Proofing is an essential process of any creative workflow. It allows stakeholders to review and approve a mock version of creative work (the “proof”) without printing or producing the full version of the deliverable.
However, the proofing process (and the approval workflow in general) is often a significant bottleneck in any creative workflow, slowing down the whole process in general.
In short, streamlining the proofing process to ensure it’s as optimized as possible is crucial if you want to improve your business’s efficiency and productivity.
Thanks to technology, however, now we have online proofing as a more optimal method to improve the speed and efficiency of the proofing process, which in turn will provide numerous benefits for the business.
Back then, a “proof” is a mock print that a printing company provides to its client for approval. For example, a client ordered 1,000 pieces of brochures to be printed, and in this case, the printing company first printed one brochure as a “proof.”
Only when the client has approved this proof will the printing company start the production of 1,000 brochures, so as you can see, an approved proof prevents potentially costly errors and acts as an approval agreement between the printing company and the client.
The evolution of the proofing process
With the invention of computers, however, the proofing process has also evolved. With the popularity of home PCs since the late 1990s and early 2000s, a creative agency can now show “soft proof” by showing the computer screen to a client.
Then, the internet was widely available, allowing us to send image files over the internet. This enables creative workers to send digital proof files via email, and thus the email-based proofing process becomes the standard.
Online proofing: the key to optimizing approval workflows
Email-based proofing, however, isn’t perfect and has its significant flaws.
First, different computer monitors might not be color calibrated so that they may produce different colors. Second, is that email is not a practical method when it comes to real-time collaboration and file sharing.
For instance, if the project has been going on long enough and we’ve shared multiple different files via email, it can be challenging to look for a specific file (version) when it’s needed. Accountability can also be an issue: we can’t tell whether an assigned approver has opened the email and reviewed a deliverable thoroughly, which is another common issue in email-based proofing.
Online proofing was invented to tackle these issues with email-based proofing.
An online proofing process uses dedicated online proofing software to facilitate centralized communication and collaboration between creative workers and approvers.
A graphic designer can share their deliverable on the online proofing system and send a link to the approver. The approver can then click on the link and view the deliverable on the cloud-based online proofing system right away. No downloads and installations are required, then the graphic designer can communicate, leave feedback, and collaborate in real-time on the platform.
Also, all shared files on the online proofing platform can be easily searchable whenever they are needed.
How Online Proofing Software Works
While the actual online proofing process may vary with different software solutions, a typical online proofing software will work in the following manners:
A creative worker uploads a file (the digital “proof”) to the online proofing platform
The creative worker invites other collaborators and approvers by sending an invite link (or other methods) so the other parties can also access the online proofing software
The invitees can join the cloud-based online proofing system without needing to download and install anything
Communications and collaborations can happen in real-time on the online proofing system. Approvers can view files and leave feedback without needing to move to another app or screen.
When revisions are needed, the creative worker can upload another file (the revised proof). All the different file versions will be stored in the online proofing software.
With these features, online proofing will streamline the whole approval process while at the same time improving the transparency of the process and accountability of all stakeholders involved in the proofing process.
Why You Need Online Proofing Software
To really understand the benefits provided by an online proofing software solution, we have to first discuss some of the common problems that happen in traditional hardcopy-based or email-based proofing processes.
Common issues without online proofing software
Frustrating, back-and-forth proofing process, often with endless revision cycles
Lack of a centralized platform for communication and collaborations
Lack of transparency and accountability since we can’t monitor who has viewed (or not viewed) the deliverable, leading to potential confusion and disputes.
Back-and-forth emails with scattered attachments
Need to render/export files before we can send proofs to approvers, wasting time and resources
Prone to errors and mistakes due to inefficiencies and manual operations
Printed, hardcopy proofs got lost or broken during transport
Approvers forgot to review the proof, resulting in missed deadlines
Benefits of online proofing software
An online proofing software solution can tackle the above issues and can provide the following benefits for your business:
Faster and more accurate delivery of your creative projects
Reduce or completely eliminate the need of lengthy phone calls and back-and-forth emails
Fewer revision cycles due to a more streamlined, optimized, and transparent approval process
Facilitating accurate and efficient proofing processes even when your teams are working remotely, including when clients or approvers are located in different cities or even different countries
Searchable files, allowing traceable changes on files and versions
Reducing errors, improving the overall quality of deliverables
Eliminate costs on printing papers, more environmentally friendly
Closing Thoughts
An optimized proofing process can help streamline and improve the efficiency of creative workflows by removing bottlenecks in the approval process.
An online proofing software solution can facilitate a more transparent and efficient feedback process by offering a centralized hub where all stakeholders of the creative workflow can communicate and collaborate in real-time.
As a result, the more effective approval process will make it easier for the organization to manage a higher volume of creative production while at the same time also effectively reducing the compliance risks of the product deliverables.
Why You Need Online Proofing Software was last modified: April 26th, 2022 by Mike Khorev
When a software provider sends you an on-screen notification to update your software, you might be in the middle of a project. You don’t have time to wait for your computer to update, so you click on the “remind me later” option.
All too often, it’s easy to forget to update your software with the latest patches. If you want too long, you could have serious problems that affect your cybersecurity and other vital issues. When you’re in charge of a business or an IT department, encouraging people to download and install updates can be even more challenging. If you’ve been letting your patches fall by the wayside, here are six reasons why you should manage them sooner than later.
Most Businesses do not Have a Cybersecurity Expert On-Site
Cybersecurity professionals demand high salaries, so many small businesses cannot afford to employ them. These businesses rely on their software companies to provide cybersecurity.
Whenever software companies discover vulnerabilities in their products, they release updates or “patches” to fix the problem. Unfortunately, many companies often wait three or more months to update their software, creating dangerous situations for your data in the meantime. That risk can grow exponentially if you drag your feet around installing the updates.
To understand the importance, explore more on vulnerability management to see how timely updates can significantly reduce your exposure to threats. By staying proactive, you can mitigate risks effectively and build a strong foundation for ongoing cybersecurity practices.
If you don’t have a dedicated IT department or you otherwise struggle to dedicate time to your patch management strategy, consider automation. Automated solutions like TuxCare patch management install your patches automatically, taking a massive weight from you and your employees’ shoulders. In this case, you’ll never have to worry about accidentally leaving the door open to thieves and system crashes.
Antivirus Software Often Becomes Outdated
When you neglect your patch management, your antivirus software loses its efficacy because it becomes outdated. Cyberhackers can access your sensitive data and steal information if your software is vulnerable. Patches update cybersecurity measures, making it harder for hackers to penetrate your system.
A Security Breach Costs More than Patches Cost
The cost of paying for security breaches is more expensive than any patch. Often, patches are entirely free, but they do require businesses to pause their systems for a short time. You might lose a sale or a bit of productivity, but it is nothing when compared to the cost of losing customers because of a security breach.
If a hacker invades your system because you neglected a patch, they could take your financial information and steal money from you. Cybercriminals could also steal money from your customers, and your customers could come to you for reparations. Patching your software helps you avoid these potential pitfalls.
Software Becomes Vulnerable to Hackers
Patches update your software in several ways. These pieces of code can fix bugs that affect productivity and correct problems that open your system to hackers.
Patch Updates Minimize System Downtime
When you update your system each time a patch comes through, you shorten system downtimes. Without patches, your system is vulnerable to problems that could force your system to shut down unexpectedly. If you wait too long to update your system, you could be forced to shut down your system for a longer time to access all of the upgrades.
Avoiding Compliance Fines
Many industries have compliance rules for software systems, and avoiding necessary patches and updates can force you to fall out of compliance. As the expenses for repairing data breaches, compliance fines can be more costly than the time allotted for the patch itself.
Before You Go
When you neglect your patch updates, you put your business, finances, and customer data in danger. You open your business up to potential fines and time-consuming repairs. The best way to avoid software problems is to upload the patches or schedule the upload as soon as they arrive.
Looking to Avoid Business Vulnerabilities? 6 Reasons Patch Management Matters was last modified: December 28th, 2024 by Amanda Greenberg
Typing is something you master over time. When you keep on writing large quantities of text, that is when you get a chance to increase your typing speed as well as your skill overall. Yet, just typing in bulk isn’t the only thing that improves your typing. There are a number of other factors as well that can help you get better at this skill. Before we discuss them, the question that needs to be asked is why do you need to get better at typing.
Why Do You Need to Type Better?
Typing better helps you save time, makes you more productive, and helps in better hand and eye coordination. When you start typing, at the beginning you will constantly be switching your view between the keys and the screen but once you become frequent in typing, you will keep on looking at the screen for minutes while you type on continuously for a number of minutes. This is the advantage better typing brings with it. Typing better also helps in lesser procrastination since you get done with work quicker and can then move on to do other things you have planned for yourself. Do typing master free download for windows 7 if you are still using windows 7.
Now that we’ve discussed the advantages you will have once you get to type better, here are the ways you can improve the way you type. Make sure to go through this list carefully as it will surely help you become a better typist.
