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  • Google Introduces Shopping Actions to Help Online Retailers Take On Amazon

    Google Introduces Shopping Actions to Help Online Retailers Take On Amazon

    On Monday, Google announced a program called Shopping Actions to help retailers take on the eCommerce giant Amazon. Under the program, merchants are allowed to list their products across the search engine’s platforms—Google Search, Google Express shopping service, and Google Assistant on mobile devices and smart speakers like Google Home.

    The program gives consumers a universal shopping cart available on mobile, desktop, or voice-activated smart speakers. Features such as one-click re-ordering, personalized recommendations, and basket-building are expected to increase shopper loyalty and engagement. By linking your existing shopping account with Google, the feature will suggest other related products based on previous purchase history and browsing activities.

    Aside from a universal cart, customers can share their shopping list, or checkout instantly with saved payment credentials through the Google-hosted payment flow.

    In exchange for the sponsored listing and integration with loyalty programs, Google only gets a cut from every successful purchase, unlike its existing pay-per-click ads where businesses pay for exposure.

    Google’s move to help retailers compete against Amazon stemmed from the company’s observation of how millions of consumers sent image searches of products asking where to buy such items. In the last two years, this type of mobile searches surged by 85 percent. Daniel Alegre, Google’s president for retail and shopping, pointed out this trend in a recent interview with Reuters.

    And with most search results ending with an Amazon purchase, Google has found a way to help retail chains in keeping those customers.

    “We have taken a fundamentally different approach from the likes of Amazon because we see ourselves as an enabler of retail,” Alegre pointed out. “We see ourselves as part of a solution for retailers to be able to drive better transactions … and get closer to the consumer.”

    Based on early results of the Shopping Actions tool, merchants noticed that the average size of a customer’s shopping basket increased by 30 percent, pointing to a more convenient, seamless shopping experience. Ulta Beauty has seen its average order value jump by 35 percent after its partnership with Google. After partnering for six months, Target said that its Google Express baskets have expanded by almost 20 percent.

    Furthermore, retailers are eager to join the growing voice shopping market – the next step for eCommerce – currently dominated by Amazon’s Echo devices. Prior to Shopping Actions, retailers Target and Walmart have teamed up with the search giant to allow voice-based shopping through Google Assistant and integration with Google Express.

    Google has partnered with big retailers such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Ulta Beauty, and Home Depot for this program. Shopping Actions is available to any retailer in the US.

    [Featured image via Google]

  • Instagram Launches Shoppable Posts in 8 New Countries

    Instagram Launches Shoppable Posts in 8 New Countries

    Instagram is planning to increase its share in the eCommerce segment by expanding its shopping feature abroad. Previously available only in the US, the Facebook-owned photo and video sharing app now allows shoppable posts for businesses located in an additional eight countries.

    Instagram is expanding its shopping feature to other countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The feature was first tested in November of 2016 before it was introduced to US users of the app last year.

    Shoppable organic posts allow businesses to add eCommerce links to their social media posts. This makes it easier for brands to drive additional traffic to their eCommerce sites.

    The shopping feature acts as a shop window that allows users to explore products. Tapping on a post will display the product’s price as well as a link which brings Instagram users to the product page within the platform. The post shows additional product details as well as similar products and other items being offered by the brand. If the user is interested, they can then click on the “Shop Now” button which redirects them to the actual eCommerce site of the brand.

    The shopping feature’s international expansion can add more revenue to the app and increase the company’s share in the global eCommerce segment. Instagram noted an increase in eCommerce activity on the platform with more than 200 million users visiting at least one Instagram business profile daily. The feature was designed to entice users who love to shop as it noted that about half of its US-based active users follow a shopping business account.

    Given the feature’s popularity among Instagram users, many online stores could see a significant boost to their bottom line by adding it to their marketing strategy. According to Lulus Vice President of Marketing Noelle Sandler, their website traffic from the platform increased by 44 percent since shoppable organic posts were introduced last year.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • Google Drive Update Will Use AI to Help Organize and Retrieve Shared Files

    Google Drive Update Will Use AI to Help Organize and Retrieve Shared Files

    Google Drive is an indispensable cloud-based tool for countless organizations worldwide. Its file sharing and synchronization services allow users to store and share all kinds of data within their group, enhancing their overall productivity through seamless collaboration.

    However, Google Drive users inevitably learn that while sharing files and documents with anyone is easy, locating and retrieving a particular shared document tends to be a bit more complicated. The problem is especially cumbersome for large organizations that may need to sift through thousands of files in the “Shared With Me” section just to find a single document. 

    Thankfully, Google Drive has come up with a new way to make its users’ lives a lot easier. With the help of artificial intelligence technology, the service will now try to guess which files you might want to open.

    In a blog post, the company announced that will now be revamping Google Drive’s Share With Me and will soon “start intelligently organizing” files located in this section. Once updated, the drive will display a list of people along with the files they have shared.

    Because users mostly search content by owner, Google Drive aims to make these searches even faster with the help of AI.

    According to the company, the new system will “predict the people and files that you’re most likely to search for and make them more visible.” In addition, the system’s predictive capability will get better with use thanks to the inclusion of machine learning technology.

    Google announced that the update will be released in the coming two weeks and be available to G Suite.

    Meanwhile, Google Drive for Windows and Mac OS will no longer be supported come May 12. But users need not worry too much, all documents and files stored in Google Drive will be unaffected. They’ll just have to install one app to keep things up and running.

    Google Drive users running on Windows and Mac OS will only need to install the Backup & Sync app to continue the automatic syncing between their desktop and the cloud. Android and iOS users will be unaffected by the ending of support since it will only cover desktop users.

    [Featured image via Twitter.com/googledrive]

  • Facebook Increases Job Search Capabilities to 40 New Countries

    Facebook Increases Job Search Capabilities to 40 New Countries

    Facebook users from different parts of the globe will soon be able to look and apply for a local job using the social media platform.

