7 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Plagiarism in the Articles for SEO

Many bloggers and writers think that it’s very easy to write an article to run a blog and to earn a handsome amount every month by copying ideas and thoughts of other high authority websites. These types of bloggers and writers copy the content and by replacing few words think that they will win the game.

This is not the right approach to write the articles. If you are running a blog just to earn money by placing bulk plagiarized content, then you should not adopt this method to earn money. People on the internet will realize sooner or later that your website content is not worth their time and you will lose your integrity.

If you are trying to become over smart without giving enough effort and research, then remember that google crawlers are smarter than you, and plagiarized content will not be helpful for the long term.

By the end of this article, we will learn about plagiarism, how it can affect SEO and how you can avoid it.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism means when you use someone’s work without citing the proper source, then it would be considered plagiarism.

It is the best practice to check plagiarism in your work and make it unique before getting live on the search engine. For this task, you should get an online plagiarism checker that can work properly to check for plagiarism in your content along with the source. So that the similarity could be checked.

However, if you are citing the proper source, and some writers credit the real owner by providing a link to that source. This is not considered plagiarism even if you are using the content of other writers. When you pretend someone’s, work is your work, then it is plagiarism.

Reasons Why You Should Not Use Plagiarized Content:

Whenever we are visiting any social media platform, we come across a lot of content. The content creators put their effort and their creativity to bring genuine content in front of the audience. In the same way, the writers, bloggers, and website owners are content creators as they amuse the audience with the written content.

The words when written in certain symmetry and style can impact the audience deeply. But all writers are not content creators as some people do a terrible job by copying the content of other writers and bloggers by replacing few words in the content.

The content uplifts by the audience due to the uniqueness and adding value to the life of other people. If you are only interested in making money from your blog by uploading cheap and plagiarized content, then the audience will never come back to your blog or website.

The plagiarized content has many consequences in terms of google ranking, SEO, and other reasons that we will discuss later.

1. Plagiarized Content Does Not Rank on Google

The bloggers who start a new blog generally need to upload bulk content on the internet so that website crawlers can recognize the content of the website. The bloggers who want to become an overnight millionaire by writing few pieces uploads plagiarized content.

When you use the content of other writers and do not cite them properly, then you are at loss. Google has advanced a lot in recent years. The advanced crawlers do not only check the keywords they also check the does not and engagement ratio of the audience on your blogs.

By optimizing sell these parameters you can rank your content on your website on google. Google knows who published the content first and which website has unique content and the websites that are using copied content. Google values authenticity and ranks the top pages by analyzing all these parameters.

This is one of the main reasons you should not use plagiarized content as it has no value, you are fooling yourself and your audience without putting in the real hard work and dedication.

2. You Can be Penalized by Google

If you are constantly uploading creepy and fluffy content or using spinning tools on your website, there are chances that Google will notice your heinous action and can take strict action against your blog by penalizing your website or blog or charging a fine.

Google updates its crawlers and bots to recognize the copied and plagiarized content. If two websites have the same content, then the website that has uploaded the content first will rank on google. Google will ignore the content of other websites and will put the content of that website on the blacklist.

Any complaint or report of plagiarism received to google about your content, then Google can take strict action and your website will be penalized. Using plagiarized content can cause you more loss than benefits.

3. Losing Your Followers

The followers and audience of your website follow you for the content you are putting on your website. You build a connection with your audience by communicating with your words. Your audience and followers start trusting you when you write something that can bring positive value in their life or you resonate with them by your content.

But what if you are uploading copied content? Will your audience trust you? Will they come to your website again? No, they will stop following your website and will follow the genuine and creditable websites. You will lose your followers by uploading fluffy content on your website.

Every website owner is constantly working hard to bring down their competitors and to increase their organic reach, and their monthly revenue from the blog.

You are expressing yourself with your words in the form of different blog posts and articles, therefore to persuade your audience, bring original and creative content on your website and you will see that surprisingly the audience will fall in love with your content.

4. Losing Your Credibility and Trustworthiness

No matter how hard you are taking care of SEO, keyword optimization, and designing a lucrative website, you cannot win the hearts of your audience by putting in fake content.

 When you upload content on your website consistently, the followers build an emotional connection. When they will come to know that you are stealing the content of other writers and running after making money, it will impact your audience adversely.

They will start believing that you are fake and do not have enough guts to run a blog. It is even more difficult to optimize your blog and increase the audience after falling.

5. Search Engines Will Bring You Down

If the content of your website does not have any engagement on the blogs and the stay time of the visors is less than 30 seconds, the google and search engines will bri9ng your website down. Audience and followers can recognize the fluffy and spin content, they will stop following you, poor engagement ratio and lesser number of shares and comments on your website give hints to google that your content is not worth following and people do not like to see your content in the future.

Only those pages rank on the top pages of google which have excellent readability, good engagement ratio, unique content, good SEO optimization, naturally integrated keywords in the article.

6. You Will Not Get Any Referrals for Backlinks

The bloggers and other websites need referrals and backlinks for their articles to gain recognition.  If you are using substandard content on google no one will trust you and will not collaborate with you in the future.

If you are not getting any high-quality backlinks for your website or blog, it will sign to Google that your website is not credible and trustworthy as it doesn’t bring any value to the life of the audience will decrease the engagement and organic reach of your content.

7. People Do Not Like Deceivers

Google does not value plagiarism. If you are representing someone’s work as your own work then morally and ethically it is considered wrong.

No one likes thieves, by stealing the content of other writers you are deceiving your audience and the real owner who should take the credit.

It affects your personality and reputation in front of people online.

Wrapping Up

These are the reasons why you should not use plagiarized content, if you are not a good writer do not fool the people online with fake and plagiarized content. It is recommended to check the article in the plagiarism checker to avoid partial and accidental plagiarism in the articles. Some of the best plagiarism checking tools are prepostseo.com plagiarism checker, Check-plagiarism.com plagiarism checker, Editpad.org  plagiarism checker. These tools have advanced features and sho the percentage of plagiarized and unique content. They also cite the source from where the content is taken. You can also download a report of plagiarism.

Before uploading your content anywhere online, check your articles in these plagiarism checkers.

Many bloggers and writers think that it’s very easy to write an article to run a blog and to earn a handsome amount every month by copying ideas and thoughts of other high authority websites. These types of bloggers and writers copy the content and by replacing few words think that they will win the game.

This is not the right approach to write the articles. If you are running a blog just to earn money by placing bulk plagiarized content, then you should not adopt this method to earn money. People on the internet will realize sooner or later that your website content is not worth their time and you will lose your integrity.

If you are trying to become over smart without giving enough effort and research, then remember that google crawlers are smarter than you, and plagiarized content will not be helpful for the long term.

By the end of this article, we will learn about plagiarism, how it can affect SEO and how you can avoid it.

The 12 Pros and Cons of Commercial Real Estate Investing

Real estate is real estate, right? Not exactly. Commercial real estate refers to specific types of properties – those used for commercial purposes. Before getting started it’s important to understand the potential upsides, the risks of commercial real estate investing, and everything in between.

How Commercial Real Estate Differs From Residential Real Estate

Commercial real estate requires a different strategy than residential real estate. Instead of having tenants who live on the property, you’ll typically have business owners using the space to run their business, whether it’s collecting white-collar workers together in an office building or producing goods in an industrial application.

Several types of properties fall under the “commercial real estate” umbrella, including warehouses, office buildings, and more. Commercial real estate investment companies have the ability to earn you extra income in safe way.

The Pros of Commercial Real Estate Investing

What are the advantages of commercial real estate investing?

1. Total income potential

First, the total income generating potential of commercial properties tends to be higher than their residential counterparts. There are several reasons for this. For starters, commercial spaces tend to be inherently more valuable than residential spaces, since people use them for business purposes. The website incomeholic comes up with more guides you can read.

On top of that, many commercial properties are large or capable of hosting multiple tenants simultaneously, multiplying your income potential. With this kind of financial opportunity, it’s no surprise that many people opt to start a real estate business – especially since the value of land will only rise with time.

