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Oh, the internet. A place you can kill time by watching an endless number of funny cat videos all day, buy virtually anything you want with just a click, or even learn how to create a website for free to call your own. It’s completely transformed our lives and has allowed us to create new, digital ones. When it comes to getting information and answers to questions, though it can be a bit of a gray area. What do you do? Simply ask Google and hope there’s a direct answer? Sift through search results? Scour similar questions on social networks to find an answer? And when you find one, how do you know it’s the correct one? If you find yourself in this predicament, which is a fairly common one, you should consider looking into a massive resource that can often-times get overlooked: Quora. Quora is an interesting site that feels part search engine and part social network, but its purpose is to both give you answers and allow you to answer questions for others in subjects you’re knowledgeable about. There’s quite a bit more to it than that, which is why we’re going to show you what exactly Quora is and how to use it right. What is Quora? In a few words, Quora is a questions and answers website. It was founded in 2009 by two ex-Facebook employees, and was actually almost called Quiver instead. Nonetheless, this Q&A website has seen tremendous growth since its inception, where it’s been quite aptly described as, "a more organized Yahoo Answers, a classier Reddit, [and] an opinionated Wikipedia” according to Vox’s Recode journalist, Theodore Schleier. In 2018, it was announced that Quora had achieved over 300 million active monthly users, showing that the site indeed has legs to run on. Is Quora a reliable source? The primary function of Quora works quite simply: You can search questions to get answers or provide answers to questions on the site. That said, the biggest concern about this type of crowd-sourced information is whether the information given is actually factual, or at least, completely correct. Luckily, many of these woes are eased due to the fact that industry experts often use Quora to provide answers. We’ll dive into that a bit further down. How to get started with Quora Now we’re going to show you the steps to setting yourself up for success with Quora: Sign up Fill out your profile Get to know your Quora feed Learn your question and answer post options Have fun with Quora Spaces Explore AI chatbot Poe Ask questions, post answers and thank Quora contributors 01. Sign up The first part is the easiest part: Signing up. How you decide to do that is up to you, but you’re given the choice of signing up with your Google account, your Facebook account, or foregoing them both in favor of a simple email sign up. Once you sign up, you’ll be presented with a screen that asks you to choose 10 topics that you’re interested in. The topics you choose will be used to generate your feed, which we’ll touch on below. The next step will ask you if you’d like to join Spaces groups, which again, we’ll cover later on. After that, you’ll be presented with your feed, which is where the real fun of Quora begins. But first, you have a little digital housekeeping to do. 02. Fill out your profile As with anything even moderately social on the internet, filling out your profile is a must. For Quora, since being a credible source for answers is very important, filling out your profile to the best of your ability is more crucial than compared to some other social networks online. The profile section of Quora provides you with an assortment of different sections to fill out. It starts with your profile photo and profile credential, the latter of which can be viewed as your primary industry or sector you have an expertise in or your job title. This will be shown prominently when anyone views your profile. Below this is a section you can add a brief description about yourself, as you’d expect in any profile. Furthermore, you can add links to your website and other social media channels in your bio section. Pro tip: You can use a link in bio tool such as Hopp by Wix to direct users towards specific online assets and simplify content sharing on your profile. On the right-hand side of the profile page, you’ll find two additional sections: one for adding information your employment, school, and location credentials, and another for adding topics that you know about. The latter section will allow you to search topics and it will display all of the topics with the keyword you searched to add to your profile. 03. Get to know your Quora feed Even if you end up spending a majority of your time elsewhere on Quora, the feed is one of the best places to find questions about topics you care about. In the beginning, your feed will only consist of topics that you previously selected when you first signed up, but you can, of course, add more. You can simply search for a topic in the search box at the top of Quora at any time, select it to open its page and click “follow.” It’s that simple. From then on, new and relevant questions from that topic will be added to your feed. The same goes for unfollowing a topic: just go to the page of the topic you’re following and click on the blue marked “follow” button. It will then turn white to indicate that it’s a page you’re not following anymore. It’s more than just your followed topics Your feed has a lot more to offer than just the topics you follow. It’s also a great place to discover other people on Quora, as well as Spaces to follow. In addition to these, you’ll also see suggested questions for you to answer, in which you can easily answer, pass, or follow each of them. You’ll be presented with questions that have already been answered, and you can then up vote, share, and comment on them. Furthermore, you can see a list of the topics you’ve followed on the left for quick access. Last but not least, at the very top of your feed you’ll find a super quick way to ask a question or share a link with others. Set Up Your Account If you’re brand new to Quora, the feed will also have an additional section on the right. It’s simply a list of tips to help you get the hang of using Quora. This section is called “Set Up Your Account” and has a small list of items that will be crossed out once achieved. The list entails the following: Visit your feed Follow 5 more spaces Follow 6 more topics Upvote 5 more good answers Ask your first question Add 3 credentials Answer a question If available, each “achievement” on the list will be linked so that you can begin to take action right then and there. 04. Learn your question and answer post options Getting answers to questions is basically the whole point of Quora, so it’s smart to get to know all of your options for the questions posed. First and foremost (and most obvious), you can answer a question. But, there’s a whole lot more you can do as well. In addition to answering the question, you can follow the individual question, despite what topic it resides in. You can also click the “request” option, which will allow you to search for someone with knowledge on the topic and request the selected person to answer the question. While the above options are the most prominent ways to interact with a question, you’re not limited to them. Here are some more options: Leave a comment Share on social networks or copy the link Answer later Follow the question privately Get notified about edits to the question Edit the question and source Edit topics Merge questions View stats and log them Report As you can see, there’s a lot you can do with questions. Of course, you likely won’t be using the bulleted options above for every question you come across unless you’re a Quora super user, but it’s good to know that there’s certainly more to do here than simply answering a question. Answers Unsurprisingly, answers are displayed directly below questions on Quora. Just like questions, answers have their own set of options, though a bit more on the simple side. Your job as a user is to find the most appropriate answer for a given question (if it’s not coming from you, that is) and upvoting it. Enough upvotes will change the placement of the answer, and the one with the most upvotes will be placed directly below the question and considered the best answer. For answers, the primary functions are to upvote, share (on Quora), comment, downvote, and share on social networks. Additional options are: Bookmark Promote Suggest edits Thank Log Report 05. Have fun with Quora Spaces On November 7th, 2018, Quora announced a new feature for the platform called Spaces. Quora referred to Spaces as, “collections and communities created around shared interests and tastes.” The introduction of the feature brings more of a community and social media vibe to the platform which makes it an excellent addition to your social media marketing efforts. Spaces are a bit like Reddit’s subreddit feature in that they offer a dedicated community space for a particular subject. Quora users can follow specific spaces to discover new questions and answers pertaining to the topic. Spaces can be particularly satisfying, as you’re a part of a community that’s also interested in the same topic and may ask questions you never thought about. Users that are following a Space can post relevant links to share with other followers, so it can be a source of news on the topic as well. The Spaces announcement post shared that spaces can be used in a variety of different ways, such as: A group of people can work together to curate the most interesting answers and links about a particular area of interest, such as Farm-to-Plate or SaaS Daily. An individual can use spaces to organize their own writing into different sections, as Robert Frost is doing with his collection of his Space Exploration answers, Mac Tan with his posts on the US Midterm Election, and Salon with their Culture and Politics articles. A community of people can create a space to have shared conversations with each other, like Science Lounge or Defense Quorum. 06. Explore AI chatbot Poe In February 2023, Quora opened up public access to AI chatbot Poe, which is built on top of several generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude. To use it, you open the app and select a bot to chat with. When you ask it questions, it generates responses based on its knowledge and understanding of the world. With around a million monthly active users on mobile apps, people use it to brainstorm ideas, get help with research or just to have a conversation. Poe introduced a number of new features in July 2023, including a larger context window for better responses, support for URL retrieval/document upload and the ability to continue other users' public conversations. 07. Ask questions, post answers and thank Quora contributors Much like a Reese’s, there’s no wrong way to use Quora, but there are ways to underutilize it. If you simply use it to search for the answers to questions people have already asked, it’s hard to see the harm in that. Still, asking questions is what makes Quora what it is, so do yourself and others a favorite and get to asking those hard-hitting questions. Quora also didn’t become what it is today by being a platform full of unanswered questions. Finding answers to questions is likely how many people unaware of what Quora even was found it. If you’re looking to take advantage of the site’s capabilities, you’re going to need to give back a little and answer questions. Plus, sharing your expertise on a subject you're knowledgeable and passionate about should boost your mood. Not to mention, the more questions you answer, the more you can build a reputation for being the expert that you are. A parting tip for using Quora is the be thankful to the users that provide informative, well-written answers. If you see an answer that’s factual and offers an insight that the current top answer lacks, be sure to upvote it and thank the user. What is Quora FAQ What is Quora mainly used for? Quora is mainly used as a question-and-answer website. Users can ask questions on a wide range of topics, and other users can answer them. The answers are then voted on by the community, with the most helpful and informative answers rising to the top. Quora is also used as a platform for sharing knowledge and learning. Users can find answers to their questions, learn about new topics and connect with experts in their field. Is Quora a trusted site? Quora is generally considered to be a trusted site. The content is generated by the community, so there is a lot of diversity and variety. However, it's important to be aware that not all of the information on Quora is accurate. It's always a good idea to verify information before using it. What's the difference between Quora vs. Reddit? Quora and Reddit are both question-and-answer websites, but they have some key differences. Quora is more focused on providing high-quality, informative answers, while Reddit is more focused on discussion and debate. Quora also has a more professional tone, while Reddit is more casual.

Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website → The rumors are true! We recently launched Wix Artificial Design Intelligence, a revolutionary new website builder experience that pairs the magic of AI with the beautiful design capabilities that Wix has become synonymous with, to create the perfect website for your business. Just by answering a few short questions, the Wix AI website generator supplies you with a ready-made website complete with unique text, stunning images and robust online elements that are tailor-made for your business’s needs. Launched in 2016, Wix ADI has already been put to the test again and again, building beautiful and unique websites from scratch for our users in less time than it takes to finish a cup of coffee. With no other web platform matching this technology feat, it’s no wonder that so many people are excited to try Wix ADI as they plan how to make a website. Below are 5 examples of websites that were made with the magic of Wix Artifical Design Intelligence and its web development prowess. Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website. 5 best websites build with AI The Scratching Post Hotel Adam's Construction Group Chingon Sunglasses store The HK Trading Group Prep n’ Ship UK – Shipping Services 01. The Scratching Post Hotel The Scratching Post Hotel was built with a playful long scroll and captures our hearts with the most adorable kittens. Not only is it easy to navigate, the addition of the Wix Bookings app makes it incredibly simple for clients to make reservations directly on this website. 02. Adam’s Construction Group Much like building a house, Wix ADI curates content to create unique designs from the ground up. This construction site features awesome full-width strips and a service gallery that are perfectly aggregated to fit the nature of their business. As always, you can change anything to your own custom specification. Whether it’s images, patterns, colors, fonts, buttons or adding your own video, you can do it all with ease and get a seriously stunning result. 03. Chingon Sunglasses Store We know you have amazing products to sell, that’s why we designed Wix ADI to build a beautiful online store to fit your killer style. This sunglasses business uses a fresh design that combines high-resolution images with a simple yet sleek layout with smooth effects. Their stunning mobile eCommerce website reaches a whole audience of shoppers on-the-go. 04. The HK Trading Group HK Trading group showcases their work with impressive full-width parallax scrolling and bold slides that are ready to be customized with a large roster of striking elements. For a company bolstering professionalism, you deserve a website to match. 05. Prep n’ Ship UK – Shipping Services As a shipping company, maintaining thorough communication with customers is paramount for this business. Wix ADI understands your business’s needs and tailors a website specifically for you with simple contact forms so visitors can reach you directly. With Wix email marketing tool you can also send and share beautiful emails, newsletters, and updates directly from your Wix account.

Conversion-rate-optimization (CRO) literature is full of outdated practices and myths. To help clients focus on customer growth, they need updated information on what CRO can accomplish. Here are four effective CRO techniques that you can execute to maximize the potential of your website's conversions as part of your wider marketing strategies. Tip: How to create a landing page that converts How to win at conversion rate optimization Adopt multiple testing methods to gain more insights Maintain your best performing pages Test beyond the standard two-week cycle Test your CRO and be open to experimentation 01. Adopt multiple testing methods to gain more insights A/B testing provides immediate comparison and results, which is useful for specific verticals like email and social media. But for your website, there are additional methods for gaining insight into customers’ behaviors throughout the customer journey. When you dive deeper into your Google Analytics or create a heat map for a landing page, you gain a better understanding of what draws them to the website or what catches their attention. Here are a few methods to enhance your A/B testing: Multivariate testing: Unlike A/B testing, multivariate testing takes many theories your clients have and tests all of them at once. Think about changing a CTA button’s color, placement, and message: Have two color variations, two placements, and three phrases, and you end up with 12 versions to test. This type of testing offers even quicker results on how each combination performs and impacts conversions. Usability testing: When you set up a new funnel or task, conduct user tests to see how they navigate the website to get to your calls to action. Have first-time visitors gauge what the user experience is like since seasoned customers know how to work through the website to get to their goal. Make sure that you record each test, and note any challenges or roadblocks they encounter. Surveys: Research allows you to craft user personas for your clients, which are particularly helpful if they haven’t updated theirs in a few years or have lost sight of opportunities to capture another part of the market. Get direct feedback from their customers by creating a pop-up or email survey to gather information (bonus if there is an incentive to convince users to provide their feedback). A/B testing is great for observable differences, but it requires additional research that will allow you to have more options to work with for future testing. 02. Maintain your best performing pages Everyone hesitates to touch a page that performs. But that’s no reason to leave pages as they are. Showing how you continuously improve CRO with updates is crucial to growing any business. Google updates their core algorithm at least every year, if not several times in a year. Leading from this example, we should be informing clients to update top-performing pages at least once a year to keep customer conversion high on those pages. These updates shouldn’t focus just on SEO optimization, but should consider how the page leads both potential and new customers through your client’s funnel. Here are a couple of ways you can optimize CRO on top performing pages: Design, design, design Aside from copy changes, consider a design refresh that allows you to change elements of your CTAs. Marketing SaaS company DashThis was successful at getting people to sign up for a free trial of the company’s software but noticed that many users abandoned the trial. Users complained that they were not able to quickly connect their marketing data. Using Hotjar, DashThis’s UX team modified the location and sizes of the buttons and added a search bar to help users quickly figure out a solution. These CRO changes resulted in increasing DashThis’s onboarding process by 50%. Dangling the carrot You can also implement CRO efforts that provide incentives as an extra push to convert, for example, integrating a pop-up for first-time visitors to receive a discount in exchange for their email address. Another CRO push: testing the placement of any special offers alongside CTAs, such as listing details about the special offer next to the “Buy” button. Multimedia content creation company Avid did when they A/B tested details about their bonus offer via a banner versus bullet points on their Media Composer software product page. They realized the banner outperformed the bullet points by 34%, which led them to test another promotional sticky banner on their homepage, blog, and shopping site that saw a 15% conversion rate on the site. 03. Test beyond the standard two-week cycle Digital experimentation expert Chad Sanderson notes that large companies like Google and Facebook set the standard CRO test time of two weeks based on customer behavior. Instead, you need to test for a full customer cycle to get the most information from your strategy and to achieve any kind of statistical significance. According to Sanderson, large companies with a daily base of millions of users can work within a two-week test window because customers’ website and search habits are consistent week to week. This cyclical behavior is a big indicator for clients to understand their full customer cycle. Customer cycles vary per industry, so whether it’s less than two weeks or more than two months, knowing the customer cycle allows you to conduct experiments based on data versus what bigger companies are capable of doing with more daily traffic. Remember to note any testing that may occur during the holidays or annual sales, because that impacts the typical customer cycle: customers convert quickly to take advantage of special offers — but they may not return until the next incentive. 04. Test your CRO and be open to experimentation When you limit your views on what CRO looks like and how to conduct it, your clients miss opportunities to gather information that will make their businesses grow. The trick? Test your CRO methods and be open to experiment to get the most from your website, and win more business in the long run. Tip: Improve your website's conversion rate

As the owner of a fitness business, it might just be the best time to step up your game for the New Year. You have all the power to create a fitness website and push your fitness business forward by motivating your loyal members and inspiring new clients. To get started, use this business and marketing checklist below to ride the momentum of 2020 fitness goals. Follow the tips here or download the PDF version to print and check off. December 2-8: Shape up Your Fitness Site & App Update Your Class Schedule: Add new classes and descriptions. Refresh your schedule for the year ahead. Accept Payments: Choose a payment provider for online and offline payments. Manage all transactions from your Wix dashboard. Set up Paid Plans: Let clients purchase a class package or membership with Paid Plans. Turn on Waitlists: Offer waitlists to fill every class. Clients will get notified right when a spot opens up. Add Workshops: Empower clients to strengthen their workouts. Run workshops that focus on specific skills or meditation. Sell Your Workout Videos: Upload instructional videos to your site. Stream, rent or offer video subscriptions to clients. Sell Your Own Gear: Add an online store with fitness products. To promote your business, create and sell branded apparel. Invite Clients to Your Custom Mobile App: Let clients book and pay for classes, chat with community members, and get updates with Spaces by Wix. All you need to do is send them an invite to download the app and become members of your unique mobile space. December 9-16: Manage Your Workflow Add Your Hours: Choose default work hours or list separate hours for each staff member. Sync Your Calendars: Connect your schedule with your staff’s Google calendars and keep everyone updated. Set Roles and Permissions: Give your staff roles on your site so they can help manage your business. Manage Your Business on Mobile: Use the Wix Mobile App to track session attendance, chat with clients and review member profiles. Add a Call Button: Make it simple for clients to call you from your site. Display clickable text, like your business phone number or “Call Now.” Create Automated Emails: Check in with new clients and members you haven’t seen in a while. Remind members before their plans expire. Forward Facebook Messages: Interact with your clients in one central place by connecting your Wix Inbox to your Facebook page. Get Insights about Your Visitors: Add marketing tools, like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel, to learn more about your site visitors. Track Your Success: Keep an eye on analytics for your site traffic, client attendance and finances. December 17-24: Prep Your Marketing Plan Get Found on Google: Use a step-by-step SEO plan to drive traffic to your fitness site. Create Promo Videos: Showcase your business with instant promo videos. Share them on your site and social channels. Grow Your Mailing List: To collect email addresses from your site visitors, add a subscription form. Follow up with offers and promos. Add Wix Chat: Use live chat to help clients choose the right class. Send them direct links to the classes you recommend. Get in the Holiday Spirit: Design your site for the holidays and feature holiday workout playlists. January 1-10: Connect with Your Clients Offer a Coupon: Create a deal to bring in first-time clients and reward loyal members. Send Marketing Emails: Promote your fitness sessions and give expert health tips for the new year. Post on Social: Schedule posts linking to your fitness site. Include motivational quotes, videos and testimonials. Motivate Your Members: Check in with clients through chat or email. Help them stick to their fitness goals in January and beyond. Create a Community: Encourage members to connect with each other using the Wix Mobile App with forum, chat and more. Looking to grow your nutrition practice online? Check out how to create a nutritionist website for a complete guide to building the perfect site.