    The social media giant recently announced that its job search and application feature is being rolled out in more than 40 different countries, including Brazil, Spain, and the UK. The feature was initially only available in Canada and the US.

    The job search feature allows users to search job openings and apply for them directly on the company’s site or mobile app. Meanwhile, improvements made to the feature allows companies with Facebook pages to post their job openings online easily, go through the applications and reach out to shortlisted candidates through Messenger. What’s more, job applicants can also subscribe to a company’s job listings.

    According to Alex Himel, VP of Local at Facebook, the company has seen “a lot of organic activity of businesses trying to hire.” He even cited a Morning Consult Poll that showed that one in four people in the US alone had either looked for or found a job on the platform. And with more than two billion users globally, Facebook is perfectly placed to connect job seekers with local enterprises who are looking to fill low to medium-skilled job vacancies.

    The job search and application tool is a free feature. Companies and job seekers don’t have to pay anything to gain access. While companies can pay for Facebook ads in order to boost their job post to improve applications or target particular candidates, it’s not a requirement. Job postings can be seen on the user’s News Feed and on Facebook’s Marketplace and Pages.

    Facebook users can narrow down their job search based on job category and type. It should be pointed out that the job creator only has access to information on the user’s account that’s publicly available. Applying for a job reportedly takes just a few steps and the user has complete control over what personal information will be shown in the application.

    [Featured image via Facebook Newsroom]

  • ZenBusiness Wants to Make it Easier for One Million Small Businesses to Get Started by 2023

    ZenBusiness Wants to Make it Easier for One Million Small Businesses to Get Started by 2023

    Austin-based company ZenBusiness has secured $4.5 million in seed money, thanks to numerous angel investors. The startup is also embarking on the lofty goal of assisting one million businesses get started.

    ZenBusiness, which began operations in 2015, helps small business get off on the right foot by assisting with legal documents. The company will inform clients of each and every form required by the state and the reports that have to be filed yearly. This will undoubtedly be a big boon to first-time business owners and entrepreneurs, as the process and requirements of launching a small business differ per state.

    The corporate creation and management company is offering a fast, easy and affordable alternative to the complicated process of filing legal and business documents. ZenBusiness will provide clients a set of questions to answer that will determine the business they want to start. The business platform then creates and files all the needed documents for free, except for the state-mandated fees. What’s more, this is all accomplished in as little as 48 hours.

    Company owners can also avail of the $10 monthly package that lets ZenBusiness become the business’ registered agent and allows them to handle “annual filings, franchise tax, all of the red tape around an entity.” The company is also open to paying any potential fines in the event that they have been remiss with any of the documents. The payment will be taken from the $4.5 million seed money from investors Lerer Hippeau, Greycroft, Slow Ventures, Founders Fund, and Revolution’s Rise of the Rest.

    ZenBusiness founder Ross Buhrdorf explains that their platform and affordable pricing ensures that every small business owner has the “resources and protection they need to turn their business dreams and ideas into reality.” Burhdorf has also set a very lofty goal for the company, that of helping develop one million small businesses by the year 2023. This roughly translates to 2.5 million new jobs for Americans and over $100 billion in income for workers.

    [Featured image via Pexels]

  • Will Trump Tax Cuts Benefit Your Small Business?

    Will Trump Tax Cuts Benefit Your Small Business?

    Small businesses are feeling very optimistic these days, with a record number believing it’s the perfect time to expand. The positive outlook has reportedly been fueled by the changes instituted by the Trump administration’s tax-reform package.

    Survey Says It’s a Good Time for Small Businesses

    According to a survey released by the CNBC and Survey Monkey, the Small Business Confidence Index for Q1 saw numbers rise from 57 to 62. The five-point increase is the largest move per quarter that the index has seen since the two companies started measuring in 2017.

    The CNBC/SurveyMonkey Survey also highlighted several key takeaways. For instance, 47 percent of small businesses stated that on the whole, business conditions are good. Only 44 percent believed that last quarter. The survey also revealed that 32 percent of small business owners are planning to add more full-time workers in 2018.

    How the New Tax Law Affects Small Businesses

    It should be pointed out that the Q1 survey is the first done since President Donald Trump enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) on December 22, 2017. The rise in optimism and confidence is quite the surprise, considering that in the Q4 2017 survey, small-business owners were split in the middle regarding the effect the tax law would have on their business. Now it seems that 46 percent of those surveyed believe Trump’s tax policy will have a positive impact; an impressive jump from the 38 percent of last quarter.

    What kind of impact will the new tax law have on SMBs? The final iteration of the bill allow pass-throughs of as much as 20 percent of the income. However, these deductions depend on the type of business.

    In personal service businesses, like lawyers, architects, and brokers, the 20 percent deduction is only permitted for married partners that filed joint incomes of as much as $315,000. Meanwhile, the deduction is allowed for single taxpayers with incomes of up to $157,000.

    For businesses that are employee intensive, like manufacturers and restaurants, the deductions depend on the payroll. The 20 percent deduction is actually confined to 50 percent of the payroll. So companies with a lot of workers get a big break. The new tax law basically gives these businesses a good reason to expand and hire new people.

    Last December, Adam Looney of the Tax Policy Center was interviewed on PBS’s News Hour where he explained how the ‘pass-throughs’ would work for small business.

    Benefits of Tax Cuts to Small and Medium Sized Businesses

    The TCJA appears to have a trickle-down effect on consumers and small businesses. The higher take-home pay and bonuses resulting from the new tax law have given consumers more spending confidence. This was clearly seen during last year’s holiday season.

    This consumer confidence is a good sign for small and medium-sized business. With increased spending, these companies can generate more revenue that they can use to either improve the business or pay off creditors. For instance, savvy business owners can take steps to improve their credit rating, like paying their bills immediately.

    Companies with improved credit ratings have access to more capital. This can be beneficial to owners thinking of expanding operations, improving an office, buying new equipment, or refinancing a debt.

