Starting a Successful Home Security Company: Step-By-Step Guide

Home Business Magazine Online

With security concerns and the desire to keep possessions secure growing globally, a home security company is a highly successful business to start. The options are limitless, from selling taser guns for self defense to smart home security.

Given the rise in crime globally, there has been an unprecedented adoption of novel safety and security technologies. Furthermore, reliable vendors for security products have become increasingly difficult to find, fueling demand for smart home security. This has made the home security industry a profitable venture for entrepreneurs.

This is all very promising, but how can you get started with a home security company? Here are sure-fire tips to get you going.

Step 1: Conduct Market Research

Market research is an essential component of company strategy. Starting a successful business entails more than just the enthusiasm and optimism of developing a product; it is a systematic, data-driven process.

Conducting market analysis before you launch provides you insight into the industry, allowing you to find holes you can address to stand out and attract people to your firm.

Conduct a fast search for existing home security firms. Discover what existing brand leaders are doing and see how you could do it better.

Do you believe your company can provide something that other firms cannot (or can provide the same thing cheaper and faster)? Furthermore, do you have a strong idea and are ready to develop a business plan?

Examine the consumer’s wants and make sure you’re offering or supplying exactly what they require.

For instance, in areas where mass shootings are regular, people are purchasing bulletproof gear such as backpacks, clipboards, and even three-ring binder inserts in the expectation that these may protect them from gunfire. Another example is self defense items such as tasers, security batons, and tactical flashlights powered with electricity.

Step 2: Develop a Business Plan

A solid business plan is an essential component of starting any firm. This preparation will guarantee that you are prepared for success from the outset.

The following information should be included in a business plan:

  • Information about you – your industrial expertise and professional history, necessary certifications, and current relationships.
  • Overview of the business – your company’s name, services, client objectives, and operating model. It should also contain a SWOT analysis to identify your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as its goal, mission, and values.
  • Finances – how you intend to finance your company, sales projections, and launch budgets.
  • Full summary of your services – price, how you will carry out the services, sales strategy, legislative and insurance needs, policies and processes, the potential for development.
  • Market research entails doing online and physical research into the security sector market (e.g., conducting web searches and reading related publications), conducting field research on your ideal consumers (e.g., conducting interviews or surveys), analyzing the customer needs, and competition.
  • Marketing and promotion strategy – how will you build awareness of your new company and attract customers?

There are several internet tools available to help you write a business plan, including simple templates. Set aside committed time to finish your company strategy; it is not an easy undertaking, but it is necessary.

Step 3: Come Up with a Business Model

Business models have evolved throughout time. Businesses all around the world have learned to harness both physical and digital storefronts in order to stay competitive in the current economy.

Whatever store you choose, be sure it meets your needs and those of your consumers.

Many organizations have begun to integrate technology into their business models in order to better fulfill consumer needs, and some have even taken an omnichannel strategy to boost returns.

Businesses have created one-of-a-kind solutions to assist streamline procedures and generate income. They are also utilizing both systems to their advantage. Whatever business module you establish, consider:

  1. Having a website. Every genuine business has a website, period. When it comes to bringing your business online, it doesn’t matter what size or sector it is.
  2. Social media accounts, such as Facebook pages or LinkedIn company profiles, are not a substitute for your own business website but are rather helpful marketing platforms.

Step 4: Select Products and Services to Offer

Entering the security profession without knowing what you can offer your clients can only lead to disaster. You must decide the services you will provide so that you can guarantee you have the necessary finances and resources.

Below are some of the viable options:

  • Internet security services, such as cybersecurity;
  • Alarms;
  • Home security and monitoring services;
  • Self defense batons;
  • Taser guns;
  • Bulletproof backpacks for students;
  • Stationary guard services;
  • Crisis management; and
  • Patrolling services.

When you select a security service niche to specialize in, the rest of the procedure becomes much simpler.

Step 5: Create a Marketing and Sales Strategy

In the service industry, word-of-mouth referrals are an important source of clients. People prefer to believe advice, especially from security organizations, because security is such a personal subject. Make sure you tell your family, friends, and neighbors so they may promote you to their networks.

Creating networks with real estate agents, homeowner associations, and housebuilders is another efficient strategy to advertise your firm. They may know potential clients for your services and be able to recommend you.