International eCommerce, selling your products globally, is a rewarding challenge that can heavily impact your sales — in a positive way. In fact, Wix eCommerce website examples that successfully sell cross-border average 680% more in sales, but only the top 10% ship to two countries or more. While there are huge advantages to selling internationally, it’s a good idea to prepare before jumping in, which is what this guide is for. Get inspired by eCommerce website design ideas. What is international eCommerce? International eCommerce is the buying and selling of goods and services across national borders online. As a type of ecommerce it involves online transactions between businesses, consumers and even governments from different countries. A global marketplace allows companies to reach customers worldwide, expanding their potential market significantly. Examples include: Amazon's global ecommerce platform, serving customers in numerous countries Alibaba, connecting Chinese suppliers with international buyers ASOS, a UK-based fashion retailer shipping worldwide Etsy, enabling artisans to sell handmade goods globally eBay's global marketplace for new and used items Booking.com, facilitating international travel accommodations Why is international eCommerce significant? International eCommerce has become a central part of the global economy, offering unprecedented opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. It allows companies of all sizes to access markets worldwide, dramatically expanding their customer base and revenue potential. This not only increases economic growth but also drives innovation as businesses compete on a global stage. For consumers, international eCommerce opens up a world of choices, providing access to unique products and services from diverse cultures and regions. It can mean price competition and often leads to better deals for shoppers. Moreover, the convenience of 24/7 shopping across time zones has revolutionized consumer behavior. As the technology needed to sell online continues to advance (and as ecommerce platforms become more accessible), international eCommerce is poised to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of starting an ecommerce business and selling online. How to get started with international commerce: 10 steps Conduct market research Choose an international market to sell in Learn the rules and regulations for where you're selling from and to Marketplaces vs. online stores Localize your store Display prices in local currencies Connect a payment provider Handle your fulfillment and shipping Mind your marketing Keep your customers happy 01. Conduct market research Every successful selling strategy starts with good research. And with international ecommerce it's no different. Make sure you understand the overall demand for your products in your country, as well as globally. Then look into the following: Trendlines Competition Customer acquisition costs and customer lifetime value Gaps you’ll need to bridge Price ranges and possible profitability 02. Choose an international market Find the best place to start. Selling internationally is tough and you’ll likely need to build your skills and tools as you grow. So don’t just jump into selling to all countries - pick a specific market to target. Then, let your research guide you. Choose the right international market or cluster where your market research shows the demand for your products is sufficient. Make sure you plan accordingly, by budgeting and creating measurable goals. 03. Learn the rules and regulations Before you jump into a new locality, make sure you’re up to date on any laws or restrictions regarding selling or shipping your items in that location. The most important thing to make sure is that your products are neither on the restricted items list, nor the prohibited items list. Remember that even parts of your products can be marked as prohibited or be deemed too dangerous to ship. Having dangerous components does not mean malintent – some restricted items are as innocent as batteries. And while it isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, it may mean your products cannot travel by air, which will prolong delivery times or result in a high handling fee. Learn more: What is eCommerce localization? 04. Marketplaces Vs. online stores You’ll have to decide whether you want to sell in an existing marketplace that knows how to do international commerce, or whether to build it up from the ground yourself. Sell internationally using marketplaces The good: Order fulfillment is handled by a very well oiled machine Local sales tax and regulations are handled by the marketplace The bad: Higher platform costs means you can expect lower profit margins Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay receive a much higher number of returns & refunds What you need to do: Integrate your store with Amazon, eBay, or others. This is extremely simple on Wix, and should take you a few minutes, but can be done on all platforms one way or another. You may need to further customize your account: For example, to sell internationally on eBay you may need to add Paypal, and reach certain thresholds on both sales and reviews. Sell internationally from your own store The good: Control everything about your brand and your business The bad: The international fulfilment process can be complex You’ll need to take care of sales tax rules. We strongly recommend avoiding any manual work around taxes choosing the automatic and simple way by integrating your store with sales tax automation tools like Avalara. 05. Localize your store Build trust with potential shoppers by helping them easily understand all the information on your store. The first step to localizing your eCommerce website is to add more languages. Hire a native speaker to go over all of your pages to make sure your content is culturally sensitive, grammatically correct and in line with your brand. This means all texts and images are appropriate and present your business in the right light. Take your time with this step as you handle all other aspects of this process. Not only is this important for building your brand identity in a new location, it will also help you reduce returns and refunds due to things getting lost in translation. These kinds of mistakes can be costly when it comes to international shipping. 06. Display prices in local currencies People want to shop in their own currency. Add a currency converter to your eCommerce website to automatically swap currencies depending on the shopper’s location and language. Make sure your converter updates on its own so when you run sales or modify your pricing, you won’t have a lot of manual labor waiting for you. 07. Connect a payment provider When it comes to choosing a payment provider, there are few things you should take into account. Ask yourself the following in order to choose a viable payment provider: How do people actually prefer to pay in your target market? Do they use credit cards or Paypal? Are they used to paying in cash, or a two-step payment provider like in Brazil and Japan? Do they respond well to buy-now-pay-later options? Take the time to learn about the best payment providers for your eCommerce business before choosing how to accept online payments. 08. Handle your fulfillment and shipping A huge part of successfully selling products internationally is being able to deliver your products as fast as the local market expects – and preferably faster. Here are some tips to make sure that happens: Check customs and international shipping regulations — The penalties of not knowing the rules are delays and costly fines. Look into costs for shipping internationally — Taxes, fees, duties and tariffs vary depending on where you’re shipping from and where you’re shipping to. Pack your products safely — Choose the right size package for your product’s shape and weight, avoid empty space after all, you’re paying for this, seal your boxes securely as nobody likes receiving an open package, attach clear labels, otherwise it won’t get shipped. If you’re selling high-end products, consider paying for shipping insurance. Peace of mind is worth a lot. Find the right shipping provider — Connect a shipping vendor who ships internationally. Try to work with a single vendor that covers all of your target markets. This is critical when you’re selling to numerous countries. Offer different services to cater to more types of customers — Choose a carrier or a shipping app based on credentials in the countries you're shopping to, how frequently you send there, price and speed. Consider third-party fulfilment — Third party fulfilment companies can do much of the heavy lifting when shipping internationally. While this will eat into your profit margins, it might be worth it in terms of effort and fulfilment quality. 09. Mind your marketing It’s important to be mindful of your marketing strategy in order to best target your new customers. Keep in mind that your products may appeal to different sorts of shoppers with different marketing attributes, depending on the location. For example, a mid-market watch in Mexico may be perceived as an affordable one in Canada. This means you’ll have to put in the time to understand who you’re targeting and adjust your marketing plans accordingly. This should include everything, like your ads budget, the influencers you choose, the best affiliates to connect with, and the range of discounts you’re willing to give. 10. Keep your customers happy Selling internationally may bring with it a whole new set of customer complaints, especially with regards to sizes, shipping times, and – of course – refunds and returns. Do whatever you can to respond to your new customers quickly, respectfully and professionally. A happy customer will keep coming back and tell their friends to come buy too. Ready to start selling? Create your free online store today.

