7 Simple Ways To Boost Online Web Traffic For Your Business This Festive Season

As the holiday season approaches, businesses across the country are gearing up for another holiday shopping season. Although the economic storm has reduced consumer incomes, experts predict that retail sales will reach new highs during this period.

The holiday season, which usually runs from November through December, is one of the most important financial quarters for businesses looking to make up for lost revenue and weak sales, from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to online businesses.

Consumers are the driving force behind sales and sales growth, while digital marketers are poised to increase audience reach and conversion rates for online businesses and e-commerce retailers.

Online marketing remains a mainstay this holiday season, and according to The State of Influencer Marketing 2022: Influencer Marketing Hub Benchmark Report, the total value of social e-commerce sales is projected to reach $958 billion by 2022.

At a time when consumers are careless about their shopping habits, e-commerce retailers need to find new and creative ways to attract customers' attention in a competitive market.

In recent months, since the end of the pandemic, consumer spending behavior during holidays has changed. In JLL's survey of 1,080 shoppers, 63% plan to do at least some of their Christmas shopping in store, up from 58% in 2021. More than half, 55%, still plan to shop online. Help boost your business this holiday season.

With the number of online shoppers dropping this year and many competitors now using the digital ecosystem to drive sales, it means entrepreneurs and marketers need to incorporate smart marketing tactics to win over these consumers.

It's not easy to attract customers from brick-and-mortar stores and competitors, but if you follow these seven simple tricks, you can turn new customers into loyal ones.

Plan ahead and act on it

The holiday shopping season changes annually, often starting the week after Halloween, sometimes the week before Thanksgiving and Cyber ​​Monday. Also, every year we see Christmas decorations coming out earlier and earlier as companies try to capture a larger consumer base, ahead of their competitors.

While it doesn't make sense to start offering Christmas deals and discounts as early as October, as many consumers are still waiting for another big holiday event, it's wise to plan a testable marketing strategy in advance.

Start by researching current trends in terms of the keywords you want to include in your content, as well as what online consumers are doing this year. Start building a strategy focused on consumer behavior using the data and insights available through digital marketing and social media platforms.

When you have an idea of ​​what to expect, you can plan, build and execute your strategy to see how it works. If you notice a gap, or perhaps you've lost count, at least you'll have plenty of time to prepare before the holiday season begins.

Use social business

Social commerce is the practice of selling goods and services through social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Today, fully functional online businesses and shops can exist on social media without the need for a website.

While most of the marketing noise happens behind the scenes, your social media presence is the most important part of gaining support from existing customers and converting new ones.

If you don't have a large social media presence, start by looking at how you can increase your exposure through paid advertising or influencer marketing. You can increase your visibility on platforms like Facebook or Google My Business by updating your feed and notifying customers about holiday promotions.

Social commerce is big money, according to a Salesforce report. Plus, social media accounts for 10 percent of all the mobile traffic a website receives, so be sure to use this opportunity to your advantage.

Create the appropriate message

Once you know who your target audience is and how to reach them online, make sure your personality and vacation campaigns match their online experience. It is important for online businesses to create messages and advertisements that match what consumers want and what is currently trending.

The vast online marketing and digital ecosystem has made differentiation and personalization difficult, but it is one of the best ways to increase web traffic online.

If the messages you create are tailored to their needs, consumers will be more likely to engage with your business by liking posts, following you on social media, or better yet, visiting your website.

A recent Accenture survey found that 91% of consumers are more likely to purchase from products and companies that can provide them with relevant messages and recommendations online. Imagine a 91% increase in website traffic over the holidays.

Use web windows

If you have ever visited a website, especially while on vacation, you must have seen a simple pop-up ad appear on your screen. Also known as lightboxes, these pop-ups help convert first-time customers into repeat customers.

Typically, pop-ups display information regarding a particular offer or promotion that the business is running. This promotion is usually only valid for a limited time and only for new customers.

Sumome, an app that helps businesses increase their online traffic, reports that pop-ups can convert visitors by 9% or more. The reason popups work so well is that they require very little effort to design and embed, so they can be easily changed or customized at any time.

These ads display direct information to buyers and help create a more personalized experience. Basically, a lightbox gives the impression that your business is talking directly to customers, giving them an incentive to buy something from your business.

See what's in the competition

In some ways, the holiday season can seem like one big copy and paste exercise. Each company does their best to create a unique experience, but at the end of the day it's about sending the same message over and over again.

While it's possible to stand out from the crowd by targeting the right customers and consumers and driving them to your website, it doesn't help if all your competitors are doing the same.

Being unique in a highly digital and technologically advanced consumer market is no easy task, so when you start planning your marketing strategy it is important to dig deep into what other competitors are doing.

Maybe you noticed something they did that didn't get the engagement you hoped for. Think about how you can use this to your advantage, or better yet, take a different route to help convert their customers.

Even if there isn't much difference between you and the competition, adapt your tactics to stand out. Don't try to copy what other companies are doing, track who your target audience is, what their needs are, and how your marketing strategy will address them.

Create a solid holiday link building strategy

By now you are well aware of how important on-page and off-page SEO is for any website as it helps to increase page ranking in search engines. At this time of year, many people forget how important internal and external relationships are, leading some to underestimate their value in the grand scheme of things.

While these links may not increase website traffic by thousands of percent, they still help drive traffic to your website, increase page and domain authority, and make your website more relevant to users' searches. Internet user.

Don't forget to include appropriate holiday text in your campaign. If you have Black Friday deals, do relevant research on short and long tail keywords. As Christmas approaches, change your keywords and resubmit anchor text to reflect new shopping trends.

Try the website

If your digital marketing efforts are successful and you are able to drive traffic to your website through social media or affiliate links, then it is important to see if your website can handle the increase in traffic.

Seeing the flow of users visiting your site, adding items to their cart, checking out, and buying promotional items day after day can have a big impact on your site and your domain.

In the meantime, you need to measure the "health" and performance of your site. If your website is down a few days before peak holidays, or if loading times are missed, the number of website visitors won't help.