    More importantly, a positive credit score makes it possible for entrepreneurs to apply for small business funding with banks. These traditional lenders typically look more closely at credit scores. They can also offer small businesses better terms and rates. For example, instead of paying 20 percent interest on a credit card, a businessman can get capital at 8 percent interest which can be used to pay off debt and place the company in a healthier space, finance wise.

    Small businesses certainly have a lot to look forward to now that the TCJA is in effect. However, the changes introduced in this new law can be challenging to navigate. Some of the new rules are just so complicated that tax experts might have trouble processing them. So it’s a good idea for small businesses to invest in reliable tax advisers this year.  

    [Featured image via YouTube]

  • How to Attract More Customers and Boost Your Sales with Webinars

    How to Attract More Customers and Boost Your Sales with Webinars

    In the early 2000s, only established companies or enterprises could afford to conduct webinars. However, in more recent years, advances in teleconferencing have made hosting a webinar more feasible for small businesses and even solopreneurs. 

    It’s clear that webinars are one of the more effective and useful online marketing tools today. Industry analysts have also determined that as businesses continue to use more video and incorporate social media into their marketing strategies, webinars will continue to be a trend. But how can you use this technology to attract more customers and sell more products?

    Explaining the Webinar

    A webinar, or “web seminar,” is a video conference conducted over the web. It utilizes the internet to connect the host (person conducting the webinar) to the audience (viewers and listeners).

    Webinars can be conducted in several ways. The hosts can choose to show themselves on camera during a live presentation or switch their screens to show demonstrations or slideshows. The webinar could also just be an audio presentation and speakers from different locations can be invited to co-host.

    Instead of using the technology for seminars, businesses, schools, and other organizations can also use it to give lectures. As a matter of fact, 2 out of 3 webinars are used for educational purposes. According to Clickmeeting’s research, 40 percent of webinars are staff training, how-tos, and product training while 15 percent are e-learning classes and online education courses. It could also be used as a promotional presentation to launch or sell a product and connect with new customers.

    Why Webinars are Popular

    The webinars rise in popularity is due to one very simple fact—it’s very effective in getting your message across.

    Webinars can be utilized to provide fundamental training for employees at a lower cost. Instead of paying for a conference or class just for continuing employee education, companies can offer a free webinar. It provides the same knowledge that employees would get from a conference without having to shoulder transportation or food expenses.

    This marketing tool is also very effective in allowing customers to interact with content. Customers who sign up for a webinar can quickly provide feedback or ask the company questions. More importantly, content is delivered in real-time.

    How to Boost Sales with Webinars

    Webinars have so much potential to do your company good. Conversely, it also has the capacity to do some damage if it’s not done right. Here are some suggestions on how you can conduct a webinar that will boost conversions.

    1. Make it Engaging With Visuals

    Visuals are the way to go if you want your webinar to be engaging and memorable. People prefer infographics over bullet points, as the former is easier to understand and more interesting to look at. This has been proven to be true on social media, as more users click or shared posts with images. For example, Facebook posts with images reportedly received 87 percent of engagement among users while Tweets with images receive 18 percent more clicks that ones that on have text.

    2. Keep Audience Interest Up

    Webinars typically run for about an hour, with half of that time devoted to getting your message across. You want to keep your audience interested throughout the entire seminar. Remember that you can quickly lose the attention of your audience if your presentation is boring or has too many instances of inactivity.

    One way to keep things lively is to opt for an interactive presentation. For instance, ask the attendees to answer a poll or write something down every 15 minutes or so. Entertain live callers who ask questions. Not only will this liven things up, it also makes the session sound more conversational.

    3. Practice, Practice, Practice

    Practicing a speech or a presentation, even one you’ve done a thousand times before, is always a good idea. Go over your notes and check your visuals a few days or hours before you air your webinar. Rehearse with a colleague or a friend. Record yourself. Doing these things will give you the chance to identify possible problems with your material or how you present it.

    4. Keep it Fun With Freebies

    Freebies and bonuses make life fun. Offering the audience a chance to win a prize will incentivize them and keep them engaged. The rewards don’t even have to be big or expensive. Cash, gift cards, discounts or a private consultation with you or one of your expert staff will suffice.

    Don’t underestimate the power of webinars. If you’ve never considered using this marketing tool, perhaps 2018 is the year to give it try.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • eBay Plans to Add AR Features to Enhance Shopping Experience

    eBay Plans to Add AR Features to Enhance Shopping Experience

    eBay is on a quest to make shopping more interactive and enjoyable by incorporating augmented reality into the buying process. The company has even tapped the services of expert data scientist Jan Pedersen to ensure that they’re on the right track.

    In a bid to provide their clients with a better shopping experience, eBay is reportedly developing an augmented reality kit that will help customers see the product better and make shopping more dynamic. For instance, the AR kit can help drivers check how a particular tire design will look on their vehicles. It could also assist women to look at a dress or an appliance with a more critical eye. Shoppers can also use the kit to check what size box they will need for their purchases.

    eBay is currently on a roll, with a holiday quarter that saw a 10 percent increase in its merchandise volume of $24.4 billion. The season also saw around 170 million shoppers using the platform. The company wants to continue that success and is seeking to convince investors that they can also go up against a giant like Amazon. Jeff Bezos’ company is currently dominating the market with its same-day delivery system.

    Amazon might be the king of logistics, but as eBay CEO Devin Wenig told investors at a recent technology conference, it’s not the only thing that’s important. According to Wenig, price and inventory are also critical.

    eBay is known for offering one-of-a-kind products at affordable prices, but the company is also looking to improve its inventory. To that end, it is planning to add more clothing and home products to attract women and young consumers. At the moment, the retail giant’s base is geared towards older men.