Ways to Become Better at Typing
Improve Your Workspace
A lot of people believe that fast and correct typing will come to them when they learn to master their keyboard. As true as that might be, it isn’t the entire thing that you will need to master your typing ways. The truth is that you will need to begin with a workspace that is clean, spacious, properly ventilated, and comfortable. For optimal typing, get a table that suits you instead of working with your computer in your lap. If you will be typing for an extended period then make sure you are comfortable. A comfy environment for yourself counts for a lot when you are typing for hours.
Fix Your Posture
If you want to type well then you will need the right posture to go with it because when you have the right posture only then will you have productivity in your work. Typing shouldn’t be done under stress. It is probably the last thing that you should be doing under stress. Make sure that the place where you are typing is comfortable. Your wrists should be positioned in such a way that your fingers can cover the keyboard. Tilt your head a bit as you can look at the screen properly. Adjust your chair so that you can position your chair the way that you like and get yourself the best posture for yourself. You’ll see an automatic rise in your productivity levels the moment you fix your posture.
Hold Your Posture
Just having a posture isn’t enough. The important part is to maintain that posture while you type. Ensure that your posture remains like the one you started with because that is important. At times we get so indulged in work that we forget to maintain the posture we began with hence leaving us with different kinds of pain and aches. These aches are going to slow you down and have a way to keep you out of rhythm. Make sure to not let them get in your way and hold your posture the right way. This is going to prevent you from a lot of back pain! We’re talking with experience here!
Familiarize Yourself with Your Keyboard
Your keyboard is the only thing you’ll ever need for your typing so why not get familiar with your weapon, right? This shouldn’t be a problem because all the keyboards in the world have the same QWERTY layout regardless of where you are. So even if you upgrade your laptop or computer, the keyboard will remain the same. The reason this layout is given this name is because the letters that make up the top-left corner of the keyboard are Q, W, E, R, T, and Y. Apart from this, another important thing that you can learn on your keyboard are the important shortcuts. Some of these include copy, paste, cut, and changing the font.
Speak the Keys Out Loud
When you type the keys, make sure to look at the screen as much as you can and say out loud the key which you are typing. This will help you to remember the pattern of your keyboard and will help you memorize the keys better. This step will go a long way and it will help you memorize the keys. It can easily help you learn how to type faster than before. You can stop speaking the keys out loud once you become habitual in typing and know where your keys are. Until you’re not, telling yourself which key you’re typing is going to help you a lot.
Start Slowly With Touch Typing
Touch typing is the method where you type without looking at the keyboard. The fundamental idea is that each finger is given its own section of the keyboard and your fingers learn the location of the keyboard through practicing regularly and gaining muscle memory to eventually build up speed whilst typing. If you’re only just starting off with touch typing then you might need a lot of time on this step. However, once you learn to type key combinations without looking at the keyboard, your speed will increase.
Don’t Look at Hand Movements
The main goal of typing is to not look at your hands whenever you’re typing so that your fingers are made to learn how the keys work. When you constantly keep looking at your hands, you will notice that your speed reduces. Although it might be difficult to not look at your hands at the start, stick to looking at the screen. This will help you hit higher speeds in less time and you’ll be giving yourself a pat on the back when you end up increasing your speed.
Typing Games
This trick is actually one of the most useful ones on this list. You can download any type of typing game from Getintopc for free. Typing games help you improve your typing immensely. There are a number of websites online that can help you get better at typing. These websites score your and have different modes such as speed typing and typing a number of words inside a minute to help you increase the way you type as well as your speed. You can try improving your record and competing with others as well. Some of these websites are Typing Club, The Typing Cat, and Typing.com which you can use to improve your typing.
Dictation Practice
If writing is time-consuming for you then another alternative to good practice is to listen to something and then type it alongside. There is no limit of any kind to the number of things you can type. As you listen, keep on typing it side-by-side. This will help you to type better while also improving your hearing and typing coordination. Plus, this is a fun activity as well. You can use an e-book, a YouTube video, an online lecture, or even the dialogues of your favorite movie that you can type.
Monitor Your Progress
Make sure to keep a track of the progress that you’ve made so far as you go on. It is important that you don’t get obsessed with how many words you type in a given time. That’s not what this is about. Yes, improving your speed is important but the most important thing is to be comfortable while typing. With time, the number of words you type in a given time is going to increase as well. Worry about quality over quantity and your typing level will improve automatically.
Get Formal Training
There are specifically designed courses and typing lessons that will boost your abilities to make sure you type better. You just need to go online and find courses that are free and start doing them. These are exercises carefully catered for beginners as well as experts to improve their typing rate. These short-term courses are definitely going to boost up your typing speed and that is what is going to make your typing better than before.
Practice Makes Perfect
The final tip of course is to keep on practicing what you’ve learned so far in the world of typing. These tips mentioned above will be of no use if you don’t apply them whenever you sit down and type so make sure to use these tips as told since they will help you improve the rate of your typing. The more practice you carry out, the quicker your typing is going to improve making sure you get done with your tasks quicker. Typing is one of those skills that is polished every time you carry it out!
How to Get Better at Typing was last modified: November 25th, 2021 by Eugene Jacobs
During the COVID-19 epidemic, online sales, client retention, and email marketing were critical for organizations. Fortune Business Insights believes that the customer relationship management (CRM) industry will continue to develop significantly over the next several years, owing to the fact that many workers and clients increasingly work remotely.
Businesses utilize CRM software to streamline marketing and communications. It aids both startups and established businesses in improving customer service and interactions while automating and streamlining a large portion of the sales process. A CRM system could support you integrate all the client data on one platform, whether your firm utilizes spreadsheets to manage transactions, needs to update its sales practices, or is a startup that’s just getting started.
It might take a long time, a lot of effort, and several trials to find out which CRM software is right for you and how to utilize it. Companies who aren’t sure if they want to switch to a CRM should try out a free version first. This way, they won’t be out any money if a certain CRM doesn’t work out for them.
Free CRM plans typically lack the sophisticated features found in premium versions, but they might be useful for small organizations that are new to CRM software or for bigger companies with a high number of CRM users who don’t want to pay a per-user price. Unlike a time-limited free trial, a free version allows you to master the new platform at your own pace. You’ll also have more time to figure out which features are most vital to your company before choosing a vendor.
Below, you can read about the best free and cheap CRM Software Apps that are useful for approximately every small to large scale business. (To buy software, you can use Wadav Software Coupons. Wadav offers Software Apps related coupons, discount codes, and promo codes through which you can get discount deals on different CRM and other Software Apps of well-known tech companies).
1. Freshworks CRM
Freshworks CRM’s free plan includes a competitive feature set, with in-built calls, unlimited users, and a robust support package among the features. Contact management, phone and email logging, deal status, and customer-facing chat capability are all part of the fundamental CRM features.
The possibility to add an infinite number of users is a unique advantage; nevertheless, without workflow automation, a growing team would be forced to undertake more manual tasks. You can establish tasks and reminders tied to a transaction, for example, but you can’t make them happen when the deal status changes.
The program allows you to import new data and amend transactions, making managing contacts and deals simple. Although complex capabilities such as custom fields aren’t accessible, small teams can still benefit from the built-in phone and call and email logging functions. Although lead generation is restricted, Freshworks can gather leads from online forms, which is useful if your website receives a lot of traffic.
2. Bitrix24
Most CRMs, especially free versions, limit the number of users and contacts you may have. Bitrix24 is the only one of our picks that gives limitless for both (HubSpot offers unlimited users and 1 million contacts). This, together with its other characteristics, distinguishes it from the competition. Besides contact management, the software includes workgroups, chat, internal activity streams, and polls for team communication.
The numerous features of Bitrix24 might be intimidating at first, but you can conceal, delete, and rearrange the different menu elements. Then, from within each menu item (for example, CRM), you may alter the order of the elements (e.g., deals, contacts, companies, analytics). Click the Sitemap button in the bottom-left of the menu if you ever want to view everything at a glance.
You may invite your complete staff to utilize Bitrix24 and assign them to the app departments you establish with limitless users. Your workers will be granted access to their own personalized version of the app after they accept the invitation. To provide access to each user for viewing and making changes, you must upgrade to the premium editions.
3. Less Annoying CRM
Less Annoying CRM (also known as LACRM) is an all-in-one CRM solution for small enterprises. They provide a 30-day free trial. They then have a single, low-cost premium plan after that.
Task management, lead-to-sale, contact management, and follow-ups are all handled by LACRM. Track your prospects via sales pipelines and manage all of your client data. Keep track of upcoming events and tasks (in easy-to-use calendar and agenda formats). It’s a fantastic real estate CRM.
Inside LACRM, emails written and received outside of a CRM platform can be tracked. Every user receives a unique email logging address from the app. You may make a contact with any email service provider.