Since your website can easily become overloaded, we recommend using performance monitoring tools such as Lighthouse and Page Speed​​Insights, both programs provided by Google.

Once the holiday season arrives, be sure to clean up all the clutter and don't forget to do routine checks or maintenance. It is also recommended that you test the website first to make sure everything is working properly.

complete

This holiday season will be a little different from previous years, but it is a critical time for online businesses to increase sales and convert new customers into long-term loyal customers.

With so much competition in the marketplace, it can be difficult for businesses to stand out from the crowd, especially when large retailers dominate online commerce.

If you have a great product or service, know who your target audience is, and who you want to support this holiday season, start researching and planning well in advance of your peak launch. The more specific and personal your message is, the easier it will be to attract customers. Offer an experience, be unique, but most importantly, think outside the box and find new ways to bring joy to your customers this year.

Originally posted on ValueWalk. Read here.

Author of selected photos: Photo by Polina Tankilevich; pixels; Thank you!

The post 7 Easy Ways to Increase Internet Traffic for Your Business This Holiday Season first appeared on ReadWrite.

How To Nail The Art Of Visual Email Marketing

Interesting topic
Attractive and up-to-date copy
Valid CTA

Everything adds up to a high-converting email. But there's one more thing that will help you get the most out of your emails. These are attractive optics. Vennage found that 49% of marketers rate visual marketing as "very important" to their marketing strategy. After three days, people are likely to remember only 10% of the information they heard, but 65% of the information if presented with an appropriate image.

So if you want your email to be emails to drive change and inspire your subscribers to take action, using visuals is a must.

Let's take a look at all the different types of visuals and multimedia that can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of an email.

1. Drawings

Static images come first because they are a fundamental yet compelling part of visual email marketing. Whether you want to showcase your product with a beautiful image or break up your content with vectors, images are useful. If you want to break up long texts, use relevant images with clear copy.

Check out this email from Touch of Modern. They have mastered the art of product photography and included the perfect image that attracts buyers.

The source

2. Drawings

Illustrations can be used as a powerful storytelling tool in emails. According to research, illustrations and infographics outperform many other visuals when it comes to driver engagement. Instead of standard images, you can use meaningful illustrations that add value to your email.
Here's Harry's letter, which uses illustrations to show great facial cleansers.

The source

3. 3D pictures

3D visualization appeared in the 1970s. They proved their worth in web design and gradually found their way to email. These images add depth to a flat email design and add freshness to a subscriber's inbox.
Burberry included a beautiful 3D image in their email to promote their outdoor spaces.

4. GIF files

Let me take you through the first use of GIFs in emails.
In 2007, Lake Champlain Chocolates included GIFs in their emails, and to their surprise, it resulted in a 49% increase in conversions.

Then, in 2014, Dell made 109% of sales (Marketingsherpa) using email. moving images of laptops e.

Animated GIFs are extremely useful in a variety of use cases, as shown below:

• Present the wide range of products available on your e-commerce store
• With beautiful photos of tourist attractions, you make the reader want to walk
• Demonstrating the use of your product
• Announcements of new shows posted on your OTT platform
• Implementation of e-marketing related to events
• Animate the print to draw attention to an important message

Anthropologie used action-packed animation to showcase their products. It represents comfort and aesthetics and entices the reader to buy.

5. 3D animations

3D animation is one step ahead of GIFs. If you want to further enhance the user experience, use 3D GIFs like Lyft did.

The source

6. Animated illustrations

The animated illustrations are a feast for the eyes. They help tell a story to subscribers. If you follow the saying "show, don't tell", try using animated illustrations in your emails.
Grammarly is a great example of using animated illustrations in their emails to drive midnight sales. An animated owl and a clock are a good combination to convey a message.

7. Cinematography

GIF files are segments of video or animation that play in an infinite loop. Cinemagraphs, on the other hand, are complex, fluid scrolling animations that take the viewer back to a past moment.
Here's a sample email from Detour Coffee Roasters that shows the use of cinematography in their welcome email.

Like GIFs, you can use cinematic images in the telecommunications industry in your email. to add visual impact to emails. This will pique the subscriber's curiosity and make them buy an OTT subscription to watch the show.

8. Videos

You can add videos to emails in two ways.

1. Place a video thumbnail with a play button and direct the reader to the landing page.
2. Block and play video right in email.

The first option is pretty simple, as you just need to include a static image that mimics a video thumbnail in your email.
Here is an example.

The second option requires some programming experience. You should also consider email client support if you want to use embedded videos in emails.
Check out this email template to see the video embedded in it.

Here are some more ideas for your email. to separate letters

1. You can use monochrome design layout with one color in your emails.
2. Add color gradients to reinforce visual hierarchy and make emails readable. You can even experiment with innovative gradient CTA buttons.
3. The key to using visuals effectively is to follow the principles of visual hierarchy. Arrange email components in a Z or F pattern to guide readers. Also follow the accessibility guidelines.

Pro tips for adding visuals to emails

1. The ratio of text to image should be 80:20.
2. Since email clients block images by default, add appropriate alt text to each image. This is also useful if the subscriber is viewing an email with images disabled. This is an accessibility best practice that helps screen readers communicate their message to visually impaired subscribers.
3. Don't add important information and CTAs to images.
4. An email containing only images will trigger spam filters and slow down the email's delivery speed.
5. Avoid stock photos at all costs. Real photos work best if you want to make a lasting impression on your followers.
6. Animations should not flicker between 2 and 55 Hz; Otherwise, it aggravates the condition of photosensitive epilepsy.
7. Carefully control email file size to ensure fast download. This does not affect the user's Internet bandwidth.
8. Add an appropriate fallback when adding GIFs and embedded videos to limit rendering issues.
9. Use images wisely without going overboard.
10. Try your email.

close

Remember when formatting emails with more than one image seemed impossible? And now we have many different ways to make our emails more interesting and attractive. In addition to visuals, you can even use interactivity to add visual appeal. Check it out and see what works best for you.

