How To Take An Offline Business And Streamline It Online

It is harder for offline businesses to take their ventures completely online. In order for an offline business to do well online, the processes and platforms must be in place. Here is how to take an offline business and streamline it online.

Start with the customer experience. One of the easiest ways to take a business online is to focus on the customer service experience. In the beginning stages, a company should be able to field inquiries and accept payments online. This starts with having a website that is highly functional for the consumer. It is very important that a company be capable of delivering a quality customer service experience. According to one survey, 88 percent of people felt like their purchasing decision were influenced by a customer service review they saw online. DIY options for customers for customers can also reduce the amount of time dedicated to handling specific inquiries.

Next, you should be able to create opportunities to communicate with prospects online. The company should be able to efficiently handle inquiries online. In addition to fielding basic inquiries, a business should also be able to cultivate leads and engage them using email communications. And this means having a strong strategy to build a mailing list. This may be accomplished through landing pages, customer purchases, inquiries and subscription options directly on the website.

Next, a business should be able to engage mobile consumers completely online. One of the most important considerations is how well the website is designed to accommodate mobile customers. Customers are more likely than ever to user their mobile devices to access information about a website. According to research conducted by Google, 74 percent of consumers indicated that having a mobile website is very important to them. Additionally, two-thirds of mobile device users say that they are more likely to make a purchase from a company with a mobile website.

It’s important to have any brick and mortar business listed online in the various directories. Taking advantage of online directories is important because it is one of the most affordable ways to advertise a business. Doing this increases your relevancy in a niche and can improve your performance where search engines are concerned. The online directory is a very inexpensive way to generate traffic for your brick and mortar’s site. Some directories allow a business to handle quotes and transactions directly from their sites.

Take an inventory of processes regularly. This may require reviewing processes in place and identifying ways to optimize them to benefit customers. This can also mean surveying customers directly, asking them for insight on how to better improve processes. Creating metrics to assess and evaluate performance regularly will give you the insight needed to adapt processes to better meet the needs of your customer base.

After determining whether or not your business and services fit into an online environment, consider laying the foundation to support the business in an online environment. In following these steps, most offline businesses will be able to better capitalize off of opportunities available online. The best approach is to start small and gradually increase the number of processes offered online, incorporating DIY options for customers wherever appropriate while measuring performance in multiple areas.

Author - This post comes from Urban Outsource, a business that is leveraging the power of being online to get cleaners around Sydney into more houses to clean. By pooling the workforce, and attracting more customers through online channels, more houses are getting cleaned in Sydney than ever.

WordPress Is Not The Only Way People Can Create A Blog

One of the most popular methods in recent memory that people have used to create blogs is WordPress, which is a software platform that novice and experts can use to develop blogs for a variety of purposes. There are several reasons why WordPress is a popular method to develop blogs; however, one of the main reasons is based on its own popularity because people are able to find many features and themes that are aimed at WordPress users. Therefore, it is relatively easy for most people to find a WordPress theme or features to meet their purpose for a blog.

Even though WordPress provides many features and themes along with a platform that is reliable, many people prefer to use other methods for creating blogs. One of the other methods that people use is HTML. For people unfamiliar with HTML, which is short for HyperText Markup Language, it is the standard markup language used to create web pages.

When people refer to blogs, many people think that it is different than a website. However, a blog is basically a website. In general terms, a website is a group of related web pages that are served from a single domain. The word blog is used instead of the more technically correct term website because the word blog is a better reference point to the purpose of a blog, which is to chronicle specific activities on a daily basis.

For people interested in using HTML to create a blog, there are certain things that people should consider such as web design and SEO. The reason that web design and SEO are important regarding the use of HTML is because both are necessary to create a good blog. Web design commonly referred to as website design and SEO commonly referred to as Search Engine Optimization take time to learn properly; however, once the skills and techniques are learned, people can create high quality blogs that can match the look or features of any WordPress blog.

Additionally, HTML code is the backbone for many WordPress themes. Therefore, as people learn the basics of HTML, people can look at the core HTML code behind WordPress themes to make modifications to WordPress themes based on the HTML code. Also, people can view the HTML code for current WordPress themes to think of ways to add various capabilities to their HTML blogs.

