Search results

When it comes to your social media marketing , your Instagram bio is the first impression many have of your personal or business brand. It's a small space but it holds immense power in conveying who you are and what you or your business stands for.  Creating an Instagram bio might seem simple but it requires thoughtfulness and creativity. It's not just about making a good first impression; it's about creating a lasting one. With the right elements, your bio can contribute significantly to your overall marketing strategy  by telling your story in a way that resonates with your audience and encourages them to take action. From the use of emojis to the perfect call-to-action, creating an effective bio can make all the difference in growing your followers and enhancing engagement on your account. With this in mind we’ve put together how you can create an Instagram bio that stands out and serves as a cornerstone of your personal branding and marketing efforts. Why your Instagram bio matters to your marketing strategy Your Instagram bio is not just a casual introduction—it's a strategic tool that can significantly impact your Instagram marketing  efforts. Think of your Instagram profile as an online business card or a storefront. It's also the first point of contact between you and potential followers or customers. Some of the main benefits of a great bio include the following. First impressions It provides a snapshot of who you are and what you offer, setting the tone for your entire Instagram presence. Brand identity It helps establish and reinforce your brand identity, ensuring that visitors immediately understand your business's core values and offerings. Engagement A good bio encourages engagement  by prompting visitors to explore your content, follow your account or click on links to learn more about you or your business. When it comes to social media as a type of marketing, engagement is everything. Learn more : Best time to post on Instagram Audience connection It allows you to connect with your target audience by using language and references that resonate with them, fostering a sense of community and loyalty. Cross-promotion By linking to other platforms, such as your Facebook page or website , you create an integrated marketing experience across various channels. 20 effective Instagram bio ideas and why they work Crafting a bio that stands out on Instagram can be the difference between being overlooked and attracting a loyal following. Here are 20 good Instagram bio ideas that have proven effective for various users, along with brief insights into why they work: The Minimalist The Quirky One The Professional The Inspirational Quote The Call-to-Action The Emoji Storyteller The Hashtag Advocate The Personal Touch The Achiever The Local Business The Cool One For Artists For Fashionistas For Innovators For Girl Bosses For Fitness Gurus The Travel Enthusiast The Foodie For Life Coaches For Models or Influencers 01. The minimalist: "Digital storyteller | 📷✈️🌍"   This bio is succinct, using emojis to convey interests and profession without clutter. Other potential variations of this could be: Digital artist Digital creator Digital painter Digital business owner 02. The quirky one: "Eating my way through life | 🍰=😍"  It's relatable and adds a touch of humor, appealing to fellow food enthusiasts. This could be adapted for almost any niche, for example: Reading my way through life Drawing my way through life Hiking my way through life Painting my way through life Parenting my way through life 03. The professional: "Helping brands grow online | Marketing Guru | Speaker"   Establishes credibility and expertise, inviting businesses to connect. Its impact comes in that it emphasizes what the professional can do and how they make an impact before they state who they are. 04. The inspirational quote: "Dream big, work hard, stay focused"  A motivational bio resonates with aspirational followers and sets an uplifting tone. This works well for those in the business of inspiring leaders, speakers and those in higher management positions. 05. The call-to-action: "👇Check out my latest blog post"  Directs followers to engage further with content beyond Instagram. This Instagram bio structure can also be used across resources: Check out my latest case study Check out my latest use case Check out my latest podcast Check out my latest video Check out my latest newsletter 06. The emoji storyteller: "👩‍💻Blogger | 🌟Believer in magic | 🏖️Beach lover"  Uses emojis effectively to tell a story in a visually engaging way. Everyone loves emojis and they help set a casual and inviting tone for your bio. 07. The hashtag advocate: "FitnessFreak | TravelBug | Foodie" Incorporates hashtags to tap into larger communities and increase discoverability. Research hashtags most relevant to your niche and use those. 08. The personal touch: "Proud mom of two | Passionate gardener | Life's a journey"  Shares personal details that humanize you as the account holder. This works well for personal Instagram bios but also small business ones, especially freelancers for example. 09. The achiever: "Turned passion into a business | Featured in [Magazine]"  Highlights accomplishments to build authority and trust and where possible back them up with evidence. This works for almost every small business owner. 10. The local business: "NYC's best cupcake spot 🧁 | Est. 2010 | ShopLocal"  Targets local customers and emphasizes the business's roots. It's good to be clear about your location and, if necessary, you can be more specific. For example: Rhinebeck's best cupcake spot | Est. 2019 | ShopLocal Oswego's best cupcake spot | Est. 2001 | ShopLocal 11. The cool one: "Creating waves in a sea of sameness 🌊"  This example stands out by being metaphorical and thought-provoking, reinforced by an emoji too. For these you'll want to be creative and unique and really think about what your bio stands for. 12. For artists: "Art is the lie that reveals truth — Picasso ✍️🎨" Use a famous quote to align with your artistic audiences. Make sure to properly credit the original creator of the quote. 