Put your creative hats on to create an email design that will resonate with your email subscribers. This, in turn, will bring you unparalleled results in terms of open rate, click-through rate, conversion rate and ROI.

Featured images courtesy of author; Thank you very much!

How to Master the Art of Visual Email Marketing appeared first on ReadWrite.

17 Ways To Make Extra Income While Working For Minimum Wage

Living on a minimum wage is almost impossible in the current state of the world. Even if you work 40 hours a week, if you rely solely on your minimum wage job, you may fall below the poverty line. As frustrating as it may be, there are many ways to supplement your income and maintain extra cash flow each month, giving you more financial stability while working a minimum wage. Here are 17 ways to earn extra income while working minimum wage.

Index:

• 1. Monetize your social media content
• 2. Start a YouTube channel
• 3. Walking pets or dogs
• 4. Accommodation at home
• 5. Child care in your community
• 6. Do odd jobs for neighbors
• 7. Work with gigs
• 8. Rent your car or motorcycle
• 9. More places for rent
• 10. Teach students in your area
• 11. Donate plasma
• 12. Become a research participant
• 13. Sell crafts or handmade items online
• 14. Start installation
• 15. Take paid surveys online
• 16. Watch viral videos
• 17. Selling unused goods

1. Monetize your social media content

If you enjoy posting regularly on your social media profiles and are interested in expanding your following, you should consider whether you can benefit from your social media presence.

While the top earners of Tik Tok and Instagram can earn millions, even low-level influencers can earn a nice extra income. According to CNBC, to earn $100,000, you need at least 5,000 Instagram followers and 308 sponsored posts per year. There is money to be made in becoming a social media influencer, and if you are spending time managing your social media accounts, consider whether you can benefit from these efforts.

2. Start a YouTube channel

You might be surprised how much you can earn by creating a successful YouTube channel. Makeup, DIY, cooking and gaming are some of the channel's ideas. If you have a talent or special interest, take it to Youtube and see if you can grow your following and make money doing what you love. Who knows, maybe you'll quit your low-wage job and devote yourself full-time to creating YouTube content.

3. Walking pets or dogs

Are you a dog person? Pet sitting and/or dog walking can be a fun way to earn extra income. If you work nights, walking your neighbors' dogs during the workday can be a great way to earn extra money while doing a low-wage job. If you need information to get started, programs like Wag and Rover. They connect dog sitters with pet owners who need help for their dogs.

4. Accommodation at home

A great and mostly passive way to earn extra income from home. All you have to do is check on your neighbor's plants or maybe their cats a few times a week and earn some extra cash while you're at it. Posting on Nextdoor is a great way to get the word out that you are looking for a housekeeper and once you build up some regular clients, you can easily bring in extra income every month.

5. Child care in your community

Babysitting is a more practical but lucrative side hustle that can make extra money. Try posting on the next door or make flyers and hand them out to your neighbors to get customers. If you're with kids, this can be a great way to bring in some extra cash. According to a recent online survey, the national hourly wage for a babysitter is $20.57 for one child and $23.25 for two children. Maybe you'll find a nanny who pays above minimum wage and find a way to significantly increase your annual income.

6. Do odd jobs for neighbors

Other jobs like running errands, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or taking out the trash can be other ways to help your neighbors and earn extra income throughout the year. Most of these jobs are seasonal, but by spending a few weekends raking leaves in the fall, you can easily earn several hundred dollars a season.

Alternatively, programs like TaskRabbit connect you with people who are willing to pay you to help. Furniture moving, delivery, and handyman jobs are some common bunny jobs that can help you bring in some extra cash each month. Workers choose their own hours and typically earn between $22 and $62 per project delivered.

7. Work with gigs

Entering the gig economy can be a flexible and profitable way to add to your income stream. For example, if you drive for Lyft or Uber, you can create your own schedule and work as little or as much as you want. You must have a valid driver's license, have your own vehicle and pass a basic background check. Each application has different requirements, but after a short initial application period, you'll be ready to work on your plan.

You can also consider delivery for apps like Instacart or Doordash. While dinnertime delivery programs are more profitable, Instacart has more opportunities to earn throughout the day.

8. Rent your car or motorcycle

If you have a car, another way to make extra money is to rent out your car or motorcycle. According to the car-sharing app Touro, the average annual income for renting a car is $10,516. If you have the flexibility to go car-free for a week or two each month, this may be a good option for you. .

9. More places for rent

Similarly, if you have extra space, even if it's just a garage, you can rent it out for cash and make a great income. For example, programs like Stache and Neighbor allow you to rent out your garage, driveway or storage unit to a neighbor for extra space. According to Stache's website, a two-car garage averages $4,000 a year. An abandoned basement can make you a lot more money, so don't let your storage space go to waste.

10. Teach students in your area

If you've always been good at math, know a second language, or play the guitar well, parents may be willing to pay you to tutor their child. It can be an effective way to transfer your knowledge and do what you love while earning extra income. Posting on NextDoor, community bulletin boards, or handing out flyers at a nearby school are just a few ways to get your name out there and get your new teaching job off the ground.

11. Donate plasma

Not only can you save lives, but you can earn a lot of money every month by donating plasma. The amount you can make varies by location, but in general you can expect to earn between $50 and $75 per donation match. You can earn up to $400 a month by regularly donating plasma. Donating plasma is different from donating blood because the remaining red blood cells are separated from the plasma and returned to your body so that at the end of the appointment you are ready to relax and unwind throughout the day.

12. Become a research participant

There are many ways to earn money as a research participant. You can sign up for a clinical trial, volunteer for a psychological study, or participate in a focus group. Each individual study varies in salary, but in general you can expect to earn between $50-$300 per day. See if a college near you is looking for volunteers, or sign up online to connect with researchers looking for research participants.

13. Sell crafts or handmade items online

Selling your crafts online is another way to earn extra income doing something you love. If you can knit or sew, open an Etsy shop and start selling your products on Instagram to see the results of your work. You can also sell your artwork, paintings, wood carvings, jewelry, or other crafts that you've made special. If you're not yet an expert in crafting, it's not too late to let your creative side shine and earn money doing it.

