Is CCIE Dead Or Still a Valuable Certification?

One of the hot discussions today in the IT community is whether Cisco’s CCIE Certification is valuable as before or not. With the popularity and common deployment of Cloud Networking, Network Automation, Software Defined Networking type of certifications and knowledge, many people have been questioning the importance of the CCIE certification.

In this post, we will discuss briefly this point and will make a couple of points for why CCIE certification is still valuable. Of course, a good CCIE enterprise infrastructure training for real-life knowledge is very important, but also it helps to pass the certification exam as well. 

CCIE vs. Cloud Certifications

These days, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and GCP Cloud certifications are very popular. They are popular because so many companies started to use different types of cloud services, they take sometimes even just for price advantage.

In private, Public, and Hybrid clouds, many people utilize the agility and flexibility of Cloud Services. When a particular technology becomes mainstream and so many companies start using it, many job opportunity arises.

When Engineers see these opportunities, of course, they want to explore the opportunities. But we need to understand that, still all traditional IT services and models still there, but just in someone else’s Datacenter.

Networking, Storage, Database, and many other traditional IT domains still continue, still there, just maybe not on your own premises. Network Engineers get CCIE certificate because, during their study journey, they need to learn so much about networking, that they become an expert in network operation, deployment, and troubleshooting.

They utilize these skills in Cloud as well of course. So, it is not CCIE vs Cloud, it is CCIE and Cloud!.

CCIE Certification Is Still One of the Most Demanded Certifications by the HR Professionals

To understand whether it is valuable or not, we can check the Job posts. As you will realize from the many job advertisements, many CCIE tracks are still so demanded.

CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Security, CCIE Datacenter, and so on. For example, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure requires a good level of networking, especially switching and routing knowledge, practical, hands-on experience, and it is utilized in Cloud, IoT, SDN, and many other evolving technologies as well.

Same as understanding Datacenter technologies such as VPLS, OTV, EVPN, Fabricpath, and many others during the CCIE Datacenter journey will help a lot in real-life and in many of the job advertisements today, these technologies will be required too.

Thus, we recommend you to get good training for your CCIE certification exams, gain real-life design and operation knowledge from the training vendors and ask them whether they can support you in a mentorship model as well.

Newer, Better Faster – CompanionLink 10 Released

CompanionLink Software has launched version 10 with its new and improved features such as sync speed improvements for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and all Outlook sync. This version contains new logic for 64-bit Outlook Sync, FMCID for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection, and new drivers for iCloud and Microsoft Graph API. As the online Contact and Calendar world moves to 2 Factor Authentication, CompanionLink leads the way to advanced Sync with your PC.

New in CompanionLink 10 is Sync to Apple’s iCloud ecosystem. This allows you to sync directly from Outlook, Act!, GoldMine and Palm Desktop to iCloud – which will populate Contact and Calendar data for any iPhone and iPad.  This sync is not reliant on any Outlook folder type and so it adds important functionality to corporations with secure Outlook folders. 

Other changes in CompanionLink Version 10:

  • Wifi sync and Bluetooth sync now have an FCMID stored when you pair the device. If DJOA is closed on the mobile or the IP has changed the Mobile will now show a DJO Notification, if you tap it, DJO will launch and start the sync.
  • There is a new Sync option for Microsoft Graph. This is the OAuth Method for logging into Outlook.com\Office 365 online which does not need an App Password for 2FA accounts.
  • Removed some older Database options (Highrise, Lotus Notes, Salesforce, Sugar\Suit CRM, and Zoho). These are still available in CompanionLink for Apps.
  • CompanionLink Time and Chaos is now in CompanionLink Express and CompanionLink for Windows Live is now just CompanionLink for Outlook.
  • The Registration menu has been simplified, now only Name and Email are Visible. If you need the Computer ID or the Purchase ID, click the Advanced button on the bottom right of the Registration menu.

One-Time Purchase Price

CompanionLink Software is committed to offering a one-time purchase price to its users rather than the expensive subscription services offered by competitors. On May 1, CompanionLink announced its first price increase since 2008. This roughly restores the pricing that was available at that time adjusted for inflation.

Why You Should Upgrade

Support CompanionLink developers by upgrading to version 10. CompanionLink is constantly working to provide you with the fastest and most efficient software to sync your data between all your devices. CompanionLink is one of the few companies to offer free US-based email and telephone tech support.

The Real Estate Marketing Tech Stack Driving Success For Real Estate Agents In 2022

Real estate technology has become a hot topic lately. However, not every real estate company is adopting these technologies, and those that don’t risk being left behind. Nonetheless, the question remains, how should real estate agents and brokers leverage technology today to stay competitive? The answer lies in adopting a tech stack that works for you and your business. The right stack brings together all of the technology tools real estate professionals should be using in their business today. This article will discuss what a tech stack is (for those who are a bit late to the game) and what tools you should add to your arsenal to leverage your leads more effectively.

What Is A Tech Stack?

When used as initially intended, a tech stack means a combination of programming languages and frameworks that work together to create a software application. However, in recent times and due to the proliferation of different types of technology, it has come to mean a collection of technologies that businesses can use to increase productivity and ultimately boost sales. When it comes to real estate agents and companies, this can mean things like an IDX feed, communication tools, and more. The idea is to allow an agent to become more productive with their time and close more sales than before. 

In today’s world, buyers are more informed than ever before and use technology to their advantage. A real estate tech stack is a way for agents to stay competitive in this market. Nevertheless, for a stack to prove effective, each component must be integrated enough with each other to avoid issues that could result in wasted time and possible miscommunication.

How Can A Well-Integrated Tech Stack Benefit A Real Estate Agent?

A well-integrated tech stack is necessary for a successful real estate business. It allows agents to leverage their time, communicate with clients more efficiently, and keep track of their inventory. The best way for a real estate agent to benefit from technology is by automating specific tasks. This will allow them to focus on what they do best, serving clients and closing deals. Essentially, the more integrated each component is, the more efficient your time will become. For example, you might want to integrate an internet data exchange feed with your website, which should automate updating a whole raft of property information. This will save time while improving the quality of your listings. But while all of this sounds amazing, what tools do real estate agents really need to become more competitive and efficient.

Tech Solutions All Realtors Should Add To Their Stack

Any Real Estate Agent worth their salt should always search for ways to maximize sales. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at which solutions are best for this industry and why an agent should add them to their technical toolbox.

Internet Data Exchange Feed

A real estate internet data exchange feed is a file uploaded to a multiple listing service (MLS) to provide information about a property. The listing agent typically uploads these feeds, but some MLSs allow for 3rd-party feeds to be used. The feed contains all of the information about the property, such as its address, price, and other essential details. The benefits of this real-time information for real estate agents are significant. They can use it to find out about new properties and listings that might not be listed on the public websites. It also provides them with a competitive advantage by allowing them to have up-to-date information about the market. Once integrated into your website, you will find that listings are updated on the fly, providing significant advantages in terms of saving time and enhancing efficiency.

Website Builders

Although many people use social media to find out new information, the understanding of how to build a real estate website will always be essential for businesses. It acts as a calling card, a unified location to list your inventory, and an extra point of contact for interested leads. However, even though building a site has become easier than ever before, many agents simply don’t have the time nor predication to want to make one themselves. This leaves two options:

  1. Hire a developer: You will get a fantastic site but at a cost.
  2. Do it yourself: Cheaper, but the design might not be as alluring as one developed by a professional.

If you are starting and need to save some money, a website builder might be the next best thing. An AI website builder is software used to create websites and provides the user with several templates and some drag-and-drop features. The templates are usually customizable, and the user can change the color scheme and add pictures, content, and other elements to it. Some are free, and others are paid (or work on a freemium model), so it is up to you as to what you want to produce. Nonetheless, whatever option you select, you should ensure that you can integrate an IDX provider to receive the advantage mentioned earlier.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

CRM software is designed to help you manage your customers and provide them with personalized service.

A real estate agents can use realtor CRM to automate many tasks that are traditionally done manually, such as managing leads, tracking sales opportunities, and managing customer data. CRM systems are different from other types of customer management software because they are more focused on the relationship between you and your customer rather than on day-to-day operations. However, this personalized service can really differentiate you in the crowded real estate market.