2. Professional tenants

You’ll also enjoy the benefits of having more professional tenants. Since most of your tenants will be business owners and executives, you won’t have to worry about them failing to pay rent or damaging your property – at least, not as much as you would a residential tenant.

Foreign nationals can help secure dollar-value income from real estate investments. This portfolio diversity can minimize currency risk. Investment in a growing economy can be a boost compared to investments in a declining economic zone.

3. The public eye

Many commercial properties are in the public eye, incentivizing tenants to take good care of the property no matter what. They want to keep their storefronts clean and undamaged, which helps to keep your property in better condition.

4. Emergency interruption potential

Most businesses have limited hours of operation, such as working 9 to 5. This means you’ll receive fewer emergency notifications in off-hours; in other words, with commercial real estate, you’ll get fewer late-night calls if something goes wrong.

5. Logical, steady pricing

Business owners tend to make more rational financial decisions, focusing on economic logic and profitability rather than conforming to the whims of the market. This helps to keep the prices of commercial real estate a bit more stable and predictable, especially when compared to residential real estate.

6. Triple net leases and decreased expenses

In commercial real estate, many of your arrangements will be with a triple net lease, meaning the tenant will be responsible for all the expenses associated with the property, including real estate taxes and maintenance. This can greatly reduce your cost basis and help you make more money (with fewer responsibilities).

7. Flexible terms

Terms of commercial leases tend to be much more flexible than those in residential leases. Accordingly, you can create lease agreements that are much more closely aligned with your personal goals and negotiate with tenants to find something mutually beneficial.

8. Flexible buying options

In the realm of commercial real estate, there are many different types of properties you can buy. For example, you could invest in factories, warehouses, office buildings, storefronts, or even mixed-use buildings that serve a residential purpose. This makes it much easier to diversify your holdings, thereby improving the consistency of your earnings.

The Cons of Commercial Real Estate Investing

There are also some risks and downsides associated with commercial real estate, including:

9. Time requirements

Commercial real estate requires more due diligence than residential. You’ll need to become familiar with local laws and regulations and inspect properties thoroughly before buying. It often means spending much more time on commercial real estate.

10. Monetary requirements

Commercial properties tend to be much more expensive than residential properties, representing a bigger barrier to entry. Even if you take out a loan, you’ll still need to provide a down payment – which can be a problem if you don’t have a lot of capital on hand.

11. Risks

There are also bigger risks associated with commercial real estate. More money’s at stake, you’ll be working with bigger, more important tenants, and there’s always the possibility that a commercial area faces plummeting demand.

12. The need for professional advice

Most commercial real estate investors feel the need to consult with others for advice and direction. Commercial property management companies are incredibly valuable, but they do represent an additional expense.

Summary

If you’re new to the world of real estate investing, commercial real estate can seem intimidating. It’s not always favorable to newbies, due to the high capital requirements and risks involved. However, with the right team of advisors and managers on your side, almost anyone can enter the game and reap the rewards.

8 Tips for Onboarding New Tenants

As a real estate investor, it’s important to get new tenants into your property as soon as possible, so you can start making money. But it’s also important to adequately prepare your tenants for their rental.

The onboarding process is a vital step in improving tenant retention and ensuring the handover of keys goes smoothly – and there are several strategies you can use to make it even smoother.

Why Onboarding Is So Important

Onboarding is important for several reasons:

• First impressions

It’s hard to overstate the importance of first impressions. A first impression often dictates how a person feels about another individual or a situation for months, or even years to come. If you start things on the right foot, your tenant will see you – and your property – in a much more favorable light.

• Relationship building

This is also your first opportunity to build the landlord-tenant relationship. You can talk about the property, get to know each other, and set the tone for all your interactions to come.

• Setting expectations

During your initial interactions, you’ll get a chance to set expectations with your tenants. What are the rules and standards for living here? You can look your tenants in the eyes and make sure they fully understand.

Collectively, these effects have a strong influence on your tenant’s disposition, their friendliness, their potential to accommodate your requests, and even their retention.

In other words, a good onboarding process will keep your tenants around longer and minimize stress and headaches for you down the road.

Tips for Onboarding New Tenants

So what can you do to make onboarding new tenants go smoother?

1. Prioritize healthy communication

Good communication is vital when onboarding new tenants. It’s important to articulate your thoughts as clearly and directly as possible and to allow your tenants the chance to speak their mind as well. Remain as polite as you can, be transparent when answering questions, and provide extra details upon request. Any bad communication experience during the onboarding phase is going to set a bad tone for the future of the relationship.

2. Create and keep a checklist

Before going through the onboarding steps, take the time to create a full checklist. Write down everything you want to cover during onboarding and in the days that follow; this will make sure you don’t forget anything. Then, keep this checklist on hand for all your future onboarding sessions to ensure consistency.

3. Explain all your rules and expectations

Take your time explaining all the rules and expectations you have for living at this property, even if they’re spelled out in the lease agreement. Having a conversation will ensure they truly understand.

4. Get all paperwork signed (and make copies)

Obviously, you’ll need to spend some time going over the paperwork and signing it. Make sure you make multiple copies of all these important documents and give your tenants copies they can keep.

5. Get questions, comments, and concerns from your tenant

Onboarding shouldn’t be a one-directional exchange. Instead, it should be a two-way dialogue. Make sure your tenant feels comfortable opening up and ask them if they have any questions, comments, or concerns. If they do, try to address them as best you can.

6. Exchange contact information

Next, exchange contact information. You probably already have your tenant’s primary contact information on file, but this is your chance to get multiple backup forms of communication. In-kind, you should also provide your tenant with multiple ways to contact you – which may be especially important in an emergency situation.

7. Store information properly

Create a file for this tenant and store all your paperwork there. It’s important to stay organized as a landlord for multiple reasons – and onboarding is your chance to get things started on the right foot.

8. Follow up

Finally, make it a point to follow up with your tenant after a few days. Ask if they’re settling in okay and if they’ve had any issues with the property. Verify their understanding of the rules and expectations and ask if they have any follow-up questions. It shows you care about their wellbeing and gives you an opportunity for follow-up discussion if necessary.

Do note that every tenant will be different, so you may need to vary your approach slightly. For example, some tenants are mostly solitary and desire privacy, so you’ll want to respect their preferences. But others are more chatty and outgoing – and they might like to have more conversation before you part ways.

In any case, if you do your best to set expectations, communicate well, and make your tenants feel comfortable, you’re going to be rewarded. Just make sure you continue treating your tenants well consistently throughout their stay at your property.

9 Helpful Tips For People Going Through Recovery From Addiction

Recovery from addiction can be very hard, especially if you’re prone to anxiety, stress, or do not have the right support. Those who are going through this process are frequently afraid that things may not turn out as expected.

What does it mean? It means that they’re scared of relapsing which means experiencing the same issue all over again. Unfortunately, that’s something that can happen to literally anyone, even with the best intentions.

No matter how optimistic and enthusiastic you are about it, at times, it takes a lot more than strong willpower to prevent relapse from occurring. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help yourself, which is why you should pay attention to these useful tips.

1. Determine Your Personal Triggers

Once you’ve successfully determined them, you should develop a plan that is going to help you prevent them. The most common triggers involve things like stress, people who are still using drugs, emotional distress, financial or job issues, relationship problems, etc.

A huge part of avoiding relapse is to understand all about your potential triggers, which normally include various places, people, situations, negative thoughts, things, and many other things. If they can be linked to your substance use, then you should definitely identify them.

If you are sober and then relapse, there are steps you can take to get back on track. First, acknowledge the relapse without self-blame. Reach out for support from friends, family, or a support group. Call an alcoholic hotline for immediate help and guidance. They can provide resources and connect you with local support services.