14. Start installation

If performance art is more your style and you don't want to go there, go outside, set up a donation box, and do what you have. Sing your favorite song, show your dancing skills or recite a poem. Although it's all donation-based, the bus, also known as a street fair, gives you a chance to practice your art, have fun, and earn extra cash.

15. Take paid surveys online

To earn money from online surveys, all you have to do is register, fill some basic information and wait for surveys that match your profile. You can book your weekend at home so you can stay on the couch and earn money. Some survey companies have mobile apps, so you can take surveys and earn money wherever you are, even on a slow day at work.

16. Watch viral videos

that's right. You can get paid to watch viral videos or play video games through a company called Inbox Dollars. At the end of the video or game, you will be rewarded with a small amount of money for answering the survey. If you spend your free time on your phone anyway, it's worth trying to use as much screen time as possible.

17. Selling unused goods

The resale market is hot, and you can make a profit on gently worn, unused furniture, clothing, or other items. There are both online and in-person options for selling your items. Although it's more convenient, you'll usually get less if you bring your clothes to a thrift store than to sell them online at Poshmark or Mercury.

Similarly, if you're selling your furniture on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you'll spend more time negotiating with buyers, but you'll make more money if you bring your items to a retail store. Whichever way you choose, it's probably worth going through your stuff and getting rid of things you don't need or use.

At one time, even minimum wages were a means of subsistence. Unfortunately, for thousands of workers across the country, this is no longer the case and it is impossible to survive on minimum wage work alone. Relying on a low-wage job can be especially difficult for those raising a family, going to school, or investing in a home. Fortunately, there are many ways to earn extra income while working minimum wage that can help you be more comfortable and more financially secure.

Originally published in the Quarterly. Read here.

Photo: Anna Shavets; pixels; thank you!

The post 17 Ways to Earn Extra Income While Working Minimum Wage appeared first on ReadWrite.

7 Communication Skills Remote Teams Should Master To Perform More Effectively

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, companies around the world engaged in unplanned remote work that spread around the world.

Now, more than two years later, as the pandemic subsides, many employers are reaping the much-needed benefits that a flexible work culture has brought to their organizations and their employees.

It's no secret these days that working from home or even hybrid mode works well. Organizations are experiencing increased productivity, employee engagement, and even greater profits from reduced office costs.

A Stanford University study of over 16,000 workers found that productivity increased by 9% to 13% because employees had a comfortable work environment.

Another Aritasker study from March 2020, when the pandemic had just begun, found that remote workers spend more time away from work and less time on assigned projects. Increased productivity and working hours allowed some workers to work at least 1.4 extra days each month.

There are some good stories that support the claim that remote work benefits the company and its employees.

While adapting to a virtual work environment can be a difficult time for many, key skills such as good communication skills remain valuable in any role, whether you work internally or in distributed teams.

Effective communication tips

The success of any business, startup or entrepreneur depends on the ability to communicate effectively with other team members, management or customers.

Effective communication is important, so employers and their teams need to improve their communication skills, both written and verbal, to defuse issues and communicate issues in a respectful but professional manner.

Select the email medium

For employers and managers, and even more so for employees, it's important to look at the messaging or communication tools your team is using. Although there are different communication platforms, not all are equally effective.

Some employees may feel uncomfortable using email to communicate due to the nature of the message; In other cases, a direct message on a desktop messaging platform like Slack or Microsoft Teams may be more appropriate. Your business may be receiving more video or voice calls each day than it needs to communicate via text message.

Each method can be effective in its own way, and it is up to the employer or employee to decide which is best for sharing information or getting feedback from others.

Look for group options

Some remote team members only communicate each day via their preferred method. Knowing people's preferences based on what each person wants to share will not only make it easier to get their attention, but also help set healthy boundaries for the virtual office.

In the year In a 2021 Owl Labs study, 70% of remote workers surveyed said virtual meetings and video conferencing are less stressful. The survey found that 64% now prefer hybrid meetings to face-to-face meetings.

Be clear and concise

There is nothing more boring than reading a long email and finding the most important information in the last two lines.

For Employers and Managers: Get into the flow by creating concise, clear, and concise messages. Get down to business as quickly as possible, but professionally.

The same goes for employees. When responding to a colleague or asking for information about something, avoid chatter in your emails and messages and be clear about your intentions. Again, it's important to do this professionally so complaints don't stem from misunderstandings.

Use a good and practical voice.

Lack of face-to-face or even face-to-face communication can lead to misunderstandings between employees. When you send an email or message, someone may misread it and find it confusing or perhaps even rude.

When creating an email, newsletter, or simply contacting someone, think about how you would read the email if you were the recipient. If you think this is too difficult, change some words. It's a good idea to think about how you talk, especially in a remote desktop context.

Not every employee or co-worker looks like you, so it's best to be thoughtful when sending and receiving work-related messages.

Pay attention to different time zones

Now that companies can hire from a large pool of talented and experienced workers, many telecommuting companies often hire workers from different time zones. And although this is not a critical issue due to the nature of digital devices, when it comes to communication, it becomes a little difficult.

Remote teams should clearly communicate how their activity time compares to other members. It is also necessary to make it clear how the rest of the staff can deal with it if an employee "doesn't leave" or is on vacation.

Mindfulness helps set healthy boundaries in the workplace. Waking up early for a video call just because your co-worker works 9-5 isn't fun. Honorable Hours Staff and groups can meet and schedule to fit your schedule.

Find time for informal conversations

A virtual office can be a lonely place, especially for teams that don't meet in person or communicate frequently via video. To keep employees engaged and motivated, it's important to set aside time for informal conversations about everyday things.

Making time for employees to communicate via video or audio calls before the weekend or vacation can make the remote office feel less lonely and more personal.

It also allows employees to get to know their team members better, and employers have the opportunity to communicate more informally with their employees.

When you get the chance, pay attention to how you interact with other team members in casual conversation from time to time, even if it's just instant messaging.

