All posts by Technologer

Best DIY Tools For Creating Apps

 

Creating a mobile app has never been easier. You don’t have to wait for months and spend a ton of cash on developers to have your app made just the way you wanted. This is especially important for those on a tight budget, as developers often charge by the hour and costs can pile up faster than you’d imagine. Fortunately, nowadays you can make a professional-looking app without actually having any coding experience yourself, thanks to various mobile app makers available online.

Now, you might be wondering what exactly are mobile app makers? To put it simply, they represent online platforms who offer development services for making mobile apps. What makes them special is the fact that they are designed to be used by individuals who have absolutely no prior coding experience. They are packed full with all the standard features a mobile app might need, such as:

  • Location-based services
  • Social network services
  • Push notifications
  • Specific seller-oriented features
  • Multiple paying options
  • Diverse templates
  • Rich customization options

What sets mobile app makers apart from the traditional app development practices is the cost efficiency. Most start-ups find it difficult to invest hundreds and even thousands of dollars into app development. This may even deter some entrepreneurs from making the experience mobile in the first place, which may save some money in the beginning, but ultimately, limit the business in the long run. This is why mobile app makers are an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. Although they could never replace seasoned developers, I tried to pick out the top six mobile app makers available at the time of writing this article.

1.      AppInstitute

AppInstitute has won quite a few startup awards and is currently the main mobile app maker in the United Kingdom. It’s the number one choice for local businesses due to its excellent e-commerce features, coupled with customizable menus, catalogs and an easy to use content manager. It also has rich booking options, which aren’t restricted only on managing appointments, but also provides the user with video events and other engaging content. The price varies depending on whether you’re looking for a monthly or a yearly subscription, with the starting package costing $8.00 per month, or $6.00 when billed annually.

appinstitute

2.      Como DIY

This app maker boosts its success with over 1 million apps powered by its platform and clients such as Coca-Cola, Burger King, and even BMW. Flashy names aside, this company provides a long list of features, including appointment scheduling, e-commerce integration, event planning and management, user reviews and even a loyalty card feature. That’s why Como is the preferred app maker of choice for restaurants, galleries, and other event-oriented establishments. There are seven available templates which can further be combined with six navigation styles. Payment plans only include a monthly, yearly or a bi-yearly subscriptions which cost $57, $48 and $41 respectfully.

como-diy

3.      GoodBarber

GoodBarber is a platform which offers the most advanced app making features available for both Android and IOS. Users can control every single detail of their app and for those who don’t, there are numerous templates available coupled with over 350 gorgeous icons and little over 600 different Google Fonts. What makes it unique is the instant visual feedback users experience when adjusting the parameters. Although it does not have an integrated online store, users do have the option of adding Shopify, Amazon or Etsy. The pricing starts at $16 for the standard package, $32 for the full and $48 for the advanced plan.

goodbarber

4.      ShoutEm

This app maker presents itself as a very refined and elegant product. It features a complete content managing system, resourceful tools for engagement and different monetization options. What makes ShoutEm great is the seamless integration with the existing sources such as Foursquare, WordPress, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and even Soundcloud. It also supports mobile advertising, which allows the user to regain some of the finances spent on ShoutEm. It’s not the cheapest provider available, with the price starting at $19.90 a month for the Basic plan. If you wish to publish directly to the Android or Apple stores, then you need to get the Advanced, $49.00 per month plan.

shoutem

5.      AppMachine

This easy-to-use platform aims to automate the building process by importing everything the app might use from sites such as Facebook and Twitter and even your RSS feeds. The creators had the idea to use the various aspects of the platform as it were made of Lego bricks, which directly translates into the app making experience. Using the drag-and-drop interface, users move and organize the features as building blocks. These include anything ranging from pictures, videos to online stores and links to social networks. Users have a complete control of the layout with customizable icons, colors, fonts and navigation paths. Currently, they are offering a $49 Plus and a $69 Pro plan. Fortunately, there are two bundles available, one at $99 per month and the other at $300.

appmachine

6.      Appery.io

The last contender on our list is Appery.io, a leading cloud-based platform for the fast development of mobile apps. The fact that it’s cloud-based means that nothing needs to be downloaded or installed in order to make the app. Not only that but most app makers which are focused only on iOS and Android devices, Appery.io users can also make apps for Windows Phones. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to use even for the most inexperienced users. That said, Appery.io boasts a massive catalog of plugins available for both the inexperienced and advances users and it supports creating custom plugins and sharing them with the community. You can use the platform for free or pay $180 for the premium service.

appery

In Conclusion

As you can see, making a mobile app without any programming experience is possible. The platforms are all graphic in design, some using the drag-and-drop interface while the others use simple check-box type, on-off switches. Most of them are pretty straight-forward to use and if you have any issues, the app makers offer video and graphic tutorials and excellent customer support. You don’t need to worry about hiring expensive programmers in order to have a professional-looking app that reflects your business.

 

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john

By John Stone

Author bio: John Stone is a business consultant and web entrepreneur.  Through years of experience, he became a devout believer in the notion that form should always follow function and that developing the ability to think outside of the box is a prerequisite of being a successful entrepreneur. He currently advises companies about Web Design in Sydney. You can get in touch with him on Twitter.

 

How To Hold More Effective, Successful Meetings

 

If they were giving out awards for work things you loved, one of the last things to ever get noticed would be meetings. In fact, nearly half of all employees said meetings are their single biggest waste of time. But there’s no way that meetings are going away. We’re dependent on them, and we hold about 11 million meetings each and every day, consuming over thirty percent of employees’ time. The solution, however, isn’t as hard as you might think. Setting an agenda, choosing a meeting type, even limiting attendance and technology can help. This graphic can help you take control and love your meetings more.

What you should do when meetings don’t meet expectations

How to Upgrade Your Smartphone Camera Using Apps

 

Nearly all of us take photos using our phone’s camera; those who don’t are likely pro photographers with separate professional DSLR cameras and some very bulky lenses. For the rest of us, taking a good picture depends on two factors: the quality of our phone and the right apps to fill in the blanks.

Buying a good phone isn’t the harder of the two things to figure out; most of the more expensive phones come with the better cameras. Assuming you’re at the second step, you’d probably like to know which apps to use so you can take awesome photos for your Instagram account or to keep to yourself.

Look no further; here are some great apps to make your photo dreams come true.

Android Users

taking-a-picture

Camera Zoom FX

Of all the photo apps available for Android, few come with higher recommendations from professionals and everyday users alike than Camera Zoom FX. With a host of features and a friendly interface, this app helps avoid common pitfalls that default apps frequently leave our cameras suffering with, including:

  • Reducing blur with image stabilization
  • Maximizing resolution with your phone’s megapixel count
  • Dozens of filters and frames for altering a photo’s mood

Moreover, Camera Zoom FX also hosts one of the simpler control schemes, complete with voice activation and full manual DSLR options to make your camera work overtime. The professional version only costs a few dollars, and it’s sure to be a purchase worth your while. In 2014, it was Lifehacker’s choice and remains the favorite of millions to date.

Open Camera

As a huge fan of open source software, I can’t recommend Open Camera enough because it truly has the best interests of its users in mind. With full support for Android’s Camera2 API, it hosts a variety of features that seem to be growing with every passing day. Its open source nature means that the only limits the app has are the ones you impose on it.

Like Camera Zoom FX, Open Camera allows you to adjust ISO, exposure time, and focus distance manually. It also allows for GPS tagging when you take a shot and comes with a considerably better price tag: free! The downside may be that it seems to have fewer effects, but as an open source app, that’s always something that can be added down the road.

PicSay Pro

Sometimes taking the picture isn’t enough. Having a good photo editing app can complete your photographic masterpiece, and you won’t find one much better than PicSay Pro on Android.

With most of the features that a desktop photo editor has, PicSay Pro allows you to fix issues with red eye, sharpen blurry shots, and apply numerous effects and edits to spice up otherwise dull images. The free version has quite a few options as well, but with the pro version you get a much more complete package.

iOS Users

take-photos-with-iphone

Camera+

Not only is Camera+ an old staple, it also continues to dominate much of the iPhone photo world because it really does work that well. Thanks to Camera+’s manual option, you’ll have considerably more control over how your photos turn out. Even if things don’t look so great at first, the post photo touchup tools are enough to bring any picture you take back to life.

For Apple Watch users, there’s also support for controlling your camera from a distance.

Manual

Users seeking a cleaner, yet more technical, camera app might consider using Manual, as it not only allows you to take total control of your shots, but it also allows you to look at past photos to see the settings you were using at the time. This can be especially useful as you learn to make your phone’s options work for you.

Notably, Manual remains one of the easier to use apps despite having unique technical options.

Snapseed

While it might seem a tad ironic that one of Apple’s best photo editing apps is published by Google, it doesn’t make Snapseed any less powerful. Snapseed is one of iOS’s most popular apps for good reason: It’s easy to use for beginners, yet has features that can be fully put to work by more professional photographers.

Its filters focus on classic, tasteful touchups rather than cheesy effects. As with any editor, it has all you’ll need to fix up color distortion, sharpness and the dreaded red eye.

Best of Both Worlds

Just because Android and iOS run on separate platforms doesn’t mean there aren’t apps that work for both. For those with more than one type of device, it’s nice to be able to transition using the same app on both platforms.

