A Guide to Purchasing 3-Wheel Bikes for Seniors

Home Business Magazine Online

Introduction

More and more people are realizing that staying active and involved in the community is essential for a healthy and happy senior life. The popularity of 3-wheel bikes as a transportation method is rising among the senior community. These new tricycle bikes for seniors are made with the accessibility needs of seniors in mind. They also give them the confidence to enjoy the outdoors and maintain an active lifestyle. This guide aims to provide seniors with all the information they need about the advantages, features, maintenance, and best ways to enjoy riding with 3-wheel bikes.

Benefits of 3-Wheel Bikes

Stability and Safety: 3-wheel bikes provide a solid foundation and a low center of gravity, making them safe and stable for seniors.

Comfort for Every Ride: Beyond safety, 3-wheel bikes are easy for seniors to get on and get off because they usually have adjustable seats and handlebars.

Health and Wellness: Cycling on a 3-wheel bike offers a low-impact way to improve cardiovascular health and strengthen muscles. Besides, seniors can get mental health by riding with freedom.

Essential Features of a Great 3-wheel Bike

When it comes to choosing a great 3-wheel bike for seniors, here are some essential features that should be focused on.

Comfort: For seniors, an ergonomic design is very important because comfort on a bike is not just a treat; it’s a must. Seats and handlebars that can be adjusted are very significant because they let the bike fit seniors well.

Wheel Size: The size of the wheels on a 3-wheel bike affects how smooth the ride is and how stable the tricycle is. When it comes to tricycles for seniors, bigger wheels are better because they make the ride smoother over bumps and uneven areas.

Storage Space: The ability to carry groceries, personal items, or even a pet effortlessly expands the 3-wheel bike’s utility beyond leisure. For seniors looking to combine exercise with errands or social visits, the inclusion of built-in storage means fewer limitations on what can be achieved in a single trip.

Low Step-Through Design: A low or no step-through frame makes getting on and off a 3-wheel bike easier for seniors, reducing the risk of injury.

Enhanced Safety Features: Reflectors, lights, and flags can increase visibility, while advanced braking systems can ensure immediate stopping power, which is crucial for safe riding in different conditions.

Spotlight on 3-Wheel Bikes for Seniors on the Market

After talking about what to look for when choosing a tricycle for seniors, there are two great 3-wheel bikes in Viribus’s collection that were made with seniors in mind: the Viribus Trio Electric Tricycle and the Viribus Trio Plus Electric Tricycle with Dual Chain. They were designed to be stable, easy to use, and fun to ride.

  1. Viribus Trio Electric Tricycle

This 3-wheel bike combines stability with movement by adding a robust electric motor. It has an easy-to-use charging system with a battery that can be taken out and fully charged in just 4 hours so that you can be ready for action without any problems. Well-designed storage spaces make it easy to find what you need, showing its usefulness. It also makes navigation safe with a bright headlight and an easy-to-use half-twist throttle that gives you control over the power and better visibility.

Photo credit: Viribus
  1. Viribus Trio Plus Electric Tricycle, Dual Chain

With its 350W hub motor and thumb throttle, this electric tricycle makes it easy to control your speed easily. It also adds a stem and dual-chain system to make the ride smoother and more stable. In addition, it has a lot of storage space, so you can use it to carry a variety of things. Besides, it has two mechanical disc brakes and a headlight, making it easier to see and stop in many weather conditions.

bikes for seniors
Photo credit: Viribus

Maintenance and Upkeep of 3-Wheel Bikes for Seniors

Routine Checks:
Regular upkeep is essential to keep bikes in great shape, especially for seniors who value dependability and ease of use. Along with ensuring there are no loose parts and the tire pressure is always right, ensure that the brakes always work to stay safe on every ride. This stops problems from happening out of the blue and makes riding much easier.