Newspaper distribution

News or information, good or bad, travels fast in the office. In a virtual workplace, things are a little different, and not always entire teams or companies are on the same page.

A great way to keep employees well-informed about events, upcoming projects, or general information is to distribute a newsletter via email. Of course, doing it every week will be boring, but it is better to do it once every month or maybe every two weeks.

Newsletters don't have to be boring - there are many ways to create a meaningful yet engaging newsletter that engages employees within the company, management and their peers.

at last

As a remote worker or remote employer, it can be difficult to communicate effectively with team members spread across different parts of the country or the world. As we have learned from many businesses, communication is an integral part of any business striving to succeed and achieve its goals.

A communication system that keeps teams up to date with everything that's going on can help make a company more efficient and increase productivity.

Take the time to practice good verbal and written communication skills as this can help when building a remote team or even when looking for work from home. Communication in all its forms helps businesses run smoothly, but also creates a sense of inclusion in the age of virtual work.

Originally published on ValueWalk. Read here

Featured Photos: Photo by Helena Lopez; pixels; thanks a lot!

Publication 7, "Communication Skills Remote Teams Must Master to Be More Effective," appeared first on ReadWrite.

Top Ten Warehouse Automation Companies

What exactly is warehouse automation? Companies seem to be using automated machines like robots and sensors to perform critical tasks in their day-to-day operations. Warehouse automation companies streamline customer processing and create more room for growth. Automation systems take time-consuming tasks and do them quickly and efficiently without taking away manual time.

Automation is especially useful for e-commerce sites, offering faster processing and shipping times to VIP customers. When you think about the volume of orders on the back end of an e-commerce site, it can be a little overwhelming to think about how the warehouse team can ship all the orders on time. Automation allows businesses to continue to deliver fast response times and satisfy loyal customers. We research the best warehouse automation companies to consider if your business needs automated support.

Common types of warehouse automation

Not all warehouse automation systems are created equal. Here are some of the more common types of systems:

People-to-person (GTP) products typically use conveyors, vertical elevators, and rotors to double or increase processing speed in a warehouse.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) use magnetic strips, wires and/or sensors to navigate fixed paths in a warehouse. Think of it as a giant robot vacuum that doesn't really clean. They are not ideal for complex layouts and space constraints, but given the right conditions, they are very reliable and good for growing businesses.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are very flexible and one of the most common types of warehouse automation. They use GPS systems to create efficient routes through warehouses and advanced laser guidance systems to detect obstacles. It is safe to move in complex warehouses and crowded places, it is very easy to use.

Voice selection and task selection - Voice selection. Using speech recognition software and wearable headsets can eliminate the need for hand-held devices such as barcode scanners. With fewer products, this can not only improve security, but also improve performance and error rates.

Automated sorting systems identify items on a conveyor system and direct them to a storage location using barcode scanners and sensors. This is especially effective for pick-up, drop-off, packing and shipping for e-commerce sites.

When to automate?

Businesses are beginning to realize that when top-level support is needed, it's time to consider automated processes. When important customers experience delays in shipping and handling time, or when shipments arrive more frequently and heavier, it may be time to call for automated support.

Here are 10 warehouse automation companies to consider.

1. Logistic approach

Logistiview, a global leader in WRP and vision technology, uses smart glasses. Their innovative technology guides workers in their tasks and enables them to complete each task quickly and efficiently. They also use a hands-free approach to improve efficiency and accuracy.

2. Lucas Robotics

As the name suggests, they use bots to maintain the repository. Lucas uses business knowledge, multiple languages ​​and equipment items to perform his duties. The only downside here is that a person has to physically remove the product from the shelf and check for defects before shipping. This can significantly reduce the time and physical effort required to run a repository.

3. Geek+

Geek+ develops intelligent, mobile cargo bots, sorters, receivers, containers and collaborative order pickers to help with time-consuming tasks. Their AMR robots are particularly suitable for the retail, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and automotive industries.

4. Westphalia Technologies, Inc.

He works with companies to design and manufacture unique automation solutions. It enables businesses to achieve their personal goals while striving for growth. Westphalia works with companies to help them achieve their business goals because no two companies are the same.

5. Segrid

Seegrid is a proven company that offers self-driving vehicles with automatic navigation functions. Your products move through warehouses without cables, lasers, magnets or guide belts.

6. SnapFulfill

SnapFulfil provides a cloud-based platform for growth in more ways than one. Flexibility is at the forefront of easy-to-use management workflows, giving customers the flexibility to change the way they manage their inventory, regardless of quantity. Changing the way products are selected, packaged and shipped can be key to keeping customers happy and returning in the future. It is not only efficient, but also fast. Your system can be set up in minutes and users see results in the first 45 days.

7- TGW Systems Inc.

There is no automation solution for TGW systems. They design, manufacture, implement and maintain reliable end-to-end solutions to help clients run their business at maximum efficiency. Its developers understand that every company is different. Thus, different options of automation systems are used to create an optimal execution process.

8. Vecna ​​robots

Vecna ​​tries to simplify the material handling process by using independent elevators. Automated handling robots include conveyor belts, pallet trucks and tow tractors in many variations. They offer hybrid deployment solutions to combine robots and human collaborations to create a workflow. In addition, they use real-time data and predictive analytics to better manage workflows.

9 Verity SA:

Verity uses drones to efficiently manage its warehouse. It's an autonomous indoor drone with data-driven intelligence. A fully integrated load management system ensures error-free storage. Verity also answers all your inventory management questions using cutting-edge technology in low-mobility drones.

10. Gray orange

GrayOrange is built on AI and the cloud. Using an intelligent decision-making platform called GreyMatter, it works as fast as data enters the system. Also, decisions to improve order fulfillment by managing a fleet of customer bots to send information to the human side of the workforce.

conclusion

We've covered the best time to switch to automation and some key components to look for in an automation company that's right for your business, now you're ready to move to automation. Investing in a warehouse automation system, specifically from the list above, can be the best for your business growth in the future.