Final Thoughts
Sales operations may be made more effective with features like drag-and-drop deal status management, automatically tracking client conversations and emails, and simplifying fundamental duties, which is especially useful for small and medium-sized firms.
That is why sales and marketing teams use CRM software to manage client interactions more effectively and close more transactions.
Best Free and Cheap CRM Software Apps was last modified: June 14th, 2022 by Yamuna Gibson
As a SaaS company owner, there is no such thing as too much improvement. With your competition launching new products or releasing new features for their existing products, you constantly have to be at the top of your game. Your marketing strategies should also be constantly evolving to keep up with market demand and audience tastes.
Business people in a video call meeting
By working on your marketing strategies, you increase the number of new customers and reduce customer churn. With that in mind, here are eight SaaS marketing strategies that you can implement.
1. Content Marketing
Marketing SaaS products varies a lot from marketing consumer products. First, SaaS customers tend to do a lot of research before deciding to make a purchase. Second, the buyer journey often takes longer. Content marketing will help your brand position itself as a credible source of information, convince your target audience to give your products a try, and improve your website’s performance in search engine rankings.
Your audience consumes content through a variety of methods, such as blogs, videos, and emails. To ensure that your content helps maintain your authority in your niche, you need to ensure that the content you produce is of high quality. Using a grammar check tool will help you avoid errors that erode your credibility and increase your articles’ readability.
Content marketing goes beyond posting just a few articles on your blog. You also need to create a link-building strategy that will get your content on high-authority websites and increase organic traffic to your own site. Creating different types of content will also increase your brand’s visibility across different demographics. Younger audiences, for example, prefer videos, while those aged 55 or older prefer receiving emails.
Understanding the impact of mass media strategy is crucial in tailoring your content to meet the diverse preferences of your audience, ensuring you effectively reach and engage with each segment.
To create effective content, you need to know the questions your customers are likely to ask as they search for solutions for their problems. Addressing these concerns will help you raise your search engine profile as well as convince potential customers that your solutions are based on solid research.
Other forms of content that help generate leads include white papers, case studies, and ebooks. You can use those types of free content as lead magnets on your landing pages, allowing you to grow your email list rapidly. You can also use an email tracking tool to get insights into the performance of your campaigns.
2. Co-marketing
Collaborations between brands are nothing new. One type of inter-company collaboration, co-marketing, involves multiple brands getting together to create a product or set of products that carry the names of all brands involved. While co-marketing is pretty common among businesses that offer consumer goods, SaaS businesses are also starting to realize the benefits of this strategy.
Co-marketing campaigns usually involve two brands that operate in different niches. For example, CRM company HubSpot and professional network LinkedIn collaborated on a book about social selling:
Your business doesn’t have to be as large as HubSpot to engage in co-marketing campaigns. You may start doing it on a smaller scale by finding a small business that shares your corporate values or offers products that add value to yours. Once you find that business, you can start creating content together. You may publish a common blog, feature their content on your social media platforms, or mention them in your videos whenever you feel it’s appropriate.
Co-marketing helps you increase your reach rapidly and exposes your brand to new audiences, especially those outside your industry. Collaborating with the right type of partner will allow you to maximize your gains, amplify your message, and generate more leads.
Co-marketing partnerships between same-niche companies with complementary product offerings can also be effective. To learn more, go now to this guide on co-selling.
3. Referrals and affiliate marketing
A good reputation is the best currency your brand can ever possess, and every time one of your satisfied customers recommend your product to others, they are sending potential revenue your way. It’s just right to reward your most loyal customers for promoting your brand to their contacts through a referral program.
In a referral program, you offer rewards to customers who bring in more new customers. These rewards range from cash gifts to discounts on future purchases. You may also give them free products, such as extra storage or a few months’ worth of subscription to your product.
Affiliate marketing runs on the same principle as referral marketing, which is to reward people or websites that help bring in new customers. However, affiliate campaigns almost always give your partners a cut of each sale that you identify as coming from their websites. Most affiliate marketing campaigns include either a code or a special product page that automatically sends a commission to your affiliate partners.
Through referral and affiliate marketing, you recognize your most loyal customers and encourage them to keep being advocates for your brand.
4. Free trials
SaaS companies are known for offering free trials to potential customers. While this may seem like a total loss for your brand, the cost of offering a month’s worth of free access to your solutions is a lot lower than the cost of losing a potential customer to a competing brand.
There are a few reasons free trials are popular marketing strategies in the SaaS space:
They allow potential users to experience your solution for themselves before making a purchase decision.
Free trials are easier to convert into paid accounts.
They also present an excellent opportunity to collect user feedback that can help you improve your product.
Because your business follows a SaaS business model, giving your leads a free limited-time subscription won’t involve a lot of work or expense. Sometimes, it’s as easy as locating the user in your database and adding a few more months to their trial periods.
5. SEO
Many Saas businesses struggle with appearing on search engine results for their niche, especially if it is crowded with multiple competitors or dominated by one or two large businesses. Search engine optimization (SEO) will help your business stand out and attract organic traffic to your site. You can also show Google reviews on website to increase your organic business.
Most people associate SEO with keywords. However, keyword usage is just one factor that Google and other search engines use to find and rank websites. The Google algorithm is too complex for a detailed discussion on this space, but it all comes down to how easily Google finds and indexes your content and how relevant your content is to your audience.
For example, building backlinks from high-authority sites to yours will allow you to benefit from potential click-throughs. It also lets your website benefit indirectly from your guest sites’ domain authority score. You also need to do on-page SEO on your content. This involves adding internal backlinks within your domain to allow Google to crawl through your site and index it efficiently.
The easier you make it for Google to look for your content, the easier it becomes for people to find it. Performing SEO on your web pages and content will not just improve your search engine ranking but also drive traffic back to your site, increasing your potential revenue.
6. Improve your PPC campaign
Aside from SEO, you may also use Google ads to push your content to the top of the search results. Most ads follow a pay-per-click campaign; that is, you only pay for the ad when a user clicks on it. Running a well-planned PPC campaign will allow you to maximize your ads’ visibility and increase the chances of users clicking through to your site.
To make the most out of PPC ads, you need to target a good mix of short and long-tail keywords. Short keywords are often high-volume and high-competition, which means the cost per click is higher. Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, tend to have lower search volumes and high click-through rates, which lowers the cost per click. You need to use both types of keywords to maximize the number of people your ads reach.
Aside from creating a list of keywords that you can use to reach Google users, you can also use a list of negative keywords or keywords that you don’t want to rank for. These are often keywords that appear heavily in your niche but refer to a product or service that you don’t offer. For example, if your business involves just selling houses in a specific area, you don’t want to appear in Google searches for property rentals.
7. Tap into review sites
The growth of your SaaS company will not just depend on your marketing efforts, but also on your customers’ perception of your brand and products. Consumers tend to research their options before making a purchase, and online reviews play a major role in influencing purchase decisions. Embed Google reviews on your website to leverage positive customer feedback, enhancing trust and credibility among potential buyers.
Most users browse through review sites such as G2 or Capterra to find out what current and previous customers think of your products and services. If you are not encouraging your customers to post reviews on these sites, you need to start now. Positive reviews go a long way in convincing your leads to give your products a try as they are seen as more credible than branded content.
Aside from getting your customers to post positive reviews, responding to both positive and negative reviews will allow you to engage your customer base. Acknowledging and replying to negative reviews, in particular, shows that you value all types of feedback and are serious about putting out the best product available.
8. Easy registration process
Marketing doesn’t end when a user visits your site. Unless they’ve successfully completed the sales or registration process, you haven’t gained a new customer yet. In the SaaS industry, many customers complain that complicated registration processes have turned them away from otherwise promising products.
The longer your registration process is, the more chances you give your customers to back out of the transaction or abandon their shopping carts. However, many brands tend to ask too many questions that don’t seem related to the product itself. Reducing the number of questions to just a few important ones will help streamline the process and increase conversions.
You may also use the Google and Facebook APIs to simplify the user experience. Because your leads’ Google and Facebook profiles already have their personal and demographic information, your website can import that data instead of requiring new users to fill out registration forms. Better yet, you may also use dynamic QR codes to reduce the number of keystrokes, especially if you’re dealing with mobile device users.
In Closing
SaaS marketing is a bit different from other types of marketing. Your potential customers are less prone to impulse purchases. They will take their time looking for the best option and are not hesitant about doing research about your products. Your SaaS marketing strategies should adapt to this type of behavior and gently nudge them into making a purchase.
Content marketing, SEO, and PPC, for example, help drive customer awareness of your brand, especially in competitive niches. Free trials, on the other hand, give potential customers a glimpse of what they can expect from your product and a positive experience will help convince them to switch over to the paid version.
You may also use review sites, referrals, and affiliate marketing to boost your promotional campaigns and expand your audience. Finally, a quick and convenient registration process will remove the last barrier to entry for new customers.
By constantly seeking and analyzing customer feedback, testing new combinations of content, and streamlining your processes, you set up your SaaS business for greater success ahead.