Calendar And Appointment Applications

Without the ability to schedule meetings effectively, how can you expect to become more effective? This is where calendar and appointment applications come to the rescue. In the past, you might have seen an estate agent carrying around a physical diary full of appointments, dates, and a plethora of other information. Nowadays, people opt for online solutions for obvious reasons. Aside from the fact that they are always with you, they make setting up appointments a breeze. Best of all, there are a variety of free applications replete with everything you could ever require. For example, Google Calendar is cloud-based, integrates with your usual Google accounts, and provides the ability to include others when setting meetings. This is an obvious choice if you already use Google for your email and cloud applications. You should ensure that you have a separate account and calendar for your business so that you can integrate them for maximum effectiveness.

Unified Email Client

Unified email clients are the perfect solution for those who have several email accounts and want to consolidate them into one. If you work for a real estate company that provides you with a dedicated email account, this can be a real lifesaver. There are many benefits to using a unified email client. You don’t have to log in to multiple accounts, and you can use the same interface for all of your messages. This is especially useful if you need to access emails from different services simultaneously or if you want to reply to an email but don’t know which account it’s in. Furthermore, they can be helpful if you are a self-employed realtor since they can connect your personal accounts with your professional ones, saving you time and reducing confusion.

Project Management Software

Real estate projects are typically more complex than others, with a significant amount of financial exposure. If operations are to be completed on time and on budget, you must be efficient with your time and resources. As a result, it’s crucial to have software that can help with:

  • Planning
  • Scheduling
  • Budgeting
  • Communicating
  • Allocation
  • Monitoring activities

Project management software is a type of software used to manage a project. The software usually includes features like timelines, task management, and collaboration tools. You can use this type of software for many purposes in a real estate business and, once integrated with an existing workflow, can dramatically improve productivity. They are primarily used for larger property companies, but self-employed agents can also use solutions like Trello to interact directly with their customers and clients. For example, suppose you are attempting to sell a house and have arranged for a photographer to visit. In that case, you can update the homeowners via Trello and inform them of the tasks they should complete before the photographer arrives (cleaning, rearranging furniture, etc.).

Media Editing Software

Although most images and videos will be edited by the professionals who take them, you may have to edit some of them yourself. However, editing software can be costly, so you need to perform a cost-to-benefit analysis. For example, if you have lots of time but pay someone to edit your images, you may find purchasing this software makes financial sense. Conversely, it might not be worthwhile if you have lots of business but struggle for time. Nevertheless, in today’s world of social media, you will still need to use something that allows you to easily create media fit for social media without dedicating too much time. Fortunately, you have many options as programs like Canva offer tools that are sufficient to make slight alterations to media and create socially engaging content.

Social Media Management Software

Social Media has become an essential marketing tool for any business today, especially for realtors looking for ways to develop and interact with high-quality leads. Social media is a powerful tool that real estate agents can use to market their properties and themselves. It gives them more control over how they are portrayed to the public, and it also helps them build their personal brand. Nonetheless, with so many channels these days, it can be challenging to keep on top of everything. At the very least, you will have to interact with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more if your business requires it. So what can you do to ensure that you have all relevant channels covered without dedicating too much precious time?

Social media management software is a tool that allows marketers to manage all their social media accounts from one unified dashboard (unified being somewhat of a consolidating topic here). It is a type of web-based application that manages these accounts by automating the posting process and scheduling posts. However, it can do more than this, and this kind of software can help with the following tasks:

  • Scheduling posts
  • Reporting
  • Managing content
  • Engaging with followers
  • Tracking competitors

Cloud-Based Contract Solutions

Real estate is a business that involves a lot of signatures and legally-binding agreements between parties. However, due to the more dispersed nature of the industry these days, it can be challenging to meet with clients to get their signatures. Services like DocuSign can help you manage your business more effectively. It only takes a few clicks for you and your clients to sign all the essential papers with DocuSign. Moreover, if the document is sent to multiple parties, you can check whether they have seen and interacted with the document in question. This can enable you to expedite what was once a slow and tedious process.

Cloud Storage Services

When it comes to collaboration, a realtor who doesn’t use cloud-based storage and collaboration services has seriously dropped the ball and is missing an easy solution for a time-consuming problem. Services like Dropbox, iCloud, and Google Drive provide you with a range of features to store, share and collaborate on all manner of documentation. The service you choose will depend heavily on preference. Still, it is widely accepted that Google Drive is an excellent choice. It provides a healthy amount of free storage (with affordable options to upgrade), integrates perfectly with your Google account, and makes sharing a piece of cake. Whether it’s a contract, marketing material, or real estate media, keeping everything in one place and having it accessible anywhere is extremely useful for a profession like real estate that’s always on the move.

Creating a tech stack that works for your business will increase productivity, efficiency, and leads and ultimately enable you to close more sales. The solutions you add to your stack will depend on your budget, market size, and how you operate. Nevertheless, the ones listed in this post are a great place to start and should give you a solid foundation to become a modern, forward-looking real estate agent.

Why Would You Want a Lab Grown Diamond? 

If you’re ready to propose to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you’ll need to get an engagement ring. 

A general rule of thumb is that you should spend around two months’ worth of your salary on an engagement ring. So, if you make $50,000 per year, you should budget about $8,200. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. But you probably shouldn’t spend more than that either. One source notes that the average engagement ring cost $3,756 in 2020, far less than the $7,829 average in 2018. When it comes to getting one, it’s hard to beat a diamond. Diamonds are forever.

If you’re researching diamond rings, you’ll want to know the difference between a mined diamond and a lab created diamond. On the one hand, a mined diamond is formed when carbon deposits buried underground are subject to pressure and high temperature. On the other hand, a lab created diamond is created in a lab using technology that replicates the diamond formation process. 

You might be wondering why you should get a lab created diamond over a mined diamond. There are several good reasons to do so. 

Keep reading to learn why this is the case.

They’re Less Expensive

A lab created diamond is cheaper than a mined diamond. In fact, it can be 20% to 30% cheaper. One reason is that the supply chain for the lab created variety is more efficient than the supply chain for the mined variety. It costs mining companies a lot of money to dig for diamonds. They require expensive and heavy machinery to excavate and collect the diamonds. As you can imagine, that extra cost ultimately makes its way down to you, the consumer.

If you see two diamonds that look the same but one is a lot cheaper than the other, why would you pay more? That’s why a lab created diamond is the best value for your dollar.

They are Environmentally Friendly

The process of collecting mined diamonds causes damage to ecosystems and watersheds. It involves digging huge, deep holes in the ground. And this requires the use of a lot of heavy machinery powered by massive amounts of fossil fuels. Depending on where a diamond mine is built, the mining company might also have to cut down many trees. It’s invasive. 

Since a lab made diamond is grown in a laboratory, it doesn’t have the same negative environmental impact. The high-end technology replicates the process that forms mined diamonds. There’s no need to use heavy equipment to access the diamonds either.

Their Origin Can Easily be Determined 

Have you ever heard of the Kimberley Process that was started in 2003? It’s a rule established to reduce the market for conflict diamonds, which are rough diamonds used to fund wars. When you buy a mined diamond from a retailer, you won’t know its origin. You’ll undoubtedly hope that the retailer is abiding by the Kimberley Process. But there’s no way for you as a consumer to be sure. 

You won’t have to worry about the place of origin if you get a lab made diamond. Once you know where the lab is, you’ll know where the diamond was manufactured. It’s a guilt-free consumer experience since you won’t have to wonder if you’ve in fact bought a so-called blood diamond.

If you’re planning to get married and are looking for an engagement ring, you’ll have a lot of options. You can’t go wrong with getting a diamond engagement ring. And if you want to get a quality diamond ring at a competitive cost, then finding a lab created diamond ring makes sense. 

6 Brilliant Ways of Incorporating Technology and How It Can Benefit a Business

Growth is among the key goals for all business leaders. Regardless of whether you are among the leaders in a global brand or head of an unpopular and small local business, you will be right in saying that your strategies focus on scaling your business.

