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Mbenzgram Explains the Differences Between Performance & OEM Car Parts

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Regarding car parts, there are two main categories to choose from: performance and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. Each type has unique advantages and disadvantages, making it challenging to decide which type is right for you. In this blog post, mbenzgram in California will explore the differences between performance and OEM car parts so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase new car parts.

Performance Auto Parts

Experts at mbenzgram say performance auto parts are designed specifically to improve your vehicle’s performance. They are usually made with higher quality materials than OEM parts and are designed to provide better performance than stock components. Performance auto parts may include exhaust systems, turbochargers, air intakes, and suspension components.

These parts often require more maintenance than stock components because they tend to be more complex and require regular tuning to perform at their best. The upside of buying performance parts is that they will typically offer a noticeable improvement in how your car performs compared to stock components.

OEM Auto Parts

OEM auto parts refer to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) auto parts used to manufacture a vehicle before it was sold. These claims are made by the same manufacturers who originally built the car, so they tend to be much higher quality than aftermarket or generic alternatives.

OEM auto parts also tend to be more reliable than aftermarket options since they were manufactured specifically for a particular vehicle model — making them less likely to cause problems down the road. However, one downside of buying OEM auto parts is that they can be expensive due to their high-quality constructions and name recognition.

Is One Better Than the Other?

Mbenzgram says the answer depends on what repairs you need for your vehicle and what goals you want to accomplish with it. If you wish to improve the performance of your engine, then opting for performance car parts may be a better choice than purchasing OEM ones; however, they come with additional risks, as mentioned earlier, since they require some technical knowledge to install them properly. On the other hand, if all you need is a simple replacement part, such as an oil filter, then purchasing an OEM part would be ideal since there is no risk involved in installing it yourself or having it installed by a certified mechanic at an auto repair shop.

The Disadvantage of Using Performance and OEM Parts Together

While both types of car parts offer their advantages, one potential downside to mixing them is compatibility issues between different brands and models can cause problems down the line if you aren’t careful with what components you choose to install on your vehicle. It’s important to remember that not all performance and OEM parts will work well with each other. Hence, it’s essential to do research before making any final decisions on which ones to buy to avoid any potential problems later on down the line.

When to Use Performance Vs. OEM Parts?

There is no “one size fits all” answer when deciding whether to use performance or OEM parts on your vehicle. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and budget. Suppose you’re looking for more power or better handling. In that case, performance parts may be a good option for you, but remember that these can be expensive and require additional modification work to install correctly. On the other hand, if you’re looking for reliable replacement parts, OEM is likely your best bet since these will provide a perfect fit without worrying about modifications or warranties.

Things to Consider

Before deciding which type of car parts to buy, it’s essential to consider the following factors.

First, mbenzgram says to consider your budget. Performance parts tend to be significantly more expensive than OEM components and can add up quickly if multiple elements are being replaced.

Second, your technical knowledge. If you don’t have the necessary skills to install performance parts, it may be better to opt for OEM components since these can usually be installed easily.

Finally, your goals for the car. Performance parts are significant for those looking to get more power and performance out of their vehicle, but if all you need is a reliable replacement part, then OEM is likely your best bet.

No matter what type of car parts you choose, do your research ahead of time and always read reviews from other customers to ensure you’re getting a quality product. Doing so will help you avoid potential compatibility issues or costly repairs.

Conclusion

Whether you choose performance or OEM auto parts will come down mainly to personal preference and cost considerations. Performance auto parts offer improved performance but require regular maintenance and tuning. At the same time, OEM auto parts tend to be more reliable but can also be much more expensive than aftermarket options. Ultimately, only you can decide which type of part is best for your needs — but hopefully, this post has provided some insight into what makes each style unique so you can make an informed decision when it comes time for you to shop around for car parts.

