A company or a brand requires its official website. If one wants their business to succeed, one needs a well-functioning website to help expand their business. Moreover, the website’s design also plays a major role in attracting the right customers. So, if one makes mistakes while designing their website, it can easily derail even the best of their efforts. Furthermore, these mistakes can make the company lose credibility and even its customer base. Top 4 website designing mistakes to avoid Skipping intuitive navigation and accessibility Brainstorming, sitemap, and wireframing are essential steps that should not be skipped. Furthermore, a poor navigation layout can also create problems. It can drive away visitors and create problems in the expansion of business. As a website needs multiple pages, arranging their categories appropriately is suggested, enabling the visitors to navigate the website easily. Not having a clear call to action Visitors need clear instructions to guide them through the website when they visit the website. A clear call to action keeps the visitors focused. Further, a good call to action uses compelling words or phrases to prompt the action. Also, one must ensure that the language is clear, succinct, and simple. Not having a design-thinking approach A common mistake designers make is not realizing the importance of design thinking and putting it down on paper. Some designers may assume certain aspects of the website and its users rather than researching. This may be problematic as the website does not empathize with the customer, detail their problems, or provide solutions. Furthermore, it affects technological capabilities and effectiveness. Compromising on user experience Prioritizing aesthetics over user experience is one of the biggest mistakes made by designers and brands. As the internet has exploded with different designs that elevate the users’ senses, many brands have begun focusing on making their websites more eye-pleasing.

Conference calls have become necessary, especially as companies expand and onboard employees from different parts of the world. Besides, as the work-from-home culture gains momentum, the reliance on video-calling software has witnessed a further increase. Here, we’ll look at some of the top video conference web software and their pricing options. Zoom Zoom has become one of the most popular video conferencing software recently. You can use it not only for official meetings but also for informal catch-ups with friends and family. The basic plan is free, and you can add up to 100 participants in one call; however, the time limit is capped at 40 minutes. If needed, you can upgrade to a better plan. For instance, the Pro plan costs around $150/year and offers group meetings for up to 30 hours. You can also go for the Business plan or Enterprise plan, which cost $200/year and $240/year, respectively. The former includes recording transcripts and company branding and can host up to 300 participants, while the latter offers unlimited cloud storage and up to 500 people. Google Meet A Google-owned enterprise, Google Meet is famous and easily accessible to anyone with a Gmail account. Like Zoom, Google Meet also offers different pricing and plans besides its free version. The starter plan provides 30 GB of cloud storage and 100 participants for $6/month. The other options include Business Standard and Business Plus for $12/month and $18/month, respectively. With each upgrade, you get better cloud storage and the ability to admit more people. Google Meet also has an Enterprise plan, for which you can contact them directly for pricing. BlueJeans Meetings A Verizon product, BlueJeans is another top video conference web software. As far as the pricing goes, BlueJeans Standard costs $120/year for 100 participants and unlimited meeting time. The Pro account allows you 150 participants and 25 hours of recording limit for approximately $170/year.

Square Online provides e-commerce tools and services to help businesses set up an online store. Business owners can easily build a new website with the Square and begin selling their products. If your growing newly venture needs an e-commerce scale-up, you can create a fully functional digital store in minutes. Let’s look at what you can avail with a Square Online website. Features you’ll get with a Square website When you create a webpage with the Square website builder, you’ll be able to choose marketing features, interface customisation, and social media integration. The integrative features like syncing with Square POS lets you create an e-store that is set for growth, aling with the option of setting up contactless pay options for seamless transactions. Moreover, Square Online has a to-the-point dashboard that has great analytics so that you can easily map a customer’s journey on the site. The best part is that you don’t need any coding experience to set up a website with Square Online; it’s easy, quick, and efficient. Square website building costs If you want to simply try the platform to see if it works for your business, start by building a website for free with Square Online. There’s one condition though: you have to pay when you make a sale. Square will take 2.9% + 30¢ for every purchase made. There are other options too. like Professional, Performance, and Premium. We particularly like the Performance set up because it is economical at around $26 per month. And you get to publish customer reviews on the site and send emails to potential buyers who have abandoned their carts. The Premium option is the most expensive set-up costing around $72 per month, but you get additional cost-cutting features. Good alternatives to Square Online While Square Online has amazing features, it is not the only option for setting up an online store.

