Business

The world of web development is always changing. Each year, new trends emerge that touch on innovation and provide an even more immersive experience for your users. Now that we’re well into 2020, we’re starting to see some great web development trends of 2020 that are shaping the digital space and transforming the way that businesses conduct their activities online.

From artificial intelligence to mobile-focused strategy, it’s important to stay on top of these trends to make sure your website is always ready to leverage growth and conversions.

Here are the top web development trends of 2020 your business should leverage for the rest of the year and well into 2021. Many of these trends can easily be implemented with the help of a knowledgeable web development team.

Chatbots

Last year, the world of web development saw the rise in the use of chatbots, and these numbers have only been growing since then. Chatbots are AI-powered automated messaging systems you can implement on your website to interact with your customers instantly, especially when an agent isn’t available at that moment.

Your customers demand answers, no matter what time of the day it is. The traditional business hours don’t really apply online, especially if you operate an ecommerce business. According to statistics, 50% of customers expect an online business to be open 24/7, while 69% of customers prefer chatbots because they provide instant answers. Further, many people prefer to interact with your business online instead of calling.

A chatbot is an effective way to give your customers answers right away to the most common questions, and it’s not super costly to get up and running. When implementing this function, be sure to include an escalate to agent option that can connect them to a real person if they have a very specific question.

Progressive Web Apps

Research for 2020 indicates that more mobile users prefer using a progressive web app (PWA) than a mobile responsive website. A PWA is a website or a page that utilizes APIs to create an app-like experience for users who view your website on their smartphones or tablets. It will make your user feel like they’re using an app, without having to make the effort to download one from the app store and use up storage space on their phone.

Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/m_HRfLhgABo

Building a PWA is also a faster and more cost-effective way to give your users a mobile-based experience without building an actual app. You can collect plenty of data this way that helps tailor the experience to increase conversions and overall traffic.

Mobile Focused Design

If you don’t have the budget to build a PWA or mobile app, you need to make sure that your website is mobile responsive and tailored to mobile users. This is a trend that has been stressed for years now, but it’s more relevant than ever in 2020. Here are some current and emerging technologies you can leverage to increase mobile conversions:

• Accelerated mobile pages (AMPs): This is a key tool for creating an effective and mobile user-friendly experience in today’s world. Essentially, AMPs use HTML code to help your pages load faster and smoother on mobile than your regular web pages, so mobile users can get that instant gratification they’re already used to. As a bonus, AMPs can help improve your SEO rank because Google tends to favour websites that have quick load times.
• Text/SMS Marketing: Email marketing still works, but you can reach your customers faster if you implement a text marketing system. People are always on their phone, so your message can reach them more directly by SMS (especially for those who don’t always use their mobile data for Internet browsing) instead of waiting until they check their email.
• Mobile Push Notifications: Another way to leverage your mobile experience is to use push notifications for smartphones. This is a great way to reach those mobile users directly, while allowing them to forgo having to input their credentials in your site (like their email) to get updates on their favourite products.

Voice Search Optimization

More households are using devices like Google Home and Alexa to perform their daily activities, from listening to music to stocking up on household supplies. As these devices become more affordable, this trend has only continued to rise in 2020. Everything is about convenience, and it’s much easier to say, “Hey Google, search for pet supplies” from your couch than it is to open up your phone, open Google, and type in your search query.

Voice search optimization is a little different than your typical SEO strategy because people speak commands differently than they type them. A good web developer can integrate web speech API to work with voice data to give your website a stronger search presence in all areas.

Key Takeaways

No matter which of these web development trends of 2020 you decide to implement for your own business, here are some important points to keep in mind:

• Customer service will always be a priority, no matter what technology you use.
• Mobile experience is essential for the success of any online business.
• Be prepared for the continuous growth of AI and AI-based technologies.
• Today’s users love instant gratification, so give them what they crave.

 

Keeping track of your income and expenses is essential as it allows you to manage your wealth efficiently. It is a good idea to know how you are spending your money and the benefits you are driving from making these expenses. Everyone has a limited pool of wealth resources that they have to use to incur their everyday costs. Some people use them efficiently by spending on things that give the most benefits.