Social media is another excellent technique to advertise your company. It is one of the simplest and most successful strategies to market a new business.

When you have a solid following on your social sites, your chances of obtaining prospective clients grow since there is no limit to how far you may spread your network.

Step 6: Launch and Manage the Store

The final step is to obtain the necessary permits and licenses. To run your security company, you must have certain licenses and permissions. Each nation has its own unique set of norms and laws. So, find out what your state’s requirements are in this respect.

Take the time and do house cleaning. Create a working framework. You most certainly already have industry experience, and you could even be an expert in the sector. However, this may not be enough to successfully manage your own security company.

Some key business abilities will be required, such as operations and people management, basic financial management, risk management knowledge, project management, effective communications and marketing skills, relationship building, and so on. Soft skills such as communication, cooperation, and teamwork are also required if you want to succeed.

Conclusion

So, now that you’ve learned how to establish a security company using our six-point approach, why not turn your zeal for delivering outstanding security services into a profitable business and get started right away?

The post Starting a Successful Home Security Company: Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/business-start-up/how-to-guides/starting-successful-home-security-company-step-by-step-guide/

How to Sell CS:GO Skins in 2023

Home Business Magazine Online

Many players in the CS:GO game do not even suspect that they can make money on their favorite game. Although the topic of buying and selling csgo skins is not new, nevertheless, not all players of this online team shooter use the opportunity to increase their wealth. Surely, many do not take this way of earning seriously. However, many successful entrepreneurs earn hundreds and thousands of dollars on the resale of CS:GO skins, and this is far from the limit.

How to get skins in CS:GO

You can get skins for free in the game, but it will take a lot of time to get a really valuable weapon skin. Here are the most common ways to get skins in CS:GO:

  • buy them;
  • play a lot in order to get a drop as a reward, in which a skin can get caught;
  • complete tasks on third-party sites in exchange for skins;
  • participate in sweepstakes on social networks; and
  • participate in CS:GO tournaments.

In fact, the first method is the fastest and most convenient. In addition, you can sell the CS:GO skins that you already have, or buy cheaper skins from familiar players and then sell them at a higher price.

If you can set up this process more efficiently and work only with the most valuable skins in the game, you can start earning. Prices can vary from $10 to several thousand dollars, even more.

How to sell CS:GO skins

If you decide to sell skins, but have not done so before, use proven platforms with a clear interface and 24/7 technical support. For example, DMarket is considered to be a great choice. You can easily master the trading of CS:GO skins and scale your future earnings without switching to other platforms.

To sell CS:GO skins, log in to the platform and create a lot to sell your skins. If you are interested in buying, then select the skin you are interested in the catalog and add it to your cart. Top up your account to pay for the purchase. It will then become available in your CS:GO account.

You need to be careful and not use unscrupulous sites. Always study the platform before you sell or buy anything. Look at what payment systems are available. If there is a KYC algorithm, if there is technical support, and the reviews.

The post How to Sell CS:GO Skins in 2023 appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/business-start-up/how-to-guides/how-to-sell-csgo-skins-2023/

Starting a Local Lead Generation Business from Home in 2023

Home Business Magazine Online

Getting into the local lead generation game is more achievable than ever, especially if you want to work from home as you build your business. We’ve put together tips on what you’ll need to do to get in on this niche and how to take inspiration from others already succeeding in the local lead generation space.

How to Start a Local Lead Generation Business from Home with Minimal Investment

Starting a local lead generation business from home has the potential to be quite lucrative if you get it right. However, you must first make sure that you have all of the necessary tools and resources in place before diving right into it.

To begin with, you should determine what type of leads your business will specialize in and create an effective strategy for targeting these leads. It’s useful to focus on a particular segment or sector and take a look at how established brands are succeeding. For instance, HVAC Engine marketing is an agency that caters to HVAC businesses looking to grow their customer base, retain more clients and put a plan in place for future expansion.

You’ll also need to invest in quality software and other online tools like social media platforms that can help drive traffic toward your website or landing pages. Also, consider setting up cost-effective methods of advertising such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads so that potential clients are aware of your services. With proper planning and investment upfront, starting a local lead generation business from home can be a straightforward process.

Tips on Generating Sustainable Revenues from Local Lead Generation

Generating sustainable revenues from local lead generation can be difficult but it is not impossible. It’s something that takes time to perfect, and so crucially you need to be realistic about how long you’ll need to be up and running until you’ve got the momentum and client loyalty to reach this point.