    Mohan Patt, the company’s vice president of buyer experiences, revealed that eBay is pushing to maintain its growth and is looking to enhance its artificial intelligence to further improve what customers will be offered. The company aims to expand its reach beyond shoppers who already know what they’re looking for to people who are browsing the different product categories, seeking inspiration.

    This is where artificial intelligence and date will come in. According to Patt, this personalization will be the key to getting consumers to purchase items they didn’t know they wanted.

    To ensure that the company’s vision for customization and a more engaging shopping experience goes off without a hitch, eBay has engaged the services of Jan Pedersen. The renowned data scientist will be at the helm of the eCommerce leader’s AI endeavors.

    Wenig describes Pedersen as “a true pioneer” and said he joins the company at a crucial time when AI is “capable of transforming personalized, immersive shopping experiences.”

    Pedersen and his team will be responsible for developing eBay’s strategy and technology that will be used to better interact with customers.

    [Featured image via eBay]

  • PayPal Here Launches Two New Card Readers, Giving Small Businesses More Ways to Accept Payments

    PayPal Here Launches Two New Card Readers, Giving Small Businesses More Ways to Accept Payments

    Every customer wants a swift and smooth payment transaction, with little fuss. This holds true regardless of whether they’re buying from a major enterprise or a small business. That goal is certainly possible with PayPal Here’s two new payment card readers.

    PayPal recently launched a Chip and Swipe reader and a Chip and Tap reader, both of which will help users and small companies easily conduct credit card transactions anywhere.

    The Chip and Swipe reader is an improved version of the company’s previous swipe-style reader. It now comes with support for debit and credit cards with EMV chip technology. Meanwhile, the Chip and Tap reader can process contactless payment options from NFC-supported devices and also accepts EMV-supported cards. The device also comes with a portable charging stand.

    Image result for paypal chip and swipe card reader

    Both payment readers can easily process transaction choices like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.

    PayPal’s new readers have been designed with portability in mind. The two devices are about the size of a deck of cards, making it possible for small retailers and entrepreneurs to do business in any location—a country fair, the neighborhood cafe—without worrying about wires or having to carry bulky hardware. They can easily connect to any mobile device using Bluetooth technology. The readers also have a user-friendly interface and can now be used for extended periods, thanks to their rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

    PayPal is offering the Chip and Swipe reader for $24.99 and the Chip and Tap reader for $59.99. Both devices will work seamlessly with the PayPal Here. The app is available via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

    In a statement, PayPal In-Store’s Chief Chris Gardner stated that the company understands the “challenges small businesses face—including protection from fraudulent transactions and the costs of equipment to run their business—and constantly work to develop products and services that allow them to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.” Their new and affordable card payment readers are their newest endeavor to help small business.

    Gardner also pointed out that small and medium businesses also look for a “one-stop shop” for all their commerce and payment services. After all, these companies don’t have the time to deal with various vendors to manage all these financial activities. PayPal is determined to be the company to handle these demands. Merchants can use PayPal for their online transactions, PayPal Here for their physical processes, and PayPal Working Capital to help finance their expansion.

    [Featured image via PayPal]

  • Simple UX Tips to Keep Your eCommerce Store from Losing Money

    Simple UX Tips to Keep Your eCommerce Store from Losing Money

    Shopping cart abandonment is a big problem that can lead to huge loses in revenue for your eCommerce business. However, there are various reasons why shoppers abandon their carts. Some customers might just want to browse your store items while others are simply not interested in what you have to offer. While some reasons for shopping cart abandonment are out of your control, improving the user experience of your online store will get more customers pass the checkout. 

    Understanding the Importance of UX

    User experience, or UX for short, pertains to the overall feeling a customer has when interacting with your eCommerce store. How positive the UX is usually depends on how enjoyable and easy it was for the visitor to navigate the store, find what they were looking for, and place an order. Conversely, issues like unclear pricing, site errors, and insufficient payment methods can cause people to abandon their carts.

    Companies might argue that loyal customers will put up with slight inconveniences. But these days, shoppers have numerous options for buying products and services online. Shopify.com alone has more than 500,000 merchants in about 175 countries. Regardless of how good your product or service is, there are competitors that offer something similar. And if they also provide a better user experience, well, it’s not hard to imagine where the customers would go.

    Ways to Improve UX in Your eCommerce Store

    A good UX can help attract new customers. More importantly, it helps online retailers retain existing customers and boost customer returns. If you want your clients to remain loyal and keep coming back, then you should look for ways to improve your store’s UX. Here are some suggestions:

    1. Enhance Search Results

    About 30 percent of your site’s visitors will be using the search tool. These guests know what they want and are very motivated to purchase it. So you should make it easier for these shoppers to find the product they want by enhancing your site’s search feature.

    Consider where your search bar is located. Place it in a prominent location, like the page’s header. Look at how Amazon positioned theirs—at the top center of the page. Make sure your website’s search feature can be found on every page. This consistency will make your product catalog more accessible and browsing go more smoothly.

    2. Use Good Photos and Improve Product Description

    One disadvantage to online stores is that you can’t hold the product, and customers want to see and touch things they plan on buying. One way to counter this dilemma is to provide clear and captivating images of the product.

    Online sellers have to make sure that they capture key product details in the photograph. Brands should ensure they display large product images and complement them with several alternative pictures and zoomed-in images. Don’t forget the product description. Add key information like available colors, size guides, weight, and other important specifications.

    3. Improve the Checkout Process

    A long and complicated checkout process is one of the main reasons for shopping cart abandonment. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make checking out go more smoothly. First, get rid of all unnecessary fields on the checkout form, like Gender or Birthday. Just stick to the information you really need.

    It’s also a good idea to optimize your site for mobile checkout by using big fonts, larger input fields, and a clear call-to-action (CTA) button. There should also be an indication to the user that their order is being processed. The “loading spinner” can be useful at this point, and it’s something that users would expect to see.