The boom in e-commerce has led to a massive increase in online shipping, requiring businesses to amp up their game and provide customers with the best shopping experience. Managing this, however, isn’t always easy because there’s a lot of room for mistakes with tasks like shipping. One way to reduce errors is to use shipping software. Here are four ways in which software can help shipping companies minimize errors and boost business: Verifying addresses Reports have shown that most deliveries fail because of incomplete or incorrect addresses. Shipping software is equipped with Address Verification Systems (AVS) to solve this issue. These systems help companies ensure they get the complete address information to reduce any chance of errors. Automating processes Using software is also a great way to automate the shipping process and reduce the risk of manual errors during data entry. Computer software can handle tasks like: Label generation and printing Sharing tracking information with buyers Delivering post-purchase notifications Monitoring inventory and providing real-time updates Comparing courier rates Generating customs documents Implementing appropriate algorithms to ensure a reasonable shipping cost Lowering the risk of stockouts Online shopping can sometimes lead to stockouts or overselling inventory. This can turn out to be a costly mistake, affecting a business’s revenue and its image. Using shipping software can help avoid this issue entirely. Companies can find inventory management as a standard offering across software providers. This vital feature tracks the flow of inventory, from stock to sale and even returns. It can also update the website or app in real time, completely doing away with the risk of a stockout. Conducting compliance tests Deliveries often get delayed or canceled due to non-compliance. This error can easily be averted using software. Shipping software tracks any changes in shipping rules and prepares necessary documents. This helps avoid fines and delays for the business and ensures smooth delivery of products.

E-commerce platforms continue to grow, which makes it crucial for a business to meet customer demands. One may require a more sophisticated order management system (OMS) in such situations. The system functions immediately after a customer places an order, from locating and picking up the item in a warehouse to packing and shipping the product to its final destination. For businesses still unsure about venturing into this automated space, here are five reasons to get an order management system. Maintain low inventory costs A key benefit of using an order management system is that it can take control of inventory management by simplifying the process with automation. The system uses in-location stock movements by setting rules to automate what happens to orders during packing based on triggers such as the delivery option selected, weight, and value. This reduces time spent manually on such tasks, which will help keep expenses low. Centralized customer service An OMS helps centralize customer service requirements by keeping all customer and order information in one location. Therefore, users are better informed about their orders through a complete view across all sales channels and fulfillment centers to address inquiries about shipping, delivery, and cancellations. The system helps build transparency in this avenue, which customers expect and appreciate when shopping online. Automatic order processing Most orders are placed in the later hours of the evening, usually when teams are not present to process them. Here’s where an order management system could help. One could set specific orchestration rules for non-working hours. With this, one could automate various tasks, including automatically allocating an online order to the warehouse, printing labels, and processing payments. The order processing speed increases and the stock inventories are updated in real-time. Versatile system An OMS is a versatile tool that can assist a business of any size through its growth.

One of the toughest tasks for any organization is the process of evaluating its employees every year to determine their performance. This where an employee evaluation software can make the process simpler and more systematic for the Human Resources (HR) department. Here’s is a list of the best software providers for employee assessment. BambooHR It is a human resources information system that makes the role of the HR team more effective. This cloud-based software offers a great range of employee information management options, which will help to keep an eye on their performance. This is an affordable software and ideal for small and medium-sized businesses. Engagedly When it comes to employee evaluation, today’s business needs a modern approach, and that is exactly what this employee evaluation software offers. It engages employees in the process of performance evaluation, making it possible for the system to be more simplified and save a lot of time. UltiPro This Cloud-based software offers a range of amazing features that make employee evaluation more effective. UltiPro comes with features like feedback, compensation management, evaluation history, development plans for individual employees, rating scale with customization options, on-going tracking of performance, goal-setting, skill assessment, and peer appraisal. Workday This employee evaluation software helps with the growth of your business by offering more insight into the workforce. This software has some of the most effective features for employee appraisal. Some of these are compensation management, goal-setting, a development plan for individuals, and skill assessment. With Workday, you’ll be able to build the most efficient workforce. Zoho People The Zoho People employee assessment software lets you easily manage attendance, timesheet, leave requests, and much more. It enables you to accurately evaluate your employees with options like feedback, self-appraisal, self-service, rating scale with customization, peer appraisal, goal-setting, and performance tracking. The software also allows you to import employee data from biometric devices.