There are a lot of directions you may take to facilitate the growth of your business. Though before then, you will first need to establish stronger growth strategies, one which can facilitate the success of your business and keep workers productive. The center of all these is technology.

Adopting modern technology is among the driving forces behind success and long-term growth. That is because incorporating technology in the following smart ways will help expedite many processes in the business:

1. Connecting With People

Among the effective technological features is the capability to connect and communicate with other individuals. Many individuals globally depend on technology to connect.

In fact, it has become a worthwhile and important part of people and businesses alike. Technology serves as an important tool to be in touch with employees and customers.

As far as modern technology is concerned, there is an increase in the collaboration sphere, with a particular level of flexibility. In addition, it has become more convenient, and team collaboration has grown to another level of understanding.

2. Scanning of Items

A scanner is important in many businesses, especially those looking to complete transactions and track their packages as well as items. It is vital to keep your scanner protected every time you work.

If you often take a scanner in and out of the pocket, there will be a high risk of dropping and damaging your scanner. This is why it is advisable to invest in Panasonic Scanner Holster. The case is open completely, and it doesn’t come with a flap, which folds the top of your scanner.

3. Employee Education and Training

Development and training are vital parts for many businesses to be competitive. Blended tools for learning allow workers to maintain flexible schedules.

Usually, blended learning comprises using virtual classrooms or e-learning tools in addition to the in-person sessions. This enables workers to take advantage of their training by knowing about the available learning techniques.

Blended learning styles are important assets for workers, as switching to education approaches may stimulate interests. As a business owner or manager, you may use these learning tools to your advantage.

Your employees will be more engaged since they will have the training flexibility. Because of this, you will be able to increase employees’ work performance.

4. Managing Debts

Debts handling is among the greatest headaches for entrepreneurs, especially in the phase of growing or establishing a business. It might take effort and time to track debts and manage all of them to avoid future problems.

But on the other hand, most entrepreneurs are not aware of effective practices for managing debts that may ultimately end up in bankruptcy and total breakdown. The functioning bank account is one of the most important elements of a successful business. Daily business transactions are fairly transparent for the corporation; all sums and user information are accessible to both bank personnel and other regulatory bodies. An anonymous bank account can be used for business tasks: transfer of profits from the offshore company, payment of dividends and royalties.

5. Handling Projects Efficiently, Effectively, and Easily

Technology enables business leaders and owners to be on top of all their projects by tracking progress and time. With tools for managing projects, such as Podio, Manymoon, and Basecamp, you may effectively collaborate with the whole team as well as share access to different documents.

Apps, such as Roambi might as well help to read data of your business, then later analyze and turn into a report through graphs on an iPad. When it comes to Apple devices, this is referred to as Keynote, which is relative to PowerPoint.

If your business focuses on construction, repair, or remodeling projects, displaying pictures after and before provide proof of the value the product or service can provide. The impact of conveying the benefits of your services or products will turn potential customers into serious ones.

6. Increasing Functionality and Minimizing Cost

Two main things work hand-in-hand to develop a buyer’s market for software solutions. The software and hardware required to develop software solutions have become easy to afford and use.

In addition, the number of entrepreneurial and tech-savvy minds who exploit crumbling barriers has exponentially multiplied. Back-end inventory systems, which took multi-million-dollar companies one year to develop, now take several weeks for university graduates to create or put together.

Basically, these solutions are available at an affordable rate and easy to use, making businesses find it unnecessary to work with the most dedicated workers or even sign a long-term service contract so as to leverage them.

In a Nutshell!

The global pandemic, Covid-19, accelerated many things, from telemedicine to online grocery shopping, in a way that many people never imagined.

With many workers choosing to work remotely and many customers now buying online, it has become more imperative for businesses to prioritize the use of technology.

Instead of using siloed IT departments, consider implementing technological developments as a core strategy that runs the organization entirely.

5 Advantages of Using Online Surveys for Your Customers

Importance of Surveys for Business

Surveys are research types based on questions regarding the product to know the customer’s opinion. Different types of questionnaires are used to dig out the opinion of the customers. People usually hesitate to express their thoughts and feelings regarding services and products, but it is dangerous for the companies as it leads them to a dead end. So, frequent online surveys are necessary for the companies to touch the clients. This phenomenon was once used through a door-to-door campaign, and it was a lengthy, time taking, and difficult process. It also required a lot of resources and effort while it was not so reliable.

Online Surveys

Online surveys are the latest form of survey that uses information and communication technology through the effective platforms of websites. It is the easiest and most effective way to collect data from customers.

The use of online surveys is easy as it helps the organizations to know the customer behavior regarding the product and services being provided by the organization. This facilitates the companies to save efforts and sources while better results can be achieved as compared to conventional methods of data collection. The survey is carried out through the use of software applications.

Top Survey Tools

  • SurveyMonkey: It is considered to be the best tool for managing the survey questionnaires. The tool helps to design and analyze data collection for decision-making.
  • SurveySparrow: This application helps to get and manage the feedback from the customers about the brands of the organizations.
  • IntouchSurvey: This application is helpful to maintain the system of survey, its designing, distribution, and analysis of the data from the customers.
  • Zonka Feedback: Get customer feedback with NPS surveys and survey app tool.

5 Benefits of Survey

Following are the five prominent benefits that a business can achieve from online surveys.

  • Fast results: The data can be obtained easily and it takes much less time as compared to other methods of data collection from the customers.
  • Accuracy: Automation enables the companies to get more accurate results as questions are designed through predesigned templates, more questions can be made according to the demand of the product.
  • Brand awareness: It also helps to promote the brands through easy and cost-effective publicity of the brands. Two birds can be killed with the help of one stone.
  • Attractive and enchanting: The questionnaires are visually engaging as they are designed with the help of specially designed tools.
  • Cost-effective: Online survey method is a more reliable, authentic, and fast mode of data collection at the same time it is cost-effective. It requires no man force and other items for conventional methods of getting feedback from the customers.

Conclusion

Feedback from the customers is necessary for decision-making about the products and services. This data collection is easy for the companies as it engages no lengthy and time taking process. Survey tools make the designing of the questionnaires easy, fast, reliable, attractive, and more fruitful in this age of information and communication technology.

Four Necessary Tips for Building Your  Business in 2022

Every day we experience new and remarkable growth in the business world, and because of that, the desire for new and innovative brands is steadily increasing. 

And since the demand for innovative brands is high, that unique concept you’re passionate about may change the world and provide enormous opportunities for other founders.

Most business people who want to create a profitable business spend unending hours researching numerous business concepts and analyzing successful companies like Alibaba, Salesforce, YouTube, and Apple.

But when it comes to developing a prolific business, your passion is never enough; every entrepreneur must remain on top of current industry trends that’d set their company for greatness.

And to help you establish a strong brand that will experience rapid growth, here are some crucial factors you must consider when establishing your company. 

Three Factors to Consider When Creating Your Company

1. Be a Creative Genius

When starting your company, note that copying and executing existing ideas with little to no improvement and turning them into a cash generator isn’t sustainable. Netflix entered the film industry with a revolutionary concept that gripped people’s hearts and minds.

It took more than two decades for alternative media platforms to rival Netflix’s stronghold in the streaming market. So, while beginning a business, one road you must take is to seek out original and innovative concepts that would set your business as the market leader in that category.

To ensure long success, you must also determine when and how to alter and modify your firm’s strategy in accordance with prevailing market trends. Remember, adaptability is the lifeblood of your business.

Additionally, don’t inhibit your startup’s growth by restricting yourself. It doesn’t matter if you only wish to establish a modest business that meets your community’s needs. Always maintain a steady push for innovation because the success of your venture might someday reach a larger audience.

And to make sure that your company makes a memorable impact on the minds of your customer base, use a reputable brand name that perfectly describes your company. And the simplest solution how to create a business name that’d help your startup grow is to use a powerful brand name generator. 

2. Look for Accessible Financing

Countless entrepreneurs struggle to obtain the necessary financing for their venture, which often impacts their firm even before it launches. And contrary to popular belief, building a strong startup needs a decent amount of money and a ready supply of financing.