    4. Provide Good Customer Service and Positive Customer Interaction

    There are a number of small, and often neglected, things that can lead to positive customer interaction. Ensuring that banners, CTA buttons, and photos link to the right product is one. Using area maps to link to a specific product when there’s more than one being shown in a photo is another. You don’t want to get your customer’s frustrated. Help them find what they’re looking for and give them a positive experience to remember.

    Image result for live chat

    [Graphic via Wix.com]

    Pay attention to customer reviews, comments, and emails. Make sure you respond to all your users on your different social media outlets. A live chat system is useful since it gives users the chance to contact you immediately, like when they’re about to order but have some questions before making a purchase.

    A positive customer experience will do wonders for your store. Take advantage of the numerous tools and suggestions open to you on how to improve your site’s UX. But make sure you test it thoroughly.

    [Featured image via Pixel.com]

  • Why Your Brand Should Consider Podcasting in 2018

    Why Your Brand Should Consider Podcasting in 2018

    Companies who want to succeed online in 2018 need to have a firm digital marketing strategy. Luckily, there are a number of strategies and tools open for marketers, like blogging, content marketing, email marketing, social media, and paid search.

    Another prime vehicle for content marketing today is the podcast. Besides providing relevant information about your brand or product, podcasts come in an easily digestible content format and doesn’t need a customer’s undivided attention, unlike text-based or video content.

    There are several reasons why your brand should consider delving into podcasts this year. Consider the following:

    It’s Easy to DevelopImage result for podcasting statistics 2018

    Making a podcast is relatively easy. You basically just need a high-quality microphone and headset to create your podcast. The software needed to edit it is free and easy to use and all you need to upload it is a solid WiFi connection.

    It can be Distributed via Multiple Channels

    Aside from being easy to create, podcasts are also easy to promote. It’s common for companies to broadcast their podcasts on their blog or website. But services like iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher helps in expanding the reach of your podcast. You can also use different social media platforms to share your podcasts.

    It Establishes Your Authority

    A podcast gives you an arena to show your expertise and passion for your niche. Your enthusiasm and speaking prowess also adds an authoritative air to the topic, something that the written word can’t express. And coming out with regular podcasts that have sound information and good ideas helps establish you and your brand as market leaders.

    There’s a More Intimate Connection with the Audience

    Listening to someone on a regular basis can lead to a more intimate and stronger connection. Broadcasting podcasts regularly give listeners the chance to become more familiar with the podcaster’s style and voice. This familiarity and connection keeps your brand in mind and helps the audience have a better understanding of the company’s values.

    Don’t be left behind by the other brands that have already discovered the power of podcasting. Start integrating podcasts into your marketing strategy and reach more people.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • eBay Breaks Up with PayPal for Another Partner

    eBay Breaks Up with PayPal for Another Partner

    Even in business, some partnerships are just not meant to last. Despite working closely together for more than a decade, eBay recently announced that it would be ditching long-time partner PayPal as its primary payments processor by 2020.

    In a post on its company website, eBay announced on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Adyen, to replace PayPal. Ayden is an Amsterdam-based global payment company and one of PayPal’s rivals.   

    eBay acquired PayPal in October of 2002 for $1.5 billion. At the time, the two services seemed to be well-paired with eBay controlling the lion share of the online auction market while PayPal was the top player in online payment processing. However, by July of  2015, the two returned to being standalone businesses.

    While Adyen will eventually be easing out PayPal from its current role, eBay assures that PayPal will remain one of the payment options that buyers can choose upon checkout. eBay further revealed it has an “Operating Agreement with PayPal, which remains in place through mid-2020.”

    According to the auction giant, the shift to Adyen will bring in multiple benefits to both sellers and buyers. The cited benefits to sellers include lower costs and a simplified pricing structure, easier tracking of transactions and payment information as well as greater sales conversion due to the expanded payment options.

    Buyers, on the other hand, will now have more payment options upon checkout. eBay likewise promised a more streamlined checkout experience.

    Working together with eBay is a big win for Adyen especially considering the company’s relatively small size. Adyen posted a net revenue of $178 million in 2016. In comparison, rival PayPal posted almost $11 billion in revenue for the same period.

    Understandably, eBay’s announcement negatively affected PayPal shares with its price plummeting by as much as 10 percent on Wednesday’s trading. However, it is unclear how much the Adyen deal will affect its bottom line. At the moment, PayPal’s market value is around $102 billion, more than twice Ebay’s value of $42 billion. In addition, PayPal seems to be doing fine and has recently reported a 59 percent rise in profit for the fourth quarter of 2017.

  • Microsoft Teams Gets a Big Update, Features New App Store

    Microsoft Teams Gets a Big Update, Features New App Store

    Microsoft is adding cool new features to its Teams collaboration tool. The update is touted to be the “biggest single release of new functionality” since it launched last year and will bring a new app store, new search, discovery, and integration features, as well as new Slack-like commands.

    The update will also present users with new ways to find apps in the new app store. Users can now search apps by name, integration type, or simply browse the list of available apps by category.

    Users familiar with Slack will note that the Microsoft Teams competitor has its own app directory that highlights tools applicable to team collaboration. Teams, however, highlights apps that users frequently access or that have been added by their organization.

    The update also introduced a new personal app space; a place where you can view your apps as well as items and tasks assigned to you across Jira Cloud or Planner. In addition, you can now include information from apps to your messages with the use of interactive cards. According to Microsoft, “You can search for a specific task in Trello, a work item in Wrike, or a weather forecast, and include an interactive card with that information into a message.”

    Another Slack-like feature that the Microsoft Teams update introduced is the slash command. With slash command, you can perform tasks, navigate Teams, set your status to “Away,” call a co-worker and add team users.

    Teams users also have “@” commands. By typing “@” in the command box, it displays a list of apps that you can either query or command.

    Microsoft announced that the Teams update has started rolling out yesterday. However, it may take some time before every user gets the new features.

