your audience. 

Researching and interacting with your target audience are crucial steps for success. The insight gained helps you make data-driven decisions. This can influence marketing, customer support, and operations. This saves time and money while spearheading future growth. Outside views don’t matter. 

Target Group, Advertising, Buyer, Focal Point, Customer

Image

#3. Lose The Need To Own Everything 

Profit is a two-way street, but many fall into the trap of focusing solely on the revenue. In truth, reducing your expenses is the far quicker route to improved bottom lines. Now is the time to take advantage, and one of the best ways is to stop feeling the need to own everything. 

A number of products are best used to rentals. Using a crane hire company is far better than investing huge sums on machines you won’t need for that long. Similarly, leasing cars and vans for the business can save you a lot of money in the long run while also aiding short-term cash flow. 

#4. Don’t Just Do Things Because It’s The Norm 

Doing things because it’s the traditional approach can be very damaging. It can waste several resources, not least your time. If a task or assignment fails to actively aid productivity, the brand image, or sales figures, it should be lost. Streamlining the venture by utilising your time is vital. 

There are many aspects of the daily operations that can benefit from this mindset change. The biggest culprit to consider, though, is team meetings. Holding an hour briefing that could be handled with an email or group message is costing you money. Now is the time to fix it. 

#5. Sell Experiences, Not Products 

While it links quite closely to the idea of thinking about your audience, the idea of selling experiences is key. People buy into brands that ‘get them’. Tailoring your services to their needs and creating memorable relationships is key. And the lifetime customer values will skyrocket. 

Knowledgeable staff that provide advice and genuinely care are crucial. Meanwhile, using mobile POS terminals so that you can provide a personalised service can be hugely rewarding. When this is underpinned by passion, customers won’t be able to resist a purchase. 

Pos, Tablet, Mobile, Hisense, Hm388

Image

#6. Embrace The Latest Technologies 

A lot of businesses are reluctant to utilise modern tech. The harsh reality is that avoiding this will leave the company behind. Automation impacts the speed of production as well as the accuracy. When these crucial items are under control, you can focus on other assignments too. 

New tech can also save you a lot of space around the business. Outsourced data storage is a great example for those with limited office space. Meanwhile, 3D printing and the use of cloud computing can bring big improvements. A tech-savvy and efficient company will be set to thrive. 

#7. Focus On Prevention 

Problems occur in business, and that will never change. Prevention is the best form of protection. This is why you should use safety equipment, security cameras, and other items. Above all else, you should warn employees and visitors about potential hazard to reduce the threats. 

However, it’s not all about on-site damage. Intellectual theft is a serious problem that can damage your reputation while also stealing leads and sales. From copyrights to using staff contracts that prevent potential issues, the changes can make all the difference. Sustainability awaits. 

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Benefits Of Umbrella Companies For Contractors

by

There has always been a significant proportion of the population that have favoured contracting as opposed to a permanent employment position. It is fair to say that this proportion has increased over the past few years. There are lots of reasons why this is the case. Nonetheless, if you are a contractor or you are considering moving into this type of work, you definitely need to consider the prospect of hiring an umbrella company. This will make your life a lot easier and ensure that everything is handled above board. Essentially, an umbrella company will technically employ you. As a result, you will submit your timesheet and they will handle all of your paperwork, invoices, and taxes for you. Of course this is something you could do yourself, but why is it better to use an umbrella company instead?

https://www.pexels.com/photo/accounting-analytics-balance-black-and-white-209224/

One of the main benefits associated with going down this route is that you can be one hundred per cent certain everything is handled in line with the law. This can be a lot easier said than done. After all, there is a wealth of regulations in place for contractors and freelancers, and these are changing all of the time. They can be extremely difficult to understand, especially when you take all of the confusing legal terms into account. Nonetheless, if you do not abide by these laws, you can find yourself in big trouble. Luckily, if you use an umbrella company you don’t have anything to worry about, as they will handle all of this for you.

In addition to this, the ease and convenience associated with this option should not be underestimated. The only thing you need to worry about is constructing and submitting your timesheet, which you can do with an electronic workflow solution. This is great for working efficiently. This eliminates an enormous amount of paperwork. And let’s be frank, who likes paperwork? Moreover, this task takes a substantial amount of time – time you could be spending focusing on what makes you money. Therefore, one can safely say that using an umbrella company also enhances efficiency as well. 

It is also worth considering the fact that budgeting will be made a lot easier if you use an umbrella company. If you were to handle everything yourself you would need to budget for tax every month. This can be very difficult to do, especially when most tax is paid on an annual basis. Can you really put that money aside every month and not touch it? You don’t have to worry about this with an umbrella company. They will deduct your tax and you will be left with your net profit for every month. This guarantees you don’t find yourself in a sticky situation in relation to tax.

All in all, there are many benefits associated with using umbrella companies. If you are a contractor or freelancer, or considering becoming one, you should definitely assess the various umbrella companies that are on offer in order to find the best one for you. Seek someone with a good reputation, favourable fees, and a quick turnaround time in relation to processing your profit. 

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Being A Great Business Owner Means Recognising Your Limitations

by

Source

There’s no doubt that running any kind of business is going to be a serious challenge. Anyone who goes into it thinking otherwise is in for a pretty nasty wake up call. However, there’s an assumption among a lot of new business owners that, in order to run a successful business, they have to be able to do everything and never require any help or support. Not only is this is a terrible way to run a business but it also has the potential to leave you feeling utterly exhausted and burnt out. With that in mind, here are some ways that you can come to terms with your limitations and learn to accept help from other people. 

Your employees

It’s easy to fall into the assumption that you’re always going to know better than your employees. After all, you started the business, you understand what their jobs are, and you’re the one with the best perspective on your business. However, the truth is that a bird’s eye view is often limited in a lot of ways. What it doesn’t offer you is a close-up perspective on specific aspects of your business. That is something that your employees do have and it’s essential that you learn to listen to them and take on board the things that they say. From a suggestion box on how to improve things to an open door policy for being able to come to you with feedback, it’s so important that your employees feel as though they can give you their perspective on the business.

Outsourcing

No matter how great a business owner you are, it’s pretty unlikely that you’re going to be able to do everything. And unless you’re working with an incredibly large team your employees may well be limited in that way as well. That’s where outsourcing can be incredibly valuable. It offers you the ability to put certain elements of your business in the hands of the people who really know what they’re doing. From IT outsourcing to marketing to recruitment, there are so many areas of your business that could be improved by putting them in the hands of someone else. You’ve just got to be willing to put your pride to one side for the sake of the business.

Your competition

Now, this is not to say that you need to go, hat in hand, to your competition and beg for their help. However, it’s still incredibly valuable to pay attention to what they’re doing. Look at your competition, acknowledge where they have strengths that your business lacks, and learn from them.

You might think that you could end up being the exception to this rule but the truth is that simply isn’t worth the risk. Business owner burn out is a very real thing and it is very serious. The truth is that the only thing stopping most business owners from seeking the help they need is their pride. If you’re letting your ego stop you from doing what’s best for your business, you’re also putting yourself at risk as well.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