2. Consider Having Suboxone 

Those who have heard about it, perceive it as some type of detox aid that is going to help them reduce the discomfort associated with withdrawal from various hazardous opioids. This is probably the most common misconception. Even though you can utilize it as a detoxification aid, that’s definitely not its primary purpose. In fact, it would be recommendable to use it for a longer period of time during your recovery process.

Fortunately, you can easily obtain it. If it seems like a good option for you, just search for how to get Suboxone today to see where you can purchase it. Some studies have shown that patients who have been using it for more than six months actually have the best outcome when it comes to their recovery in comparison to those who haven’t used it.

3. Focus On Your Mental Health

Generally speaking, everyone must prioritize their mental health, especially individuals who are going through this process. Namely, this is of huge importance since precisely mental health can have a big impact on addiction. It can potentially cause you to continue utilizing harmful substances, even though you know you’re not supposed to do it. Furthermore, alcohol and drug addiction are often connected to various mental conditions. That’s precisely why you must never neglect your mental health because if you do so, you are increasing your chances of relapsing. So how are you supposed to take care of it? For instance, you can always go to a mental health treatment center where there are a plethora of experts who can help you stay sober.

In these types of situations contacting a healthcare provider is very important, along with a substance abuse professional. These people can help you find the best possible mental health treatment. 

4. Find An Inner Balance

If you want to make sure you are going to break all your addiction habits, then you should assess your old patterns and do everything you can to make some adjustments. So what can you do? Instead of going out to drink with your friends, do something that’s more beneficial for you and definitely healthier. You can either go to the gym or find a hobby that’s creative and engaging.

These things are going to occupy you in every way and are going to embellish your life. Having any form of physical activity is recommendable because it is going to help you combat your cravings because natural endorphins alleviate stress and make you feel great.

If you’re looking for something that is going to help you find your inner balance, then both yoga and meditations are great suggestions. Moreover, these activities help people accomplish self-control, as well as, internal balance. Maintaining sobriety is all about eliminating old habits and developing healthier routines.

5. Find A Way To Relax

Tension and stress are never welcome, hence, you need to find ways to eliminate them as often as you can. Whenever you start feeling overwhelmed or anxious, then it’s a sign that you immediately must find something to relax.

Nobody can tell you what to do in these types of situations. That’s something you have to figure out on your own. To a lot of people, things like reading a book, listening to some relaxing music, taking a walk, taking a bubble bath and breathing exercises are of huge help. Maybe you should give them a try to see if they will work for you as well.

6. Prepare Yourself For PAWS

What does this term represent? It stands for post-acute withdrawal syndrome which can last from a minimum of six months and up to two years after you stop utilizing drugs. There are many symptoms that can potentially be experienced which is why you need to prepare yourself for them. They typically include sleep issues, depression, irritability, and intermittent anxiety. Unfortunately, at times these symptoms can negatively affect your recovery process, which is why it’s crucial to get yourself familiar with them so you can be prepared.

If you manage to do so, you will be able to recognize them on time and seek help as soon as possible. In case your PAWS is too severe, then it would be recommendable to seek medical help to see how you can overcome this whole situation and stay in recovery without relapse.

7. Focus On Relationships With Your Family And Friends

Family members and friends who are closest to you should definitely be involved in your recovery. Sometimes, family dynamics is the reason why a person turns to alcohol or drugs for that matter.

On the other hand, if you’re having a great relationship with your family members, then they can be of huge help during this journey. If you feel like family counseling is a great choice, then you should also give it a try. What’s important in this situation is that people who are surrounding you are not enabling you in any way without even knowing it. Therefore, therapy is a great choice because it can help you feel more comfortable talking about the things you normally wouldn’t.

Once you work through your issues with friends and family, they are going to become much more supportive during your recovery process. Now, if you have a feeling like both family members and friends are not being supportive enough, then you can always turn to various support groups that can help you learn more about this journey and how to prevent relapse, plus out there you will get the opportunity to meet new people who could eventually become your friends.

8. Eat Healthy

Besides having any form of physical activity, another healthy habit that you should start implementing is healthy eating. You shouldn’t be focused on what you eat only, but also on how much you eat as well. 

You should never allow yourself to be hungry because if you do, you are going to increase your chances of experiencing cravings. That’s why you shouldn’t be having imbalanced nutrients but instead, focus on having a high-quality meal.

Besides that, having healthy snacks is also a great idea because they are not going to allow you to be hungry and will help you stay sober. Another thing worth mentioning is to avoid foods that weigh you down and increase your cravings. Instead, you should pick foods that provide you with the necessary energy and keep you healthy.

9. Focus On Building Healthy Relationships

Even though we’ve mentioned family and friends, these aren’t the only relationships you’ve had during your life. If you want to stay sober and happy, you should think of all the recent relationships that you’ve had. It can be with friends, family members, partners, colleagues, neighbors, etc. Those who’ve appeared to be toxic for you and made you feel miserable should be immediately eliminated from your life.

Relationships that usually bring people down, make them feel worthless, and potentially lead to relapse or drug/alcohol use are the co-dependent ones. It can be with practically anyone, starting with your employer, colleague, partner, friend, or family member.

At times, people are hurting you without really knowing it. Many studies have shown that precisely these sorts of relationships can cause relapse, which is something that you do not want to experience now that you’re trying to stay sober. 

As we previously mentioned, if you get a feeling like you are not receiving enough support from your beloved ones, you can always turn to support groups or forums where there are people with the same issues. Furthermore, these people do not necessarily have to become your best friend right away, however, they are going to be there for you and will help you develop a healthy lifestyle.

Have you ever wondered, how much do online therapists make? Once well on your road to recovery, you may also find it fulfilling to help support others on their addiction recovery journey.

No one has ever claimed that this whole journey is easy. It’s far from it, however, as you can see, there are so many things that you can do to help yourself. No matter what happens, remember, you are not alone.

Top 5 IT Asset Management Best Practices Businesses Need To Follow

Every company generates income by using its fixed assets. Over a period, as the company grows, those fixed assets also grow in volume, size and management. 

In this article, we are going to speak with leading experts at SPW Malaysia. This is one of the foremost organizations in the field of ITAM that has been helping businesses since the last decade. 

In recent years, for most big and small organizations, the ownership, control and management of IT devices like computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, servers, and memory storage devices has become important. 

So many functions, processes, data, files and payments are done through such systems. This means that for any organization their proper maintenance, control, access and destruction should be a priority!

Wrong…

Most businesses, sparing a few do not invest or take IT Asset Management (ITAM) seriously. They wait for a serious situation to emerge like a cyberattack or a huge penalty before they start taking action on this front.

IT Asset Management: Meaning and Definition

ITAM is not a one-time thing that you do and forget. It refers to the continuous monitoring, maintenance, upgradation and disposal of all IT-related assets in an organization. 

This means that all hardware components that are used in any office are accounted for with proper documentation, processes and structures. 

A proper ITAM process will help your organization answer the following questions-

  • How many computer systems are there in the office and who all are using them?
  • What are the access codes of the computer systems that the employees are using?
  • Where are the access points located when it comes to software, files and servers?
  • Has someone tried to improperly log in or seek credentials beyond their authority?
  • How will computer systems, files, hard disks and other IT stuff be disposed?

In short, businesses need to realize that every IT asset, whether it is hardware or software, has a finite existence. It needs to be maintained and tracked till the time comes for it to be disposed of. 

Even when disposal is concerned it cannot be simply thrown away with all company records, data and other essentials. There is a process that should be in place for the same. 

List of 5 ITAM Best Practices you need to start following

1. Create a Pro-Active ITAM Process for the Organization- 

Most businesses make the mistake of starting with ITAM after they have suffered from a massive loss. This means that the process becomes reactive, as against pro-active. If you do not want to be hit by something that shakes the foundations of your business, you need to be proactive when it comes to setting up a well-defined ITAM process in your organization. 

2. Set-up a Dedicated Team or Hire Professionals for ITAM- 

Frankly speaking, there are two things a business can do. It can either hire ITAM professionals from a specialized agency or set up its own team internally. You might think that this is a bad investment, given nothing is happening. However, a good ITAM process helps prevent financial losses for the organization. It can also prevent credibility attacks on the business. 