13. For fashionistas: "Fashion is art and you are the canvas ✨| Style Blogger" This bio example establishes a powerful statement combined with personal branding. If you're a creative by profession, it makes sense to be creative with your bio. 14. For innovators: "Innovating one day at a time 💡| Tech Enthusiast"  This example is very clearly about the role of innovation in this influencer's daily life. It's also always good to back up a more creative statement, with something concrete, like what exactly it is what you do. 15. For girl bosses: "Empowering women in business 💼| GirlBoss"  Speaking directly to an audience of female entrepreneurs is important if that's your focus and target audience. Keeping that messaging consistent across your bio is important. 16. For fitness gurus: "Sweat, Smile, Repeat 🔁| Personal Trainer"  This Instagram bio dedication and encourages others on their fitness journey, while still being humorous and creative. 17. For travel enthusiast's: "Wanderlust isn't just a word; it's my mission ✈️🌏| Travel Blogger"  Go with a bio that captures the essence of your travel passion succinctly and creatively. It should be the perfect opportunity to show off your love for travel. 18. For foodie's: "Life is short; eat dessert first 🍰| Food Critic & Blogger"  It's always worth considering a playful take that instantly connects with other food lovers, if you're a food enthusiastic planning your Instagram bio. 19. For life coaches: "Transforming lives one day at a time 🌱| Life Coach & Speaker"  Your Instagram bio has very few words to perfectly capture what you do and the style in which you do it. This example does just that and positions the account as helpful and transformative. 20. For models or influencers For models:  "Strutting through life one runway at a time 👠| Model & Fashionista" For influencers:  “Influencing with integrity ✨| Lifestyle Guru” Learn more: How to get more followers on Instagram How to improve your Instagram bio To make your Instagram bio more impactful , consider these actionable tips that can help enhance it: Be clear and concise:  You have 150 characters to make an impression. Use clear, concise language that gets straight to the point. Use keywords:  Include relevant keywords that describe your business or personal brand. This helps with discoverability when people search on Instagram. Embrace emojis : Emojis can add personality and visual interest to your bio. Use them sparingly to highlight key points or interests. Include a call-to-action (CTA):  Encourage visitors to take action, whether it's clicking on a link, tagging their photos or visiting your shop. Link to other platforms:  If you have a website or other social media accounts, include a link. Instagram allows one clickable link in your bio. Use a link in bio tool  to create this. (Related reading: What is Hopp? ) Share your values:  Mention what's important to you. For example, if sustainability is a core value, let people know. Highlight your hobbies:  If you're a photographer or an avid reader, mention this in your bio. It makes you more relatable and can attract like-minded followers. Use your own voice:  Write as you speak. If you're naturally funny, let that humor shine through in your bio. Mention your location:  If location is important for your business or personal brand, include it in your bio. Be specific about your offerings:  Clearly state what services or products you offer so visitors know immediately if they're in the right place. Be direct:  Tell users exactly what action you want them to take, such as "Shop now" or "Read my latest blog post." Offer incentives:  Give users a reason to click on your link—exclusive content, discounts or giveaways can be great incentives. Update regularly : Keep CTAs fresh by updating them according to new content or promotions. Types of Instagram bios to consider Your Instagram bio can take many forms, each serving a different purpose and appealing to various audiences. Here are some types of bios you might consider to help your profile stand out. Humorous and quirky bios A touch of humor can make your bio memorable and show off your personality. Funny Instagram bios can make your profile feel approachable and relatable, often leading to a stronger connection with your audience. Examples include: "I put the 'el' in 'funny.'" "Professional overthinker with a penchant for spontaneous adventures." "Serving you a slice of my life, with extra cheese." Business and professional bios For entrepreneurs and businesses, a bio should convey professionalism while also highlighting what makes you unique. Consider these crucial elements: State your unique selling proposition (USP) :  What sets you apart from competitors? Showcase achievements or endorsements:  Have you been featured in notable publications or received awards? Include industry-specific terms:  Use language that resonates with peers and customers in your field. Examples might be: "Transforming spaces into sanctuaries | Award-winning Interior Designer" "Tech innovation with a human touch | As seen on [Tech Magazine]" Thematic bios for creatives and influencers If you're in a creative field or an influencer, your bio should reflect the niche you're passionate about: Travel influencers : "Globe-trotter 🌍 | Capturing moments one country at a time |TravelWithMe" Fashion influencers : "Fashion is my playground | Stylist & Trendsetter | Collab: [email]" Food influencers : "Culinary explorer 🍴| Tasting the world one bite at a time | FoodieAdventures" Bios for personal brands Personal branding is about showcasing who you are and what you stand for. Your bio could include: Personal mantra or philosophy:  A short statement that captures your approach to life or work. Passions and skills:  Highlight what you love doing and what you're good at. Aspirations:  Share what you're working towards to inspire others. An example might be: "Living life in bold colors 🎨| Aspiring Author & Happiness Advocate"

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 researc h 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.