8 SaaS Marketing Strategies to Help You Grow Your Business was last modified: July 25th, 2024 by Shakti Mataya
Looking for ways to record mobile phone calls for your enterprise but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place.
Today, we have various different options to record mobile phone calls, and here we’ll look at all the details you might need to know before investing in a mobile recorder solution.
Let us begin, however, by discussing the concept of recording mobile phone calls, its benefits, and whether it’s the right investment for your business.
Mobile Phone Recording: Use Cases
Why do you need to record mobile phone calls in the first place?
In general, there are four main reasons for a business to record phone calls:
To ensure that your business is in compliance with legal regulations
To record evidence of customer transactions/deals
Investigate the quality of phone calls (i.e. for evaluating employees and for training new employees)
To check for unauthorized practices
With that being said, recording mobile phone calls can provide the following benefits for your business:
Can potentially protect your business when you are sued by customers or other legal disputes
Better control over the quality of service on your phone calls
Comprehensive records of transactions made over phone calls and communication records
However, there are also some key concerns you should have before implementing mobile recording for your business:
Legal requirements in your area, which might vary between states and countries
How audio files are going to be stored to maintain data security and accessibility
How your employees are going to react when their calls are being monitored
Is It Legal To Record Mobile Phone Calls?
Is it legal to record mobile phone calls? For some industries, recording calls might be legally required, but it’s very important to ensure that all phone calls, mobile or otherwise, must be recorded in compliance with the legal requirements according to the location of both parties (your business and your caller).
As you embrace mobile phone recording technology for your business, it’s also crucial to establish your business legally. If you’re based in Georgia and ready to register your business entity, you can learn the steps to apply for an LLC in Georgia. Securing your LLC in Georgia is a big step towards ensuring your business’s compliance and success.
Call recording and monitoring laws vary among states and countries, and we should also take into account the possibility of our callers being located in different countries or states during the phone call.
In general, it is both legal and ethical to record mobile phone calls as long as there’s consent, so you should always inform the customer that the call is being recorded. However, mobile phone call recording laws can be divided into two different types based on consent:
States that Allow One-Party Consent
Most (38) states in the U.S. require the full consent of only one party on the call. Meaning, your business can technically record the conversation without the consent of the other party, if the other party is also in states with one-party consent recording laws.
However, if your enterprise mainly operates in a one-party consent state, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can freely record all calls without consent. You might still be required to follow the relevant state laws, and again, you’ll need to take into consideration whether the other party is located in a state with all-party consent laws.
Here are the 38 states with one-party consent recording laws:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
States Requiring Two-Party/All-Party Consent
Twelve states, on the other hand, require the knowledge and consent of all parties involved before the call can be legally recorded.
California
Connecticut
Florida
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
Pennsylvania
Washington
Also, some states do allow “implied consent”. Meaning, as long as you’ve informed the other party that you are going to record the call, if this other party continues to participate in the conversation, it can be treated as implied consent.
Again, it’s best to always ask for consent before recording any mobile phone call. This way, you don’t need to worry whether the other party is in a one-party or all-party state. Remember that failure to follow and understand the recording laws in your area can result in expensive fines and penalties, not to mention damages to your reputation.
Choose The Right Mobile Phone Recorder Solution
There’s always the possibility of building your own mobile recording solution from scratch, but in most cases, you’d want to rely on a third-party service.
With that being said, when choosing a third-party mobile phone recorder solution, you should consider three main factors:
Reliability: how reliable is the service in recording mobile phone calls (i.e. audio quality, low error rate, etc.)
Data security: whether the solution has implemented security best practices like end-to-end encryption for data at rest and in transit. Very important if you are in a highly regulated industry and/or frequently dealing with sensitive and confidential data
Features: based on your objective(s) in performing mobile recording, whether the solution can provide the features you’ll need.
Especially if you are in a heavily regulated industry, it’s very important to choose the right solution that is compliant with the legal requirements and state laws that might apply to your business.
If you are in the financial industry, for example, a mobile call recording solution like Truphone for Finance can provide the required experience and features in the complex industry. With Truphone, you also don’t need to worry about storage, since included in the package is access to Truphone’s secure global cloud, although you can also opt to deliver the recording files to another storage infrastructure.
Closing Thoughts
While all companies can certainly benefit from business mobile phone recording, it’s also important to pay attention to local regulations that might apply to your business before investing in a mobile recorder solution.
To really unlock the full benefits of recording mobile phone calls, you’ll need a legally compliant solution that can also meet your needs, and secure cloud storage and backup solution to keep your audio files safe.
A Comprehensive Guide to Mobile Phone Recording was last modified: September 14th, 2023 by Mike Khorev
Trading crypto is one of the most profitable investments in the financial market at this time. While trading crypto is seen as the next gold mine, there are some instruments that traders have adopted. One such is the usage of the perfect crypto app to carry out their trading activities. In this article, we will be looking at the best crypto apps for Androids.
Changelly
Like the web version of the exchange, the Changelly mobile app allows traders to monitor their assets in real-time. The app also provides users with a wide range of services that are available on the website. Asides from offering support to 200+ cryptos, the Bitcoin app for Android charges just 0.25% for exchanging from one crypto to another.
The user interface is easy to use, and new traders can get the hang of it in no time. The mobile app also has support on standby 24/7 to help with user’s complaints.
eToro
The eToro crypto trading app is one of the best across the world. With a user base spanning millions, this crypto app for Android allows traders to buy and sell digital assets. But the offer is limited: eToro supports only a tiny amount of digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum.
Asides from its simple and user-friendly interface, the app charges low fees for transactions as opposed to most crypto apps. Traders are not mandated to pay any fees if they want to deposit or buy tokens. However, the platform charges traders $5 for withdrawals on the app, a downside, according to traders and analysts.
Binance
Founded in 2017, Binance is regarded as one of the biggest and best trading platforms worldwide. This is because it covers a vast number of tokens. In 2018,Binance was the biggest platform globally, with $1.3 billion in market capitalization.
Not only is the Binance app user-friendly, but it also offers its users tutorials on how to begin trading. One thing that sets it apart is that it provides users with a three-way method to deposit their tokens. Traders can use the Bank deposit, peer-to-peer, or credit/debit card options to buy their tokens.
Coinbase
Even though it is very popular, Coinbase offers traders less crypto to trade compared to Binance. Just like Binance, crypto newbies are treated to a tutorial to help them hit the ground running.
Despite its popularity, the app charges a fairly higher withdrawal fee than the three listed crypto apps for Android above. Its user interface is very intuitive and helps new traders get accustomed to the app quickly. In this first quarter of this year, the crypto app saw a revenue of $4.03 billion, with $2.36 billion being its profit. Presently, Coinbase boasts of a user base of over 50 million across the world.
The Bottom Line
Even though most traders prefer to trade digital assets on their computers, it is without a doubt that most traders want the ease of using their mobile phones. The comfort of mobile user experience can never be overemphasized. If a trader needs to make a swift decision regarding his assets, a Bitcoin app for Android will come in handy, allowing you to easily adjust the crypto strategy on the go.
Best Crypto Apps For Android was last modified: December 7th, 2021 by Saqlain Javed
Cross-national surveys refer to studies in which different countries are compared and therefore require the design, implementation, and organization of the study to be comparable. It is important that researchers make additional considerations when conducting cross-national surveys so as to account for the social and cultural settings of different participant groups. A translation agency can assist by providing valid text for cross cultural interpretation. By doing so, the internal validity of the study increases and any differences in cross-cultural comparisons that are found can be attributed to actual differences rather than methodological flaws.
Within this article, we will explore the ways in which researchers accommodate certain social and cultural settings when they design sampling schemes, construct surveys using survey software, and select modes of data collection.
Sampling
When sampling in cross-national studies, it is important that researchers carefully select the data their sampling design will be based on. The following are three reliable sources of data that can be used:
Census Data
Census data is useful to use when the countries being compared in the study have census data that is reliable and easily available. Census data not only helps generate macro-level demographic statistics but also makes it possible to create a list of individuals within the population.
Resident Registers
This data source is a good option for countries where resident registration is compulsory. Resident registers will generally provide data that is more current and up-to-date when compared with census data that may become obsolete more quickly.
Voter Registers
In some countries, the percentage of registered voters within the voting age population is high enough to provide comprehensive population data for sampling. In such countries, voter registers can be used as a source to base the sampling design. It is crucial to note that in highly mobile societies, voter registers can become obsolete quickly, and for such societies, resident registers may be more suited.
Questionnaire Design
Designing a questionnaire for cross-national surveys is generally a tedious process as these designs must be modified to take into consideration the different circumstances in countries that differ in their political, economic, cultural, and social settings. This is especially crucial when conducting market research studies using market research software.
Terms and Concepts
One of the most complex problems to solve in order to achieve comparability across cross-national fieldwork are linguistic idiosyncrasies. Literal translations of questionnaires are likely to be counterproductive when trying to achieve equivalence within a survey. If the language employed cannot achieve equivalence, it will threaten the validity of the research.