Regarding website design, it is the primary component of a good website. In addition, website design encompasses the appearance, functions, and capabilities of a website, and search engine optimization concerns the structure of a website in relation to its ability to do well in search engine results for specific keywords. As people learn website design and search engine optimization, they are able to create blogs that are visibly appealing, efficient, perform well in search engine results, and provide a good user experience.

Currently WordPress is a popular method that people use to create blogs. However, HTML is also a popular method, and HTML is also a core component of WordPress themes. In relation to blogs, HTML is very important. The people who decide to use HTML to create their blogs not only have a popular method at their disposal, but these people can use their HTML knowledge to modify existing WordPress blogs that contain HTML code.

Author - To learn more about web design, visit the blog of Brisbane agency Orange Digital. There you will find posts on responsive web design, mobile web optimisation and search engine tactics.

5 Steps To Improve The Effectiveness Of Your Direct Mail Marketing

Direct mail marketing used to mean sending out a mass-mailing to everyone and hoping someone who cared about your product would first read it, and second, care enough to keep the mailing for future reference. Today, direct mail solutions start by defining the target, continue by creating a powerful message, get into gear with the delivery and finish by evaluating the entire effort.

Step number one is understand how to aim for your ideal customers. If you can describe your typical customer in terms of age, gender, locale or any other defining characteristics, you're halfway there. Work on more detail on who your target customer is and you'll then be able to purchase a mailing list customized for those demographics.

The second step is to make use of professional services at every stage in the process. Working with direct mail is not a do-it-yourself project. We've already mentioned buying a customized mailing list -- make sure your source is dependable and ready to meet your deadlines. Check out the samples and references from printers before committing to a print run.

The next step has to do with the content of your mailed message. Besides being compelling, your direct mail item should always include an action item for the receiver to do. You should also set a deadline by which the action item must be done, even if there is no such deadline. After all, you're not going to turn away a customer if they take the time to come to your store. Also include within the mailings a way such as a numerical code to identify customers who are responding to this specific mailing. It might be on the coupon a customer uses to get their free gadget or discount.

The fourth step is all about the timing. Will there be a special event occurring at your business? Any mass mailing describing the event must then, of course, be sent out and received before the event occurs. If a sale is revolving around a seasonal or holiday theme, then you do not want the mailing to be received after the special day. Direct mail solutions do not solve anything if they're received late. Be sure the company you hire for your direct mail projects knows the dates by which the work must absolutely and totally be completed.

The final step is to track your results. You must know if your direct mail campaign brought customers into your store or inspired them to call your toll-free number or prompted them to ask for a free consultation. This is the point where you use that special code you had printed on all the mailings sent out within this effort. Again, this is a time to use the professional services of a company experienced in providing direct mail solutions. Tracking and evaluating the results is just one of the many tasks these companies do as part of their normal client services.

Direct mail marketing done the right way will be a cost-effective and time-effective means of getting your message out to those customers you know are just waiting to hear from you. The right direct mail solution will help your business to make more money, a goal with which no one can argue.

Author - This post comes from Aew, a business woman who has been experimenting with direct mail marketing tactics lately. She found this blogpost on the SEMA Group's website to be very useful. When not working on the business she is employed by, Aew enjoys travelling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Reasons To Use Online Money Transfer

Online money transfer is the use of the internet to instantaneously move money for the purpose of making payments or account transfers. This service incorporates speed, convenience and security in money transfer. It cuts on the demand to use papers or even make visits to the bank in order to send or receive money. It however requires registration of an account then activation of the account which may cost a little fee depending with the vendor. Once this is achieved, just a computer with internet access is required for this purpose.

The main reason for online money transfer services is for the ability to have fast transfer of money. For any individual looking for speed regardless of geographical distance has to make use of this service. It makes transactions instant unlike other forms that require paperwork to be filled for identification purposes from both the sender and receiver. They also happen to be cheaper. This is brought in by the high demand for this service and its ability for not incorporating too much paperwork. It only needs the availability of an internet connection.

