Author: Hitsteps

As companies both big and small transition to a digital approach in terms of conducting business, it is vital to ensure that employees are sufficiently supported and guided throughout the journey. While some employees (namely, those who have been utilizing technology for much of their lives) will adapt rather seamlessly, other employees (particularly those from older generations) may have a slightly more difficult time when it comes to making the necessary changes.

Here are some tips for successfully empowering all employees in digital transformation.

Transition gradually

It can be quite jarring for an employee to completely change the way that they have been doing their job for years in a matter of a few weeks. Therefore, if you are keen to make the switch over to digital, do your best to introduce the new technology and ways of working in a slow and steady fashion, giving your employees time and space to get comfortable and to ask all of the necessary questions.

Enroll them in online courses

What better way in which to learn how to navigate the digital realm than through the digital realm itself? There are countless online courses available to aid your team in mastering the art of the internet and technology in relation to business. For example, Computergaga.com offers world-class Excel online courses, most of which are well-suited to beginners.

Be patient and understanding

Communicate to your employees that you do not expect them to become digital experts immediately. Let them know that it is alright to make mistakes and to let you know when they are struggling. In fact, you should encourage this! Making mistakes means that they are actively exploring what works and what doesn’t, and coming to you when they are having a difficult time means that you can guide them in the right direction and get productivity quickly back on track.

Adopt a culture of ongoing learning

The digital world is continuously evolving, so it is important that your business, your employees, and their skillsets are too. Adopt a culture of ongoing learning and do your best to constantly keep your team in the loop, encouraging them to do their own research and make their own recommendations regarding industry- and technology-related advancements. At the very least, strive to set up regular ‘refresher’ courses or workshops relating to core digital skills and competencies within your business.

Pair employees up with mentors

There are certain to be a few employees who are more tech-savvy than others. Take advantage of this by pairing up the digitally advanced employees with the technology-challenged team members. Employees will always learn better and faster when guided by their peers – plus, it will free up your time as a business owner to focus on other pertinent aspects of your establishment rather focusing solely on digital transformation.

The bottom line? Slow and steady wins the race. Give your employees time to adapt and take action to ensure adequate support throughout the transition phase and beyond. You will have a well-oiled digital-friendly business on your hands before you know it!

There are so many different factors to think about when it comes to ensuring that your business runs smoothly. From your online presence and marketing to managing your staff and your own workload, it can feel a little overwhelming at times. Luckily these days, there are plenty of digital tools out there to help you not only cope with these issues but do them more successfully.

Here are five different types of software that you should check out because they’ll almost certainly make your work life easier.

Website building tools

If there’s one principle we can say for definite is true, it’s that every business needs a website nowadays. With very few exceptions, this is the case regardless of your company’s size or the industry you work in. However, for those with little or no computing experience, the idea of creating one can seem extremely daunting. If that sounds like you, try using a platform such as Wix or WordPress that guides you through the process step by step, enabling even the least tech-savvy people to create something that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. 

Communication tools

If you work with a team, online communication tools are invaluable – especially with many of us working from home these days. Whether it’s video conferencing software or instant messaging, the ability to quickly and easily ask questions, raise issues, and share ideas is a vital part of the workplace. There are a wealth of options out there, so be sure to check out a range of different ones, like a Slack self-hosted alternative, before committing.

Email newsletter tools

One of the best forms of marketing and staying in direct contact with your customer base is through an email newsletter, and these can give a genuinely impressive ROI (return on investment). Again, there are plenty of different tools out there that can assist you with factors such as email templates, automatic responses, analytics, and even images. They vary quite a lot in terms of price, power, and functionality, so there’s sure to be one that suits your company’s needs perfectly.

Collaboration tools

Like communication tools, if you work with others, then collaborating effectively and efficiently is key. From services such as Google Docs and Microsoft 365 that allow team members to work directly on the same documents to project management software such as Trello, there are a wide variety of tools on the market that address specific collaboration needs to make your business more productive.