Skilled researchers appoint both qualitative and quantitative methods to achieve equivalence of meaning and measurement in different languages. The systematic method of translation has two minimum requirements:
Detailed annotation of the source of the questionnaire
Iterative back-translation
Measurement and Response Categories
Beyond concepts and terms, other aspects of questionnaire design also require careful planning in international surveys. Measurements and response categories must be carefully decided after the pretesting of different numerical scales across different countries. Certain scales may seem unfamiliar or confusing to the people of one country while being completely familiar to those in another country.
Another issue associated with the point scaling system has to do with the cultural values and social norms that differ between societies. Cross-national variations can cause varying response patterns among countries, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful design, practice, and interpretation of cross-national surveys.
Modes of Data Collection using Surveys
There are many different modes of data collection that researchers can use including mail surveys, CATI surveys, internet surveys, and face-to-face surveys; each having its own strengths and limitations. the different factors researchers must consider while choosing a mode of data collection are as follows
● Questionnaire Length and Content
Internet surveys are generally effective for short and basic surveys. However, if the survey is too long or complex, respondents may choose to drop out. Therefore, in more long and complex surveys, other modes that have a moderator or interviewer present, such as telephone surveys or face-to-face interviews, are more appropriate.
● Country
Certain modes work better in certain countries, For instance, in countries with large populations of illiterate residents, where telecommunications is tedious, face-to-face interviews are most appropriate.
● Costs
With technological advancements, the use of face-to-face surveys continues to decrease as other modes of surveying become easier to use and more affordable. Cost is usually a major factor that is considered when making a decision about which survey mode to employ.
Types of Surveying and International Comparisons was last modified: April 26th, 2022 by Pranav Buchake
SaaS services are an integral part of everyone’s daily life. We use SaaS much more often than we think. And the convenience, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and other advantages of SaaS gain the trust of consumers without having to explain their complex structure and philosophy of the model.
In this article, we decided to look into how SaaS companies can help businesses and share a list of SaaS solutions that are most popular with entrepreneurs.
According to market research, the SaaS market is projected to reach $716.52 billion by 2028.
What Is SaaS?
Software as a service, or SaaS, is one of the three main categories of cloud computing and is the most common among consumer-level products.
Gmail, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office 365 are SaaS, providing productivity applications over the Internet. With this platform, you can learn how to sign a Word document digitally, simplifying the process of handling official approvals and document workflows.
In fact, anything. SaaS applications are used by a range of IT professionals services and business users, as well as executives at various levels.
In 2020-2021, the need to distance put a strain on the social behavior of people, as well as the characteristics of business and production processes. Cloud technology, already growing rapidly in recent years, has received a tremendous push to develop and improve.
Pros and Cons of SaaS
Advantages
SaaS is very popular because it has many advantages. They include:
Updates. Software hosted on a server can be updated centrally, unlike the traditional model in which the software would need to be updated on each machine. In other words, SaaS can be easily maintained with the latest version of the software at all times;
Hardware. With the software running on the server, individual PCs don’t have to be updated to meet hardware requirements, and there are no issues with not meeting minimum requirements;
Costs. With a subscription model, acquisition costs are reduced for businesses. In addition, users can be added on an as-needed monthly basis so businesses can expand;
Rapid deployment. Because the software doesn’t need to be installed and configured on individual computers, it can be deployed much faster with SaaS;
Accessibility. The SaaS application requires only a browser and an Internet connection to access it, allowing users to log in from anywhere. In addition, user data is stored in the cloud and is not tied to an individual user’s PC, making it easy to collaborate with other users.
Disadvantages
Despite the advantages of SaaS, there are also some disadvantages:
Data security. For sensitive data, in the healthcare or legal spheres, confidential information goes outside the company’s server, which raises issues of access control, privacy, and security;
Slow performance. Depending on the speed of your Internet connection and other necessary resources, a SaaS app may run slower than if the software runs locally;
Lack of integration. With SaaS, there are fewer opportunities to integrate the software with other programs (compared to the traditional software).
For many companies, the pros have outweighed the cons, and there is a trend toward running more software through SaaS with a cloud computing model.
Must-Have SaaS Tools For Businesses
Since it can be costly to manage your own tools for many tasks in your business, consider the top SaaS tools below.
If your team uses email to communicate, then you need EmailAnalytics. The app visualizes your team’s email activity, showing you essential metrics like emails received, sent, and average email response time.
This enables sales and customer service teams to track and improve response time. In fact, EmailAnalytics customers respond 42.5% faster than non-EmailAnalytics customers, on average. That leads to a 16% increase in sales and 100% happier customers (who doesn’t like faster responses, right?).
EmailAnalytics features:
Daily/weekly/monthly email reports
Data benchmarks
Fast & easy team onboarding
Cost: 14-day free trial, then starting at $5/user per month.
This is one of the most popular services for automating accounting. Entrepreneurs choose it because it works with popular CRM systems, tracks profits and losses, prints receipts, counts taxes, and collects balance sheets. Suitable for small companies who need an accounting system that meets their needs.
QuickBooks Online offers the most efficient, comprehensive, and useful tools. In addition, its flexibility and extensibility often surpass most Quickbooks alternatives.
Cost: by subscription from $12.95 per month. (30-day trial period)
LeadsBridge is an iPaaS solution that enables companies to enhance their omnichannel strategy by orchestrating their business data.
LeadsBridge fulfills your integration needs, focusing on bridging gaps between advertising platforms and sales funnels, and delivering tailor-made integrations made upon your business needs.
The LeadsBridge platform is suited for companies that want to streamline their advertising activities by integrating the marketing technology stack with Facebook & Instagram Ads, Google Ads, and LinkedIn Ads.
With more than +370 out-of-the-box integrations available at the moment, you can easily connect your chosen software with your advertising platform, seamlessly synchronizing data for your marketing workflows.
LeadsBridge main features include:
Lead Sync
Audience Targeting
Online to Offline Tracking
Platform to Platform
eCommerce Synchronization
Tailor-Made integration
LeadBridge offers a free trial for all four paid plans when billed monthly or annually. Paid plans start at just $29 with the self-service platform that offers up to 1.5k leads/mo.
RecurPost
RecurPost is a social media scheduler you can use to upload fresh content, which will be published instantly.
As a social media planner, they provide all the resources you require to keep your social media accounts active, whether you choose to use applications when on the go, our Chrome plugin while you browse, or regular schedules.
Features:
Bulk scheduling
White label reports
Content marketing
Royalty free images
Cost: RecurPost offers a 14-day free trial and their least expensive package runs around $12.50 a month.
EngageBay is a HubSpot alternative for startups, solopreneurs and small businesses. Since some of the popular marketing automation and CRM solutions can get really expensive for small firms, EngageBay was launched in 2017 as a one-stop alternative to get marketing, sales, and customer support tasks streamlined and automated.
About 30,000 business owners have tried EngageBay and the reviews are often great. The platform comes in handy when you need email templates, a landing page builder, canned or automated responses, a free integrated Live Chat widget for all your website pages, and real-time visual sales reports.
EngageBay features:
Automation workflows with custom nodes
Email & Landing page builder with templates
Facebooks ads, social suite for customer tracking
Video marketing
Customer Support tickets and groups
Cost: Free plan lasts forever; paid plans start at $7.79/month.
Sked Social is an Instagram-first social media scheduler, giving you tools that get you the most out of Instagram, and faster.
It’s perfect for brands that are visually-led, and it can be used anywhere from simple ‘set and forget’ bulk posting to full social attribution tracking, lead generation, content creation, and UGC (user-generated content) sourcing.
Sked Social’s features include:
Drag ‘n’ drop visual planner to perfect your grid
Queue for set and forget posts that will go live at your best time to post
Hashtag and creator search to instantly find trends and UGC
Built in customizable link in bio tool, so your links are always on brand
Workflows and collaboration for agencies and freelancers that make it easy to work across teams and with clients
In-built canva and image editing so you create and post without leaving your dashboard
Planly is an innovative social media scheduling tool that simplifies the process of planning and publishing content across various social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. Designed for businesses of all sizes, Planly allows you to manage and schedule your social media posts from a single dashboard.
InVideo is a video-making platform that has 1.5 million users from 190 countries. It provides the convenience of online video editors directly to your browser. It’s perfect for making video advertising, promo videos, and social media videos, among other things. 4000+ designs, quality stock media, text boxes, and more are included with InVideo. The absence of an InVideo watermark on the free plan is a great way to start.
Features of InVideo Editor include:
4,000+ customized pre-made templates including the social media calendar
8M+ iStock and 1M+ Shutterstock Photos
Easily convert articles to Video
Easily cut, crop, crop, composite, and brand your work.
Text-to-speech for accent free voiceovers
Live chat support and online community
Available for: Windows, Mac, and iPad (on popular desktop-based browsers)
HubSpot is a solution for automating marketing and sales tasks. It is a service that covers all the areas of Internet marketing, and it is a universal solution in this area.