Most importantly, entrepreneurs should strive to build strong relationships with their clients and offer them added value beyond just their products or services. Go above and beyond the basics of local lead generation and give people a reason to stick with you time after time.

Clearly, you also need to be delivering on your basic promises. However, if you’re not only bringing in more leads for clients but also keeping them in the loop with other marketing and sales tactics, it’s a more impressive proposition.

Additionally, think about providing loyalty programs or discounts so that clients are incentivized to return to use your services in the future.
Then there’s the relevance of keeping track of the leads you generate and paying close attention to what works best in terms of converting leads into clients, as well as generating long-term revenue. You can’t hope to set up a thriving local lead generation business if you aren’t also capable of generating leads and building relationships yourself.

Utilizing Social Media Platforms to Reach Potential Leads

Speaking of lead generation, don’t overlook social media platforms as a way to connect with companies in the local area that have need of your services. With the right strategy in place, these platforms help you reach out to prospects and increase brand awareness.

You’ll need accounts on sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to build digital bridges. Make sure that your profile contains relevant information about your business as well as engaging content that will draw users in.

The Bottom Line

Digital tools make local lead generation an attainable home business proposition in 2023. Therefore, the biggest struggle you’ll face when starting a business targeting this market is making your services known to the right prospects. This should be your focus in order to reach your goals this year.

The post Starting a Local Lead Generation Business from Home in 2023 appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/business-start-up/setting-up-a-business/starting-local-lead-generation-business-home-2023/

This day in search marketing history: January 29

Google penalizes French link network

In 2014, Google’s Matt Cutts tweeted, “Today we’re taking action on a French link network that violates our quality guidelines (Buzzea).”

Buzzea was less than thrilled about being called a link network, saying they “oppose this assertion since we never stopped wanting to keep the ethical side of sponsored articles focusing on quality and natural links created.” As a result of the penalty, Buzzea officially called it quits.

Read all about it in Google Takes Down Another Link Network, France’s Buzzea.

This was hardly the first link network Google had gone after:

Buzzea would be just the first of several link networks Google identified and took action against later in 2014:


Also on this day


Facebook testing brand safety topic exclusions for advertisers

2021: Citing advertisers’ brand safety concerns, Facebook said the feature would allow marketers to choose whether to show their ads alongside potentially sensitive content.


Google has stopped deduplicating right-sidebar featured snippets

2020: URLs shown in featured snippets that appeared in the right rail of Google desktop results would continue to be included in the main organic listings.


Video: Lisa Barone on the early days of SEO blogging

2020: In this installment of Barry Schwartz’s vlog series, he chatted with Barone about the older days of SEO and then moved on to how her career has changed over the years.


How to know when it’s time to pay for search analytics tools

2019: Search marketing experts offered feedback on when to pay for search analytics tools, factors to consider and making the most out of what you buy.


Google adds voice input and spoken results to mobile web search

2019: Google added a microphone to the Google.com search field on Android phones to enable mobile web voice search.


Tell Google which report you are really missing in new Google Search Console

2018: A button in the beta Search Console explained why all of the old reports had not been migrated.


Merkle Q4 2017: Search ad click growth fell, ad spend rose 23% across Google, Bing, Yahoo

2018: Bing and Yahoo saw search ad spend jump 32% year-over-year. Google spend slowed slightly from Q3.


Adobe: Paid Search Spend Growth Slowed In Q4, Mobile Continued To Eat Into Desktop

2016: Retail advertising spend on mobile Shopping ads nearly doubled year-over-year in Q4.


Search In Pics: GoogleBot Band, Inside Out Post-It Art & Hangouts Pillow

2016: The latest images showing what people eat at the search engine companies, how they play, who they meet, where they speak, what toys they have and more.



Google’s Matt Cutts: Don’t Try To Build Links Through Article Directories

2014: That was Cutts’ answer to “Should I build links using article directories?”


Report: Google Close (Again) To EU Antitrust Settlement

2014: Two previous antitrust settlements were strenuously opposed and thus defeated by Google critics and competitors.


Google May Be Forced To Pay $1 Billion To Patent Troll

2014: Google was asked to pay $15.8 million in 2012. The plaintiffs were also seeking ongoing royalties, which the court awarded. 