Organizational tools

Need some help getting organized? Unsurprisingly there’s help for that too. Classics such as Evernote enable you to take notes – including with audio, video, and images – wherever you are, whilst Hootsuite is ideal for managing your social media work, and Asana assists you in looking after your calendar. Whichever aspect of organization you particularly struggle with, you can find a tool specifically aimed at making it easier to manage. Alternatively, you can go for a more general type of software that has many different functions to cover all your bases!

There are a lot of aspects that go into designing a visually appealing website to represent your business’s brand.

Not only do you have to put into consideration SEO fundamentals, but you also need to factor in the color scheme of your company website.

Thus, choosing a suitable theme for your website shouldn’t be done haphazardly and without careful consideration. You need to understand that the color you select for your website helps to communicate with your potential customers on an emotional level.

Sure, your site’s content and testimonials can play a major role in communicating your brand’s message to users, but your color selection helps to accomplish the job of captivating your viewers just as much.

Importance of Choosing the Correct Color Scheme for Your Brand’s Website

Since this article is aimed at providing its readers with information pertaining to choosing an appropriate color scheme to help boost customer lead conversion rates, it is vital to comprehend the importance of choosing an appealing color scheme for your website.

• Generates Brand Recognition.

You need to understand that your website is a visual representation of what your business brand advocates for.

By selecting a color scheme that appropriately matches your brand, it will make your site memorable to site visitors.

Studies have also indicated that website color boosts a brand’s recognition by up to 80%, which can also contribute towards improving your sales margin.

• A Good Color Scheme Can Help Influence How Users Interact With Your Website.

Were you aware of the fact that 90% of visitors’ first impression based on your website is dependent on its color?

A thorough understanding of the psychology of color is key to help build psychological connections with potential customer leads.

In summary, you can seek the expertise of web design agencies such as Bluelinemedia.co.uk to help come up with colors that can help elicit positive emotional reactions from your site visitors.

3 Top Colors to Select for Your Next Web Design Project

1. Warm Colors

This selection of colors is known to illicit an energetic reaction from website visitors, however, when they are solely used on a site.

They become a bit too over-stimulating; thus, it’s always a great idea to pair them up with neutral color schemes in order to achieve a sense of balance. A few examples of warm colors include Pink, Red, Orange, and Yellow.

2. Cool Colors

Cool colors tend to create a calming effect on users of a site, which makes it clear why they are frequently used in numerous web design projects.

Nevertheless, if the cool colors are overused, they can create an impersonal feeling on your website. This may make your brand seem cold and aloof. Some examples include Purple, Blue, and Green.

3. Neutral Colors

Neutral colors are fantastic when mixed together with cool or warm colors in a web design project.

Web designers who use neutral colors strive to bring about a sense of balance in the web design projects that they work on.

A few examples of neutral colors are Brown, Gray, and Black.

Business trends come and go, but when it comes to security you need to pay attention. There will always be security concerns, and a business needs to be aware of the new techniques criminals are using to break into businesses both online and offline. Protecting your business is a full-time job, and that means it’s always valuable to keep aware of the latest business security trends. By knowing more about those trends, you will be better able to identify which ones are most relevant for your brand.

2020 saw major changes for businesses, but security remains of paramount importance. If you want to keep your business safer in 2021, here are the security trends that you need to know about.

A Shift in Security Architecture

It’s no secret that 2020 saw millions of people working from home for the first time. Without the need to go into offices, those remote teams were productive and happier. The problem for security is that cybercriminals suddenly had potential access to the security architecture that you want to keep them away from. That’s because most employees working from home do not have the robust online security tools that they do in the office, making them easier prey for thieves.

In 2021, security architecture will need to focus on the endpoint rather than the traditional ‘walled perimeter’ of the workplace. The result will be a more cloud-based security process and a security system that protects users at that all-important endpoint.