Professional Help:
For senior users, getting professional help is a good idea when they have more complicated bike problems or when it is time for yearly maintenance. Getting the bike checked out regularly at a good bike repair shop can make it last longer and achieve a better riding experience overall. Professional mechanics can give personalized help and services that can make sure the bike is perfect for seniors’ needs.

Tips to Start Riding 3-Wheel Bikes Around Your Area

Getting Started:
Before you start your 3-wheel adventure, you should get to know your bike. Pick a safe, open space, like a park or an empty parking lot, where you won’t be rushed. Spend time getting used to changing gears, stopping smoothly, and turning at different speeds. If a 3-wheel bike is stable, it is easy to learn how to ride it, but giving yourself time to get used to it will significantly boost your confidence.

Discovering Local Routes:
Finding new roads around town is a great way to relax and see new things. Internet and biking maps can be useful when finding flat, scenic trails with services. By taking the right paths, you can significantly improve your cycling experience.

Community Connections:
Becoming a part of a neighborhood riding group can make biking more fun. This is more than just a safety and support tool. It also helps people meet new people and make friends. These ties to the community can also give a sense of connection and turn rides that would have been done alone into fun group activities.

Conclusion

This guide has provided valuable insights into 3-wheel bikes for seniors. It has covered their many benefits and offered tips for a fun riding experience. If you’re eager to start biking, look at options. For example, the Viribus Trio Electric Tricycle and the Viribus Trio Plus Electric Tricycle are both great choices. They are for seniors who want to stay active and mobile.

The post A Guide to Purchasing 3-Wheel Bikes for Seniors appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/health-and-fitness/guide-purchasing-3-wheel-bikes-seniors/

Bing testing new generative search experience

Bing is now testing its new generative search experience that combines the Bing search results and its language models to use AI to generate a different breed of search results, including an AI-generated search results pages.

“I’m excited to share an early look at Bing’s new generative search experience. It combines the power of LLMs and SLMs with Bing’s search results to generate a more delightful and efficient UX layout. This is another meaningful step forward in our evolution of AI-powered search,” Jordi Ribas, CVP, Head of Engineering and Product for Copilot and Bing, wrote.

What is Bing generative search. Microsoft explained that this search “experience combines the foundation of Bing’s search results with the power of large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs).” “It understands the search query, reviews millions of sources of information, dynamically matches content, and generates search results in a new AI-generated layout to fulfill the intent of the user’s query more effectively,” Microsoft added.

What it looks like. Here is a screenshot showing the various elements Bing generates in its search results page using AI and Bing Search. It includes the document index, an answer summary, traditional search results on the right, source citations for AI answers, related sections and more.

Here is a screenshot:

Here is another example Microsoft provided for a search on “What is a spaghetti western?” Bing shows an AI-generated experience that dives into the film subgenre, including its history and origins, top examples and more. The information is easy to read and understand, with links and sources that show where it came from or let the user dive deeper. The regular search results continue to be prominently displayed on the page like always.

Testing now. Microsoft said Bing is testing this now, with a small set of users. “We are slowly rolling this out and will take our time, garner feedback, test and learn, and work to create a great experience before making this more broadly available,” Microsoft wrote.

Why we care. As more search engines deploy AI in search, these ranking and user interface changes, also may impact your traffic to your site from Bing Search. While Microsoft said they hope this leads to “increasing the number of clickable links, like the references in the results,” it may not – and may not for all types of queries.

So keep an eye on your Bing Webmaster Tools over time to see how your click-through rate is impacted, if at all.

Again, this is being tested now and is not fully live for all searchers.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/bing-testing-new-generative-search-experience-444375

Google will ‘soon’ test search, shopping ads in AI Overviews

Google announced that ads were coming to AI Overviews at Google Marketing Live in May. We’re still waiting, but ads in AI Overviews are coming “soon,” Philipp Schindler, Alphabet’s senior vice president, chief business officer, confirmed during last night’s Alphabet Q2 earnings call.