Cost: free, premium version is required when connecting with the site. Many people find Huspot’s free offering is too limited so it may be worthwhile to check Hubspot Alternatives to find lower priced options.
Antavo is an API-centric, no-code loyalty technology provider that creates complete, enterprise-grade loyalty programs for brands, merchants, and shopping malls to nurture brand love and impact customer behavior. Antavo supercharges omnichannel and eCommerce organizations’ marketing strategies with a scalable and holistic loyalty logic that offers a next-level shopping experience with best-in-class in-store capabilities.
Antavo is a ‘pure-play’ loyalty service provider that has been recognized by Gartner and Forrester for its strong emphasis on a comprehensive, but complex loyalty system. The firm is a great innovator, not just generating new features for its software but also producing new products for the retail space.
Antavo features a simple and smooth integration with corporate solutions thanks to the API layer. Its system provides a robust set of tools for managing all aspects of a sophisticated loyalty program in a consistent manner. Customers may design their own program, manage membership categories, provide rewards, use gamification and non-transactional components, and ultimately boost customer lifetime value.
The popularity of the ServiceNow platform is gaining momentum every year. It is like a snow avalanche: good applications and new technologies raise the interest of users and spur developers to make their product even better.
This is a service that supports all key ITSM (Information Technology Service Management) processes. Importantly, the architecture of the solution is designed for high loads, so it works without interruptions.
SelfCAD is an easy to use 3D modeling software for beginners and professionals. Though it’s main target is freelance designers, professionals and hobbyists, it’s also a great tool for businesses for creating advertising 3D materials and realistic renders much easily without even having to hire professionals to do it for them. There is also the interactive tutorial feature that businesses can use to bring their new employees onboard much quickly and easily.
Stripe is an international system for secure Internet payments with plastic cards, in other words, a good counterpart to PayPal. Although it took some time for Stripe to catch up to PayPal, it now has millions of customers. Stripe meets international security standards, with PCI Level 1 certification, which is the highest level of certification in the payments industry. A convenient service is gaining popularity among giants as well (SAP, Kickstarter, Facebook, UNICEF, and others).
Features:
Subscription features are simple;
Reports are clear and transparent;
Fixed price;
Advanced reporting features to help you track your sales.
A set of useful office tools: free online document editors, a set of integrated business applications, a user administration, data analytics, and a data backup system. It is the choice of those who need everything at once.
Cost: free trial period of 15 days (then custom).
Many people are familiar with this corporate messenger.
The purpose of the service is to optimize team communication and facilitate interaction between departments. Slack is suitable for companies from different spheres: creative agencies, development teams, education, financial services, production, sales, and other areas. Thanks to Slack integration with many programs and services, it allows a company to create a full-fledged working environment.
Integrated with Google Drive, Office 365, and other useful business platforms.
Looking to work asynchronously and buid a better culture at work? Friday helps you make the office optional. Add daily standups, weekly check-ins, and one-on-ones in a regular way without having another meeting. You can now embrac flexible work without the fatigue of more video calls. It’s a perfect complement to Slack. You can also add the Friday planner and be productive as an individual employee, too.
Integrates with Zoom, Slack, Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Trello, Asana, and more.
Mailchimp is a marketing optimization platform, but its most useful function for businesses is free email newsletters and their further analytics. Everything a marketer needs, from recipient segmentation and click maps to spam checking.
Cost: free (a basic package), other packages from USD $9.99 per month.
A successful service for communicating with customers (Intercom collaborates with Slack, so you won’t lose anyone). Targeted and delayed messages, A/B tests, integration with Hubspot, Shopify, and others.
Cost: after a trial period (14 days) from USD $49 per month.
One of the most popular services for creating electronic signatures. With just a few clicks, you can sign and submit any document for signature directly from Gmail and Chrome. No need to print, fax, scan, or send documents via express mail.
Docusign is trusted by millions of people in 188 countries. It’s used in virtually every field, including finance, law, recruiting, sales, real estate, healthcare, etc.
The COVID-19 forced many organizations to move to a remote-first model. Companies quickly realized that a video-conferencing platform was no longer a nice-to-have, but a need-to-have.
From standard conference calls, to virtual lunch and learns, and even hosting virtual holiday parties, Zoom has proven to be the best-in-class video conferencing software for organizations operating in a remote-first or hybrid model.
Cost: Free then starting at $14.99 USD per month per license.
UserGuiding is an all-in-one user training and onboarding tool for web products and websites. Without any coding, you can create a wide range of interactive UX elements such as product tours, tooltips, checklists, resource centers and more.
You can group users with custom segmentation and analyze the performance of your user onboarding material with in-depth analytics.
And not just for new users too, with UserGuiding’s newest extension UG Now, you can create interactive tutorials for your employees on all your tech stack.
Cost: after a trial period (14 days) from USD $99 per month.
If your business has an email output in the tens or more daily, then you should be using WiseStamp. This email signature management software lets businesses of any size create a great looking business email signature and assign it to any number of employees with just a few clicks.
Email signature management will allow your business to control your branding in all your email campaign communication. You can choose to create unique signatures by job post or department. Another useful feature is the possibility to assign editing privileges to team leaders. This lets them run email signature marketing campaigns that target the specific goals of their department (such as recrutement link for HR, and Demo signup link for Sales).
WiseStamp is integrated with cloud based information processing tool providers like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.
The future is in low code. Cloud-based web applications just like any web service tool can be built without wasting time with custom code or extra syntax, but with the help of Flatlogic generator. Web app generator gives you the real toolkit to create your fullstack apps.
How it works: you define the appropriate model of your software creating a skeleton with the right stack, front-end and back-end, and an appropriate database. Flatlogic handles deployment and hosting for you. There is no need to download and install the final result, because everything is available online.
Timely is an automated time-tracking tool that also lets you track projects, monitor budgets, and view team performance all in one software. With Timely, you can examine past costs, tasks and turnarounds to set competitive rates and improve future project profitability and efficiency. Timely prioritizes privacy in its functionality, giving each team member their own private work timeline so they can control what information is displayed publicly. And with automatic time-tracking and timesheet app, your team can focus less on daily admin tasks — and more on the work itself.
Cost: Starts at $8 per user per month when billed annually.
Conclusion
In these times of information overload, choosing effective channels of communication with job candidates, working on resumes, growing teams of remote employees, partners, or even potential clients is a key to improving team productivity and overall project success.
We hope these SaaS solutions will be useful to your business and justify their popularity.
21 Must-Have SaaS Tools For Businesses was last modified: November 25th, 2024 by Edward Bishop
As far as the creation of software applications is concerned, there is a new movement. This movement is triggered by the invention and spread of a new kind of software application creation tool.
With easy-to-use no-code software development tools such as this platform, coming up with a website, mobile app, and other digital operating systems has never been so easy. This among other reasons is why people are gradually beginning to make the most of it.
But in addition to this, other things seem to make the use of these software creation tools a better choice. We will shed more light on this here and advise that you keep reading.
Why No-Code Software Development Tools Should be Considered
There are various schools of thought as regards the use of these easy-to-use software development tools. Some consider it far less than what traditionally designed software creation techniques can offer.
On the other hand, the school of thought on the other end of the continuum believes that No-code software development tools bring a lot to the table. This is as long as the right option is engaged among the various options available. Well, we share the same opinion with the latter and these are some of the reasons:
You Can do More in Less Time
Traditionally creating a new software application is not a small task. Even the simplest functioning website, mobile app, online portal, or any other digital operating system requires a lot of work at creation.
Aside from a tiring amount of coding that goes into the creation, designing of the back-end and other things are involved. Well, you have a lifesaver in no-code software development tools.
This is because you do not have to do all the IT rituals associated with traditionally creating a software application. You only need to make use of the ideal template and things take shape from thereon.
For those eager to hear how fast no-code software development tools can help out, you should know that you can create something functional in a matter of minutes.
Frequent Upgrades
The school of thought that believes these tools are not up to the task mostly holds on to the fact that upgrades might be a problem. Well, this is far from the truth. This is considering how many of the service providers that offer these tools are great in this regard.
Although there are some below-par service providers, to be frank, this is not a general problem. This is why identifying and working with the right option is of utmost importance. You will have no problem in this regard if you can make sure of this.
A Wide Range of Amazing Options
People that undermine no-code software development tools fail to realize or admit that there are many amazing options to consider. This is in the form of templates that can be converted to your desired software application in the long run.
This is not what you get when you traditionally develop a software application or have someone do so for you. You would have to think long and hard about what should be integrated into the general design. On the other hand, you already have so many amazing options and only need to make choices with no-code software development tools.
You Save More Money
We stressed above that traditionally designing a software application is time-consuming. What could take you days traditionally designing a software application, can take a few minutes with these easy-to-use tools.