In contrast, others make arbitrary decisions without forethought resulting in an empty bank account before the end of the month. The difference between the two groups is in the planning and budgeting. It is vital to know beforehand about your cashflows, so you have ample time to make adjustments or look for alternatives.

Making a budget is not that of a challenging task, but there are hundreds of apps and financial services that will not only aid you in managing your expenses, but they also guide you to make smart investments from your wealth pool. Financial assistance apps and services undoubtedly help you in making more intelligent decisions about managing your wealth but beware of the risks involved.

Not all finance services out there genuinely want to help you grow, some of the heinous ones want to make quick profits for themselves by looting from unsuspecting customers. It is, therefore, imperative to look for finance reviews that are left by clients using these apps.

Most importantly, do not try an app or an unlisted service that has no reviews on the internet. It is risky, at best, to try these companies. Always go for a trusted financing service that has plenty of five-star ratings and reviews. It ensures that you are not scammed unknowingly. Among the financial assistance you can find in the market, the three most important categories are savings, investments, and speculative apps.

Savings

These services give you an insight into your spending habits and help you make smarter decisions. According to a survey, an average person wastes a substantial amount of his income on entirely unnecessary things. By choosing to go for financial services, you can reduce this useless dissipation of your wealth, thereby increasing your total spendable income.

Investments

Besides reducing your expenses, financial apps and services will help you make smarter investments that have a higher degree of return associated with them. Moreover, you can significantly decrease your risk by going for tried methods of financing. The good idea is to reduce unnecessary expenses and then invest them intelligently to multiply your savings over time. Do not go for untested services that promise huge returns on small investments. If there were such a scheme, people would have already concentrated the market, and you would have ample reviews to decide on the legitimacy of such a claim.

Speculation

Speculative financial services excel in predicting future market trends. They study the market in-depth and anticipate its direction in the future. It is an excellent idea to analyze the patterns of stocks and commodities in the market and then, based on your analysis, or that of your trusted service, make investments in stocks that show rising trends.

 

When it comes to the wellness industry, there are many new brands and products competing for business. The most recent numbers show that the global wellness industry is valued at an explosive $4.5 trillion. Not only that, but the market is still growing. Between 2015 and 2017, the industry grew by 6.4 percent annually, showing that more and more dollars are being spent in this sector. Despite all this new growth and competition, some companies have been staples in the industry for decades and stand out against the competition. HiLife Vitamins is one of those companies. It has remained an essential business since it was founded in 1971, while plenty of others have fallen by the wayside, and here’s why.

A massive inventory

HiLife Vitamins has a massive inventory of vitamins and supplements, meaning customers can turn to them as a one-stop-shop. HiLife Vitamins currently stocks more than 5,000 products from trusted and tested brands. This wide selection is appealing to consumers, who know they can trust HiLife Vitamins will have what they’re looking for. Plus, consumers know these are reliable brands, which are worth their dollars. Some of these top brands and products include:

• Bluebonnet: Founded on the principle of offering the cleanest, purest and most natural supplements available
• Lifetrients Speak Supplement: Formulated to improve cognitive function and support neurological health in children
• Life Extension Natural Appetite Suppress: A natural supplement designed to quell hunger and keep you full
• Megafood: Supplements crafted with real foods and added nutrients

Aside from these products, HiLife Vitamins has vitamins and supplements for a wide array of topics such as heart health, digestion, memory, blood pressure, and weight loss, as well as many herbs, and doctor recommended products.

A user-friendly website

A key way HiLife Vitamins has remained essential since 1971 is by making an effective shift towards ecommerce. Their website is filled with thousands of products, yet it is effectively organized, so customers can easily find the product they’re looking for. When adapting to the era of digital shopping, many companies which had been around for decades struggled to adjust to the changes. HiLife Vitamins has proven to be a timeless and essential institution, by easily adapting to the digital era.

Fast and easy shipping

HiLife Vitamins makes it easy and affordable to get their many vitamins and supplements delivered to your door. HiLife Vitamins offers free domestic shipping for orders over $49, making their thousands of products readily available to customers. With this, HiLife Vitamins is a competitive alternative to other supplement shopping options. Despite having a large inventory, HiLife Vitamins has the touch and feel of a small company, and it’s easy to get in contact with them. HiLife Vitamins has a phone line, which you can call between 9AM and 7PM. There’s also an email address customers can use to reach out to HiLife Vitamins any time.