Instagram

Despite being predominantly a social media platform, Instagram has really made strides since its inception in 2010, both as a powerful source of influence in the fashion world and as a genuinely decent camera app.

While Instagram may not be quite as potent as some of the more focal camera apps, it still offers enough filters and effects to liven up your photos. More importantly, Instagram also makes the transition to sharing your works of art with the world that much quicker. If you haven’t tried using Instagram for photos, it’s worth a shot.

ProShot

As versatility goes, ProShot has quite a bit to offer. Not only is it available for iOS and Android, but it also works for Windows devices as well. Like the other services above, it has all the manual options available (ISO, etc.) but also an in-between setting for convenience and less advanced users, which they call “semi-manual.”

While not specifically for photography, I’m a big fan of ProShot’s video options, which support up to 4K quality and even have options for dealing with audio problems.

Adobe Lightroom Mobile

It should come as no surprise that Adobe continues to be one of the best photo editing apps out there. With loads of professional options, Lightroom is especially unique because it works together with Lightroom CC, another excellent tool to use if you bounce between your camera and your PC.

But don’t let the integration keep you from thinking the app itself isn’t feature rich; most of what you’ll find in Lightroom CC is in the mobile version, from gradient alterations to dehazing. The only real disadvantage is the cost, as Adobe runs this app on a subscription.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to improve your phone’s camera. Camera apps and photo editing apps are a great way to do it on the cheap, particularly if you’re not interested in buying a third-party lens.

Just don’t forget to protect your device. Particularly if you’re using your phone in an urban setting with tons of free WiFi, you should also consider a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to keep your photos secure. Public WiFi is practically a nesting grounds for hackers waiting to steal valuable data, and your photos could be a prime target. Using a VPN ensures you won’t lose out on hard work by encrypting your internet connection and keeping criminals out.

Have thoughts about mobile photography? Tell us how you take great photos on your phone in the comments section.

 

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Author Bio: Cierra enjoys taking photos on her phone daily. Between playing with filters and settings, she also writes about internet security and how best to take care of your devices and accounts in an increasingly mobile world.

The Ultimate Guide to Choose the Right Image for Your Landing Pages

Web design is an extension of page design, and when it comes to page design, there are plenty of rules and principles for putting together a winning website. Landing pages can be tricky; they have many elements to them that require careful consideration;

  1. The main headline
  2. Subtitle
  3. The call to action button
  4. Social Proof
  5. Dedicated content
  6. The form and fields people need to fill in
  7. and of course the main hero image

While each element is equally important and cannot work without the other, the image and the colors we use on our landing page have the largest impact on our customer’s initial impressions of us, their experience and as a result, our conversion rates.

Since our brains process images much faster than text, the first thing our potential customer sees on the landing page is the image and it is all that’s standing between your customer bouncing from the page or choosing to read more or convert.

How to choose an image strategy for your landing page

The main hero image is meant to help potential customers see the value in our offer within the first couple of seconds, understand what’s in it for them and why they should take the next step in our customer journey vs. the competitor’s.

On average we see between 4000-10,000 messages a day, we’re constantly bombarded with ads, text messages, calls and content everywhere, the possibilities and options online are endless and tiring.

This is one of the main reasons potential customers easily and almost automatically navigate from one site to another without giving as much as thought for the page they just visited. As consumers we move quickly from one competitor to another until something clicks in our brain and catches our attention. That something is the value, the “What’s In It For Me?”

whats-int-for-me

To stand out from your competitors and gain your customer’s attention (therefore increase conversion rates), the hero image on every landing page, email campaign and especially your website should project immediate value to your customer.

This isn’t an image of your product, service or features, it’s an image that highlights the emotional value customers gain from being your customers (e.g increase self confidence, get appreciated by your boss or find true love). As I mentioned at Mozcon, insurance companies don’t sell insurance policy, they sell peace of mind; a happy carefree family.

While most landing pages show an image of the product, platform or service they’re providing, we’ve ran countless tests proving time and time again that value wins almost every time.

For example, this company provides an all-in-one solution for creating birthday and party invitations. While the original landing page featured images of the different templates available and featured a product focused headline: “Custom online invitations in minutes”

original-landing-page

The variation we created visualized the party scene for our potential customers. Utilizing different colors to enhance certain feelings, an image of the park, a picnic basket and a dog this variation focused on helping people envision the perfect party, which starts with a great invitation. The results: 65% uplift in purchased subscriptions!

landing-page-variation-1

Today, I’m going to show you exactly how to do that yourself.

There Are 3 Ways to Define Your Image Strategy

Before setting down to design your landing page and randomly choose your image, take some time to follow the 3 step process we use to define the customer’s value and the images we want to test:

Step 1: Talk to your customers

The great thing about talking to customers is that they have all the answers. They know why they purchased an item or service and have a clear reason for doing so. However, most customers will give you a list of tactical reasons for their purchase. This happens due to our brain’s tendency to rationalize our purchases, we may purchase on emotion but our brain quickly finds a way to rationalize that decision. For example – buying an expensive suit, or that lamp you don’t really need is then explained by attaining a good deal for it or your sudden need for more light around the house.

So a great way to discover your value and avoid technical answers is asking them how they would feel about removing certain items from your stock or certain features from your platform. This will give you a clearer understanding of the real value people find in your service. You can also ask what may have stopped them from converting and more importantly, ask them about THEM: What are their dreams, aspirations and even what scares them – get to know them so you can offer relevant, more compelling images, colors and content.

Talk to your team

Your customer success team, your sales team and anyone who talks to your customers on a daily or weekly basis can provide key insights. They know what people complain about, what their main issues are and what people find exciting. Talk to your team, interview them and learn how they view the customer, what values they believe you offer and compare these to your customer interviews.

Analyze direct and indirect competitor sites

NO I’m not suggesting you copy from your competitors in anyway. What I am saying is that you should analyse the testimonials and especially the reviews found on your competitor’s site. This comes straight from Joanna Wiebe’s research process: See what reviews customers are leaving, what bothers them and what they care about to discover what you need to highlight on your landing page and what value you should focus on.

Once you’ve compiled all this data together you’ll be able to define the image strategy you want to test. The next step,  is finding these images that highlight the value and have all of the qualities you’re looking for. Below are 6 rules you should follow once you’ve defined you’re strategy and ready to choose an image for your landing page:

6 Rules for Choosing a Landing Page Image

#1 Use Real, Relatable and Authentic Images

A successful image is one that your customers can to relate to. Either by seeing themselves in the image or someone they would want to be like, someone that reflects their challenges and values, or someone they can and want to connect to.

Use authentic images of people and avoid ones that are clearly stock photos, bought for the sake of the page. Best case scenario – use real images of your customers or your team, if you can’t use those choose your images wisely. A quick google images search can show you how many companies are already using that image. Ask yourself, is this image authentic? Will my customers relate to it? Or does it look like this (in case this isn’t clear –> this is a bad image!):

team-corporate-people-group-office-company

Mailchimp’s new homepage redesign (launched just a few weeks) ago baffles me. The image is clearly a stock photo image (if not… then bad execution) that feels cold and has no relation to their headline “Being yourself makes all the difference”. Does this image represent their target audience? The colorful background with different shapes, colors and palm leaves distracts the customer and has no value that I can personally detect.  As a Mailchimp customer, personally I don’t feel comfortable with this women staring me in the eye and telling me to be myself.  This image feels fake and I have a hard time relating to it in anyway.

mailchimp-new-homepage

Gusto on the other hand, has an image of a women sitting in front of her desk smiling. Now, granted I don’t really know if this a real photo of an HR person or a stock photo but it feels real and the connection between the image and headline is clear. I can immediately resonate with it, it’s authentic and relatable to HR personnel who do it all.  Gusto makes the main image work with the strategy of the page, makes it about the customer and as opposed to the lady staring at us from Mailchimp’s new design, this women doesn’t feel alienating – she feels welcoming, someone you might want to meet. This is the difference between using authentic images that relate to your target audience vs. images that just look nice and have a “cool” composition.

good-landing-page-example

#2 Reduce Visual Noise

“With great power, comes great responsibility” – As we’ve seen, our image captures most of the attentive mind of our landing page visitor, it’s almost always the first thing we see and it’s what determines if we should hang around a take a few more seconds to read and understand the offer. This means, that other than choosing a good strategic image, we also need to think about reducing the noise it creates so it doesn’t have a negative affect. We need to make sure it’s easy for customers to quickly see what’s in it for them and asses our services. How do you do that? By following these 3 simple rules:

  • Ensure high contrast between the image and the page content so it doesn’t “drown” out the text, making it hard for people to read, like this for example:

landing-page-examples

  • Ensure the photo is distraction “clean” as possible and helps customers focus only on the most important elements of it unlike the landing page below for example. There’s so much going on within this image that it’s hard to focus on anything. Not to mention the fact that this is yet another common image used by thousands of startups to show  another “unique” office space. This image has nothing to do with the service. How exactly does an image of random people in an office make you feel that this a “new model for talent development”? Clean images, mean using only the objects that help get the message across, remove any details that can cause confusion or stress on the eyes.

landing-page-examples-1

  • Consider the colors you use – colors have an emotional effect on us and can assist us in saying things without actually spelling them to people. For example, you don’t have to say you’re trustworthy, you could (in Western cultures) use blue for that.  Also, remember to reduce the amount of colors you use so it’s easier on the eyes and easy to take in.