The post Mbenzgram Explains the Differences Between Performance & OEM Car Parts appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/success-lifestyles/mbenzgram-explains-differences-between-performance-oem-car-parts/

What You Need to Know About NFC Business Cards

Home Business Magazine Online

NFC (Near Field Communication) business cards are business cards that utilize NFC technology to enable contactless communication between devices. It is a technology that allows for short-range wireless communication between devices. It allows users to share information and make connections simply by tapping their NFC business cards together or holding them near an NFC-enabled device.

To add more, NFC is commonly used for contactless payment systems, such as mobile payment systems and contactless credit cards. NFC business cards can also be used for data transfer, such as exchanging information or files between devices, or for activating NFC-enabled features, such as unlocking a smartphone or transferring information to a smart speaker.

With this said, several types of NFC business cards are available, each with different features and capabilities.

1. Standard NFC Business Cards

These are the most basic and typically include contact information such as a name, title, company, phone number, and email address. Standard NFC business cards can be programmed with additional information, such as website links or social media profiles.

2. Interactive NFC Business Cards

These can be programmed with interactive features like QR codes or augmented reality (AR) content. QR codes can be scanned with a smartphone to access additional information or follow a link, while AR content can be accessed through an app and displayed on the user’s device.

3. Dynamic NFC Business Cards

These can be updated with new information or content after they have been programmed. This allows users to easily update their business cards with new contact information or promotional materials without reprinting them.

4. Multi-Language NFC Business Cards

These can be programmed with information in multiple languages, making them ideal for businesses or individuals who work with clients or partners from different countries or regions.

5. Custom NFC Business Cards

These can be customized with various features and designs, such as custom shapes, sizes, or materials. Custom NFC business cards can be tailored to meet a business or individual’s specific needs or branding.

NFC technology works by using electromagnetic induction to transmit data between devices. When two NFC-enabled devices are held near each other, they can communicate and exchange data by inducing a current in the other device’s antenna. This allows for quick and easy data transfer without the need for physical contact or the use of cables.

With its features and capabilities, NFC technology is widely used in various applications, including mobile payment systems, contactless credit cards, public transportation systems, and access control systems.

Benefits of NFC Business Cards

To expand more on how NFC can be considered one of the most innovative inventions, below is information regarding the NFC’s benefits:

1. Time-Saving

One of the main benefits of NFC business cards is their convenience. Rather than exchanging traditional business cards and manually inputting contact information into a phone or computer, NFC business cards allow users to quickly and easily exchange data with a single tap. This can save significant time, especially for those who frequently exchange business cards or need to input many contacts.

2. Professional Image

In addition to convenience, NFC business cards can also enhance a business’s or individual’s professional image. Traditional business cards can easily get lost or forgotten. In comparison, NFC business cards can be stored digitally on a phone or computer, making it easier to keep track of and access contact information.

3. Share More Information

NFC business cards can be programmed with more than just contact information, such as links to a website, social media profiles, or even a digital portfolio. This allows users to easily share more information about their business or services with potential clients or connections.

4. Environment-Friendly

NFC business cards are also more environmentally friendly than traditional business cards, as they do not require printing and can be easily shared digitally.

Business Person with card — Depositphotos

How NFC Business Cards Work

This new technology is now increasingly used in marketing and advertising, allowing businesses to interact with consumers through their NFC-enabled devices. Here are a few pointers on how NFC business cards work:

1. NFC Technology

NFC business cards work by utilizing NFC technology, allowing short-range communication between devices. To use an NFC business card, a user must tap their card against an NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

2. Storing Information

NFC business cards can be programmed with various information, including contact information, links to websites or social media profiles, and even promotional materials. This information is stored on a small chip within the business card, which an NFC-enabled device can read.

3. Reading the Information

When an NFC-enabled device is held near an NFC business card, the device will read the information stored on the card and prompt the user to save the information or follow a link. The data can then be stored in the device’s contact list or accessed through a digital wallet or similar app.