Soon. What can advertisers expect and when? Here’s what Schindler said:

  • “And as you have probably noticed at GML, we announced that soon we’ll actually start testing search and shopping ads in AI Overviews for users in the U.S., and they will have the opportunity to actually appear within the AI Overview in a section clearly labeled as sponsored when they’re relevant to both the query and the information in the AI Overview, really giving us the ability to innovate here and take this to the next level.”

Meanwhile, ads appearing above and below AI Overviews “continue to provide valuable options for people to take action and connect with businesses,” said Alphabet/Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

  • “People are finding ads, either above or below AI Overviews, helpful,” Schindler added.

Why we care. Advertisers have been waiting for two months for these ads. We’ve yet to see any in testing, but now we know it’s because testing will still begin “soon.” Search ads have been a reliable source for leads, conversions and revenue for brands for decades – but ads in AI Overviews are a new and unproven format. So advertisers will be watching closely to see how this impacts ROI.

Positive trends. As has been the case in Q1 and Q4 earnings calls, Google told us about “positive trends” from AI Overviews (formerly Search Generative Experience) – specifically, how AI Overviews are resulting in more searches and greater user satisfaction.

  • “We see even higher engagement from younger users aged 18 to 24 when they use Search with AI Overviews,” PIchai said.

Asked about these “positive trends,” (specifically, color around click-through rates), Pichai kept it vague, as usual, saying:

  • “All the feedbacks we have seen are positive.”

Google is still planning to roll out AI Overviews to more countries this year. Pichai said Google has “taken a conservative start, focused on quality, making sure the metrics are healthy and so on.”

But what wasn’t mentioned was the nightmarish post-launch that likely contributed to a more conservative starts. That’s because AI Overviews gave bizarre and dangerous answers, such as telling users to drink urine to pass kidney stones and touting the health benefits of running with scissors.

This led to a significant pullback in AI Overviews, as we reported on:

Quality improvements. One thing we learned from the earnings call is that Google has made some significant investments in improving the quality of AI Overviews. Pichai said:

  • “Over the past quarter, we have made quality improvements that include doubling the core model size for AI Overviews while at the same time improving latency and keeping cost per AI Overviews served flat. And we are focused on matching the right model size to the complexity of the query in order to minimize impact on cost and latency.”

Alphabet Q2 2024 revenue. Alphabet reported Google Search and other advertising revenues of $48.5 billion, up 14% year-on-year. Much of the growth came from retail and financial services, Schindler said.

  • YouTube ads revenues were $8.7 billion, up 13%, year-on-year. This growth was driven by brand followed by direct response advertising.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overviews-ads-444366

2024 organic website traffic benchmarks by Edna Chavira

Save your spot today!
Save your spot today!

Comparing your website’s organic search performance to the latest industry benchmarks is the best way to contextualize YTD organic search traffic data, adapt SEO and content strategies to maximize results, and set more informed KPIs.

Join Steven van Vessum, Director of Organic Marketing at Conductor, and Shannon Vize, Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Conductor, as they share the latest organic search traffic benchmarks, trends, and insights for 2024 to help inform and improve your search strategy.

 Save your spot now to ensure your organic search and content strategies are set up for success for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/2024-organic-website-traffic-benchmarks-444361

2024 organic website traffic benchmarks by Edna Chavira

Save your spot today!
Save your spot today!

Comparing your website’s organic search performance to the latest industry benchmarks is the best way to contextualize YTD organic search traffic data, adapt SEO and content strategies to maximize results, and set more informed KPIs.

Join Steven van Vessum, Director of Organic Marketing at Conductor, and Shannon Vize, Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Conductor, as they share the latest organic search traffic benchmarks, trends, and insights for 2024 to help inform and improve your search strategy.

 Save your spot now to ensure your organic search and content strategies are set up for success for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/2024-organic-website-traffic-benchmarks-444361

2024 organic website traffic benchmarks by Edna Chavira

Save your spot today!
Save your spot today!

Comparing your website’s organic search performance to the latest industry benchmarks is the best way to contextualize YTD organic search traffic data, adapt SEO and content strategies to maximize results, and set more informed KPIs.