If you're a social media influencer, blogger or content creator, your link in bio might be more valuable than you think. It’s often underappreciated, but it can actually help you earn through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales and more. In this article, we’ll explore how you can increase your income using the tools on Hopp by Wix. We’ll share some tips for improving your discoverability and making the most of your social media presence. Make sure you're set up for success with a strong business website. Try Wix's website builder. How to make money with Hopp Monetize your Link in Bio page with Actions Link to an Instant Page from your Instagram Story or Highlight Add Pre-rolls to your link in bio Promote your monetization efforts 01. Monetize your Link in Bio page with Actions Actions are the key elements of your Link in Bio page. They appear as buttons or widgets on your page and can be used to engage with your audience and encourage them to take specific steps. For example, actions can be used to link to products you're promoting, videos, a contact form, an event you want people to sign up for and more. Add as many or as few Actions as needed, focusing on those that best support your business goals. Tip jar The tip jar is a feature you can use to collect donations from your audience. You can either set a specific tip amount or let your fans choose how much they want to give. Paid request A paid request enables your audience to prepay for services, such as a personal consultation, early access to content like ebooks or any other offer you'd like to provide for a fee. Paid DM As a busy content creator, your time is valuable. Offering a Paid DM helps you prioritize serious inquiries and ensures you're compensated for your time, while giving your fans exclusive access to your personal insights. Coupon Code List Include a special list of coupon codes that highlight your brand collaborations. Followers can find all the codes they're looking for in one place and easily purchase the items you promote on your page. These codes can also help you track the success of your partnership with a brand. Product, service or event promotions Create a dedicated Action to promote any product, service or event—or to list a series of them. Include detailed information, marketing visuals and call-to-action (CTA) buttons. Link list Compile a list of your affiliate links for recommended products in one, easy-to-find Action module. Pricing plans If you’re promoting a service or paid consultation, you can add a module that displays your pricing plans and includes a direct link to your bookings page for easy conversions. Index Links Hopp features a built-in search engine that allows you to index all of your links, so your followers can easily find your products, coupons, services and any other link you add to it. Any new link you add to your page via Actions is automatically indexed so that fans can search and discover all items on your page, even if they miss one while scrolling. Discover the best link in bio tools. 02. Link to an Instant Page from your Instagram Story or Highlight Elevate your Instagram marketing with Hopp Instant Pages—which are quick and customizable landing pages you can set up in just a few minutes. Whether you're showcasing a new product or promoting an event, these pages let you add multiple actions to keep your audience engaged. Instant Pages can be used for: Promoting a discount code: Visitors can copy the code directly from your Instant Page and be redirected to the destination page, where they can redeem their coupon. Advertising an upcoming event: Design a stunning, branded Instant Page to facilitate bookings or RSVPs. Invite visitors to your promotional events and increase attendance with a professional and engaging presentation. Create a beautifully branded Instant page to offer booking services or event RSVPs, inviting visitors to your promotional events and increasing attendance. Filling seats for a workshop: Create a dedicated Instant Page to advertise an invitation form/RSVP for any upcoming workshops that you’re hosting. Promoting your own merch/products: Showcase your merchandise or products with a shoppable Instant Page, and include copy-able coupon codes for added value. Collecting donations/fundraising: Supporting a cause? Create an Instant Page to tell the story behind your cause and add a ‘Tip Jar’ Action to simplify fundraising and encourage contributions. Note: Instant pages are available with a Hopp Pro plan, but you can try one out for free. 03. Add Pre-rolls to your link in bio Your link in bio is a hub for traffic from your social media profile. Get even more out of it by turning your bio link into a Hopp Short Link and adding a Pre-roll to it. Pre-rolls allow you to place branded content, like a YouTube pre-video ad, onto any link you share with followers, doubling the value of shared links. Set up a Pre-roll for your link in bio by following these steps: Create a new Pre-roll: Design a Pre-roll that highlights the most important content, event or product you’re promoting right now. For example, it could be a short video about a special live session that you’d like to invite followers to, complete with an RSVP form. Shorten your link in bio URL: In order to “attach” a Pre-roll to your link-in-bio URL, you must convert it into a Hopp Short Link. Use Hopp Short Links to create a compressed version of your link-in-bio URL. Connect the Pre-roll: Link the Pre-roll to the shortened link-in-bio URL. Update your social media accounts: Add the shortened link to the bio area of your social media profiles. This ensures that anyone who clicks it will first see your Pre-roll promotion before being redirected to your main Link in Bio page. 04. Promote your monetization efforts Get more people engaging with your Link in Bio and Instant Page (available with a Hopp Pro account) using Hopp’s advanced Action editor tools. Make specific buttons or instructions pop with these enhancements. For example: Use the 'Link Preview' Action to entice visitors more immediately. Instead of sending users directly to the destination site, first show visuals and details about the page to pique their interest. Display the Action as a Card or a banner to make it more eye-catching and draw attention to your most important links. Add a Ribbon to create a sense of urgency with messaging like “Sale,” “Deal ends at midnight,” “One spot left!” or “50% off.” Add coupons to the products you promote, so visitors can copy the code to their clipboard before reaching the product page. This makes it simple for them to apply the coupon code at checkout. Add emojis to the title of any Action to infuse personality into the page and create a stronger connection with your audience. Add a thumbnail image to the Action button to capture more attention with a visual cue. Add a meaningful description to the Action to highlight its key points. Your description will appear in smaller, regular text below your button. Choose a Premium List Layout to display links with gallery-style navigation (available with a Hopp Pro account). Read more about social media marketing or different types of marketing and marketing strategies worth exploring.

Before we get into how to go about starting a cell phone business, it's really important, as a budding entrepreneur starting a business, to make sure you're on top of the current market conditions and trends. These will influence the niche you choose and how much risk you take with funding and getting your cellphone business off the ground. Starting a cellphone business - understanding market conditions and trends The cell phone industry is, at its core, dynamic, with new technologies emerging rapidly all the time. Staying abreast of the latest developments, such as 5G networks and foldable screens, is crucial as a business owner with this type of a business, as they have a direct influence on consumer demand. Understanding these trends can help you predict which devices will be popular among your target audience. How to start a cellphone business in 8 steps Identify your niche and target audience Choose the right business model and structure Source funding for your business Register and license your cellphone business Research and buy your inventory Set up testing and quality standard guidelines for your inventory Market your cellphone business Implement stellar customer service 01. Identify your niche and target audience Not all cell phone businesses cater to the same market segment and nor should they. Some focus on budget-friendly devices, while others specialize in high-end smartphones or even repair services. To identify your business niche you'll need to carefully consider what types of phones are in demand in your region — for example, if you're in an area with a lot of college students they probably want the latest modes but may also be constrained by a limited budget; if you're selling physically in an area with an older population, they might want reliable, easy to use models over the latest ones. If you're looking to serve a large area, so a variety of choice might be necessary A good place to start with your research is with your own experience of the cellphone market, followed by taking a look at what competitors in your area are doing — is it something you think you can emulate and make a success of, or is it something you can improve or, or do something completely different. When choosing your cellphone niche think very carefully about profitability, which can be significant if managed correctly. When considering what phones to sell, you might want to also offer repair services as this can attract customers looking for cost-effective solutions over buying new phones. Provide great service and when they're in need of a new phone, chances are there'll return to you for that as well. You can also sell accessories ranging from cases and chargers to screen protectors as a source of additional revenue streams. 02. Choose the right business model and structure To start a new phone business, you need a solid business model that outlines your company's value proposition, revenue streams and operational structure. This will include: Do your research: Conduct thorough market research to understand customer needs and identify potential competitors. Create your business plan: Put together a comprehensive business plan that includes your business goals, strategies, and financial projections. Secure business funding: Determine how you will finance your startup costs. This could be through savings, loans or investors. A successful mobile phone company is built on several foundational elements: A clear Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What sets your business apart from others? It could be exceptional customer service, exclusive products, or competitive pricing. Quality inventory: Ensure that you stock phones that meet the quality expectations of your target market. Efficient operations: Streamline operations to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Selecting the right business structure is also crucial as it affects your liability, taxation and ability to raise capital. Consider these common entities for businesses in the US: Sole proprietorship: Simplest form of business but offers no personal liability protection. Partnership: Suitable for businesses with multiple owners; however, partners share liability. Limited Liability Company (LLC): Provides liability protection while allowing flexible management structures. Learn more about how to start an LLC. Corporation (C or S corp): More complex than the others above but offers significant liability protection and options for raising capital through stock. 03. Source funding for your business Before seeking funding for your cellphone business you'll first need to consider how much investment you need — this can vary widely depending on the scale of your business. Some of the main factors that can influence how much funding you'll need to start your business include your initial stock, this is likely to to one of your largest expenses. Next factor in the cost of securely storing your inventory, whether it's in a physical store or a warehouse. Remember not to neglect investing in insurance to protect your inventory from theft, damage or loss. By carefully planning and managing your inventory, you can ensure that you have the right products on hand to meet customer demand without tying up too much capital in stock. Financial management is a cornerstone of any successful business. Understanding your startup costs, ongoing expenses and how to maintain a profitable business model is essential for the longevity of your cell phone business. On top of your startup costs you'll also need to include in your budgeting your ongoing expenses needed to run your business — rent for your store or storage space, utilities, employee salaries, website maintenance and insurance are examples of recurring costs that you'll need to manage. When it comes to running a profitable cellphone business you'll need to: Monitor your cash flow: Keep a close eye on the money coming in and going out of your business to avoid cash flow problems. Prioritize cost-effective operations: Look for ways to reduce costs without compromising on quality. This could involve negotiating better terms with suppliers or automating certain business processes. You also might want to think about starting your business online before investing in a physical store. Diversify your revenue streams: In addition to selling phones, consider offering related products and services such as accessories, repair services, or device insurance plans. 