As a result, you would discover that it is money saving. But this is not the only side to it as hiring a developer to traditionally design a software application can be expensive. So, you might have to make good use of this option when the need arises.
Conclusion
Software developers are still very much useful. This is because there are some complex software application creation tasks that they cannot handle for now. But this is only for the time being as service providers that make these tools available are getting better by the day.
Should you need to have especially a simple software application up and running, we suggest that you make good use of No-code software development tools. This is considering the several benefits they have to offer as discussed here and even more.
What Makes No-Code Software Development Tools a Better Option? was last modified: October 27th, 2021 by Nicholas Catrow
While the pandemic impacted call center operations, their services are vital to keeping businesses going. The technological advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robotic processes automation help continue customer care. In addition, call center automation is increasing at a more rapid pace. Thus, companies must ensure that they implement best practices for a smooth-flowing operation.
Shifting from a traditional to an automated business process is challenging. There should be a balance between your customer service automation approach and humans. Tools are meant to facilitate workflows and help humans improve their productivity and efficiency. However, you cannot remove the human factor in call center operations because customer service (CX) deals with humans.
Implementing Intelligent Automation
The most important best practice in call center automation is to balance the core service goals and the key performance indicators (KPIs) with automation. The primary goals are to improve operational efficiency and the experiences of customers continually. In addition, the company must know when to deploy AI-powered virtual assistants and employ human interaction with your live agents to achieve these goals.
Smart Dialing System
Today, a very effective tool for contact centers is a cloud predictive dialer, an automated, cloud-based automated dialer that determines when an agent will soon be available. According to the performance of the agents, a predictive dialer detects when an agent is about to end a call and puts the next call through. Thus, the system places many phone calls, drops unanswered calls, and immediately routes the call to the agent ready to take the call. The result is improved efficiency and performance for the center’s agents.
Automated Interactions
The term refers to any CX tool that lets a customer talk to a program instead of a human. This is a better option than a customer being put on hold and forced to listen to annoying music, which frustrates customers. You can reduce their frustration and potentially gain more customers by using automated software with advanced voice recognition technology to enhance customer experience.
Workflow Automation
A myriad of mundane and simple yet repetitive tasks take time to complete. You can maximize the time agents spend on their actual functions with automation software that can quickly organize customers’ accounts and other paperwork and make it easy to do follow-up tasks such as call logging, emails, and invoicing. Often a workflow automation program is AI-powered, which helps reduce errors.
Guidance for Agents
This call center automation tool allows agents to get a customer’s information as soon as they call in. During the call, the program’s multifunctional user interface lets the agent look up the details of the customer’s account, history of payments, purchases, and other relevant information that can assist the agent in helping the customer. In addition, there is automation software that can create call scripts to help respond to customers’ requests, which can lead to positive reviews.
Post-Call Analytics
Today, most businesses use analytics to improve their services, understand customer behaviors, and provide vital information for the company. For example, use automated call center software that will store transcripts and record other essential individual call information.
Summary
Automation is part of today’s modern businesses. Automation is vital, but it will be more effective if you can balance automation and better performance from your employees with empowering tools and best practices.
Trends and Tools for Call Center Automation was last modified: August 11th, 2022 by Mildred Austria
Snapping photos is something we all do regularly using our smartphones. Every single smartphone out there processes images differently as well as produces photos that may not appeal to everyone. For instance, some smartphones may capture photos with higher saturation levels, while others may capture warmer tones as compared to what the scene really looked like. This is where editing the photos you take comes in very much in handy.
Irrespective of if you have the best flagship smartphone that money can buy, or a more affordable phone, editing photos in the way you like them is very important. Specifically, if you plan on posting your photos on social media platforms, as it’s vital to give them a good look in order to make them attractive. To do so, you’ll need a good photo editor and we’re here to help you with just that. Here are some of the best photo editor apps for Android to help you make your photos look the way that you want them to.
Adobe Apps
Price: Free / Up to around $52.99 per month
Adobe has released a tonne of editing tools over the last number of years. Included in the package are some of the best photo editor apps which are available. Some of the choices include the following:
Adobe Photoshop Express,
Adobe Photoshop Mix, as well as
Adobe Lightroom.
Each one of these apps has a variety of features to assist you to do things. You’ll have the ability to do simple stuff such as removing red-eye to editing RAW files that have been taken by your smartphone or DSLR camera.
In particular, Adobe Lightroom gets updated rather frequently with new features. The only possible caveat is that some of the apps need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription in order to utilize all of the features. Those who use Adobe CC already should definitely just get these since they’re included with a CC subscription anyway.
Snapseed
Price: Free
The Snapseed is available on iOS and Android and is best for advanced photo editing on a mobile device.
Google’s Snapseed packs a punch, surpassing desktop photo editors with its massive range of features as well as an intuitive interface. Just as you’d expect, this free photo editing app comes with a wide range of pre-set filters. However, as opposed to most apps you are able to edit these filters and even create your own from scratch so you can play on Android as much as you like.
Snapseed has all of the classic tools, such as cropping, straightening, frames, text and vignettes. And the sharpening element does the job without making the image appear grainy. Then, things become interesting.
Snapseed has precision masking, which gives you the ability to edit the depth of field – photographers frequently do this to make the background blurry and bring the foreground even more into focus. In addition, there’s a “Selective Adjust” tool. This allows you select a particular area of your photo and adjust the saturation, contrast as well as brightness of that single point. What’s more, the photo editor app saves your edit history, so you are able to amend your previous edits at any point.
VSCO
VSCO is basically like a social media app however just for photos. It’s almost like Pinterest in the sense that users are able to post their photographs for other VSCO users to look at and appreciate.
Apart from being a network to share your images, VSCO has an in-built photo editor which works well for basic edits in terms of lighting as well as colours, just like Lightroom. You are able to modify the brightness, contrast, saturation in addition to hue levels of an image together with sharpening it or adding some grain.
What Are the Best Android Applications for Editing Photos? was last modified: October 26th, 2021 by Mark Morrison
For some buying a ready-made computer is an easy route, but have you considered building your computer from scratch? Many people are doing it today, and it comes with a lot of perks. You can customize your PC just as you like it and have it running in no time.
Here are five reasons why we think building your PC is a smart choice.
1. It is Cost Efficient
If you are building from scratch, you will be spending less than what you would when getting a pre-built system. You can choose what parts you want to be included and work with your budget. Sometimes, it will cost less than 300 bucks to build a regular-use computer.
With this type of computer, you can do basic things like streaming videos, browsing the web, and sending emails. For a gaming PC, you can also spend as little as between $300-$400 for an entry-level type. If you want a good 1080p display, you will be spending a little over $600, but it can still be cheaper than a pre-built system.
2. Access to Easier Upgrades
When building your own PC, it’s ideal for you to know all the parts in a PC and their functions. And with that knowledge, you can also easily upgrade your PC if you build it yourself. You know how the parts were installed and how to replace them.
However, for a pre-built system, it’s likely that you’ll take much longer to get upgrade components, and you will need to pay more to have someone do the upgrade. The cost of upgrading a custom-built PC is cheaper.
3. You Have the Option to Get High-Quality Parts
Most people trust branded logos to deliver quality, but they don’t know that the pre-built systems do not always come with the highest quality parts. Oftentimes, PC manufacturers will use low-quality components like hard drives, power supplies, RAM, and other materials to build their computers. The reason they will use cheaper parts is so they can maximize profits. If you build your PC, you can choose to use only high-quality components for it, such as solid state drives from Boost Hardware.
4. You Can Customize Your PC
Building your PC gives you complete control over the design. You can select parts based on your preference and what you need your PC for. If you want a PC with high graphics for streaming videos or playing games, it will be your choice. You don’t need to buy a new computer; you can always change the components and swap parts from your existing PC.
When you build your PC, you can decide to make custom decisions when choosing parts like memory controller, power supply, motherboard, monitor, graphics cards, and other components.
5. You Can Choose Your Operating System
You also have a choice to switch to a suitable operating system. Pre-built systems come with a specific operating system, and most times, it isn’t always the best one. Getting a pre-built system leaves you in the same boat with the everyday glitch issues, broken files, and other common complaints people make using that product.
When you build your PC, you don’t have any limitations or restrictions when it comes to operating systems. You can’t be coerced into running a Windows 10. You can choose the operating system you feel most comfortable with and even try entirely new software.
5 Reasons to Build Your Own PC was last modified: June 21st, 2024 by Dein Ruffin
When your business operations involve delivering products to customers, you need to ensure the delivery process runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. That begins with planning.
Here are six helpful tips to help you plan and optimize your deliveries.
1. Use a Route Planning App
If your company is still using manual planning tools like pen and paper or spreadsheets, you need to get with the times. A manual approach is time-consuming, can cause errors, and makes it difficult to scale operations.
On the other hand, using advanced routing software alleviates such problems and comes with plenty of benefits. When a route planning app is used to plan and run all of your deliveries, you can find the best routes, predict traffic problems in real-time, keep up with the latest weather conditions, and much more.