When it comes to your business, the bottom line is always going to be profit. And to understand profit, you have to look at all of your finances. But, after you’ve grown your business to a certain point, who is really controlling those finances? You may have had a very good idea when you were the sole proprietor of a business idea, but as the concept has expanded, you can very quickly lose track of revenue and expenses. Depending on the size of your company, this realization may come sooner than later.

So, within the construct of your current business environment, who is in charge of controlling the finances? There is a chief financial officer to consider. There is someone who is known as the Comptroller. And, to a degree, the board of directors of a company will also have a dynamic say into how finances are used. Again, this is all context-based, and the size of a company has a great deal of influence.

The CFO

Even in a small business, there is going to be someone designated as the chief financial officer. This is the person who is in charge of the money. Their primary purpose in that role is to understand where the money is coming from and where the money is going. They handle the part of the business plan that recognizes all of the revenue and expenses that go into day-to-day operations and long-term endeavors. Without someone in a CFO role, your profitability will take a big hit because you have no way of analyzing all of the information coming through.

The Controller

Another essential person when it comes to your business finances is the controller. If you’ve ever wondered what a controller does, you may have to look at larger companies that have one or more people in this position. A controller is essentially the head of a financial Department, and they are the person who reports directly to the CFO. There can be controllers over different departments, and the organizational structure of a particular company or Corporation will determine how many of these people there are and what their specific tasks will be.

The Board of Directors

You may read the news that suggests the power of the board of directors to alter the financial direction of a company. After a company goes public, the board of directors is a group of people who are gathered to represent the interests of the shareholders and other stakeholders. Though in many cases, the work that this board does is not exactly transparent, the time, effort, energy, and resources they bring to a company is invaluable.

There are some issues when a board of directors does not necessarily navigate company policy very well. In those cases, the actual stakeholders in a company can adjust who the board of directors are. The board of directors also can hire and fire different high ranking positions within a company structure. The checks and balances are fascinating.

 

Crowdfunding has transformed the way entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground and has made jump-starting ventures much more realistic. Now, it’s very possible for an idea to go viral, explode with traction, and receive tons of backing, thanks to crowdfunding, and entrepreneurs and investors alike have been taking notice of how successful it can be. But because the industry is so saturated with ideas, entrepreneurs want to make sure they’re going about their crowdfunding campaign the right way, from the get-go. As the Vice President of Marketing for InventureX, Mark Campbell understands just how much nuance can go into crowdfunding. InventureX is the #1 crowdfunding agency, helping entrepreneurs succeed in their crowdfunding campaigns. In the past, Campbell has shared some crowdfunding marketing secrets. Now, he’s diving into 4 elements all successful crowdfunding campaigns should have.

Be as prepared as possible

When it comes to crowdfunding, Campbell says you can tell which campaigns are well thought out, and which ones have been thrown together at the last minute, by inexperienced entrepreneurs. You want to be as prepared as possible before going live with your campaign. Weeks or months can go into planning just the launch of a crowdfunding campaign alone, and if you feel you’re not ready, you shouldn’t launch your campaign.

Have high-quality digital assets

In the digital era, there’s nearly nothing more important than having high quality end eye-catching digital assets, according to Campbell. InventureX has its own in-house studio, StudioX, responsible for photo and video shoots. Campbell feels this is an invaluable part of launching a crowdfunding campaign, and that digital assets are key to showcasing the project you’re looking to crowdfund.

Identify and hit your target audience

When launching a crowdfunding campaign, you don’t want to waste time, money, and energy, trying to market to the incorrect audience, says Campbell. Identifying your target audience is key to having your venture successfully crowdfunded. For example, at InventureX, they do a lot of that legwork for their entrepreneurs. That way, Campbell says, they’re making sure their projects are hitting the right audiences and getting successfully funded.

Know that you can transform your idea into reality

According to Campbell, being an entrepreneur takes a lot of guts, but it also comes with a lot of ups and down. One element to success every entrepreneur needs to remember is that with crowdfunding, it truly is possible to transform your idea into reality. Getting the funding to launch your venture is not impossible, and on the contrary, you have the ability to tap into a massive reach. The trick is knowing how to work the world of crowdfunding to your advantage.

