Category: Internet Marketing

An Unconventional, But Entirely Necessary Home Office Setup Guide

Home Business Magazine Online

It’s interesting to see how various workplaces design the offices their staff are part of. Of course, some of those decisions have been ceded to remote workers who invest their own money (or perhaps a staff stipend) in renovating their own home office space. But within offices, it’s true that a fairly uniform approach, with further options being available the more you raise the ranks, is key.

Some companies just go all out and have a free-flowing approach to office and workspace design, be that Google which is known to have ball pits and other wacky options for creativity, or cutting-edge Valve Software providing one of the best staff canteens known to man.

Of course, there are two essential measures to get right when designing your home office, inspired by the workplace of the past. Productivity and comfort. The former, because what’s the point of an office you can’t work well in? The latter, because who would want to occupy a stuffy home office that feels unpleasant to work in?

Now, you may have read a few home office guides before this. The advice is usually the same – buy good, ergonomic furniture, get a standing desk, add locks to your doors for those special conference meetings with your sector lead, or invest in a good webcam and microphone setup. All of that is fine. But what about the trimmings and details around this?

In this post, read an unconventional but entirely necessary home office setup guide, considering the extraneous details that make such a difference:

Your Office Needs Artwork & Greenery

You are probably a more creative individual than you give yourself credit for. You are perfectly capable of working with some vibrant aesthetics surrounding you, and perhaps even more so. In offices, your surrounding space can be rather uniform, to the point where it feels like you’re limited to a specific aesthetic of dullness.

But this is your professional space. Regardless of the client or employer, you’re working for at the moment, you deserve to make it inspiring. Perhaps by hanging some excellent Wall Art by Pat, you can liven up your walls. You can also proudly display small ferns or other plants on your shelves or in freestanding pots depending on the space you have in the room, and even enjoying flowers that bloom can give you comfort throughout the summer. 

This home office setup guide tip ensures your office feels less stuffy and less tiresome. It becomes less like a box you consign yourself to from morning to night as you try to work on general problems. It’s well known that those who live within a half-mile of a local park tend to feel happier and more relaxed in their day-to-day routine. But if you bring the park inside, who knows how productive you could be?

You Can Work Outside, Too

If you own a garden, you might stare longingly at it from inside your home office while working on a boring client brief number #442. But no one says you have to work inside, aside from when you conduct a remote meeting in which good acoustics and lighting are key.

Setting up a comfortable seat outside with armrests, a good surface to work on, while facing the breeze just right can be key. You might even invest in small boosts like a small outside radio, a french press kit you can bring outside, or just a relaxing seat cushion to keep your lumbar in check while away from your usual indoor office chair.

Soft Lighting Helps

Have you struggled to make your lighting situation both comfortable for the eyes, and flattering when you’re about to engage in a long video conferencing call? You might have a lamp in the room that gives soft light but doesn’t illuminate the space too much, or a harsh desk light that casts sharp shadows behind you. Neither is ideal.

A soft light can be a great place to start. You might have this slightly above and in front of you, and control the dimming and temperature of the light thanks to its LED functionality. This way, you can cast a gentle soft light that makes you look like the most angelic Zoom attendee in the world, while also being angled such that bright monitors don’t cause any eye strain throughout the day. Both of those measures can be excellent to get right.

Use That Footrest!

It can be helpful to use a footrest to help you sit more comfortably in your seat, and also prevent the constant up-and-down leg twitching that many of us get into, which is a bad habit to repeat over time. A footrest can also allow harder seats to feel more comfortable because it means the pressure coming from the weight of your legs is reduced. 

Your footrest doesn’t have to be so large, just a soft rest you can place your feet on is helpful. If you have a cat, this can also deter them from sleeping on the warmth of your feet. You may just have to fight them for keyboard space, instead. Speaking of keyboards:

Invest In The Best Keyboard You Can

As a professional working on a computer for large portions of the day, your keyboard is likely to be used for most of it. Typing up reports, writing emails, putting together spreadsheets, it’s all quite an intensive focus, and while it takes little physical effort, it could take more out of you than you think. Much like a tradesman ensuring they have proper, quality equipment, you’ll want to invest in a high-performance keyboard suited to your needs and preferences. Mechanical keyboards are best because they have key switches that click, which means you have tactility and don’t have to press so hard to activate each key. You also make fewer mistakes with that model.

If you have limited hand mobility, you could spring for an ergonomic split model with a wrist rest. You can also select key switches based on audio – perhaps you’re not that happy with a super clicky keyboard while you’re trying to give a team presentation. This home office setup guide encourages that a good model now can help you prevent issues like repetitive strain injuries.

Curate That Music Playlist & Invest In Good Speakers For Ambient Backing

Admittedly, this one’s more of a luxury than a necessity for some. But if you spend hours a day working in that home office, having quality ambient music playing softly in the background can work wonders for your mood and productivity levels. It’s rude to have headphones in all day at the office, but at home, you get to decide your soundscape, and it’s a lot better than listening to office politics or gossip.