People who work online are the ones in most need of online money transfers. The money transferred could be payments for work done, purchases of credits on websites that offer various services such as plagiarism checking and grammar correction, paying for advanced work software among others. Such money is shifted around between the owner, a transferring agency and the various recipients. The transferring agency has the capacity to hold the money in escrow and move it as requested by the owner to recipients along with instructions on what to do with the money. On their part, the recipients of the money receive it and then act according to the accompanying instructions.

Online money transfer can be integrated with bank accounts. This brings in convenience in carrying out transactions. Money can easily be moved through this service to conduct business from the comfort of your home. This means the time consumed having to visit a bank each time money is coming in and out will be eliminated. Money is directly credited and debited into your bank account just by making a few clicks. It also provides better rates in foreign exchange. This ensures you gain more by transferring the money directly to your account.

Some receiving organizations in online money transfers are banks and other institutions that can give the owner the money in form of hard currency. There are also other players in the end of the online money transfer chain who operate as individuals or small companies. These smaller players have faster remittance services but they charge significantly more than the banks and other well-established institutions. The smaller players are handy for people who want their money quickly since they do not have waiting periods that are put in place by banks to prevent money laundering.

Risk has to be eliminated when it comes to handling money matters. The use of emails in handling money has been replaced by online money transfer services. This is as a result of mail being intercepted which could lead to bank accounts being drained through the use of the routing number and account number. The money sender requires guarantee that the money will get to the recipient. Transactions made in online money transfers are recorded. They can then be used as reference point on how money is spent and gained.

However, there are limits set as to minimum and maximum amounts of funds transferable per transaction or per a certain period of time. Limits help in regulating the circulation of money in the accounts and reduce money laundering. Online money transfer has however proved it is here to stay. It has become one of the most sought out services enabled by the internet.

Author - The author of this article is a highly experienced researcher and online writer at Essay Jedi.

Is Galaxy S5 Fully Set To Compete With The Iphone 5S?

The iPhone 5S and Galaxy S5 are the two hyped, popular on demand smartphones in the market. The undying combat between the iOS and Android still continues and they are sure to be rivals for long. Whatever it is the, iPhone is all set to compete with the latest, yet to be released Galaxy S5.

Let’s look at the basic comparison between the both giant rivals.

Fingerprint Sensor

The Galaxy S5 sensor seems to be difficult to use with one hand. To access it, the user must swipe directly over the center of the button and cover it with their full finger. The user has to swipe starting from the bottom which is kind of effort involving and this makes it tough to use with one hand.  At the same time the iPhone 5s provides access to multiple scans of the user's finger and can be accessed from almost all angles. This makes the option of Fingerprint Sensor of iPhone 5s much easier compared to Galaxy S5

SoC and RAM:

Albeit it is not much possible to know every small detail hardware working of a smartphone, still it is always good to know why a gadget clicks.The Galaxy S5 implements the new Snapdragon 801 processor and also uses MSM8974-AC CPU variant, which boasts frequencies of 2.5GHz in place of 2.3 GHz.  On the other side, the processor also holds an Adreno 330 graphics chip and 2 GB of RAM.

On the opposite, the iPhone end, it adopts a 64-bit architecture. The Apple A7 SoC accompanies a dual-core Cyclone CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz, and a Power G6430 GPU. The SoC works side-by-side with 1 GB of RAM.

Because both uses different Operating systems... we cannot compare just by processing speeds as S5 uses Android (which is resource hungry) and 5S uses IOS 7(which is less resource hungry and uses an optimized SoC)

Display

Talking about display, Samsung chose a wider display and Galaxy S5 features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED Full High Definition. Also to add, Samsung uses AMOLED type display which has more saturated colors. On the other hand Phone 5s features a 4-inch display with 1136 x 640 resolutions at 326 ppi, which is still a stronger display for the iPhone. The Galaxy S5 is sure to lure the eyes of the user but when it comes to iPhone 5S, no innovations discovered.

Size

8.1 mm, the Galaxy S5 is thicker than the 4” iPhone 5s, larger and heavier and clumsy which makes it unable to use in single hand. The Plastic built Samsung Display introduces perforated back refrain, which is available in four colors, including a golden version.Apple handset also comes in golden variant, but the iPhone is shaped in a quite a different way, witha premium metal and glass materials for the frames.