Join Steven van Vessum, Director of Organic Marketing at Conductor, and Shannon Vize, Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Conductor, as they share the latest organic search traffic benchmarks, trends, and insights for 2024 to help inform and improve your search strategy.

 Save your spot now to ensure your organic search and content strategies are set up for success for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/2024-organic-website-traffic-benchmarks-444361

Virtual Medical Assistants: Addressing Challenges in Healthcare

Home Business Magazine Online

Healthcare burnout poses a challenge for professionals globally. The rise in tasks, working hours, and emotional strain from patient care contribute to high stress levels and fatigue among healthcare providers. Virtual medical assistants (VMAs) have emerged as a solution to support healthcare professionals by assisting with tasks, thereby helping reduce burnout and improving healthcare services’ efficiency.

The Growing Issue of Healthcare Burnout

Burnout among healthcare professionals is characterized by exhaustion, depersonalization, and a decreased sense of achievement. The demanding nature of the healthcare setting, which involves high-pressure situations, critical decision-making, and constant exposure to suffering, significantly contributes to burnout. Additionally, the administrative duties associated with the profession, such as updating records, handling billing processes, ensuring compliance documentation, and managing schedules, exacerbate the stress on medical practitioners.

Research conducted by Medscape revealed that more than 40% of physicians have reported experiencing burnout. This issue extends beyond doctors to include nurses, medical assistants, and other support staff, who are also susceptible to burnout. Burnout does not only affect the well-being of healthcare professionals. It also impacts the quality of care they provide to patients, which can result in mistakes, lower patient satisfaction, and higher staff turnover in medical facilities.

The Role of Virtual Medical Assistants

Assistants play a crucial role in supporting healthcare professionals by handling various tasks. Their responsibilities range from managing duties to providing patient care assistance under the supervision of medical experts.

Next, explore how VMAs contribute in these areas:

Support in Administration

A benefit of virtual medical assistants is their efficiency in handling administrative tasks. Tasks like scheduling appointments, following up with patients, updating records, and processing insurance claims can be efficiently managed by VMAs remotely. By taking on these responsibilities, DocVA VMAs allow doctors and nurses time to focus on patient care.

Enhanced Patient Communication

Handling patient inquiries, booking appointments, and sending reminders are important but time-consuming tasks. Virtual medical assistants can manage these tasks through communication channels such as email, phone calls, and chatbots. Improved patient communication ensures responses to queries, reduces missed appointments, and keeps patients engaged throughout their treatment journey.

Managing Medications

Ensuring patients stick to their medication plan is crucial for achieving treatment results. Virtual Medical Assistants (VMAs) monitor medication adherence, send patients reminders to take their medications and provide information about potential side effects. This proactive approach can result in health outcomes and decrease the chances of complications due to not following the prescribed regimen.

Data Organization

Maintaining up-to-date patient records is essential for delivering top-notch patient care. VMAs help keep health records (EHRs) updated, ensuring that all patient details are correct and accessible to healthcare providers. This lowers the risk of errors, boosts efficiency, and aids in complying with healthcare regulations.

Boosting Medical Efficiency

Incorporating VMAs into healthcare processes enhances practice efficiency. First, they improve time management for healthcare professionals by handling tasks. This allows providers to focus more on consultations and critical care. Secondly, VMAs support care delivery by effectively managing follow-up calls, appointment reminders, and patient queries. This smooth communication builds trust between patients and healthcare providers. Additionally, VMAs can analyze data to provide insights that aid in making informed decisions, creating personalized care plans, and scheduling efficiently.

Promoting Balance Between Work and Personal Life

One key advantage of using VMAs is the enhancement of work-life balance among healthcare professionals. The constant demands of patient care and duties often leave practitioners with little time for relaxation and rejuvenation. By entrusting VMAs with essential tasks, healthcare providers can enjoy more personal time, reducing stress levels and decreasing the risk of burnout. This ultimately leads to increased job satisfaction and better facility staff retention rates.