#3 Use Images as Direction Cues

Our main image is there to create a certain atmosphere and feeling, but it’s also there to navigate the customer in the right direction and point them towards the next step (whether it’s subscribing, downloading something or simply reading more).  You can use your main image as a directional cue to show people what to do next like the visual below.

You’ll notice that all elements (computer, paper, earphones and pens) are placed around the call to action button making that the main focal point of the page. Granted, I’m not sure this is the best image to use to sell a UX class, since it’s only showing specific elements you’re going to use during the course, but doesn’t explain why you should actually take it. However the placement of elements is done well.

landing-page-tips

Perhaps a better example is by ‘Here One’. As you can see they’re using their main character (seems authentic and wearing product) to point with his entire body towards the call to action button.

image-landing-page-tips

#4 Avoid carousels and auto play videos

While tempting, carousels confuse visitors and make it hard on them to focus on the action they need to take so don’t use them. This is actually a well known fact and many case studies have shown that rotating images reduce conversion rates. And so do automatic background videos! instead of reading your content and taking the next step, the visitor is now engaged in a moving video that’s distracting and has nothing to do with your goal. Have multiple images in mind? Test them, don’t use them all at once.

#5 Consider Mobile

Just because an image performs well on desktop, does not mean it will work or look well on mobile. First, you’ve got the fact that technically the image may look bad on mobile:

  • It may look stretched
  • Take too long to load
  • Completely dominate the page
  • Move all your content below the fold
  • or simply won’t make sense to a visitor on mobile.

Let’s look at the same example by ‘Here One’: it looks and works great on desktop. However, on mobile it’s a different story. The image of the guy and the colors they’re using make it hard to read the text. It’s not immediately clear what this product is and could be perceived as a hearing aid rather than advanced, cool earphones. The strategy of this image, doesn’t work well on mobile.

mobile-version-1-e1478795856894

#6 A/B test your Strategies

Once you have an hypothesis for your image strategy, take the time to test it vs. the one you already have. In fact, test different strategies, for example an image of your product or someone using the product vs. an customer centric image. This is not only a great way to validate your hypothesis but also a good way to show numbers, figures and facts to your team who might have a hard time getting behind this new initiative. A/B testing image strategies instead of just simple elements such as the color of the  call to action button will give you greater insights that can then be presented to your team for convincing them to get on board.

Image Checklist

Use the following checklist and process to define the images for every landing page, email campaign or website you launch:

  • Define the goal of your page (e.g – subscribe, download)
  • Evaluate current image strategy (Does it highlight the customer or yourself?)
  • Use heatmaps to determine current image (e.g – is it a focal point, are people clicking on it)
  • Conduct customer surveys
  • Conduct interviews with team
  • Analyse competitor websites for reviews and testimonials
  • Combine all data to define a customer centric image strategy
  • Choose image (using the 6 rules)
  • Launch A/B test of current variation vs. new variation

Over to You

Remember that the image doesn’t work alone, it’s part of a whole composition working with the copy, your fonts, colors and call to action button. All elements together should be geared towards helping the customer immediately seeing what’s in it for them and helping them take the next step.


This post originally published on Talia Wolf’s blog

Talia helps businesses plan and execute conversion optimization programs. She runs thousands of A/B tests using emotional targeting and persuasive design to grow their business.

 

Talia is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing conferences and was recently listed as one of the most influential experts in conversion optimization. Follow her on twitter at @taliagw and learn more about her conversion optimization training programs.

Blogging, Social Media and SEO within Google Chrome: 15 Best Extensions

 

When you’re a blogger, there are simply too many tasks you need to perform on a daily basis, from finding the right topics to link building and much, much more. However, the functionalities in your web browser can help in performing these daily tasks conveniently. Considering how Google Chrome is by far the most popular browser on the planet (according to StatCounter, almost 50% of people accessed the Internet using Chrome from October 2015 to October 2016), we’ll take a look at some of the most useful extensions, that will make your job easier.

Blogging Extensions

1. Pocket

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If you want to know just how good Pocket is, just look at its credentials: in 2014. Pocket won a Webbly award for best productivity and it now has a user base of over 15 million people worldwide. It’s a rather simple tool that allows to save numerous articles, videos and notes for later reference.

2. Grammarly

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While every version of Microsoft Word will keep your spelling in check, but when you write online, most of us make spelling and grammar mistakes regularly, mostly because we’re trying to type as fast as we can. Thankfully, Grammarly will ensure that you never make a typo again and end up looking stupid because of misplacing a couple of letters. It also scans your text for proper use of more than 250 advanced grammar rules in real-time.

3. Fireshot

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If you want something that will eliminate the mundane print-paste-edit routine, and quickly grab screenshots of websites and save them as a JPEG, GIF or a PDF from within Google Chrome, then Fireshot is the right extension for you. You’ll be able to capture both entire pages and just visible parts, and it’ll even allow you to add comments, blur selected areas and apply other effects to your captures.

4. Google Publisher Toolbar

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The Publisher Toolbar is designed to assist web publishers view data about their Ad Exchange, AdSense and DC for Publisher accounts from a single dashboard within the Chrome browser. You can also block any unsuitable creative you don’t wish to display on your site or blog. After you install GPT, all the ad units on your site will get an overlay that’ll display information like the buyer name and display URL.

5. Break Helper

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Sitting in our chair for prolonged periods of time is literarily killing us – sitting 6 or more hours each day increases risk of premature death up to 40%. Now, even if you don’t care about your health that much, you have to be aware that working at a stretch without taking a break can result in a sharp decline in productivity. Therefore, you should install Break Helper extension, and it will let you know when you need to take your next break, and let your overworked brain relax for a second.

Social Media Extensions

6. Rapportive

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Even though this part of our list is dedicated to social media, let’s talk about emails. I’m guessing many of your interactions still happen within Gmail, and while you’d like to start a conversation going on LinkedIn, you’re almost certainly stuck doing the delayed email back-and-forth with new contacts every other day. But Rapportive will provide you all the information you need about your email contacts, including their social profiles, which will allow you to easily add every contact on social media.

7. StayFocusd

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Even if you’re making money of your blog, it doesn’t mean that don’t suffer from bouts of procrastination from time to time. But even though technology is a source of distraction, it can also be a source of discipline you desperately need. StayFocusd will limit the amount of time you can spend certain site. It also lets you choose what to block – an entire website, a specific web page and even different types of content like videos and games.

8. RiteTag Social Media Optimizer

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Do you spent much time wondering which hashtag you should use for a certain story? Maybe you’re unsure whether adding a particular hashtag will add or diminish the value of your message? Thinking about these problems can be quite time-consuming, especially if you’re person that tweets more than ten times every day. However, Rite Tag provides analytics on hashtags you regularly use, which will help you save a lot of time.

9. Figure it Out

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One of the biggest challenges you face when working globally has nothing to with cultural differences or even language barriers. Your main challenge is figuring out what it is in a different geo-region without doing the math. With the Figure it Out extension, you’ll be able to add up to ten different time zones, which will help you schedule your posts and even set up meetings with people from different regions.

10. VPN Extension

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This item on our list is not only reserved for people who live in countries like China, Vietnam and Portugal, where the government blocks access to certain social media sites. It is also recommendable to anyone that likes to write from their dorm room or favorite coffee shop, because regularly block access to certain sites. Of course, there are many providers on the market and the selection of a VPN extension is all up to you, but we have to recommend ExpressVPN, because it offers a wide range of servers and unlimited bandwidth.

Search Engine Optimization Extensions

11. Open SEO Stats

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This is perhaps the most popular SEO extension for Google Chrome, marketers often use it see PageRank, Compete Rank and QuantCast Rank and get quick access to info about backlinks, indexed and cached pages, among other things. This basically means that Open SEO gives you a complete overview of any information about any website on the Internet.

12. iPage

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Google Toolbar is always great for [age ranking, but seeing how it isn’t available for Chrome, you’ll want an alternative. And luckily, iPage Chrome is just that. It allows to set your settings to show page rank in results, or show rank for individual pages and domains. All in all, it is a small, but nevertheless useful page rank checker extension.

13. Shareaholic

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Shareaholic might not be a “real” SEO extension, but everyone knows the importance of social media likes, shares and general presence in search engine ranking. So, you could easily use this app if you want to increase your ranking. The extensions allows you to share your article on multiple social media platforms at the same time, which will make your workload much quicker and definitely easier.

14. MozBar

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Moz Analytics one of the most popular analytics tools among SEO marketers, and MozBar is surely the favorite Chrome extension of almost all marketing professionals. Once you download and install this extension, you’ll instantly have access to almost any SEO tool you need, and see various metrics like Link Profile, KW Highlights, Domain and Page Authority.

15. SEO SERP Workbench

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You’ll never need to search the SERP position of any page manually once you get SEO SERP Workbench. The tool also allows you to see the ranking on the go, and it is great when you want to look up the SERP of multiple URLs. Last but not least, it supports multiple countries, so no matter where you’re from, you can check the SERP position of a particular website in your country.

While all of these extensions are great for bloggers, it doesn’t mean that you should download each and every one of them instantly. Instead, you should download at least couple of them, and see which ones suit your specific needs. After some trial-and-error, you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for.