So, ensure you seek out financial institutions, either from the government, corporate organizations, or non-profit institutions, that’d give your business the funding it needs. It doesn’t matter if they are regional or worldwide.

One example is Grant.gov, a government website with a comprehensive list of grants that the government offers. Another example is The Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Save Small Business Funds. The program aims to strengthen struggling small businesses in the United States.

2. Work On Building a Great Brand

The image, value, and identity of your brand are key to a successful business. People form their assumptions of your business mainly through the persona of your brand, and one thing you wouldn’t want to do is lose them before they can become your loyal customers.

As an entrepreneur, don’t ignore the potential branding can add to your firm. A strong brand name will boost brand recognition and give customers a better grasp of your firm’s values and identity.

Focus on building a unique business name to help you make the most of your brand. A fantastic name always provides a lingering positive emotion to your customers.

Enhance Your Company’s Exposure

The internet can help your company reach millions of customers. So don’t hesitate to spread awareness about your company. And the best way you can do that is to build a strong presence on social media. 

About the Author

Grant Polachek is the head of branding for Squadhelp.com, 3X Inc 5000 startup and disruptive naming agency. Squadhelp has reviewed more than 1 million names and curated a collection of the best available names on the web today. We are also the world’s leading crowdsource naming platform, supporting clients such as Nestle, Dell, Nuskin, and AutoNation. 

Does A Great Translation Service Affect Business Productivity And Investments?

Today, to be successful in any business, you need to be globally competitive. Your business should reach out to your clients by giving them a well-explained message.

As a business owner, you need to make a good impression and provide quality communication in the international market. After all, a good impression and your way of communicating to your consumers make it boost your business revenue effectively.

Consumers will buy any service and product you offer as long as it is important and they understand what you sell. On the other hand, if they can’t understand you and your business, it won’t sell in the international market.

To grow your business abroad, you should provide your consumer with product content that they can relate to in their daily life. Your product and service information needs to be translated to the designated language of your chosen target market.

Hiring a translation service is a must if you want great business productivity and more investment to come. Suppose you want to know that you need to read this article carefully to keep your business running in the international market.

How Translation Service Affects Your Business Productivity And Investment

Taking your business into a wider market is difficult without hiring a translation service. They affect your business productivity and investment by:

1. Enhancing Your Communication With Your Consumer

If you are operating your business globally, you will be involved in communicating with your new clients with different dialects. Your sales will depend on how clear and precise your business delivers the message of your products and services to the consumers.

Moreover, a translation agency translates the language of your product and service that reflects its original message. As a business owner, you should not just hire a translation agency everywhere; you also need to strictly review the different agencies you can find in the market.

It will comprise your business if you have an audience that speaks a different language if you can’t translate your business proposal well.

Because there are times that an agency can translate your message, but it doesn’t resonate with the original message you want to express to your consumers.

 2. Enhance Business Brand Image

The best way to create more business branches is to take it internationally. However, it would be best if you were prepared to consider your consumer dialect in your expansion, and having language-friendly business content attracts more consumers.

It would be best to translate your product description into different national languages where your business is operating. By hiring a translation agency, translating your business content get easier.

Translating your content makes your customer feel welcome and comfortable with what your company’s offering them. Since they can understand your business content well, you will surely sell your products soon.

3. Avoid Misconception

The misconception is a prime reason that you may not gain future clients. In dealing with overseas clients, it is very common that a business product and service that aren’t translated can cause misconceptions of use.

Such a misconception can hurt your company so badly. You are lucky enough because there are translation services today that will help you achieve your global plans.

4. Provide a Clear Statement Of the Company’s Legal Policy

Every business has its own legal policy documents that they need to state clearly to its clients. These policies usually contain crucial details related to the accountability and compliance measure they have been through.

Of course, as a business owner, ensure that you relay every piece of information about your business in the consumer’s dialect properly.

5. Provides Smooth Business Transaction

Having a translation service will provide you with a smooth business transaction. Getting your content translated will prevent you from experiencing discrepancies.

Many fake investors and consumers are spreading around the world. Even if you are the owner but can’t understand their language, you will still be at risk of getting scammed.

Why Do You Need More Than One Language In Business Marketing?

Your aspiration to build your business abroad will be successful if you have a translation agency on your side. For your company to be discovered in your chosen country, you need to advertise it and translate every message into its native language.

The marketing and business communication skills must be effective to be heard by your target consumer. It doesn’t mean using a translation service, you need to start from the scratch- that not it works.

You can still use your idea that makes your business boom in your country to another, as long as you translate it to a new language. Language and communication are important rules for reaching investors and interacting with your consumers.

Conclusion

Having a translation service on your side will positively affect your business’s productivity and investment. Many competitors use translation services to help them communicate to their consumers effectively.

If you can’t get along with this matter, your business plan will not make it in the international market.

Lastly, translation services can impact your business differently. As a business owner, your business will start creating profit and make big progress in the future.

Build a Successful eCommerce Website With These Helpful and Amazing Tips

eCommerce is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world today. According to recent studies, it is expected to grow by over 20% in the next few years. This is great news for business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking to start or expand their online businesses. However, there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to creating your online store, from choosing the right platform and design to marketing your products and engaging with customers. So if you’re thinking about starting an eCommerce website, here are some helpful tips for building a successful eCommerce website that will help you grow your business or brand online.

Choose the Right eCommerce Platform

The first step to building a successful eCommerce website is choosing the right platform for your business. There are a lot of different options out there, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs. Some popular eCommerce platforms include Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.

Depending on your budget, business size, and specific requirements, one of these platforms might be a better fit for you than the others. Each has its own set of features and pricing plans, so be sure to compare them before making your final decision. For instance, shopify restricts you with it’s hosting while you are free to choose the best Woocomerce or Magento hosting provider that’s optimized for your store.

Hire a Good eCommerce Marketing Agency

Even if you have the best products in the world, you won’t be successful unless you can market them effectively. This is where hiring the best eCommerce agencies comes in.

They will have the necessary experience and expertise to help you create and execute a marketing strategy that will reach your target audience and convince them to buy from you. 

They will also advise you on the best channels to use for your eCommerce website, such as social media, SEO development, paid advertising, and email marketing, and will give you honest feedback on what is and isn’t working so you can make the necessary changes.

Optimize Your eCommerce Website for Search Engines

From creating high-quality content to making sure your site is mobile-friendly. This will ensure that you are reaching the right audience when they are searching for products or information related to what you offer.

While it’s important to focus on marketing your products and business online, you also need to make sure that your eCommerce website is optimized for search engines. There are several ways that you can optimize your eCommerce store.

So be sure to work with an experienced SEO agency that can help you implement these strategies effectively and get the results you want.

Focus on the User Experience

When it comes to building a successful eCommerce website, the customer experience is extremely important. You need to make sure that your website is easy for customers to use and navigate. This will encourage them to stay on your site longer, explore your products more fully, and ultimately buy from you. Some ways to improve the user experience on your eCommerce website include investing in good design and layout, using clear and concise language in all of your content, providing quality images of your products, and offering helpful customer support resources like FAQs or live chat functionality.

Make sure Your Website is Mobile Friendly

Given that more and more people are using their mobile devices to shop online, your eCommerce website must be mobile-friendly. So make sure to invest in a responsive design that will automatically resize and adapt its content based on the size of the device being used. This will ensure that customers can easily browse through your products and complete transactions no matter where they are or what type of device they’re using.

The best way to test if your website is mobile-friendly is to use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool. Additionally, some of the best eCommerce platforms will offer mobile-friendly designs as part of their package, so be sure to take advantage of this if it’s available. For store owners looking to create a more customized and flexible user experience, considering headless eCommerce platforms can be a smart move.

Use High-Quality Product Images

Since customers can’t physically see or touch your products when they’re shopping online, it’s important to use high-quality product images that accurately represent what you’re selling. These images should be clear, well-lit, and taken from multiple angles. You might also want to consider using lifestyle shots that show your products being used in real-life scenarios. This will give customers a better idea of what the product looks like in person and how it might fit into their own lives. In addition to using quality product images, you should also make sure to provide detailed descriptions of each item so customers know exactly what they’re buying.