Physical Security

The stereotype of the cybercriminal is that they all sit in a darkened basement scrolling through code to find gaps in a security network. That’s a far cry from reality. Cybercriminals can vary, but they are increasingly likely to prefer having physical access to business property. That’s because they can find weaknesses much more easily, and that means your physical security needs to be as much a priority as your firewalls and passwords.

Even a simple burglary could be too much for a business to handle in 2021, so property security is essential. This year, having Access Control systems is the proven way to keep a business safer, with biometric options being the big new trend in the physical security sector. Don’t dismiss physical security just because we live in the digital age.

Phishing and Ransomware

Most employees have some kind of training about the importance of being able to spot phishing scams, but they remain one of the more popular forms of cyber-attack. As office workers started working from home, those phishing and ransomware attacks became even more popular, often using Covid-related messages to encourage people to click on hostile links. Education is going to be the key here, as employees who remain working at home are going to need to be regularly updated about potential security risks. The use of VPNs and edge-based authorization tools are likely to be one of the big shifts in business security in 2021.

Protecting your business means addressing a wide range of potential issues. As always, the key is awareness. The more that you and your teams understand the methods that criminals use to harm your brand, the easier it will be to ensure that you stay safer. From remote workers to new scams, protect your business and your 2021 will be much more likely to succeed.

The world of e-commerce is ever-changing thanks to the developments in technology. Therefore, business owners need to keep on top of the trends to ensure their online platform is a success. Regardless of whether your business is large or small scale, it’s crucial to keep on top of the key trends and advice to retain longevity in the business world, especially in such a competitive e-commerce market. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at some of the best tips for running an e-commerce store for your small business. Take a look below to find out more.

Have a mobile-friendly interface

Most of your customers are going to be accessing your website from a mobile device. Therefore, if your e-commerce store isn’t mobile-friendly, you have already met your first hurdle. User experience is essential in retaining your customers, and if they struggle to access what they’re looking for, they’re likely to move on and find a website that makes their shopping experience much more streamlined.

Hire an IT solutions company

There are times when your e-commerce store will endure technical difficulties, meaning your website could be inaccessible to customers for a period of time. This is not only inconvenient for uploading content and retrieving data but may also mean you could lose out on a large number of sales. Unless you are experienced in IT, it can be near enough impossible to know how to tackle technical difficulties, which is why you should have an IT solutions company such as Data Cube Systems on-hand to analyze the situation and get your e-commerce store back up and running.

Provide self-service

We live in a day and age where customers strive to find out information by carrying out Google searches. In most cases, they always find what they’re looking for. With this in mind, you should be including vital answers to questions that are likely to be asked within your e-commerce platform, without the customer having to resort to phoning customer service. This not only saves your customers time but also that of your employees. Some top tips you may like to take on board include:

Adding an FAQ page

In the early days of setting up your e-commerce store, you may find that customers are asking the same questions repeatedly. Therefore, it would be worth adding these questions and the relevant answers on an FAQ page. It may also be worth adding a search bar where customers can browse a question and find the answer they’re looking for quickly to prevent having to resort to direct contact with your team. 

Develop a knowledge base document

It would be wise to produce a document of content that may come in useful for the customer to find out key information on the products and services you offer, as well as shipping and returns, etc. This will ensure that all the information they need is in one place rather than having to navigate their way around the site to find separate pieces of information. 

Successful businesses are the ones that run like a well-oiled machine, but efficiency is something that many companies struggle with, especially when there are a lot of moving parts and industrial businesses. Inefficiency could be holding your business back in several different ways in both the short and long-term, so it is important to be aware of the key steps to take in order to increase efficiency. This, in turn, could increase your output, improve morale, and even help the company to make more money, just to name a few perks. Here are the main steps that you should take if you are looking to increase efficiency in your business.

Find Areas That Could Be Improved

The first step to take is to identify areas of the business operation that could be improved – there is no point in changing a process if it is working well. It can be hard to spot these areas, which is why you will find it helpful to use data and to map out each process, and then work through these will relevant staff members to see if there are any big or small changes that could be made.

