Archives for 2020

When it comes to digital design, information architecture is all about enhancing the user experience (UX). Your website, software, and app must be designed in a way that is easy for your users to navigate.

The information must be divided into small parts. Also, information should be communicated concisely so the user can find the content they are looking for without any hassle. The process requires you to study your target audience thoroughly, define the context of your business, and provide valuable content.

Just like at the time of building a house, an architect needs a blueprint that has all the details. This includes floor plans and position of doors and windows. Information architecture gives the designer a blueprint for the users’ experience of the website. 

The elements of information architecture include search systems, navigation systems, organization structuring, tags, and labeling systems. Information architecture allows you to build a website that is optimized for maximum conversion. Let’s have a look at a few ways in which information architecture affects the usability of your site.

Information Architecture Improves the User’s Experience

The toughest part of redesigning or improving a user interface is to figure out which features are most vital. By developing infrastructure, designers must involve the stakeholders. Usually, however, stakeholders are not familiar with the process of designing.

Still, they can provide you valuable information on how to communicate the content. This allows you to figure out the highlights of the project and lets you prioritize it accordingly as a designer. Information architecture (IA) will enable you to save valuable time while you build an improved product. That is what information architecture is all about.

IA Helps Correct Content Gaps

A designer may not have excellent command over the content he or she is integrating into the website. Still, they still must make sure that there are no gaps in the content. This is where information architecture comes in extremely handy for design professionals.

It provides you with a blueprint that projects content grouping, intuitive control, decision-congestion, recursive paths, and unused areas. According to designers, “IA has a tremendous impact on product design by making it easier for users to find important information.”

RELATED CONTENT: CREATING FOR INSTAGRAM: HOW TO OFFER CONSISTENT AND INSPIRED CONTENT

IA also differentiates between main content and extra information. This helps fill content gaps suitably. Additionally, IA helps enhance the overall quality of your website and improves SEO.

Information Architecture Mental Models and Improved Design

The mental model refers to the intuitive perception of an individual or a group of people. It explains a person’s thought process and how they think something works in the real world.

In simple terms, it is how an individual perceives their surroundings to deduce conclusions. Information architecture helps you understand your target audience’s mental model. This not only expands the designer’s knowledge, but it also allows them to customize a successful user experience.

Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash

If you want your business to stand out from the crowd, consider the effect handwritten notes will have on business-customer relations. Here are some easy ideas to get you started.

There is nothing more important for a business than
how it treats its customers, from the way it designs its products and services
for their use, to the manner in which it interacts with them in good times and
in bad.

There are many ways to engage with your customers. For example, there are in-person meetings and ever-increasing online communications, to name just two. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you should consider the effect handwritten notes have on business-customer relations.

Take a look at these easy ideas you can use to personalize your business-to-consumer relationship with the maximum effectiveness of handwritten notes.

Why Handwritten Notes Work

While modern technology has grown in leaps and bounds in recent decades, it is often used as an excuse to ignore the personal touch a business should have with its customers. For this reason, it is easy for a business to get lost in the white noise of email marketing and social media strategies that have become all too familiar with customers in this day and age.

What customers want most is to know you are going to be available to meet their needs. Writing a handwritten note will help you engage with your customers in a way your competitors are overlooking. Moreover, it will inspire loyalty in a way that mass communications or printed letters will never be able to accomplish.

Add Flair to Direct Mail

There are few challenges more difficult for a business than attaining new customers. However, when you have the opportunity to do so, you need to seize it immediately. To this end, crafting a handwritten note to a new or potential customer on a piece of direct mail is a great way to let them know that doing business with you is personal. What’s more, they will know right away that attention to detail is a high priority to you.

RELATED ARTICLE: SELL MORE WITH A MARKETING CAMPAIGN THAT INCLUDES DIRECT MAIL

When sending out a letter to a prospective client, make sure you make it easy to read. Therefore, write in short paragraphs and use bullet points when applicable. What’s more, stay focused on the main thing you want your customers to know about your business. Recalling a story about them or a customer in a similar situation will help them pay proper attention to what you have to say.

Photo by Giftpundits.com from Pexels

Send Handwritten Thank You Notes to Customers

Although getting new clients is essential to any growing business, it is just as valuable to ensure your current customers are satisfied. One big part of customer satisfaction is reaching out and letting them know they are important.

A benefit of a handwritten thank you note is it can be sent at any time, whether a special holiday is coming up or after you’ve had a recent meeting and you would like to have a follow-up.

When sending a thank you card to a current customer, keep it simple. Still, you can add a personal touch. Include a handwritten note to let them know you are thinking about them and that your relationship with them is meaningful. Don’t forget to start with a warm greeting. Then mention why you are thankful for their business and close with warm wishes.