About InventureX

InventureX is the #1 crowdfunding agency, helping entrepreneurs launch and successfully fund their ventures. More than 350 entrepreneurs have successfully crowdfunded their projects, thanks to InventureX. More than 85% of entrepreneurs who work with InventureX hit or surpass their crowdfunding goals. For entrepreneurs who are interested in working with InventureX, the agency will conduct a free review of your project.

If you’re a business owner, choosing to build an investment portfolio is a great way to secure your future and help you to continue investing in your business. There are many great ways to start investing. Stocks, futures, and options are all ways to make a decent portfolio to secure your business’s financial future.

Trading Stocks To Invest in Your Business

 

Stocks are an excellent investment to gain steady returns over time. By creating a portion of your portfolio dedicated to stocks, you can receive dividends on your investments, offering you a bit of extra money throughout the time you own those shares. This is a great starting point for investing for your business, and when properly planned, trading stocks can be a very lucrative investment.

Stocks are shares of ownership over a company. By investing in a stock, you have a lot more freedom on how you trade, and you can take a more hands-on approach if you have the time to do so. Building a portfolio with shares of stock is a great starting point for any new investor.

Trading Futures To Invest in Your Business

Futures are another great investment to add to your portfolio, while they tend to be tricky to learn and get a productive strategy going, Futures offer a great return on investment when executed properly. Futures are contracts to buy a commodity, or other asset. The futures contract is a contract to purchase or sell an asset for a set price. Buyers of futures rarely take delivery of the asset within the agreement, futures are purchased to sell at a profit.

Trading futures is a fast-paced way to invest and can have a high return when you learn a promising strategy. When you are building an investment portfolio, futures are a great way to bring in some returns to put back into your business.

Trading Options To Invest in Your Business

Options are another contract that can make some substantial returns when used correctly. Options trading is purchasing a contract to buy a stock or share within a company for a set price. The trades are trading the options, or the right to buy a particular stock at a preset agreed-upon price. When considering the stock options and your business strategy, options can be a great way to add to your portfolio. Options are less money to buy into, and can bring high returns with the right strategy. The key to all investments is strategy.

It’s essential to find a great broker, or do your homework if you are planning to manage your investments for yourself. Having an investment portfolio is an excellent idea for securing the future finances of your personal life and your business. By finding a good strategy and sticking to it, you can put a lot of money back into your business, and make the changes you always wanted to. Practicing and following market trends will get you well on your way to successful investments.

 

Trade show display creators must strive to promote the visibility of their booths. If you are a small business owner, the thought of preparing for a trade show may be scary. When preparing, you must understand the details of the trade show and the type of effect you want to achieve. You can speak to the event organizers and find out what to expect. They can give you details of the visitors that will be attending. Keep the following tips in mind when creating a trade show display.

1. Your Table Should Stand Out

If your table is dull, people may have no reason to visit it. Use it to represent your company’s brand and color scheme. Do not settle for the table cloth that is provided by the event organizers.

2. Create Hype on Social Media

A few days before the date of the trade show, use your social media platforms to create a hype. Encourage them to participate in the show and visit your booth.

3. Use a Presentation Board

If you have enough space, consider erecting a presentation board. Use the board to explain to your customers how your business could be beneficial to them. Your presentation board must be appealing and unique. Be creative and use it to represent your brand. Use pictures and attractive graphics to showcase your company logo and name.

4. Include Food Giveaways

Food goodies always work. Package food in a way that advertises your brand. You can include your contact information in the packaging.

5. Bring a Portfolio of Your Work

A trade show is a great opportunity to display your work. Print your best projects and find a way to display them. It should be easy for visitors to view and go through copies of your work.

6. Use Videos and Slide Shows

Videos and slide shows are likely to draw the attention of visitors. Develop a video that shows some of your best work. You can mount a screen on a rack and use it to display your slide shows and videos.

7. Have Many Giveaways

Potential customers are always looking for giveaways. Use them to attract and retain customers. Some of the most effective giveaways include; pens, magnets, and notebooks. The giveaways should be branded. Have display racks with your brochures and flyers.