Financial Considerations

Implementing VMAs also results in gains for healthcare organizations. By improving efficiency and minimizing task errors, VMAs contribute to cost savings. Additionally, decreased burnout and turnover rates reduce expenses associated with recruiting and training employees. Streamlined billing processes and insurance claim handling further enhance the institution’s well-being.

Obstacles and Factors to Consider

Although VMAs offer a range of advantages, integrating them into healthcare systems poses challenges. One significant factor to address is data security. Given that VMAs handle patient data, it is vital to establish cybersecurity measures and comply with regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Another obstacle lies in providing training and orientation. Healthcare professionals must establish protocols for collaborating with VMAs.

Understanding assistants’ capabilities and limitations (VMAs) is crucial to ensure all parties are aligned on patient data sharing and communication standards.

Moreover, resistance to change can be observed in healthcare settings, where some healthcare providers may hesitate to trust assistants for essential tasks due to concerns about losing control over patient care. Overcoming this challenge involves demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of VMAs through monitoring and feedback mechanisms. Looking ahead, the prospects of VMAs in addressing healthcare burnout appear promising, with advancements leading to advanced and efficient solutions. Additionally, the increased acceptance of telemedicine and remote care following the COVID-19 pandemic has created opportunities for VMAs. They support telehealth services by managing appointments remotely, gathering patient data, and facilitating seamless communication between patients and providers.

In Summary

Virtual medical assistants are transforming healthcare delivery by reducing the workload on healthcare professionals. This not only helps alleviate but also improves the efficiency and quality of patient care. While challenges exist, advancements in technology and healthcare practices offer great potential for broader adoption and success of VMAs in addressing healthcare burnout. By welcoming these assistants, the healthcare sector can anticipate a future in which healthcare professionals and patients enjoy an equitable, streamlined, and fulfilling healthcare journey

The post Virtual Medical Assistants: Addressing Challenges in Healthcare appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/management/employees/virtual-medical-assistants-challenges-healthcare/

Advertisers react to Google keeping cookies on Chrome

After years of back and forth between Google and regulatory bodies, the news finally came in yesterday that Google is scrapping plans to kill third-party cookies in Chrome.

Unsurprisingly, advertisers had something to say about that.

Emotions ranged from lack of surprise to relief. Many see it as good news for advertisers, while some have mixed feelings.

Most importantly, they implore us to keep emphasizing first-party data and a privacy-first strategy with our clients.

Skepticism and lack of surprise

Niki Grant, a paid media specialist, said she always has been skeptical about a magical 2024 world where third-party cookies have been ruled obsolete, so she was not particularly surprised at the news:

  • “Those of us who have had to actively hunt out alternatives are all too aware of the limitations of most cookie-less solutions, and I personally think privacy concerns related to third-party cookies were generally blown out of proportion in the first instance anyway!
  • “It looked good for the likes of Google to be super proactive in finding an alternative, but I would have been astounded if they had actually identified a viable alternative in only a matter of years. The proof will be in the Chrome-usership pudding; in the meantime I appreciate Google’s candor instead of a messy ‘make do and mend’ solution to save face.”

Also not shocked by Google’s change in course is Julie Bacchini, president and founder, Neptune Moon:

  • “The Google Ads ecosystem (and all ad platforms to be fair) is so dependent on data from cookies it has always been hard to imagine how the platform as we know it could function without cookie data. There are still a lot of questions around exactly what they mean by offering users more control. But it is a bit of a sigh of relief as it is one less thing to have to figure out in the next few months or coming year!”

Gil Gildner, the cofounder at Discosloth, compared this to “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” fable:

  • “Google always seems to announce imminent changes, then pushes back the date or scraps plans altogether. It’s how they try to motivate users (who otherwise wouldn’t care) to adopt new tech. They did it with GA4 and they’ll do it with something else next.”

