How to Set Up a Project Acceptance Metric for Your Agency’s Next Project
As an agency, delivering successful projects is crucial for your reputation and growth. Establishing clear metrics that measure project acceptance for project success is essential. These metrics provide valuable insights into the health of your projects, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions. This blog post will describe setting up a project acceptance metric for your agency's next project.
On-Time Delivery: On-time delivery is the first and most obvious measure of project success. Did you complete the project works and milestones according to the planned dates? Tracking task completion dates using project management tools like Wrike, Asana, or Workfront can help you monitor and report on actual versus planned outcomes. Accurate estimates and meeting deadlines are crucial for maintaining trust with your internal or external partners.
Gross Profit Margin (GPM): Demonstrating the value of your team's work is essential for establishing credibility and showcasing your contribution to the bottom line. Gross Profit Margin (GPM) is a financial metric that calculates the difference between profit and costs (including labor costs) and is expressed as a percentage. By showcasing how your team's work contributes to the business's overall profit, you can highlight the value you bring to the organization.
Budget Adherence: Ensuring your project is delivered within its planned budget is critical to success. Continuously evaluate your project's budget as it progresses and make necessary adjustments to stay within the allocated budget. Demonstrating your team's ability to deliver work to the client within the planned budget showcases your efficiency and reinforces your team's value to the organization.
Return on Investment (ROI): ROI measures how the project's costs compare to the net benefits obtained from completing it. Did the benefits outweigh the costs invested in the project? Consider factors such as contribution to profit, cost savings, increased output, or other indicators aligned with your organization's goals. Calculating the ROI helps you assess the project's overall success and provides insights for future decision-making.
Net Promoter Score (NPS): Measuring customer satisfaction is vital for the long-term success of your agency. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used metric to gauge customer satisfaction based on their likelihood to recommend your product or services to others. By asking customers a simple question about their likelihood to recommend, you can categorize them as promoters, passives, or detractors. Aim to increase the percentage of promoters while minimizing detractors to improve overall customer satisfaction.
Productivity: Productivity measures the efficiency of resource utilization in a project. It compares the total input (resources, time, effort) to the total output (deliverables, outcomes). The ultimate goal is to maximize output while minimizing input, creating more with less. Monitoring productivity helps identify areas where efficiency can be improved, leading to better project outcomes.
Earned Value (EV): Earned Value is a project management metric that indicates the value of work completed to date. It provides a clear picture of the project's progress and performance. By tracking the planned hours for completed tasks and portions of open tasks, you can determine the value of the work accomplished. Earned value is a critical metric in project management and helps assess the project's progress.
Cost Performance Index (CPI): The Cost Performance Index (CPI) assesses the efficiency of cost management in a project. It compares the earned value (EV) to the actual costs (AC) incurred. A CPI value greater than 1 indicates cost efficiency, while a value less than 1 suggests cost overruns. Monitoring CPI helps you stay on track with budget management and identify areas for improvement.
Cost Variance (CV): Cost Variance measures the difference between the scheduled budget and the actual costs incurred within a specific timeframe. A positive CV indicates being under budget, while a negative CV suggests cost overruns. Monitoring cost variance helps you track project expenses and make necessary adjustments to stay within the planned budget.
Burn Rate: The burn rate metric assesses how quickly a project utilizes its allocated budget. It measures the rate at which the project spends its original budget in dollars or hours. You can determine the burn rate by calculating the actual hours spent or earned value divided by the planned value. Monitoring the burn rate allows you to identify if the project is on track with its budget or if adjustments are needed.
By implementing these project acceptance metrics, you can gain valuable insights into your project's performance and make informed decisions. Regularly tracking these metrics and analyzing the data will enable you to identify areas for enhancement, mitigate risks, and ensure successful project outcomes. Remember, managing projects based on facts and data empowers you to deliver exceptional results and build stronger client relationships.
Resource:
https://www.cellainc.com/insights/blog/10-metrics-for-project-management-success/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1170 adminJune 16, 2023 Youtube Video
Tattoo This On Your Forearm – Data Is The New Gold
In today's digital era, data has emerged as a valuable resource that can revolutionize our world. The phrases "data is the new gold" and "data is the new oil" may seem like marketing slogans. Still, they encapsulate a paradigm shift that has transformed industries and empowered businesses. In this blog, we will go in the depth of why data is likened to gold, explore its immense value, and highlight the potential for improving various sectors.
Unleashing the Value of Data:
Like gold gains value when transformed into constructive objects, data becomes an invaluable asset when processed, analyzed, and utilized effectively. With the arrival of machine learning and AI technologies, organizations can extract meaningful insights from data, aiding informed decision-making and strategy development. This surge in data-driven decision-making has given rise to thriving Big Data companies and has profoundly impacted sectors ranging from finance and healthcare to education and marketing.
Data’s Competitive Edge:
In the business realm, good data can surpass subjective opinions. When a company experiences growth, numerous individuals may offer their perspectives on the following steps. However, with access to data, businesses can objectively measure the factors influencing their profits and costs. By leveraging data analytics, companies can uncover customer purchase patterns, predict growth trends, and comprehensively understand market conditions which enables them to make data-backed decisions that yield tangible results, making data a valuable commodity in the competitive landscape.
Real-World Examples:
The effect of data on our daily lives is staggering. Companies like Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, initially gathered data on shoppers by selling books at low prices. This enabled them to understand customer behavior and successfully expand their online marketplace. Social media giants like Facebook and messaging platforms like WhatsApp process billions of messages and interactions daily, generating vast amounts of data. Search engines like Google handle 3.5 billion searches per day, while emails and tweets contribute to the exponential growth of data. These examples showcase the vastness and potential of data in our interconnected world.
Embracing Data Responsibly:
As reliance on data grows, addressing cybersecurity, fraud, and privacy concerns is crucial. Individuals willingly share their private information when signing up for various online platforms without fully understanding the implications. Customers must know how their information is utilized to ensure that data is used responsibly. Organizations, governments, and individuals should prioritize data security, protect privacy, and establish ethical practices to prevent any misuse or harm caused by data.
Conclusion:
Data has undeniably become the new gold of the digital economy, revolutionizing industries and empowering businesses worldwide. The phrases "data is the new gold" and "data is the new oil" encapsulate data-driven decision-making's transformative potential. With the right tools and strategies, organizations can harness the power of data to gain invaluable insights, optimize their operations, and contribute to a better world. As we move forward, it is essential to embrace data responsibly, prioritize cybersecurity, protect privacy, and ensure that the immense value of data is harnessed for the greater good.
Resource:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/data-new-oil-gold-digital-era-dr-may-alobaidy
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/11/03/2221123/data-new-gold
https://www.qad.com/blog/2021/04/data-is-the-new-gold
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1189 adminJune 15, 2023 Youtube Video
User Acceptance Testing Best Practices For Your Agencies’ Projects
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a crucial software development phase.
Before the software is released, end users test the program to ensure that it meets their needs and functions as intended in a practical setting.
Quality Assurance (QA) teams must follow best practices to ensure success. In this blog, we cover the top 6 user acceptance testing methods. By following these best practices/methods, you can ensure that the user acceptance testing process is effective, leading to increased user satisfaction and a successful product release.
How does User Acceptance Testing (UAT) work?
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the final phase of software testing that evaluates whether a system or application fulfills the requirements and expectations of its end users. It involves real-world testing by end users or a representative group to ensure that the:
• The software functions properly,
• Is user-friendly,
• Performs well,
• Maintains security,
• Compatible with other systems.
Upon successful completion of UAT, the software is deemed ready for release.
User Acceptance Testing Best Practices:
1. Involve end-users: Engage end-users or a representative group who is well-known about software requirements and use cases well.
2. Define explicit test scenarios: Define test scenarios to ensure comprehensive testing, including integration with existing components.
3. Use realistic data while protecting user information: Use realistic data to simulate real-world scenarios while safeguarding user privacy using synthetic data or Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PET).
4. Invest in a good UAT management system: Benefit from streamlined processes, improved collaboration, and better test coverage by investing in a UAT management system. Ensure clear and regular communication between teams.
5. Create scenarios based on business requirements: Need to identify business requirements, define user personas, and create user scenarios to guide UAT based on specific needs.
6. Prioritize defects: Prioritize defects found during UAT based on severity and impact to mitigate risks, save time and costs, and manage the organization's reputation.
Resource:
https://research.aimultiple.com/user-acceptance-testing-best-practices/
https://www.practitest.com/qa-learningcenter/resources/user-acceptance-testing-best-practices/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1265 adminMay 25, 2023 Youtube Video
What activities does your Chicago-based small business need within website maintenance?
Websites are built with a purpose. That purpose could be selling a product, sharing information, or providing a service. Whatever the purpose of a website, it needs to be maintained to achieve its goals.
Your site should now be running smoothly. However, there is no certainty that it will function at this optimal level forever.
Like a vehicle, keeping your website in tip-top condition requires constant work. That's why we've created this comprehensive website maintenance activity for your site.
In this post, we'll discuss what activities your Chicago-based small business needs in website maintenance.
1. Review Google Search Console / Bing Webmaster Tools: Do you need help preventing Google and Bing from adequately crawling and indexing your pages? Has a shady competitor tried to penalize you by pointing a few thousand shady links at your website? Or someone hacked your site and infect it with malware? Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools will notify you of potential issues via email and on your dashboard.
2. Review Google Analytics: Google Analytics lets you identify problems and opportunities. You can see traffic trends; Increasing traffic can tell you that your online marketing is working well while decreasing traffic can indicate an SEO problem. Following the path of visitors to a page with an unusually high bounce rate can give you insight into what information they need. And pages that get a lot of traffic. It will tell you what content, products, or services your customers are most interested in.