8. Organize a Draw

Organize a draw and offer an attractive prize. The prize should remind people about your brand. It should appeal to all your target customers. Have a guestbook where visitors can sign in. Another option is to have them drop their business cards in a gift card. It is a clever way to get their contact information.

9. Focus on Building Relationships

Successful trade show display experts put more focus on building meaningful relationships than increasing sales. You should strive to maintain a steady stream of visitors to your booth and create a lasting impression. The primary goal of a trade show is to generate leads and not sales. Engage your visitors and have conversations that are beneficial to them.

If you need help with your trade show display creator, consider working with ExpoMarketing. We have been in the industry for a long time. We have a lot of experience in creating customized solutions for different trade shows in the United States. We are happy to give you the creative edge you need to succeed. We are happy to go over and beyond to help our customers.

 

 

Crowdfunding has turned into such a popular way to raise money that it can now be broken into different categories. Donation-based crowdfunding is gaining popularity, as it allows entrepreneurs to be creative with bringing in money without having to give a part of the future earnings. Instead, using rewards or giving backers prestige is what motivates them.

One company that knows all about this trend is none other than InventureX. Joe Parker, the senior marketing coordinator at the company, works with people every single day looking to have successful crowdfunding. He answered a few questions for us on the topic, and how people can get started for the first time.

Why do you think crowdfunding has turned into such a popular method?

A lot of people are not intimidated by how crowdfunding, in general, is set up. Instead of having to count on one or two investors, the focus is more on getting a bunch of backers to donate a smaller amount of money.

It’s also great marketing for people who are trying to get something new out there. Every time someone backs the project, it helps with the marketing as well. Some of the top crowdfunding campaigns will end up going viral because of this.

What’s the first piece of advice you give anyone considering donation-based crowdfunding?

Put in the time and effort before so that the campaign goes as smoothly as possible. There are always going to be things that pop up during the campaign but being prepared for a lot can increase the chances of success.

Too many people think that a crowdfunding campaign can be thrown together in a short amount of time. It can take weeks or even months of planning, making sure that everything is set up for success to follow.

How important is a good reward system for backers?

Taking the time to provide valuable rewards for backers will help out any crowdfunding campaign tremendously. It’s not going to be the main deciding factor for some backers, but it still is something many consider.

No one wants to donate something that doesn’t seem like it will be that exciting in the future. So many people face the challenge of putting money towards something, and then not feeling like they got what they deserved. It doesn’t have to be much, as long as it’s creative.

Is it fine to switch up the reward system?

It is important to be one step ahead of the trends that are redefining the future of crowdfunding in order to be on the right track. Try to stay away from switching up the rewards system too much, simply because it can cause jealousy. If a person starts with great rewards, stick with it as long as possible. Never make the rewards even more enticing, because that’s going to frustrate those early backers who feel like they are under-appreciated.

Are we reaching the peak of donation-based crowdfunding?

I still think there is room to grow when it comes to donation-based crowdfunding. It’s more competitive, but that means the best campaigns can shine. It’s more important than ever to put time and effort into something like this.

 

The truth is, not everyone knows how to be a good supervisor. Even though it may seem easy to boss everyone around, overseeing a team comes with a considerable amount of pressure and responsibility.

A great supervisor doesn’t just encourage their workers getting the job done, but they also know how to boost morale, reduce stress, and get rid of the stigma of “we the employees” versus “them the boss.”

Since you spend over a third of your year at work, a good supervisor can make a tremendous difference in the workplace. So, what exactly makes a good supervisor? Here are some that stand out most.

Reliability

As a boss, it’s a supervisor’s job to make sure that things get done. Not only should they be pushing their employees too complete their tasks, but also themselves. They should be keeping up with records, ordering supplies, or whatever else is required of them.

Although reliability is a quality that any employee should have who is being paid for their services, it’s especially important for someone in a leadership position. The higher your position is, the less anyone should have to worry about their ability to carry out a task.

Good Communication

Supervisors need strong communication skills in order to develop effective strategies. When they have a strong sense of how to communicate with others, they are more convincing and inspirational. Heavy workloads are more likely to get finished faster with a supervisor motivating the team.