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12 Scams To Avoid During Retirement

Scammers use confusing stereotypes, it's almost a cliché now that parents give their money to scammers. Unfortunately, few people question this idea, which makes me wonder why older people fall for scams. Maybe it's better to ask, why fool someone?

Some experts suggest that the isolation and intense loneliness experienced by many retirees makes them victims of scams. Others suggest that some degree of cognitive decline may play a role in older adults' greater belief in outlandish claims.

However, it may surprise you that the trope that "elders are always deceived by crooks" is actually a myth. In fact, the annual survey shows that each year, young people fall into the trap of scammers and scammers more often than their parents - losing more money each year to unscrupulous bad actors.

However, people are targeting retirees for scams that attempt to deprive them of their limited funds and income. Therefore, it is very important to protect your assets, avoiding a financial crisis that will be difficult to solve later. Here are the top 12 scams targeting seniors.

Summary

• 1. Pyramid scheme
• 2. Investment Fraud
• 3. Phishing emails
• 4. The Home Renovation Scam
• 5. Health/Insurance Fraud
• 6. Grandparent trick
• 7. Fraud with the IRS
• 8 Jury Tampering
• 9. Utility Fraud
• 10 fake charities
• 11. Lottery and lottery scams
• 12. Counterfeit health and wellness products
• Save your money for retirement

1. Pyramid scheme

Pyramid schemes (or Ponzi schemes) rely on the entry of new participants, whose "investments" are then used to pay off former participants. In many cases, only the promise of easy money is sold, not the actual product. This is what makes pyramid schemes so attractive to many seniors.

In another version of the pyramid, goods are sold by companies that pose as multi-level marketing companies. People tell victims that they can make easy money by selling someone a downline. The inherent disadvantage of a pyramid scheme is that if there are not enough new customers to cover the financial obligations of the scheme for all participants, it eventually collapses.

2. Investment Fraud

In addition to traditional pyramid schemes, there are other investment scams that are regularly tracked by fraud experts. There are many ways unethical scammers plan to get your money through investment scams.

Even savvy investors can fall for fraudulent schemes such as promissory note fraud, where an investor sends an amount in exchange for a written agreement obliging the other party to provide a larger sum of money (principal plus interest ). . certain date. If the signatories really intend to fulfill their obligations, that's fine, but in most cases they don't. You will never see money or scams again. This is another reason to only deal with reputable and licensed professionals with many reliable references.

3. Phishing emails

Anyone can fall victim to phishing emails. In this simple but effective scam, someone sends you an official email asking you to take action to keep your account's reputation in good standing.

The standard version consists of an email from your bank asking you to verify some personal information and providing a handy link that will take you to a website very similar to your real bank's website. But of course, this is not your bank's website, so enter your login details on this fake website. Now the fraudster has full access to your account and can quickly empty it.

4. The Home Renovation Scam

If someone you've never met knocks on your door and offers to renovate or decorate your home, be careful. In home renovation and repair scams, people ask the victim to pay a certain amount of the total cost in advance. Employees leave unfinished jobs, go wrong, or don't finish at all, and "employees" disappear with your money. Reputable home improvement companies usually don't go door to door asking for help. Always ask for local references and check the company's online and local presence.

5. Health/Insurance Fraud

Let's say you receive a call or email from someone claiming to be Medicare or an insurance company. In this case, it is very easy for someone to ask for your personal information. They can steal your identity with this information. Or, they may offer to send you free medical supplies if you provide your credit card number for shipping and handling.

Once you have given your information to someone with malicious intent, it is almost impossible to avoid negative consequences. It is easier to establish strict rules so that such information is never leaked over the phone.

6. Grandparent trick

Of all the retirement scams, the grandparent scams are the most heinous. Because these scammers take advantage of the natural love of grandparents and take care of their family members.

Typically, these scams start with a late night call from a child claiming to be an annoying grandchild. For example, they may claim to have been kidnapped or illegally detained and need the help of their grandparents by sending large sums of money (sometimes cash, sometimes bank transfers, sometimes gift cards) to unknown in some places. Place and time.

Of course, your nephew is fine. But late-night calls and high-pressure environments can create the impression of real urgency and defy suspicion.

7. Fraud with the IRS

Each year, the IRS publishes a Dirty Dozen list of the 12 biggest tax scams that target taxpayers. One of the most common IRS scams is a variation of identity theft, where a caller or emailer poses as an IRS agent and asks the person to "verify" (i.e. say to provide) personal information such as full name, date. birth and guarantee number or tax code.

It gives fraudsters everything they need to steal victims' identities and make bulk purchases on new credit card accounts that victims won't know about until they check their credit reports or received silly letters from debt collection companies.

8 Jury Tampering

A call or email could mean you're in big trouble for ignoring a jury summons you never received. Of course, you can avoid prosecution by paying your fine today by credit card or bank transfer. Alternatively, the caller or sender may offer to disclose sensitive personal information that could potentially steal your identity. US courts will never ask you to pay a fine or disclose your personal information in this way.

Incidentally, this scam is so widespread that the US federal court system has warned the public about how it works and how to avoid it.

9. Utility Fraud

A variant of the fake debt collection scam is the late night scam, where you can be the victim of a high pressure phone call or even a personal visit from someone posing as an employee of the company. utility company threatening to cut off your power. immediately if you do not pay the overdue amount. They can also manipulate your phone's caller ID feature to make it look like the utility company is actually calling you.

Your best bet is to end the call or postpone the trip and call your utility company's help desk yourself to find out how much you owe them.

10 fake charities

This scam tries to take advantage of the natural compassion and generosity of people who want to help in some way. Whether in response to a recent natural disaster or a more localized charitable need (such as helping to fight disease or poverty), fake charities are unfortunately numerous and do not hesitate to solicit donations for retirees. and others. They can request cash at the front door or credit card transactions (or bank transfers) over the phone.

Use the IRS website to research tax-exempt charities and see how they rank on monitoring sites like Charity Navigator before taking any action.