3. Follow the Lifecycle-Based Approach towards ITAM-

If you want to execute an ITAM process, you need to start as soon as a computer system is purchased. The same goes for software whose license has been purchased recently. Experts note that an ITAM process should take into account the entire lifecycle of the hardware or software. This means that everything should be monitored from the start to the absolute end. 

4. Carry out Regular and Rigorous Audits of the ITAM process- 

Many businesses face severe penalties from authorities for over-reporting or under-reporting their assets. This happens because they fail to carry out regular ITAM audits that keep frequent track of their systems. As a business grows in volume, its infrastructure, systems and structures also grow a lot. This is why regular audits are a major best practice of ITAM. 

5. Go for High-End Automation to Save Costs and Time in ITAM- 

Whenever businesses hear the term record keeping, their minds quickly race towards MS Excel files. When it comes to ITAM, not only is this process slow and outdated, but more importantly, it deprives the business of efficiency. There is advanced software that can help you track, monitor and update file names and other reports systematically. Automation is the way forward. 

The Bottom Line

In the last few years, awareness around ITAM is growing. This has been partly because of the increasing number of cyberattacks that are being reported, especially since the pandemic started. ITAM will help you plug a crucial loophole that might attract the interests of cybercriminals. 

With more processes and functions being carried out by IT assets, businesses have started realizing that there is a strategic need to protect these at all costs. If you have any more questions, you would like us to answer on ITAM, let us know in the comments below. 

Ecommerce Tips: How To Make Payment Easier For Your Customers


For an eCommerce business, having user-friendly payment methods is crucial for success. If you’re setting up your business, prioritize payment methods. Explore the many options online and see which one best suits your business.

Customers need to know from the get-go how to make payments after a purchase. Therefore, make it clear how payments should be made and provide multiple options on your site.

The upside of having a secure, friendly payment option is that you can grow your client base. Here are some tips that will improve your customer’s payment experience.

1. Accept a Variety of Payment Methods

Because clients’ preferences differ, offering them several options at checkout makes the payment more manageable. Therefore provide many tools such as credit or debit cards, virtual currency, or even loyalty points.

The catch here is to keep in mind that the payment methods should sync with your customer trends. Find out which strategies they prefer by either doing market research or a survey. For instance, a customer may choose an eCheck because it reduces their costs, unlike paper checks.

2. Offer the Mobile Option

If you want instant payments, providing mobile payment options can be a great way to make your customers’ lives easier. On this front, Apple Pay can be an ideal way to help increase conversions from your mobile customers as an eCommerce entrepreneur. The best part is that if you’re using it for BigCommerce, you can always seek expert advice and consultation to make the most out of the mobile payment option. 

Mobile payments provide a convenient alternative to your customers because they can make payments from anywhere. Whether they are shopping online or ordering food, they can pay their bills immediately from their phones. Additionally, mobile payments are secure due to features such as biometric scanning.

3. Use Online Credit Card Payments

Add a payment form that accepts online credit cards. You can outsource this mode to a payment service provider. The provider will host the payment mode and process the payment securely. They also store payment records securely to capture return clients as long as they give their permission.

You can also use a merchant gateway such as PayPal or Stripe. When choosing a service provider, consider their fees and fraud protection levels.

4. Stop Redirecting Customers

Ensure sales and payments happen on one website. Redirecting customers to another site for payment can cost you business. Payment platforms like PayPal are secure, but turning customers from your website might make the payment process cumbersome. Apart from making your customer’s work lighter, retaining them on your website longer can keep them shopping around for more products or services. If the payment process for your eCommerce business involves redirecting customers, you might want to rethink it. 

5. Avoid Prodding Too Much

So, your customer has made a purchase and is ready to pay, but there’s a long-form waiting for him to fill at check-out. Having to fill lengthy forms can make a customer abandon a sale. If you must collect information, limit it to the essentials.

Requesting unnecessary details is a hurdle to purchases, and customers don’t like challenges when shopping.

6. Reassure Customers about Privacy

Most people fear making online purchases due to fraud. Customers become skeptical if a website asks for personal information. Therefore, they need to know they can trust you with their details.

One way to do this is to have a Secure Sockets Layer certificate, which means information such as credit card details, IDs, and passwords are encrypted. Having a secure website can also boost customer trust, and ultimately their loyalty. Data security and privacy are paramount. 

Here are some moves you can make to help assure customers of their privacy and payment security on your site:  

  • Create a privacy policy page on your website and make sure it’s visible to the customer
  • Ask for consent before using cookies or tracking customers online
  • Encrypt data that is being transmitted over public networks like Wi-Fi hotspots so that no one can intercept it
  • Use SSL certificates to encrypt your customers’ data
  • Disable the ability for customers to enter personal information on your site
  • Consider a secure checkout process that doesn’t require a customer’s credit card or other sensitive info
  • Give customers the option of opting in or out of sharing their contact information with you
  • Allow customers to delete their account and all personal data from your site at any time

7. Upskill Your Staff

You might have brilliant technology and equipment, which staff can’t operate. If this is the case, train your team to handle such equipment and answer queries related to online payments.

They should also know how to resolve issues like failed payments or hitches during transactions. Train your staff on this whenever you upgrade to a more advanced payment method such as a mobile wallet.

8. Improve Your Purchasing Experience

It’s one thing to have a website that is super good and which customers enjoy visiting. It’s another to ensure they can make payments from wherever they are and whichever device. 

Ensure your check-out process is straightforward. One way to do this is to offer a seamless payment option even on mobile devices. You can also assure clients that your payment methods are secure by displaying a privacy statement on your website.

Making payment easier is not the only thing you need to increase conversions on your eCommerce site. Apart from streamlining the checkout process, other things you can do to improve the customer purchasing experience include the following:

  • Provide adequate information about products
  • Use high-quality images to showcase your products
  • Have a variety of colors and sizes available for customers to choose from
  • Display the price in an easy-to-read format, such as $10 or 10% off
  • Offer free shipping on orders over $50
  • Allow customers to return items if they are not satisfied with their purchase within 30 days

The success of your online business is not solely dependent on your product. Having a cumbersome payment method could make you lose business. For a safe and friendly payment experience, ensure your customers can use several options. You should also prioritize security and privacy to build customer trust. On top of this, avoid sending customers away from your site. Remember to train your staff on new technology whenever you upgrade.

How To Perfectly Secure Your Data From Any Loss Or Leakage

Your data is the most valuable information you create and store on your devices, like smartphones, laptops, etc. Data is mostly unique and sensitive that if accessed by unauthorized persons or it gets lost, the aftereffect can be devastating. Whether the data belongs to private individuals or corporations, it is typically sensitive and confidential. 

A company’s data includes special documents containing trade secrets, employee and clients’ personal information, financial information of the company, and so on. In the case of private individuals, your phones, laptops, and other devices contain sensitive information about you. Your bank account, social security number, credit card details are some of the information these personal devices contain. If accessed by unauthorized people, it may aid in identity theft, and so on. 

Securing your data is essential for you to protect against data loss and data leakage. You would think it is such an overwhelming and complex process – thankfully, it is not.

Here are some simple ways to secure your data to prevent data loss or leakage:

source:https://www.pexels.com/photo/internet-screen-security-protection-60504/

1. Update Software Regularly

Allow software updates on your devices, from the operating systems to every other application on the device. Software companies regularly put out updated versions of their software, usually in response to detected bugs and vulnerabilities in the software. 

Failure to update your software when the software company releases an update means using the previous version. The old software version is usually prone to data breaches and other data loss and leakage forms. 

2. Create A Password And Protect It

One of the best ways to secure your data is by creating a strong password for your devices, software, etc., to prevent an invasion of your digital devices and act as a disaster prevention plan and it is also best practice to use unique passwords for each device and software; passwords shouldn’t be hard for you to remember. You may use password trackers to track all of your passwords, so you don’t forget them. This will allow you to go all out to create a strong and unique password for each of your devices. 