Curate some playlists that fit whatever feeling you’re going for – some chilled instrumental beats for writing sessions, energetic music to power through busywork well, 80’s hits to spark nostalgia and inspiration, it all counts. Match it with a decent speaker setup that provides clear audio without being disruptive, remember just a gentle background ambiance that calms you is more than enough. What’s best is that if you have a second monitor, you can also use the “jazz cafe ambiance with rain” videos constantly uploaded to YouTube to chill out, and pretend you’re working in a beautiful Parisian cafe, even if you’re just in a small home office.

There’s no shame in romanticizing your work, you’re at home, after all!

With this home office setup guide, you’re sure to enjoy your home office that much more. From getting outside when you can to using the best tools and relaxing into your productivity, sometimes, you just need to focus on what works best for you.

The post An Unconventional, But Entirely Necessary Home Office Setup Guide appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/home-office/home-office-set-up/necessary-home-office-setup-guide/

Effective Team Building Ideas: Boosting Team Morale and Productivity

Home Business Magazine Online

Hey there! So, it’s time to chat about something super critical but in a fun way: effective team building. Envision a work environment that feels more like a gathering of companions getting together to do amazing stuff. Sounds cool, right? If you’re curious about how to make that happen, just click here and you’ll discover a bunch of activities that are all about sparking that team magic.

Now, why is this team building thing a big deal? Well, in an insane active world where everybody is hustling to be the leader, having a group that clicks together can truly make a contrast. It’s like finding your tribe at work where everybody fair gets each other, and that’s when the enchantment happens: way better chats, epic teamwork, and a vibe that fair feels right.

There are a ton of ways to urge your group to vibe. Think about fun challenges where you solve puzzles together or games that get you all talking and trusting each other more. And don’t forget the casual hangouts! Getting lunch, sharing snacks at a potluck, or chilling together after work can turn associates into work pals.

But here’s the key: it’s not one-size-fits-all. Your team is unique, and the bonding stuff should be too. Pick things that everyone will be into, stuff that matches what your team is all about. Once you hit the sweet spot, you’ll see the enchantment in how everybody works together and that’s a win-win for both the individuals and the place where they work.

Strategies for In-Person Effective Team Building

Okay, now plunge into the magnificent world of bringing groups together, in face-to-face fashion! There’s something super special about really hanging out with your colleagues and there are several ideas up the sleeve that allow that to happen:

  • So, picture this: you and your work team are in an escape room. The clock’s ticking, puzzles are all over, and you’ve gotta connect powers to break free. It’s a wild ride and, believe me, you’ll learn a ton about who’s the cool-headed perplexing ace and who’s the thought machine.
  • Or how about a scavenger hunt? You’re dashing around, tackling conundrums, and chasing for treasures like modern-day privateers. It’s an impact and a half, and you’ll see your team’s genuine colors sparkle as you race to the wrap up line. Ever attempted a trust fall?
  • Ever tried a trust fall? Correct, it’s precisely what it sounds like. You’re literally falling backward into your team’s arms. Talk about a trust-building workout!
  • Now, for a change of pace, think picnics, improv classes, or cooking up a storm together. These are the chill times when everyone just kicks back, laughs, and creates those “remember when…” moments.
  • Don’t forget about getting your learning on with some professional development workshops. Whether it’s sharpening those decision-making skills, getting super tight on teamwork, or getting all deep and meaningful about your team’s vision and values, these workshops are like the secret sauce for a killer team dynamic.
  • Each of these ideas is like a little team-building gem, ready to help you guys bond, grow, and become the workplace squad everyone wants to be a part of. So, what do you say? Ready to take your team from meh to amazing?

Fostering Team Cohesion in Remote Environments

Hey team! It’s time to talk about making remote work feel a little less remote and a lot more like a cozy, connected community. With more people dialing in from home offices, we gotta get creative to keep the team spirit alive and kicking!

First up, virtual team building – it’s like a virtual high-five for your team’s vibe. Picture this: you’re all laughing and guessing during a game of two truths and a lie, or maybe getting all tangled up in a digital version of the human knot game. It’s all about the giggles and the “aha!” moments that make everyone feel like part of the crew.

How about mixing up your lunch routine with some brain food? Host a “lunch and learn” where you all chow down and share cool stuff you know. It’s like a mini masterclass with your favorite colleagues, and you all come away with more than just a full belly.

Presently, building a remote work community – that’s a genuine game-changer. Envision your group coming together to volunteer for a cause you’re all enthusiastic about. It’s doing good and feeling good, all while strengthening your bond.

Don’t forget the fun stuff, like virtual happy hours where you can kick back, sip your favorite drink, and just chat. Or get your creative juices flowing with a hack day or a friendly “shark tank” style competition. It’s all about showing off your skills and cheering each other on.

So, even though your team is apart, these ideas can help people feel right at home in your remote work family. Now, make your virtual office a place where everyone feels included, valued, and ready to rock their workday!

FAQ

Why is effective team building important?