Yelling and intimidating tactics aren’t exactly motivating. A smart supervisor knows how to reach their workers on a deeper, more psychological level, inspiring greatness.

Problem Solving Skills

A greats supervisor knows how to get everyone together to work as a team to overcome a problem together. They’re capable of overcoming challenges by inspiring unity and accepting their employees’ feedback.

By fostering team development, they are able to conquer challenges and bring out the best in everyone, including themselves!

Strong Leadership

A strong and supportive work environment only happens when a strong leader is present. Leaders know how to effectively delegate tasks by identifying the strengths and weaknesses int heir team. They are able to innovate and creatively overcome obstacles.

A good leader knows how to look at a problem in the face and create a step by step process to lead their team through it.

Ability To Resolve Conflict

Employee conflicts are bound to arise from time to time. Unfortunately, event though conflict resolution may not always be the most fun part of being a boss, it comes with the territory.

It’s up to a supervisor to coach their employees through conflict and help facilitate an understanding that works for everyone.

 

One of the most exciting things to happen to your business is expanding your workforce. This is a true sign of success in your industry and is something to be proud of. As your workforce expands, so do the needs of your Human Resources department. There is a point in which a spreadsheet is no longer enough to effectively track employees. Accurate Human Resources reporting is important to the success of your company. If HR reporting is becoming an overwhelming task, it might be time to invest in HRIS software.

What Is HRIS?

Human Resources Information System, or HRIS, is software that organizes HR-related data. This can include employee information, benefits and time-off balances. This type of software can streamline all human resource systems and processes. There are a variety of different options for HRIS software. It can be beneficial to use an HR Software Buyer’s Guide to determine what software is best suited for your company. It is important to find the HRIS software that can handle all your business’s Human Resource departmental needs. Take the time to research the many different HRIS software options available and pick the one that best matches your company. Be sure to consider any process or task your HR department handles, and ensure the software can do that. Review the recommendations for business size for the HRIS software you are considering, and match that to the size of your business. The needs of your 800 employee business may differ from the needs of someone’s 65 employee business.

Why Is HRIS Beneficial?

The increased organization is a key benefit of using Human Resources Information Systems software. Having each of your business’s HR reports in one place saves time. Comprehensive data helps make it easy to monitor compliance training and track the progression of your Human Resource’s strategy. This increased organization and convenience can create an improved employee experience company-wide. Having effective Human Resources processes are important in keeping your company compliant. Your employees can be confident in knowing their information is correct and properly monitored. The reports that can be generated may also be beneficial in making decisions for your business. Reporting can help you identify trends in your company. You can use this beneficial information when making strategic decisions.

Is HRIS Right for My Business?

HRIS software is typically used in small to mid-sized businesses. Often HRIS is recommended for businesses of twenty-five employees or more. A Human Resources Information System may still be beneficial if your company is smaller. If the employee who manages your HR department also takes on other roles in the company then this can be particularly beneficial. Comprehensive monitoring and reporting of all aspects of the Human Resources role can save valuable time. With HRIS software you can allow your employees to focus on other important tasks.

What Are the Standard Features of HRIS?

Knowing whether it is time to look into HRIS software for your company is knowing the features that are generally offered. Once you are familiar with what the software can do you can match your business’s needs to what the software offers. You can also consider the benefits and tasks that this software may offer that you are looking for your Human Resources department to adopt. An HRIS can offer an employee database and directory with 401k tracking, payroll information, and benefits administration. You can also expect the software to handle scheduling, monitor time and attendance, and track time off. Most will generate reports that can be customized to best suit your needs and preferences. You can also find Human Resource Integration Systems with more advanced features. These can include performance management and mobile apps.

If you aren’t already using a Human Resources Integration System software, then it might be time to consider utilizing one. Whatever the size of your company, your reporting needs, or your business strategy, there is probably a system suited for your company. Spend some time considering how your HR department is currently handling departmental tasks, and whether streamlining the process will be beneficial. Think about your business strategy and how in-depth reporting might be the right thing for your company. Be sure to take the time to research the options available, and make the choice that is best suited for your needs. Investing in a HRIS software is investing in the future success of your business. Don’t take the decision lightly. Be surprised at how adopting a software that streamlines the reporting you want can take your company to the next level.