11. Lottery and lottery scams

If you get a phone call congratulating you on having recently drawn or won the lottery, but don't remember entering such a contest, consider that a huge red flag. You may even receive a check in the mail showing your so-called winnings, only to find that your bank refuses to honor the bogus check and asks you to pay fees or even taxes on the loss. Or, you may be asked to provide your credit card number for processing or tax payment in advance.

This is not how legitimate lotteries work.

12. Counterfeit health and wellness products

From fake drugs to bogus anti-aging skincare, you can fall victim to health and wellness product scams by staying up all night in front of the TV or surfing the internet. A common or "optional" variation of this scam is a big "subscription" or scheduled delivery contract. This is when you may receive regular shipments of these counterfeit products, as the scammers charge your credit card exorbitant fees, plus shipping of course.

Save your money for retirement

The specifics of each specific fraud may vary from case to case. However, there are some high-level features that you should pay attention to in order to avoid being scammed or scammed in the first place. Remember that it is easier to avoid a scam than to escape its clutches later.

To avoid retirement scams and protect valuable funds and other assets, develop the habit of being skeptical of an emergency involving money, other assets, or investments.

Question any deal that seems too good to be true. Also ask any requests that seem particularly serious or urgent, such as grandparent scams. Now decide to take the time to thoroughly investigate the situation, including any background checks that might be helpful.

Finally, don't be afraid to run scripts from a trusted friend, colleague, or family member. It never hurts to get a more objective second opinion, and it can save you from losing valuable assets to fraud.

First release after expiration. Read here.

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Data Warehouse Automation System Meaning And Examples

Automating data stores is more difficult than navigating bots through your organization's stores to complete tasks. Activities include, but are not limited to, the design, development, operation, impact analysis, and testing of data warehouse automation systems.

What is data warehouse automation? Is this different from understanding warehouse automation? Let's understand what data warehouse automation is and how it differs from warehouse automation.

I WILL

By definition, Data Augmentation or Spark uses numerical model measurements to create arguments. In a warehouse, data is vital to a company. Without information, there is no logistics and it is difficult to optimize the warehouse. Data warehouse automation uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate lifecycle processes.

With data warehouse automation, the warehouse lifecycle is moving from a repetitive process to a more automated and user-friendly process. This can help with warehouse automation tools like robots and sensors.

Data warehousing is the process of using metrics and other statistics not only to build code, but also to deploy it. Thus, it is easy to develop the best indoor and outdoor safe design for the current project.

Database storage in the warehouse uses real-time data. Think about incoming and outgoing orders or a production line, new product arrivals and shipments, all in real time with no reporting delays. This database stores these numbers so people don't have to, but that's just the beginning. This not only eliminates errors, but also reduces labor costs and frees up staff to help with more important parts of each project.

Examples of data warehouse automation:

To simplify data processing, data warehouse automation systems use Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL for short) tools. The cost of these tools for a project varies from 20,000 to 20 million depending on the complexity of the project and the equipment used.

Below are 7 of my favorite data warehouse automation tools, but they can be found in many places.

Amazon RedShift

As a cloud-based business intelligence and business intelligence tool, Amazon Redshift has many useful features that make it one of the most popular data warehouse automation tools. This service is highly customizable and easily integrates with previous databases. Amazon Redshift's custom functionality is limitless through storage, processing, and optimization. The service even offers a two-month free trial to make sure you like it before switching to a data warehouse automation tool.

inspiration

Data-driven Oracle is on top of Oracle, which is also a cloud-based tool. Machine learning analytics, auto-tuning, and data visualization are Oracle's most sought-after features. This tool is best suited for repositories and large analytics projects. Oracle creates reports and forecasts based on the data you receive and helps your business grow through storage projects.

active patch

ActiveBatch uses end-to-end solutions to deliver a real-time user database. It has an advanced and planning library that helps automate design and navigate projects quickly. You can add some breakpoints to improve usability. There is a free 30-day trial which is useful for getting started with ActiveBatch.

Redwood manages my work

Redwood is a great place for a business looking to grow. It's easy to use and has unparalleled scalability, so it can grow with you instead of replacing your automated tools as you grow. It has amazing visibility features that are great for keeping abreast of everything that's going on behind the scenes, and there are some feed integration features to keep all your data together. Smart dashboards allow you to enter data and generate reports. This can save you more time as a manager or employee, as you don't need to design these reports and dashboards yourself.

Zap Datahub

Zap DataHub is very easy to use. No coding required for setup and use. This is wizard-based automation, meaning that the UI itself will guide the user through the configuration or steps needed for each feature. In addition, Zap offers a free demo for beginners, not to mention that it is one of the most affordable data warehouse automation tool options. Another big benefit of Zap is the intuitive modeling it offers, which means you can drag and drop elements into the interface.

where is the scenery

WhereScape is known for infrastructure automation, computer-aided design and project simplification. This can shorten the overall production schedule. WhereScape is designed, developed, deployed and operated. There are also additional services; WhereScape 3D, WhereScape® Red and WhereScape® Data Vault Express.

aster

Astera is an agile automation tool that implements design patterns with its data automation software. They use a no-code design that makes it as easy to use as Zap DataHub. The biggest difference between the two is that Astera is metadata-based while Zap DataHub is CPU-based. You can request a free trial of Astera before you decide to invest.

How do you know it's time?

Shops will realize they need an element of data automation when their operations start ticking the wrong boxes. If you find that all of your or your staff's time is devoted to data warehousing projects, or that your projects are taking longer than expected due to the volume of data, it may be time to consider some automation options above. The process is a bit. As you can see, there is a lot of flexibility and many options to choose from.

Included

This blog gives you an insight into the world of data warehouse automation. In addition, the overall structure of the warehouse automation system is important. I've collected some popular data warehouse automation tools to help you when the time comes to use one of them for your warehouse projects.

premium photo credits; Pixel. Thank you very much!

Understanding and examples of data warehouse automation systems was first published on ReadWrite.

6 Tips For Better Time Management

Small business owners sometimes feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get things done. You may be busy all day, but at the end of the day you feel like you haven't done half your to-do list. This can make your daily life and those around you miserable.