  • Microsoft Announces Huge Price Cut for Azure Cloud Services, Now Just $100 Per Month

    Microsoft Announces Huge Price Cut for Azure Cloud Services, Now Just $100 Per Month

    Microsoft Azure customers were pleasantly surprised today. The cloud computing company just announced that it has substantially dropped the price for its Azure Standard support to just $100 per month, making it the most affordable support package among the big three cloud computing firms.

    The price slash of the Azure Standard support, which was previously priced at $300 per month, was announced in a post via Microsoft Azure’s website. Despite the drop, however, the company promised an even faster initial response time of 1 hour, which was previously set at 2 hours, for critical cases. The company also promised the continuation of the current package’s feature of unlimited 24/7 technical and billing support for the client’s entire organization.

    The price cut is being offered to eligible Azure customers. These are customers who purchased the Azure Standard support package directly from the Azure.com site under the Microsoft Online Subscription Agreement (MOSA).

    However, the $100 per month offer is not applicable to all regions. For still unspecified reasons, customers based in Germany are apparently not included in the price cut.

    Azure’s drastic price reduction for its Standard support could start a price war among the big three players in the cloud computing industry. It is possible that competitors Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as Google Cloud Platform, might be forced to introduce price cuts of their own to make the pricing of their services even more competitive.

    At $100 per month, the AWS Business plan costs as much as the new Azure Standard support. However, that is only the starting price because clients usually end up paying more for additional charges based on their monthly usage fees.

    Meanwhile, Google is charging a higher monthly rate for its standard support at the moment. Basic support costs $150 per month and its response time for business critical issues is even slower at 4 hours compared to 1 hour for Azure customers.

    [Featured image via Microsoft]

  • Apple Announces ‘Business Chat’ with Upcoming iOS Update

    Apple Announces ‘Business Chat’ with Upcoming iOS Update

    It seems that more and more tech companies are starting to monetize their messaging apps to meet the communication needs of businesses. The latest company to go this route is Apple, which recently announced that it will be launching Business Chat, a feature that was actually unveiled during last year’s Worldwide Developer Conference.

    Apple will be releasing a new operating system update this Spring, the iOS 11.3. The company will also introduce a host of new features along with the iOS update, one of which is the Business Chat.

    With the Business Chat feature in place, users will be able to talk directly with a company’s business representative via the iMessage app. In addition, the new feature will offer payment capabilities via Apple Pay as well as make appointments if such is applicable to the business.

    The move seems to signal Apple’s serious intent to enter into the niche. SnapChat made a similar move earlier this month by launching its own WhatsApp Business app.

    While many people may not be used to using chats to contact companies, demand for business messaging is increasing. In fact, a Facebook-commissioned Nielsen study concluded that the majority of consumers would actually prefer messaging a business than calling their hotline. Based on the survey, 56 percent expressed a preference in using text to contact companies. Furthermore, a total of 67 percent believed that business messaging is going to pick up in the next two years.

    However, it will be a big challenge for Apple to make it big in business messaging given its smaller number of users. Facebook Messenger has a head start with around 1.3 billion users using the app with 80 percent of its 65 million businesses users already using the platform to connect with customers.

    While WhatsApp may be a bit late in entering the business chat segment, Apple can’t compete in terms of the size of its user base. WhatsApp has around 1.3 billion users worldwide.

  • 4 Tips for Personalizing Your Next Email Campaign

    4 Tips for Personalizing Your Next Email Campaign

    When it comes to online marketing, setting up an effective email campaign frustrates many business owners. Most operate under the assumption that having an email opt-in plugin and signing up with an email marketing service is enough to get high conversions. What they have failed to grasp is the importance of email personalization.

    One study has revealed that 70% of businesses neglect to personalize their emails. Making this mistake significantly undermines your campaign, considering that personalized emails boost revenue six times more than generic ones. Personalization yields a 41% higher click-through rate and recipients are also 29% more likely to take action to your message.

    Image result for email personalization

    [Graphic via FormGet]

    So how can you personalize your email marketing to boost your campaign? Here are four tips:

    Tailor it to the Demographic

    One of the best ways to boost response rates is to tailor your email’s look and message to specific demographic elements, like age and gender. If you’re selling care products, cosmetics would grab the interest of women while men would want to know more about shaving products. Making use of a distinct appeal to the preheader can also encourage open rates. For instance, referencing winter when selling snow boots and winter jackets to people in states experiencing cold weather will catch their attention.

    Come Up with the Right Questions

    “Ask and ye shall receive” is a good mantra to remember when designing your email marketing campaign. A lot of businesses simply assume they know what the customer wants only to have their messages ignored. Instead of assuming, ask your audience key questions, like their reason for becoming a user, subscribing to a newsletter or visiting their website. It’s simple and can give you valuable data.

    Wedding specialist Paper Style hit the goldmine when they asked visitors on their site whether they were preparing for their wedding or someone else’s. Not only did the simple question quickly segmented probable clients, it also gave them insight on the type of correspondence to send to their prospects.

    RewardStream - 45 Examples of Personalized Marketing2

    [Graphic via PaperStyle case study]

    Time it Well

    Timing is everything, especially in email marketing. Every customer has a distinct routine when it comes to emails. Some check once in the morning while others look at their inbox every half hour. Sending an email when your client is most likely to check their inbox and will help boost sales.

    Related image

    [Graphic via Fusion BPO]

    However, finding the right time can be challenging. A number of email service providers are now offering tools that can study when subscribers check their inbox and make adjustments to the delivery time.

    Personalize Your Brand

    Don’t limit personalization to emails or to how you use your customer’s data. Your brand can use a personal touch as well. Personalizing your brand humanizes it, making it easier to connect with your customer. It could even boost your click-through rate.