3. Automat Backup: Most web hosts don't offer automatic backups with standard hosting packages, so if your site gets wiped, you're screwed. And let's face it—something more urgent will always come up, so you'll always find a reason not to back up your website manually, so it needs to be automated.
4. Update Your Themes and Plugins: According to research, 86% of hacked WordPress websites have outdated plugins or themes or an outdated version of WordPress. This makes sense, as updates often contain fixes for known vulnerabilities or new security features.
To keep the bad guys at bay, it's wise to regularly check the WordPress dashboard for any available updates.
5. Check the website on multiple devices: As web plugins, browsers, and script libraries are updated, they sometimes cause websites to display incorrectly, so invest a few minutes in reviewing critical pages on a website on a few different devices. (Tablet, Phone, Desktop, Laptop)
6. Check page speed: Your page speed slowed down after your last redesign, but you added a few things that slowed it down. Run it through Google's Page Speed Insights to ensure it loads fast.
In conclusion, maintaining your Chicago-based small business website involves several essential activities. By consistently performing these maintenance tasks, you can ensure your website runs smoothly and effectively serves your business and customers.
Resource:
https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/complete-website-maintenance-checklist/
https://spartanmedia.com/web-design/website-maintenance/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1136 adminMay 18, 2023
Top 5 UI/UX best practices for your small digital agency
Great design goes a long way. The visitors on your website set the stage for their relationship with your company, your product, and your brand. A coordinated UI/UX design will create a visually appealing website that is easy for your users to navigate.
In this article, we have compiled the UI/UX best practices selected by dedicated & experienced UI and UX design professionals. If you put these things into practice consistently, you'll be miles ahead of the crowd with a platform that looks good and enhances your user experience.
1. Keep It Simple: People pay less than 15 sec on a website. Clear and simple design keeps them focused on your brand's message. This can be achieved by considering the "less is more" and avoiding busy, cluttered designs.
A simple design also loads faster and lowers the bounce rate on your site.
Bonus points: it also boosts your site's search engine optimization (SEO)!
2. Consistency: Users will find it easier to go through your website if you use consistency in your design process. This applies to your buttons, layout design, colors, fonts, photo style, and more.
3. Be Intentional: Choose the correct design elements with a purpose in mind. The visual elements, colors, and layouts you choose should be intentional, not just because they look good.
Here are some tips for designing with intent:
• Choose a color because it is part of the brand identity guide.
• Choose the best font because it shows personality & allows the user to read your content.
• Choose a visual element that helps users complete a task on the site.
• Choose a layout that shows the most important parts of your design and improves site navigation.
4. Responsive Design: Mobile usage has overtaken desktop usage, and the share of online traffic is increasing every year. This is why you must use responsive design on your website so that users/viewers can read and navigate it on any device.
Providing a responsive website not only enhances the user experience. In fact, Google assigns higher rankings to mobile-friendly sites, which translates into higher traffic to your site. Responsive websites load faster, look great on every screen, and are easier to update.
Making a positive first impression on users visiting your site from mobile devices is essential. You could retain them to competitors' more mobile-responsive sites if you do.
5. Expecting the Unexpected: Refrain from assuming that everything will work as you expect! There will be exceptions to the rule. If you assume your target audience is tech-savvy, for example, there will be someone in your crowd who needs to be. For users unfamiliar with the digital world, make sure the tabs and buttons on your site are marked so they can easily understand how to navigate your site. Don't leave them awkwardly wandering the proverbial halls - they might pass out!
If you expect everyone's internet connection to be fast, you won't reach users with low bandwidth and can't download large images. To avoid this problem, avoid using complex graphics that not all users can access.
To create impressive UX/UI interfaces, a systematic and organized approach must be followed. The provided UI/UX design best practices will help you achieve this.
The entire design team will play their role in this process. This is a great way to retain your existing customers and attract new customers in this highly competitive world.
Resource:
https://729solutions.com/ux-ui-best-practices/
https://aufaitux.com/blog/ui-ux-design-process/
https://www.uxpin.com/studio/blog/guide-design-consistency-best-practices-ui-ux-designers/
https://www.jobsity.com/blog/5-best-practices-for-ux-ui-design
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1395 adminMay 15, 2023
Networking: How Much and Where?
Networking in business is a cost-effective marketing method to develop sales opportunities and contacts based on introductions and referrals.
Business networking involves connecting with potential clients and individuals who may refer your business or mention your name to people they know.
Many people ask networking for favors, and successful networkers know that networking is not about them. Networking in business is about building trust and friendships with other business people.
How much networking is essential in business?
Networking gives your business a face, adds depth, and increases your business's visibility in your community.
People trust the recommendations from sources. Networking and introducing you and your business to people who will share your name with their clients is a powerful way to get leads who initially have high trust in you, makes them more likely to win their business, and is a benefit that money cannot buy.
Where to start networking for business:
There are many effective ways to network with other business owners. Here are some ideas for networking groups to consider:
1. Local Chamber of Commerce: This is a local group that exists to support its Chamber of Commerce members. You can join the Chamber of Commerce in your city, and this group will cater to the business community's needs.
2. SCORE: This is a great resource to explore for anyone who's looking for a business mentor. The organization is based in the U.S. and is supported by the (SBA) Small Business Administration.
3. LinkedIn Groups: If you are looking for online networking opportunities, consider a LinkedIn group, an effective way to build your professional network.
In conclusion, networking is essential for businesses looking to grow, reach and build relationships with potential clients and partners. It not only provides opportunities for new business, but it also helps establish trust and credibility within the community. Whether attending in-person events or networking online through platforms like LinkedIn, connecting with other business owners can lead to invaluable referrals and long-lasting relationships. So, start exploring the networking groups in your area and take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Your business will thank you for it.
Resource:
https://web.uri.edu/risbdc/network-it-the-importance-of-networking-to-grow-your-small-business/
https://www.zenbusiness.com/blog/networking/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/7-networking-groups-every-small-business-owner-should-join/437040
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1163 adminMay 12, 2023 Youtube Video
React Vs. Vue: Which UI/UX Path Should Your Agency Take
The JavaScript framework is becoming more and more versatile with each update.
Vue and React have consistently remained among the top JS frameworks for several years, making them the most popular UI/UX development choices.
Regardless of the criteria used for evaluation, the decision often comes down to these two frameworks.
While React and Vue share typical use cases and objectives, their approaches and architectures are distinct. This article will discuss React vs. Vue: Which UI/UX path should your agency take?
What is Vue.js?
Vue is an open-source JavaScript framework designed to help developers to create web user interfaces.
Vue makes building single-page applications, and user interfaces easy with its component-based architecture. It also offers virtual DOM, data binding, reactivity, and more features.
What is React.js?
React. is a JavaScript library created by Facebook. It is designed to create an interactive UI that is more efficient and straightforward.
React.js creates dynamic and responsive user interfaces, allowing developers to create single-page applications (SPA) quickly and easily. React.js is also great for building mobile applications, allowing developers to create mobile-friendly components more efficiently than traditional web technologies.
Comparing the two: Vue vs. React analysis
Why choose to react?
• Universality and flexibility
• JSX makes writing custom components easier
• SEO-friendly texts and visual content correctly.
• Fast React developer tools.
Why choose Vue?
• Simplicity and efficiency
• Comfortable design
• A single file component
• Efficient official plugins
In conclusion, React and Vue are excellent UI/UX development choices, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. The decision between the two will ultimately depend on your agency's specific needs and goals, as well as the skills and expertise of your development team.
It is essential to carefully consider these factors before making a decision and continually reassess and adapt your approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for your clients and their users.
Resource:
https://jelvix.com/blog/js-frameworks-is-vuejs-better-than-react
https://vuestorefront.io/blog/vue-vs-react
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation, and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
| React | Vue | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | Active users 1,600,000 | Currently used 800,000 |
| Performance | It uses a virtual DOM - an independent object model that does not depend on the browser. The framework automatically renders HTML pages. | Virtual uses DOM and structural principles similar to React. Vue is fast when it comes to component creation and updates. |
| Scaling | Offers a better ecosystem, more templates, and additional tools. | Offers scaling projects with higher performance speed. |
| Mobile Devices Adapting | A framework that allows building Android and IOS native apps with the same React component structure. | A mobile UI framework developed by Alibaba Group. The framework uses Vue components to build IOS and Android apps and allows reusing web code. |
| Size | 100Kb. | 80Kb. |
1085 adminMay 4, 2023
DIY SMM Strategies For Your Chicagoland Small Business
Social media marketing is all about strategy for Chicagoland small businesses. While enterprise companies in Chicagoland have the luxury of dedicated resources and time, small businesses must be more agile and creative.
Small businesses owner can't just throw money at a problem and hope for the best. It would be best if you were smart about using social media to reach your target audience.
Social media can be a reliable tool to promote your Chicagoland Small Business.
(SMM) is essential for Chicagoland small businesses because it allows them to reach a wider audience, build brand awareness, and cost-effectively engage with customers.
Here are DIY SMM strategies for your Chicagoland Small Business:
1. Choose the right platforms: Pick the social media platform that is most relevant to your target audience and where you feel most comfortable posting. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are social media platforms. Pick the best platform according to your audience base.
2. Effective Content Marketing Strategy: Quality is essential, and content is no exception. Content marketing has been the dominant form of marketing for a long time and probably will be for some time. Many brands need to combine quality content with a proper posting schedule and proper frequency of posts. Create a hashtag strategy relevant to your optimized and complete content.
3. Stay up-to-date on trends: There is a new trend every day on social media. One of the good things you can do for your Chicagoland Business stays in tune with what's happening in the digital world. Read blogs, books, and publications about new technologies and innovations relevant to your Company. So staying up-to-date on social media is necessary.