People, Videos, News: Twitter Adds New Search Filters

2014: There were also “photos,” “people you follow” and “near you” filters to further refine results.


Seattle Seahawks Take The Lead In 33 States For Bing Super Bowl Searches

2014: Bing also measured player searches, with Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning winning 72% of the searches over Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson.


Bing Rewards Program Now Available On iOS & Android Devices

2014:  iOS and Android users could earn Bing Rewards credits (toward gift cards for brands like Amazon, Xbox and Dominos) by performing searches on their phone.


Advertisers Increased PLA Budgets By 600% In Q4; Trend Likely To Continue

2013: Those advertisers were rewarded with higher click-through rates and lower cost-per-click than text ads.


Study: Reviews & Images Drive Clicks In Mobile

2012: Images and reviews were very important in capturing users’ eye movements and clicks.


A Year Later Even Google Surprised By Success Of Click-To-Call

2011: Google was seeing millions of calls every month and it had become a core part of a large number of mobile search ad campaigns.


Google Mobile Image Search Gets Popular Images

2010: When you visited Google Images on a smartphone, you would see “popular images” and a link to browse more popular images.


Yelp Ratings Appear In Google AdWords

2010: Google confirmed it was “testing a feature in which text ads on Google search results pages may include star ratings and links to third party sites that have reviewed the advertiser’s business.”


Microsoft Earnings Beat Estimates Online Services Post Loss, More On Bing And The iPhone

2010: Online Services, which housed online advertising and Bing, reported $581 million in revenue vs. $609 million the prior year ago.


Goojje, A Google China Knockoff

2010: It is a basic search engine, playing on the Google name and Google logo.


Google AdWords Testing New Interface

2009: The new interface looked similar to the charting/graphing system that Google Analytics used.


Google Toolbar For Firefox Adds Chrome-Like “Most Visited Sites” Tab

2009: The sites you visited most often were listed when you opened a new blank tab in Firefox.


YouTube Searchers: It’s All About The Music

2009: Hitwise research suggested that 72% of the site’s Top 50 search terms from December 2008 were music-related.


Live Search “Auto Suggest” Add-On For Firefox Released

2009: You could add it to your Firefox search box manually via the add-on from Live Search.


Google TV Ads Tells How DVRs Affect Your Ads

2009: Google’s TV Ads team announced the addition of new metrics detailing time-shifted ad viewings.


Martin Schaedel (Lazerzubb) Killed In Plane Crash

2009: Known widely by his online handle lazerzubb, he was a fixture at various events.


Google Street View Car Kills Bambi, Removes Pictures Afterward

2009: Google said the image was removed because of several requests from users using the Street View image removal option.


Google’s Position Six Penalty (Or Bug) A Reality

2008: Google’s Matt Cutts confirmed the behavior and said Google had already begun reversing it.


Microsoft adCenter To Power Ads On Wall Street Journal Digital Network

2008: This was a huge deal for Microsoft, giving their ad program exposure to 20 million unique users and over 330 million page views per month.


Byzantine Legal Fight For Control Of Ask.com Parent IAC

2008: It was “open warfare” between IAC CEO Barry Diller and Liberty Media, one of its largest backers and investors.


Once Again, A Google Murder Case

2008: A UK woman was convicted of trying to murder her husband after researching methods on Google.


Google’s Brin Calls China Censorship A “Net Negative”

2007: Brin was arguing that some information is better than no information.


Google TV Rumors Not Legit

2007: ‘Twas a hoax.


Google To Build Second Life Metaverse On Google Earth In China?

2007: Just lots of rumors. 


Topix.net And Tribune In Mutual Classifieds Syndication Deal

2007: Tribune had struck a deal that had Topix providing content and a back-end platform for general merchandise classifieds on their newspaper sites.


News Search + Personalization + Social Media = Wikio

2007: Wikio blended articles from major news web sites and blogs with commentary and tags from Wikio users.


From Search Marketing Expo (SMX)


Past contributions from Search Engine Land’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

These columns are a snapshot in time and have not been updated since publishing, unless noted. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.


< January 28 | Search Marketing History | January 30 >

The post This day in search marketing history: January 29 appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/search-marketing-history-january-29-392336

This day in search marketing history: January 28

Google begins experimenting with featured snippets

in 2014, Google started answering complex questions at the top of its search results with detailed responses (or answers) taken from websites.