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afp

By Adam Ferraresi 

Author Bio: Adam always loved the Internet, so much so that he knew that he knew that he was going to become a web developer when he was just 12. He also loves the outdoors, basketball and surfing are his passions, and you can read his insightful articles at wefollowtech.com

Family and Teen’s Cyber Security [Infographic]

 

Have you ever thought about how teenagers are using the technology at their fingertips? More exposed to technology than any other generation before, 91% of American teens access the Internet through mobile devices on a regular basis. This constant use of their online devices has certain consequences including bad uses of technology such as cyber-bullying, sexting, social media addiction and inappropriate content consumption.

The team at Family Orbit, a locator, and monitoring app to keep your family safe, has gathered some surprising stats and has presented them in the infographic below. You will find out some fascinating facts about teenagers online security as well as some signs to detect Internet addiction.

Infographic: Family and Teen’s Cyber Security - An Infographic from Family Orbit Blog

An infographic by Family Orbit Blog

REVIEW: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro 10.5 Tool

 

The file recovery software is the most reliable tool for recovering lost files in your hard drive. The data recovery tool enables everyone to retrieve lost data quickly and safely in all storage devices. Besides, the data recovery software is affordable and works well with all storage devices.

Benefits of EaseUS data recovery wizard pro 10.5

The file recovery software’s greatest advantage is the ability to be accommodated by all storage devices, and to recover all forms of lost files quickly and without corrupting them. With file recovery software, you will retrieve all records lost through formatting, deleting, damaged hard drive, loss of partitions, and attack by a virus, raw partitioning, crashing of the OS and other human errors.

The data recovery tool enables you to recover lost data in all storage devices, such as mobile phone, memory card, hard drive, music player, USB device among others.  Additionally, the file recovery software allows you to cover all file types that you want to restore. Such files include; audio, email, graphics, document, video and others.

The data recovery tool is multipurpose software to recover hard drive partitions which have been formatted by mistake, deleted files and recovering from the raw hard disk. The file recovery software can retrieve data from deleted, formatted, lost and hidden partitions. Besides, it is quick and easy to recover all files which you had stored in different storage media but accidentally deleted emptied your recycle bin. Finally, you can retrieve any data that is inaccessible, hidden and totally corrupted using the data recovery tool. The file enables you to recover corrupted data resulting from damage to the file system, loss of partition, raw partitioning, and raw hard drive.

How to recover lost data with the file recovery software:

The file recovery software is user-friendly and requires no prior experience to use. Besides, it has three simple data recovery steps.  No previous experience required as you get a guide on the user interface.

DataRecovery

Step 1: File recovery software launch

To quickly restore any lost data, you need to download the data recovery tool on your device and start it.

Step 2: File Scanning

After launching the file recovery software, specify all file types you intend to recover and scan. Scanning gives you a preview of the recoverable files to ensure you recover the right files and safely.

Third step: Recovering files

You can now press the recover button after choosing the files you want to recover. It is easy, quick and no overwriting of data.

Download link

http://download.easeus.com/trial/drw_trial.exe

Conclusion

The data recovery software has a user-friendly interface with clear steps of recovering data. Also, lost data is recovered 100% safely in various storage devices without overwriting the original data.  Additionally, the software gives you a preview of the files you want to recover before scanning. Previewing of files ensures you specify the files you want to recover.  Finally, the data recovery software has a bootable media which solves bootable problems of your system, if your files have secondary data damage.

Data Loss and Recovery

Data Loss and Recovery. An infographic by the team at Secure Data Recovery Services

10 Apps to Help with Home Renovation

 

Thinking of doing some home renovation soon? Well check out this infographic from HalfPrice before you do. It contains some great apps that will make whatever home renovation you’re doing a little bit easier. Many of them are free as well so you can download them to see if they can help you.

We understand how much work is involved in a home renovation project and often the thought of a long project can put you off even beginning. Maybe you’re thinking of renovating a room but you’re not sure if it will look good when you’re done. Why not check out Houzz for some inspiration? You can look at other designs in peoples’ homes and maybe it will give you the inspiration you need to get going. We hope you find something useful in the infographic.

10 Apps Every Small Business Owner Should Have

 

Business ownership is no walk in the park. You have to manage every single aspect of the company, from finance to human resources and project management. It entails a massive amount of responsibility and requires vast amounts of time, as well as an ability to cope with several competing tasks simultaneously.

If you’re running a small business, it is a good idea to draw upon all the help you can get, and one way of doing this is to stock up your smartphone with a series of excellent apps that should be part of every business owner’s collection. There are apps to help with employee communication, project management, time management, task organisation and payroll, to name just a few aspects of running a business. Some of the best apps we’ve come across include My Minutes, which keeps track of your progress for certain tasks and also allows you to set minimum and maximum time constraints; as well as IFTTT, which enables you to use one app to automatically program activity in another. How’s that for killing two birds with one stone?

This infographic from All Finance Tax profiles 10 apps that will certainly provide great benefit to anyone who owns a small business. Check out the full list below.

5 Reasons Why Businesses need Security Camera Systems

 

Don’t have any security cameras installed at your office or places related to business? If yes, think again! From strengthening safety, cross checking the stock, deterring criminals to increasing productivity –a complete surveillance system is good for real! And moreover, a business owner needs to have eyes at each and every corner of his place.

To further convince you with the benefits of an HD security system, we have listed down 5 reasons as to why businesses need to install them.

1)  Discourage Internal & External Theft

Every business whether big or small, is always under a risk of burglary and crime. And, this threat is augmented when you have employees that could add up to the list.

It would first appear shocking to hear that approximately 50 billion dollars are lost each year just because of employee theft. Such crime incapacitates small businesses. In fact, employee theft becomes the sole reason for almost 33% of the businesses to go bankrupt.

This is where you can make a huge difference to your bottom line. Install an HD security camera to curb employee theft today. A professional product like an Ultra HD system will eliminate all the blind spots, deter criminals and burglars and stamp out employee theft.

2)  Boost Productivity and Profits

When you hadn’t established your business (and probably was working for someone else) you must have come across the phrase “It’s time to play, when the boss is away”. And if you try to remember more vividly, no one ever dared to take unnecessary breaks from their work when the boss was watching over. Today, your employees might be doing the same to you!!!

If you require a set of extra eyes, an HD IP security camera can really prove its worth. You can remotely view all the nooks and corners of your office with the help of free mobile apps and software provided with such systems. All you need to have is a smart phone, tablet, or computer with working internet connection.

cctv-1144366_640

3)  Protect Private and Sensitive Areas

Every business has some “restricted-access areas”. To prevent illegal entry to these off –limit areas, getting help from sleepless eyes of a night vision security camera is a wise decision. The discrete look of an IP security camera is good to trick would-be burglars and force them to think twice before committing any crime.

There are many unscrupulous individuals who leak out trade secrets or even worse, sale them for their own benefits. Every business owner should take a proactive action to protect his/her business against this trade secret theft. For that, they might get help from a professional surveillance firm to evaluate their premises and take necessary actions to protect it. 

4)  Increase Customer Satisfaction

If your customers are satisfied with your services and products, they’ll come back over and over again. Thus, they should be catered exclusively. But, you can’t be there all the times to welcome them. What you can do is, keep an eye on your employees to know how they are behaving with your customers. This will obviously help in increasing the customer retention.

Video surveillance can also help you find out the products that you sell the most and then, accordingly you can develop your marketing strategies.

5)  Protect Yourself from False Liability Law Suits

Best systems, such as Ultra HD surveillance systems, can even help solve legal/official issues to an extent. Property management firms could be the ones that can be benefited because they have to handle piles and piles of claims. Now, to curb false claims out of the pile, firm may install a cctv camera and be ready with a video proof for any and every ambiguous event.

Storage space is the next thing to be kept in mind. A crafty lawyer is well aware of the fact that after a certain period of time, data gets overwritten thereby eliminating proofs, if any. But, a system with unlimited data storage allows you to revisit the frames of any time in the past. This will surely give you the much required mental peace.

Conclusion
Clearly, there are many benefits of installing a complete system for your business. You can sleep easy when you know there are prying eyes to take care of your hard earned assets and establishments.

So, what are you waiting for? Go and get your system today!

 

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Author Bio:  Rohan Sharma is a gadget wizard, an active blogger, and an eminent speaker. With more than 10 years of experience to his credit, Rohan has always been a pertinent contributor to the security industry. He is closely associated with Revo America, a well renowned security products manufacturer and retailer. Needless to say, Rohan boasts for paramount and credible products only, with Revo’s being his favorite.

10 Disaster Apps That Could Save Your Life

 

As a society, we are becoming more and more dependent on our smartphones with each passing day. With millions of apps being created and downloaded every year, our app expectations have also increased.

Whether it’s a social media app or messaging app, these apps allow us to contact our friends and family more rapidly than ever before. Although most apps we download are for work or for fun, lifesaving apps are becoming progressively more popular.

With the vast amount of calamities that take place worldwide, from mass shootings to natural disasters, it’s important that fast and effective methods of communication technologies are developed. Luckily, in 2016, app developers are creating specialised apps to meet our needs.