Automate Tasks

When analyzing each process, you are likely to find that there are a few processes that could be automated either by machine or software. This can make a big difference to the operation’s overall efficiency as it will free up time for your team to focus on other areas while also speeding up processes and reducing errors.

Outsource

A smart way for a business to increase efficiency and output without putting additional strain on the team is to outsource instead of hiring new staff. This allows you to get work completed to a high standard by outside professionals, meaning that you do not have to pay a salary and other employee costs. This will also lighten the load for your team of employees and help them to be more productive in their roles.

Asset Management Software

An area that many companies fall down when it comes to efficiency is asset management, particularly in large industrial companies when they have many assets, people, and projects to manage. Advanced asset management software can simplify this by providing a centralized database of all of your assets, making it is easy to manage and streamline so that a business can work efficiently and get the most out of its assets.

Motivate Your Team

While tech and software are certainly important, you must not overlook the value of motivating your team as this will have a huge impact on efficiency. You need to keep your employees happy, motivated, and engaged so that they are performing to a high standard each day, which might include positive feedback, role variation, career development, and teambuilding events.

These are the key areas to focus on if you are looking to increase efficiency in your business. Combining a few of these could have a powerful impact on the business and help you compete at a much higher level.

Millions of businesses are at a significant threat of cybercrime every single year; however, these threats aren’t always easily detected. Your business holds a great deal of data that is important to the company, customers, and clients. If this were ever to be at risk, you would not only lose your reputation but could also impact your financial security. Dependent on your industry, you may need to integrate heavier security barriers to prevent your business from being attacked by cyber threats. In this guide, we’re going to look at the importance of cybersecurity and why it shouldn’t be ignored.

1. Crime prevention 

First and foremost, paying attention to cybersecurity will prevent your business from being a victim of crime. Without putting the relevant barriers in place, such as strong passwords, firewall software, or anti-virus protection, you’re leaving your devices and data open to hackers. Personal information is regularly uploaded onto computers without thinking about the risk you’re opening yourself and your customers to, which could be sold on or even used to ac cess bank accounts.

2. Protects productivity

When viruses and malware infiltrate your system, it can cause devices to run extremely slowly and potentially even crash altogether. As a result, it can make working on them virtually impossible, which means your employees will be unable to complete tasks and may and hinder productivity throughout the whole company as a result.

3. Stops your website from shutting down

You’ll likely be hosting your own website, and while this can be beneficial to make the necessary changes and adaptations, it can become a real issue if your system becomes contaminated with a virus, which could eventually cause your website to shut down completely. Damage to your website caused by viruses can become long-term and may also cause you to lose out on sales temporarily while it is down. If you have no experience in website maintenance, it would be highly advised to hire a professional company such as Evolvtec to detect and eliminate viruses and maintain your website on your behalf to ensure worst-case scenarios do not occur.

4. Inspires confidence in your customers

Proving that you have thought carefully about cyber-security can truly instill a sense of confidence within your customers to do business with you. If customers have trust in your company, it’s much more likely that they’ll go through with making a purchase. It can be a nerve-racking experience to enter personal details onto a website when making an order but adding a button that proves you have covered all angles with cybersecurity will certainly work in your favor.

5. Reduces potential costs

Did you know that a breach of data could cost your business thousands of dollars? For small companies with very small budgets, this could be detrimental to the future of their business by thrashing the bottom line. Although you may be worried about paying for cybersecurity techniques, this is, in fact, much cheaper than if you were to be the unlucky business that is hacked this year.

As a business owner, your main goal is to appeal to customers to generate sales, which means having an engaging website. These days, people spend much of their time online, and most people will find you through the internet. If the website is the first thing they know of you, then it must be engaging enough to make them stick, and here is how you can do that.

Use the Correct Colors

Color choice is an important part of any website. If you want users to end up at the shopping basket, then you should choose your shades wisely. Try to avoid using too many different colors as this can over-stimulate the user and appear messy, but don’t let it look too blank, either. Think about your brand and the kind of feeling you want to give off. For example, if you want users to feel calm, opt for paler colors like aqua and cream.