3. Protect Your Browsing

Make sure your browsing is protected and secure. Let’s say you use free public WiFi; you will need to protect your data from being accessed by unauthorized third-party organizations or individuals. Free public WiFi networks are generally unsecured, so your personal and sensitive information may easily be exposed to other people using the same public network. You should use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your device network and your browsing on the free public WiFi. 

You just need to ensure the VPN service is trusted and legitimate. 

4. Keep Your Data Encrypted

Encryption codes your data into ciphertext to make the data inaccessible by unauthorized persons. Encryption is useful for protecting data, from email to the messages on your phone, computer, and other personal devices. 

When you encrypt your data, the data becomes scrambled and appears meaningless without the key to the encryption, called ciphertext. 

This will make it impossible for unauthorized persons to gain access to your personal information, thereby preventing data loss or leakage.

5. Back Up Your Data

Make sure to have backup storage for the data you have stored on your devices and networks. You may lose all of those data or any of the data if something happens to your devices or networks. Backing up the data is a trusted and reliable way to ensure you don’t lose your vital data. 

Let’s say you lose your computer and all of the information/data stored on the computer network, and you can simply restore the data if you have backed it up before.

You can secure your pictures, documents, etc., from hackers, ransomware attacks, and other forms of data loss or leakage by simply backing up your data.

To ensure optimum protection for your data, you can backup using online services and external hard drives, but you can use either of the two backup storages.

Some of the popular causes of data loss include:

  • Fire damage or water damage to your device.
  • Virus and other malware attacks on your device networks. 
  • You may accidentally delete your data.

Although data loss and data leakage are not the same as a data breach, which is typically an intentional attack on your network to steal your data for malicious purposes, they are just as bad since both involve data reaching the hands of unauthorized recipients and loss of your data.

Your personal and sensitive information or data are typically essential data that you cannot afford to lose, especially in the hands of unauthorized persons. So, it is only reasonable for you to keep the data secure to prevent loss of data and data leakage. 

Reasons Why Redmi Phone Prices are so Affordable

When Xiaomi entered the market in 2014, the company knew it faced an uphill battle. Until that point, “Chinese phones” had a negative connotation. They were considered to be cheap knockoffs of the more popular models. Low-budget Indian consumers were accustomed to using such handsets, and from the very beginning, Xiaomi had to make the right moves. Within two years, the brand was successful in overturning this sentiment and became one of the leading smartphone brands in the country.

Fast-forward to 2021, and Xiaomi is the undisputed market leader. The brand has been successful in overtaking Samsung, and ships tens of millions of smartphone units every year. Going by the quarterly market share numbers, Xiaomi has been thwarting its competition for the past 3-4 years. The occasional blip was followed by Xiaomi’s strong response, and the brand has been so successful mainly due to its Redmi smartphones.

The Redmi series phones offered by Xiaomi are primarily catered to the budget segment. Redmi has become a name synonymous with excellence for Indian consumers, who were initially taken aback by the quality of these phones. But how does Redmi, in spite of offering such high quality and feature-rich phones, keep the prices so low? We dive deep into the working of Xiaomi, and their strategic manoeuvers that help keep the Redmi smartphone prices low.

Low Per-Unit Profit

Redmi phone price is affordable mainly because of the low-profit margins the company is willing to make. The higher the smartphone price, the more profit the company makes when it ships the units. However, Xiaomi is willing to cut down the price to increase the number of sales. This marketing strategy has paid dividends, as Xiaomi ships tens of millions of units. According to Xiaomi’s CEO, the company only makes a 5 – 10% profit margin. Thus, the company can afford to sell smartphones at much lower prices than its direct rivals.

Zero Advertising

Smartphone companies take different approaches to advertise their products. For instance, Vivo bagged the rights to become the title sponsor for the Indian Premier League. From the very beginning, Xiaomi followed in Tesla’s footsteps. Tesla, the most popular electric car brand in the world, virtually does zero advertising. However, consumers still know about Tesla and are willing to bank on its brand name and popularity. Similarly, Xiaomi has relied heavily on the goodwill of consumers, and their online reviews. This worked in the brand’s favor, and without spending any money, Redmi phones became the top-selling models in the Indian marketplace.

Longer Product Cycle

Typically, Indian consumers change their handsets once every 12 – 18 months. iPhone users boast about their phone’s durability and longevity. Redmi phones — even though these are mobiles under 10,000 INR — offer a longer product cycle. That is, the brand does not release new phones with updated hardware every year, and instead does so once every 2-3 years. This results in Redmi phone users sticking with their devices for longer periods. Considering the brand does not cut any corners, and keeps its profit margin low, these models are sturdy, robust and durable.

Online Sales Strategy

Until recently, Xiaomi followed the online-only sales strategy, which helped the brand in procuring higher profits. The company did not have to give a cut of its profits to the retail outlets, and thus, could keep the costs low. Usually, smartphone brands give a cut of their profits to the offline retail outlets for selling their handsets, and this forces them to increase the cost of smartphones. It was only in 2020 that Xiaomi promised higher profits to offline partner stores, but the brand continues to keep the Redmi phone prices low.

Flash Sales

Initially, when Redmi phones became all the rage, it was through strategic online sales that the brand managed to get the attention of the consumers. Xiaomi offered its Redmi phones through flash sales on e-commerce platforms, and while this meant that not all consumers were able to get their hands on Redmi phones, the available units started selling like hotcakes. This made the brand elusive, and consumers wanted to purchase a Redmi smartphone. When the phones were made available, consumers were quick to purchase these devices.

Xiaomi understood the Indian market and laid out a well-thought-out strategy to become a major player. This also enabled the company to make substantial profits, while keeping its profit margins low. Today, Redmi smartphones are some of the most sought-after devices in the country.

In India, you can purchase your preferred Mi 5g smartphone at lower costs by shopping at the Bajaj Finserv EMI Store. The Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card will allow you to pay for the smartphone on easy EMIs, while you can also avail the zero down payment facility on select models. Place the order online, and get the smartphone delivered to your doorstep within 24 hours.

Why Forgotten Passwords Cost Company Revenue

Passwords are a necessary part of the online experience. When operating properly they can keep us safe, protecting our valuable data and identities, as well as ensuring peace of mind. The only problem with this is that we tend to use many passwords for different websites and services, some of which force changes at regular intervals. With this concern, lost and forgotten passwords become an inevitability and a problem that can negatively affect both customers and the businesses with which they interact.

Churn and Abandonment

In business, the term churn refers to the rate at which customers stop doing business with an entity. There can be many possible reasons for this, from issues out of a business’s control to deliberately designed elements that users find frustrating. One of the elements that is not so much the fault of individuals but rather the overall market is the password problem. Again, this is generally the result of juggling many passwords with many requirements, where frustrated users can give up rather than keep guessing the details of old accounts. Churn can be the result of many parts of the purchasing process but is commonly manifested as cart abandonment. This is where users fill their orders but get locked out of purchases because of misremembered passwords. Directly costing a business sales, this measurable issue has affected online stores for decades.

Overworked Support Systems

When getting locked out of websites due to misremembered passwords, there is usually some form of recovery process available. Unfortunately, these aren’t always reliable and can be confusing, leading many users to turn to live support. Though these live support systems can fix the problems, they’re generally designed to help with more complicated issues, with constant calls about passwords overloading support capacity. This is a problem that has existed for years, with around 30% of all customer support calls dealing with this exact issue. For every one of these calls, another customer risks being left unaddressed, which can again cause lost profit if the user gets frustrated and walks away.

Customers Placing Blame

Though complicated password systems are developed to help users, those negatively affected by them tend to blame the website or brand they’re using for the difficulties password systems create. Fortunately, there are ways around this concern through the use of a time based one time password. These passwords use encryption keys to link devices like mobiles to websites and services, allowing the generation of temporary but simple codes. Common names in this realm include the Microsoft and Google Authenticators, which are integrated with many major services. While far from perfect, such methods can save time, and reduce the guesswork and trial and error that can drive users away.