Communication apps have improved both our personal and family safety. These inspired apps help us in the event of an emergency. Some can even track natural disasters before they occur. For example, ‘’Disaster Alert’’ – which was designed by the Pacific Disaster Centre – gives mobile access to multi-hazard monitoring of (and early warning for) active hazards worldwide.

‘’Life360’’ allows you and your chosen contacts to create a private network. In the event of an emergency, one tap of a button will notify your friends/family of your current location and inform them if you are safe. For all the details, let’s check out this infographic from Nature’s Water which outlines 10 of the top disaster apps. Let’s take a look!

 

Top Wearable Android Watches of 2016

 

As like with the smartwatches, the software experience is nearly identical from one Android Wear to another. So, I turned to the most subjective features which make a top wearable Android watch to stand out from the rest. Though all of the Android wearable watches do the same thing basically for most of the times and with equal quality, they need to be ranked, weighed, and presented for your approval and support. Read ahead to check the Top Wearable Android Watches of 2016 and choose the most suitable for you.

1)    Moto 360 (2nd Gen) from Motorola

moto360

After its first launch, the original Moto 360 was the top rated Android Wear watch around for some time. And in my research, it is also placed at the top place. Going to the latest version (2nd generation), the Moto 360 has a Snapdragon 400 processor, a bigger battery than the original one and comes in different sizes to fit on the wrists of more people’s wrists.

It has the refreshed processing package, a customizable design and added lugs. Basic price starts at $299.99 and as you go with an increase in customization, the price also increases.

Specifications:

46-mm variant:

  • 512Mb RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 400mAh battery
  • 56-inch IPS LCD display with 263ppi
  • 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

47-mm variant:

  • 512Mb RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 300mAh battery
  • 37-inch IPS LCD display with 233ppi
  • 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

2)    Huawei Watch

huawei-watch

In 2015, the Huawei watch was introduced and it did many things right on the first try. It is one of the most attractive Android wear watches in the market with easily replaceable straps and a battery with the long life cycle.

It has a price range from $349 to $799 depending on the variety of styles and colors. It is the nearest arrival of the Moto 360 Android wear watch.

Specifications:

  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 300mAh battery
  • 4-inch AMOLED displays with 286ppi
  • 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

3)    LG Watch Urbane

LG-Urban

The LG Urbane is a more female-friendly watch than men. Its high-end styling is a bit dressier than sporty. Any variant you choose either gold or silver, the fully round bezel is surely eye and light catching.

Currently, you can get it for just around $250 on Amazon and eBay. If you want a luxury style, then you can go for the 23k gold version worth $1200 which is called Watch Urbane Luxe.

Specifications:

  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 410mAh battery
  • 3-inch P-OLED displays with 245ppi
  • 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

4)    ASUS ZenWatch 2

asus-zenwatch

After the original ASUS ZenWatch being the best Android wear watch for some time in the market, the company has brought the latest model with a little different philosophy. From going out of tradition, the latest ASUS ZenWatch 2 comes in a square display. It is a little powerhouse on your wrist.

For the basic model of ASUS ZenWatch 2, you need to spend only $129.99 on Amazon. You can choose from a 1.45-inch model or a larger 1.63-inch model whichever suits your wrists.

Specifications:

WI502Q (18mm) model:

  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 300mAh battery
  • 45-inch AMOLED display with 273ppi
  • 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

WI501Q (22mm) model:

  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 400mAh battery
  • 63-inch AMOLED display with 278ppi
  • 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

5)    TAG Heuer Connected – Luxury Watch

img_attuned_to_your_touch

TAG Heuer Connected has changed the market of the Android Wear Watches. The Connected model from Tag Heuer is inspired from the company’s Carrera watch. It comes in seven different color options and made with a grade 2 titanium.

If you are a fan of luxury watches, then most probably you will love this watch. You can purchase the Tag Heuer Connected for $1500 from the company’s website. After wearing it for two years, you can get the more traditional TAG Heuer Carrera watch by paying additional $1500 only. It is enough to give you a long lasting alternative.

Specifications:

  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB Storage
  • 410mAh battery
  • 5-inch transflective LTPS LCD display with 240ppi
  • 6GHz dual-core 1.5-inch transflective LTPS LCD display

Conclusion

Choosing the best Android Wear watch from the above list is really a difficult task. It is really hard to keep track about the best because all of them are doing pretty well in their areas. The most accountable preference could be the size and the price of a particular watch for you. I have rounded up with the top wearable Android watches, now it depends on you to choose the right from this filtered list according to your budget and needs. Good Luck!

 

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Author’s Bio: Mandip is a graduate in Information and Technology. He is a passionate blogger, SEO Specialist, and a Software Developer. He loves to write on technology, SEO, Internet Tips and Tricks. Currently he blogs at Best On Internet.

This is How Uber Exactly Works & More Interesting Stuff!

 

You don’t call a cab anymore, you call an Uber. The taxi giant has taken the world by storm since its inception in 2009. Started as just another start-up, Uber has now become a synonym for taxi or cabs across the globe.

However, the fascinating part is that it doesn’t even own any taxis that run on the streets under its name.

Uber is basically a mobile application that connects passengers with drivers for here. Let’s try to find out how the app works

  • Requesting a cab: A passenger installs the Uber app on his smartphone and can request for a cab at any time through this app. A passenger has the option to either ride instantly or to schedule the ride for later.
  • Matching: As soon as the passenger makes the request, a notification is sent to a driver who is free and is in the near vicinity. The driver has the option to accept or reject the ride. If the driver accepts the ride, Uber sends the passenger’s details to the driver and the driver’s details to the passenger. The driver then reaches the location of the passenger, picks him up and drops him off at his destination. If, on the other hand, the driver rejects the ride then the notification is sent to another driver who is also in the nearby area.
  • Ride & Tracking: Customers/Passengers can track the cab when it is on its way to pick them up and the ETA is also showed to the passengers on the app screen. The meter starts as soon as the passenger sits in the cab and can be tracked by the passenger as well.
  • Payment: Once the ride gets over, the passenger makes the payment in cash or via online wallets, whichever he prefers.
  • Rating: After the ride, the passenger has the option of rating a driver. Ratings allow other people to know and trust the driver before booking a cab.

To know more about Uber, check out the fun facts filled infographic developed by Unboxing Deals below.

Uber Story

 

 

10 Apps That Will Change The Way You Decorate

 

For most of us, revamping our homes is a laborious task that requires lots of hard work and money. Every element of your home has to be factored in – from paint colors to curtains. All of the demands a house revamp requires can be overwhelming. Fortunately for us, apps exist! There are apps for virtually everything, including home décor and DIY.

With app downloads projected to hit over 260 million in 2017, we are most definitely spoiled for choice! Whether need help choosing the best furniture for your space or simply looking for ideas, apps will help you design your dream home. With our busy lives it can be hard to find the time to source the best apps available on the app stores.

How do we know which ones are worth downloading and which are not? The people at Jarrimber have sourced ten of the best home décor apps that will guarantee interior excellence in your home! It includes Morpholio – which is an app that makes it easy to create mood/inspiration boards for your DIY project. It allows users to layout, collage and illustrate their mood boards with a series of photos, sketches and annotations. For this and more, let’s check out this infographic!

Have you downloaded any of these apps? How did it go? Tell us about it in the comment section below!

10 Essential Sailing Apps You Should Download Right Away

 

Preparation is essential for any pursuit in life, but especially one like sailing where there is a large element of risk if things go wrong. Before taking to open waters, you need to be well trained in operating a boat and you need to have acquired a sizeable amount of knowledge so that you’ll know what to do, or at least be able to use a calculated judgement, if a challenging situation arises.

In fact, even the most experienced of sailors still crave every bit of information and guidance that they can access, which is why they are likely to have a large chunk of their smartphone memory taken up by sailing-related apps. Their catalogue of apps is likely to contain some that help with navigation, some that provide live information on tides, some that are great for tutorials and some that are essential for reference. The Boater’s Pocket Reference, in particular, is one app that should be on the smartphone of any sailing enthusiast, regardless of whether they’re never sailed before or have first-hand experience of all of the world’s seas.

This infographic from East Fremantle Yacht Club profiles 10 apps that are sure to be of enormous benefit to any sailor. Check out the full list below…you might just spot one or two that aren’t in your collection!

How Powerful is Instagram When it Comes to the Fashion Industry?

 

Major fashion retailers now use Instagram to source niche brands to service customer demand. Take Selfridges, the iconic British department store chain. Instagram has been key to the brand stocking its “Everybody” section, a specialist fitness brand section. Its buyer’s source boutique labels such as Kiini (which does a range of crocheted swimwear) and the Muzunga Sisters (who do a range of beach cover-ups with pom-poms) by viewing Instagram content. For Selfridges, sourcing niche brands on Instagram is about buying into a particular lifestyle to best serve its customers.

Major high fashion luxury brands now use Instagram to create brand awareness and engagement online. Take Chanel as an example. For the French brand’s Fall 2015 fashion show, Chanel erected an over-the-top set design, a supermarket with 100,000 faux Chanel products on the shelves. Audience members were given access to take ‘supermarket selfies’ on the set prior to the show. One image posted by the fashion blogger Susie Bubble, who has more than 272,000 followers on the social platform received more than 2,670 “Likes”.