04. Register and license your cellphone business If you're looking to start a cellphone business in the USA specifically, you must familiarize your self with any relevant federal and state regulations regarding electronics sales and consumer protection laws. For example, in the state of Florida there are no specific license required just for selling phones. But you must register your business with Florida Department of State, obtain a sales tax permit from Florida Department of Revenue, comply with all Federal Trade Commission consumer protection rules, follow the FCC regulations on wireless devices, adhere to Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, provide clear return policies, follow warranty laws and discloses all warranties and comply with data privacy laws if collecting customer information. It's worth consulting a local business attorney for complete compliance guidance as these can vary between state, region and country. To operate legally, you must secure the appropriate permits and licenses, which can vary depending on your location and the nature of your business. Here's what you need to do: Research specific local requirements: Check with your city or county government to find out what specific permits and licenses you need. Apply for an Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): Obtain an EIN from the IRS for tax purposes, especially if you plan to hire employees. See if a resale certificate is relevant: Apply for a resale certificate to buy inventory without paying sales tax. Learn more: How to register a business How to license a business How to name your business 05. Research and buy your inventory A critical part of your cell phone business is the inventory you choose to stock. It's important to select a range of phones that will appeal to your target market while also considering the investment required to buy them. When deciding on your inventory, keep these tips in mind: Market research: Use your market research to determine which models and brands are most in demand. Diversity: Offer a variety of phones to cater to different customer preferences and budgets. Avoid overstocking: Be cautious not to overstock, especially on models that may quickly become outdated. When starting a cellphone business remember to search and consider network partnerships. These can include benefits such as: • Agreements with major carriers (e.g., Verizon, AT&T) • Ability to offer carrier plans and services • Access to carrier-specific promotions • Revenue sharing on activations and plans • Training and support from carriers • Co-branded marketing opportunities • Exclusive device offers from carriers • Access to carrier inventory systems • Ability to process carrier contracts in-store • Potential for volume-based incentives These partnerships can increase your profitability and customer buying options but may require you to meet exact carrier standards and sales targets. 06 Set up testing and quality standard guidelines for your inventory Guaranteeing that each device you sell meets high-quality standards is vital for customer satisfaction and the reputation of your cell phone business. Implementing thorough testing and offering buyback or trade-in programs can enhance the value you provide to customers. If you're selling used cellphones each device before it goes on sale is crucial for several reasons: Customer trust: A well-tested phone ensures that customers can trust the quality of your products. Reduced returns: Devices that have been properly tested are less likely to be returned due to faults, saving you time and money. Implement a grading system for used devices to clearly communicate their condition to customers. Transparency over phone quality is important. You can also implement buyback and trade-in programs as they incentivize customers to purchase their next device from your store. Buyback programs can supply you with inventory for refurbished devices, which can be sold at a profit. At the same time these programs encourage recycling, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. 07. Market your cellphone business A well thought out and executed marketing strategy can help you reach a wider audience and boost your sales. One of the first places to start is with your online or digital marketing. To kickstart this you'll want to make a website for your business. Create a user-friendly website that showcases your products and services — you can create an ecommerce website to sell online as well. Learn more on how to start a website from scratch. Optimize your website for search engines to improve visibility for keywords related to cell phones and mobile devices. Ranking in search engines via SEO can be an effective way to generate traffic to your site, both in order to increase your visibility amongst potential customers but also to generate direct sales. You might also want to consider starting a blog to share valuable content such as blog posts or videos that can help educate your customers and position you as an industry expert. Social media platforms are also powerful tools for promoting your business and engaging with customers. To get started with social media marketing, set up your profiles on major social media platforms where your target audience is active. This might be Instagram or Facebook. Then keep your audience engaged with regular updates, promotions and interactive content. 08. Implement stellar customer service Exceptional customer service can set your cell phone business apart from competitors and help you build long lasting customer loyalty. Training your staff effectively and setting clear customer service policies are key to achieving this. To ensure that your team provides the best possible service, focus on the following areas: Comprehensive training: Equip your staff with the knowledge and skills to handle a wide range of customer inquiries and issues. Clear policies: Develop clear policies for returns, warranties, repairs and support so that staff can provide consistent service. Empowerment: Allow your employees some autonomy to make decisions that benefit the customer, which can lead to quicker resolution of issues. At the same time don't be afraid to use customer feedback to improve the service you offer. You can do this through: Surveys and reviews: Encourage customers to provide feedback through surveys or online reviews either in-store or online. Act on the feedback: Analyze the feedback you receive and take action to address any recurring issues or suggestions. Communication: Keep customers informed about how their feedback has led to changes or improvements in your business. Running a cellphone business - staying up to date with technology and changes The cell phone industry is fast-paced, with new advancements constantly shaping the market. To remain competitive and relevant, it's crucial to keep up with these changes and adapt your business accordingly. Staying informed about the latest technological developments can help you to anticipate market shifts that may cause you to adjust your inventory and pivot your marketing. You can also use new technologies to your advantage, in order to improve your business operations or customer experience — AI customer chatbots available 24/7 are just one new example of this. How can you keep up with new industry shifts and changes? Adopt a continuous learning attitude. This might mean attending industry events, subscribing to tech blogs and participating in online forums to stay informed. Listen to what customers are saying about new technologies and consider their preferences when updating your offerings and inventory. At the same time build professional relationships with manufacturers and service providers who can keep you at the forefront of technological advancements.

Aside from the business itself, there’s a lot that goes into owning a business that might not be in the realm of your expertise. Whether it’s managing employees, creating a business website and a marketing plan, or taking care of the admin side, running your own company will require you to become an expert in a broad number of subjects. Bookkeeping is one of the most important subjects where you’ll need to excel in order to run a successful business, as it allows you to have a full understanding of your finances both on a daily basis as well as in the long run. Despite its seemingly steep learning curve, especially alarming for those who describe themselves as “not a numbers person”, learning how to do bookkeeping isn’t difficult at all with the right guidance. In this beginners guide, we’ll take a closer look at the most important small business bookkeeping basics you need to know. What is bookkeeping? Traditionally, bookkeeping was the act of entering all your business’s transactions into a book to see how you’re spending money. While most businesses have already swapped books for spreadsheets and accounting software, the concept is still the same. Nowadays, the process generally starts by defining the limits between company and personal assets, selecting a small business accounting method, setting up payroll, and taking care of the business’s taxes. While this might sound similar to accounting, the role of bookkeeping and accounting aren’t identical, but they do often go hand-in-hand. Bookkeeping is focused on organizing your business transactions like revenue, debits, credits, sunk costs and expenditures. Once those transactions are organized, the role of an accountant is to analyze them in order to create statements and reports for the business on where they currently are financially and how they can improve in addition to filing tax returns. The importance of bookkeeping Bookkeeping isn’t a task you can sweep under the rug. It’s essential that you get a good grasp of what bookkeeping for your small business looks like before you turn to outside help or even accounting software. Here are a few of the main reasons why bookkeeping is so important for small business owners: Separate business from personal After starting a new business, many business owners struggle to separate their personal finances from their business. While any small business owner probably feels personally attached to their business, that doesn’t mean their personal accounts need to be involved in running it. Bookkeeping helps you keep those worlds apart in order to ensure your business debts are held completely separate from your personal finances. Help prevent errors Everyone makes mistakes. Whether a mistake is made by an employee, a miscalculation from your bank, or something you did yourself, bookkeeping allows you to closely track all your transactions to pinpoint specific errors. While one miscalculation likely won’t throw your whole business off its financial goals, the accumulation of small mistakes over time can make a difference. Regularly keeping on top of your bookkeeping prevents these errors from impacting your bottom line and helps you prevent them from happening again. Track your progress There are several ways to assess if your business is succeeding, and bookkeeping is just one of them. By regularly recording your transactions and staying on top of cash flow, earnings and retained earnings you’ll be able to identify areas for improvement and get a good overall picture of your business’s finances. Furthermore, looking at where exactly your money is going and coming from, you can make smarter decisions to cut costs and decide where to focus your efforts on the things that are bringing more money in. Make tax season easier Filing taxes can be a nightmare for small business owners, unless you’ve been keeping track of your finances all year long. When it comes time to gather all necessary documents and turn them over to your accountant, it will be much simpler if you’ve been bookkeeping the whole year and already have a good idea of what tax deductions your business is eligible to claim. Additionally, this will reduce the chances of any surprises after submitting your tax return, giving you more peace of mind. Allows you to get a loan Knowing the true cost of starting a business will help you decided whether you need to take out a loan. As a small business owner, you’ll likely be asked for proof in the form of financial statements and records. Lenders want to know the ins and outs of your business’s finances, and if that’s not organized enough to begin with, your chances of getting approved will likely decrease. By clearly having records of things like cash flow, revenue, liabilities, and debts, raising money for your business will become a lot simpler. How to do bookkeeping for small businesses Set up and separate your business accounts Decide on a bookkeeping system Categorize all transactions Decide how to store your documents Balance your books Create bookkeeping reports Make a bookkeeping schedule 01. Set up and separate your business accounts The first thing you want to do when establishing the bookkeeping process for your small business is ensuring that there’s no crossover with your personal accounts. Aside from making it easier to discern your business income from your personal funds, having a separate business bank account protects your personal assets from any liabilities. This means that if your business were to run into any issues such as a lawsuit or bankruptcy, your personal funds would remain protected. After separating your bank accounts, you should also consider getting a credit card specifically for business expenses. This will help you build up credit for your business so if you ever need to apply for a loan or any type of funding, your business has its own credit history. 