When it comes to servicing SMBs, enterprise B2B strategic partnerships  have emerged as catalysts for innovation and growth. They unlock added value for SMB customers at a significantly reduced cost compared to developing new products in-house, while also massively contributing to overall revenue. With 95% of Microsoft’s revenue, for example, flowing directly through partners , businesses large and small can benefit from this strategy. However, not all partnerships are created equal. It’s important to consider what the agreement will bring to your SMB customers, your business and your B2B partner, in both the short and long term. To ensure mutual benefit and longevity, it's crucial to carefully select the right business partners. Empower SMB customers with all the crucial steps to start a business . Choosing a B2B partner Here are seven key factors to consider in choosing a B2B partner. Industry leadership Brand reputation Custom partnership Audience expertise Extensive product offering Support infrastructure Commitment to growth 01. Industry leadership A B2B partner should be a market leader both you and your customers can rely on. Opt for a partner with a proven track record of success, looking at things like the number of years in the industry, size of customer base and market share. Ideally, it’s best to find your match in a different industry. “Combining the strengths of two industry leaders can unleash exponential value for customers,” says Kevin Nolan, CEO at GE Appliances, on their partnership with Google Cloud . A strong B2B partner should always be on the cutting edge in their field. They should be a product/service-focused trailblazer, consistently releasing updates and new developments . Ensure a solid foundation for collaboration by selecting a partner who stands out in the industry, bringing unparalleled expertise and resources to the table. “We selected Wix to be our preferred partner because of their leading technology and product innovation,” says Robert Keane, Founder and CEO at Vistaprint. 02. Brand reputation Reputation speaks volumes. Aligning with a B2B partner renowned for their brand integrity and commitment to excellence enhances your credibility and instills trust among customers. Co-branded campaigns and industry reports can have an amplified effect. According to PartnerPath, 68% of consumers  can make buying decisions simply after seeing a co-branded campaign. How do you assess brand reputation for a partnership? For the greatest impact, your partner’s brand should speak for itself and be nearly synonymous with their offering. Try this: When you think of the respective market, what are some of the first brand names that come to mind? 03. Custom partnership Seek a B2B partner that’s not only willing but eager to tailor their offering to meet a partner’s needs. A cookie-cutter approach rarely yields the desired results. Prioritize partners who take the time to understand your business objectives and adapt their strategies accordingly. Flexibility should be core to the process. A custom partnership  ensures alignment on values and goals, and maximizes mutual benefit. 04. Audience expertise Partnering with a team that has developed a deep knowledge and understanding of your specific target audience can be a huge benefit. Sometimes sharing part of a customer base isn’t enough. It’s best to find a company that has invested time and energy into your particular audience. Partnering with experts ensures that solutions are finely tuned to address unique business challenges and capitalize on opportunities. As Tom Priore, Executive Chairman and CEO at Priority Technology Holdings, explains: “Wix is on the front end of generating revenue for small merchants  like our customers. That’s why we knew they’d be a great partner.” 05. Extensive product offering Seek a B2B partner with a comprehensive ecosystem: a wide range of products and/or services to empower SMBs of any business type . Products and services should be verticalized and tailored to the specific industries of your audience. And the offering shouldn’t stop at one particular thing. It should expand to include related services that your SMB customers will inevitably need in order to achieve success. Agree on an offer that empowers you to deliver end-to-end solutions. SMBs can learn how to create a website  using Wix’s complete business solutions. 06. Support infrastructure Reliable support is paramount for both customers and partners. Prioritize partners who offer multichannel, multilingual support  to customers: from email to phone to chat, along with resources like written and video tutorials. SMB customers should have 24/7 access to some type of support. And don’t neglect your own support, either. Make sure your partnership includes an intentional approach to B2B customer success . You and your business deserve a dedicated, experienced account manager to take the journey with you throughout technical and business processes. Learn more: B2B partnerships for online directories , Domains and B2B partnerships 07. Commitment to growth Make sure to have a long-term view when establishing a B2B partnership. Choose a partner that’s committed to ongoing innovation and growth, that will collaboratively develop an all-encompassing strategy, implement routine analysis and identify new opportunities and revenue streams. Don’t just think about immediate benefits. Make sure your B2B partner is in it to win it with you. In a nutshell—when picking a B2B partner, it’s best to consider those that are poised for sustained growth and innovation, capable of evolving in step with your business. I always prioritize factors like industry leadership, product portfolio and long-term vision for a sustainable and fruitful partnership. Remember: It's not just about choosing a B2B partner for now, but for 5, 10 or even 20 years from now. A strong B2B partner is a partner for life. Learn how a channel partnership  with Wix can drive growth for your business and your SMB customers.