Paid search specialist Sarah Stemen said the delay in phasing out third-party cookies by Google is probably strategic:

  • “As the dominant browser owner, Google is under scrutiny for antitrust behaviors. The proposed Privacy Sandbox, while marketed as a privacy-enhancing tool, likely raises barriers for competitors. This could lead to less competition and more market consolidation in the ad tech industry.
  • “By delaying the depreciation of cookies, Google buys itself time to either refine the Privacy Sandbox or to make its implications less transparent.  Another alternative is that they simply don’t have a solution, but I think it’s likely a delay.”

Relief and positive reactions

Asher Mirza, a digital and performance marketing specialist, said it was great news to wake up with as a performance marketer and shocking as a consumer.

  • “Seems like big corp went too far ahead with the new privacy era and realized it would be a loss for everyone and decided for this massive U-Turn. What a time to work in marketing where no one can decide what will happen tomorrow.”

Sophie Fell, director of paid media, Two Trees PPC, said this is good news for advertisers because so many still don’t have a decent grasp on their first party data and this was proving to be a big hurdle for them to overcome.

  • “I think the question now is, ‘What’s next?’ It’ll be interesting to see what the uptake on the privacy ‘toggle’ is as a percentage of Android and Chrome users, and then how that impacts audience targeting. For example, will fewer 55+ year olds tweak their privacy settings, and therefore will marketing to this age group using cookies be much easier than marketing to <35s who may be more likely to utilize it? Lots of very interesting data to come over the coming months and no doubt a few more hurdles for advertisers along the way.”

Digital marketer Brett Bodofsky wondered whether similar audiences might come back now.

  • “Google Ads deprecated similar audiences due to third-party cookie limitations. Now that the plan is scrapped I wouldn’t hate seeing those come back. I understand there has been launches to help account for their deprecation. But honestly, I liked similar audiences.”

Digital marketing specialist Robert Brady said removing the foreboding deadline (that kept getting pushed back) is a positive.

  • “Google has to manage expectations and there is simply too much uncertainty from regulatory bodies and the technology itself to set a firm date on cookie deprecation. I fully expect Google to continue their efforts.”

Mixed feelings/need for adaptation

John Gbemileke Adeoti, growth marketing lead, Expedier, said the news was both annoying and a relief.

  • “Relieved that I can put my worries to rest. But annoyed that advertisers and brands don’t need to go through these many changes within a short while. I mean, when you consider how many brands and marketers are still struggling with the switch from UA to GA4! Big tech needs to do better than toy with our time and effort, to be honest.”

Veronika Höller, global search lead, Tresorit, said the privacy debate isn’t going away anytime soon, adding that having an alternative (like the Privacy Sandbox) doesn’t guarantee it will be effective.

  • “The real focus should be on empowering users to share their data willingly, for a truly personalized experience. It’s about building trust, brand awareness, and thinking outside the box. We shouldn’t expect data to be handed to us on a silver platter. Most of it is already out there, scattered across different platforms we use. Let’s connect those dots, and suddenly every change isn’t a catastrophe.
  • “And even if Google does decide to pull the plug entirely – which, let’s face it, is always a possibility – we’ll be prepared. At the end of the day, we control what users share with us. That happens best when we’re honest, highlight the benefits, combine data sources, and communicate directly with our audience.
  • “Instead of waiting for incomplete analytics data and crying over it, let’s be proactive. Let’s build relationships and earn that data. It’s a far more sustainable and rewarding approach.”

Meanwhile, Navah Hopkins, brand evangelist, Optmyzr, said advertisers essentially “won” a game of chicken with Google, but:

  • “It doesn’t change the fact that the privacy-first world is here via GDPR, CCPA, and other regulatory considerations. Just because we have an extension on our ability to target through website traffic, see users (device-dependent) across multiple devices and domains, doesn’t change the fact that many markets have adopted privacy-first era rules and regulations.
  • “Just because Chrome is giving the extension doesn’t mean other channels are going to follow suit. So while we all can laugh, smile, and cheer that cookies are “here to stay”, people should not be complacent. So here are three critical things every user should do in preparation for the privacy-first world regardless of whether cookies are here or not:
    • Build consent into every single thing you do. 
    • Make sure your stakeholders understand reporting efficacy will be ad channel-dependent and device-dependent. 
    • Think beyond Google and Chrome.”