How to Use NFC Business Cards

Here’s a quick guide on how you can take advantage of NFC technology and digital business cards:

1. NFC-Enabled Device

You will need an NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to use an NFC business card. Most newer-model smartphones have NFC capabilities, so you may already have a device that can read NFC business cards.

2. Turn on the NFC Function

You must turn on the NFC function on your device to exchange information with an NFC business card. This is typically done through the device’s settings menu.

3. Exchanging Information

Hold your device near an NFC business card to exchange information. It should automatically read the information and prompt you to save it or follow a link. If you use an NFC business card to share information with others, you can simply tap it against their NFC-enabled device to exchange information.

Some Possible Risks of Using NFC Business Cards

Of course, as with all technology and advancements, NFC business card users must also be aware of some of its drawbacks:

1. Security

As with any digital information, there is a risk that unauthorized individuals could access the information stored on an NFC business card if the card is lost or stolen. This risk can be minimized by encrypting the information on the card and using a secure system for storing and transmitting the data.

2. Compatibility

Not all devices are equipped with NFC technology, so some people may not be able to read an NFC business card. This can limit the usefulness of the card, as it may only be able to be read by some potential clients or customers.

3. Limited Use

NFC cards are limited in the amount of information they can store and transmit, so they may not be more suitable for more complex business needs. For example, if you want to include a detailed brochure or another large document on your business card, an NFC card may not be able to accommodate the amount of data.

4. Cost

NFC business cards may be more expensive to produce than traditional business cards, as they require the inclusion of an NFC chip. This can be a consideration for businesses on a tight budget.

5. Limited-Range

NFC technology only works at short distances, so the card must be close to the device to be read. This can be inconvenient for some users, as it requires them to physically touch the card to the device to access the information.

Conclusion

NFC business cards are a convenient and professional way to exchange information and connect. They utilize NFC technology to allow for quick and easy sharing of contact information and other data, which can be stored digitally for easy access. If you are looking for a more efficient and modern way to exchange information, consider using NFC business cards.

The post What You Need to Know About NFC Business Cards appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/management/technology-management/what-need-know-nfc-business-cards/

When will you receive the cost of living payments?

Reading Time: 2 mins

When will you receive your cost of living payments?

In the Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled cost of living help which will be paid to millions across the UK. People are in line to receive up to £1,350 directly into their bank accounts from spring 2023. Now, the key dates for receiving these payments have been announced.

The cost-of-living payments announced by Mr Hunt include a £900 sum for those on benefits, £300 for pensioners and £150 for those with disabilities. It is unlikely that households will qualify for all three payments. However, if you do, you will automatically be paid the full amount of £1,350.

If you claim pension credit, attendance allowance and are eligible for the winter fuel payment, you will receive the amount in full, directly into your bank account. You do not need to ask for the help – the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will get in touch with you.

Eligibility requirements, bank codes to look for on your bank statement and exact dates for the payments will be announced nearer to spring time. All payments are tax-free and do not count toward your benefits cap. This means it will not have an impact on the benefits you receive.

Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring 2024

Spring

From spring of this year, the first £300 of the £900 cost of living payment will be paid directly into claimants’ bank accounts. The payment will be split into three instalments. Over eight million people will receive this into their bank accounts.

To be eligible, households must be claiming at least one of the following benefits:

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Support
Social Fund (Sure Start Maternity Grant, Funeral Payment, Cold Weather Payment)
Universal Credit

Summer

Over six million people with disabilities across the UK will receive a payment of £150 during the warmer months. As of yet, it is unknown what the exact eligibility criteria will be. However, the previous £150 cost of living payments were available to those receiving at least one of the following:

Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance
Disability Living Allowance for adults
Disability Living Allowance for children
Personal Independence Payment
Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
Armed Forces Independence Payment
War Pension Mobility Supplement

Autumn

As the weather turns chilly again, the second third of the £900 payment will be paid to those eligible. The second chunk is also worth £300. Exact dates to be released in due course.