Customers Will Remember Your Handwritten notes

No matter the occasion, sending a handwritten note can help your business make an impression. Importantly, it personalizes your interactions with customers. Make the most of your opportunities by taking these examples and making them your own.

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Did you know there’s a technical signal that can alert you to a dramatic change in the markets? If you’re a Forex trader you really need to know about this signal. It’s called “head and shoulders,” and you can use it to better forecast the markets and improve the success of your trades.

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What Causes a Change in the Markets?

If you’ve been trading Forex for a while, then you know that a change in the market in either direction represents an opportunity for you. If you’re smart about it, you have learned to stay alert for such changes, and you use a variety of technical signals to do so. In this post, we take a look at one of those signals, called head and shoulders.

Generally speaking, the markets change direction when governments make changes to their monetary policies. More rarely, changes in the markets happen when an unexpected world event happens. For example, this might be a sudden outbreak of violence in a sensitive area of the world, or it might be the onset of a pandemic.

How Can This Signal Help a Trader Remain Vigilant?

The head and shoulders signal can be a valuable tool when you’re trying to stay on top of a rapidly changing market.

For example, if you see a head and shoulders signal such as the one shown here, you can predict with a good deal of confidence that the market is headed for a bearish reversal. In other words, the trend has been moving in an upward direction, but it is about to reverse course. This might mean a short-term change, or it could mean a long-term change.

An Inverse Head and Shoulders Signal Means the Opposite

On the other hand, if you see a signal that looks like the reverse of the one above, as shown below, it means that the market is likely headed for a bullish reversal. This pattern is called an inverse head and shoulders signal.

An inverse head and shoulders signal always forms at the bottom of the chart, while the standard head and shoulders signal forms at the top. Both patterns signal a dramatic shift in pricing.

Characteristics of Head and Shoulders Patterns

When a reversal is taking place, prices tend to correct in the opposite direction for a short time. This leads to a zig-zag pattern that is easily recognizable if you know what to look for. For example, the head and shoulders pattern has three visual characteristics that you can learn to recognize:

1. When the price is trending higher, the signal forms a peak. Then it declines to where it was before. This forms the left shoulder of the pattern.
2. Next, the price surges up again. Here, it becomes more elevated than before and forms a new, higher peak. Then it falls back to its previous base, forming the head.
3. The price goes up yet again. However, this time it only comes up to roughly the same level as the left shoulder. Finally, the price reverses again and falls back to the level of the base support. This forms the right shoulder.

Experienced Forex traders refer to the base support of the shoulders as the neckline. When a bearish break occurs after the right shoulder shows up, this is called a neckline break.

How to Trade the Head and Shoulders Pattern

You can choose to trade this pattern either conservatively or aggressively. If you’re a conservative trader, you will probably wait for confirmation that you have seen a neckline break. Then you would open a trade in the same direction as that break.

On the other hand, if you want to address your trade aggressively, you might get into a trade while you believe the neckline break is occurring. However, this can be risky. This is because you might be misreading the charts, and a neckline break might not be occurring at all.

To be clear, a neckline break will only happen if prices are moving in a bearish direction just after the completion of the right shoulder. In other words, this will only happen in the case of a standard head and shoulders pattern.

Photo by Aleksi Räisä on Unsplash

Bitcoin is growing more popular by the day, and its future is brighter than ever. Moreover, it holds significant benefits for businesses. For example, the cryptocurrency can cut costs linked to transactions. Have you been thinking it’s time for your online business to accept Bitcoin? This article sheds light on moving your online enterprise toward accepting this cryptocurrency.

Why
Businesses Accept Bitcoin

One of the primary reasons that businesses begin assimilating Bitcoin into their payment means is that it reduces transaction charges. For example, Bitcoin can decrease the fee for credit card processes to less than one percent.

Another factor is that this cryptocurrency does not have charge backs. Instead, it has irreversible transactions. As such, it automatically shuts out the returns or charge backs that occur with bank dealings and credit cards. In short, there are no disputes about accepted Bitcoin payments.

Worldwide Transfers and Faster Access to Funds

Also, Bitcoin enhances worldwide transfers. This comes at a time when small e-commerce retailers, as well as other enterprises, are refraining from putting their services and products in the international market due to costly fees in transnational transactions.

However, Bitcoin lessens the high cost of global operations through facilitating faster, cheaper, and easier cross-border payments. Bitcoin further offers some protection from identity theft that banking services and credit cards fail to provide.

Lastly, having finances available at once is crucial to the existence of most small enterprises. Compared to credit card payments, Bitcoin payments make funds available to your business in a shorter time.

Regulations Linked to Accepting Bitcoin

If you have a standard business and wish to begin accepting electronic currencies like Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, you have to think about the legal side of this decision. Therefore, before starting the process, gather all relevant data regarding Bitcoin legalities.