The goal of a side hustle is to earn extra money to support one’s lifestyle. With the current economic scenario, people are constantly looking for sources of income besides salaries. It provides greater financial security and the freedom to pursue one’s interests while maintaining job security. The most important aspect of a side hustle is that it is exciting enough to keep one interested. Here are some of the most creative side-hustle ideas for 2023. Best side hustle ideas for 2023 Online surveys Filling online surveys is one of the simplest and most popular side hustles to get started with. Although it might not be the highest-paying job available online, it can be a great place to start learning about time management and balancing two careers, which may eventually lead to finding something more significant. For each survey, people can earn between $1 and $20. Writing blogs Starting a blog can be a fantastic option for people with a creative side who want a voice and a creative outlet. Most blogs generate a little money at first, but as their readership and reach grow, they generate more and more money. Bloggers can earn roughly tens of thousands of dollars per month. A beautiful website and valuable content can help a blog increase its traffic, popularity, and revenue. Proofreading Proofreading is one of the most popular side hustles. This position is best suited for people who enjoy writing for a living and possess excellent language and grammar skills. Proofreading focuses on grammar, spelling, and punctuation issues. Several businesses now hire freelance writers and proofreaders to ensure high-quality content. A person in this industry can expect to make between $20 and $50 per hour. Food delivery This is another fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys socializing, driving, and spending time outside. People can join a food delivery business using services like DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Financial scams are a common phenomenon in the country; according to data released by the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $3.8 billion due to investment scams in 2022. So, it is important to remain vigilant and practice caution before initiating any online interaction or transaction with a business or a stranger. Here is a look at some common mistakes you should avoid to protect yourself from financial fraud: Using one password for multiple accounts You should frequently change passwords for your sensitive accounts, like those on banking apps and other platforms that have access to your confidential information. So, your accounts investment portals and digital wallets should have unique and strong passwords that are not easy to crack. It is also important to note that using one password for all your accounts increases the risk of fraud. When one account is hacked, others with the same password can also be hacked. Falling for shopping scams Online shopping has made it extremely convenient for customers to order anything from anywhere. While this has helped businesses grow, it has made room for all kinds of scams. You should ensure that the business you are buying from is legitimate. Not only that, you should use a secure Wi-Fi network to carry out all kinds of transactions. Responding to phishing mails This is a common fraud where scammers disguise themselves as bank executives and send emails to the bank’s customers. They will ask to update account information or confirm bank details with you. You should never respond to such emails, as no reliable bank will contact you to re-confirm or demand any personal or financial information that they already have. Discarding confidential documents In case you are disposing of any old bank documents, ensure that nobody can read or access them.

Choosing the correct internet service provider (ISP) can significantly impact a user’s browsing activities. There are over 2500 ISPs in the country, so it’s easy to make common mistakes that can result in poor service and dissatisfaction. Therefore, it is important to consider various aspects of ISPs to see which one meets one’s internet needs for both home and business. Avoid the common mistakes mentioned below for a smooth and reliable internet experience. Not researching internet providers Not all internet providers are suitable for one’s business or individual requirements. It is best to compare plans and prices, read customer reviews, and ask for recommendations that match one’s needs before signing up for any plans. Any unresolved online customer grievances can be a warning sign of a lack of customer support. One can also contact customer service to check for their operational hours and level of cooperation in providing details. Not understanding the bandwidth A common mistake most people make while choosing an internet provider is not evaluating one’s bandwidth needs. Connecting multiple devices, working on high-resolution files, or rendering may demand more bandwidth. However, if the internet needs are relatively low, one can save money by paying for an affordable package and then opting for a higher bandwidth later if required. Moreover, many small businesses underestimate their volume of work and opt for smaller plans, only to face internet issues later. Therefore, the best way to optimize internet usage is to check one’s monthly data usage and purchase a plan accordingly. Falling for free offers While discounts or freebies are a common practice to draw more customers, not all offers on ISP websites are reliable. It is best to avoid suspicious or too-good-to-be-true online offers from ISPs. One can opt for affordable plans with trusted ISPs rather than going for freebies.