Emphasis on first-party data and privacy

Digital marketing strategist Nicholas James said Google’s reversal was expected for several reasons, including the unfinished state of the Privacy Sandbox and with this move, it is still unclear how it will impact its usage.

  • “However, refining your first-party data strategies remains crucial, as success in this area will distinguish the true leaders in the evolving digital landscape.”

Fraser Andrews, global search lead, JLR, said he sees this very similarly to the consent mode v2 update.

  • “It’s ultimately going to be more beneficial for advertisers to have consented data (provided they actually do something with it!) So my recommendation would still remain – get access to consented data and learn how best to utilize it to enhance performance.”

Heinz Meyer, director and owner, Orris Digital, said the media is taking a slightly extreme stance on this.

  • “Google isn’t scrapping the third-party cookie blocking on Chrome, they’re giving users the choice to opt into third-party cookies. Therefore, my advice is: prepare for a world without third-party cookies like we were before.”

Broader industry implications

Marketing strategist Reid Thomas said this is an admission by Google and the IAB in general that there isn’t a solution for tracking other than cookies.

  • “Non-cookie identification, due in part to efforts by browsers not owned by the largest DSP, has never really taken off. In essence, Google has worked with privacy regulators and advocates to try and find a solution and simply has not been able to.
  • “For advertisers, I’d still keep treating the world as if cookies are deprecated. For ~30% of users, they already are (Safari, especially mobile; Firefox; Opera; and some Edge users). For the rest, recent data shows that cookie-based targeting is ROI negative (Ahmadi et al 2023) and largely is not significantly more accurate than random targeting (Neumann et al 2022).
  • “Essentially, this is more of a capitulation that there is no ‘new cookie’ and that rethinking how we reach audiences needs to happen, rather than celebrating that the ‘good old days’ are back.

Lisa Erschbamer, director, digital advertising at Proficio, said she’s unsurprised that Google couldn’t make it work in a way that is profitable to them (and without losing media budgets to other ad networks).

  • “But: More people are data and privacy aware and I hope more PPC specialists have started thinking beyond Google Ads, treating it as the part of a whole strategy that it is. So not all bad.”

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-cookies-chrome-advertisers-react-444342

Top Tax Deductions for Home-Based Businesses in Canada

Home Business Magazine Online

As a home-based business startup in Canada, understanding and leveraging available tax deductions can make a significant impact on your bottom line. While running a business from home offers flexibility and reduced overhead, it also presents unique tax considerations. The article below outlines key deductions that can help you minimize your tax burden and maximize your profits.

Remember, these are common deductions that may or may not apply to your business, and that there may be other deductions, benefits, credits, or programs to which you are entitled to. You can check in with the tax lawyers at Taxpage; their decades of experience can help you to minimize your tax expenses and optimize your returns.

Home Office Expenses

One of the most substantial deductions for home-based businesses is business-use-of-home expenses. You can claim a portion of your housing costs based on the percentage of your home used exclusively for business purposes. Eligible expenses include:

  • Mortgage interest or rent
  • Property taxes
  • Utilities (heat, electricity, water)
  • Home insurance
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Phone and internet

To calculate your deduction, determine the percentage of your home’s total square footage used for your business. For example, if your home office occupies 10% of your home’s area, you can claim 10% of the eligible expenses.

Vehicle Expenses

If you use your personal vehicle for business purposes, you can deduct a portion of your vehicle expenses. This includes:

  • Fuel costs
  • Insurance
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • License and registration fees
  • Loan interest or lease payments

Keep a detailed log of your business-related mileage to accurately calculate the percentage of vehicle use for business purposes.