    This was clearly shown in an experiment conducted by HubSpot. The company sent two emails to test what else could be done to make them feel more personal and to enhance customer engagement. One email was from the company itself, while the other was from someone in HubSpot’s marketing team.

    sender name test resized 600

    [Graphic via HubSpot blog]

    Interestingly, the results showed that more people clicked on the message sent by a person than the one sent by a business. This demonstrated that people were more amenable to a more personal touch in business. So if you want a more positive response, a personalized email is the way to go. Aside from using a real person, you can also try making it more informal. Using a conversational tone or the pronouns “I” and “we” can also improve your response rate.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • As Predicted, Whatsapp Launches a New App for Business Users

    As Predicted, Whatsapp Launches a New App for Business Users

    In recent years, WhatsApp has been trying to monetize its more than 1.3 billion users by highlighting the messaging platform’s potential use in business. Last year, the Facebook-owned messaging app hinted that its thrust towards business users by introducing verified business accounts, which sparked speculations that the company was planning a business version of the app.

    It turns out that those speculations were correct after all. The company just officially launched the new WhatsApp Business app. However, the new business version of Whatsapp seems to be available only in select countries which include Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S. Meanwhile, the company promised that the new app will be available to the rest of the world in the coming weeks.

    WhatsApp Business app is packaged as the ideal communication tool for small businesses. As such, it contains the usual functions you may expect from a business app.

    For instance, business owners can create their business profiles that could increase their visibility. They can post on their profiles useful information such as the addresses of their physical stores, a link to their website, their email address as well as a description of their business.

    The new app also addresses the need for businesses to get in touch with their customers. With smart messaging tools, businesses can make quick replies which could be a pre-formatted response to frequently asked questions. According to the WhatsApp blog post, business owners can even send away messages to inform customers that staff is busy and can’t respond at the moment.

    In addition, a messaging statistics function is introduced as a way to measure which messaging strategy is working. For example, businesses can know how many of the intended recipients read the bulk messages they sent. The messaging app also functions on a desktop, which is a very convenient feature for handling multiple customers simultaneously.

    WhatsApp confirmed that the new app version will remain free for the long term. But of course, they are not discounting the possibility that they might introduce paid additional capabilities in the future.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • 5 Tips to Help Your Business Identify Payment Fraud

    5 Tips to Help Your Business Identify Payment Fraud

    Previous data security breaches that targeted large retailers like Neiman Marcus and Target have caused merchants and consumers alike to be more wary about payment fraud. Credit card companies have automated processes that allow them to spot fraud even before their clients realize that something is wrong.

    Unfortunately, payment fraud doesn’t just happen online. Business owners should remember that it can happen in brick-and-mortar stores as well. To avoid this kind of problem, businesses should be able to recognize potential payment fraud.

    5 Tips for Identifying Payment Fraud

    Suspicious Shopping Behavior

    A customer’s behavior while shopping can give a hint as to whether something illegal is happening. Shop personnel should take note of customers who look agitated, nervous, or in a rush to leave. Take into account people who appear to be ringing up purchases in numbers that are greater than what the average customers buy, or those who buy items indiscriminately, regardless of the size or cost.

    Other red flags to watch out for are those who seem to take an unusually long time to sign the sales slip or who look at the signature on the back of the credit card before signing.

    Unusual Order Amount

    It’s practically unheard of to buy 50 items of the same product, especially if they’re expensive. While most consumers won’t do this, cybercriminals would since they’re using stolen cards. Pay attention to multiple orders, particularly if the orders are for electronic devices, clothes, jewelry, and other high-end items.

    Billing and IP Address are Not Compatible

    An Internet Protocol (IP) address is used to identify devices and to give a general location of the user. So an IP address that’s incompatible with the customer’s billing address requires closer attention. For instance, if the person’s IP address is located in Japan but the credit card is registered to someone in Lexington, Kentucky, the transaction might be fraudulent. Verify details by calling or emailing the card company.

    Owning an Abundance of Credit CardsImage result for many credit cards

    The typical American consumer only has an average of 2.6 credit cards. Having an abundance of credit cards associated with a lone IP address or account could be an indication of fraud. While it’s possible the account holder just likes having numerous credit cards, it’s still best to take a closer look at the account.

    Expedited or Rush Shipping

    Some malicious individuals want to give off the impression that they’re in a hurry by demanding rush shipping, regardless of whether the cost of shipping will cost more than the actual value of the purchase. Businesses should be wary of high shipping cost and take additional steps to check the transaction. They should also be extra careful of expedited orders where the billing address is different from the shipping address.

    What to do if In-Store Fraud is Suspected

    Personnel in brick-and-mortar stores face a conundrum when it comes to probable payment fraud. On one hand, no business wants to antagonize innocent customers but on the other hand, personnel can’t ignore fraud. So what is a business to do?

    Major credit card issuers like American Express and Visa have issued guidelines on what staff could do. One very important rule is to never confront or try to apprehend the customer. Doing so would only put the employee and other people in danger.

    Employees can also verify the card’s validity by calling the authorization center and ask for a Code 10 authorization.  The call involves a series of yes or no questions, so the customers will not know that their purchase is being flagged as a suspicious transaction.

    [Featured image via Pixabay]

  • Google Will Now Prioritize Page Speed for Mobile Search

    Google Will Now Prioritize Page Speed for Mobile Search

    A few days ago, Google announced the introduction of an enhanced PageSpeed Insights tool to aid website owners in optimizing the loading speed of their pages. It now turns out that publishers may need to use the enhanced tool a lot more than expected. In a recent announcement, Google finally revealed an important factor that will be used to rank mobile pages and its all about loading speed.

    Starting in July 2018, Google will make changes to the way it prioritizes mobile pages in search ranking results. Called the “Speed Update,” the company will be giving more importance to the page speed in ranking search results.

    Of course, page speed will not be the only factor used to determine the ranking of mobile pages. There will be times where even slower loading pages will still be ranked higher, as long as it still contains the most relevant content relative to the search query. In fact, Google said that the change will only affect a small percentage of total mobile queries.