Group bonding is just like the sauce that changes a gathering of people into a powerhouse of efficiency. It’s all approximately making those associations that offer assistance to everybody to work together consistently. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sprinkle a little joy into the workday!

What are some quick team building activities for busy days?

Got a jam-packed schedule? No worries! Quick activities like two-truths-and-a-lie or a speedy round of ‘would you rather’ questions can spark laughter and conversation faster than you can say “team spirit”!

Can team building activities really improve productivity?

Absolutely! When teams bond, they communicate better, trust grows, and barriers crumble. This magical mix leads to a smoother workflow and, you guessed it, a boost in productivity.

What’s a creative way to bond with a remote team?

Virtual escape rooms are the ticket! They whisk your group off on an enterprise right from their domestic workplaces, challenging everybody to work together to fathom puzzles and riddles. It’s group bonding with a twist!

How often should we do team building activities?

Consistency is key! Point for at least once a month to keep the team’s soul lively and kicking. It’s like a normal dosage of vitamin C for your team’s morale.

Any ideas for team building with a small budget?

Nature’s got your back! Organize a team walk or an outing within the park. Fresh air, great company, and an altar of view can do wonders for group vibes, and it’s kind to your wallet too.

Keep in mind, that group building is all approximately making an upbeat, trusting, and collaborative environment. So, keep it light, keep it fun, and watch your team soar!

Conclusion

Now, bring it all home with a small recap on the enchantment of effective team building. It’s the mystery sauce that flavors up your work life, making sure everyone’s in tune and paddling in the same direction. A sprinkle of icebreakers here, a sprint of team-building recreations there, and maybe even a gathering experience out within the wild – it’s all around creating those perfect moments where everybody clicks.

Keeping the group soul burning and shining implies hitting the rehash button on those holding exercises. It’s like keeping the coals gleaming for that warm, toasty campfire vibe all year circular. This way, we’re continuously prepared to handle modern challenges, cook up new thoughts, and keep the working environment buzzing with vitality and smiles.

So, keep the great times rolling and observe your group take off to new heights, all while making an impact together!

The post Effective Team Building Ideas: Boosting Team Morale and Productivity appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/management/employees/effective-team-building-ideas-boosting-team-morale-and-productivity/

Localized SERPs: Winning traffic and leads with service area pages

Localized SERPs- Win more organic traffic, leads with service area pages

Google’s local search results have been shifting quite a bit since the start of 2024. As with the rise of Reddit and other forums, Google is trying to serve users more relevant and relatable content – and in the local space, that means showing users more localized content.

Specifically, we have seen a major shift in the pages Google shows for searches they think have a local intent. We are now seeing an influx of localized service area pages showing on the SERPs instead of generic, non-location-specific pages and homepages.

Take this example of what the SERP in Altamonte, Florida looked like in November 2023 for [personal injury lawyer] – mostly generic pages, a homepage and even a Wikipedia article. 

PI-lawyer-SERP-nov2023 

PI-lawyer-SERP-nov2023 
PI-lawyer-SERP-nov2023 

Flash forward to March, this same SERP is almost exclusively full of service area pages for the specific city I’m searching from.

PI-lawyer-SERP-march2024

PI-lawyer-SERP-march2024
PI-lawyer-SERP-march2024

With this clear shift to more localized SERPs, businesses should invest both in improving their current service area pages and building new service area pages targeting the cities/towns where they want to generate more organic leads.

How to optimize local pages to win more local traffic

All of your service area pages should target your most important keyword patterns, along with any long-tail supporting keywords you want to rank for in those areas (i.e., “[service] in [city]”).

You should also add instances of “near me” type phrases to help the page show up for “near me” searches, which we’ve tested and found still works well in organic search.

You should write about your most important services on each page and link to the generic service pages if needed to provide more context. Don’t sleep on internal linking to and from these service area pages to help Google and users navigate your most important content.

For example, you will likely want to link to all your service area pages on your Google Business Profile (GBP) landing page, your homepage and relevant service pages. If you have more than one GBP landing page, link to the service area pages closest to that GBP location. 

Dig deeper: Local SEO in 2024: 6 simple ways to dominate local search

Does duplicate content work for service area pages?

Many people worry about duplicate content when creating many service area pages. There are only so many unique ways to talk about your most important services.

In reality, duplicate content really isn’t an issue, as Google likely will not penalize your site for having it, and it actually works when it comes to ranking service area pages in multiple locations.

The one con to this tactic is that it will likely not work well in competitive markets. How does one combat that?

Provide unique, real-world value that people in the local area will connect with on each page. This can look very different depending on your industry. Generally, you can provide local value by adding some or all of these elements to your service area pages. 

Let’s take a look at a few ways to add relevant local content to your service area pages to make them unique while also being helpful to users:

Customer reviews

I cannot understate the power of user-generated reviews. Highlighting city-specific reviews on your service area pages can be a game changer. 

You can source these reviews directly from Google or other third-party sites where people already leave reviews. Sites like Yelp and NextDoor add the location a reviewer is from to the review itself. You only need to manually source a few per SAP.  