We live in such a competitive world that for every idea we have, there are multiple companies doing the same thing. As a business owner, this means you need to develop creative marketing strategies to attract customers. The first step in obtaining clients is to generate leads: these are potential customers who you can guide through the marketing funnel and, ultimately, sell your products to. Lead generation involves making contact with these consumers and, typically, obtaining their contact details so that you can continue marketing to them. Usually, the first step is to build a website that allows you to easily collect leads via forms, CTAs and landing pages. But there are many other effective lead generation strategies as well. This article includes 12 lead generation strategies, which are designed to help you get more leads and, most importantly, better leads. By attracting high-quality leads, you won’t get one-time buyers; you’ll connect with loyal customers who will buy from you time and time again. Read also: How to think like a growth marketer with zero marketing experience (feat. Kevin Indig) What is a lead generation strategy? Before we dive in, let’s clarify a few terms: Leads are potential customers who have shown an active interest in your brand. For example, they may have left their contact details on your website or subscribed to your newsletter. Lead generation is the process of obtaining leads - that is, converting anonymous consumers into potential customers. Lead generation strategies are the various marketing tactics you use to initiate someone’s interest in your product. They include anything from creating a landing page to holding a virtual event. These are types of strategies we’ll discuss below. As a business owner or marketing professional, you’ll need to explore the various options and find the ones that work best for your particular business. It’s wise to set your focus on just a few of these strategies at a time, rather than split your efforts between all of them—but still prioritize an integrated marketing approach. So, start with one to three ideas that speak to you the most, implement them, evaluate their performance, and make an informed decision about which techniques you should prioritize. 12 lead generation strategies Build strategic landing pages Incorporate strong CTAs Create engaging forms Use email marketing Take advantage of live chat Join social media communities Start a community Offer high-quality content Initiate a referral program Work with a complementary business Connect with social media influencers Host a webinar or event 01. Build strategic landing pages If you’ve ever clicked a link in a marketing email or social media ad, you were probably taken directly to a landing page. These are standalone web pages that have been created specifically for a marketing or advertising campaign, and they’re one of the most crucial elements in any marketer’s arsenal. Unlike regular web pages, landing pages have a single goal: to guide visitors towards a CTA, also known as a call-to-action. This narrow focus is precisely what makes landing pages such an effective lead generation tool. Using compelling copy and a strong call-to-action (CTA), they can convert total strangers into potential customers interested in your brand. To generate leads using a landing page, use CTAs such as “Sign Up” or “Register Now.” Then, ask people who click to leave their contact details. Once you have their email, you’ll be able to follow up with them and build their interest in your products. You can also use a link in bio tool like Hopp by Wix to direct users to your landing page from your social media channels. Alternatively, you can use this tool to link from your landing page to all of your online assets such as social media channels from one designated URL. Pro tip: If you want to create a landing page but aren’t sure how to get started, try using this landing page builder . Its drag-and-drop editor makes it quick to build a high-converting, professional page. 02. Incorporate strong CTAs That brings us to our next point - the importance of a powerful call-to-action. Of all the lead generation strategies, this may be the most fundamental. These small but mighty snippets of content are used to hook your target market and get them to take action. They aren’t just reserved for your landing pages. Rather, they’re something you’ll need to include across all your marketing copy, from email campaigns to your website. When it comes to your website, you can increase your conversion rate by strategically placing CTAs in places where users might want to sign up, subscribe, or otherwise get started with your brand. On your product or services page, for instance, you might include a CTA that offers a free trial or consultation. Likewise, you might include a CTA to subscribe to your blog newsletter somewhere within your blog posts. Many companies even include a compelling CTA on the home page, putting it front and center to encourage site visitors to click. As a general rule, you’ll want to keep your CTAs short, actionable and highly clickable. Limit yourself to just one to two words that direct users to take a particular action, and use a contrasting color to make them stand out. Whichever CTAs you choose, remember that your ultimate goal is to capture leads—that is, to obtain contact details or some other form of information that you can use to guide those visitors through the marketing funnel . 03. Create engaging forms Forms result in leads. Period. If a person takes the time to fill out a contact, sign up or registration form, they are likely interested in learning more about and potentially purchasing your products or services. You can then follow up with them by sending out an email or calling them directly. Forms also help you obtain key information about your clients. While they should usually be short so visitors aren’t discouraged from filling them out, some forms deliberately make use of an extra field or two. In addition to asking for your lead’s name and email address, you might also ask for their occupation or how they found out about your business. This will form a picture of who they are so that you can segment your audience and target different types of people with different offerings. You can place forms across various places on your site, including your homepage, footer or landing pages. To get started, take a look at these contact form design ideas. 