Additionally, learn about the lawfulness of Bitcoin by state. To this end, it will be important to get assistance from an accountant or attorney and involve them in your decision.

How to Start Accepting Bitcoin

To begin accepting Bitcoin in your small enterprise, look for the most viable option for the kind of enterprise you own. At the moment, there are many methods with which businesses can begin accepting Bitcoin. The most straightforward options will simplify your accounting process.

For example, payment processors such as Multibit will let you begin accepting Bitcoin right away. Alternatively, open an account at Blockchain.info, where you can initiate accepting Bitcoin on your own.

However, most experts recommend starting with payment processors when you’re new to accepting Bitcoin. This is because a payment processor will help to shield you from Bitcoin’s volatile fluctuations.

Taking Bitcoin as an Individual

If you are uncertain about the suitability of accepting Bitcoin for your business, set up an account as yourself with a reputable site that handles Bitcoin exchanges. Among the well-known exchanges are Huobi, Bitfinex, BTC-E, BitStamp, and Kraken.

Next, download wallet software such as MultiBit. This is among the most popular of the desktop Bitcoin wallets. Others include Armory and Electrum. All three desktop Bitcoin wallets have a similar process.

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For instance, MultiBit is a Bitcoin wallet that is simple to use and enhances sending or receiving payments in the form of this virtual currency. The main benefit of MultiBit is that it can operate without downloading the whole Bitcoin blockchain.

It takes a few minutes to install MultiBit. After that, you can transfer Bitcoin payments from any person who has a Bitcoin address. It is always essential to consider security as a top priority and always lean on the side of caution. So adopt strong passwords for encrypting your Bitcoin wallet.

Making Use of Payment Processors

If your selling process is too complex to allow the direct payments of Bitcoin into a wallet, or if you run multiple dealings within your business hours, you can opt for a payment processor. Some of the popular ones include Coinbase and BitPay. Keep in mind, though, that services rendered by payment processors come with percentage fees or monthly charges.

On the other hand, when compared to PayPal or credit card charges, the prices from payment processors are by far less expensive. Besides, payment processors apply their technology, which makes it possible for you to send invoices via email, establish a point-of-sale system, or even add a shopping cart plugin to your online store. Payment processors also come in handy when looking to change Bitcoin earning into fiat currencies instantly.

Tell Your Customers You’re Now Accepting Bitcoin

Whether you are running an online platform or a bricks-and-mortar enterprise, you must tell your clients about the new payment method you are now accepting. For instance, in your business blog, you could explain the reason for the recent move to accept Bitcoin as well as its effect on your enterprise. If you have a physical location, you could put up a noticeable signboard close to the entrance as well.

Bitcoin as the Future of Online Gambling

In the coming years, you may be paying for online casino games with Bitcoin, provided the sites continue assimilating this payment method. With the excellent value for Bitcoin, a famous online booker, Betway, has not been left behind. For example, it provided odds on events linked to Bitcoin around the likelihood of McDonald’s accepting this virtual currency.

As soon as you assimilate the new payment means to your business, it would be best to put the word out to your clients that you now accept Bitcoin. You can include this information in your blog posts as well as on your website.

Happiness in the workplace has become one of the most talked-about topics since Millennials began infiltrating corporate working spaces. Employee happiness is one of the most important facets of running a business. Moreover, it’s an essential piece of a company’s health and long-term success. So boosting employee morale must be a part of a business owner’s focus.

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Studies have shown that happy employees are productive employees. Therefore, it’s truly no wonder that so many modern companies are making efforts toward boosting employee morale. In fact, higher levels of contentment can increase productivity by as much as 20%.

With these statistics in mind, it’s probably time for your company to invest in its employees’ health and happiness in the office. Therefore, let’s take a deep dive into a few ways you can begin increasing employee morale today.

Offer More Vacation Time and Sick Days

As an executive, you likely never consider what your employees do outside of the office. However, it’s common for employees to look forward to the weekends and time away from the office. This free time gives way to embracing other passions away from the nine-to-five grind. Moreover, it allows the mind and body to recover from the stress of the work week.

Every kind of job requires some form of physical or mental power. Therefore, after long hours of productivity, your employees deserve a break. In order to avoid the negative effects of burnout and disillusionment, consider rewarding your employees with vacation days.

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Starting with at least 14 paid vacation days is a great way to ensure your employees know they’re able to take time off when they need it. For even greater incentive, offer a generous amount of personal time off (PTO) as well.

Promote a Positive Work Environment

A happy company is a place where people enjoy going to work. A positive work environment is an essential piece of the puzzle.

Therefore, business owners should boost employee morale with the following: 

• Recognize hard work: Each and every one of your employees works hard at their job. While it may seem difficult to recognize the accomplishments of each individual, there are plenty of ways you can let them know their hard work does not go unappreciated. 