Speed

A7 chip with 64-bit architecture makes iPhone 5s features Apple's it an extremely unique device. It is the first smartphone in 64 bits. Apple's devices normally perform smoother and better than the Galaxy S handsets since the company manages to perfectly manage software with the hardware better. The Galaxy S5 comes with either a Snapdragon 801 chip or 2.1GHz Exynosocta-core processor. Though the hardware seems inspiring, Samsung processors normally perform better than they actually run.

Summary

In conclusion we can say that Samsung has adapted a lot of lot ideas from Apple, rather than being innovative. Both these smartphones are not one step ahead of each other. To know more, let’s wait for the new Galaxy Samsung S5 to hit the market soon. Apart from all the above mentioned comparisons, users have a great role in increasing the demand of a product. Users will have a personal interest and like towards a specific company and its products to which they are used to. This can eventually answer to the question if Galaxy S5 is fully set to compete with the iPhone 5S.

Author - I Richard, from past years I am really concentrated on writing assist for learners with buy legit essays online with good online support. I am capable on writing any topics and subjects with regards to my area of expertise. I am comfortable in writing academic related assignments and projects as well as a result of my vast experience as a writer.

Lessons From Einstein You Can Apply on Your Blogs

You can learn many things from a genius like Albert Einstein. With his out of the box imagination, and  above average intelligence, he has achieved a lot in the fields of science and technology.

Scientifically, you can learn many things from Einstein, but even bloggers and writers can use his words to improve their craft. Here are a few life lessons from this scientific genius that you can apply in your blogs:

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Every writer has their own style. Comparing your writing skills to others, and being someone you are not, won't take you anywhere else. You have to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and passion to better write blogs that will reach your audience. Novice bloggers are good recipients of this advice. Sometimes, being new in the writing world, makes them consevative writers. They just copy other writers and forget about their own voice and style.

“I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right”

See how perseverance works? Not because your blogs don't work on attracting readers and traffic, doesn't mean you should stop what you are doing. It takes planning, perseverance and time for your website to achieve your set goals. Einstein understands this that is why, despite failing multiple times, he still works on improving his ideas and achieve great results in the end.

“A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.”

Albert Einstein made innovative inventions because of his superb imagination. Every writer should imbibe Einstein within them. They should think outside the box and think more than the conventional stories, or plots everyone is familiar. Stop following formulas when you are writing, only when you oppose the norm will you create blogs that will drive better traffic and share.

“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.”

As a writer it is your job to tell stories or information that everyone can understand. Brevity and information are the keys to creating quality articles. When you are writing, keep in mind that you are writing for the people. You have to reach out to them and make sure that they can understand what you are saying. Saying things in the simplest form also makes you more credible and believable.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Always think outside the box because imagination is the true power of any writer. Sometimes, situations push you to publish topics that are already published in another website. To make it worthy of reading, you have to think of fresh angles and ideas to make the topic look new. Often, being imaginative works better than sticking to conventions.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Aside from blogging, analyzing reader's interests is important to improve your site's quality. If you keep on writing the same things and not achieving anything, maybe it's time to try new strategies to boost your website. It is a process of trial and error, and learning from the experts. It is truly insane to keep doing the same strategies and expect an improvement in traffic or sales.

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

As you might have known, managing a blog is difficult. You are bound to make errors. Do not be afraid to commit mistakes because these will make you a better blogger. You will learn to understand how your readers think, and write articles they like. You will also understand how the Google algorithm works.

Take these lessons by heart and you won't only improve your blog and writing style, but also your life.

Author - Maddy Bertelsen is a writer and a blogger, who has been in the field since she was in college. She is currently working for best essays as part time writer. One day, she hopes of publishing her own novel.

Payments Via Wire Transfer Now Available For Google Adsense Publishers In India

Google posted following on its forum:

This information only applies to publishers who receive payments at a payment address in India.  These instructions do not apply to publishers in other countries.  If your payment address is located outside of India and you apply a “self hold” per these instructions, it could result in a delay in your payment.  We are working to make wire transfer payments broadly available in most countries, but the process differs in other locations.

Hello AdSense publishers in India!