For more insights into the power of Instagram and its influence over the fashion industry, have a look at this infographic created by Evoke.ie

The Future Of Video And How Powerful It’s Gonna Be

 

All the statistics that surround video as a medium tell us that it is the future and brands not engaged in video or planning to implement it are seriously setting themselves up to fail. Here is an example. By 2019, it would take one person in excess of five million years to watch the volume of video that will be crossing global IP networks every month by then. Here is another. In three years, consumer internet video traffic will make up 80% of all consumer internet traffic on a global scale.

It is not just brands and companies that are noticing. Consumers love video and they also love to hate it when it’s done badly. Let’s take this example. More than three in every four consumers say that they have bought a product or service after watching a video. The flipside is, if it is a bad quality explainer video, consumers will let you know as it turns them off making a purchase entirely. Other elements that put consumers off include how long a video is, bad animation and unclear explanations of the product or service.

For a more detailed analysis of the power of video and where it will lead us in the future, see this infographic created by the people over at One Productions.

SMS, Apps or Email? Customer Engagement Strategies Analysed [Infographic]

 

For marketing to be considered effective, it needs to prompt action from its targeted audience to enough of a degree that the brand ultimately recoups more in revenue than what it spent to initiate the campaign. Marketers need to communicate the right message in the right format at the right time, or else consumers will simply ignore the message. It also needs to be done through the most appropriate channel of communication, whether that is via an app, email marketing or SMS.

When making this decision, marketers must consider a series of factors. Do they want to communicate a lengthy or succinct message? Do they need instant reaction from their targeted customer base? What is the main demographic being targeted? If the campaign needs a swift response, the brevity and immediacy of SMS makes this an ideal option. Indeed, research shows that the general populace is far more likely to respond to a text message than an email, as people’s normal behaviour with the medium is to reply immediately.

This infographic from Neon SMS in Ireland analyses the three main marketing communication channels, picking out the main pros and cons of each one. Selecting the most appropriate medium for your campaign could prove to be the difference between enormous success and expensive failure.

10 Great And Absolutely Free Home Security Apps [Infographic]

 

We all want our homes to be protected as much as possible from would-be burglars and vandals, and many of us will try to deter such nefarious activity by installing CCTV cameras on our property. But what happens when we leave home for a prolonged while, maybe to go on holidays, for example? We can’t watch over our property then, can we?

Now we can, thanks to the abundance of home security apps that are available for your smartphone or tablet. There are numerous apps that you can download for this purpose, and many of these home security apps will cost you nothing to install. Did you ever think that you would be able to keep an eye on your home from thousands of miles away, simply by looking at a personal handheld device? It might seem like something out of a thriller movie, but now it has become reality, and a welcome reality at that, too.

This infographic from JMC Technologies identifies 10 home security apps that meet with the approval of a security expert and are free to download. Why live in fear when, in the space of a few minutes, you can install a series of apps that will enable you to watch out for your property at anytime from anywhere. It’s a no-brainer, really.

The Future of Social Media [Infographic]

 

Since the dawn of social media, it’s been evolving and growing at a rapid pace. As we move through 2016, that trend will continue, but where is all of this going? More importantly, if you’re trying to market a business or a blog, how can you stay ahead of the curve?

Today we’ll look at the future of social media, followed by an infographic that helps you make the most of your efforts on today’s platforms.

Predicting the Future of Social Media

Over at on blast blog, I’m always looking to the future, whether it’s in the world of blogging, social media, or anything in between. I’m a big fan of staying ahead of the curve. So, let’s look at social media’s upcoming trends.

The first trend we’ll see coming down the pipeline is more integration in the workplace. For years, companies tried to keep their employees off of Facebook during work hours, but now those same social tools will become crucial to the business.

Things like Facebook For Work are allowing employees to utilize the connected nature of social media to increase their efficiency. While most businesses are also using blogs, we’re going to see a lot more people stop working in offices, and instead work from home.

Entrepreneurs are beginning to see the potential of their blog post ideas in the realm of business, and that’s leading to more bloggers promoting their content on social media. In addition, new types of content like video and virtual reality will become important to implement into your online strategies.

Becoming a Social Media Master (Infographic)

Knowing the future is only half the battle. Now you should use the infographic below to understand the how’s and why’s behind social media platforms. Let us know how it helps you in the comments below!

Social-Media-Image-Sizing-Cheat-Sheet (6)

 

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This is a guest post by Matt Banner. You can read more from him on his blog, OnBlastBlog.com

8 Free Apps Every Event Planner Needs

 

From social media to emails, photography to seating details, when it comes to event planning, there is a lot to manage! Even the smallest of details require a lot of your time and thought and because of this, a lot of the time, tiny details can go unnoticed. Lucky for us event planners, there are now hundreds of thousands of apps available that are designed to make planning any event easier and less stressful. Though there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, these apps will help you manage your workload with more efficiency.

Team BAWE have gathered eight of the most excellent event planning apps and created the infographic below detailing all of their features. In the event planning business, time is always of the essence. Which apps are worth your time and which apps are not? Customer reviews are helpful on Google Play and IOS online stores, but with so much choice, how do we know which ones are the best for our needs? The apps listed below are the top in their class and a must for any event planner or organizer. Let’s have a look!

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How To Troubleshoot Basic Appliances In Your Home

 

With so many appliances in our homes from your stove to the dishwasher, it’s difficult to figure out what to do when these necessities suddenly malfunction especially if you are living alone. Got a fridge that suddenly stopped working? Don’t buy a new one just yet. Read on and maybe you’ll save yourself from the extra cost with these DIY repairs!

Problem: Fridge not cooling

According to Liz Welch of Real Simple, A refrigerator not cooling can be caused by “The condenser coils found behind the kick plate at the front or the back of the unit, they can easily become caked with dust. A quick fix would be to unplug the refrigerator, loosen dirt with a soft-bristle brush, then vacuum. Another cause could be the gaskets (the rubber strips that seal the doors shut). To install a gasket, take out the old one and screw the new one in, making sure the door is properly aligned. “

 Problem: Leaking dishwasher

Are you faced with a puddle of water after using the dishwasher? A common cause is using too much soap. A recommended amount should be stated in the manual since the amount of detergent varies with each machine. Use less detergent to eliminate the production of too much suds that cause the dishwasher to overflow. Another cause could also be a broken door latch. In this case, you should have a repairman fix this. You might need to pay for labor and extra parts but this sure beats buying a whole new unit altogether.

 Problem: Noisy washing machine

There’s nothing more annoying than a very noisy washing machine. Washing your clothes shouldn’t be this rattling!

A possible cause could be that the washing machine is off balance or the floor where the washing machine is placed cannot support its weight. A quick solution to this is to put a thick piece of plywood at the bottom of your washing machine in order to level the unit. Alternatively, you may also lessen the load or avoid overloading your unit with more clothes than it can handle to eliminate the noise your washing machine makes.

 Bonus tips: 

  • Before attempting any repairs or deciding to buy a new unit, check your warranty if it’s still covered. Doing your own repairs will void the item’s warranty
  • Always refer to the owner’s manual or even try calling their hotline if in case you are unsure of the repair you are about to do
  • If your appliance needs to be replaced, make sure to dispose of the damaged one responsibly. Don’t just leave it anywhere as its wiring may cause home fires. Call your city hall and ask if they do disposal of large items or send it to the junk shop
  • Important: Before doing any DIY repairs, make sure you know what you are doing. If you are not confident in the repair, it’s best to ask a pro to do it for you or you might just cause further damage to the unit, even worse- hurt yourself.

 

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Joel EksteinAuthor’s Bio: Joel Ekstein is an eCommerce retail expert with over 12 years experience in the industry. He has had experience in buyer and inventory forecasting, marketing, and expanding customer base in new markets. Instead of the notion that offering 100% customer satisfaction hurts 20% of profit, Joel has proved that 100% customer satisfaction increases customer engagement and customer base which leads to 25% profit increase. http://protect-o.com/| twitter.com/Protect_O

 

5 Battery Myths Debunked

 

Your Smartphone, Tablet and Laptop all have one thing in common, a battery. Without it, you wouldn’t even be able to use your device. Because of this, taking care of your gadget’s battery should definitely be a priority. Here we debunk all those myths surrounding batteries and we’ll teach you the proper way to keep your gadget’s battery in tiptop shape.

Myth #1

You shouldn’t keep your gadget charging overnight 

False. I’m sure we’ve all heard about batteries expanding, overheating or even exploding but with the latest technology, this shouldn’t happen anymore. According to Popular Mechanics, “Something that’s not an issue is overcharging. Contrary to what you might think (or have been told), leaving your phone or laptop plugged in all the time is not bad for its battery. That’s because your gadgets, the batteries in them, and the chargers you attach them to are actually pretty smart about the way they do business.”

That means your device is now smart enough to determine when its battery is at capacity that even if you leave it plugged in, it will stop charging once it’s full.

Myth #2

You shouldn’t use your device while it’s charging 

False. People believe that using your phone while it’s charging will make the phone explode or even electrocute the user. An instance of this occurrence happened back in 2013 when a Chinese flight attendant died while using her mobile phone. According to The South China Morning Post, Ma Ailun died of electrocution when she answered her iPhone 5 while it was charging. Although, upon further investigation, they discovered that she was using a knock-off charger. So if you’re using the manufacturer-approved charger and battery then it should be safe to use even while it’s charging.