Building a successful eCommerce website takes time, effort, and commitment. But with these helpful tips, you can be sure that you’ll be able to create an online storefront that will help build your business or brand and grow your customer base over time.

Ethereum Merge Coming in a Couple of Months after June

The highly anticipated Ethereum 2.0 has been delayed, with devs continuing to work on the update predicting finalization in June.  The Ethereum 2.0 upgrade is the next step in the evolution of the crypto space, enabling the creation of DAOs, smart contracts, and other features. Because of the excellence of testing, it was widely assumed that the Ethereum merge date would be in the middle of 2022. Regrettably, the newest roadblock isn’t startling, considering that Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake date has been repeatedly postponed since its inception. With the Ethereum merge delayed, there might be even more distrust in the platform now.

Nonetheless, all indications point to the Ethereum mainnet combining with the Beacon Chain to form a Proof-of-Stake network this year. For real ones such as scalability and security, Proof-of-Stake networks will likely be the future for Ethereum.

ETH programmer Tim Beiko informed people of the timeframe on Twitter, claiming that the main developers are in the home stretch with regards to the Ethereum merge date.

“It won’t be in June, but rather in the months following.” We don’t have a firm date yet, but we’re definitely nearing the end of the PoW era on Ethereum.”

Upon recognizing that his remarks sparked debate among Ethereum supporters and detractors alike concerning the Ethereum Proof-of-Stake date, Beiko added the next day that it can be difficult to discern the advancement of the integration when a person isn’t deep in the methodology.

He even released a blog article with a more detailed explanation to give more context. In it, he explains that a firm date won’t be set, as per the developer, till the client team members are sure of the program’s execution’s capacity to function through rigorous checks and validation.

The test runs of public testnets like Kiln, as well as the successful launch of shadow forks, which allow programmers to create various merge and PoS-oriented implementations on the system, are crucial to such penultimate stages.

Another significant element is the difficulty bomb, which is an automated rise in mining complexity intended to cause a lower rate of PoW mining, making it less appealing. According to Beiko, the difficulty bomb will be visible on Ethereum in May and will create blocks insufferably slow by August. He added that if customer devs don’t believe it, they can dispatch the merge to mainnet prior to block times becoming too slow, he claimed, further adding that it will have to be postponed once more.

Beiko proposed two methods for delaying the difficulty bomb in order to introduce the merge revamp ahead of time, the first of which was to combine a bomb delay with merge customer discharges to defer the bomb at a certain particular block, preserving 13s block times, and afterward initiating The Merge.

Second, just before the merge, detach the bomb delay via a firmware update that only really stalls the difficulty bomb.

He informed the public that unlike earlier Ethereum renovations, the merge won’t be sparked by a block time. It will rather be prompted by a complete difficulty valuation. Provided that these are more difficult to predict than block times, the period between selecting an Ethereum merge date and debuting on the network could be relatively shorter than in previous Ethereum updates.”

Previously this week, Parithosh Jayanthi posited that there remains a lot of experimentation to be done after noting that assessing three shadow forks caused bugs ranging from sync script to request buffering being discovered. Specifically, he said there are issues to work out when it comes to testing and that this is still an ongoing process. The Ethereum developer also noted that good progress has been made in terms of code improvements but more can be done.

Based on the victorious implementation of The Merge and the switch to a PoS consensus protocol, the concluding milestone on the ETH blueprint, erstwhile recognized as ETH2, is the sharded chains update, which is scheduled to launch in early 2023. Even so, till then, the system will rely on layer-2 connections such as Polygon and Optimism to control scalability and high large trade rates.

Ether price underwent a substantial increase in value in the last month on exchange sites such as https://redot.com/ , rising 20.5 percent to $3,126. The Ether Price might have gone even higher with the release of ETH 2.0 in June.

Everything To Know About The Merge

ETH 2.0 is the most recent incarnation of Ethereum, and it’ll be a massive improvement for the framework. The objective is to transition from a PoW consensus protocol to a PoS consensus protocol, as it shall improve energy efficiency and speed up the infrastructure.

ETH 2.0 is a scaling remedy that will permit Ethereum to be far more potent than it is now. At the moment, the Ethereum network can only carry 15 transactions per second, which is far too slow for corporate usage.

It is anticipated to be a full-fledged innovation that brings new network features and functions, such as sharding. ETH 2 will be released in three stages:

Phase 0 consists of the beacon chain.   This is the central chain that ensures the network’s shards remain in sync. It accomplishes this through the use of validators.

The first phase is the shard chains. Shard chains will be used to run Ethereum’s data and transfers. These are PoS blockchains that rely on auditors to validate exchanges, generate blocks, and interact with the beacon chain. ETH 2 is planned to start with 64 shards. They wouldn’t be propping up smart contracts or accounts during this time.

Phase 1.5 is when the legacy Ethereum chain is transformed into a shard on the new Ethereum network. Throughout this process, the network will become a PoS system and will be linked to the primary Ethereum 2 chain.

Phase 2: all shards are completely operational. The year is 2022. The shard chains will be completely intact and capable of communicating with one another as well as running smart contracts.

Putting more coins increases the likelihood that all users will verify money transfers and receive further coins or incentives.  Per the news stories, the Ethereum merge totally eradicates mining.

The merger was a postponed project, so several investors were skeptical of the merger’s certitude. Crypto adopters continued to buy hardware to mine Ethereum caused of an absence of awareness.

Mining machines are costly. Miners require “Desktops, GPUs, and other hardware are required to construct an Ether mining rig. Miners spend a lot of money on appliances as investments far ahead into the future, hoping for a steady paycheck.”

Despite the merger having some risks, it’s currently taking place.

Useful Tips on How to Maintain Your Health When You Spend Long Hours in Front of the Screen

If you spend long hours in front of a screen, be it for work or pleasure, it is important to take steps to maintain your health. Your health can be affected in a number of ways by spending too much time in front of a screen, so it is important to be aware of the risks and take steps to mitigate them. Here are some useful tips on how to maintain your health when you spend long hours in front of the screen.

1. Invest in a Pair of Blue Light Glasses

If you spend a lot of time looking at screens, whether it be for work or pleasure, you are exposing your eyes to blue light. This type of light can cause a number of problems for your eyes, including eye strain, dry eyes, and even macular degeneration. To protect your eyes from the harmful effects of blue light, invest in a pair of blue light glasses that you can wear when you are using screens. These glasses will filter out the blue light from screens so that it doesn’t reach your eyes. Additionally, try to take breaks from screens every 20 minutes or so to give your eyes a break.

2. Get Up and Move around Regularly

When you spend long hours in front of a screen, you are likely to be sitting in the same position for extended periods of time. This can lead to a number of health problems, such as back pain, neck pain, and blood clots. To avoid these problems, it is important to get up and move around regularly. Take a break from your screen every 20 minutes or so and walk around for a few minutes. Additionally, make sure that your workstation is set up correctly so that you aren’t putting undue strain on your body while you are working.

“Sports and physical activity are key to maintaining your health while spending long hours in front of a screen. Anytime Sports encourages you to invest in your well-being by taking regular breaks to move and stretch.” – Anytime Sports Founder

3. Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Sleep

If you spend long hours in front of a screen, it is important to make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being, and it can be affected by the amount of time you spend in front of a screen. Too much screen time can lead to insomnia and sleep deprivation, which can have a number of negative consequences on your health. Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night to ensure that you are well-rested. This will help you to avoid the negative effects of sleep deprivation.  It’s also important to establish a regular sleep schedule so that your body can get into a rhythm. Additionally, there are ways to stay fit while sitting.