If a reviewer on Google or another site mentions their city directly in the review, that would be even better!

next-door-review-with-location

Long-format client testimonials are also a great way to highlight a job well done by a happy customer in a particular city. Bonus if you can get video testimonials – those are gold!

Dig deeper: How to get reviews for local SEO: The must-do list 

Case studies and jobs completed

Using case studies from completed jobs or clients served in your area is an excellent strategy for adding distinctive content to your service area pages. It showcases the exceptional work your company does locally.

People love to see examples of work you’ve done, and providing that right on the page they are likely to land on is a great way to instill trust and showcase expertise immediately. In your case study, you can include:

  • The problem the customer had.
  • Your plan to fix said problem.
  • Specific steps you took to fix the problem.
  • Any issues you had along the way and how you overcame them.
  • The end results.

Dig deeper: How to create local content that builds trust and drives sales

Unique photos + videos

On top of case studies, add photos/videos of completed jobs or the clients you have worked with in the area.

Users love consuming before and after photos for anything home service-related, so give the people what they want right on the service area pages! This is also a great way to showcase your expertise.

If you have employees or technicians dedicated to serving a specific service area, with their permission, add their photos directly to that page. This: 

  • Creates more unique content for the page.
  • Allows customers to put a face to the name and makes your brand more “real.”
  • Provides a small level of comfort and security, knowing who will be showing up at your house or who you’ll be meeting with.

To instill even more trust, you can add photos taken by actual customers to these pages, too. Photos taken by customers can be an important decision-making factor in certain industries, per BrightLocal’s 2023 Local Business Discovery and Trust Report. 

Consumers also rated photos taken by the business and photos of staff as important factors that help them make a decision on whether to trust a business enough to call or book a service.

There isn’t one type of photo that rules them all, so having as much variety on each page as possible can help convert more users into customers.

City-specific statistics

You can also add statistics from your business data related to that particular city. This provides unique, real-world data that Google hasn’t seen before, which is a great way to set yourself apart from the competition. You can add data around:

  • Number of jobs you’ve done in the city.
  • Number of homes you’ve sold/leased in that city.
  • Number of cases settled from clients in that city.

Cost data

“Cost” keywords are a great way to drive more traffic to your service area pages. Not only do “cost” related keywords get searched a lot, but we have found they convert well, too.

Adding cost/price data directly to your service area pages is a great way to rank for these types of searches across your service area. You can phrase it like, “how much is [service] in [city]”.

We have seen that adding related businesses in the local area helps boost local signals on service area pages. Over time, these pages gain traction in the SERPs, and they can be extremely helpful for the user.

For example, a realtor who sells a home will likely recommend various home service businesses to the new homeowner. It makes sense for them to recommend local roofers, lawn care companies, HVAC experts etc. Since they are likely to already give those recommendations to clients anyway, why not add them directly to the service area pages?

This can also be a great way to build relationships with other small businesses in your community. You probably already know some of them and would refer business to them, so add them to your site.

If you don’t know anyone, research the “best” adjacent companies in your area and reach out to them. Build a real-world connection, then add them to your website when confident. Also, let them know you did this.

So, what exactly should you add to the SAP about them? Add their business name, the main point of contact’s name, address, phone number and website. Make it easy for users to contact them.

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See terms.

Prioritize what cities you create service area pages for

Suppose you’re a multi-location business, especially one operating in multiple states. In that case, there are likely many cities you want to create service area pages for, but only a finite amount of time and resources.

A few things to consider when determining what cities to write content for are:

Check GBP data

GBP-search-terms-explicit-KWs
  • Check your GBP Insights search terms report to see if your listing gets any searches for explicit keywords outside the city where you are physically located. 
  • If you get these types of searches, that’s a good indicator that you’ll get organic traffic for a SAP for that city. 

Competition in the area

  • If there are fewer competitors in a specific city, chances are you can rank there with less effort than in a crowded city. 
  • Check on Google what businesses are physically located in that area and then check organic SERPs to see what, if any, service area pages already rank for your target terms.

How far away customers are willing to drive

Another thing to keep in mind is the value of each sale. One sale can mean thousands of dollars for high-sale-value businesses like personal injury lawyers. So, investing the time to create a service area page in a low-competition area may only result in one case, but that one case could be worth a ton.

Yes, service area pages do convert

Sometimes, clients wonder if service area pages will produce conversions. In my experience, the more localized a page is, the further down the conversion funnel users who land on it tend to be.

The right mix of CRO can produce leads like crazy. Even before the shift in local SERPs, service area pages were one of the top-converting pages on many of my local business clients’ sites. 

Now, the trend is compounding, and I am seeing service area pages bring in more onsite conversions than ever before. Especially for multi-location businesses operating in multiple states, service area pages can be a game-changer and save you some money in the long run, as you won’t be forced to run ads all the time across your service areas. 

Take this example, where onsite conversions from organic traffic have increased 7% YoY, largely thanks to service area pages, despite organic traffic being down sitewide. 