Fortunately, you can develop time management skills and integrate them into your daily life. Good time management skills can help you reach your goals faster. When you manage your time better, you can take advantage of more opportunities and grow your business.

So what is time management and why is it important? In this article, we will answer these and other questions. You will find 6 tips for better time management that you can try.

Definition of time management

Time management includes planning and controlling the time spent on specific tasks. This process allows you to prioritize certain tasks. This can make you work more efficiently. Some people find time management easier than others. However, anyone can develop time management skills. All it takes is developing a few healthy habits and practicing self-discipline.

According to Dodd and Subdim, people who practice good time management practices find that they:

• more efficient
• There should be more energy and motivation to achieve goals
• Get more free time to enjoy hobbies and more.
• Be more positive about life and others
• Feel good.

Effective time management also offers a number of benefits to business owners. It includes:

• Improve your performance and sales
• Meet deadlines and always meet your obligations on time
• Grow your business and achieve your goals
• Reduce stress levels
• Creating a good work-life balance

Why is it important to develop time management skills?

As a business owner, you can be your own boss and choose when and how to work. However, as good as it sounds, it does have some drawbacks. If you don't reply to anyone or no one checks your work, it could be a waste of time. You may develop bad habits that reduce your productivity and quality of work. If you continue like this, this practice can hurt your business and hinder your growth.

As a business owner, poor time management can lead to:

• fast delivery
• Skip the deadline
• More multitasking
• Stressful work environment
• High staff turnover
• Stressful work-life balance
• Bad professional reputation

6 tips for better time management

Good time management skills can be used to develop a time management strategy. This will allow you to effectively manage your time to help your business grow. Here are some of the best time management tips for productivity.

1. Prioritize

You should start by prioritizing your tasks. As a business owner, you will always have a job. That's why it's important to get your priorities right. This will allow you to set reasonable goals and stick to them.

Make a to-do list at the end of the day, week, or month. List each task in order of importance. That way, if you don't finish everything on your list, your most urgent things will get done.

You can use the Covey Time Management Matrix created by Stephen Covey. It consists of 4 simple parts. It includes:

• Urgent and important work
• Not urgent but important
• Urgent but not critical work
• Tasks are not urgent or important.

Having a good sense of time and doing urgent and important things first will help you get more done, faster. Remember to set realistic expectations and take responsibility.

Hint. Keep a to-do list somewhere so you can refer to it at any time. If you have a difficult task ahead of you, do it when your productivity is at its peak. Break it down into smaller tasks so you don't get overwhelmed. Small tasks can help you complete complex tasks faster. This can give you a lot of free time when you're on a tight deadline.

2. Delegate tasks

Most small business owners deliberately take on too much responsibility. In the early stages of your business, you usually do most of the work yourself. This is because you may think that no one else can do the job like you. However, whatever the reason, you should not go where you feel overtired. If you want to grow your business, representation is important and creating the right business plan is essential.

First, look at how you currently manage your team. Ask yourself if you trust them with the most important tasks. Try to take on the role of a consultant. Gradually lead your team and increase their responsibilities where they shine. This will save you time and create a better environment for your employees.

If you've already done this and your team is still busy, it's time to hire more people. Find the right people and manage them with your current mentor team. However, recruiting comes with high upfront costs. This includes financing additional salaries and training new employees. However, these costs will pay off in the long run. You will have more time and a stronger team.

Hint. contact your team from time to time. Find out about the progress of the work and help them if they really need your help.

3. Identify Time Wasters

We are surrounded by distractions and it can be hard for us to focus. Communication with colleagues and constant checking of social networks can reduce productivity. Some distractions are out of your control, while others are easy to avoid. All you have to do is practice self-discipline. Setting healthy boundaries can help cut down on wasted time. Set boundaries with the people who live or work with you. Block access to certain websites or lock your phone in a drawer. Everything starts with you. You must be prepared to take the necessary steps to improve performance.

Hint. Dealing with distractions can be difficult at first. You can start by identifying your biggest problems. After that, you can focus on eliminating them one by one.

4. Automate your business

The right automation tools can help reduce workload and streamline operations. There are several automation tools available for small businesses and startups. This can help you stay relevant in a competitive market. They automate tasks that take a long time but provide little value. This way, you and your team will have more time to complete important tasks.

Let's say you spend about 4 hours a week on a weekly team report. AI-based analytics software can cut that time in half. They can automatically generate visible candidate reports. These reports can display real-time data with the click of a button. Another example is if you are struggling to prioritize leads. An effective CRM software can evaluate leads and tell you which ones are more likely to convert.

Tip: Choosing the right automation tool can be a little tricky because there are so many tools on the market. You need to identify the business processes that will bring you the most value by automating them. To learn more about it, read this post on how to automate your home maintenance business.

5. Use a Time Tracking Tool

Time tracking tools have a number of advantages. It challenges you and your team to complete tasks before the deadline. They can hold employees accountable for their investments.

These tools can help you measure performance. They can estimate how much time a person spends on a particular activity. Time tracking applications can be integrated into your existing system. In addition, you can search for a new program with the built-in time tracking tool.

Tip: Time tracking tools will help you create an accurate schedule. They will tell you if you can spend less or more. This way, you can get everything on your daily to-do list done faster.

6. Rest

As an entrepreneur, you may feel like you don't need a break. If you think so, you are wrong again. The key to being more productive is finding a balance between work and play. Creativity dies when you constantly worry about what you have to do.

Hint. Make sure you and your employees take regular breaks. Move away from the desktop for a while to recharge. A cup of coffee, a walk or a book will help you relax. Set aside time each day to do things that distract you from work.

Conclusion on time management.

Be patient with yourself because time management is not a skill you develop overnight. As your business and workload grows, your time management strategies may change.

Start small and develop habits that are relevant to your work. Practice these habits relentlessly until they become habits. Incorporate them into your daily routine and see how they can help you achieve more in less time. This will keep you motivated and maintain the habit.

If you still have problems with time management, contact Scorpion. They will work with you to provide solutions and free up your time to enjoy your daily routine.

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