4. Eat Healthy Meals

When you spend long hours in front of a screen, it is easy to reach for unhealthy snacks and meals. However, these types of foods can have a negative impact on your health. Instead, make sure to eat healthy meals that will give you the energy you need to power through your workday. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet, and limit your intake of sugary and processed foods. Additionally, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

5. Take Breaks From Screens

Although it is important to use screens for work and pleasure, it is also important to take breaks from them. Too much screen time can lead to a number of health problems, so make sure to take breaks throughout the day. Step away from your screen every 20 minutes or so and take a few minutes to stretch or walk around. Additionally, try to limit your screen time in the evening so that you can wind down before bed. By taking breaks from screens and limiting your overall screen time, you can help to protect your health. It’s important to remember that we need to take care of our mind and body, even if it means stepping away from the screen.

6. Seek Help If You Are Struggling

If you are struggling to limit your screen time or take breaks from screens, it is important to seek help. There are a number of resources available to help you make changes in your life. Talk to your doctor about your screen time and ask for recommendations on how to reduce it. Additionally, there are many apps and programs that can help you to track your screen time and set limits. By seeking help, you can make changes in your life that will improve your overall health. It’s best to try and make these changes gradually so that they are more likely to stick.

Overall, it is important to be mindful of your health when you spend long hours in front of a screen. Make sure to take breaks,  eat healthy meals, and get enough sleep to avoid the negative effects of too much screen time. If you are struggling to limit your screen time, seek help from a doctor or one of the many resources available. By making these changes, you can improve your overall health and well-being.

6 Tips On How To Improve A Video Streaming Service

In this day and age, video streaming is a staple in many households. They offer an affordable and convenient way to watch TV shows, movies, and other content without having to leave the comfort of your home. But like with anything else, there is always room for improvement. Here are 6 tips on how to improve your video streaming service for a better viewing experience.

1. Improving Storage and Quality

The first way to improve your video streaming service is by increasing the storage space and quality of your videos. This will ensure that you can watch HD content without any buffering or lag issues. You can do this by upgrading your internet package to a higher speed, or by investing in a better quality streaming device. This is where video encoding and compression come in handy because they can help to reduce the file size of your content without compromising quality. Additionally, you should make sure that your videos are hosted on a reliable server to avoid any interruptions in service.

2. Creating Better Video Playlists

Another way to improve your video streaming experience is by creating better video playlists. This means including a variety of content that is both entertaining and informative. You can do this by including a mix of movies, TV shows, educational videos, and other content that appeals to your target audience. Additionally, you should make sure that your playlists are well-organized and easy to navigate.

This will help viewers find the content they’re looking for quickly and without any hassle. Also, consider adding features such as trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and bonus content to keep viewers engaged. Top streaming services like Netflix, Dish TV, Amazon Prime Video,and Disney+ have these features already. 

3. Adding Interactive Features

Adding interactive features to your video streaming service can also help to improve the overall experience. This could include anything from chatbots and quizzes to polls and surveys. These features can not only make your service more fun and engaging but also help you to gather valuable feedback from your viewers. With a quiz builder, you can easily create interactive quizzes to engage your customers and enhance user experience.

To effectively implement these features, planning and discussing your desired functionalities with a custom Over the Top (OTT) platform provider is crucial. For instance, Inorain.com specializes in the field of custom OTT solutions, working with clients to integrate any desired features into their interfaces. This collaborative approach will help creators develop an interface that they believe is best for their audience, enhancing the overall user experience. 

This information can then be used to improve your video streaming services content and ensure that you are meeting the needs of your audience. Some other features like closed captioning and subtitles can also be beneficial, especially for those who are hard of hearing or have difficulty understanding spoken English.

4. Enhancing Video Recommendations

Another way to improve your video streaming service is by enhancing the recommendations that you offer to viewers. This could involve using algorithms to better match viewers with the content they are likely to enjoy. Alternatively, you could allow viewers to custom-tailor their recommendations by genre, actor, or other criteria. This would give them more control over the content they see and help to ensure that they are only presented with options that are of interest to them. Additionally, you could offer viewers the ability to save certain content for later viewing. This would allow them to build up a personal library of content that they can watch at their leisure. Also, consider including a “continue watching” feature that would remind viewers of the last content they watched and give them the option to pick up where they left off.

5. Improving Search Functionality

The search functionality of your video streaming service is also important and should be given attention. This feature should be easy to use and allow viewers to find the content they’re looking for quickly and easily. To do this, you can use keyword tags, descriptions, and other metadata to help improve the accuracy of your search results. Additionally, you should consider offering a search bar on your homepage so that viewers can immediately start looking for the content they want. This also implies that your navigation should be well-organized so that viewers can easily find their way around your site.

6. Optimizing for Different Devices

Finally, you should also make sure that your OTT platform service is optimized for different devices. This includes everything from smart TVs and streaming boxes to smartphones and tablets. This is important because it ensures that your service can be accessed by as many people as possible. Additionally, it helps to ensure that your content is displayed correctly on each device and that users have a consistent experience regardless of how they are accessing your service. Also, be sure to test your service on a variety of devices before making it available to the public to ensure that there are no technical issues.

7. Use a Bonded Internet Connection to Stream Your Video

Professional video live-streaming services don’t rely on a single internet connection to broadcast their productions. Instead, they use sophisticated so-called ‘bonded’ connections. A bonded internet connection consists of at least two (but often a lot more) internet connections at the same time. A clever algorithm running either on a computer or on dedicated hardware distributes the incoming data packages among the available connections. Should one connection become weaker, the amount of data being pushed through that specific connection is automatically lowered. A server at the other end of these connections receives all packets, reorders them if necessary and sends them off to your video streaming platform of choice. Such a system would work with wired LAN, 4G/5G modems, WIFI, a mobile hotspot or any combination of these.

By following these tips, you can improve your video streaming service and provide a better experience for your viewers. In turn, this can help to increase viewership and boost your business. So, if you’re looking to take your service to the next level, be sure to keep these tips in mind.

How Can Cisco 300-710 Exam Help You Gain the Necessary Skills to Manage Cisco FirePower Apps Successfully?

Are you passionate about IT and want to develop new skills like securing networks with Cisco Firepower? Then taking the Cisco CCNA is what you need. The exam assesses your skills to work with Cisco FirePower Threat Defense and Firepower 7000 and 8000 Series virtual apps.

Along with developing new skills it also helps you become a certified professional and earns you two certifications.

Read on to discover more about the 300-710 evaluation, Cisco FirePower, and how you can develop the necessary skills to be recognized as a pro in using it.

What is Cisco FirePower Threat Defense and What It Is Used for?

The Cisco FirePower Threat Defense (FTD) combines Cisco FirePower and ASA features into one inclusive system, which is both hardware and software. Even though Cisco is a pioneer in developing Next Generation Firewall systems, it manages to offer a top-quality product. Therefore, the Exam-Labs  is a unified image software, which is available in beta or stable release versions. On top of that, FTD can be used for different purposes, such as:

  • URL filtering and ISE integration;
  • SSL decryption and application visibility and control;
  • Multi-Domain management and advanced malware protection;
  • Deployment of Next-Generation Intrusion Prevention Systems.

Now that you know what the Cisco FirePower Threat Defense can be used for, it’s time to find out how the 300-425 can help you become a master of FTD.

How Can Cisco 300-710 Exam Help You Develop the Necessary Skills to Manage FirePower Threat Defense?

The 200-901 exam focuses on testing the candidates’ skills in securing networks with Cisco Firepower v1.0. This is a 90-minute assessment that will evaluate the examinees’ expertise in configuring, integrating, deploying, and managing the Cisco Firepower virtual applications. Besides, it is associated with Cisco Certified Specialist – Network Security Firepower certification that you gain at once after passing the test, and at the same time is part of the CCNP Security accreditation. To obtain the latter one, you need to pass one more exam along with the 300-710 test, which is the Cisco 350-701 exam.

You can get the passing score in the 300-710 exam if you demonstrate that you have the following skills:

  • Solid expertise in implementing NGFW and NGIPS modes and high availability options as well as describing IRB configurations;
  • Being capable of configuring the 300-430  Firepower Management Center and managing its devices and objects;
  • Understanding how to troubleshoot and manage the FMC dashboards and reporting together with analyzing the standard and risk reports;
  • Configuring the Cisco AMP system for Networks and Endpoints in FirePower Management Center as well as describing Rapid Threat Containment (RTC) functionality and Cisco FMC PxGrid Integration.