4. Collaboration with other professions or influencers: Collaborating with other businesses, companies, or influencers can be an excellent way to leverage each other's followers and increase exposure for both parties.
5. Paid Advertising: Social media advertising is an Economical way to drive traffic and increase your business's conversions. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter ads are great ways to reach audiences who might not see your content. Targeting based on location, interests, geographies, and more allows you to get the people most likely interested in your offer!
In conclusion, one of the best ways to keep your Company alive is to use social media for marketing. Posting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can help you stay clear and fresh in the minds of potential customers. You should also use other platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, or Google+ if they suit your Company's needs.
Resource:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/9-ways-to-grow-your-small-business-through-social-media/439805
https://www.shopify.com/blog/social-media-small-businesses
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1009 adminApril 13, 2023
How much time should I spend as a CEO of a small agency in getting new business from old clients?
"Make your new friends but keep the old ones."
According to the Harvard Business Review, most business owners spend a small portion of their time with their customers. As little as 3% of their working hours. This means there are many weeks when business owners only spend a couple of hours with the people who are the essential part of their business.
This raises an important question. How much time should I spend as a CEO of a small agency in getting new business from old clients?
First, it is crucial to maintain a good relationship with your old customers. This means staying in touch with them, understanding their needs, and providing excellent customer service. This can help you retain their business and generate new business through referrals.
In actively seeking new business from old clients, you should dedicate a certain amount of time each week or month to this task. This could include reaching out to them with new offers or promotions, providing updates on your services, or simply checking in to see how they're doing.
It is also essential to balance your efforts between seeking new business from old clients and acquiring new clients. While your old clients can be a valuable source of business, it's crucial to keep expanding your client base to ensure your agency's long-term growth.
Staying in touch with old clients is extremely important. Your communication doesn't have to be frequent or profound, but these relationships need maintenance to stay alive.
Resource:
https://www.morefloods.com/how-much-time-should-small-business-owners-spend-with-customers/
https://customerthink.com/how-much-time-should-ceos-spend-with-customers/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
According to the Harvard Business Review, most business owners spend a small portion of their time with their customers. As little as 3% of their working hours. This means there are many weeks when business owners only spend a couple of hours with the people who are the essential part of their business.
This raises an important question. How much time should I spend as a CEO of a small agency in getting new business from old clients?
First, it is crucial to maintain a good relationship with your old customers. This means staying in touch with them, understanding their needs, and providing excellent customer service. This can help you retain their business and generate new business through referrals.
In actively seeking new business from old clients, you should dedicate a certain amount of time each week or month to this task. This could include reaching out to them with new offers or promotions, providing updates on your services, or simply checking in to see how they're doing.
It is also essential to balance your efforts between seeking new business from old clients and acquiring new clients. While your old clients can be a valuable source of business, it's crucial to keep expanding your client base to ensure your agency's long-term growth.
Staying in touch with old clients is extremely important. Your communication doesn't have to be frequent or profound, but these relationships need maintenance to stay alive.
Resource:
https://www.morefloods.com/how-much-time-should-small-business-owners-spend-with-customers/
https://customerthink.com/how-much-time-should-ceos-spend-with-customers/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1087 adminApril 5, 2023
Top 5 Designing Best Practices
Designing is a creative process that combines technical skills and artistic ability.
Whether you are designing a website, a logo, or an entire brand identity, it is essential to follow some best practices to ensure that your designs are practical, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
Here are the top 5 design best practices that you should follow when creating your initial designs:
1. Understand the Audience: Before starting any design project, it is essential to understand the design's purpose and the intended audience. It should not be underestimated or rushed. Time and budget are always essential considerations in product design. With these, the product will be shipped. While that's important to the process, keeping sight of who uses the product, their customer journey, and whether they're desktop or mobile users is essential.
2. Define user objectives: Get into the mindset of a new end user. What do they want to achieve? How will the application help them? List and refer to our goals throughout the UI or UX design process. Conduct in-depth research to gain insight into your target audience's demographics, interests, and preferences. This information will help you create a design that will reverberate with your audience and achieve the desired results.
3. Consistent action in the application: Everyone loves when an application is user-friendly. It avoids headaches, saves time, and helps users achieve their goals by eliminating confusion — all requirements for creating satisfied customers. Consistent actions eliminate the need for user search and thus make their workflow run more smoothly. If an Audience knows how to use functionality in one section, they know how to use it in all areas.
4. Design patterns for product UI/UX design consistency: A successful and consistent UI means a user can perform tasks with a minimal number of actions. If a four-step job can quickly be completed in two, the UI should constantly be optimized for shorter workflows. UI patterns can benefit from this… after all, this functionality is why they became patterns in the first place.
5. Consistent Communication: Search results, form submission messages, error windows — every interaction with your user is a conversation. For an app/website to be successful, it must talk to the user and inform them of what is happening.
Resource:
https://www.uxpin.com/studio/blog/guide-design-consistency-best-practices-ui-ux-designers/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Whether you are designing a website, a logo, or an entire brand identity, it is essential to follow some best practices to ensure that your designs are practical, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
Here are the top 5 design best practices that you should follow when creating your initial designs:
1. Understand the Audience: Before starting any design project, it is essential to understand the design's purpose and the intended audience. It should not be underestimated or rushed. Time and budget are always essential considerations in product design. With these, the product will be shipped. While that's important to the process, keeping sight of who uses the product, their customer journey, and whether they're desktop or mobile users is essential.
2. Define user objectives: Get into the mindset of a new end user. What do they want to achieve? How will the application help them? List and refer to our goals throughout the UI or UX design process. Conduct in-depth research to gain insight into your target audience's demographics, interests, and preferences. This information will help you create a design that will reverberate with your audience and achieve the desired results.
3. Consistent action in the application: Everyone loves when an application is user-friendly. It avoids headaches, saves time, and helps users achieve their goals by eliminating confusion — all requirements for creating satisfied customers. Consistent actions eliminate the need for user search and thus make their workflow run more smoothly. If an Audience knows how to use functionality in one section, they know how to use it in all areas.
4. Design patterns for product UI/UX design consistency: A successful and consistent UI means a user can perform tasks with a minimal number of actions. If a four-step job can quickly be completed in two, the UI should constantly be optimized for shorter workflows. UI patterns can benefit from this… after all, this functionality is why they became patterns in the first place.
5. Consistent Communication: Search results, form submission messages, error windows — every interaction with your user is a conversation. For an app/website to be successful, it must talk to the user and inform them of what is happening.
Resource:
https://www.uxpin.com/studio/blog/guide-design-consistency-best-practices-ui-ux-designers/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
981 adminApril 4, 2023
Do You Have A Testing Process?
How Does Software Testing Work?
Software Testing checks that software or application does what it is supposed to do. The advantages of testing include avoiding defects, reducing development costs, and improving the performance of your software.
Why is Software Testing Necessary?
Software testing is an essential aspect of the software development life process. It involves verifying and validating the functionality, performance, and security of a software application or system to ensure that it qualifies the requirements and specifications of the intended user.
What is the Importance of Testing?
Let's look at the benefits of software testing in the software development life cycle:
Testing should be started in the early stages of the SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle), if testing is not done in the early stages, then the cost of defect resolution is high, and defects are found in the later stages.
In today's competitive market, only a quality product survives for a long time, so application testing is essential in the SDLC to ensure they produce a good quality product.
Testing is essential as its software application cannot be debugged.
The most important thing about testing is that the development environment is different from the test environment, and the testing done in the test environment is similar to the production environment.
Risks of Not Doing Software Testing:
Here are some common pitfalls of not correctly testing software before deployment.
Excessive Expenses:
Fixing software bugs requires immediate attention. This process is easy during pre-launch testing with software development.
An important consideration is the cost of eliminating defects or defects associated with improper software testing. These costs include long work hours, lost productivity, and lost profits during software downtime.
Delayed Product Launches:
For a product to be launched quickly without any error, it must be tested throughout the development process or before it goes to market. While in-house software testing can help catch many bugs before product launch, without third-party software testing, many defects risk detection until it's too late.
Dissatisfied Users:
Software users have certain presuppositions about their products; they expect Software to run fast, work correctly, and protect their private info. If software bugs hamper them from having a positive user experience, they will churn and probably not return.
Finally, it is crucial to have a testing process to ensure the quality and reliability of software products. A well-designed testing process can help identify and fix defects and problems early in the development cycle, saving time and resources in the long run. Implementing a testing process can also improve customer satisfaction and product confidence.
Resource:
https://www.ibm.com/in-en/topics/software-testing
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/software_testing/software_testing_quick_guide.htm#:~:text=Testing%20is%20the%20process%20of,contrary%20to%20the%20actual%20requirements.
https://www.softwaretestingclass.com/importance-of-testing/
https://www.ibeta.com/risks-of-not-testing-software-properly/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Software Testing checks that software or application does what it is supposed to do. The advantages of testing include avoiding defects, reducing development costs, and improving the performance of your software.
Why is Software Testing Necessary?
Software testing is an essential aspect of the software development life process. It involves verifying and validating the functionality, performance, and security of a software application or system to ensure that it qualifies the requirements and specifications of the intended user.
What is the Importance of Testing?
Let's look at the benefits of software testing in the software development life cycle:
Testing should be started in the early stages of the SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle), if testing is not done in the early stages, then the cost of defect resolution is high, and defects are found in the later stages.
In today's competitive market, only a quality product survives for a long time, so application testing is essential in the SDLC to ensure they produce a good quality product.
Testing is essential as its software application cannot be debugged.
The most important thing about testing is that the development environment is different from the test environment, and the testing done in the test environment is similar to the production environment.
Risks of Not Doing Software Testing:
Here are some common pitfalls of not correctly testing software before deployment.
Excessive Expenses:
Fixing software bugs requires immediate attention. This process is easy during pre-launch testing with software development.