Note the “24/7 emergency” page, which is a nationally targeted page, took a dip in traffic and conversions YoY, as did most of their generic pages.

service-area-page-conversions-YoY

Dig deeper: Local SEO success: How to track rankings, conversions, calls

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/localized-serps-traffic-leads-service-area-pages-440129

Google’s huge search market share loss wasn’t real: Data revised

Business Finance

Statcounter has revised data indicating that Google took a massive hit to its search market share in April while Microsoft Bing and Yahoo made ludicrous gains.

Inaccurate data. For U.S. search market share in April, here’s what Statcounter was showing just a few days ago:

  • Google fell to 77.52%, down from 86.94% in March and down from 88.88% year-over-year (YoY).
  • Microsoft Bing grew to 13.05% in April, up from 8.04% in March and up from 6.43% YoY.
  • Yahoo grew to 7.3%, up from 2.48% in March and up from 2.33% YoY.

Revised data. Here are the revised stats for April in the U.S.

  • Google fell to 86.58%, down from 86.94% in March and 88.88% YoY.
  • Microsoft Bing grew to 8.24%, up from 8.04% in March and up from 6.43% YoY.
  • Yahoo grew to 2.59%, up from 2.48% in March and up from 2.33% YoY.

Google is dropping. While it wasn’t as dramatic a drop as Statcounter first reported, Google has been consistently losing U.S. search market share since August 2023, when it was at 89.03%. Google’s highest search market share in the past 12 months was 89.1% in May 2023.

Globally. Google has 90.91% search market share, according to Statcounter’s revised data. This is down from 91.38% in March and down from 92.82% YoY. Google’s highest search market share during the past 12 months globally was 93.11% last May.

  • Microsoft Bing is at 3.64%, up from 2.76% YoY.
  • Yahoo is at 1.13%, up from 1.11% YoY.

Still reviewing. However, Statcounter is still reviewing its search data for April 2024, according to a popup on its chart.

  • This data could still change more within the next 40 days or so when it completes its period of quality assurance testing and revision, according to Statcounter.

No comment. Since acknowledging the issue to me via email, I’ve yet to hear back from Statcounter. I’ll add a comment if/when they provide one about what happened with its April data. In fairness, it is the weekend, so I plan to follow up again tomorrow (Monday).

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/googles-huge-search-market-share-loss-wasnt-real-data-revised-440191

Ways to Choose the Right CPA Firm for Your Business

Home Business Magazine Online

Forming a strategic partnership with a CPA firm provides benefits to businesses, large or small. However, choosing an accountant to work with isn’t as easy as you’d want it to be. Fortunately, there’s a way for you to stand a better chance of choosing one that works for you if you know what you’re looking for. Here are five tips to consider when researching, choosing, and vetting a CPA firm for your business.

Prioritize Value Over Price

Your ideal CPA firm provides more value than others. While you may find one offering an affordable quote initially, the money spent wouldn’t necessarily equal value.
From a banking relationship to finance to retirement planning, a good CPA firm provides practical solutions designed to support your business’s growth. As long as you make a wise choice, you can consider the CPA as an investment capable of providing you with a major return.

Get Referrals From Adjacent Businesses

Each industry is different, and regulations and laws vary. To find a CPA firm that’s been successful in your industry, ask adjacent businesses that have worked with accountants familiar with the business you’re in. An accountant with experience in your space and that has been referred by another business can save you time as well as money when it comes to tax filing, payroll, and handling expenses.

Choose an CPA Who’s Interested in Learning About Your Business

If you’re going to have a long-term relationship with your CPA firm, there needs to be a mutual intention to learn about each other. Just as is the case with personal relationships, a business relationship requires good communication. So you should work with a CPA firm that views you as an individual, as opposed to a number. A good CPA firm will make sure to do all they can to get to know you and not purely see you as a source of revenue.

Consider a Mom and Pop Solution

If you work with a mom-and-pop CAP firm for your business, but then discover that they were taken over by a large company, you may find that the communication becomes less frequent and less personal.

While you may not be aware if and when a change of ownership is pending, you can ask the question when speaking with CPA firms. An honest and open dialogue can provide a glimpse of what’s to come.

Working with a large CPA firm can save you money in certain industries, such as real estate, for example. However, smaller companies that specialize in other sections can provide you with a more tailored experience. So knowing whether or not a small CPA firm intends to stay that way can be an important factor in long-term planning.

Use Research Tools

Okay, so now you have a greater idea of what to look for when choosing a CPA firm for your business. To determine your optimal solution, there are some useful tools available to you.

One such tool is CPAverify, which vets accounting businesses. It’s an impressive database, with all accredited accountants listed. It also shows whether or not their licenses are up to date. Once you’re confident that you’ve found a CPA firm you’d like to work with, it’s advisable to double-check that all the right credentials are in place before you move forward.