Make Navigation Simple

When the goal is to create an online shopping experience, then it helps to keep everything as simple as possible. Make sure the contact page, categories, and shopping basket are all clear, and test out the website yourself to find areas you could improve.

Keep the Website Up to Date

You are never finished with your website. You will need to update it on occasion, and sometimes, you might run into technical difficulties. It is beneficial for you to make sure you have a great internet connection and Local IT Support to help you out if anything goes wrong.

Choose the Right Images

Images will sell your product. If you are selling clothes, for example, then you must take the best photographs you can. Your e-commerce site might sell something like an online course, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use eye-grabbing images. While images may only keep the users’ attention for a moment, they are a large part of whether or not they stick around. Remember – everything on the website represents you as a business.

Keep Text Simple

You don’t want to overload your users with information. While you might want them to know every little detail about the way you work, they simply don’t need it, and most will turn away. Instead, strip down the information into short, engaging paragraphs that people are more likely to read.

Use Videos

Videos are excellent for engaging an audience but don’t go overboard. Incorporating a few videos throughout your website provides users with an alternative way to engage with your content other than reading.

Use Ads Sparingly

Nobody likes to be overcrowded with ads. Using a few for a little extra profit is fine, but don’t use too many, as you will be losing out on potential customers.

Offer Discounts

Customers love discounts. By offering a percentage off the first order, you increase the chance of creating recurring customers. Seeing that discount on the website will help users decide to purchase from you when they were previously unsure.

By engaging more customers on your e-commerce website, your sales will increase, so get your design and tech head-on and focus on your site’s user experience.

Finding funding for your marketing efforts is vitally important to the success of your business. When you shut down your marketing function, or drastically reduce it, it has big consequences for your entire business, so this should be a last resort.

Here are some reasons it’s important to find funding for your marketing.

Increased Revenue Streams

Good marketing should result in an increase in sales. When you reduce your marketing budget, you’re cutting yourself off from reaching your target audience and expanding your customer base, which has a knock-on effect on your revenue.

If you’re making cuts to your marketing budget, then there’s a big chance it will affect revenue, further putting a strain on your finances. Instead, look at other ways of financing your marketing such as a small business loan from biz2credit.com.

If you’re seeing a good ROI on your marketing, then it will outweigh the interest you pay on your loan.

Maintain Relevance

If you’re working in a competitive industry, then it can be a challenge to maintain relevancy. Your competitors aren’t going to lower their advertising budget just because you are, so they’re going to be getting their brand in front of people while you are not, and this is a big advantage.

Marketing keeps you relevant, and keeps you engaged with your audience. It might not just be new customers you lose out on by reducing your marketing budget; it might be your existing customers with whom it’s more difficult to maintain a relationship.

There Are Always Ways to Streamline Your Marketing

If you can find some funding for your marketing then there are always ways of getting the most bang for your buck. Modern marketing offers business so many different ways of reaching their target audience, and these can be surprisingly good value.

With platforms such as Facebook, you can be extremely specific with your advertising, meaning you’re only spending your budget on the people who are most likely to buy your products. There are lots of ways to get bang for your buck, so it’s important to find what you can for your marketing budget.

It Helps You Make Informed Decisions

Your marketing should give you great insights into your customers.

At the end of the day, your customers are one of the central pillars of your business success, so the better you understand them, the better your business is likely to perform. Marketing helps you to do this, and so is hugely beneficial to your operations.

When you cut back on your marketing, you’re cutting back on your interactions with your customers, so it becomes more difficult to make informed decisions. Your understanding of your customers helps drive your decision making, and you need marketing to do this.

Your Rivals Will Take Advantage

Drastically reducing your marketing efforts will give your competitors opportunities. It’s a competitive world out there, and marketing is one of your key tools to stand out from the crowd.

When you stop investing in this, then your competitors are going to be the ones standing out.