Does that sound like featured snippets? It should. Because it was.

Alphabet Inc.

We know from Google that featured snippets were introduced in January 2014. We don’t know the official date Google began testing it, but this was the day Search Engine Land first reported on the new search feature.

We didn’t yet know these answers were called “featured snippets” – Google’s Gary Illyes revealed the name in June 2015 – but clearly that’s what we were seeing. All Google would say at the time was: “we’re always experimenting with different types of answers, but we don’t have more details to share at this point.”

Read our coverage of what was then an experimental feature: Google Search OneBox Answers Are Getting More Detailed


Also on this day


‘Untitled’ search results sending users to spam sites, Google ‘working on it’

2022: Google’s Danny Sullivan said it was “something our systems normally would typically catch, so we’re checking on it to improve.”


SEO community mourns Hamlet Batista, advocate for automation in SEO and beloved friend

2021: Those who knew him, admired him, learned from him and loved him, were left reeling from the loss.


Google Search Console launches new removals tool

2020: The tool temporarily blocked URLs from showing in Google and showed outdated content and content filtered by SafeSearch.


A visual history of Google ad labeling in search results

2020: A look back at how Google had treated ads in search results, from blue shading to the latest version of today.


Botify partnership with Microsoft brings real-time content indexing to Bing

2020: Immediate indexing and more control over content were the benefits for publishers and site owners.


DuckDuckGo has other ideas for Google’s EU search choice screen

2020: The changes included more search engine options and an introductory screen aimed at reducing bias.


Google AMP errors widely reported by webmasters and publishers

2019: This was a Google issue and would be resolved.


DuckDuckGo is growing fast but not enough to grab SEOs’ attention

2019: The search engine’s share was small but some of its metrics were better than Bing’s, according to a third-party analysis.


Google Updates The General Guidelines Section Of Their Webmaster Guidelines

2016: It expanded on examples about how to help Google find your webpages, how to give them better ideas on what those pages were about and how to make webpages that are good for visitors.


iPhone Users, The AdWords App For iOS Has Arrived

2016: You could check AdWords campaign performance, change bids and adjust budgets from your phone.


New US Presidential “Candidate Cards” Are A Disaster For Google’s Search Quality

2016: They added little value in return for Google giving up its valuable search results space.


Yahoo Redesigns Home Page & App To Deliver Consistent Experience With More Relevant News

2016: With its nearly infinite news stream, Yahoo users no longer needed to open news articles in multiple browser tabs.


Google Now Supports Crawling & Indexing Locale-Adaptive Web Pages

2015: Google added support for webpages that dynamically changed their content based on IP origin or language settings.


Bing Maps Shows Super Bowl Spirit With New Venue Map, Streetside & Hi-Res Venue Imagery

2015: The updates involved new satellite and ground-level imagery, and a detailed seat map of the stadium itself.


Google’s Matt Cutts Explains That Older Sites Won’t Always Keep Their Current Rankings

2014: Cutts answers the question, “How can an older site maintain its ranking over time?”


Google Issues Subtle Warning To Affiliates That Have “Thin-Content”

2014: The warning was mostly directed at affiliate sites in the “adult” industry.


Moz 2014 Industry Survey Results: Google Webmaster Tools Ranked Top SEO Tool

2014: 68.8% of participants planned to focus on conversion rates and performance metrics in response to Google’s elimination of keyword data.


Google Showing Date Selector In Knowledge Graph Carousel For Hotels

2014: You could click on the start and/or end date and a calendar pop up would show up to change your check in and check out dates. 


The Search Agency: CPC Increases Across The Board, Weaker Bing Ads Spend In Q4 2013

2014: The report showed paid search spend rose 37.4% year-over-year.


DeepMind Buy Another Google “Moonshot” Of Sorts

2014: “It’s not hard to imagine that machine learning and AI would have broad application across Google, from search and mobile … to advertising, robots, autonomous cars, security and the connected home.”


5 Tactics Super Bowl Advertisers Are Using To Boost Their Paid Search Campaigns

2014: Five trends from the Super Bowl advertiser ads that ran on Google and the Yahoo Bing Network.