We’re excited to let you know that we’ll soon be improving the payments process in India and use a faster, more reliable, and secure alternative to cheque payments.  As part of upgrading your account to our new payments system, we are replacing cheque payments with U.S. Dollar international wire transfers.  We think you’ll find this to be a major improvement over cheque payments, and we welcome your feedback to let us know how this changes your payment experience.  Publishers participating in our recent wire transfer beta testing report minimal fees (typically Rs. 56/- to Rs. 110/-, approximately $0.90 to $1.78) and favorable exchange rates on these transactions.  You’ll benefit from receiving these payments in your bank account automatically, saving you from a trip to the bank.

I’d like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to opt-in to wire transfer payments for the upcoming March scheduled payment.  If you would like to receive this update on your account now, apply a “self-hold” to your payments.  You can find this feature within the “payment settings” options.  Over the coming weeks, we’ll be upgrading accounts in India with a payment self-hold to our new payments system.  To be eligible for this month’s payment cycle, please make this preference change prior to Sunday, 16 March, 06:00 (AM) IST.

After this upgrade, you’ll need to provide wire transfer instructions for your bank account so that we can send your future payments.  Be sure to obtain your bank’s specific wire transfer instructions for receiving U.S. Dollar wire transfers from abroad.  While you may be able to find information such as your bank’s SWIFT code from an Internet search or members of the forum community, we strongly recommend only using instructions that you receive directly from your bank’s web site or agent as incorrect information could delay your payments.  Unlike our old payments system, there is no strict monthly deadline for updating your payment details, so you’ll have plenty of time to complete this step.

We want you to receive the most value possible from your AdSense payments.  Google pays most fees involved with sending payments by wire transfer and does not charge a fee for this service.  Your bank will perform the U.S. Dollar to Indian Rupee currency exchange according to their policies, and it will typically assess a small fee covering the mandatory Service Tax required for currency conversion transactions. We recommend that you check your bank's fee schedule to understand how it applies fees for receiving foreign wire transfers. We cannot recommend or endorse specific banks, but we suggest sharing wire transfer experiences within the publisher forum community.  Sharing the name of the bank you use, fees assessed, and exchange rates received are OK.  For your security, please do not post personal details about your bank account, payment amounts, transaction numbers, or other identifying info.

We ask that you continue to receive and deposit any outstanding cheque payments, if applicable. Normal 60-day cheque cancellation waiting period policies will apply.

We hope to make wire transfer payments fully available to all publishers in India soon.  Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to improve our payment processes in India and worldwide.

You can find additional information about setting up wire transfer payments in our Help Center.

Sincerely,

The Google AdSense Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How long will it take for my wire transfer payment to arrive in my bank account?

Answer: It may require 3-5 or more business days from the date when our bank informs us that it accepted the payment before the funds to appear in your bank account.

Question: My bank’s instructions show that I need to provide an intermediary bank, but the form within AdSense shows this as being optional.  What should I provide?

Answer: Our bank has the ability to look up the current intermediary information that is needed to properly route most payments and recommends that you leave these fields empty.

We’ll try to answer other wire transfer questions you have here.  The payments team is located at our U.S. headquarters in Mountain View, California, so there may be a delay in responses due to time differences.

Top 10 Smartphone Launch In 2014

With the rising level of technology, the competition of different smartphone companies also rises. Let’s see what these companies have for us this 2014.

1. Apple iPhone 6

Apple has been the best provider for smartphones. And due to the increasing number of competitors in the market, there are rumors that Apple will be releasing iPhone 6. Reports from the Wall Street Journal have said that Apple is testing a larger screen for their smartphones.

2. Google Nexus 5

A 5-inch phone built with precision. Google Nexus 5 showcases a simple design and a stunning HD display. This is also the first phone with Android 4.4, Kitkat and is available in black or white. With Google at its side, you’ll totally get the best android experience.

3. Nokia Lumia 929 a.k.a Icon

Nokia, which is now owned by Microsoft, is trying to regain its former glory in the world of mobile phones. The Lumia 929 has a 5-inch full HD display and a 20-megapixel PureView camera. A phone run by Windows, will its brand rise again?