Winter

Across the UK, millions of pensioners will receive another £300 payment. It is still unknown whether households will qualify for this payment if they usually receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

Previously, you qualified for the last Pensioner Cost of Living payment if:

You were born on or before September 25, 1956
You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”

Spring 2024

Next spring – although it seems a lifetime away – the final instalment of the £900 payment will be paid. This will be £299.

Further details for qualifying criteria will be announced nearer the time, according to the DWP.

The post When will you receive the cost of living payments? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/when-will-you-receive-the-cost-of-living-payments

When will you receive the cost of living payments?

Reading Time: 2 mins

When will you receive your cost of living payments?

Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring 2024

Spring

To be eligible, households must be claiming at least one of the following benefits:

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Support
Social Fund (Sure Start Maternity Grant, Funeral Payment, Cold Weather Payment)
Universal Credit

Summer

Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance
Disability Living Allowance for adults
Disability Living Allowance for children
Personal Independence Payment
Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
Armed Forces Independence Payment
War Pension Mobility Supplement

Autumn

As the weather turns chilly again, the second third of the £900 payment will be paid to those eligible. The second chunk is also worth £300. Exact dates to be released in due course.

Winter

Across the UK, millions of pensioners will receive another £300 payment. It is still unknown whether households will qualify for this payment if they usually receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

Previously, you qualified for the last Pensioner Cost of Living payment if:

You were born on or before September 25, 1956
You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”

Spring 2024

Next spring – although it seems a lifetime away – the final instalment of the £900 payment will be paid. This will be £299.

Further details for qualifying criteria will be announced nearer the time, according to the DWP.

The post When will you receive the cost of living payments? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/when-will-you-receive-the-cost-of-living-payments

How to make money by being a cuddler

Reading Time: 6 mins

Enjoy showing your affection by smothering friends and family in hugs? Ever thought of converting your tactile generosity to cash by becoming a professional cuddler?

Probably not.

Well, we’re here to tell you that this is indeed a job description and one that may be worth investigating.

Let’s take a look.

What is a cuddler?
Why the rise in cuddling?
Ways to become a professional cuddler
How much you can make
Case study

What is a professional cuddler?

Senior couple chatting and cuddling on the sofa with cups of tea

Exactly as the name suggests, a professional cuddler is someone who offers their cuddling/hugging/snuggling services to clients in return for money.

Purely platonic

While it probably sounds somewhat salacious, the first and most important rule of being a professional cuddler is that things remain purely platonic at all times.

The rules are clear – no nudity, no touching the cuddler in places covered by underwear, no unsavoury advances.

In other words, it’s not about giving clients a racy experience, rather a comforting one.

And this goes for every aspect of your business. For instance, your go-to workwear will be a pair of super soft and cosy pyjamas. Your office? The comfiest couch, bed and/or mattress you can find. Your sales pitch? The wholesome goodness of a loving embrace.

You’ll be surprised how many people will pay really good money for something that may seem pretty mundane to you!

Why the rise in professional cuddling?

Man cuddling woman on sofa

The plain fact of the matter is that we live in an era where loneliness is one of our most lethal epidemics.

With the global move away from a rural subsistence existence to one driven by economic opportunities in urban environments, we seem to have sacrificed our ability to connect with those closest to us. Long hours at the office, exhausting commutes and a focus on survival has moved ‘getting to know the neighbours’ close to last on our priority list.

If you have a partner, spouse, housemate or live-in family, this disconnection may not be altogether terrible. For those who live alone, however, it often means having several weeks go by without enjoying a meaningful conversation or the comfort of a gentle touch.

While the former is bad enough, it’s not entirely impossible to remedy – if you’re desperate enough, you could always chew off the ear of the barman at your local pub, the waiter at your favourite coffee shop or even the doorman at your apartment.

However, ‘skin hunger’ (the term used for being deprived of touch) poses a bigger challenge, as most people probably wouldn’t take too kindly to being hugged – out of nowhere – by a desperate stranger.