Google Details How It Responds To Government Requests For User & Search Data

2013: Governments routinely ask search engines like Google for access to user data for various reasons. Google said they take each request incredibly seriously.


Google Promoting AdWords Express In Google+ As Way “To Get More Followers”

2013: Google was apparently trying to cross-promote AdWords Express and Google+. 


With $14 Million More Q&A Site ChaCha Soldiers On

2013: Over the previous 18 months, ChaCha had seen 2 billion questions and organized 129 million Q&A pairs.


Two Weeks In, Google Says “Search Plus Your World” Going Well, Critics Should Give It Time

2012: Amit Singhal told Search Engine Land: “… People are judging a product and an overall direction that we have in the first two weeks of a launch … We’re clearly not done. The product is not complete. It will improve.”


Google Logo For Largest Observed Snowflake

2012: It happened 125 years earlier, in Fort Keogh, Montana.


Google launches algorithm to fight low-quality scraper content

2011: The change to their algorithm was to prevent low quality scraper content in Google’s index. It impacted slightly over 2% of queries.


Microsoft Q2 Revs Almost $20 Billion, “Bing Division” Still Losing Money Despite Search Revenue Increase

2011: Online Services, which houses all Microsoft’s online operations including MSN and Bing, posted a $543 million loss. That was up from $463 million in 2010.


AdWords Homepage Gets More Modular, Customizable

2011: Google redesigned the homepage for its AdWords advertiser interface in an effort to bring more relevant, customized information up front for marketers.


Bing Travel Now Offers Destination Comparison Tool

2011: Bing’s destination pages let searchers compare several destinations at once in a side-by-side layout.


Google’s Legal Woes Not Impacting Brand: Survey

2011: Did scandals or an antitrust investigation make people less trusting of Google or tarnish its brand? Not at all.


Google, Connecticut-led Coalition Agree To Negotiate WiFi Data Collection Issues

2011: Google and the Connecticut-led coalition of 40 US states would begin negotiations aimed at settling issues related to Google’s collection of personal data over unsecured WiFi networks.


Google Event on Feb. 2 To Showcase Honeycomb, Tablets

2011: Demos of several tablets were expected


Search In Pics: Google Mannequins, Google Voice Signs & Freezing Yahoo

2011: The latest images showing what people eat at the search engine companies, how they play, who they meet, where they speak, what toys they have, and more.


Google Maps’ Search Suggestions Get Personal

2010: Google tarted personalizing search suggestions that appeared on Google Maps.


Survey: Only 42% Of Americans Have Googled Themselves

2010: That was slightly higher than the 36% of UK consumers who had done so, but far less than in Germany (59%) and France (56%).


Google Updates Google Book Search After Apple iPad Launch

2010: Less than 24 hours after Apple announced the Apple iPad, Google announced improvements to the Google Books home page.


Google Formally Introduces “Clickable Phone Numbers” In Mobile Search Ads

2010: It was a call for the price of a click on mobile handsets.


Bing Debuts In-Depth Stock Pages

2010: Bing’s “Stocks and Funds page” offered in-depth information for users following or doing research related to stocks and finances.


Ballmer Blogs His Thoughts On Google, China

2010: “We have done business in China for more than 20 years and we intend to stay engaged, which means our business must respect the laws of China.”


Click Fraud Rate Hits Highest Level Yet

2009: Click Forensics estimated the overall average click fraud rate for Q4 2008 at 17.1%, the highest level since they began tracking it in 2006.


Yahoo Tries To Justify Automatic Account Optimization

2009: The purpose: to help small- and mid-sized advertisers suffering from “performance issues.”


Pew: Young Or Old, Search Cuts Across Age Categories

2009: Search was almost equally used by all groups across the board.


New “Addressless” Search Feature On Google Maps

2008: Users could get directions or locations of businesses without inputting a destination address.


Google Experimental Search Adds Info View & Map View

2008: Google added map view and a new info view that allows you to show different results on the page.


Google A “Mystery Buyer” In Colorado?

2008: “It’s like dealing with the CIA.” 


Today Is “Data Privacy Day;” Bush Admin Launches Internet Monitoring Initiative

2008: Google added a new video to its existing series of privacy videos, plus it developed a privacy booklet (PDF) to educate consumers and parents about online data privacy.


New UK-Based Real Estate Search Engine DotHomes Launches In US

2008: DotHomes sought to become “the Google of property search” and was crawling for listings.