An important consideration is the cost of eliminating defects or defects associated with improper software testing. These costs include long work hours, lost productivity, and lost profits during software downtime.
Delayed Product Launches:
For a product to be launched quickly without any error, it must be tested throughout the development process or before it goes to market. While in-house software testing can help catch many bugs before product launch, without third-party software testing, many defects risk detection until it's too late.
Dissatisfied Users:
Software users have certain presuppositions about their products; they expect Software to run fast, work correctly, and protect their private info. If software bugs hamper them from having a positive user experience, they will churn and probably not return.
Finally, it is crucial to have a testing process to ensure the quality and reliability of software products. A well-designed testing process can help identify and fix defects and problems early in the development cycle, saving time and resources in the long run. Implementing a testing process can also improve customer satisfaction and product confidence.
Resource:
https://www.ibm.com/in-en/topics/software-testing
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/software_testing/software_testing_quick_guide.htm#:~:text=Testing%20is%20the%20process%20of,contrary%20to%20the%20actual%20requirements.
https://www.softwaretestingclass.com/importance-of-testing/
https://www.ibeta.com/risks-of-not-testing-software-properly/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1002 adminMarch 31, 2023
How Much Time Should I Spend AS A CEO of A Small Agency In Getting New Business From New Clients
As a CEO of a small agency, getting new business from new clients is a critical aspect of your job. With new clients, your agency will grow, and you may need help to maintain profitability. However, the amount of time you should spend on getting new business can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your agency, the stage of your business, and your goals.
As a CEO of a small agency, you should spend a significant amount of time on new business development, including at least 20-30% of your time on sales and marketing activities. This time must include attending networking events, reaching out to potential clients, creating proposals, and nurturing leads. As your agency grows, you may be able to dedicate less time to new business development, but it should always be a priority.
While starting first, you may need to spend even more time on new business development. In the early stages of your agency, you need to build a solid client base to establish your reputation and generate revenue; this may mean dedicating 50% or more of your time to sales and marketing activities.
It's also important to consider your goals when determining how much time to spend on new business development. You may need more time on sales and marketing activities if you have aggressive growth targets. On the other hand, if you are happy with slow and steady growth, you can spend less time on new business development and focus more on servicing your existing clients.
One crucial factor to consider is the size of your agency. If you are a one-person shop, you will need to spend more time on new business development than if you have a team of employees. As your agency grows, you can delegate sales and marketing activities to your team, freeing up your time to focus on other business areas.
In summary, as a CEO of a small agency, you should be spending a significant amount of time on new business development, depending on several factors, including the size of your agency, the stage of your business, and your goals.
Resource:
https://www.morefloods.com/how-much-time-should-small-business-owners-spend-with-customers/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/get-new-clients/216661/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
As a CEO of a small agency, you should spend a significant amount of time on new business development, including at least 20-30% of your time on sales and marketing activities. This time must include attending networking events, reaching out to potential clients, creating proposals, and nurturing leads. As your agency grows, you may be able to dedicate less time to new business development, but it should always be a priority.
While starting first, you may need to spend even more time on new business development. In the early stages of your agency, you need to build a solid client base to establish your reputation and generate revenue; this may mean dedicating 50% or more of your time to sales and marketing activities.
It's also important to consider your goals when determining how much time to spend on new business development. You may need more time on sales and marketing activities if you have aggressive growth targets. On the other hand, if you are happy with slow and steady growth, you can spend less time on new business development and focus more on servicing your existing clients.
One crucial factor to consider is the size of your agency. If you are a one-person shop, you will need to spend more time on new business development than if you have a team of employees. As your agency grows, you can delegate sales and marketing activities to your team, freeing up your time to focus on other business areas.
In summary, as a CEO of a small agency, you should be spending a significant amount of time on new business development, depending on several factors, including the size of your agency, the stage of your business, and your goals.
Resource:
https://www.morefloods.com/how-much-time-should-small-business-owners-spend-with-customers/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/get-new-clients/216661/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1010 adminMarch 16, 2023
Your Best Friends To Help Scale Up Your Agency
Scaling up your agency is an exciting and challenging journey. To succeed, you need the right support system in place. Here are five best friends that can help you scale up your agency and achieve your goals.
Your Clients: Client Relationships Are the Heart of your Business. Your clients are your most important asset. Building solid relationships with your clients and providing exceptional service will help you retain and attract new ones. Be sure to listen to their needs, communicate regularly, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.
Employees: Your employees are the backbone of your agency. Hiring and retaining talented and passionate employees who share your vision is critical to success. Create a positive and supportive work environment, provide opportunities for professional development, and recognize and reward employee contributions. Considering your employee as a friend can help to build growth, enhance engagement, and make the workplace more productive.
Technology: Technology gives you unlimited access to information. The Internet opens up every one of the details that can help you succeed in your business. Technology can help you streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve efficiency. Choose the right tools and platforms to help you manage projects, communicate with clients, track progress, and analyze data.
Networking: Networking is about collaborating and engaging with people for mutual benefit. Building a solid network of contacts and partners can help you expand your reach and gain new opportunities. Attend industry events, join relevant associations, and collaborate with other agencies and professionals to build your network.
Mentor: Mentorship is a mutually favorable professional relationship in which an experienced person (mentor) imparts knowledge, skills, and wisdom. A mentor or advisor can provide valuable insight, guidance, and support. Look for mentors who have experience in your industry and can offer advice on growing your agency.
In Conclusion:
Growing your agency requires hard work, dedication, and a robust support system. Build strong relationships with your clients, employees, and network, leverage technology, and seek guidance from mentors to help you achieve your goals. You can take your agency to the next level with the right friends.
Resource:
https://www.business.com/articles/8-tips-for-scaling-your-business/
https://99designs.com/blog/marketing-advertising/start-digital-marketing-agency/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Your Clients: Client Relationships Are the Heart of your Business. Your clients are your most important asset. Building solid relationships with your clients and providing exceptional service will help you retain and attract new ones. Be sure to listen to their needs, communicate regularly, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.
Employees: Your employees are the backbone of your agency. Hiring and retaining talented and passionate employees who share your vision is critical to success. Create a positive and supportive work environment, provide opportunities for professional development, and recognize and reward employee contributions. Considering your employee as a friend can help to build growth, enhance engagement, and make the workplace more productive.
Technology: Technology gives you unlimited access to information. The Internet opens up every one of the details that can help you succeed in your business. Technology can help you streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve efficiency. Choose the right tools and platforms to help you manage projects, communicate with clients, track progress, and analyze data.
Networking: Networking is about collaborating and engaging with people for mutual benefit. Building a solid network of contacts and partners can help you expand your reach and gain new opportunities. Attend industry events, join relevant associations, and collaborate with other agencies and professionals to build your network.
Mentor: Mentorship is a mutually favorable professional relationship in which an experienced person (mentor) imparts knowledge, skills, and wisdom. A mentor or advisor can provide valuable insight, guidance, and support. Look for mentors who have experience in your industry and can offer advice on growing your agency.
In Conclusion:
Growing your agency requires hard work, dedication, and a robust support system. Build strong relationships with your clients, employees, and network, leverage technology, and seek guidance from mentors to help you achieve your goals. You can take your agency to the next level with the right friends.
Resource:
https://www.business.com/articles/8-tips-for-scaling-your-business/
https://99designs.com/blog/marketing-advertising/start-digital-marketing-agency/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1010 adminFebruary 21, 2023
Usually, Pain Points While Scaling A Small Digital Agency
Scalability is an exciting topic when it comes to agencies.
Every agency owner wants to work with the biggest clients, build the most prominent team, win the most significant awards, and land the biggest procurement deals.
Unfortunately, the path to sustainable growth is lined with potential pitfalls that threaten your ability to scale and your agency's entire operation.
After reading this blog post, you can find solutions to what is holding your agency back and power through those pain points.
1. You Scale Beyond Your Skills: Your clients refer you to others as you complete projects. These new clients refer you to others; in theory, the whole process snowballs until you're working with the top names in your vertical. Before saying yes, to a big project, take a closer look at what is required to execute the project. Do you need to bring in other talents? Can you partner with another agency that specializes in a new area? It's better to turn down an opportunity you don't deserve — no matter how good it sounds — than to accept it and blow away your carefully crafted brand reputation.
2. Your system is not scalable: Measuring services as an agency is complex. Because it requires a lot of manual effort and skill, you will always need help if you want to scale, but your systems and processes still require significant manual effort. Take the time to get your house in order with more scalable solutions before investing heavily in growth.
3. You Don’t Give Your Past Clients A Graceful Exit: As your agency grows, your service offerings are likely to change. Your price points will vary. How you build your packages will change for the new, possibly more significant, customers you're targeting. As a result, you may have clients on your roster who are not a good fit for your changing agency.
Here's what you don't want to do: keep them limping along with your agency because you're too afraid to tell them your growth means you're not a good fit for their needs.
Growth may be the holy grail of most agencies, but it can be a double-edged sword. By planning to avoid the pitfalls described above, you can improve your agency's ability to scale without compromising performance or integrity.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/01/21/four-pitfalls-most-digital-marketing-agencies-encounter-when-scaling/?sh=46e1105f3440
https://www.autogrow.co/agency-growth-secrets/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/scale-small-agency-brand/306157/#close
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Every agency owner wants to work with the biggest clients, build the most prominent team, win the most significant awards, and land the biggest procurement deals.
Unfortunately, the path to sustainable growth is lined with potential pitfalls that threaten your ability to scale and your agency's entire operation.
After reading this blog post, you can find solutions to what is holding your agency back and power through those pain points.