Benefits of touch

Be that as it may, one can’t get away from the fact that being able to share some form of physical touch is absolutely critical to our wellbeing as a species.

Here are just a few scientifically-proven benefits of human touch:

Touch as commodity

What this all comes down to, is the fact that there are more people than ever before who are suffering emotionally, physically and psychologically due to a simple lack of touch.

Hence the rise of a newfangled type of therapist called the cuddler.

As with any other form of therapy, cuddling starts with a consultation, where the cuddler establishes what type of therapy the cuddled is after.

Some people may just want a lengthy hug, while others crave being the ‘little spoon’ while napping. Some cuddlers even offer the option of snuggling while watching a movie of the cuddlers choice.

The options are really endless!

Ways to operate as a professional cuddler

Happy man cuddling woman on sofa

So, if you are the physically affectionate type, becoming a professional cuddler may seem like a dream profession for you.

However, before you go advertising your services on Gumtree, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Do some thorough research about the cuddling industry and see if it’s really for you
Sign up for the Cuddle Professionals International Accredited Course to become a qualified cuddler and equip yourself with the skills needed
Decide how you’d like to operate your business. We list a few options below.

Sign up with an agency

If you’re not confident to kick off your career as a cuddler on your own, you could always work through an agency.

Currently, BeCuddled is the UK’s prime professional cuddling agency and offers a range of benefits for those who sign up, including:

training and support
marketing and promotion
a BeCuddler profile
professional freedom to work when and where you choose

All things considered, it’s a great place to start, as you have a base to work from and more experienced cuddlers to network with and learn from.

Open a cuddle cafe

If you have a passion for hospitality, why not combine it with your cuddling capabilities? The concept of the ‘cuddle cafe’ started in Japan – where customers can order a certain type of cuddle off the menu, ranging from the likes of a 20-minute power nap to a full night’s rest in the arms of a comforting stranger. Apart from the hefty cover charge, customers would be billed according to the length of time they spent at the cafe.

So far, it doesn’t seem like anything similar exists in the UK, so why not be a pioneer?

Work independently

Finally, you could go your own way entirely and set up a cuddling business from home:

Designate a special room/area for cuddles and make it as cosy as possible
Work out a ‘menu’ of cuddles you are able to offer and how long each would take
Set up a website people can make bookings through
Advertise your services – if you’re nervous about putting yourself out there on something like Gumtree, try spreading the word through friends and family first.

Just be sure to have a very strict screening process for clients – perhaps you could arrange a coffee meeting in a public place beforehand and also have another person around the house whenever you have a client. Safety first!

How much you can make

Woman caressing mans face while he lays his head in her lap

If you create a profile on BeCuddled, you’re guaranteed an income of £25 per hour session, plus £10 per hour if you travel to the client, paid directly to you by the client.

As you gain experience and become more confident, you can start charging more – even up to £65 per hour.

Case study: Kitty Mansfield

Kitty Mansfield

Holistic therapist and founder of BeCuddled, Kitty Mansfield is, without a doubt, the pioneer of cuddling as therapy in the UK.

Starting out as a massage therapist, she often felt that while clients’ aches and pains were being alleviated, some emotional piece of the puzzle was still missing.

Eventually, she realised that this could be alleviated by prolonged touch, so she set up BeSnuggled.co.uk to sell her services and explain her concept.

Although it took a while to gain momentum, she soon found herself stretched to capacity and decided to expand by taking extra cuddlers on board and established BeCuddled.Today, Europe’s very first professional cuddle agency.

To ensure that everyone is as comfortable as possible, they offer cuddlers and those to be cuddled the option of male, female or LGBTQ partners for sessions. While some people don’t have much of a preference, others crave a specific type of touch.

Part of Mansfield’s success can undoubtedly be ascribed to the strict rules and regulations underpinning her business, making all involved feel safe, cosy and secure.

Does this opportunity interest you? If so, you might also be interested in making money being a friend.