Conclusion

Cisco FirePower Threat Defense represents the next generation of firewall systems. You will gain a competitive advantage over other candidates if you develop strong skills in managing this integrated system. The 300-435 is the wisest decision you can take to assess your skills and become a valuable asset in your company or a competitive candidate.

Start by carefully checking the exam’s blueprint and studying hard to consolidate your knowledge to become a real professional in Cisco FirePower Threat Defense app management. Good luck!

Top 5 Great Web Development Tools Devs Actually Use in 2022

The development platforms of today are now geared to assist with every aspect of development. No more is development simply the laborious coding of individual HTML pages with a text editor. 

With today’s platforms covering every angle of development, including the design of web pages, here are 5 great web development tools that developers actually use in 2022.

1. Sketch

Sketch is more than well established as the top toolkit for digital designers. This top design app has been picked by Google, X-Box, and Facebook – that alone informs you as to how highly regarded its capabilities are.

Easy to use and powerful enough for the rapid loading of large files, Sketch can create anything from basic animations and avatars to full icon sets and social media graphics, to fully functioning clickable prototypes. Sketch can also let designers create versatile images, as well as text that can then be utilized for dynamic design work. 

Sketch will also let you create and export your own custom fonts to be utilized wherever you need or want them, like on a custom t-shirt, for example. The software now comes with a ‘dark mode’ option – something that is hard to pass on for most developers.

Sketch Pros:

  • Precise pixelation;
  • Complex vector editing;
  • Code export;
  • Clickable prototyping;
  • Collaboration and sharing capabilities.

Sketch Cons:

  • Only available on the Mac OS;
  • Single user license.

2. Sublime Text

Not the most advanced of all solutions but one of the more popular still. It may not contain all the tricks, nuts, bolts, and bells and whistles of some more advanced toolkits, but it gets its job done impressively. For its comparative lack of muscle when racked up against some of its peers, it is capable of some stunningly attractive visuals.

Simple to use, as is likely to be expected, Sublime Text provides numerous features that make development a no-fuss breeze. Sections of code can be easily searched for and found, recurring elements can be fixed or amended quickly, and there is even a feature that allows code to be displayed across multiple desktop screens or a single widescreen monitor.

Its command interface is so intuitive and simple that you’ll feel its absence from any other development software you use after. Simple and a joy to use, Sublime Text is available as a free download followed by individual licensing.

Sublime Text Pros:

  • Available on Linux, Mac, and Windows;
  • As good a UI as any developer could hope for;
  • Time-saving auto-completion reduces repetitive code typing.

Sublime Text Cons:

  • No mobile support.

3. Atom

Atom, created by Github, is an open-text editor that can be as easily used by a coding novice as by a seasoned expert. Newcomers to web development can get to grips with it in no time, something, which has secured its longevity over the years, a longevity that shows no signs of slowing down.

Atom comes with numerous advantageous features, which are especially welcome for novices learning the ropes. Pre-installed themes a-plenty, auto-completion, full customization – there is plenty of experimentation and playing around to be had. The possibilities for unique results are infinite. 

Other features that can be added using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS will let you tweak and amend the look and feel of your web pages, which is even handier if you have website localization in your expansion plans.

Its popularity has dwindled since the arrival of Visual Studio Code. However, it is still widely used, and it is still more than adequate to conjure up some excellent results. In the web development world, it is one of the OGs and still gets respect.

Atom Pros:

  • Excellent customization potential;
  • Intuitive and so easy to use it almost explains itself;
  • New developer-friendly.

Atom Cons:

  • Developers with more advanced technical needs will find it too basic.

4. Foundation

Foundation works on the principle that the easiest and the best design work is built after excellent foundations are laid down first. Once designs have been applied, they can then be customized to fit in any manner that is desired. The principle and approach seem to have worked for them. Today, Foundation is used by commercial giants such as Disney, Adobe, and Hewlett Packard.

With efficient pre-planning, Foundation comes with a host of templates, all tweaked and tuned to be optimal for specific usage. So there are templates there, ready and waiting, to be used by bloggers, real estate companies, retailers, and more. Bespoke websites can then be built from the ground up from these blueprints.

Anything you can think of that a website may need is there in the toolbox: buttons, subscription forms, rating graphics…and more. The toolkit supplied by Foundation is a deep and heavy one, with every base covered and nut and bolt available for fully customized builds.

Foundation even offers special classes to enable users to get the most from all they have to offer. 

Foundation Pros:

  • Templates and frameworks for rapid building;
  • Fully customizable;
  • Optimized HTML.

Foundation Cons:

  • Lack of clarity with pricing;
  • The steep learning curve for rookie developers can be off-putting. 

5. Visual Studio Code

Built by Microsoft, VS Code is an open-source code editing program. The fact that it is Microsoft may put some off while attracting others. However, there is no denying that VS Code is an excellent and popular development platform.

It can run anywhere and perform various functions, including debugging, creating SaaS codes, and inputting Git command. Web layouts, color schemes, fonts, and icons can all be fully customized for tailor-made web pages.

Support is on hand for JavaScript and Python, which means that its use is not just potentially limited to the front-end: the coding of a website’s back-end functions is also possible.

Virtual Studio Code Pros:

  • A huge number of integrational possibilities;
  • Customizable;
  • Source control tools;
  • Real-time error checks.

Virtual Studio Code Cons: 

  • Python deployment can be difficult;
  • Settings configurations can be complicated.

Conclusion

There are now more toolkits available for new first-time developers and old hands at development alike than ever before. Whatever your experience, there is a platform out there – also old or new – to hone your skills and create innovative and beautiful looking webpages in 2022. 

Best Tips to Boost YouTube Views on 2022

YouTube is one of the most popular media platforms. Hootsuite research demonstrates that YouTube is the second most-visited website in the world. It has more than 1.7 billion users per month. So as you can see there is fierce competition here.

We gathered a few better ways to improve your YouTube content and help new audiences find your channel. Each piece of advice is easy, efficient, and, what’s even better – free.

Increase Session Time

These are some of the most important metrics. This is the amount of time a person spends on YouTube. YouTube cares about this metric very much. It wants to help the user find what they want to watch and keep them on the site as long as possible. Your mission is to get people interested and keep them on your channel longer.

For example, you can create a playlist with the most popular videos on your channel. Also, you can buy high retention YouTube views. After all, the longer the user watches your video, the better it’s for all metrics and algorithms

A Trick to Increase Audience Retention

If you open the analytic tab for a particular video on the channel and scroll down to the footer below you’ll see information about Key moments for audience retention. The graph will show you how people are watching the video. Pay attention to the spikes, it’s important to correct the situation.

Now add a card with an interesting video at the moment of drop. In this way, instead of closing the video and leaving the channel, the user may become interested in the suggested video and go on watching.

Get to the Homepage

Homepage is an opportunity to receive more YouTube views. How to get there?

  • You need to promote a new video within 48 hours. It will get to the homepage if it’s popular. There is a snowball effect: boost your video (for example, you can buy YouTube views), get into the trends and go viral.
  • Get YouTube subscribers. It most often shows content from the channels you’re subscribed to on the homepage. If you have several millions of subscribers, at least a hundred thousand of them will see the new video here.

Add End Screens

Find some of the most popular videos on your channel in the creative studio. Analyze each one and think about which of your relevant videos you can use as your end screens. You need to get the user interested so they stay on the channel and move on to watch the next video.

Share Videos on Forums

Online communities are a great place to promote the video. The visitors ask questions and you can answer them with your content. Find themed forums or treads that are relevant to the topic of your channel. You can get hundreds or even thousands of views per month depending on the forum.

Different Tags

The tags help the search engine determine the subject of your content. The question is how to specify them correctly? To do this, use this trick: the main keyword, variations of the key, and thematic words of the video.

  • The first tag is the main keyword. For example, buy YouTube views.
  • The second tag is variations of the main keyword. For example, buy real YouTube views, likes and comments, buy YouTube views cheap.
  • The third ones are thematic words. For example, YouTube, social media marketing, promotion.