1. You Scale Beyond Your Skills: Your clients refer you to others as you complete projects. These new clients refer you to others; in theory, the whole process snowballs until you're working with the top names in your vertical. Before saying yes, to a big project, take a closer look at what is required to execute the project. Do you need to bring in other talents? Can you partner with another agency that specializes in a new area? It's better to turn down an opportunity you don't deserve — no matter how good it sounds — than to accept it and blow away your carefully crafted brand reputation.
2. Your system is not scalable: Measuring services as an agency is complex. Because it requires a lot of manual effort and skill, you will always need help if you want to scale, but your systems and processes still require significant manual effort. Take the time to get your house in order with more scalable solutions before investing heavily in growth.
3. You Don’t Give Your Past Clients A Graceful Exit: As your agency grows, your service offerings are likely to change. Your price points will vary. How you build your packages will change for the new, possibly more significant, customers you're targeting. As a result, you may have clients on your roster who are not a good fit for your changing agency.
Here's what you don't want to do: keep them limping along with your agency because you're too afraid to tell them your growth means you're not a good fit for their needs.
Growth may be the holy grail of most agencies, but it can be a double-edged sword. By planning to avoid the pitfalls described above, you can improve your agency's ability to scale without compromising performance or integrity.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/01/21/four-pitfalls-most-digital-marketing-agencies-encounter-when-scaling/?sh=46e1105f3440
https://www.autogrow.co/agency-growth-secrets/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/scale-small-agency-brand/306157/#close
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1019 adminFebruary 20, 2023 Youtube Video
Firing Your Worst Agency Clients
Your agency is lucky if you have yet to work with a client who deserves to be fired. But that is rare.
When you ignore bad client behavior, you are sending a clear message to your team - that revenue from one client is more important than the happiness of your employees. You are creating a vast employee retention risk.
Let's see how to decide and then how to proceed.
How do you decide to Fire your worst agency clients?
Here are some of the problems you might face with your worst agency clients:
Broken client communications: You work on client projects but need more support or interest from them.
Unrealistic demands: This is a common situation. Some clients need to pay more attention to the original scope of work. They become aggressive to get their way.
They threaten you and your employees, Block payments.
No project support: You find yourself running in circles with this client. They veto all your ideas. But they never provide insight to move the project forward. Poor anger management: Misbehaviour with you or your team member, bad temper attitude, None of these make a great client. Late payments: No one likes constantly chasing invoices. Not to mention struggling with cash flow as a result. Although you can often overcome this challenge, some clients need better payers. And sometimes, it might make more sense to replace them.
Firing a Client While Practicing Warmth & Competence:
Once you've decided that firing the worst agency client is correct, you want it to go as smoothly as possible, follow these steps:
Pick up the phone: Don't dismiss agency clients via email—a call conveys warmth and is more personal than an email.
Consider transit time: Ideally, give at least 30 days' notice so the customer is safe.
Send a recap email: Reiterating what you discussed on the call. Remember to include the next step. Unless the client is unethical or abusive, we recommend helping them find a new agency. At the very least, this includes offering them some names to contact.
Stand firm: Once you decide to fire a client for a reason, stick to the decision. Flip-flopping shows your team that you lack courage—and that's not good for employee retention.
Conclusion:
Firing a client takes work. Such a business decision can carry heavy emotional weight. But at the same time, toxic customer relationships can affect your agency's growth. Good luck!
Resource:
https://sakasandcompany.com/how-to-fire-bad-clients/
https://agencyanalytics.com/blog/how-to-fire-client
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
When you ignore bad client behavior, you are sending a clear message to your team - that revenue from one client is more important than the happiness of your employees. You are creating a vast employee retention risk.
Let's see how to decide and then how to proceed.
How do you decide to Fire your worst agency clients?
Here are some of the problems you might face with your worst agency clients:
Broken client communications: You work on client projects but need more support or interest from them.
Unrealistic demands: This is a common situation. Some clients need to pay more attention to the original scope of work. They become aggressive to get their way.
They threaten you and your employees, Block payments.
No project support: You find yourself running in circles with this client. They veto all your ideas. But they never provide insight to move the project forward. Poor anger management: Misbehaviour with you or your team member, bad temper attitude, None of these make a great client. Late payments: No one likes constantly chasing invoices. Not to mention struggling with cash flow as a result. Although you can often overcome this challenge, some clients need better payers. And sometimes, it might make more sense to replace them.
Firing a Client While Practicing Warmth & Competence:
Once you've decided that firing the worst agency client is correct, you want it to go as smoothly as possible, follow these steps:
Pick up the phone: Don't dismiss agency clients via email—a call conveys warmth and is more personal than an email.
Consider transit time: Ideally, give at least 30 days' notice so the customer is safe.
Send a recap email: Reiterating what you discussed on the call. Remember to include the next step. Unless the client is unethical or abusive, we recommend helping them find a new agency. At the very least, this includes offering them some names to contact.
Stand firm: Once you decide to fire a client for a reason, stick to the decision. Flip-flopping shows your team that you lack courage—and that's not good for employee retention.
Conclusion:
Firing a client takes work. Such a business decision can carry heavy emotional weight. But at the same time, toxic customer relationships can affect your agency's growth. Good luck!
Resource:
https://sakasandcompany.com/how-to-fire-bad-clients/
https://agencyanalytics.com/blog/how-to-fire-client
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1118 adminFebruary 17, 2023
5 Sales Transformation Tools For Your Chicago-Based Small Business
Sales tools are Increasing across the industry for almost any part of your sales process, from email to customer relations and sales analytics. These handy tools and software offer many benefits for your company's growth and success.
Many free and paid sales tools are launched in the market every day. Here are the top 5 sales tools that are useful for small businesses.
1. Content Management: When selling, you need content to attract an audience — your sales and marketing teams will work together to create this content for your site. It would help if you run campaigns, create videos, blog posts, and more. These tools will help your team.
Top content management tools include:
• Allbound
• Brainshark
• Consensus
2. Sales Enablement: Sales enablement provides your entire sales force with everything they need to close a deal.
Popular sales enablement tools include:
• Seismic
• Highspot
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Software for CRM lets you better manage the relationship with your customers. You can improve existing customer relationships by driving sales and marketing communications.
Some options to consider include the following:
• Salesforce
• Pipedrive
• Nutshell
4. Sales Automation: Sales automation tools cover a vast online marketing field. You can automate many processes with this software. Automation in sales includes sending emails, personalizing interactions with customers, scheduling, data entry, and many more.
Sales automation tools include:
• RollWorks
• Winmo
5. Sales analytics: Analytics is a significant factor in understanding whether your business is growing or declining. Sales analytics tools allow you to track and manage how your sales process is performing. Sales analytics tools enable you to see individual parts of your sales process to see what's working and areas for improvement.
Some sales analytics tool choices are:
• Looker Sales Analytics
• Insight Squared
Resource:
https://www.webfx.com/blog/marketing/sales-tools/
https://www.highspot.com/sales-enablement/best-sales-enablement-tools-and-software/
https://salesmateio.medium.com/9-best-sales-tools-for-small-businesses-f47389641532
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Many free and paid sales tools are launched in the market every day. Here are the top 5 sales tools that are useful for small businesses.
1. Content Management: When selling, you need content to attract an audience — your sales and marketing teams will work together to create this content for your site. It would help if you run campaigns, create videos, blog posts, and more. These tools will help your team.
Top content management tools include:
• Allbound
• Brainshark
• Consensus
2. Sales Enablement: Sales enablement provides your entire sales force with everything they need to close a deal.
Popular sales enablement tools include:
• Seismic
• Highspot
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Software for CRM lets you better manage the relationship with your customers. You can improve existing customer relationships by driving sales and marketing communications.
Some options to consider include the following:
• Salesforce
• Pipedrive
• Nutshell
4. Sales Automation: Sales automation tools cover a vast online marketing field. You can automate many processes with this software. Automation in sales includes sending emails, personalizing interactions with customers, scheduling, data entry, and many more.
Sales automation tools include:
• RollWorks
• Winmo
5. Sales analytics: Analytics is a significant factor in understanding whether your business is growing or declining. Sales analytics tools allow you to track and manage how your sales process is performing. Sales analytics tools enable you to see individual parts of your sales process to see what's working and areas for improvement.
Some sales analytics tool choices are:
• Looker Sales Analytics
• Insight Squared
Resource:
https://www.webfx.com/blog/marketing/sales-tools/
https://www.highspot.com/sales-enablement/best-sales-enablement-tools-and-software/
https://salesmateio.medium.com/9-best-sales-tools-for-small-businesses-f47389641532
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1032 adminFebruary 16, 2023
Checklist To Ask Your WP Hosting Provider
Many Small Businesses need help with the shortcoming of their web hosting provider when a problem arises that affects their business. Choosing the right web hosting plan and provider for your needs is essential to your online presence and should be part of your process before problems arise.
Below is a checklist you can discuss and questions you should ask any provider you are considering.
• What uptime guarantee do you offer?
• What types of hosting are available?
• Is it free to upgrade to a new hosting package?
• What kind of security do you have in place to protect websites?
• Do you offer a free SSL certificate?
• What kind of backup policies do you offer?
• How responsive is your technical support?
Once you have a good idea of the hosting you need for your website, make sure you ask the following questions. In most cases, you can find the answers to these questions on the hosting company's website.
In some situations, you may need to contact the hosting provider's sales team to get an answer. Once you have the answers to this interrogation, you can decide which company offers you the best web hosting services. Let's go through each question one by one.
1. What uptime guarantee do you offer?
Regarding web hosting, nothing is more important than uptime and reliability. Most good web hosting providers offer an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, although some go as high as 99.99%.