There are also review sites, like Clutch, which provide a great way to learn how similar businesses have rated their experience with various CPA firms. Another site that may be more helpful is Glassdoor. It displays ratings from employees regarding their experience of working at the firm. A business with a strong culture and happy employees tend to make good professional partners.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right CPA firm for your business to work with is a significant step in establishing your business’s financial future. Taking shortcuts to find a cheap solution can be costly in the long run, thanks to mistakes and missed opportunities.

When building your relationship with a CPA firm, you should prioritize value over cost. Before signing up to a firm, vet their credentials with such tools as CPAverify, do some research, and speak to adjacent businesses to learn about any experience that they may have had with the firm. Also, research the firm’s size and scope goals. Finally, remember that there’s value in an accountant showing intention to learn about you and your business.

These tips and tools should allow you to find a CPA firm with whom you can enjoy a successful and long-lasting relationship.

The post Ways to Choose the Right CPA Firm for Your Business appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/accounting-and-bookkeeping/choose-right-cpa-firm-business/

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Invest in Luxury Real Estate

Home Business Magazine Online

Suppose you are an entrepreneur considering to invest in luxury real estate. In that case, you might be one of the many people who aim for financial success in a new and modern way. Real estate investments have many benefits that help entrepreneurs build generational wealth that can be left as a legacy to future generations. 

One of the best things about investing in luxury real estate is that it diversifies the investment portfolio and reduces the overall risk. Investing in real estate will establish an income stream that will serve as a hedge against inflation and provide continuous financial growth. 

Moreover, real estate investments increase their value over time, especially if the assets are acquired cheaply. Plus, if the properties are used as rental units, the rental income from these units will provide a consistent source of cash flow for the entrepreneurs. 

A great benefit of real estate investment is that there are many tax benefits, including deductions for depreciation, which means that there are reductions in the value of a real estate asset over time because it’s being used. So, as the property gets older and used, it becomes less valuable. 

As you can see, there are many great benefits to investing in real estate as an entrepreneur; now, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of investing in luxury real estate. 

Higher Returns on Investment 

As mentioned before, the value of the property assets increases over time. Appreciation will be far more significant if we talk about luxury assets. Real estate investors can make much money from customers who want to indulge in luxury on their vacations or getaways. Some factors, though, influence the performance of luxury properties. They are: 

  • Location – locations are key when investing in luxury real estate because they influence the overall price of the property. If the property asset is located in a popular neighbourhood or tourist attraction, you, as a real estate investor, will be able to make a lot of money. 
  • Access to infrastructure is a factor that attracts customers to your luxurious properties, and airports, flyovers, and malls are among the facilities that drive traffic. 
  • Affordability – yes, it is luxury, but people still want to see the value for their money, so the investment should fit the bill by not overpricing the property. 
  • Structure – a factor that indeed lures clients to luxury investment homes. Entertainment facilities like infinity pools, gazebos, and patios will give a luxurious feel to the property, and guests would love to stay and enjoy their time off. 

High Market Stability 

Another reason to invest in luxury real estate that it offers safe investment options and high market stability. You can sell a luxury home faster than investing in bonds and equity, for example. 

Low Maintenance Costs 

When it comes to maintenance, property managers overtake the whole responsibility of maintenance and other tasks in operations, especially if the property is for renting purposes. But, when we are talking about luxurious properties, there is very little necessity for maintenance because they are well-built and taken care of. Also, luxury homes are built to last and resist random cracks, leaks, or paint peel-offs. Sometimes, though, you may need to do some touch-ups to maintain the luxurious finishes, which is when property managers can help. 

High Appreciation Rates 

Luxury real estate is highly appreciated due to its improved and modern features. This makes them always in demand and very popular across the country. It is widely known that they attract high-level people like celebrities and politicians, which is why money comes easily. In addition, organizing luxurious events in such properties can draw in celebrities and politicians, and their purpose as short-term rent will make them always popular. 

Conclusion 

There are many reasons why entrepreneurs invest in luxury real estate. You can even sell them or turn them into short-term rentals and make huge profits. To maximise return on investment, consider the factors that impact the performance of your luxury property and remember that it will become a secure investment only if you do it right by following the market trends and answering the customer’s needs.

The post Why Every Entrepreneur Should Invest in Luxury Real Estate appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/real-estate/invest-in-luxury-real-estate/

Google expands Performance Max to online marketplaces

advertising channels

Google expanded Performance Max to help merchants drive sales directly through online marketplaces, such as Amazon.

The big picture. Performance Max for Marketplaces allows sellers to create Google ad campaigns that send traffic to their product listings on third-party ecommerce platforms, without needing a website or Merchant Center account.

Why we care. For marketers with established marketplace sales, this represents a potentially big new piece of their Google Ads strategy. With no need for a site or merchant center, the cost is much lower than most other types of Google Ads tactics (i.e., a massive opportunity for small businesses with a limited budget).

How it works. After connecting your Google Ads account to a supported marketplace, merchants can launch fully-automated Performance Max campaigns promoting their marketplace product catalog across Google’s advertising channels.

Key benefits. Google shared three:

  • Use existing marketplace product data like images, descriptions and pricing in ads.
  • Detailed reporting on campaign performance within Google Ads.
  • Uses Google’s AI automation to optimize across Search, Shopping and more.