02. Decide on a bookkeeping system There’s more than one way to go about bookkeeping, so one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is deciding which system works best for your business. You have a few options on how you want to go about your bookkeeping: you can do it yourself either manually or with accounting software such as Quickbooks, you can go to an external professional bookkeeper, or you can even hire your own in-house bookkeeper. The option you choose will likely depend on where your business is at. If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely be fine with using DIY software and you can move on to an in-house bookkeeper when you grow. Aside from deciding how you’ll go about bookkeeping, you also need to decide on the method you’ll use. Generally, you can use either a single-entry or double-entry method. Single-entry bookkeeping: you record each transaction in your books one time. For example, if you made a sale and received payment, that would be noted in your books as one transaction. Double-entry bookkeeping: each transaction has its own credit and debit, so the same amount is noted twice in your book. Most professional bookkeepers and accounting software will use the double-entry method. In addition to your bookkeeping method, you’ll also need to decide on your accounting method. There are also two options for this: cash and accrual. Cash method: you note all transactions only when the money is received or paid. For example, if you invoice a customer today but don’t receive the money in your account for another week, then it would only be noted when your money enters your bank account. Accrual method: you note all transactions at the point when you invoice someone or receive a bill. With this method, you’ll need to track your accounts payable and receivable. For both bookkeeping and accounting methods, you’ll need to determine which is better for your business. In general, for smaller businesses it’s recommended to start with single-entry bookkeeping and cash accounting. 03. Categorize all transactions Once you’ve selected which bookkeeping system you’re going to use, you’ll need to start recording every transaction regularly. It’s smart to input transactions as they happen, since otherwise you might forget what it was for and thus won’t be tracked correctly. When categorizing your transactions, there are a few ways to break them down. For starters, each transaction should be noted as either a credit or a debit. A credit refers to money coming into an account, and a debit is the money going out of an account. In a double-entry bookkeeping system, you would have both a credit and debit for each transaction. Aside from debits and credits, you can further categorize where money is going to and from by referring to different accounts. Generally, there are five types of accounts: Assets: anything that your company owns, like equipment, cash, or inventory Liabilities: money owed to someone, such as a loan or payment to a vendor Equity: money that comes from the company owner, usually that won’t be paid back Revenue: money received as a result of sales or services performed Expenses: money you use to run your business 04. Decide how to store your documents Bills, invoices, expense reports, credit card statements… The paperwork adds up and it needs somewhere to be safely kept in. Not only is it important to keep documentation of your transactions for yourself, but occasionally the IRS (internal revenue service) might request to see the documentation as proof of expenses. That being said, you don’t need to start stacking shelves full of folders to store all your documents. You can invest in a way to store them digitally to keep all your transaction records in one place. Apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Shoeboxed help you store your receipts in one place so you never need to worry about losing, misplacing, or having the ink fade on a receipt from a client's lunch. 05. Balance your books If you’ve been recording all your transactions and noting them as credits and debits, then you’ll eventually need to balance your books. Whether you choose to do that at the end of every month, quarter, or each year is up to you. For many small business owners, balancing the books mainly means looking at your assets and liabilities using a simple equation to figure out your business equity. The equation should look like this: Equity = Total Assets - Total Liabilities It’s normal for there to be some mistakes while balancing your books. The original number you get from this equation is often referred to as your trial balance. After arriving at this balance, it's a regular procedure to go over all the data and make sure to correct errors in how transactions were recorded. If after correcting any mistakes and going through all the transactions and subtracting your liabilities from assets your assets still come out on top, then your business is going in the right direction. 06. Create bookkeeping reports Once your books are balanced, it’s time to create some reports on your business’s finances. You’ll likely already have a balance sheet from the previous step, which is a great report that analyzes the overall progress of your business. Some other types of reports you might want to use include: Profits and losses: similar to an income statement, this report allows you to compare revenue and expenses over a set period of time to ensure that your business is bringing in more money than it’s spending. Cash flow: this statement shows you where your business is earning and spending the most money, and how able it is to pay off its expenses. Accounts payable/receivable ageing: whether a customer has been taking a while to pay you or you haven’t yet paid a vendor, this will allow you to make sure you’re sending and receiving payments on time so that you can follow up. 07. Make a bookkeeping schedule Once you start getting into the flow of bookkeeping, make sure that you stick with it and update your books regularly to maintain a good level of organization. By turning bookkeeping into a habit, you’ll be able to ensure that nothing is forgotten and you can minimize accounting mistakes. Try and set a date each week to record all your weekly transactions, and then set another time each month or quarter to balance your books. It may seem like a chore, but you don’t want to let your bookkeeping fall through the cracks and then suddenly have months or even years of transactions to record and balance.

Before deep diving into design work, it’s best to start with a brand audit, which allows you to build your package based on the most recent research into your company's brand and their niche. A brand audit is a comprehensive analysis of a brand, including its history, messaging, visual identity and market presence. It’s typically conducted to identify strengths and weaknesses, align service offerings with client expectations, identify where a brand stands within its market and learn how a target audience really views a brand and its branding. Companies typically benefit from brand audits when they’re seeking competitive advantages rather than just starting a business. Or, they might be looking for a refresh in order to re-engage current consumers while garnering interest from new audiences. Crisis brand management and reputation repair can also involve a brand audit. How to do a brand audit You’ve successfully persuaded your company to add a much-needed brand audit. Nice work. Now it’s time to deliver. Here’s how to conduct a brand audit in five steps. Gather background information Analyze the brand's current positioning Identify opportunities for improvement Develop recommendations Implement changes 01. Gather background information Get to know your company's business and goals. Research their industry and competitive landscape. Review the client’s current brand presence. This likely includes a website, social media profiles and marketing collateral. 02. Analyze the brand’s current positioning Examine the brand’s messaging and positioning in the market. Identify the brand’s target audience and evaluate how well the current branding resonates with them. This step will likely include an analysis of surveys, online reviews, social mentions and customer feedback. Evaluate the consistency and effectiveness of the brand’s visual identity (colors, logo, imagery). Assess the brand’s online presence (search rankings, social media following, visibility in forums, etc.). 03. Identify opportunities for improvement Determine where the brand’s messaging, positioning or visual identity could be strengthened. Identify any inconsistencies or gaps in the brand’s materials and presence. Identify opportunities for the brand to differentiate itself in the market. 04. Develop recommendations Based on findings from the audit, develop a list of ways to improve the brand’s messaging, visual identity, positioning and/or digital presence. Present your findings to the decision makers and gather feedback. 05. Implement changes Incorporate the feedback. Coordinate with your design team to revise and develop new assets based on the brand audit findings. Elements of a brand audit Name/tagline There’s a good chance your company is not looking to change their company’s name or tagline. But in some cases, the research might point you toward raising this possibility. If they don’t have a tagline, consider adding one. Value, mission, vision statements As stated above, today’s customers find a brand’s mission and purpose essential to their decision-making. Refining these is a core part of refreshing a brand identity. Logo This may or may not need to be updated, but you might help define how, when, and where the logo is used. Consider creating a new logo with a logo generator. Colors There should be a primary, secondary and even tertiary color scheme. Typography What fonts and styles belong to your company's brand? Are any expressly forbidden? Imagery What kind of images are associated with the brand? Tonally, what makes sense? Brand guidelines In addition to aggregating all of the above, brand guidelines might include details about spacing, a set of template or design examples, and a style guide for both design and writing. Print/digital assets Building out from there, you might include a basic set of print or digital assets, such as email signatures, business card templates, iconography, social media graphic templates, and even merchandise. How to create buy in for a brand audit Upsell a brand audit First, you need to learn how your company currently feels about their brand. There’s a chance they’re already aware that it needs some work and will be receptive to hearing about how you can help improve it . Inform them that adding a brand audit now will spare them from potentially needing to do one down the road, then needing to redo their entire branding package. Plus, you’ll be providing them with insights and recommendations they can use in a number of ways to promote effective business strategies long after your project is complete. Generate interest in a brand audit through cost-risk analysis Help your company imagine a future where they decide to run a brand audit and discover they need a costly redo of the website design or branding package you’re doing today. Similarly, consider the wastefulness of print and digital collateral that don’t resonate with your audience or drive conversions effectively. What’s the greatest risk? Is it paying for a brand audit only to learn that the current brand is already doing as well as it could be? If so, that’s valuable to know when designing a new website or branding collateral — and great to share with stakeholders, investors and company leadership. Use case studies Demonstrate how brand audits have helped other clients — especially clients in a similar market or the same industry as your client — by using clear-cut case studies. Provide data that supports the importance of brand-building For example: People will pay more to work with their preferred brands, which comes down to trust and transparency (important to 66 percent of customers, according to an Accenture report). 77 percent of consumers buy from brands that share their values, says a Havas’ Global Meaningful Brands research report. Brands build relationships through consistency in messaging, visuals and presence; this can increase revenue by up to 33 percent, according to a Marq research report.