Myth #3

Heat will destroy your battery 

True. Actually, different temperatures can affect your battery’s health. Leaving your gadget in a warm place can overheat your battery especially when it’s charging since Lithium-ion batteries heat up when they charge. Meanwhile, storing your gadget in a cold place can also affect battery life. A cold battery can die faster than in low temperatures. The best practice is to keep your device stored within its recommended temperatures.

Myth #4

It’s best to turn your gadget off once in a while 

True. Your phone or laptop, like a machine, needs to rest once in a while. According to an article from CNET, the best way to prolong a smartphone’s battery is to turn off the device from time to time. With Apple phones, a weekly shutdown is optimal for your gadget to get its much-needed rest while Android phones can do a simple reboot to restore battery life.

Myth #5

Always do full charge before using it

False. People think that when they get a brand new smartphone, the first thing to do is to immediately charge it until it’s full. Actually, the optimal performance of any smartphone is when the battery is between 40%-80%. So the next time you buy a brand new phone or tablet, you’re usually good to go from there. Also, don’t believe it when they say that you should drain your battery before charging it. There’s no truth in that. Again, like my response to Myth #1, our batteries have now become smarter and more efficient to use.

There you have it! Now you’re more knowledgeable about your device’s battery. The next time someone tells you it’s bad to charge your phone overnight, you can definitely teach him or her a thing or two about battery life.

How about you? Any battery myths you’d like to debunk? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! To avoid battery problems, why not invest in gadget insurance? Guarantees repair or replacement for your smartphone, tablet, etc. in case of battery malfunctions. Invest in gadget insurance today!

 

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Joel Ekstein

Author’s Bio: Joel Ekstein is an eCommerce retail expert with over 12 years experience in the industry. He has had experience in buyer and inventory forecasting, marketing, and expanding customer base in new markets. Instead of the notion that offering 100% customer satisfaction hurts 20% of profit, Joel has proved that 100% customer satisfaction increases customer engagement and customer base which leads to 25% profit increase. http://protect-o.com/| twitter.com/Protect_O

 

 

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – Five Years Later

 

We all know how bad game was CS: GO when it first came out, when we had a show match with the best professional CS 1.6 players. Half of the players from that match retired, probably just because of how bad game it was and VALVE pressure at any cost CS: GO to alter legendary CS 1.6.

Things about CS: GO changed dramatically in the past five years. We had great updates like new guns, guns tremendous changes in the maps even tugging the maps from competitive games.

The fortunately VALVE listen professionals and makes updates to the game that balance, but there are two things that I don’t like in these updates.

  1. In order to be successful you have to follow the Meta. Example before nerf m4a1-s was too powerful and players who played with the other m4a4 were in the background.
  2. Why VALVE with each update makes the CS: GO easier and easier to play or need less and less skill. Example the last update map de_Nuke no longer need strafe jump to climb the silo.

As for the second one VALVE should perhaps consider these changes to put a special section where is unprofessional playing (competitive matchmaking).

CS: GO crosshairs vs CS 1.6 crosshair

The difference is great when comparing crosshairs in CS: GO and CS 1.6.

In CS 1.6 can be selected small, medium or large crosshair and crosshair can be set as dynamic or static.

On the other hand in CS: GO you can choose between six different crosshair styles.

All are different from each other but I will mention only two style 4 and style 5. These two styles are the best and most used.

Style 4 is completely static while style 5 spread while shoot.

If you ask anyone who has experience in both games will say that CS 1.6 has a much better crosshair of CS: GO.

Not sure why VALVE not import it crosshair from CS 1.6 but I think this has to do something with the above “balance” not be same players are on stage.

Time has shown that to some extent succeeded but it is the result of Legends players from CS 1.6 to retire and do not want to adapt to the new game.

If we look now we see that the best from 1.6 remain at the top but they have competition from new players that no one had heard in CS 1.6.

CS: GO graphics vs CS 1.6 graphics

I think everyone here will agree that CS: GO has much better graphics but need a better PC to be able to play.

If to take into account the CS: GO is a better game than 1.6 and is much improved from first time came out.

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This is a guest post by Antonio Dimitrovski. You can read more from him on his blog, GoCrosshair.

The Ultimate App Guide For Carpenters And Handymen

 

In 2016, there is an app for everything. Increasingly, apps are becoming more important in industry, in particular the construction industry. There are so many to choose from. Having a full range of tools is key for all carpenters. Luckily as technology expands, there are more and more ways that apps can help you with your job. In fact, IOS and Google Play app downloads topped over 260 billion over the past year. With your smartphone or tablet, carpenters now have a huge range of tools ready for you to use at the tap of your finger. As a result of the massive increases in app developments, consumer reviews are crucial – how else will we know which apps work and which don’t? The below infographic from Jarrimber shows us all the best apps that are available to carpenters that we should be downloading right now.

Have you tried any of these apps? Let us know below!

The-Ultimate-App-Guide-for-Carpenters-Infographic

REVIEW: SpotCam HD 720P WiFi Security Camera With Free Cloud Storage

 

Home monitoring solutions have helped to curb crime levels by a significant amount. However, a lot still remains to be done before the battle against criminal activities can won completely. There are many home monitoring solutions that are available on the market thereby making it hard for customers to choose their preferred surveillance system easily. Today, a good number of householders and business setups are currently using Wi-Fi cameras to monitor the happenings at their premises of residence. However, the use of Wi-Fi cameras based on physical servers is common today. Based on this, it is a good idea to switch to cloud based Wi-Fi cameras. There are numerous features that make such systems worth going for.

Stay connected anytime on any device. Smart phone, tablet, laptop, or PC. Receive alerts by email or mobile APP, and watch real-time video whenever you are connected to the internet.

Smart phone, tablet, laptop, or PC. Receive alerts by email or mobile app, and watch real-time video whenever you are connected to the internet.

Easily setup in a matter of seconds. Setup SpotCam is as easy as setup your mobile phone, yes, there is no setup.

Connect your SpotCam to WiFi and apply an account on MySpotCam.com, then you are ready to go!

Setup can be done easily with PC/Laptop/Mobile/Tablet.

View it now and save for later.

Choose our NVR plan to store video and review video footage as long as 30 days after it happens. Server is no longer required when you are using SpotCam.

Easily setup in a matter of seconds. Setting up SpotCam easy. Connect your SpotCam to WiFi, apply an account on MySpotCam.com, then you are ready to go!

Setup can be done easily with PC/Laptop/Mobile/Tablet…

View it now and save for later. Choose a cloud NVR plan to store video and review video footage as long as 30 days after it happens. A server is no longer required when you are using SpotCam.

Camera Spec

Dimensions: Bracket Ф 7.5cm

Body Ф 4.8cm × 14.8cm

Weight: 198g

Power Input: 12V,1A

Video: Up to 720P HD (1280×720) at 30 frame/sec

Streaming: H.264 encoding

Field of View: 110 degrees (diagonal)

Audio: Speaker and microphone

Night Vision: 12 High-power IR LEDs

Warranty: One-year

Operating Temperature: 0°C – 50°C, designed for indoor use

unnamed

Live video streaming

If you want to enjoy unlimited access to the videos that are being captured by your surveillance camera, you can take advantage of cloud based Wi-Fi cameras. You can say bye to restricted access to surveillance videos. Enjoy live streaming of videos in HD. You can use any online systems to do this provided it is compatible with the camera. The system requires any internet connection that is sound enough to facilitate the live streaming of surveillance videos. This feature can enable you to monitor your home while you are out engaging in other important life activities.

Gain access to the footage from anywhere in the world

If you want to gain access to the camera videos from anywhere in the world, you can do well to upgrade to the cloud based systems. Thanks to these systems, home monitoring has never been easier. You can enjoy unlimited access to camera footage from anywhere in the world. This feature can enable you to easily monitor the security status of your home as often as the need arises.

Cameras compatible with almost any device

In order to access camera footage, you will need to use any compatible device. With this surveillance camera, you will be free to use any device provided it has a live streaming feature. You can use devices such as smartphones, tablets, PCs and any other compatible device. Today, there are also smart watches which have a live streaming feature. Such watches can also be synchronised with the camera and used to view security footage.

Use of electric cables not appropriate

If you are using the cloud based Wi-Fi camera, you will be free to enjoy wireless connections from the camera to the audio-visual system of your choice.  You simply need to setup the Wi-Fi connections to be in a position to interface between the camera and the audio-visual system of your choice.

Highly resistant to extreme weather conditions

The Wi-Fi cloud based surveillance cameras are designed to withstand any kind of harsh weather conditions. You can still enjoy unlimited home security surveillance irrespective of the prevailing weather conditions. The cameras are designed to withstand water, strong winds and any form of precipitation.

Current Trends in Business Communication [Infographic]

 

Time does not stand still, and business communication certainly doesn’t, either. New ways of improving the effectiveness, efficiency, speed and quality of communication are constantly evolving, with the methods in which we do business with clients and customers differing significantly from even 10 years ago. For businesses, keeping on top of changes in communication trends is not an option; it’s a necessity.

This infographic by Irish Telecom (www.irishtelecom.com) outlines some of the most prominent current trends in business communication, with interesting facts dotted throughout. For example, web-based tools such as Skype and VoIP are abundant across most businesses in 2016. In its first 10 years of operation, there were 1.4 trillion minutes of Skype calls made. Another growing trend is the Internet of Things, the market share of which is projected to exceed that of PCs, mobile phones and tablets combined within the next year.