2. What types of hosting are available?
There are many types of web hosting available. The following are the familiar types of hosting that companies should offer:
• Shared Hosting
• Virtual Private Server (VPS)
• Cloud hosting
• Dedicated server
3. Is it free to upgrade to a new hosting package?
Most small businesses need simple shared hosting. If you start generating a lot of traffic, you may need to upgrade to a VPS or a dedicated server. If your website reaches that point, you want to be sure that the hosting company can upgrade you to a new type of hosting easily and without downtime.
4. What kind of security do you have in place to protect websites?
Cyber security is critical, and for many companies, it starts with protecting the website. Some standard security features offered by good hosting companies include:
• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Mitigation
• Virus and malware scanning
• Email scanning
5. Do you offer a free SSL certificate?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a basic form of security that protects your site and helps keep the users who visit your site safe. Having an SSL certificate is also essential for SEO.
6. What kind of backup policies do you offer?
You always want to keep your website files safe and protected. While website problems are rare, a good backup policy helps ensure you never lose any valuable information.
7. How responsive is your technical support?
If something goes wrong with your website, you want to affix it as soon as possible. Whether the problem is caused by you or your hosting company, contacting the technical support team will be the first step in resolving it. You’ll want to make sure your hosting provider offers 24/7 support.
Resource:
https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/questions-to-ask-to-help-find-your-best-web-hosting-services/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Below is a checklist you can discuss and questions you should ask any provider you are considering.
• What uptime guarantee do you offer?
• What types of hosting are available?
• Is it free to upgrade to a new hosting package?
• What kind of security do you have in place to protect websites?
• Do you offer a free SSL certificate?
• What kind of backup policies do you offer?
• How responsive is your technical support?
Once you have a good idea of the hosting you need for your website, make sure you ask the following questions. In most cases, you can find the answers to these questions on the hosting company's website.
In some situations, you may need to contact the hosting provider's sales team to get an answer. Once you have the answers to this interrogation, you can decide which company offers you the best web hosting services. Let's go through each question one by one.
1. What uptime guarantee do you offer?
Regarding web hosting, nothing is more important than uptime and reliability. Most good web hosting providers offer an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, although some go as high as 99.99%.
2. What types of hosting are available?
There are many types of web hosting available. The following are the familiar types of hosting that companies should offer:
• Shared Hosting
• Virtual Private Server (VPS)
• Cloud hosting
• Dedicated server
3. Is it free to upgrade to a new hosting package?
Most small businesses need simple shared hosting. If you start generating a lot of traffic, you may need to upgrade to a VPS or a dedicated server. If your website reaches that point, you want to be sure that the hosting company can upgrade you to a new type of hosting easily and without downtime.
4. What kind of security do you have in place to protect websites?
Cyber security is critical, and for many companies, it starts with protecting the website. Some standard security features offered by good hosting companies include:
• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Mitigation
• Virus and malware scanning
• Email scanning
5. Do you offer a free SSL certificate?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a basic form of security that protects your site and helps keep the users who visit your site safe. Having an SSL certificate is also essential for SEO.
6. What kind of backup policies do you offer?
You always want to keep your website files safe and protected. While website problems are rare, a good backup policy helps ensure you never lose any valuable information.
7. How responsive is your technical support?
If something goes wrong with your website, you want to affix it as soon as possible. Whether the problem is caused by you or your hosting company, contacting the technical support team will be the first step in resolving it. You’ll want to make sure your hosting provider offers 24/7 support.
Resource:
https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/questions-to-ask-to-help-find-your-best-web-hosting-services/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
923 adminFebruary 15, 2023
How Much Time Does Reputation Management Require For Your Chicago-Based Small Business
One of the first questions we get from most of our reputation management clients is, "How long does reputation management take for a Chicago-based small business?"
How long does online reputation management take in Chicago?
Short answer:
Content removal ► 5-7 business days
Content suppression ► 1 - 9 months or longer
Online Customer Review Management ► 1-6 months or more
It varies from a straight removal between 1 and 4 weeks to correcting online reviews, which can take over a month. Online reputation management activities take 6 to 12 months to suppress/push negative search results.
Every project is different and with many factors to consider. Some projects are ongoing and never 'finished' but will be improved over time. We use our expertise and experience to guide customers through the process and understand how much work goes into improving online search results.
Your current online reputation is a significant influence on timing
The existing reputation of your business, brand, and even senior people within the company significantly impacts how long reputation management takes and the type of lit-up strategy it creates for you.
If you have a negative online reputation
If search results for your name, brand, and target keywords already show negative links to reviews, fake news, forum threads, and social media posts, or if you're being trolled online, options are to remove or push these negatives down. And out of sight. It takes much work and skill to remove or counteract harmful content with high rankings.
The competition for your keywords also affects how long online reputation management will take:
It is challenging to change your search results if there is a lot of competition for your targeted keywords. Other companies will invest in different SEO-based marketing strategies and link-building, making it complicated.
Google prioritizes the most relevant and high-quality search results for each keyword. It uses over 200 ranking factors to determine the quality and relevance of each keyword. So, if the competition for your keywords is high, you need to outperform your competitors on as many ranking factors as possible - which is a lot of work in terms of time and activity.
Resource:
https://blog.reputationx.com/how-long-does-orm-take
https://www.igniyte.co.uk/blog/how-long-does-reputation-management-take
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
How long does online reputation management take in Chicago?
Short answer:
Content removal ► 5-7 business days
Content suppression ► 1 - 9 months or longer
Online Customer Review Management ► 1-6 months or more
It varies from a straight removal between 1 and 4 weeks to correcting online reviews, which can take over a month. Online reputation management activities take 6 to 12 months to suppress/push negative search results.
Every project is different and with many factors to consider. Some projects are ongoing and never 'finished' but will be improved over time. We use our expertise and experience to guide customers through the process and understand how much work goes into improving online search results.
Your current online reputation is a significant influence on timing
The existing reputation of your business, brand, and even senior people within the company significantly impacts how long reputation management takes and the type of lit-up strategy it creates for you.
If you have a negative online reputation
If search results for your name, brand, and target keywords already show negative links to reviews, fake news, forum threads, and social media posts, or if you're being trolled online, options are to remove or push these negatives down. And out of sight. It takes much work and skill to remove or counteract harmful content with high rankings.
The competition for your keywords also affects how long online reputation management will take:
It is challenging to change your search results if there is a lot of competition for your targeted keywords. Other companies will invest in different SEO-based marketing strategies and link-building, making it complicated.
Google prioritizes the most relevant and high-quality search results for each keyword. It uses over 200 ranking factors to determine the quality and relevance of each keyword. So, if the competition for your keywords is high, you need to outperform your competitors on as many ranking factors as possible - which is a lot of work in terms of time and activity.
Resource:
https://blog.reputationx.com/how-long-does-orm-take
https://www.igniyte.co.uk/blog/how-long-does-reputation-management-take
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1702 adminFebruary 14, 2023
Considerations To Keep In Mind While Designing The Flow Of Your Product
Product development is bringing a new product from an idea to the market. Product development can be a significant and risky investment for businesses. In all the excitement of introducing something new to the marketplace, money and time can be wasted. But this can be avoided if a corporation is aware of some common mistakes during the product development life cycle.
The following things are Considerations to keep in mind while designing the flow of your product.
1. Your product should be relatable:
Be realistic—new product evolution development takes time and money. Trying to get a great product fast and cheap can result in a compromised product that is ineffective in solving any customer problem in the market.
2. Creating minimum viable product (MVP):
A minimum viable product (MVP) can demonstrate an idea without significant financial investment for full-scale development. Once you start generating sales with an MVP, the company has more incentive to invest time and resources into developing additional features in the product.
3. Create a budget:
While preparing the budget, analyze the expected returns from the product and how much the company can invest in the given period. Avoid further funding of "nearly finished products" that will not show a significant return based on the resources required.
4. Develop a Good marketing plan:
Creating the best product does not guarantee that customers will buy it. It is developing a marketing plan along with the product development process. It helps to have an effect with a primary feature focused on a known problem for the customer. Marketing is all about focusing on how they will hear about your product as a solution.
5. Get early feedback from customers:
Many companies fear that negative feedback early in the product development process could derail their carefully planned product development efforts. Granted, it can happen, but it can be a good thing! You can improve the product quickly, so it's essential to get feedback from real customers using the product as soon as possible.
Resource:
https://qubstudio.com/blog/ten-steps-of-the-product-design-process/
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/7-things-to-consider-before-starting-product-development/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
The following things are Considerations to keep in mind while designing the flow of your product.
1. Your product should be relatable:
Be realistic—new product evolution development takes time and money. Trying to get a great product fast and cheap can result in a compromised product that is ineffective in solving any customer problem in the market.
2. Creating minimum viable product (MVP):
A minimum viable product (MVP) can demonstrate an idea without significant financial investment for full-scale development. Once you start generating sales with an MVP, the company has more incentive to invest time and resources into developing additional features in the product.
3. Create a budget:
While preparing the budget, analyze the expected returns from the product and how much the company can invest in the given period. Avoid further funding of "nearly finished products" that will not show a significant return based on the resources required.
4. Develop a Good marketing plan:
Creating the best product does not guarantee that customers will buy it. It is developing a marketing plan along with the product development process. It helps to have an effect with a primary feature focused on a known problem for the customer. Marketing is all about focusing on how they will hear about your product as a solution.
5. Get early feedback from customers:
Many companies fear that negative feedback early in the product development process could derail their carefully planned product development efforts. Granted, it can happen, but it can be a good thing! You can improve the product quickly, so it's essential to get feedback from real customers using the product as soon as possible.
Resource:
https://qubstudio.com/blog/ten-steps-of-the-product-design-process/
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/7-things-to-consider-before-starting-product-development/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
734 adminFebruary 13, 2023
5 SMM-Based Reputation Management Strategies For Your Chicagoland-Based Small Businesses
Did you know that social media is number one among Chicagoland Americans, ahead of time spent on email and Google?