Now you know the best ways to increase YouTube views. Remember that this advice functions in a complex!

The 7 Best SEO Trends Ecommerce Marketers You Should Keep An Eye On

The algorithms underpinning how a search engine works are constantly evolving. To make your content rank in the search engines, you need to stay on top of the evolving SEO trends. After all, you can guarantee that your competitors will be trying to gain a competitive advantage over your business.

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This guide will discuss the trends that you should stay on top of. We’ll discuss factors like the increasing popularity of AI for content creation, SEO tools that will help you optimize your content, and more. Let’s dive right into this guide.

1. Using AI to Optimize Your Content

For most of the last decade, keyword optimization involved selecting a word or phrase and repeatedly including it in the article, alongside your meta description and URL slug. Most of us would use a tool like Yoast, which had a simple traffic light system, to optimize content.

I’m sure many companies still rely on the Yoast traffic light system for content optimization. Companies that are getting ahead in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) are increasingly turning to a suite of advanced keyword optimization tools.

AI tools like Vondy, Surfer SEO and MarketMuse analyze top-ranking pages to recommend keyword usage, content structure, and readability adjustments.. Though, the number of new entrants is increasing fast.

Utilizing any tool can be extremely beneficial for your company. Businesses from all over Lion City are often advised by their trusted SEO marketing agency in Singapore to use AI-based content optimization tools to increase their SERP rankings. This gives them peace of mind leaving them ahead of the competition.

The new range of keyword optimization tools relies on AI to help them understand what keywords to include in a keyword-optimized article. Here’s a basic overview of how they work:

  • You enter the keyword that you want to target.
  • The software does an API call to an AI platform.
  • The AI analyzes the first 30 or so search results for the phrase. It then identifies the most important keywords and headings.
  • You get the results for this via a browser extension or a writing dashboard.
  • You create a piece of content that includes the necessary keywords and headings.

The most commonly used AI platforms for the API call are Google Natural Language Processing AI, OpenAI, or IBM Watson. These are the big three AI platforms in the US.

Google Natural Processing AI is the algorithm Google uses to determine what content means and where it should rank. OpenAI is a platform part-funded by Tesla. Meanwhile, IBM Watson is the AI platform that became a world champion Go and won Jeopardy.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like for one of these keyword optimization tools.

Most tools either use a traffic light or grading system to reveal if the content is SEO optimized. If you’re serious about content marketing, you need to invest in an advanced keyword optimization tool.

2. The SEO FAQ Sales Page

One trend that seems to be working well at the moment is the SEO-optimized FAQ sales page. These types of sales pages often target definitions. Here’s Shopify’s sales page. The content above the fold seeks to generate a conversion. In this sense, it follows the classic outline of a sales page and is designed to generate click-throughs to the free trial.

A large portion of the content below the fold answers frequently asked questions. In the image below, you can see a definition for the term “What does Shopify POS do?”

Sales pages that include definitions and address frequently asked questions related to a key phrase seem to be doing well in the search results. If you’re creating sales pages that you want to rank, try taking this approach. Invest some time in creating valuable content for your visitors and make sure you run it through a grammar checker.

3. AI Produced Content Is Improving

In the last two years, companies have started to use AI to create content. Initially, AI content was being used to create simple things like meta descriptions. Then, we’ve seen that broaden out, with AI used to create sales copy for Pay Per Click ads.

I’d argue that we’re on the cusp of seeing AI used for creating blog posts and sales pages at a quality that is as good as, if not better, than what many writers can produce. When that happens, it will result in a seismic shift in how we approach SEO.

We’re not there yet, though.

At the moment, you can use AI to speed up the content creation process. Here’s an example paragraph of content created using the SEO tool Writer.

Source

It took just a second to change the headline from title case to sentence case. It may not seem like much, but those seconds shaved from your editing time all add up to a substantial amount of time.

The AI writer understands the context and quickly creates the content. It doesn’t get it right every time, though. And you do need an editor to review and improve the content.

4. Incorporate Video Marketing

The second most used search engine on the planet is YouTube. Given that fact, it makes sense to incorporate video within your marketing efforts. These statistics from Wyzol highlight why this is important:

  • 87% of marketers report increased traffic to their website as a result of videos
  • 96% of people have watched explainer videos about products or services
  • 84% of people cite video as part of what convinced them to buy something

To establish your brand’s YouTube presence, you need to create a channel where you post a mixture of short and long-form videos. Those videos should address common issues that your product or service can resolve.

For instance, Zoho’s YouTube channel has hundreds of videos, including case studies and how-tos, that answer audience questions. The channel also contains snippets from webinars were Zoho executives and other industry experts discuss common questions related to tech and business.

The video content you produce on Google can also appear in the video carousel on the SERP page. Google introduced displaying video carousels to its SERPs back in 2018. You should also add videos to your email marketing campaigns and client prospecting. Use them to embed videos or add links to your YouTube channels. Use your subscriber list and email finder tools to reach out to your target audience.

5. Optimize Your Site for Mobile

Mobile SEO for e-commerce sites continues to be a hot trend in 2021. For over 2-3 years now, global mobile traffic has overtaken desktop computer traffic. Over 40% of transactions also occur on mobile.

It’s important, therefore, to ensure that your site is optimized for mobile.

You can check if your website has issues on mobile using the Mobile-Friendly Test tool created by Google. The tool will identify any mobile issues you need to address and provide suggestions for fixes.

One of the biggest challenges many businesses face when it comes to mobile is page speed. We’ll discuss that in more depth in the next section.

6. Consider Your Core Web Vitals

In May 2020, Google launched three new metrics, called Core Web Vitals, to measure user experience on a website. These metrics focus on three key aspects of the user experience – loading, interactivity, and visual stability. Those metrics are expressed as Largest Contentful Paint, First Input Delay, and Cumulative Layout Shift.

  • LCP: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures the time to load the largest content element on a page.
  • First Input Delay: First input delay (FID) measures the time it takes for your site to become responsive. That means a person can click on a link, for example.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift: CLS measures the visual stability of a page. A page with a low CLS score should provide a good user experience.

If you’re managing a website, you need to focus on these three metrics. You can use a tool like Google PageSpeed Insights to review how your site is performing.

As mentioned earlier, you need to review how your site performs on desktop and mobile.

7. Adapt Content For Voice Search

Another SEO trend that runs parallel to the growth of mobile devices is voice search. More people switch to voice search because it is quicker and more convenient than typing in your queries. Millions of people worldwide are already using Voice Assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google assistant.

Voice search is no longer a novelty, with around 20% of searches being done through voice commands. You should be optimizing your site for voice search.

Here are three tips to help you optimize your website for voice searches:

  • Choose long-tail keywords: When users type a search, they tend to use short and disconnected phrases. However, with voice search, they will usually speak a complete sentence or long phrases. Hence you need to optimize your website to these long-tail keywords. It will increase the visibility of your website in voice searches.
  • Optimize for questions: Voice searches are mostly in the form of questions. Instead of searching for “frozen pipe fix”, voice search users will probably search for “how to fix a frozen pipe”. Therefore, you should structure your website content so that it answers your potential customers’ questions.
  • Create content for user reference: Many voice searches are made by people who need answers to commonly-asked questions. Publishing evergreen content or updating old articles can help your site attract traffic that is searchable through voice searches.

Voice search is not a gimmick. It is here to stay. If you want your e-commerce website to remain visible, you need to optimize it for voice commands and searches.

Wrapping Up

SEO is constantly evolving, and you need to keep on top of the latest trends. This guide discussed seven such trends for you to look at in greater detail. We discussed topics like using AI to optimize your content, using AI to create content, FAQ sales pages, and more.

Implementing or acting on the tips shared in this guide should provide you with a competitive advantage over your competitors. Use that edge to your advantage and dominate those search results for the terms that matter for your business.

Author Bio

Nicholas Rubright is the communications specialist for Writer, an AI writing assistant designed for teams. Nicholas has previously worked to develop content marketing strategies for brands like Webex, Havenly, and Fictiv.