Looking forward, it’s inevitable that better solutions to password issues will become increasingly necessary. Though many services manage this issue, they’re still often underrepresented with the digitally involved populace. With a greater reliance on passwords than ever before and increasingly difficult criteria applied to them, it looks like one-time passwords and specialized password streamlining systems will eventually become the status quo. If you’re constantly fighting against your passwords, consider trying these out, and at the very least you will be left with less wasted time and a smoother online experience overall.

League of Legends Ranking Tips From the Pros

If you are a gamer, you must have heard of League of Legends (or LoL), which is possibly the most popular and most played game globally. It is categorized as a multiplayer online battle arena and is definitely not one of the easier ones. There’s a lot that goes on in LoL and it requires you to be on a very steep learning curve as you navigate its complicated gameplay. While the game is certainly worth investing your time in, some players might find themselves stuck from time to time, especially when it comes to increasing their rank. The following tips might help you in improving your rank faster.

Favoriting A Champion Might Be A Good Strategy

One of the fastest ways to quickly take up your LP is to one-trick a champion with maybe a couple of backup champions. If you can master how to play a champion and that too in a particular role, you will be able to quickly climb the ladder in the ranked matches. By practicing and understanding the champion mechanics and how you can master those champion skills, you can aid your team in winning simply by leveraging those skills in the right place and at the right time. Of course, it is easier said than done. You can’t simply unlock a champion and expect to master it enough to be your main over the course of a single night. You will need practice over many games to know your champion and how to equip it with the best items and learn about which other champions work well with your main (and which don’t), and the right strategies for you.

Dodge to Avoid Bad Situations

Dodging might get a bad rep sometimes but it is a technique that professional players and even high Elo ranking players sometimes advise. You may not always step into a game with the biggest advantage and when you know the odds are stacked against you, it would do good to just dodge the game. You might lose some LP points but your MMR doesn’t get ruined, which you can verify with an MMR Calculator, and ultimately, your MMR is what really matters. Dodging still comes down to a personal preference but it might be worthwhile. One advice to follow while dodging: give the queue a break. By waiting a while, you avoid ending up with the same people and get fresh faces which means you have a lower risk of tilting your team right from the start.

Watching the VOD Would Help

You might want to take a leaf out of the book of conventional sports and watch your game film. It’s a strategy that professional LoL teams use all the time; they take out a block of their time to review their recent gameplay and that of other teams and go over it as a team, analyzing decisions, learning from mistakes, and strategizing future gameplay. Being able to discover mistakes you’ve made is the reason why reviewing VOD is important for any player, offering helpful feedback and allowing you to restrategize your decision-making. Don’t restrict yourself to just watching your own gameplay. Discover high-ranking pro gamers who play the champions of your choice and watch how they make decisions in the game. It will offer you valuable perspectives on some winning moves and strategies that they employ and can even learn from their commentary.

Reach Out to LoL Gaming Community for Advice

The gaming community can be very supportive, so it won’t be considered irregular behavior if you reach out to the LoL community for advice on your gameplay. You can very easily find guides on different gameplay strategies and tricks to improve your skills. Experts even stream their gameplay, which many tune into, to listen and watch them talk about tips in general but also advice on specific things like champions skills or managing waves.

You could even hire a coach if you are looking for a detailed analysis of your gameplay. They may be able to assist you to increase the the rank of your lol accounts. Experts can offer you insightful advice targeted at improving your performance in different ways. They could point out mistakes and points of improvement either by watching your replays or watch you play via screen sharing on platforms like Discord. You could also just seek advice on general theory.

League of Legends is one of the most exciting and popular games, with monthly active players numbering in millions. That means while you will have a lot of competition as you play, it also means that you have a huge opportunity to learn from others to improve your own gameplay. Experts constantly dole out so many tips and strategies, especially with every new update and season. All you have to do is keep up.

How to Start a Credit Repair Business

The credit repair industry is flourishing, and starting your own company is a great idea. This is a highly scalable model — you can even run the business from your home. The initial costs are modest, and the profit potential is undeniable. One in five Americans has problems with unfair scores, so the demand is guaranteed. Here are the basics of starting a business in this niche in 2021.

Look at the Top Performers

The top credit repair services allow clients to remedy their scores in the most convenient way. All the tasks, from analysis to disputes, are delegated to professionals. For $79-$129 per month, these firms communicate with lenders, bureaus, and collection agencies to achieve a boost as soon as possible.

Certified experts perform painstaking investigative work to collect evidence and avoid redisputes. Well-established brands like Lexington Law remove a wide range of information, from late payments to Chapter 7 bankruptcies. Consumers pay for their services even when they could manage the disputes by themselves. Speed, convenience, and efficiency are the biggest selling points.

Navigate the Legal Landscape

The industry is regulated by The Credit Repair Organizations Act and The Fair Credit Reporting Act. The first law stipulates the ways companies operate and interact with clients. For example:

  • you are not allowed to charge any advance payments;
  • all the contracts must be in writing, and they must be signed before any services are rendered;
  • every client must have an opportunity to cancel the contract;
  • you are not allowed to use misleading marketing methods.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is what makes this industry possible. Every nationwide bureau is obliged to report only accurate and verifiable information. Any mistakes must be removed through a formal dispute procedure. This is what your company will handle on your clients’ behalf.

Study the regulations in your state. Registration and licensing requirements vary. You will also need to obtain a surety bond. This provides client protection if your company’s actions result in negative consequences. In the event of misconduct, the clients receive compensation.

Get Education

No formal requirements in terms of education exist. Still, qualifications are essential for trust and credibility. Get some formal training to become a certified professional.

Prepare Your Business Plan

Your business plan must cover all the essentials of launching and running the business. Pay attention to the following elements:

  • An executive summary highlighting the market opportunity — the audience in need of repair. This section must include your mission statement.
  • Business description giving a snapshot of the market situation. Define the problems your business will solve, and describe the different types of services you will offer.
  • Market analysis showing how your company should position itself to stand out from the competition. Conclusions must be backed by quantifiable data.
  • Competitive analysis showing the main weaknesses of your arrivals, and ways you could fill those gaps to serve the customers better.
  • Operations and management description explaining how the business will be structured, what types of expenditures you will incur and who will be responsible for different operations.
  • Goals, which may be organized as phases of business development, from launch to expansion. Include the services offered at each phase and the milestones you should reach.

Get the Best Software

Successful companies are unimaginable without efficient and versatile software. It streamlines different aspects of operations and interaction with customers. You should manage events and contacts easily, capture leads, organize clients and track progress on each case. Export of contacts for mail marketing should be effortless.

Promote Your Company

Obviously, the digital space is the primary channel of promotion. Devise a multifaceted strategy to engage different dimensions, and build a professional website to showcase your work. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Create a business profile on Instagram and use the full spectrum of tools: post helpful content with relevant hashtags, create fun and engaging stories, IGTV, and Reels. Pay for ads to gain exposure more quickly.
  • Use Facebook communities to spread the word about your company implicitly. These groups are organized by your competitors, so become a valuable member to attract attention to your profile. Participate in discussions and give useful advice to the members, so they get curious and check your bio. Make sure your profile looks professional and includes a link to the site.
  • Create a YouTube channel with helpful content related to repair. Ideally, your videos should not last longer than 10 minutes.
  • Use the search feature on Twitter to find users discussing repair, and provide valuable tips. Engage local financial affiliates to expand the prospective audience.
  • Use LinkedIn to reach a vast audience of professionals. Post case studies, white papers, articles, and other information to catch their attention. Referrals from financial pros will help you grow your audience quickly.

The Bottom Line

To establish a successful company, you should navigate the legal landscape and learn from the experience of well-established brands. Start with a home-based business and let your company grow gradually. The Internet offers a wealth of proven promotional strategies. Efficient software will streamline operations, helping you provide excellent services and promote your brand through word of mouth.