04. Use email marketing From a weekly newsletter to a new product launch, emails generate leads when the content is short and catchy, and the CTA is equally bold and tempting. You can use convenient email marketing services to schedule automated emails anytime a visitor performs a particular action on your site. Check out our guide on marketing automation software to learn more. Once a visitor leaves their contact details via an online form, follow up immediately with an automated email that piques their interest in your product and keeps them excited about your brand. For instance, you might send them an exclusive free e-book or invite them to an upcoming webinar. Most importantly, email marketing also helps you distinguish between your high-quality leads and those who aren’t serious about your brand. The leads who engage with your emails, whether by opening them or clicking on a link, are likely more serious about becoming customers. With that in mind, these are the people you’ll want to spend more time, energy and resources interacting with. 05. Take advantage of live chat When it comes to lead generation strategies that invite communication, email marketing isn’t the only option. Live chat has become the new norm for how consumers interact with businesses. In fact, it’s practically a requirement for every customer-facing website today. Adding live chat to your website lets you interact with visitors in real time, which is a great way to draw them in from the moment they’re introduced to your brand. It also proves you have strong customer service and are committed to customer satisfaction, advantages that will make you stand out from your competitors. In addition to sending messages over chat, use it as a direct conversion tool by sending lead capture forms to active users. This encourages visitors to enter key contact details such as their name and email address. Among Wix users, business owners who use live chat on their website make up to 300% more sales. In addition, answering chat messages to users who start a conversation improves conversion by 65%. 06. Join social media communities Being active on social media is one of the cornerstones of a strong marketing plan . This doesn’t just involve creating social media pages of your own; it also means joining other social media communities and participating in their discussions. Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit, in particular, are popular places for people with common interests to gather together online. Step into your target audience’s shoes and think about where they hang out. Based on their interests and needs, which Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups and Reddit forums might they participate in? While these groups typically forbid promotional content, you can nonetheless join them to get to know your target audience and provide them with valuable information. Post questions, and post answers to other people’s questions that offer relevant insights without being promotional. You can also send people a direct message (be friendly and polite, rather than spammy) if you think your product or service is a good match for their needs. 07. Start a community In addition to joining existing online forums, you can also create a community of your own. Many brands, from small businesses to bloggers, add forums to their website to build a community around their industry. This creates a tight-knit circle of existing and potential customers who use your site to engage with one another, answer each other’s questions and provide helpful insights. The result is that people will use your site as the go-to source of information on this particular subject, and they will come to associate your brand with trustworthiness and credibility. In addition, loyal customers who love your brand may very well use the forum to recommend your products to new leads. 08. Offer high-quality content Creating a robust content marketing plan is another popular small business marketing strategy that is crucial for generating leads. Having strong content on your site—informative blog posts, e-books, whitepapers and case studies—can push undecided visitors toward a conversion. Think about it: you’re more likely to trust a brand that demonstrates a high level of knowledge in the industry versus one that doesn’t publish any content. Include a blog on your site where readers can find answers to their questions and solutions to their needs. Not only will this drive traffic to your website , but it will also encourage readers to become leads. Within each blog post, give them the option to register for your service, check out your product, or subscribe to your newsletter. In addition to blogging, try creating gated content—that is, content that is accessible to users only after they’ve filled out a form and left their details. This type of content tends to be longer and more involved, such as e-books, white papers, reports, or templates. 09. Initiate a referral program If you’ve ever signed up for Uber or Airbnb, you’re probably familiar with referral programs. The way that most of them work is that if an existing user refers to you, both of you get a discount or free offer. This lead generation strategy tends to be successful, since it combines the appeal of a discount with the credibility of a personal recommendation. Like many big brands, you can apply this concept to your own business. In order to find new clients, write up your own referral plan. Then, create customized coupons to send to both your returning customers and the new ones who they referred. 10. Work with a complementary business Unlike a competitor, a complementary business is one that sells a product or service that fits perfectly with yours. In fact, both of your services might be more marketable together when it comes to lead generation. A classic example of complementary products is peanut butter and jelly. Let’s say that you sell organic nut butters and another brand sells superfood-based jam. The two of you can work together as the perfect duo, whether you decide to sell your items for a packaged discount, or to send samples of your nut butters with every jam purchased. Think about a product or service that complements your business, and reach out to them to see if they’re interested in collaborating. Be sure to brainstorm a creative way that you can work together to give consumers a free sample of your product or a tempting discount. 11. Connect with social media influencers Influencers are social media users with a large following who have established credibility as well-known figures in their industries. Consumers are willing to listen to their opinions because their posts seem genuine and authentic, rather than advertorial. Depending on your business, it might be worthwhile for you to work with them, as they are a trusted third party who can help build interest in your product or service by giving it a positive review. Start by reaching out to well-known influencers in your industry and offer an incentive to work together. Some influencers may ask for a flat fee, while others might be interested in commissions or free swag. You’ll quickly see how this lead generation strategy is a clever way to start winning over customers. 12. Host a webinar or event Whether in-person or virtual, events are a hands-on way to generate leads and increase your market share . Inviting people to networking events, such as a happy hour or picnic that offers free food or product samples, can help you foster organic connections with potential customers. With your leads surrounded by food and fun, this strategy is a casual way to create interest around your offerings. Events are an effective form of lead capture in the online world, too. Webinars and virtual conferences can help draw in people who want to learn new information or acquire knowledge about a particular field. If you offer an important tool or service within that field, use these types of events to gently guide audiences toward your offering. At the end, you can even provide a discount to attendees who want to make a purchase.