In the bustling world of business, where the new often steal the spotlight, there lies a realm so overlooked it might as well be the business world's best-kept secret. Yes, the realm of “boring businesses.” With the current landscape shifting under our feet—thanks to global pandemics, economic roller coasters and the rapid introduction of technologies like AI—these so-called boring businesses are becoming the unsung heroes of stability and reliability. So, why does this matter now? Because in a world obsessed with the next big thing, perhaps the smartest move is to bet on the steady horse, not just the fastest. Let’s dive deeper into the world of boring businesses and why they matter now more than ever. Starting a business? Create a business website to establish your online presence. What is a boring business? Picture this: a laundromat, a car wash or even your local office supply store. These businesses aren't headlining tech conferences or launching flashy marketing campaigns. Instead, they focus on providing essential, everyday services that people actually need. From bookkeeping to waste removal, these ventures may not scream “innovation,” but they do suggest “steady income” to those who listen. And in a nod to the bootstrapping entrepreneurs out there, these are the businesses that often start with a practical idea and a modest budget, growing through grit and resilience rather than a flood of venture capital. Think of these businesses as evergreen. Why are boring businesses gaining popularity? Why are boring businesses gaining momentum, and why now? For starters, post-pandemic recovery has seen a shift in consumer behavior and investment strategies. People are valuing stability and predictability more than ever. Codie Sanchez, a notable figure in investment circles and the voice behind the Contrarian Thinking newsletter, has been a vocal advocate for looking into “boring investments” as hidden gems of the business world. In comparison to more volatile or trendy industries, boring businesses tend to be low risk, narrowing in on essential goods or services that consumers rely on, regardless of economic turmoil. With the advent of AI and other technologies, these businesses also stand to benefit from streamlined operations and reduced overheads, making them even more attractive to the savvy entrepreneur or investor. More specifically, these steady business models can generate consistent cash flow—something that can be reinvested into the business for expansion, acquisitions or dividends to shareholders. Boring business ideas Now, let's focus on the essentials. What kind of “boring” businesses are we talking about? Think about industries with constant demand: laundromats, auto repair shops, property maintenance, equipment rental, pest control, landscaping, and yes, even vending machines. These are the kinds of businesses that run in the background of everyday life, indispensable and, therefore, recession-resistant to a degree. From an entrepreneurial lens, these ventures offer a clear path to business ownership and operation with relatively predictable models. And from an investment perspective, they present opportunities for steady, if not spectacular, returns. Looking for recession proof business ideas? Here are a few boring business ideas worth exploring: How to start a cleaning business How to start a bookkeeping business How to start a trucking business How to start a courier business How to start a contractor business How to start a vending machine business How to start a pressure washing business How to start a landscaping business How to start a handyman business How to start a plumbing business Tip: Learn how to make a website for your business, or use an AI website builder to bring it to life. Boring isn’t bad So, should you start a boring business? Well, if you're looking for something that promises excitement at every turn, maybe not. But if you're interested in a business that can provide stability, scalability and the satisfaction of fulfilling a genuine need, then “boring” might just be your best bet. The beauty of these businesses is their resilience; they tend to weather economic storms with much more grace than their high-flying counterparts. Remember, just because a business doesn't make headlines doesn't mean it can't be very profitable. And let's be honest, there's nothing boring about making a reliable income. So, next time you pass by a car wash or a laundromat, consider the robust business model humming along inside. These businesses might just be the unsung heroes of the entrepreneurial world, providing steady services (and incomes) without the rollercoaster ride of more glamorous ventures. Let's not underestimate the power of boring businesses. In their simplicity and stability, there's a lesson for all of us seeking success in the entrepreneurial journey. Maybe it's time to shift our gaze from the flashy to the foundational, from the trendy to the timeless. Because ultimately, the real thrill might just lie in building something that lasts, quietly but confidently, in the background of our busy lives. Here's to the boring businesses—may they continue to thrive and remind us that sometimes, the most reliable path to success doesn't have to be the most exciting one.

There used to be a time when we never had to question whether we were talking to a human. But these days, it’s highly possible that that “like” on your Instagram post or that post on Reddit wasn’t written by a normal person. In fact, that “person” may not even have a face.  The online world today is crowded with bots. As someone who’s on social media and forums every day as part of her job, I’ve encountered my fair share of them. Admittedly, sometimes I didn’t even know I was talking to a bot.  But over the years, it has become clear as daylight: the internet doesn’t just belong to humans anymore. Today, the internet is a bot’s world—and the dead internet theory is starting to grow some legs. What is this theory, you ask? And what should you or your brand do in response? Let’s talk.  Future-proof your business and create a website with Wix today. What is the dead internet theory? The dead internet theory is the belief that most of the content and accounts online are controlled by bots. We already know that this theory isn’t pure fiction. Almost 50% of web traffic comes from non-human sources, according to a 2024 Imperva Bad Bot report . Not to mention that the number of AI-generated or AI-assisted content is nearly impossible to count.  The real question is whether this trend is worth celebrating or fearing. Are we facing, as some people claim, the death of the internet and a growing graveyard of bad content? Or, are we observing a natural—maybe even healthy—evolution of the internet?   Let’s begin by looking at the definition of a bot and how they typically come to be.   The anatomy of the modern-day bot The term “bot” is broad. It’s not a singular program or type of code that performs one type of task; it refers to anything made out of code in programming languages like Python, JavaScript or Java that can perform actions that people want to save time on.  Bots have been around since the birth of the internet. In fact, the internet as we know it wouldn’t exist without bots. Think about how Google works: without “good” bots like web crawlers and web spiders, we wouldn’t be able to surf the web as easily as we do today.  Of course, “bad” bots were quick to follow, used for things like click fraud and data theft. While we can’t say that threats don’t exist, perhaps blaming bots is like blaming a sword. Intent is determined by the person who wields the sword, not the sword itself; just because something originated from or as a bot doesn’t mean it’s bad.  The good and bad of online bots as it relates to your business The good: Bots can be used for a lot of amazing things. They can save lots of time, reduce labor cost and do a lot of our “dirty work.” A lot of companies now use bots to engage and care for their customers, offering more immediate and intelligent live support.  Unlike humans, bots don’t burn out. They don’t need the weekend off. They’re extremely fast learners and quick doers— now more than ever, thanks to AI advancements. If used correctly, they can benefit any business, big or small. The bad: It’s becoming harder and harder to distinguish between real and fake accounts. They can give us a false sense of what humans are thinking, feeling or doing in the real world. Sudden influxes of bot-like comments, often referred to as "bot attacks" or "spam raids," can hurt our KPIs or be a nightmare to filter through.  And bots (as we all know) can be abused. A seemingly normal and simple action, such as a comment on social media, can be used to steal someone’s identity or collect personal info. Something that looks and acts like a human can spread hate speech, misinform and even cause chaos. We’ve seen this in various global events, such as political elections and debates, but also at a smaller scale, such as in scam behavior, phishing attempts, identity theft and more. So, what should brands do? The 3 Bs of bot safety  One thing I’ve learned during my time as brand engagement and brand reputation manager is that you can take some safety measures to avoid falling victim to bad bots. At minimum, you’ll want to:  Be on alert. Are you seeing a suspicious spike in activity around your branded posts? Do you notice people commenting on your blog or social posts with links to a third-party site? Keep an eye out for suspicious bot-fueled activity using different social media monitoring tools and keyword filtering tools. Note that bots may be used to push a political or personal agenda, and even seemingly harmless comments (like an influx of low-quality, generic or disconnected comments flattering your brand) can be linked to bot activity.  Be responsible. Any situation where a bot impersonates a person without disclosing it creates a risk. If you don’t disclose your use of bots (such as chatbots for customer care or to support your marketing strategies ), you risk hurting your credibility. Be transparent about any services that are automated; let people know when they’re talking to a human versus a bot. Be a mentor to your employees. A bot can target employees of a company, just as they can target any private individual, based on one’s political views or social circle. Educate your employees on how to identify fishy behaviors and encourage them to report any suspected bot activity.  Related reading: What is brand management? Final verdict—are bots a blessing or a curse?   If you ask me, the recent advancements in technology, particularly AI, are incredible. We’re only scratching the surface at the moment. The more we train our AI modules, the better they become—and the better they mimic real human behavior, which can be both a blessing and a curse. (In fact, there are those who say that this new AI frontier is as big as the invention of the internet itself, and today’s top trillion-dollar companies are investing heavily into AI, pioneering the path into uncharted waters.)   The truth is, we can’t run away from this change. It’ll happen whether we like it or not. You’ll always have people that abuse technology for their own gain, in addition to people and forces that rightsize the market again. (We even have good bots protecting us from bad bots today.)   The internet is an ever-evolving place. Rather than taking an apocalyptic view on it, I urge you to educate yourself on both the advantages and risks. Guard yourself from bad actors, but also consider using bots to improve your branding , employee experience and customer experience.