How To Fix Common WooCommerce Security Issues

WooCommerce is one of the most popular eCommerce software platforms. It has one of the highest market shares (23.43%), second to Squarespace online stores at 23.51%. Its popularity is mainly facilitated by its ease of use and user-friendliness advantages.

This is not to say that WooCommerce has no challenges. Security threats targeting eCommerce stores are on the rise. To use a WooCommerce store, users will have to login in and share their sensitive details with you.

Because WooCommerce stores have a significant market share, hackers target them more than other eCommerce platforms with a lower market share. The higher the market share, the more vulnerable an eCommerce platform will be.

This article explains seven practical tips to fix WooCommerce security issues.

1. Always Update Your Site

WordPress WooCommerce and security plugins usually become obsolete over time. As a result, they become vulnerable to security breaches. Developers and software vendors are always coming up with new or improved versions to address security issues. They will release new software updates that have improved security capabilities.

You have to install the security updates once they have been released. Failing to update is like choosing to live with the security vulnerabilities which could be detrimental to your WooCommerce security.

The best strategy to deal with the updates is to set aside a regular time to review and conduct the updates, backup your data, and deploy the updates to your WooCommerce website. You can as well set up the WordPress auto-update feature to do the task for you.

2. Use Security Plugins

Installing security plugins is one of the most vital WooCommerce security measures that you must implement. WooCommerce security plugins will scan through your site to identify any security threats.

The plugin will also clean up all your websites to protect them from brute force attacks, malware attacks, among many other security threats.

3. Install SSL Certificate

Having an SSL certificate on your WooCommerce store will ensure that all in-transit data and communications between your store servers and your customers’ browsers are encrypted. Encryption ensures that no intruder can read or decipher a communication.

You must acquire your Secure Socket Layer (SSL) from a trusted SSL certificate providers like RapidSSL, CheapSSLShop, GeoTrust, DigiCert etc. There are several SSL certificate options that you can work with. However, I will recommend the wildcard SSL certificate because of its ease of use and cost-effective advantages that the certificate brings forth.

With a wildcard SSL certificate, you only need a single certificate to secure an unlimited number of first-level subdomains under the chosen main domain. If budget is a concern, there are several premium yet cheap Wildcard SSL certificate that you can choose to work with.

When you invest in one such certificate, you afford premium and reliable security to multiple subdomains such as blogs, payment pages upto level one.

4. Protect Wp-Config.php File

Wp-Config.php File carries critical data and information. Therefore, it is one of the most vital files on your WooCommerce store and should be protected at all costs. It would be difficult for an attacker to hack into your WooCommerce store if your Wp-Config.php File is not accessible.

Protecting your Wp-Config.php File is not an arduous task. All you need to do is move the file to a higher level than the root of your WooCommerce store.

5. Use Strong Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Passwords act like the keys that lock your WooCommerce platform to protect it from unauthorized intrusions. The stronger the passwords, the more secure your WooCommerce platform will be. The following are the best passwords practices that you can adopt for your WooCommerce platform:

  • Use unique passwords for each account and advise your clients to follow suit.
  • Create strong passwords that combine numbers, letters, and special characters. The more complex the password, the more secure it will be.
  • Password Length should be a key priority. Use passwords with eight or more characters.
  • Use password manager tools.
  • Store the passwords safely.

Passwords are susceptible to attacks such as brute force attacks and dictionary attacks. As such, you will need an extra layer of authentication to fortify your authentication process.

Two-factor authentication, commonly abbreviated as 2FA, is one of the most fantastic WooCommerce security measures that will safeguard your store against intruders.

2FA denies unauthorized people the ability to validate the logins via the extra authentication factors. For instance, a user will have to enter a one-time password and use biometric authentication features such as voice recognition, retina scans, or fingerprint IDs to gain access to an account.

Only the rightful account owners have access to the second authentication factor. For your WooCommerce security, ensure you enable the 2-factor authentication.

6. Back-Up WooCommerce Store

If you ever lose your data or your WooCommerce website gets hacked, then a backup is the easiest way to get your website on track as soon as possible.

A backup plan will help you retrieve all your data. Without a backup, your business will most likely cease to exist, which is not a good thing. Here are some of the WooCommerce backup tips that you should know:

  • Select a WooCommerce backup plugin that will automatically backup all your data. One of the best plugins that you can work with is the JetPack Backup.
  • Regularly update your data. You can select the daily backup option or real-time backup option.
  • Ensure you have a seamless data restoration plan to have your website up and running in just one click.

7. Use a Secure Hosting Provider

Selecting a web host is one of the most significant business decisions that will impact the success of your business. A reliable web host will play a vital role in the security of any business.

With the right hosting provider, you can adequately secure your WooCommerce store. Choose the wrong host, and you will end up causing all kinds of web security headaches.

The first question you ought to ask yourself when choosing a web hosting provider is, “will the web hosting provider take your WooCommerce security seriously?” If you have any reason to believe that the host will easily compromise the security of your WooCommerce site, then you better not use such a provider.

Here are some of the critical considerations to make when choosing a web hosting provider for your WooCommerce store.

  1. Always choose a dedicated hosting provider over a shared host.
  2. The hosting provider should maintain regular backups.
  3. The web hosting provider should monitor your internal networks to detect and prevent intrusions and anomalous activities.
  4. The web host should offer firewalls capable of protecting your networks against all forms of intrusions.
  5. The web host should offer antimalware and antivirus software to protect your networks against any form of malware attacks.

If your web hosting provider does not meet any of these thresholds, it would be best to work with a more secure host to avoid any security issues to your WooCommerce website.

Conclusion

All the hustle and bustle involved in launching a WooCommerce store can make you quickly forget about the security concerns. However, an insecure WooCommerce store could potentially expose your customer data to malicious people. Therefore, it would be best to have a cybersecurity measure that protects your store from security threats.

By following the seven steps, you will be able to formulate the perfect groundwork for a secure and trustworthy WooCommerce store that is well protected in any event of an attack.

Reasons to Learn JavaScript in 2021

Are you planning to build your career as a web developer? You might be wondering what programming languages are you need to learn. There are a plethora of languages available in the market and you can also choose to learn JavaScript.  JavaScript has gained high popularity as a crucial web technology. However, you are not sure whether it has any relevance in the present day.

When there are a plethora of frameworks that offer ready-to-use code, it is a prerequisite to learn JavaScript. From this article, you can understand the reasons why you should learn JavaScript in 2021:

It is going to make you the versatile programmer

JavaScript is becoming widely popular to developers in coding on the frontend or client-side of the websites. There are certain additions to the framework of JavaScript, which make it an excellent choice to coding on the website’s backend and server-side through Node.js.

JavaScript is a language, which boasts the can-do attitude. Therefore, it provides the excellent choice to the developers in creating mobile applications, web applications, and desktop applications through Electron, React Native, React.

It is a popular language

JavaScript has gained high popularity as the leading programming language among different software developers. JavaScript language is constantly changing. Also, the latest constructs and features are being added regularly. With the rise of TypeScript and babel, software developers can use different language features.

It is available in the pre-installed form in the browser

Learning JavaScript is regarded as the coding language. Hence, you do not require any branded textbook, development environments, and fancy equipment. If you have a computer with a browser, you will be successful in coding through JavaScript language. The computer boasts JavaScript GUI and runtime already. Through text editor and the browser, you will be successful in coding in the JavaScript language.

Hence, it is considered to be the ultra-accessible choice for newbies. Featuring the basic understanding, you will be successful in following the tutorial. It provides a suitable opportunity to write the program in no time.

You will be capable of learning by poking around in the JavaScript, which runs a plethora of sites, through right-clicking, thereby choosing “inspect” on the site. It is an excellent option for picking the pre-existing JavaScript and viewing what is happening as things are changing.