You’ve worked hard to build your business—the last thing you want is to let it collect dust and grow stale. E ven the most successful businesses can hit a plateau if they're not continually refreshed and revitalized.  In the same way that your house benefits from an annual spring cleaning, your business could probably use a bit of tidying up . From streamlining operations to setting new goals, here are several steps worth taking this spring.  Is it time to refresh your whole website? Create your business website  today with Wix. A checklist for spring cleaning your business  Polish your website Tend to the customer journey Prune your business plan Audit your books Refresh your marketing strategy Sweep through your catalog Cultivate better habits 01. Polish your website Your website is the stage where your brand gets to shine. So, it might be one of the first places you’ll want to deep clean. More specifically, make sure to:  Give it a good scrubbing. Check for broken links or old pages. Make sure your site still reflects your current branding and highlights your top product offerings or services. Look for and update any irrelevant information, especially key facts like your contact information, in-stock products or pricing. Audit your performance. Using Wix Analytics  or any other reporting tools at your disposal, make sure that your site is running smoothly on all fronts. Check that it’s fast-loading on both mobile and desktop. Improve pages that aren’t performing as hot as you’d expect and pay special attention to the areas where visitors are dropping off. Up your search engine optimization (SEO) game. Analyze the SEO health of all your key pages, and optimize them by following on-page SEO best practices. “Start by Googling your target keyword,” says Chaya Arbiv, SEO specialist at Wix. “Analyze the results to gauge current trends and user interests, then make sure your content reflects that.” Note: you can use Wix’s built-in SEO tools—including an AI meta tag creator—to work more quickly and strategically. Consider a fresh coat of paint. Spring might be the perfect time to rebrand your small business. Or, you may just want to modernize your website with fresh images and copy. Either way, start by taking a refresher on how to create a website  and exploring tools like Wix’s AI feature for text or image creation. 02. Tend to the customer journey As you put a magnifying glass to your site, take some time to analyze the path to purchase. A well-tended customer journey is crucial for both converting new customers and bringing shoppers back to your site. Ask yourself:  Are your product or service pages detailed enough? Do you give your customers enough information to confidently make a purchase? Your product and/or service pages should be as detailed as possible, plus include helpful information like sizing charts, reviews and care information. If you sell a product with multiple variants, make sure that each option has a corresponding image on the listing so buyers know exactly what to expect. Is checkout quick and painless?  Are you giving them enough payment options? Consider online payment systems like Wix Payments that allow you to accept payment in the form of credit/debit cards, digital wallets, buy now pay later (BNPL) solutions and more. Are calls-to-action clear?  “Making sure your buttons are working and effective are essential for ensuring that your site is in tip-top shape,” says Amanda Weiner, CRO specialist at Wix. “Be sure that the buttons are bright and noticeable to the eye so that no one has to actively search for them. And perhaps more importantly, be sure the content on your buttons is clear. The visitor should be absolutely sure what pressing the button will do and where it will bring them, otherwise they’ll never click.” Are people incentivized to transact? Whether you’re looking to sell a product, collect donations or book out an event—give people a reason to take action right now. Experiment with a countdown clock or “low stock” labels. Or, take a page from Black Girls Dance’s  book and reward participation; in the example below, the organization asks visitors to donate to their cause to receive a variety of special prizes.     03. Prune your business plan Your small business is a living, breathing entity. Your business plan  should be too. If you’ve been letting it sit, it’s time to dust it off. Here are three questions to ask yourself as you update your plan: Is it still relevant? Make sure your mission and vision are still aligned with your company’s offerings. Consider whether market conditions or competitive threats have changed, and how you can better address them. Additionally, review details about your target audience and see if it needs to be expanded or altered in any way. Am I still on track? Your original business plan likely included a set of high-level goals. Comb through them and determine how much progress you’ve made. If you haven’t made progress toward a goal, start brainstorming ways to do so. If you’ve achieved your original goals, start setting new goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound). What will I do next? Take a fresh look at your market landscape to see if any new trends have emerged. Then, consider how to incorporate them into your plan. Also, start planning your business growth  strategy. How do you plan on scaling your business? What resources, including funding, will you need to move forward? 04. Audit your books You can’t grow profits without knowing where your business stands financially right now. Sound financial management is a vital part of knowing how to run a business  successfully. Beyond taking care of your taxes this season, take the time to audit your books.  Examine your expenses.  In today’s business climate, efficiency is the best path toward profitable growth for many small businesses. Take a close look at your expenses over the past year and consider ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. For example, unsubscribe from any apps you no longer use or invest more in high-performing marketing channels over underperforming ones. Update your projections.  Look over your profit and loss statements from the last quarter or last year. Then, consider your current and future market position based on your updated business plan. This will help you better predict potential revenue targets so you can maximize profitability over the next four quarters.   Consider how automation could help. Many small businesses will implement financial or accounting software to streamline operations as they grow. Two areas to consider: an online program to help you manage financial reporting and software that simplifies tax complexities. The latter is especially important for eCommerce and other retail businesses that sell goods or services across state lines. Automate sales tax  with Wix or explore Wix’s App Market  for pre-vetted accounting solutions.  05. Renew your marketing strategy Marketing is forever changing. New, powerful channels are emerging every day, and some strategies that may have worked well two years ago may now be consuming more of your time than they merit. Carve out time to analyze your marketing channels and freshen them up while keeping the below tips in mind:  Reset your mindset. “From my experience with marketing consulting, one of the biggest pain points I see is that a lot of business owners feel overwhelmed by channels like social media,” says Lindsay Thomson, head of social media at Wix. “As a result, they are reactive  instead of proactive  with their strategies. And I get it—there are so many things you can  do. But don't let the feeling that you have to do it all stop you from doing something.” Don’t ignore your existing customers.  