Google Lego Logo: Google Offers Lego 50th Birthday Wishes

2008: The Google logo was made up of legos.


YouTube to Begin Revenue Sharing for Video Providers

2007: This would give original video creators the ability to earn revenue each time their videos were watched on YouTube.


Past contributions from Search Engine Land’s Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

These columns are a snapshot in time and have not been updated since publishing, unless noted. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.


< January 27 | Search Marketing History | January 29 >

The post This day in search marketing history: January 28 appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/search-marketing-history-january-28-392325

How Solar Roofs Are Better Than Solar Panels

Home Business Magazine Online

Solar roofs are quickly becoming the go-to choice for those looking to incorporate renewable energy into their homes. Traditional solar panels have been used for decades. However, solar roofs offer a level of convenience and affordability that make them ideal options for homeowners of all kinds. Before you start researching solar roof installation estimates, it’s important to get fully informed about their advantages compared to solar panels.

What’s the Difference Between Solar Roofs and Solar Panels?

While they may seem the same, solar roofs and solar panels are significantly different. Being well-informed about both options may help homeowners choose the optimal solution for their home.

Solar roofs consist of shingles or tiles that both absorb sunlight and function as a roofing material. This allows for increased aesthetic appeal compared to traditional panels. On the other hand, solar panels are typically mounted on top of existing roofs to capture and transform energy from the sun into electricity.

Both solar roofs and solar panels offer households the advantage of lower electricity bills. Sunlight is converted into energy at no cost, with solar roofs being slightly more energy efficient. Additionally, they help consumers become more environmentally friendly. This is because they generate power that would otherwise be obtained from non-renewable sources.

Why Are Solar Roofs Better Than Solar Panels?

Let’s take a look at the reasons why:

1. They look better.

For starters, solar roofs are more aesthetically pleasing than traditional solar panels. With a sleek and modern design, they can actually enhance the look of your home while providing the same renewable energy capabilities as regular panels. Solar roof tiles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Therefore, you can easily customize the design to fit your home. They also blend in with other roofing materials, making them virtually indistinguishable from traditional shingles or tiles.

2. They’re more energy efficient.

Another major benefit of solar roofs is their efficiency compared to standard solar panels. They utilize advanced technology to maximize energy collection each day (up to 20% more than traditional systems). Moreover, they channel it directly into electricity for your home or business. This increases both the cost-saving potential and overall value of the system by eliminating any energy loss that may occur due to inefficiencies in regular panel installation. Plus, because they’re integrated with your existing roofing materials, installation is much easier and faster than that of conventional systems, resulting in fewer labor costs and disruption to your daily life.

3. They provide extra protection.

They also provides an extra layer of protection against leaks and water damage. This is thanks to their “edge sealing” feature which prevents water infiltration through cracks or crevices around the outside edges of the tiles. This means less maintenance over time compared to conventional systems, which often require caulking or other repairs throughout their lifespan due to weather exposure or physical damage caused by hail or wind storms.

4. They give you peace of mind.

Finally, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your investment is backed by powerful warranties from leading manufacturers such as ENERGY STAR. These manufacturers all provide extensive coverage on their products. That’s something you may not get with traditional panel installations. If you hire a reputable company to provide and install the roof, you’ll be able to relax. You can leave the work to them knowing that it will be done properly.

Conclusion

Therefore, if you’re looking for a reliable source of renewable energy for your home without sacrificing aesthetics or performance, consider investing in a solar roof system. Whether it’s improved efficiency and cost savings or additional protection from weather elements, there are plenty of reasons why installing a solar roof makes more sense than ever.

The post How Solar Roofs Are Better Than Solar Panels appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/go-green/how-solar-roofs-better-than-solar-panels/

Pragmatic Play Introduces Dragon Hero in 2023

Home Business Magazine Online

The first game of the year has been announced by Pragmatic Play and is available to players throughout the United Kingdom. The provider has worked to create this stunning Chinese-themed video slot that is packed with action and highlights Chinese culture and various traditions. Released in early January 2023, Dragon Hero has already been a huge success at online and mobile casinos in the UK.

The release of this new game follows the launch of three other hits from Pragmatic Play. In 2022, the last games to be released from the provider were Sweet Powernudge, Pizza! Pizza? Pizza!, and Starlight Christmas. With over 250 game titles already available, the newest Dragon Hero has quickly become a top choice for slot fans in the UK.