According to sources majority of marketers use social media to promote their business. Social media is only getting big. If you're not marketing on it, you're missing out on a massive chunk of your target customers.
Here are five critical social media marketing strategies to give them a much-needed facelift this year.
Create a Plan & Stick to It: With a strategy, your content is likely to stay on track. Set a limit for published tweets daily and adjust daily numbers, but you have to hit a number, even as small as four tweets per day gives you a benchmark and at least a goal.
Tip: Check how often your competitors post and do industry research to find the right content to publish daily on each channel.
Treat each channel as an Individual Entity: Treat each channel as a separate entity. Content can be spread across all channels. LinkedIn has a more business-focused audience looking for in-depth, educational content. Instagram has an audience likely looking for engaging visual content. Please pay attention to your follower demographics on each channel and publish social media copy and content that appeals to them.
Customer Service: Trust is lost if a visitor tweets to your handle or posts on your Facebook page and has yet to receive a response. Because of your need for more communication, disgruntled potential leads are now turning to your competitors to find answers to their questions.
Negative feedback also needs to be addressed, preferably with patience and respect. But think of your social channels as an opportunity to show how great you are to your customers.
Find distribution channels and critical times to post: You must post on social media when most of your audience is online. The research will show all the social media platforms on which your audience is most active and engaged with your niche and brand.
Your marketing strategy should note your brand's purpose on each social media platform. You can then adapt your content and actions accordingly on each platform.
It would help if you studied your audience and when they are most active on social. Integrating these findings will enable you to identify precisely when your brand should post on each channel to ensure you connect with your target audience.
Track your social media metrics: Tracking is often considered tedious and time-consuming. It can be, but it will only take a few hours per month. Set aside time every month (preferably on the first day of the month) to review essential metrics for your business. Here are some stats to focus on: number of posts, follower growth, clicks to your site/products, page views, post impressions, likes or shares, etc.
Resource:
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/01/09/social-media-marketing-strategies
https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/the-5-step-social-media-marketing-strategy/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
According to sources majority of marketers use social media to promote their business. Social media is only getting big. If you're not marketing on it, you're missing out on a massive chunk of your target customers.
Here are five critical social media marketing strategies to give them a much-needed facelift this year.
Create a Plan & Stick to It: With a strategy, your content is likely to stay on track. Set a limit for published tweets daily and adjust daily numbers, but you have to hit a number, even as small as four tweets per day gives you a benchmark and at least a goal.
Tip: Check how often your competitors post and do industry research to find the right content to publish daily on each channel.
Treat each channel as an Individual Entity: Treat each channel as a separate entity. Content can be spread across all channels. LinkedIn has a more business-focused audience looking for in-depth, educational content. Instagram has an audience likely looking for engaging visual content. Please pay attention to your follower demographics on each channel and publish social media copy and content that appeals to them.
Customer Service: Trust is lost if a visitor tweets to your handle or posts on your Facebook page and has yet to receive a response. Because of your need for more communication, disgruntled potential leads are now turning to your competitors to find answers to their questions.
Negative feedback also needs to be addressed, preferably with patience and respect. But think of your social channels as an opportunity to show how great you are to your customers.
Find distribution channels and critical times to post: You must post on social media when most of your audience is online. The research will show all the social media platforms on which your audience is most active and engaged with your niche and brand.
Your marketing strategy should note your brand's purpose on each social media platform. You can then adapt your content and actions accordingly on each platform.
It would help if you studied your audience and when they are most active on social. Integrating these findings will enable you to identify precisely when your brand should post on each channel to ensure you connect with your target audience.
Track your social media metrics: Tracking is often considered tedious and time-consuming. It can be, but it will only take a few hours per month. Set aside time every month (preferably on the first day of the month) to review essential metrics for your business. Here are some stats to focus on: number of posts, follower growth, clicks to your site/products, page views, post impressions, likes or shares, etc.
Resource:
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/01/09/social-media-marketing-strategies
https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/the-5-step-social-media-marketing-strategy/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1052 adminFebruary 10, 2023 Youtube Video
5 Productivity Transformation Tools For Your Chicago-Based Small Business
We live in an age where time is money. For entrepreneurs, this is even more critical. The faster they can meet the demands of their customers, the more benefits there will be for their business. But what makes service delivery quick and without any compromise in quality? The answer lies in creating and nurturing a productive workforce—the more effective your crew, the better the service.
Productivity tools can be a game-changer for today's highly demanding work culture in businesses.
Here are the top 5 productivity transformation tools for your Chicago-based small business that successful organizations ensure their workforce has access to:
1. Email Management Tools: Email is still the number one communication channel in formal environments for peers to communicate with each other and in Teams. An intelligent email management tool will enable employees to filter important emails more effectively and prioritize responses based on the severity of the content in each email.
2. Task Management: A task management tool is one of the essential tools for an employee to be productive. From recording things as a 'to-do' list to assigning responsibilities and roles to individuals collaborating on a project, task management tools facilitate various activities in the office environment.
They have a highly flexible task management platform that enables organizations to bring out the best results from teamwork and reward performers for their extra efforts when necessary.
3. HR tools: You would need a spreadsheet to manage your accounting, receivables, or taxes, so why should your HR workflow rely on antiquated media and messy documents?
Just Value is like a short book for HR and benefits. It becomes your single management point for all HR needs.
4. Collaboration Channels: In a fast-paced business environment, people from different streams or with other skills must come together and create solutions for challenging customer situations. It requires powerful collaboration channels that offer various features such as innovative meeting schedulers, video or audio conferencing and call answers, access-controlled storage, remote file and media exchange facilities, and virtual workspaces.
5. Engaging Intranet Platforms: There is a need to bring in a social infrastructure where everyone in your organization can connect, learn about workplace events and developments, conduct team building or interactive sessions, and collaborate effectively in your work environment. It is precisely what modern-day intranet solutions offer for enterprises.
You need to develop a social media-inspired platform for intra-organization interaction. An intranet facilitates the creation of a community among your employees where people interact and gain knowledge about everything related to or outside of work.
Resource:
https://www.infince.com/blog/top-5-productivity-tools-every-small-business-needs-today/
https://www.inc.com/drew-hendricks/top-5-business-tools-to-boost-your-productivity-in-2017.html
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Productivity tools can be a game-changer for today's highly demanding work culture in businesses.
Here are the top 5 productivity transformation tools for your Chicago-based small business that successful organizations ensure their workforce has access to:
1. Email Management Tools: Email is still the number one communication channel in formal environments for peers to communicate with each other and in Teams. An intelligent email management tool will enable employees to filter important emails more effectively and prioritize responses based on the severity of the content in each email.
2. Task Management: A task management tool is one of the essential tools for an employee to be productive. From recording things as a 'to-do' list to assigning responsibilities and roles to individuals collaborating on a project, task management tools facilitate various activities in the office environment.
They have a highly flexible task management platform that enables organizations to bring out the best results from teamwork and reward performers for their extra efforts when necessary.
3. HR tools: You would need a spreadsheet to manage your accounting, receivables, or taxes, so why should your HR workflow rely on antiquated media and messy documents?
Just Value is like a short book for HR and benefits. It becomes your single management point for all HR needs.
4. Collaboration Channels: In a fast-paced business environment, people from different streams or with other skills must come together and create solutions for challenging customer situations. It requires powerful collaboration channels that offer various features such as innovative meeting schedulers, video or audio conferencing and call answers, access-controlled storage, remote file and media exchange facilities, and virtual workspaces.
5. Engaging Intranet Platforms: There is a need to bring in a social infrastructure where everyone in your organization can connect, learn about workplace events and developments, conduct team building or interactive sessions, and collaborate effectively in your work environment. It is precisely what modern-day intranet solutions offer for enterprises.
You need to develop a social media-inspired platform for intra-organization interaction. An intranet facilitates the creation of a community among your employees where people interact and gain knowledge about everything related to or outside of work.
Resource:
https://www.infince.com/blog/top-5-productivity-tools-every-small-business-needs-today/
https://www.inc.com/drew-hendricks/top-5-business-tools-to-boost-your-productivity-in-2017.html
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
945 adminFebruary 9, 2023
Strategies To Improve Your Agencies Margins
Did you know that the average profit margin of the 50 top-performing marketing agencies in the country is just 10.4%?
Even without adding more clients, there is much room for improvement.
Today, we’re sharing strategies to improve your bottom line and make you more money.
Offer High Value, Low-Cost Upsells, and Cross-Sells:
Getting a prospect to become a client is the hardest part, but offering upsells and cross-selling is accessible once they cross that line. Think about how much extra cash is lost in the grocery store checkout line. You've already bought everything you need, but additional offerings of chocolate, gum, and magazines add to the total purchase price and consistency. The same can happen in your business. We've tested it and made hundreds of thousands of dollars by offering small upsells.
Outsource Manufacturing to Reduce Overhead:
Instead of paying overhead, you need to hire employees, taxes, rent, coffee, or Friday lunch, and you can outsource deliverables for a fixed price and pay your employees to manage the process. It's probably not worth your time to bring anything that isn't your core service in-house (at least not at first), and you may be able to improve your margins by outsourcing dramatically.
Offer Premium Packages:
A certain percentage of your clients will always be willing to pay more for the better service you offer. Time and again, we have been experiencing this in our own business.
When we started our business, our 1st product was $100, and someone bought it. Then we made a version that cost $600"¦ and someone bought it. Then we combined several products and offered a high-end package at $500, and someone bought it. But it would never have happened if we didn’t have the offer. It was relatively easy to execute, but we had to offer it.
Try offering a more Costly, premium package and watch your revenue and margins grow!
Productize Your Services and Create SOPs:
When you customize every product, running a scalable operation that hurts margins becomes increasingly challenging. But if you can productize your services, you can define your processes and scale. It allows you to make more sales, reduce costs and ensure you get what you promised to the client.