Customer loyalty is often undervalued or overshadowed by the greed for new customers. Show your existing customers some love by finding ways to express your gratitude, reward their loyalty and/or simply listen to their feedback. Focus on your strengths. “Get clear about what is within your time, energy and skillset,” says Lindsay. “If you love seeing customers share your products on their social media, focus on that. If you hate doing video, you don't have to do it. Part of the point of running your own business is getting to do things differently. Things that feel like a big drain on your time and energy aren't worth it.” Craft a plan. “If you don't plan it, it doesn't happen,” says Lindsay. “Set some clear and reasonable goals for yourself—it could be an amount of time you'll spend each week, a certain number of posts per month or something else. Add it to your calendar, and follow through.” 06. Sweep through your catalog  Turn a fresh eye to your catalog of products or services. By analyzing what truly adds value to your customers and what might be ready for a change or replacement, you can better set the stage for future growth. More specifically, take steps to: Clear out old inventory. If you sell products online, use the springtime to right-size your inventory levels. Wix’s built-in inventory and sales reports can help you identify the most and least valuable items in your catalog. Eliminate any excess inventory by running sales or experimenting with cross-selling techniques.  Revisit your pricing. Periodic reviews and adjustments to your pricing can help you stay attractive to customers while safeguarding your margins. Start by analyzing current market trends and comparing your prices with those of your competitors to ensure you're still in the right ballpark. Consider the perceived value of your products or services to customers, and don't be afraid to adjust prices based on their feedback and your costs. Explore other opportunities. Stay abreast of trending products and customer demand. Think of what additional services or products could complement your existing offerings. Consider low-risk opportunities, such as print on demand or accepting preorders, which provide a flexible way to expand your product line with minimal financial risk.  Learn more about selling custom merch  on Wix.  07. Cultivate better habits  One of the best investments you can make as a small business owner  is to enhance your own professional development, which can easily fall by the wayside when you’re busy starting your business . Use your spring cleaning time to: Set boundaries. Limit your to-do list to three to five tasks each day. Resist the temptation to double- or triple-book your time. Learn to delegate. These types of positive habits will make you and your business stronger. Declutter your digital workspace. Whether this involves cleaning out your email inbox, cleaning up your files or playing around with new productivity apps, find ways to make your online workspace organized.  Take an online course. Focus on a leadership skill you want to improve upon—communication, budgeting, strategic planning—and sign up for a class that will help you develop it. You can even check out free resources, like Wix’s YouTube channel  or SEO Hub  to build up your professional skills.  Listen to a new podcast. Find other entrepreneurs in your particular field who are sharing their real-world wisdom and start learning. For example, Wix’s SERP’s Up  podcast features interviews with some of the sharpest minds in SEO. Build your professional network. Attend in-person networking  events or engage with other professionals on a platform like LinkedIn. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors and peers who can offer guidance, support and accountability.

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?

Great marketing always starts with understanding what is actually being marketed. Some numerous techniques and strategies only work best for certain types of promotions. One of the key distinctions that marketing constantly has to make is the one between products and services. The differences between selling an actual product and selling a service of any kind on your business website are vast (see our guide on how to start a service business ). As a result, naturally marketing pros tend to think of them separately and strategize them in completely different ways. There is a lot to gain, however, in applying a product marketing approach to service marketing and vice versa, as long as you do so thoughtfully. Read Also: How to start a business Service as a product? How it works In this post, we specifically explore the benefits of marketing services by considering them as products. Products, unlike services, have the advantage of being physically palpable and visible. They are available right here and now, and do not require the customers to rely solely on promise and belief in the service provider. Obviously, you can’t pretend that your service is equivalent to a tangible product in every way. But you can create a marketing strategy that highlights the tangible value and real-time results, just like those that products can give. Let’s inspect how you do that: Market to the senses Emphasize the gain Redefine "packaging" Empower your clients Bring relationships into the deal 01. Market to the senses Service providers can use marketing that emphasizes the tangible aspects of their services, even if it has no physical dimension. The idea is to apply branding that appeals to your customers’ senses by using visuals and texts that create a feeling of a real experience. How would this be applied to finance consulting, for instance? In some ways, the “product” of this service is power, wealth and prestige, so we want to translate these concepts into images and words that reflect them—photos of respectable offices with well-dressed and confident employees; writing that is eloquent; precise and inspiring; and classic and simple design layouts for ad materials. For a travel and tourism website , this could mean videos of amazing locations and experiences, while for healthcare websites , this could mean photos of up-to-date medicinal technology. 02. Emphasize the gain You want clients to be able to perceive clearly the expected end result that you offer them, even if getting there involves an enduring process. That’s why video editors, for instance, market themselves primarily with examples of previous works, not by highlighting the gear and software that they work with. Clients will be excited about your service if they can imagine how it would benefit them. Use your marketing techniques to get their imagination going. 03. Redefine “packaging” Goods come in packages, which is a huge advantage because packages can be utilized to emphasize branding and improve the customer’s interaction with the product. What about services? Here packaging still exists but has to be more creative. If your service has a brick-and-mortar location that clients actually visit, it should function as a “package” and fully reflect your brand identity, as well as your type of business . If your service interacts with clients primarily online, your business website and your social media presence should also function as a service “package” that you use to appeal to your target market. Design and branding are the keywords here. Make your offline and online spaces striking and attractive to inspire your clients to open the package. 