Conversion tracking. This is handled by the marketplaces themselves. Only sales for the merchant’s own products count – not purchases from other sellers.

Availability. Performance Max for Marketplaces is limited to “select marketplaces.” Google said it’s “working to add more marketplace platforms.” 

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-expands-performance-max-to-online-marketplaces-440168

3 key observations about the Google March 2024 core update

google-logo-turbulent-waters-1920

Google’s March 2024 core update will hands down be one of the most talked-about SEO topics of the year, if not the last few years.

There’s so much around the update, from its length to the death of the helpful content update (HCU) to all of the quality issues on the SERP (talking about you, Reddit). 

There is going to be a lot said about this update. Here are a few things I wanted to share based on data Semrush shared with me, scouring through hundreds of SERPs and looking at the ranking patterns along with the sites themselves. 

To be clear: none of this is definitive. The following analysis is what I’ve seen and my interpretations. 

1. Analyzing this update is hard 

Analyzing the Google March 2024 core update difficult for many reasons. Even just understanding what happened in terms of the HCU and integration (or lack thereof) into the core is a whole basket of confusion for various reasons. 

The other elephant in the room is how long the update took to roll out, which presents a heap of complications compared to traditional data.  

The full rank volatility fluctuation pattern seen during the March 2024 core update (with just a tad of pre-update volatility to boot)
The full rank volatility fluctuation pattern seen during the March 2024 core update (with just a tad of pre-update volatility to boot)

For example, one of the “metrics” tool providers show is the level of “peak volatility.”

As I’ve mentioned at various times (including SMX Next 2023), this metric is often the least telling when gauging the impact of an algorithm update, but it can still help paint the overall picture. 

I’d say, in this case, it’s almost entirely irrelevant. 

If you look below, the levels of peak rank volatility seen during the March 2024 core update are actually lower than what Semrush tracked back during the November 2023 core update. 

Peak volatility comparison - Semrush sensor data

Shocking? Not really. 

The March 2024 core update was a very different update. It wasn’t about a quick week or so burst of intense algorithmic activity – it was a prolonged series of many moments of algorithmic intensity.

Looking at a “peak” moment in time (in our case, one out of 45 days) is not how this update should be analyzed. 

The same applies to another metric that is often pretty telling: volatility change. This data looks at the levels of rank fluctuations during a baseline period (a period of relative calm) and compares them to the level of fluctuation seen during the update. 

Looking below, it turns out the March 2024 core update and the November 2023 core update show the exact same amount of relative change per Semrush:

Rank volatility change comparison - Semrush sensor data

Here, too, the metric relies on comparing one moment in time to another moment. With the March 2024 core update, it’s not about specific algorithmic moments that can be analyzed but the whole shebang. 

It all makes gauging the impact of Google’s March 2024 core update far more difficult than usual (and it’s usually very difficult). 

2. Huge movement at the bottom half of the SERP across the web

I must have looked at around 300 SERPs and the ranking patterns of the top 20 results over the course of the entire update.

One of my early observations was that there was a ton of movement toward the bottom of “page one of the SERP” but the top results didn’t seem to see any increased volatility relative to other updates I’ve analyzed. 

That’s not to say sites were not impacted by key ranking losses at the top of the SERP. I’m saying that, overall, I expected to see more movement at the very top of the SERP. 

(If you’re screaming, “No, I’ve seen crazy ranking swaps at the top of the SERP you fool!” you’re not wrong – I’ll get to it.)

This assessment seems to be corroborated by the data Semrush provided me. 

If we look at the percentage of URLs ranking top 10 post-update that prior to the update didn’t crack the top 20 you’ll see a disparity between the March 2024 core update and the November 2023 core update: 

Core update comparison - Top 10 results

In November, 6.46% of the URLs ranking in the top 10 came from beyond position 20. That number jumps noticeably to 9.38% in March. 

To me, this is more telling than peak volatility or volatility change. It’s the analysis of where things were and where they ended up over the course of the update. It’s not just looking at a one-shot moment in time.

It also helps to see how drastic the rank volatility was and whether Google was really rewarding what it hadn’t known to reward before. 

That said, the same pattern doesn’t hold true when looking at the top 5 results: 

Core update comparison - Top 5 results

Among the top 5 results, the gap between the March 2024 core update and the November 2023 core update is far less significant. 

This would point to the March 2024 core update not being disproportionately potent relative to other core updates where it matters most – the very top of the SERP. (Again, when looking at it through this very specific lens). 

It also points to what I saw and mentioned before – the update was heavy-handed toward positions 6-10.

Beware – this is a horizontal data analysis that was meant to try to sweep across the web – it’s very normalized. We still need to dig a bit more “vertically” and that’s part of what makes analyzing this update so hard. 

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3. The aggregate data only tells one part of the story 

With this update in particular, I think you can’t just sweep across the web and look at the top-level data. It’s, in a weird way, too normalized. 