For example:
If you run an email marketing organization, you can sell a package of several emails per month.
If you run a web design agency, you can sell websites through multiple pages.
When you manufacture and package your services, you can eliminate all the margin wasted from customization.
If you follow these tips, your margins will increase, and your business will run more smoothly.
Resource:
https://www.woorank.com/en/blog/increase-agency-margins
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Even without adding more clients, there is much room for improvement.
Today, we’re sharing strategies to improve your bottom line and make you more money.
Offer High Value, Low-Cost Upsells, and Cross-Sells:
Getting a prospect to become a client is the hardest part, but offering upsells and cross-selling is accessible once they cross that line. Think about how much extra cash is lost in the grocery store checkout line. You've already bought everything you need, but additional offerings of chocolate, gum, and magazines add to the total purchase price and consistency. The same can happen in your business. We've tested it and made hundreds of thousands of dollars by offering small upsells.
Outsource Manufacturing to Reduce Overhead:
Instead of paying overhead, you need to hire employees, taxes, rent, coffee, or Friday lunch, and you can outsource deliverables for a fixed price and pay your employees to manage the process. It's probably not worth your time to bring anything that isn't your core service in-house (at least not at first), and you may be able to improve your margins by outsourcing dramatically.
Offer Premium Packages:
A certain percentage of your clients will always be willing to pay more for the better service you offer. Time and again, we have been experiencing this in our own business.
When we started our business, our 1st product was $100, and someone bought it. Then we made a version that cost $600"¦ and someone bought it. Then we combined several products and offered a high-end package at $500, and someone bought it. But it would never have happened if we didn’t have the offer. It was relatively easy to execute, but we had to offer it.
Try offering a more Costly, premium package and watch your revenue and margins grow!
Productize Your Services and Create SOPs:
When you customize every product, running a scalable operation that hurts margins becomes increasingly challenging. But if you can productize your services, you can define your processes and scale. It allows you to make more sales, reduce costs and ensure you get what you promised to the client.
For example:
If you run an email marketing organization, you can sell a package of several emails per month.
If you run a web design agency, you can sell websites through multiple pages.
When you manufacture and package your services, you can eliminate all the margin wasted from customization.
If you follow these tips, your margins will increase, and your business will run more smoothly.
Resource:
https://www.woorank.com/en/blog/increase-agency-margins
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
960 adminFebruary 8, 2023
Is The Agency Market Saturated?
The answer to this question is trust in the specific market and industry you are referring to. In general, the agency market may be saturated in some sectors and regions, while there may be room for growth and new entrants in others.
In this blog, we are talking about Digital Marketing agencies:
A digital marketing agency is not saturated, but it is highly competitive. With the growing number of online businesses vying for customers' attention, it can be challenging for digital marketing agencies to differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition. However, it also allows digital marketing agencies to be creative and innovative in reaching consumers. Many businesses still need to start using digital marketing effectively to reach their target audience, leaving ample room for the industry to grow.
One way for a digital marketing agency to stay ahead of the competition is to practice in a specific niche or industry. For example, an agency may focus on serving the needs of small businesses or specifically serve the dental industry. By focusing on a specific sector, an agency can understand the unique challenges and opportunities in that market and offer more effective solutions to clients.
Another way to stay competitive is constantly adapt to technological and consumer behavior changes. The digital marketing landscape is continually evolving, and agencies must be proactive in keeping up with the latest trends and best practices. It could include investing in new tools like AI and machine learning or incorporating new channels like voice search optimization or chatbots.
Finally, the digital marketing industry is not saturated but highly competitive. By keeping up with or constantly adapting to changes in technology and consumer behavior, digital marketing agencies can stay ahead of the competition and continue to grow their business.
Resource:
https://www.adlibweb.com/is-the-digital-marketing-field-saturated-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.rightlydigital.com/digital-marketing-is-a-saturated-field/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
In this blog, we are talking about Digital Marketing agencies:
A digital marketing agency is not saturated, but it is highly competitive. With the growing number of online businesses vying for customers' attention, it can be challenging for digital marketing agencies to differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition. However, it also allows digital marketing agencies to be creative and innovative in reaching consumers. Many businesses still need to start using digital marketing effectively to reach their target audience, leaving ample room for the industry to grow.
One way for a digital marketing agency to stay ahead of the competition is to practice in a specific niche or industry. For example, an agency may focus on serving the needs of small businesses or specifically serve the dental industry. By focusing on a specific sector, an agency can understand the unique challenges and opportunities in that market and offer more effective solutions to clients.
Another way to stay competitive is constantly adapt to technological and consumer behavior changes. The digital marketing landscape is continually evolving, and agencies must be proactive in keeping up with the latest trends and best practices. It could include investing in new tools like AI and machine learning or incorporating new channels like voice search optimization or chatbots.
Finally, the digital marketing industry is not saturated but highly competitive. By keeping up with or constantly adapting to changes in technology and consumer behavior, digital marketing agencies can stay ahead of the competition and continue to grow their business.
Resource:
https://www.adlibweb.com/is-the-digital-marketing-field-saturated-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.rightlydigital.com/digital-marketing-is-a-saturated-field/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1964 adminFebruary 7, 2023
Margin Killers To Watch Out For While Running A Small Digital Agency
A business's net profit margin is one of the most important profitability metrics you should track when running a Small Digital Agency. This metric is useful when answering questions like whether your company is making money or whether you are pricing your products correctly.
Generally, the higher your net profit, the better your business is doing. If your profit margin is higher than the industry average, your Agency has a competitive advantage. In other words, your Agency is doing well compared to others running similar operations to yours.
With that knowledge, it's clear why business owners need to create a plan to increase their Small Digital Agency net profit margin.
Here are three tips to improve your Agency's profit margin:
1. Market to your Existing Customers: Did you know that marketing to your existing customers costs much less when attracting new customers? It is because existing customers are already converted, making it easier to upsell and cross-sell them. Maintaining their positive experience and effectively targeting their needs is essential to keep them returning and recommending your brand to others. They are creating an effective loyalty program for your existing customers to encourage them to return or spread the word about your Agency to their circles. Loyalty programs can come from cashback, discounts, or exclusive sales. Offering this to existing customers will increase their chances of converting them into your brand evangelists.
2. Remove Unprofitable Products from The Shelves: Review the performance of your products and determine which ones are generating less profit. It is only possible to continue to produce a particular product if it sells well in the first place. As much as possible, ensure all your products contribute to your profits. Doing so will help you eliminate some costs and improve profitability.
3. Streamline to Reduce Overhead Costs: Streamlining operations is one of Small Digital Agency's most significant drivers of profitability. Review your agency operations and identify areas where you can cut costs.
You can also streamline your digital agency operations by automating tasks. For instance, using a CRM solution to automate sales processes could save your staff time and avoid human errors. Automating aspects of your customer service process can also speed up issue resolution and reveal patterns that inform better services going forward. Marketing teams can use automation to time promotions based on customer engagement, targeting customers more likely to purchase based on their recent actions.
In Summary, having a solid profit margin is a pre-requisite: Whether your goal is to sell your Agency for the maximum amount possible – or to build a business that can provide long-term cash flow and sustainable employment for your team. It's important to remember that measuring performance is a process - not an event. We encourage you to establish a cadence by which you measure these essential agency metrics, thus ensuring that the business is moving in the right direction.
Resource:
https://parakeeto.com/blog/digital-marketing-agency-profit-margin/
https://www.techadv.com/blog/5-strategies-improve-your-small-business-profit-margins
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
Generally, the higher your net profit, the better your business is doing. If your profit margin is higher than the industry average, your Agency has a competitive advantage. In other words, your Agency is doing well compared to others running similar operations to yours.
With that knowledge, it's clear why business owners need to create a plan to increase their Small Digital Agency net profit margin.
Here are three tips to improve your Agency's profit margin:
1. Market to your Existing Customers: Did you know that marketing to your existing customers costs much less when attracting new customers? It is because existing customers are already converted, making it easier to upsell and cross-sell them. Maintaining their positive experience and effectively targeting their needs is essential to keep them returning and recommending your brand to others. They are creating an effective loyalty program for your existing customers to encourage them to return or spread the word about your Agency to their circles. Loyalty programs can come from cashback, discounts, or exclusive sales. Offering this to existing customers will increase their chances of converting them into your brand evangelists.
2. Remove Unprofitable Products from The Shelves: Review the performance of your products and determine which ones are generating less profit. It is only possible to continue to produce a particular product if it sells well in the first place. As much as possible, ensure all your products contribute to your profits. Doing so will help you eliminate some costs and improve profitability.
3. Streamline to Reduce Overhead Costs: Streamlining operations is one of Small Digital Agency's most significant drivers of profitability. Review your agency operations and identify areas where you can cut costs.
You can also streamline your digital agency operations by automating tasks. For instance, using a CRM solution to automate sales processes could save your staff time and avoid human errors. Automating aspects of your customer service process can also speed up issue resolution and reveal patterns that inform better services going forward. Marketing teams can use automation to time promotions based on customer engagement, targeting customers more likely to purchase based on their recent actions.
In Summary, having a solid profit margin is a pre-requisite: Whether your goal is to sell your Agency for the maximum amount possible – or to build a business that can provide long-term cash flow and sustainable employment for your team. It's important to remember that measuring performance is a process - not an event. We encourage you to establish a cadence by which you measure these essential agency metrics, thus ensuring that the business is moving in the right direction.
Resource:
https://parakeeto.com/blog/digital-marketing-agency-profit-margin/
https://www.techadv.com/blog/5-strategies-improve-your-small-business-profit-margins
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
970 adminFebruary 6, 2023
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