The post How to make money by being a cuddler appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/how-to-make-money-by-being-a-cuddler

Five Tips to Help Your Ecommerce Business Succeed in a Recession

Home Business Magazine Online

If you are worried about keeping your business afloat in the face of a global recession, you are not alone. According to a World Bank study, the world is headed towards a recession, with global GDP growth expected to slow to 0.5 percent in 2023. For ecommerce business owners, the million-dollar question is: How can you weather the storm and keep your business thriving despite such challenges? Understandably, it will take more than just having a catchy website to skyrocket your ecommerce business.

The tips in this article will help you strengthen your ecommerce business and stay competitive all year-round — even in a recession and tough economic conditions.

1. Use Data to Guide Your Decisions

Use data and analytics tools to track your performance and make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts. The tools can help you identify areas of your business that are performing well and areas that may need improvement.

Analyze customer data. Look at your customer data to identify trends and patterns. It can help you understand what your customers are looking for and how they interact with your business.

You can use this information to tailor your product offerings and marketing efforts to better meet your target audience’s needs and preferences. For example, Kissmetrics helps you analyze and get detailed customer activity reports, such as your most viewed and purchased products and popular site searches.

Track key performance indicators (KPIs). Monitor KPIs such as sales, traffic, and customer acquisition costs to determine how your business performs.

Your KPIs can help you identify areas of strength and weakness, guiding you to make data-driven decisions when it comes to allocating resources and optimizing your operations.

Utilize analytics tools. Leverage analytics tools to track and analyze data about your website and marketing efforts.

Analytics tools can help you discover valuable insights in your business’s performance and help you make more informed decisions to improve your marketing, sales, and other business operations.

Monitor industry trends. Stay up to date on industry trends and use data to understand how these trends might impact your business.

By employing these practices, it will be much easier to adapt your business model to unpredictable market conditions.

2. Focus on Customer Service

During a recession, customers may be more hesitant to buy and will likely choose a business with top-notch customer service. Here are some ways to help improve your customer service:

Offer multiple contact options. Provide customers with various ways to reach you, such as email, phone, or live chat. Doing so can help buyers resolve issues promptly, improving the customer experience.
Ensure you have a clear returns policy. Outline the conditions for returns in a clear and concise manner, visible to all customers when making a purchase, so that there is no gap between the customers’ understandings and your returns policy.

Make sure to include details such as return timelines, condition of the product, and shipping instructions so that everything is transparent from the get-go. This is a key factor in establishing trust with your customers and increasing their likelihood of making purchases.

Use automated tools to improve efficiency and flexibility. Automation software is designed to turn your repeatable, routine customer service tasks into automated actions. It can make your customer service operations more efficient by enabling you to handle a higher volume of customer inquiries in a shorter amount of time.

Automated tools also help you offer support to customers around the clock. This can be especially important during a recession when you will need to do everything in your power to stay competitive.

It can be helpful to use a reliable help desk software such as Zendesk. The platform automates the process of finding abandoned tickets that need updating, notifying agents when assigned tickets remain unresolved, and closing tickets after they have been solved.

3. Consider External Financing Options

External financing options can help your ecommerce business stay afloat and even succeed in a recession by providing the following:

Access to capital. External financing options can provide a much-needed lifeline to capital that you can invest back into your business when cash flow is tight. They can also help solve capital barriers to purchasing inventory, hiring additional staff, or upgrading equipment.
Improved cash flow. Obtaining external funds can improve your cash flow by helping your business meet its various financial obligations. A healthy cash flow is crucial to help you manage your business’s expenses, allocate resources efficiently, and to give you the flexibility needed to fix potential issues before they cause serious damage.

Before deciding which financing option to go with, carefully consider the terms and conditions for each one. For example, 8fig is an ecommerce funding and planning platform that provides capital optimized towards each business’s unique cash flow based on its supply chain needs.

The platform provides tools for supply chain planning and product-specific revenue forecasting. Moreover, it has a flexible remittance schedule, granting business owners the cushion they need to plan appropriately and efficiently.