2. Consider More Than Just the Time it Takes to Drive a Route
While it’s much easier to create smooth delivery route plans when you use a dedicated app, you still need to think about all those things that contribute to the delivery service running to its optimum performance.
ittle things could be overlooked. For instance, you need to account for different variables that affect delivery times, not just focus on how long journey times are. Drivers must be given sufficient time to unload items, enter buildings, complete paperwork, and so on
Service time must be included in your delivery time calculations to make sure the delivery times are realistic and everything runs smoothly.
3. Choose Strategic Transshipment Points
Having transshipment points is essential for most delivery services. You can enhance the efficiency of your operations if those transshipment points are planned well. Consider the locations of the points carefully to find out which locations are impractical and which provide the optimal opportunities.
4. Consider Small Details to Optimize Your Delivery Route Plan
You need to find optimal delivery routes if you want your deliveries to run on time and error-free, but that goes beyond simply finding the shortest routes. You need to know how long routes take at different times of day, as a route could take a lot longer during rush hour.
You also need to look at whether there are ways of cutting down route times further or if you can meet delivery windows consistently. By considering each detail, you can create the most successful delivery route plan.
5. Choose the Delivery Options That Work Best for Your Company
While you certainly have the opportunity of growing your business and creating loyal and happy customers by offering a wide variety of delivery options, such as same day, next day, and morning or afternoon options, providing all of those options isn’t always a good idea.
Determine which delivery options you should provide for customers by examining your infrastructure and working out which options make the most financial and practical sense. Make cost optimization your priority and you will soon be able to discern whether providing more delivery options is worth it.
6. Collect and Analyze Data to Improve Your Delivery Service
You should continually monitor your delivery operations to identify any issues and look for ways for improvement. It’s easy to do that when you use delivery route software because you have all of the information at your fingertips.
Make sure you collect and analyze data so you can learn and make any changes to alleviate problems. For example, if there’s always a delay at the start of one route, you can quickly figure out what is causing that delay and take steps to solve it.
6 Tips for Successful Delivery Route Planning: How to Plan and Optimize Deliveries was last modified: October 7th, 2021 by Claire Ward
With accounting apps, you’re no longer bound to the office to manage our books. You can record expenses and revenue on the device you carry everywhere you go – your cell phone.
These six different accounting softwares make it easier than ever to keep your finances in check. Combining simplicity and functionality, these apps are designed for busy entrepreneurs on the go.
QuickBooks gives you a real-time cash flow analysis that you can pass on to your accountant to make financial statements and taxation a breeze. Keep all your invoices, quotes, expenses and revenue in one place and record as you go.
Price: Free for the basic version. In-app upgrades start at $9.99 per month.
Refrens is a versatile invoicing and payment collection platform specifically designed for freelancers, small businesses, and agencies. With Refrens, you can create invoices, manage projects, and track expenses—all from a single app. Additionally, it offers options for payment collection and project tracking, ensuring seamless accounting management on the go. Its simplicity and effective tools make it a top choice for entrepreneurs who want to keep their finances in order without hassle.
Price: Free for the basic version. Premium plans start at $2 per month. Download on iOS or Android.
Xero Mobile Accounting
Xero is a multi-award-winning accounting software for small to medium businesses. With the highest user rating among accounting apps, Xero took out the top spot as the best overall accounting software in 2021.
Xero Mobile Accounting is an app with extensive capabilities, enabling you to send quotes and invoices, reconcile bank accounts, acquire receivables faster, monitor expenses and stay on top of your bills. Xero is the leading choice of software for accountants, with a certification program providing exclusive access to extra perks for proficient accountants.
Price: Free for the basic version. In-app upgrades start at $29.99.
FreshBooks thought of everything when they developed their mobile accounting app. Taking the hard work out of accounting practices, FreshBooks Accounting covers all the essential tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking and bill payments in one easy-to-use app.
One of the most impressive features of the FreshBooks Accounting app is the mileage tracker that records your distance as you drive. The mileage tracker categorizes your business trips and displays your potential tax deduction from accrued mileage. Gone are the days of logbooks and receipts; FreshBooks mileage tracker reduces business admin and improves recordkeeping accuracy.
Price: Free for the basic version. In-app upgrades start at $14.99 per month.
For simple and efficient accounting on the go, you can’t go past ZoHo Books Accounting. With less time spent shuffling papers and punching calculators, you’ll have more time to spend on your business.
Send invoices, record expenses, and categorize bill payments from your phone, iPad, or Apple watch. ZoHo also lets you invite your accountant to analyze your numbers without having to meet you in person. No matter what currency you’re working with or how many users need access, ZoHo meets the needs of anyone looking to improve their accounting processes.
Price: Free for the basic version. In-app upgrades start at $8.99 per month.
As a complete accounting package, Book Keeper helps you accurately maintain all financial processes, including sending quotes, creating invoices, recording expenses, viewing reports and much more. Book Keeper removes the manual work from business accounting, so entrepreneurs have more time to focus on growing their business.
Price: Free on a 14-day trial, after which you can make a one-time purchase of $200 to unlock Book Keeper’s unlimited features.
Sage Accounting was developed to take the strain off busy entrepreneurs. With a focus on small businesses, Sage Accounting takes care of everything from automating transactions to handling taxes.
Small business owners are some of the hardest working people who often spend very little time at the desk. This mobile accounting app helps to prevent a slip in productivity while on the go. Sage Accounting supports unlimited users, allowing business owners to delegate responsibilities such as sending quotes, creating invoices, managing inventory and preparing financial statements.
Price: Free on a 30-day trial, after which monthly subscriptions start at $17.49.
Our lives are already busy enough without having to factor in the time for manual accounting. Do away with old, time-consuming processes and download an accounting app that improves accuracy and efficiency. Accounting apps are the way forward for business owners who want to optimize the time spent on running their business.
The 6 Best Accounting Apps to Keep Your Finances in Check was last modified: November 7th, 2024 by Boris Dzhingarov
Improving the performance of your truck business can directly influence your operating costs and revenue.
The demands in the truck sector will continue to grow in the future as people get used to the gratification of ordering and receiving a package at flash speed. You work in a competitive market with Amazon shipping around 5 billion items annually, only through its Prime program. Amazon is the most popular retail platform because it offers same-day, one-day, and two-day shipping options. But Amazon isn’t the only one to provide these benefits. Thanks to the advancements in the trucking sector, you can also achieve these numbers. Boosting your company’s efficiency can bring you higher profit and cut down on running costs.
Here are the fastest ways to improve your truck company’s productivity.
Recruit Skilled Drivers
Studies show that 8% of long-haul drivers are female, and you should take advantage of this opportunity to attract diversified workers, especially since long-haul driving is dealing with a shortage of drivers. You should also consider recruiting young people and military veterans if they have the needed skills to perform at their job. This approach is implemented by expedited freight shipping companies like MigWay. Lately, the authorities have been considering changing regulations and lowering the legal age for interstate commercial drivers.
Properly Maintain Your Vehicles
Having all vehicles checked regularly and their tires, filters, and other essential parts inspected will increase the lifespan of your trucks and prevent costly repairs. Ensure that your fleet is completely road-worthy before they leave your headquarters on a trip. Improperly maintained vehicles are unsafe, lack fuel efficiency, and can become a danger on the roads.
Upgrading the vehicles is also an effective way to enhance safety and performance across your fleet. Utilizing semi truck leasing for truckers can provide access to newer, more reliable models without the significant upfront costs of purchasing. This approach allows businesses to maintain a modern fleet, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure compliance with the latest safety standards.
Get Insurance
Insurance protects you from financial loss and prevents unwanted or uncertain losses caused by accidents. Truck insurance companies have ranging sizes in insurance packages from small to large fleets and can offer customized quotes for your needs.
You probably have general liability insurance, but to ensure that your business is safeguarded from any risk, you should also get bobtail insurance because it covers instances when a truck without a load or trailer engages in an accident. Ask your insurance provider what the bobtail insurance cost is, and make sure to add it to your coverage.
Minimize Idling
Train your drivers to switch off the truck’s engine when it’s running for no reason. Obviously, it would be impractical to switch it on and off when they’re in a traffic jam, but they should stop it when they stop in a parking lot.
Use Truck Scales
Truck scales allow you to weigh the cargo when you unload and eliminate multiple steps that slow down the overall process. Your drivers lose time when the scales are located away from the loading docks, and they have to speed up on their drive to stick to the schedule. But if the truck includes a well-maintained scale that offers accurate results, they’ll no longer deal with this issue.
Use a Fleet-Tracking Tool
A great problem truck companies experience is keeping track of their shipments and drivers. If you install a GPS system on your trucks, you can make the process easier because it allows you to monitor operations. The measure also enables you to improve customer service as your clients can also track where their cargo is.
The Fastest Ways To Increase Your Truck Company’s Productivity was last modified: November 25th, 2024 by Stephen Marshall