The new UK casinos listed here offer games that include some added features that will surely help to kick off the New Year. This bold and exciting game delivers top chances to win with a base game as well as a free spins bonus round. The highlight of Dragon Hero is the two types of wild icons that are in use. Players will find a standard wild in play as well as a super wild. Super wilds are enhanced icons that can place three wilds anywhere on the reels at random!

When the main bonus feature is triggered, players will receive up to 10 bonus wheels. Spin these to trigger free spins. During these spins, the super wilds will be held in place to boost the overall payouts.

Pragmatic Play Continues to Expand in UK Market

When this developer had just entered the UK market in 2022, it had taken great strides in creating partnerships with some of the most trusted UK operators. One of the main partnerships that were formed in 2022 was with Hollywoodbets, which presents game portfolios to players in Ireland and the UK. The company also signed a deal with Admiral Casino to provide UK players with a full portfolio of Pragmatic Play slots.

These two operators, as well as many others that Pragmatic Play is now working with, will continue to offer the most popular titles along with the latest releases. Dragon Hero is the first release of the year and there are many more to expect. This company works to create games that will entertain players with the use of enhanced technology and innovative features, changing how players engage in online gambling sessions.

Dragon Hero will pave the road for other exciting games to come in 2023. Pragmatic Play has already been working on another new game, Lucky Fishing Megaways, scheduled to be released in early 2023. Mammoth Gold Megaways is another title that players can look forward to seeing at their favourite Pragmatic Play websites. Leading UK sites will also be sure to include other anticipated releases as they are launched. Secret City Gold is a game that is scheduled to be released in January as well.

The post Pragmatic Play Introduces Dragon Hero in 2023 appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/special-types/pragmatic-play-introduces-dragon-hero-2023/

50 million nectar points up for grabs

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Over 50 million Nectar points are up for grabs!

Today sees the launch of ‘The Big Points Bonanza’ by Nectar. Thousands of points prizes will be available for Sainsbury’s shoppers across the UK, with three ways to win! It’s the first of its kind event, giving savvy shoppers the chance to brush off their January blues and win big when they shop. 

Every day, from today (27th January) until 4th February, five lucky customers will win a whopping 10,000 Nectar points. Across the nine-day time period, 50 prize draw winners will win the equivalent of a year’s worth of Sainsbury’s shopping! These points will be equal to spending £5,000 at Sainsbury’s. 

You can win when you shop both in store and online. Plus, on the final day of this huge giveaway, every Nectar customer will have the chance to win up to 5,000 bonus points when they spend £20 or more in store at Sainsbury’s. 

Three ways to win

WIN BIG

Nectar customers can enter a huge prize draw where 50 lucky shoppers will win 1 million Nectar points each, worth at least £5,000 – enough to cover a year’s worth of Sainsbury’s shopping! Customers simply need to enter at www.nectar.com/big-points-bonanza between 27th January to 4th February to be in with a chance of winning.  

WIN EVERY DAY 

Across the 9 days 45 Nectar customers will win a surprise 10,000 bonus points, worth up to £50, when they shop instore, via SmartShop or online and scan their Nectar card or app. From 27th January – 4thFebruary there will be 5 winners each day, which will see Nectar give away a total of 450,000 points altogether.  

EVERYONE WINS 

All Nectar users shopping in Sainsbury’s supermarkets on Saturday 4th February will receive a printed coupon for bonus points, ranging from 50-5,000 points on offer. Customers just need to spend over £20 on their shop in store and swipe their Nectar card or scan their app before checking out. Nectar customers shopping with SmartShop in supermarkets will also receive a coupon.  

Sam Burston, Director of Nectar & Loyalty at Sainsbury’s, said: 

“As our customers look for more ways to save money, we want to be able to provide great value and exciting offers for them. We want to help them to get the most out of their shopping, which is why we’ve launched The Big Points Bonanza, a nine-day bonus points event where every customer can be a winner. We love giving shoppers the feeling of little wins and this giveaway is the perfect way to surprise and delight our Nectar customers this January.” 

Terms & Conditions

Please find T&Cs here.

The post 50 million nectar points up for grabs appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/50-million-nectar-points-up-for-grabs