Looking at the web horizontally includes sites that lost and gained rankings but mostly includes sites that did not do much of anything. 

To get a better understanding of the update, you have to hone in on who was impacted and the nature of that impact. That’s a more vertical and qualitative analysis. 

From what I see (again, it’s just what I see, and it’s anecdotal at that), the March 2024 core update had a bite to it that you don’t always see with a core update. 

Below is a site that slowly started to see growth in September 2023 (ironically right around the September 2023 helpful content update) and really took off in Q4 2023 (suspiciously so, but I have not dug enough to say that with any confidence).  

The March 2024 core update destroyed it. 

Sample website - Estimated traffic trend

Since I mentioned the September 2023 HCU, below is a site that saw a ranking reward with the August 2023 core update but a loss with the September 2023 HCU a month later. 

The March 2024 core update all but finished it off.

Sample website - Estimated traffic trend post-March 2024

There does seem to be a bit of a pattern with sites getting hit by the September 2023 HCU and seeing subsequent losses with the March 2024 core update:

Sample website - Estimated traffic trend - June 2023 to May 2024

My personal theory is that no, Google did not throw away the HCU. It makes zero sense to me that they invested so heavily to create the construct only to throw it in the trash can.

What I personally think happened is the classifier used by the HCU was built upon and serves as the foundation of the now multifaceted way Google algorithmically assesses helpfulness. 

Think of it like the Model T. No, the Model T is not produced anymore, but the process used to mass-produce it serves as the basis and foundation for mass-producing the cars we drive today.

For the record, not all sites got hit; some got rewarded. Here’s a site’s informational content folder getting a massive uplift with the March 2024 core update:

Sample informational site - Estimated traffic trend - rewarded

So how ‘big’ was the March 2024 core update? 

Trying to size up any algorithm update is such a precarious task. All the more so with the March 2024 core update.

I hate to use the age-old SEO cliche, but it depends. It depends on how you look at it. 

Do you define the impact of the March 2024 core update by its reach across the web as a whole? If so, there are indications that it was more potent than your typical update but not definitively so. 

However, if you define the impact of the March 2024 core update by its ability and tendency to be heavy-handed, then the March 2024 core update, by all accounts, seems to have had some extra bite. 

My personal take: there was something different about this update. If you combine it all, the extra bite the update had in negatively impacting sites, the extra rank volatility seen at the 6th – 10th rank positions, etc., paints a picture of what is a very “unique” update. 

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-march-2024-core-update-key-observations-440148

Retail Trends Masterclass: Consumer behavior is changing, is your marketing? by Edna Chavira

Behavior
Business Finance

The retail landscape is in flux. What may have worked for retail marketers just a few years ago may no longer have the same impact today. Why? Buyer journeys are evolving, spending habits are shifting, and, notably, the savviest marketers are accounting for these changes. 

Success for the modern retail marketer hinges upon a deep understanding of consumer behavior and a willingness to explore bold marketing strategies. Join Marigold’s Retail Trends Masterclass to discover:

  • Key retail trends happening right now, including the rise of pop-up shops, sustainable marketing and hyper-personalization
  • How to navigate shifting consumer behavior and deliver on demands for relevance, value and brand purpose
  • The ins and outs of modern loyalty, including loyalty drivers and the critical role of non-transactional offerings

RSVP today for the Retail Trends Masterclass: Consumer Behavior is Changing, Is Your Marketing? to learn how to navigate these shifts and deliver on the increasing consumer expectations.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/retail-trends-masterclass-consumer-behavior-is-changing-is-your-marketing-440180

Google unveils new ways to reach streaming audiences

streaming ads

Google took center stage at the IAB NewFronts in New York City, pitching advertisers on their evolving streaming ad offerings.

The big idea: With streaming continuing to fragment audiences across various platforms and services, ad giants are competing to offer marketers unified solutions for reaching those viewers.

Why we care: This new means of doing programmatic will allow advertisers to manage video campaigns much more quickly through an already familiar platform. 

State of play: Google introduced a plan to “rethink programmatic TV” by having advertisers centralize their streaming ad buys through its web-focused demand-side platform, Display & Video 360 (DV360).

The company touted DV360’s ability to stitch together fragmented streaming inventory sources, reaching 92% of U.S. connected TV households, according to Sean Downey, Google’s president of Americas and global partners.

In one cited case study, SAP used DV360 to reach 29 million unique viewers, with 5.6 million incremental.

Between the lines: Google is replicating its strategy of using YouTube as the foundational driver for ad sales across streaming TV, leveraging DV360’s direct access to the platform’s dominant viewership.

  • DV360 also pulls in third-party inventory like Disney’s streaming ad supply through a new partnership.

Google is adding new measurement capabilities like cross-device conversion reporting for connected TV campaigns.

Bottom line: The connected TV ad market is rapidly evolving and highly fragmented. Google is staking its claim as a unified solution, but it remains a wide-open field.

Google’s announcement. Display & Video 360 updates from Google NewFront

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-unveils-new-ways-to-reach-streaming-audiences-440184