Tools like 8fig can be useful financing options in a recession when your business might easily be short on funds. If in doubt, seek advice from a financial consultant to help you decide which external financing option best fits your business’s needs.

4. Optimize Social Media and Email Marketing

Optimize your social media and email marketing campaigns and initiatives by streamlining your workflows. Streamlined workflows can reduce your manual tasks, eliminate bottlenecks, and help you work more efficiently while spending less time, money, and resources, which is especially critical during difficult economic times.

Use social media management and email marketing platforms with features that allow you to set your social media and email marketing tasks on autopilot. For instance, you can use Mailchimp to schedule sending welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, order confirmations, and post-sale promotions. Mailchimp also lets you respond automatically to specific customer behaviors.

You can also make your social media marketing workflows and tasks more efficient using popular social media management platforms. For example, Buffer allows you to schedule your posts across social networks to auto-publish them on optimal dates and times.

Remember to monitor and analyze your results to track your performance on social media and email marketing campaigns. Dive into the data to identify what is working and what is not to improve your processes.

5. Offer Flexible Payment Options

Consider offering flexible financing or payment plans to help customers pay for your products. It can be beneficial for big-ticket items or for customers who may be struggling financially. Consider the following tips:

Offer flexible financing options. Some customers may hesitate to make large purchases due to economic uncertainty. Offer flexible financing options, such as deferred payment plans or layaway programs to help overcome these objections.
Implement flexible return policies. During a recession, customers may be more cautious about buying and more likely to return items. Offering flexible return policies, such as extended return periods or free returns, will help build trust and encourage customers to make more purchases with confidence.
Use payment gateways with flexible options. Choose a payment gateway with flexible payment options, such as splitting payments or accepting partial payments.
Allow multiple payment plan options. Consider offering monthly installments to make it easier for customers to pay for larger purchases. It can help increase sales and reduce the risk of default.

Achieve Ecommerce Success During a Recession

A recession is certainly daunting, but it does not mean all hope is lost. In fact, it might just be an opportunity to rise above the competition. Take advantage of the situation to find your unique competitive advantage and differentiate yourself from the rest.

By employing the strategies discussed in this article, you will be well on your way to helping your ecommerce business succeed in any economic condition. Moreover, you will emerge stronger at the end of the day.

The post Five Tips to Help Your Ecommerce Business Succeed in a Recession appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/ecommerce/five-tips-help-ecommerce-business-succeed-recession/

Google and Meta are losing their edge as TikTok, Amazon, Instacart ads grow

2022 marked the first year since 2014 that Google and Meta’s advertising market share dropped below 50%, standing at 48.4%. By the end of 2023, that number is expected to drop to 44.9%.

What’s going on. Amazon, ByteDance’s TikTok and streaming services like Netflix are continuing to increase their foothold. People are spending less time online on sites like Google and Meta, so it’s no surprise that they’re facing hurdles, despite still growing (albeit slower than other digital ad platforms).

Meta and other platforms also suffered from Apple’s iOS14 update in 2021, which required apps on its devices to ask users if they wanted to be tracked. The majority of iPhone users opted not to be. Google was not affected by this update, as it relies on customer intent, revealed by a user’s search terms.

The TikTok effect. Marketers want more options, and TikTok is it. TikTok’s hold on the digital ad market more than doubled in 2022, while Amazon gained market share due to its ad business being able to target users by their purchases and browsing history.

The Washington Post reported that “Supergut Chief Executive Marc Washington said the maker of gut-health products used to spend about 80% of its ad budget on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms, with the rest going to Google. In early 2022, he noticed that the cost of bringing in new customers through advertising on Meta’s platforms was twice as high as it was before Apple’s privacy changes. Supergut shifted about half of what it spent on Meta to TikTok, a short-form video platform popular with younger audiences.”