Office Supplies and Equipment

Any supplies or equipment purchased for your home-based business are fully deductible. This includes:

  • Computers and software
  • Printers and ink cartridges
  • Office furniture
  • Stationery and postage

For larger equipment purchases, you may need to claim Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) and deduct the cost over several years.

Professional Fees

Fees paid to professionals for business-related services are deductible. This includes:

  • Accountant and bookkeeper fees
  • Legal fees
  • Consultant fees

Marketing and Advertising

Expenses related to promoting your business are fully deductible. This can include:

  • Website design and hosting
  • Business cards and brochures
  • Online advertising costs
  • Networking event fees

Professional Development

Costs associated with improving your business skills or knowledge are deductible. This includes:

  • Courses and workshops
  • Books and subscriptions to professional publications
  • Conference fees and related travel expenses

Insurance Premiums

Premiums paid for business insurance policies are deductible. This may include:

  • Liability insurance
  • Professional indemnity insurance
  • Business interruption insurance

Bank Charges and Interest

Fees and interest paid on business bank accounts and credit cards are deductible. If you’ve taken out a loan for business purposes, the interest on that loan is also deductible.

Tips for Maximizing Your Tax Deductions

  1. Keep meticulous records. Maintain detailed logs and receipts for all business expenses.
  2. Separate personal and business expenses. Use dedicated business accounts and credit cards to simplify tracking.
  3. Stay informed. Tax laws change frequently. Keep up-to-date with the latest regulations or consult a tax professional.
  4. Be honest. While maximizing deductions is smart, ensure all claims are legitimate and can be substantiated if you’re audited.
  5. Consider incorporating. Depending on your business size and revenue, incorporating may offer additional tax benefits.
  6. Plan ahead. Some deductions, like equipment purchases, can be timed strategically for optimal tax benefits.

In Conclusion

Business tax reporting can be complex and ever-changing. When in doubt, always consult a qualified tax professional to ensure you’re maximizing your deductions while remaining compliant with Canadian tax regulations. Remember, every dollar saved in taxes is another dollar you can reinvest in growing your home-based business. By staying informed and proactive about your tax strategy, you’re setting your business up for long-term success and profitability.

The post Top Tax Deductions for Home-Based Businesses in Canada appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/taxing-times/top-tax-deductions-home-based-businesses-canada/

Yelp expands ad offerings for national brands and advertisers

Yelp is rolling out new features and updates aimed at multi-location businesses and national advertisers, the company announced today.

Why it matters. Yelp is looking to attract more enterprise clients and expand its advertising capabilities beyond local businesses.

Details. The new offerings include:

  1. Request a Quote for Brands:
    • Allows national services businesses to receive and manage leads across multiple locations.
    • Includes a new Leads API to integrate with existing customer management tools.
  2. Yelp Guaranteed for multi-location businesses:
    • Offers up to $2,500 in coverage if something goes wrong with a project booked through Request a Quote.
    • Available in popular categories like contractors, HVAC, plumbers and movers.
  3. Expanded ad formats:
    • Spotlight video ads now appear in business page photo galleries.
    • Yelp Audiences extended to audio platforms (Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM) and connected TV.
  4. New measurement tools:
    • Conversion API (CAPI) helps advertisers measure ad performance without relying on cookies.
  5. Portfolio:
    • Showcase work to potential customers.
    • Upload photos into an album.
    • Add project overview, including cost and timeline.

Why we care. These updates allow advertisers, especially national and multi-location businesses, to more effectively reach and convert Yelp’s audience, while also providing better tools for managing and measuring their advertising efforts.

Between the lines. These updates are part of Yelp’s strategy to drive more value for national services businesses and advertisers across categories.

What’s next. Yelp plans to continue expanding its enterprise offerings and adapting to the changing needs of national businesses.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/yelp-expands-offerings-national-brands-advertisers-444304