Modern society has shown us the value of living in the present. Meditation and mindfulness practices have become so common that they’re touted by celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld and Goldie Hawn. And we are all for it. But when it comes to business, it’s a whole other ball game. Living in the moment certainly has its advantages, but business is about planning for the future. From creating your business website to building your product, you need to strategically project costs, revenue, and your vision for the future. That’s where vision statements come in. Not to be confused with a mission statement, or an executive summary, an effective vision statement clearly outlines the aspirations of your business and what you hope to achieve long-term. You’ll need to consider questions such as, What is your company’s overall vision for the future? and How are you going to help consumers long-term? After you’ve answered these questions, you can follow our five steps for writing the perfect vision statement. What is a vision statement Is a vision statement the same as a mission statement? This is an excellent question, and the answer is no. While the two work together to mold the future of a business and shape company culture, there are distinct differences. Unlike a vision statement, a mission statement focuses on the present. A mission statement focuses on the immediate goals of a business and what it’s doing to achieve them. It should consider questions like, What do we do? and How do we do it? while vision statements consider questions such as, What are we striving to achieve overall? and What is our long-term goal? How to write a vision statement in 5 steps Most companies, especially large corporations, have a vision statement consisting of one or two sentences as well as a multipage document describing its future plans. As the business owner, it’s really up to you to decide if you want to extend your vision statement beyond a few sentences or not. But no matter how long or short you make it, what’s important is that you have one. Without a vision statement, your business has the potential to veer off course. You and your employees can lose sight of what you are working for and what you are trying to achieve. While there are no hard and fast rules for writing vision statements, these five steps can help you with the process: Define the purpose of your business Determine long-term goals Don't be too specific with your statement Come up with a list of values Make your statement actionable 01. Define the purpose of your business By purpose, we don’t simply mean the product you make. Think about the bigger picture: what does your business bring to the world that no other business does? Consider how you intend your product or service to change people’s lives for the better. How will the future be different with your business thriving in it? For example, an insurance company doesn’t just provide insurance. It also provides customers with financial security and peace of mind knowing that they are taken care of if things go wrong. Using that idea, an insurance company could create a vision statement such as, “Our vision is to not only provide insurance, but to be a friend to our customers by providing a sense of long-term security in their lives.” 02. Determine long-term goals Consider what goals you hope to achieve 5-10 years down the line that can set you apart from the competition and list them as part of your business proposal. Why should someone buy from you instead of the person down the street? Consider our example of the insurance company. There are hundreds, if not thousands of insurance companies in the US, each one needing to set itself apart from the competition. Perhaps an insurance company wants to offer significantly lower rates or provide better customer service than their competitors. Or perhaps, it has a unique business model, like Lemonade, that donates leftover funds to charities of their customers’ choice. These are the kinds of aspects that you could highlight in your vision statement. With that in mind, let’s take the statement above and expand on it: “Our vision is to not only provide insurance, but to be a friend to our customers. We will provide a sense of long-term security in their lives by providing 24/7 customer support.” 03. Don’t be too specific with your statement A vision statement should address broad and ambitious future goals. There’s no need to elaborate on these in detail. Your statement should outline an overview of what you plan to achieve and provide inspiration. This is typically not the place to write specific objectives, such as, “We want to hit $5,000,000 in sales by 2025.” You can, however, include these details in your expanded vision statement document, if you choose to create one. 04. Come up with a list of values Next, come up with a list of values that your business adheres to and incorporate the most important one(s) into your statement. By referencing your company’s core values, your vision statement will better encompass what your company stands for. This will also help make your vision statement a part of your company culture. Continuing with the example of the insurance company, let’s say it wants to highlight the fact that it is: Reliable Dependable Understanding Sympathetic Comforting In this case, the vision statement could read: “Our vision is to not only provide insurance, but to be a friend to our customers. We will provide a sense of long-term comfort and security in their lives by providing 24/7 customer support.” 05. Make your statement actionable The point of a vision statement is to identify a long-term goal for your business to work towards. Make sure to include actionable terminology to show that your business is moving forward and continuously striving. Examples might include: Become Transform Supply Cater Improve In our insurance company example, we use the word “provide” to show action. This helps all stakeholders understand that your vision statement isn't just a vague assertion, but that your company is actively moving toward achieving these goals. When crafting your own vision statement, consider which action words best align with your goals. That way, you’ll be on the path to solidifying the perfect vision statement for your brand. What is the purpose of a vision statement? A vision statement is a living declaration that is part of a company’s overall strategic plan. It is typically written in the early stages of starting a business and helps steer the company in the intended direction. All types of businesses can benefit from vision statements, from small mom-and-pop shops to large corporations. It should be a reference tool to help ensure that your business is moving in the right direction and that every business decision is aligned with your long-term goals. A well-written vision statement should motivate, excite and inspire. It should outline the future of your organization for all stakeholders, from investors to employees, and should be a core part of your corporate culture. It should also provide your employees (and potential future employees) a reason to wake up every day and continue working hard for the company. In fact, according to a study of over 50,000 employees, those who found the vision of their organization meaningful had engagement levels of 18% above average. This means that employees aligned with the vision of their companies aren’t just working for a paycheck; they’re working because they believe in the company and find meaning in their work. This can help improve employee retention and even your overall bottom line. Vision statement examples to inspire you To give you a better idea of the differences between the two, here are five excellent mission statement examples and their vision statement counterparts from top US brands. You can see that each company’s vision statement contains goals for the future. The idea is to always have a greater purpose to strive for, providing the company with direction and motivation. Starbucks Mission: With every cup, with every conversation, with every community – we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection. Vision: To establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow. Uber Mission: To provide transportation as reliable as running water, everywhere, for everyone. Vision: To ignite opportunity by setting the world in motion. Amazon Mission: To serve consumers through online and physical stores and focus on selection, price, and convenience. Vision: To be Earth's most customer-centric company, Earth's best employer, and Earth's safest place to work. Google Mission: To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Vision: To provide access to the world's information in one click. Nike Mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. Vision: To do everything possible to expand human potential. Characteristics of a vision statement While you may think that writing a vision statement is simple, it actually takes quite a bit of finesse to create one. Your vision statement should be: 01. Simple Your vision statement should be one to three sentences long. While you can choose to elaborate on it in a more detailed vision statement document, your vision statement itself should be punchy and to the point. It’s also best not to include buzzwords that only add fluff, such as “amazing,” or “premiere.” Also, avoid industry jargon so your statement is clear and understandable to those both in and outside the company. 02. Personal Your vision statement should relate directly to what your company sells or does. A vague statement such as, “We aim to increase our number of shareholders by increasing revenue,” is a substantial goal, but doesn’t belong in your vision statement. It should project how your business is going to improve the lives of your customers. 03. Achievable While we would never knock ambition, you don’t want your vision statement to be unattainable. A statement like, “Our vision is that every person in the world will use our product,” isn’t realistic (but what an amazing triumph that would be). Dream big, the best companies do. But don’t create exaggerated goals that your business can’t possibly achieve. 04. Inspiring Your vision statement should align with your company standards and values and be integrated into your company culture. You’ll want it to motivate your employees and be something they look to for inspiration. To do this, you’ll need to make sure that your employees are aware of the company vision in the first place. Make sure to review the vision statement during orientation or even hold employee workshops. You can have employees brainstorm ways they can incorporate the company vision throughout their work days. Vision statement FAQ Can vision statements change? Why is it important to have a vision statement? What is a vision statement vs. purpose statement?