04. Empower your clients There’s a certain sense of control that goes together with purchasing products because the customers are ultimately the individual agents who operate and work with the products they buy. With services, the service providers themselves have so much influence on the end result, and this can cause a distancing feeling for the clients. To avoid this sense of estrangement, make your clients feel more involved in the process by emphasizing their importance to the process and by demoting your own position to that of a mediator (even if it’s only half true). 05. Bring relationships into the deal A vital aspect of every service operation is the relationship between the provider and the client, which rarely evolves with product manufacturers. Use this fact as a strength in your marketing efforts and present the advantages of the relationship as part of a bargain. The guidance and feedback of an expert is one of the most valuable products on the market, and you want to make sure that your clients understand that. Looking for further inspiration on which service business to start? Check out these guides: How to start a virtual assistant business How to start a babysitting business How to start a nail business How to start a plumbing business How to start a party planning business How to start a food prep business How to start a pool cleaning business How to start a painting business How to start a tutoring business

Between pictures, videos, PowerPoint presentations and plain old docs, you need a place to store all that important information. For most individuals and for businesses large and small, a computer rarely offers enough storage. Luckily, there are lots of free web hosting solutions available, where you can keep your files safe and accessible online. Having trouble knowing where to turn? Here are some hints about what to look for when choosing a storage solution and a review of some of the top online storage options. Why you need online storage Storing your data on the web frees up valuable space on your phone, computer and hard drive. You can store enormous amounts of documents, images, videos, music and more, without worrying about running out of megabytes. A good storage solution offers other benefits, too. When your information is stored on web infrastructure, you can easily share it with coworkers or clients. An employee in London can work on a document simultaneously together with a colleague in Chicago. Plus, online storage offers the reassurance that your information is backed up and won’t get lost if something happens to your computer or phone. Accessibility is also a huge bonus of online storage. Headed on a business trip? Use cloud hosting for your data, so you can access it from any computer, phone or tablet with an Internet connection. Learn more: How to host a website , Web hosting costs What to look for in a storage solution There is no one-size-fits-all solution for online storage. Your needs will vary based on factors such as how much data you want to store and how many people will need to access it. When examining the options, consider the cost, the amount of space you receive, how many people you can share it with, how easily the information is synced and how securely your data is stored. Cost Amount of space you receive Number of people who can share Syncing/Sharing Security The Best 6 Online Storage Solutions Dropbox If you already worked out how to make a website on Wix, Dropbox is a great solution for you because Dropbox and Wix work hand in hand. Using the app Get Files to Dropbox , you can change up a photo on your Wix website with any image stored in your Dropbox. (You can even make the change straight from your phone!) Plus, Dropbox offers 2GB of storage for free, the ability to earn free storage if you share the app with a friend, and an affordable premium version for users who need additional space. Dropbox is easy to use and offers an effective way to share large files with colleagues and clients. You can share specific folders and send data to anyone, even if they don’t have Dropbox. Plus, you can seamlessly sync all your files straight to your computer. Dropbox is a good solution for small businesses with several employees who need to access the same documents. Microsoft OneDrive OneDrive offers a somewhat stingy 5GB of free storage, but it’s a great solution if you’re used to working with MS products and only you need to access your files. Or, if you already have MS 365 - you can enjoy unlimited storage for free! Some limitations are that you can’t correct spelling on OneDrive in Excel or PowerPoint and file size is limited to 2 GB. They are also less secure than some of their competitors. Google Drive If you run your own business, Google Drive may well be the only online storage you need, particularly if you have a Wix website. They offer a generous 15GB of storage for free and for a modest fee you can purchase additional space. Through Drive, you can store and organize documents, spreadsheets, images and more and then access them from anywhere in the world. Plus, using the Google Docs app , you can quickly and seamlessly display any doc straight on your website and customize it to match your site. On Google Drive, you can share files with anyone who has Gmail. One great benefit is that several people can simultaneously edit a document and see the changes in real-time. Unlike with Microsoft OneDrive, you don’t need to download or purchase anything in order to use Google Drive. The one downside is that there is a size limit for documents that can be converted to Drive. Mega Being based in New Zealand automatically makes you cool, but that’s not the only reason we love this online storage solution. Mega offers users an impressive 50GB of free storage (with more available at reasonable rates) and makes file or folder sharing super-simple, even with people who don’t have a Mega account. Mega is best known for ensuring your information is accessible from anywhere in the world while still keeping your data super-secure with end-to-end encryption. That means only authorized users (and not anyone at Mega) can see the information stored. Box Box has an easy-to-use interface that can integrate with pretty much any computer or device. It allows for file syncing and sharing,  but unfortunately, you cannot password protect shared files. They offer 10GB of free storage and 100GB additional space for just $10/month, however, the free plan limits file size to a max of 250MB. We recommend Box for small businesses who are able to pay a modest fee for the service. Those users can then take full advantage of Box’s features, while individuals will find that free services from other providers more than meet their needs. Amazon Cloud Drive Hey photographers! If you’re looking for a place to store unlimited images, Amazon Cloud might be the right option for you. If you want a storage place to sync files, automatically back up your info or shared docs with your employees, you will have to look for another solution. Cloud Drive comes along as a freebie with Amazon Prime membership, and even it’s super affordable, but if your business has more than one or two employees, it probably won’t work as a one-stop-shop for your cloud needs.