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung has raised the bar for their Galaxy models with Note 3. This massive smartphone is faster and is armed with brilliant features. With its Snapdragon 800 quadcore CPU, the graphics are now lifelike in this 5.7-inch screen. And the multi-window mode gained a rank against its former versions.With such a big screen you enjoy movies on this android phone.

5. Sony Xperia Z1s

Xperia Z1 is one of the few water-resistant smartphones in the market. It boasts about its completely waterproof design and can even shoot photos while submerged. With this features on line and its 2.7 megapixel rear camera, it will surely give a stiff competition.

6. iPhone 5C

Known as a more affordable substitute for 5S, the 5C can totally stay in the market this 2014. After a new front-facing 1.2 MP FaceTime HD camera, Apple also promises a fast speed for wireless connections and a very responsive iOS 7. It also comes in different colors: pink, red, yellow and sky blue.

7. Moto X

The new release from Motorola, with Moto’s new energy-saving X8 processor, ensures supersonic speeds. This 1.7 GHz dualcore snapdragon also has the latest Android software update which is the Kitkat. It is considered to be the best rival of Canvas Turbo which is among the best micromax phones.

8. Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Just like the Z1, Z Ultra comes in a dust and water proof casing. It has an amazing 6.4-inch triluminous display and an 8mp camera.

9. LG G Flex

This kind of flexible smartphones is getting more and more fame in the market. This smartphone is vertically curved slightly, thus creating a crescent-like design. This design is also called as the “self-healing” technology because it helps make the scratches and bumps less noticeable.

10. Alcatel One Touch Idol X+

Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ also made it to the top 10 this 2014. Coming out in the market with eight cores, most of the smartphones have dual(2) or quad(4) core, this can also be considered as one of the best. It features a 13mp camera and a 2mp front shooter.

Author - Tori Wilson can be found on her Facebook account at this link.

Adding Floating Contact Form To Blogger

Just a quick news before I start the stuff. Google Code has suspended my code account & all repositories I hosted there, so all my code that I use in this website & in tutorials in no longer controlled by me. That's it!

If you're not satisfied with adding Blogger's contact form widget to a specific page of your blog, you can also use it as a floating widget.

BloggerItems has created a cool floating contact form widget for Blogger. First, add Blogger's official contact form widget to your blog.

• Go To Blogger > Template > Edit HTML

• Search and paste this code just about ]]></b:skin>:

.floating-ct-body {
 height: 285px;
 background: white;
 border: 1px solid #09f;
 padding: 10px;
 display: none;
}
.floating-ct-head {
 text-align: right;
}
.floating-ct-body .ContactForm {
 margin: 0;
 display: block!important;
}

Then paste the below code before </body> tag in your template:

<script type='text/javascript'>
//<![CDATA[
/*Floating Contact Form by BloggerItems.com*/
$('body').append('<div class="floating-ct"><div class="floating-ct-head"><a href="#no-move">Contact</a></div><div class="floating-ct-body"></div></div>');
$('.ContactForm').appendTo('.floating-ct-body');
var slide_up_ct = false;
$('.floating-ct-head a').click(function(){
 if (!slide_up_ct) {
 slide_up_ct = true;
 $('.floating-ct-body').slideDown();
 } else {
 slide_up_ct = false;
 $('.floating-ct-body').slideUp();
 }
});
//]]>
</script>

That's IT!

Launching Our Google PageRank Checker

2013 was a great year for me. In December, I created Google PageRank checker for our new website. From this tool, you can check Google PageRank of your website with one click. No captcha or anything. Just write the URL of your website and click on Check PageRank button.

Why Try Our PageRank Checker?

I'm not Bill Gates or anything, but my tool still worth your time. It works just like any other PageRank tool. Plus, you don't need to write any captcha codes or anything. You can also embed the PR Checker on your website or add the PageRank Badge to your Blogger or website.

Embed Our PageRank Checker To Your Blog:

Just add following code to your blog:

<h2>Google PageRank Checker:</h2>
<form name="pr" action="http://www.hardeepasrani.com/demo/pagerank/pagerank/rank.php" method="post">
<input type="text" value="google.com"  name="www" />
<input type="submit" value="Check PageRank" />
</form>

Visit our Google PageRank Checker at this link. Don't forget to give us your feedback in the comments.