    “The ‘Speed Update,’ as we’re calling it, will only affect pages that deliver the slowest experience to users and will only affect a small percentage of queries,” Google’s Zhiheng Wang and Doantam Phan explained. “It applies the same standard to all pages, regardless of the technology used to build the page. The intent of the search query is still a very strong signal, so a slow page may still rank highly if it has great, relevant content.”

    In February 2016, Google gave the indication that loading speed would matter in search query results ranking by highlighting pages using AMP (Accelerated Mobile Page) technology. By April of last year, Google News started giving priority to news articles published on AMP sites.

    Of course, Google’s end goal is to give a better experience for mobile users of its search engine. At the moment, it’s not yet clear if the same algorithm change will be adapted to desktop users as well.

    [Featured image via Flickr]

  • 3 Holiday Social Media Campaigns to Emulate for Your Business

    Major holidays, like Christmas, are typically very lucrative seasons for most businesses. It also opens up a lot of opportunities for them to connect with potential clients. Unfortunately, the holidays are a very stressful time for consumers.

    The wrong marketing campaign can alienate clients, damage a company’s reputation, and waste precious opportunities to develop brand loyalty and increase sales. Conversely, the right campaign can give a company a major boost in terms of revenue and reputation.

    Here are three highly successful holiday social media campaigns that are inspiring and worth imitating:

    REI #OptOutside Campaign

    Image result for #OptOutside Campaign

    Several companies have benefited greatly from a well-executed hashtag campaign. REI, Starbucks, and UPS have even parlayed their successful hashtag campaign into a yearly event.

    REI’s #OptOutside started in 2015 when the outdoor retailer made their decision to close all their shops on Black Friday the focus of their marketing campaign. Not only did the company go on a break on the biggest shopping day of the year, something virtually unheard of at the time, but they also paid all their employees to spend the time outdoors with their loved ones.

    The company also encouraged customers to spend the day outside and to share their photos with the hashtag. The campaign immediately went viral, winning multiple awards that year. REI’s campaign is still going strong three years in, and the company has kept things fresh, rolling out a new search engine that collects user-generated content with the #OptOutside tag.

    Elf Yourself by OfficeMax

    Image result for office max elf yourself

    Some of the best marketing campaigns directly involve customers. Despite being more labor-intensive and time-consuming, fun user-generated contests are memorable and easily boosts a brand’s name recall.

    A prime example of this is OfficeMax’s Elf Yourself contest. The company provides one video template that all contestants can use. The template shows five dancing elves, and users can customize it by putting in their friends’ faces. Needless to say, millions of people have fun making the video, uploading it and sharing it with friends and family on various social media platforms.

    Nordstrom’s Advent Calendar

    Instagram is a wonderful vehicle for brands hoping to get noticed, and the Christmas season can make a key difference. Nordstrom really went to town with its Instagram marketing campaign this year. The company opted to go with an Advent calendar theme, posting a unique video every day as the company counts down to Christmas Day. The daily videos, which were sprinkled with some brands the store carries, helped customers get into the spirit of the season.

    It was also a big plus that the video offerings were all very creative and fresh. Customers definitely had a great time viewing them and undoubtedly enjoyed buying from Nordstrom as well.

    There’s a lot more riding on the marketing campaigns of today, as the different social media channels give companies more opportunities to have deep interactions with their consumers. But to do this, businesses have to be more creative in coming up with strategies for unforgettable content and its distribution. This is particularly vital during the Christmas season.

    [Image via Pixabay]

  • Facebook Confesses That Social Media is Bad for You

    Facebook Confesses That Social Media is Bad for You

    Facebook recently admitted what a lot of people have long suspected—that social media can be bad for you. It’s a ballsy move, considering that Mark Zuckerberg and company have built an empire based on the largest social media platform in the world.

    Facebook Admits it Might Be Bad

    Facebook made the startling admission on a company blog post titled Hard Questions: Is Spending Time on Social Media Bad for Us?

    According to Facebook researchers David Ginsberg and Moira Burke, users who “spend a lot of time passively consuming information—reading but not interacting with people—report feeling worse afterward.” In other words, users who just scroll through news feeds, click on links, “like” posts, or share status updates without really engaging with others feel less satisfied with their Facebook experience. The post even linked back to a study that revealed users who clicked on links and “likes” more than the average user are more prone to physical and mental distress.

    The premise is hardly shocking. Researchers from the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health from the University of Melbourne have stated that there’s a link between social media usage and anxiety, depression, eating issues, and sleep problems. Meanwhile, a survey has found that sites like Instagram are aggravating young people’s body image and confidence issues.

    Is More Social Media the Answer?

    Despite Facebook’s admission that social media might be detrimental to you, it also said that the platform can also do you a lot of good. But that would entail doing more on Facebook than just clicking on Like. As it turns out, having more in-depth interaction on Facebook can do wonders for your self-esteem and social standing. And by more interaction, the post’s authors mean reacting, sharing ideas, posting comments, and engaging in discussions with other Facebook users.

    Ginsberg and Burke also mentioned another study that showed a more positive finding. Said study showed that Facebook users who posted comments and joined give-and-take discussions on the service felt better about the experience.

    As the Facebook post stated, sharing status updates is not enough, “people had to interact one-on-one with others in their network.”

    It appears that Facebook, in essence, is saying that how you feel about the platform depends on how you use it. And if you want to have a better experience, perhaps you should be using it more often and interacting with other users on a deeper level.

    Incidentally, the blog post also revealed a number of new and upcoming changes that will reportedly encourage more interactions between Facebook account holders and maybe cause them to spend more hours on the social media platform.

    At the end of the day though, Facebook is still a business. Its shareholders have visions for expansion and profit. Admitting that their product is bad is not good for business. Pushing for a bigger and better Facebook is better.

    Still, kudos to the Zuckerberg and his team for doing their best to improve social media’s impact on the world. The company has been facing some heat over how people use its product, especially after the last U.S. presidential election and the proliferation of fake news.  

    [Featured image via YouTube]