Insider Intelligence said that TikTok’s command of the digital ad market more than doubled in 2022 and has nearly 100 million U.S. monthly active users. However, its overall share remained small, at just 2% of U.S. digital ad spending.

Amazon continues to grow. Amazon accounted for 11.7% of U.S. digital-ad spending last year and is poised to grow to 12.4% in 2023, Insider said.

“Our advertising is at the point where consumers are ready to spend,” Amazon Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said on the company’s October conference call.

Other retailers have followed in Amazon’s footsteps by building digital-ad businesses based on their consumer data, known as retail media networks. Combined, Walmart Inc., eBay Inc., Etsy Inc. and Instacart took in about 1.4% of digital-ad dollars spent in the U.S. last year, according to Insider.

Microsoft & Netflix. We can’t talk about Netflix without talking about Microsoft. Last year they announced a partnership to bring an ad-supported subscription plan to Netflix. Vincent Létang, executive vice president of global market research at Magna, a media- investment firm that is part of Interpublic Group of Cos.‘ Mediabrands, called Netflix and Disney’s entry into the market “a game-changing moment” for ad-supported streaming. “They bring a potentially huge number of viewers,” he said, and a wealth of premium video content.

Why we care. Advertisers should be aware of emerging platforms, just as they should be aware of those experiencing a decline. Though most tend to predict these types of trends long before the numbers get published. But reports like this help solidify what many advertisers already know; diversification is key.

The post Google and Meta are losing their edge as TikTok, Amazon, Instacart ads grow appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-and-meta-are-losing-their-edge-as-tiktok-amazon-instacart-ads-grow-391062

Google’s December 2022 helpful content and link spam updates still rolling out

Google said the two different Google search algorithm updates – the December 2022 helpful content system and the December 2022 link spam update – may take another week or two to complete their rollout.

The helpful content update started Dec. 5, and the link spam update started on Dec. 14.

The algorithm update rollouts were supposed to be completed within two weeks, but clearly that has not happened.

Google’s new statement. Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, said on Twitter that these two updates will complete “likely within two weeks, maybe only one” week but he added that it is “not a guarantee” and “timings might change.”

Why the delay? The rollouts are taking longer because of the holidays. Sullivan said earlier on Mastodon, “Both the updates are continuing to rollout. Normally these types of updates would have concluded by now, but rollouts can slow or pause when we get into the holiday periods.”

Why we care. As I said above, both updates are still rolling out at the time this was published. It is very hard to accurately say that one ranking change in aggregate is related to a specific ranking update when both are rolling out at the same time. That being said, it is likely easier to look at individual sites and know if the site was hit by a link algorithm versus a helpful content algorithm, especially if you look at the links and content for that site.

We have some early data on the impact of some of these updates, but this long rollout has made it really hard to measure accurately.

So you will need to do the due diligence and dig into sites impacted by each update on an individual basis. This just shows you that it appears that these updates did show movement and did cause ranking volatility in aggregate.

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Original source: https://searchengineland.com/googles-december-2022-helpful-content-and-link-spam-update-still-rolling-out-391120

Google agrees to pay up in 12 year class-action lawsuit

Consumers in a 12-year-long class action lawsuit against Google say that Google shared their queries with third parties without their permission.

What happened. The lawsuit alleged that Google violated both the Stored Communications Act, a federal law that governs access to records held by internet service providers, and state laws in California.

The settlement. Details of the settlement can be found here. In addition to the $23 million payout, which still needs court approval, it also requires Google to provide added disclosures to consumers about the sharing of search terms.

Dig deeper. Read the full announcement from Bloomberg.

Why we care. We’re not sure how or if this will affect advertisers in the future. But privacy issues are still a hot topic as we move into 2023.

The post Google agrees to pay up in 12 year class-action lawsuit appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-agrees-to-pay-up-in-12-year-class-action-lawsuit-391038

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Original source: https://searchengineland.com/webinar-how-to-make-the-most-out-of-consumer-and-social-media-data-391046