  Whether it’s encouraging managers to reward their direct reports’ accomplishments or putting an Employee of the Month program in place, don’t be afraid to experiment with different recognition methods.

• Develop genuine relationships: Fostering healthy work relationships is the first step toward creating true camaraderie in the workplace. This begins with getting to know your colleagues and employees. Happy hours, in-office networking events, and company outings are fun and inviting ways to encourage the development of those relationships.

Boost Employee Morale with Perks

An enjoyable workplace doesn’t just create itself. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to think about how to make your company stand out from the rest. Standard benefits like healthcare, sick pay, and paid time off are essential basics. However, there are many other perks that draw in more talent and interest.

RELATED ARTICLE: RECRUIT TOP TALENT WITH GROOVY OFFICE DESIGN

These include:

• A stocked fridge and snacks
  • Consider signing up for a snack subscription service like Love with Food or SnackNation
• Unlimited PTO
  • Endless freedom makes a productive mind!
• Student-loan debt reimbursement
• Corporate gifts
• Remote options
• Paid gym memberships
• Regular bonding events
• 401k match
• Learning stipend

Make Work-Life Balance a Top Priority to Boost Employee Morale

If you have a sense that your employees have experienced ongoing difficulty with keeping up with their workload, then it’s probably time that you revisited their work-life balance capacity. Are their hours stocked to the brim with assignments? Do they have any breathing room? If you’re unsure of the questions to these answers, the answer is probably no.

RELATED ARTICLE: HEALTH-LIFE BALANCE FOR PEACE OF MIND

According to David Ballard, assistant executive director at the American Psychological Association, “Top employers create an environment where employees feel connected to the organization and have a positive work experience that’s part of a rich, fulfilling life.” In short, without that balance, your company is, well, doomed.

Get Some Greenery

Believe it or not, plants are an important investment for any office space. Functioning as so much more than mere decorative items, plants help reduce stress levels, purify the air, and create a more inviting environment. 

Here are our favorite low-maintenance plants that are perfect for the workplace:

• Spider plant
• Dracaena
• Pothos
• Devil’s Ivy
• Dragon Tree

So, how do you plan on boosting employee morale in 2020? Try one or more of the suggestions here and enjoy the benefits of having a happier, healthier workforce.

How do you stand out in a saturated eCommerce market? Product page videos make the difference. Learn here about incorporating video.

Everyone’s used to online shopping by now. Most of us prefer online shopping instead of visiting the stores, especially during busy periods of the year like Christmas. You don’t have to battle the crowds or worry about traveling there only to find that the items you need aren’t in stock. Also, customers can avoid long walks between different stores to get everything that you need. You can shop around for the best prices. Customers get voucher codes. All of this from the comfort of your sofa. 

So, it’s no surprise that you decided to start an eCommerce store. Who wouldn’t? Everybody loves online shopping and with platforms like Shopify, it’s easier than ever to get started with this business idea. Heck, you can even drop ship your items. No need to worry about paying for somewhere to hold stock. Yep, you can start an eCommerce store from your bedroom if you want to. 

But how do you stand out in such a saturated market? Well, for starters, make sure product photos and written descriptions are information-rich. After all, customers don’t know exactly what they’re getting until it arrives. (This is pretty much the only downfall of online shopping.)

But you can do better. You can use a product page video. Here’s why you should:

Videos Boost Sales

There’s absolutely no denying that video helps increase conversion rates, even if you’re not using it on your product pages. Over 60% of customers will watch a product review video before deciding to make a purchase. Nearly 100% of video marketers say that video increases user understanding of a product or service, with almost 80% reporting a positive impact on sales. Including a product page video on a landing page can increase conversions by over 80%, so imagine what a product video is going to do for your sales? Get started now with these film production companies in Miami. 

Everybody Loves Videos

From funny cat videos to tutorials for anything and everything, video content has taken over the internet and everybody is here for it. People spend one-third of their online activity today watching videos, and it’s a number that’s growing rapidly as the Internet becomes absolutely saturated with video material. And it’s easy to understand why people love videos so much; they’re much easier to consume compared with long articles, for example. They’re more interactive, and they’re enjoyable!

RELATED ARTICLE: WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS PROFESSIONAL VIDEO CONTENT

So, it should come as no surprise that 1 in 4 of online shoppers will probably lose interest. Much more so when shopping with a company that doesn’t have any product page videos on its website.

Product Page Videos Answer User Questions

Have you got a product that tends to get a lot of questions from people who want to know a little bit more about it before they buy? A product page video can address all of those questions, giving your prospective customers a chance to get all the information they need. Having the video right there on the product page, you cut out all the time it takes them to email you a question and then wait for your answer. As a result, you’ll see faster conversions and less abandoned carts. 

Online videos play an important part in the buying process. If you’re not using video on your product pages, you’re missing out.