Since data security has become a problem, companies must conduct a SOC 2 audit. This audit lets people know the company is working to protect their data. As a result, it increases customer loyalty, boosts the business’s reputation in the market, and provides many other benefits. However, one must prepare well and be careful during the process. Here are the three most common mistakes to avoid before starting a SOC 2 audit. Not assigning a project manager A company must assign a project manager after deciding to perform a SOC 2 audit. The individual oversees several audit-related tasks, one of the most important being data collection. During the audit, the company must collect documents and information from different departments, such as business operations, human resources, system admins, etc. This process can fall apart without a designated manager. Plus, there will be nobody to ensure effective communication between all departments, which can create confusion during the audit. Skipping a readiness assessment Skipping a readiness assessment is another big mistake companies must avoid before starting a SOC 2 audit. Before the external auditor arrives, a company must evaluate itself to check if it is ready for the audit. During this assessment, the company must evaluate the controls (security, privacy, confidentiality, etc.) the auditor will examine. By doing this, the company can identify any missing documents or gaps in the controls that could cause it to fail the audit. Not identifying the audit’s scope beforehand A company can delay the process if it adopts new systems or processes after the documentation (and before the final audit). Even if the company adds new systems within the audit period, it would lead to delays since the new systems need to be examined. Therefore, before starting, a company must identify the scope of the SOC 2 audit and tailor it accordingly.

Fashion is among the top-selling categories every Black Friday. Many well-known fashion brands have flash sales, sitewide discounts, and other special offers during this time. However, the sheer number of clothing styles, apparel designs, and accessories can make it hard to choose. With that in mind, we listed ten clothing styles that usually trend during the sale. We have also listed the discounts shoppers can expect on each style during Black Friday 2023. 1. Parisian clothing Parisian is a cross between minimalistic and chic fashion. It lets people experiment with monochrome colors that blend seamlessly with chic outfits. Some popular Parisian styles focus on blending smart casuals with elegant accessories and designer jewelry pieces. Last year’s Black Friday sale indicates 25% to 30% discounts across popular brands featuring the style in 2023. 2. Classic clothing and apparel Button-up shirts, tailored suits, monochrome sweaters, overcoats, trench coats, and neutral colors define classic fashion. That said, the classic style is subjective, and one can customize their look as per their preferences. The outfits are often paired with refined jewelry pieces and accessories like handbags. Based on last year’s trends, shoppers can expect discounts between 30% and 50% across popular brands like H&M, Mango, and AllSaints during Black Friday 2023. 3. Streetwear This style usually involves pairing t-shirts with casual jeans or baggy pants that are a size bigger. It can also involve wearing athletic outfits or matching prints with trousers or jeans. Sneakers are the preferred choice of footwear in this style. Streetwear is a popular clothing category that is functional yet elegant. Moreover, it’s pretty affordable, thanks to the big box outlets promoting this style. Last Black Friday, shoppers enjoyed sitewide discounts between 10% and 70% across popular brands, including J. Crew, L.L.Bean, and Zappos. One can expect similar savings when the sale begins in 2023.

For any industry to sustain itself in today’s world, implementing digital strategies has become indispensable. This holds particularly true for the financial services industry. The good news is that digital transformation in financial services has already begun, and we’ll likely see more and more innovative technologies underpinning banking and financial institutions in the coming years. Keep reading to learn about the latest digital transformation trends in the financial services industry. Big data and artificial intelligence The combination of big data and artificial intelligence is a revolutionary digital strategy that is shaping the future of banking and financial services. The technology helps institutions process, store, and drive valuable insights from the data they gather from their customers’ activities. Big data and artificial intelligence allow institutions to create a highly personalized experience, helping businesses attract and retain customers. Blockchain Blockchain is a fairly new technology that is becoming increasingly popular in the financial services industry. With blockchain technology, all transactions are permanently stored in the blockchain network, providing the highest level of transparency and security. Nobody can tamper with these transactions, which nearly eliminates the risk of error and fraud. Besides security, the technology is being explored for use in a wide variety of banking and investment applications. Biometrics The idea of digital or mobile wallets is convenient for most people. However, some people avoid using these services due to legitimate security concerns. And this is where biometric technology comes in. Fingerprint and face recognition technologies ensure that no one except the rightful owner has access to their funds. With the technology largely in place already, both buyers and sellers prefer using mobile payment over cash and checks. Cloud computing Cloud technology is on the rise in the banking and financial services industry. Cloud computing offers institutions a cheaper way to store and analyze enormous amounts of data.