You will find different options for learning

There are a plethora of people who wonder why it is necessary to learn JavaScript. However, JavaScript boasts of the literally devoted coders’ generation, who are very happy for lending the expertise to the newbie coders, who find it hard to start the basics.

JavaScript is considered to be the primer for future programming languages. It offers a vital introduction to vital practices and principles.

In addition, it provides support to the imperative, functional, and object-oriented programming styles. As you are fully versed in JavaScript and think about choosing language number 2, you will be successful in picking it up in no time.

JavaScript is recognized to be a popular programming language for newbies. It is believed to be a multi-functional language, which is easy to get started with. Moreover, it comes with comprehensive libraries and frameworks set, which will make life easier than ever. If you want to learn JavaScript, refer to rapidessay without giving it a second thought.

Dos and Don’ts When Choosing The Perfect LED Shop Lights

LED shop lights are a great way of decorating your office or work area when you want to attract customers to your place. They have many advantages over the business like they are supremely cost-effective, simple to install, easily adjustable, and reduce the monthly electricity bill. However, there are some things to know before you start looking for 8ft led shop lights

It is important to be choosy in your purchase as it is capable of granting your every need and expectation. In addition, it gives out a warm feeling to which people feel welcome and helps bring out the most of your products. So here are some dos and don’ts mentioned for you; make sure you stick to them. 

Do set the mood with excellent lighting

The colour of the LED lighting is what will set your customer’s mood, so make sure it projects a relaxed and laid-out feeling. This is possible when there is dim lighting and not sharp. Also, the colour of the light is warm.

Remember, this setting is for the fashion section when it comes to departmental stores; customers need white lighting. If you want to look for different other option too, you can visit Dhgate

Do consider different options

There are tons of lighting option to choose from, like panel lights, tube lights, strip or puck lights, etc. So, make sure you consider it. If you choose the best option, it is capable of featuring the best part of the products you offer and convince the customers to buy it. Click view more to look at the different option.

Do change your lighting when the floor plan changes

It is best to install a new lighting system when changing your floor plan. This is important because it is possible that gimbal, track lights and eyeball aim in different directions. Not to mention, you will have to change your lighting depending on the product you want to showcase. Now, click here to start scrolling through the retail LED lighting option. 

Don’t over light the place

The right amount of lighting is essential in many ways. For example, it helps not to overwhelm the shoppers with everything bright around them. However, it is also important that you do not choose too many unique lighting or colors as it may distract them from shopping. 

Don’t forget about the glare factor

Choosing the right lighting mostly depends on what your aim is. For example, if you aim to create a welcoming atmosphere, it is best not to choose lighting that points to their face. Instead, the lighting should be aimed above the products you are trying to sell. Also, do not forget about the glasses near them as they may cause reflection. If you want to look for the best LED lights for your shop, tap here

Conclusion

LED lighting for shops is an excellent choice for illumination your work area to call out to your customers and increase your sale. The different lighting option will also enable you to present your shop in a better way. So, make sure to install it.

Cutting Costs When Setting Up a Home Office

These days, there are many people who decide to set up a home office where they can work in peace and quiet. Some people do it because they often work remotely for their employer at home, and these days with work-from-home becoming so mainstream, it has become all the more important. Others set up a home office because they run their own business from home or operate on a freelance basis.

Whatever your reasons for needing or wanting a home office, one thing you must take into consideration is the costs involved. This is something that can vary based on the items you need to set up your office such as furniture, storage, and equipment. The good news is that there are ways in which you can reduce the cost of setting up a home office, so this is something you should look into before you make your purchases. In this article, we will look at some of the ways to cut costs when setting up your home office.

Some of the Ways to Save Money

There are various ways in which you can save money when it comes to setting up your home office. Some of the main ways in which you can do this are:

Assess Your Needs

One of the things you need to do if you want to avoid spending money unnecessarily is to assess your needs before you start buying items for your home office. You may find that you have a lot of what you need, and this means fewer items to buy, and less money spent. So, make a list of the items you need for the home office and then work out what you already have.

Use Online Promotions

Another thing you should do is to look for online promotions, as these make it easy to save money on the cost of all sorts of home office items. This includes promotions such as Dell discounts. By using these vouchers, you can look forward to excellent discounts on all the items you need for your home office, and this means that you can set it up without breaking the bank. In addition, it means that you can afford to invest in quality items for your home office.

Check Out Sales Events

It is also worth checking out sales events when it comes to buying items for your home office, as you can often get some great bargains in the sales and also clearance sections of sites. You can wait for special sales such as Black Monday for devices and electricals for your home office, as this can also save you a lot of money.

Subscribe to Sites

One other thing to do is to subscribe to websites that sell the types of items you need, as this can provide you with access to special offers and deals. You can get these offers sent directly to your inbox.

These are a few of the ways in which you can cut costs when setting up a home office. 

3 Free and Affordable Design Software Alternatives

Creating high-quality marketing materials for both your print and digital needs starts with having some type of design knowledge. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills they need in order to be able to meet the standards their business requires. 

Subscription-based software programs like Adobe Suite are expensive and can easily run up to $250 to $300 every year. They are also incredibly technical and take a lot of time and education to learn how to navigate some of the more simple options like Adobe Lightroom.

Affordable Alternatives to Adobe Suite

With developers trying to find more affordable ways to beat the competition, there are now several free and inexpensive options for designing vectors, websites, animations, graphics, flyers, posters, or digital banners for social media and advertising. The best part is that many of them are user-friendly and can be easily used, even when you don’t have years of education and experience under your belt.

Despite there being a significant amount of free and inexpensive design software available across the internet, it’s always recommended that you take a deeper look into your business goals and budget. Trying to cut corners to save money may not actually be beneficial for the long run of your business. 

Outsourcing through third-party design and printing companies may be a viable solution for your digital and print designing needs, such as inexpensive real estate postcard templates for your agency or royalty-free images and backing tracks for your local bookstore marketing collateral. 

Your time is just as valuable as a dollar sign. If you find yourself spending more time designing graphics than you are running your business, it might be time to look for an alternative.

However, if you think you’re up for the challenge of designing your own work, here are a few places you can sign up and get started for free or at an affordable starting rate.

Canva

Canva is a leader in the DIY design and template generator industry for all print and digital needs. Their gallery of professional templates offers business owners a wide range of options that are suitable for a wide range of industries. Even when you sign up for their free account, you’re getting full access to a large suite of video, photo, graphic, and animated elements for just about anything you might need. 

The best part is that they also offer printing services for various products, including shirts, mugs, stickers, and so much more. There is an option to upgrade your service with them for a cost for access to more collateral. The higher packages are more beneficial if you’re looking to collaborate with a larger team, plus they also have advance feature tools like an online poster maker, flyer maker, brochure maker, and more to streamline your design needs.

AppyPie Design

AppyPie Design is an up-and-comer in the industry but provides incredibly similar templates as Canva. While their array of images and videos is a bit smaller and their templates are not as frequently updated, it’s still a very viable option if you have minimal projects to work on. 

The catch is that the free plan they have available only is good for up to five projects. After that, you’ll have to upgrade to one of their premium plans which still ends up being significantly cheaper than its competitors.

PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a free design app that was primarily created for photo editing. Since their creation, they’ve made space to keep up with their competitors. The platform now provides simple video editing, as well as various templates for digital and print marketing collateral. 

PicMonkey offers a free trial but is not technically free once the trial is complete. Their monthly billing plans range from $7.99 to $23.00 per month based upon the size of your company and your project needs.

Other Affordable Design Apps

Here is a list of a few other design software companies you might want to check out as you continue to search for free or affordable design and editing software. However, they don’t quite keep up with the competition of the top three contenders listed before.

  • Vectr
  • Gravit Designer
  • Inkscape
  • GIMP
  • DesignWizard

Conclusion

Whatever your needs are, there will always be free and inexpensive options available. Always consider the alternative of looking into a professional to help you with your design needs. 

But if you’re ready to take on the work yourself, these three are definitely worth a try.