These, and other business communication trends, are explored in the infographic. The rate at which telecommunications are expanding can make it challenging to keep up to speed with its evolution, but if businesses fail to get a grip on technological innovations, it could have a damning impact on sales, marketing and customer satisfaction. That is why businesses spent an estimated total of $165.5 billion on IT support in 2015 – spending which reflects another of the current trends explored in the infographic.

business-communication-trends-infographic

The Ultimate List Of Blog Post Ideas

 

I’m sure you all have already asked yourselves where do blog post ideas come from.

Are they simply read off to us by some mysterious all-powerful being that has a list on hand? If that were true, then there could only be so many ideas before we run out.

There are thousands of blog ideas out there, but you don’t want someone to spoon feed your posts, no, you want inspiration!

Haven’t started your own blog yet? No worries! It’s never too late to start a blog.

If you already have one then we need to start thinking ahead, because we’re in this for the long run! We’ve compiled a long inspirational, multi-faceted, mind-blowing ideas that will make your blog extremely popular.

I’ve Already Used All These Blog Post Ideas. How Do I Find More?

Are you serious? You’ve done all of these? Wow, okay, well then I suppose it’s time to take off the training wheels and show you how to find new ideas yourself. As the saying goes, teach someone to fish and they’ll never go hungry. I’ve given you over 151 fish though, so apparently this is a all-you-can-eat fish buffet of ideas.

When you need inspiration and you’ve exhausted all of the ideas here, use these tools and methods to find more:

1. Quora

This website is a great place to have any kind of question you can think of answered. That means it’s a great place to also find inspiration for blog posts, or simply ideas on how to come up with them. You can log in with your social media or create a free account. Once you’re in, try to look for something like “blog post ideas”and see the results.

2. BuzzSumo 

This tool gives you the unique ability to see which of your competition’s posts are doing the best in terms of social shares. By looking at data like this, you can see what people in your niche want to read. 

buzzsumo post ideas

 

 

 

 

 

Those ideas with a bunch of shares will work as great concepts for posts of your own!

3. Keyword Research 

There are numerous tools out there for keyword research. One such example is Keywordtool.io, which is one of the best in my opinion. Head on over there and type in your subject or niche to get a list of keywords that will easily inspire post ideas.

keywords-blog-post-ideas

Right there, I’ve already found some key terms I can use to find more ideas. This is the gift that keeps on giving.  Now, on to the list!

4. Impact Inbound’s Blog Title Generator

I’ve been using this nifty tool for a few weeks now and it’s helped me take a few broad topics and transformed them into concrete blog post ideas.

Plug in the topics you want to write about, you can literally pick anything, and it will spit out a headline that you can use to help spark some ideas. Customize the headline to your liking and save it to the handy notebook they provide.

When you have an idea of what your blog post headline is going to be, then you’ll be able let the words free flow and body of your blog post will be filled in effortlessly!

Now, let’s get to some physical blog topic ideas I’ve come up for you.

Post Ideas That Will Help Increase Traffic to Your Blog

You’re interesting, write posts about yourself!

Blogs were originally online journals, so why not go back to the roots of the whole equation? Create a personal journal, talk about your crush and then invite them to read it for ultimate awkwardness. Share your thoughts, speak your mind, it’s your soapbox, so use it!

1. Start a contest

You don’t have to give away a million dollars or anything, but why not give out some hats or a custom shirt?

People love the opportunity to win stuff, and if you make it fun and exciting, your incoming traffic will skyrocket!

2. Tell a secret about yourself

While this may not be easy, people love secrets. What’s something you’ve never told anyone before? What quiet truth are you hiding from the world?

Make a whole post about it, bring in some pomp and circumstance. Build up to the reveal and make your secret known to the world (If you secret is that you love to blog, maybe skip this one).

3. Examine a quote that speaks to you

Find something that somebody said that gives you chills. Something that changed your outlook on life and the universe, and share it with the world.

Start your post with the quote and talk about what did to you, and what it means to you. Here’s a good one: “roses are red, violets are blue, I love to blog, and I’m sure you do too.” – The guy who wrote this post.

4. Try something new, then blog about it

Ever eaten a bug? How does skydiving sound? Find something ridiculous and crazy that you’ve never done before and, like Nike always says: do it.

When you’re done and you’ve let it settle in, tell us the whole story.

Blogging Ideas + Tips

5. Graph a statistic or create an infographic to start a discussion

Did you know that 70% of modern day people will always stop and look at a pie chart?

Did you know that 80% of them go and eat pie within ten minutes after viewing one?

What about the fact that I just made this all up? People like to see data mapped out in creative ways, so put together a well-designed infographic and teach the world with fancy shapes, cool font, and pretty colors.

6. Interview a famous person, your grandma, whoever you want.

If you posted an interview with someone like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, you would probably get a million hits.

Unless you know them though, that could be difficult, and you don’t want to sacrifice your journalistic integrity by making something up, so get creative? Is your great grandfather a war hero?

Did your grandmother meet the president or the queen of England? Everyone has stories to tell, all you need to do is ask, and you’ll find some great material to interview them about.

7. Create new recipes and share them with your followers

I’m not sure how I feel about your pickle and cotton candy sandwich, or your candy cane shish kabobs, but I’m opening to trying them, I guess? If you have a cooking blog, create some awesome new recipes and post them for other people to try. Just make you try it yourself before recommending it to your followers.

8. Create an in-depth guide

Share your skills with a fancy guide that teaches a valuable skill. For example, I wrote a fully comprehensive guide on how to start a blog.

Teach people valuable skills around survival, repair, arts and crafts, whatever blog post idea strikes you.

9. Do a “top ten” list

Since this is number ten, I figured it was a good time to mention this. Create posts where you rank the “top ten” of something.

Examples include “The Top Ten Blog Ideas” and “The Top Ten Blogging Websites.” You can put us at the top of both lists and go from there.

10. Travel the world, post as you go

Take a trip around the world and post pictures and updates as you make each stop. You can even sample the local cuisine or review your accommodations.

San Francisco

11. Stir the pot, bring up an old argument

Bringing up an age old argument and opening an old wound is a great way to get people talking, or yelling for that matter.

You may bring out some passionate individuals, but if one thing’s for certain, this blogging idea is sure to get the traffic flowing.

12. Respond to recent events 

Major events will always bring about a response, but you would weigh in with your own opinion.

If the president made a bad decision, or a major corporation is in hot water, or heck, if a celebrity got a nose job, you should tell the world what you think of it. Every opinion counts, and you can have your followers share too.

13. Write a joke

Since you’re looking for things to blog about, why not create a joke? It can be something simple and catchy, or one of those long ones that comes together in the end with a hilarious punchline.

Even if it’s as simple as this one: “What do you call a cow with no legs?” “Ground beef!” Ah, that’s a classic.

14. Create a poll 

People like to be heard, and they love voting on polls to see what the popular opinion is on a subject. Find something relevant that has multiple approaches and see what people like the best. Asking for their favorite color isn’t good enough, make it creative and relevant to your niche.

15. Share your goals and dreams

Do you want to be an astronaut? Is your dream to be air lifted above a giant blueberry pie and skydiving into it from a thousand feet up? Tell us your wildest goals and dreams, and you never know, someone might be able to make it happen for you.

16. Talk about your life’s successes and utter failures 

We all have ups and downs in our lives, but that’s how we learn. Create posts about the times you really pulled through in a tough spot, and then tell us about the times you fell face first into the proverbial manure.

These things define you, so share them with us.

17. Share your own conspiracy theories

Are postmen really aliens? Who is the milkman, really? Why are all grocery stores slightly different in their layout? Post your conspiracy theories about aliens, gerbils, paper clips, or whatever you think might be a cover for something far more sinister.

You never know, you might be spot on. Just keep an eye out for mysterious black vans outside your house.

18. Encourage your followers to share your blog

Create posts that people will want to share, but more than that, appeal to your followers and ask them to share your blog on their own, or promote it on their Facebook page and Twitter.

These things spread through sharing and word of mouth which is all done on the internet nowadays.

#19 Disprove a theory or myth

If you’ve seen every episode of Myth Busters and you know for a fact that they left out something, that’s a perfect blog post topic! For example, everybody in cartoons slips on banana peels, but would you really slip in real life?

Test it out, blog about it, prove those theories and myths wrong.

Camera

20. Publish comments from your followers

If someone wrote a comments on one of your posts that said “OMG UR T3H BEST” maybe you should showcase it and speculate as to why there is a “3” where the letter “e” should be.

Even if someone just comes by to bash you for no reason, why not have a laugh at their expense?

21. Invite guest posts 

A great way to keep content coming is to feature guest authors on your blog. Be sure to lay down some guidelines though, and review their topic and work before you post it though.

You can find some great bloggers out there to share their thoughts on your blog, so create a post inviting people to submit their ideas. You get more content, they get features. It’s a win-win.

22. Pose an existential question

Are there truly a finite number of blogging ideas in the world? What is the true definition of a carbon footprint? Are we really here for a bigger purpose?

There are so many questions like these that don’t have a solid answer that you could write posts about these for a long time and still only scratch the surface. You’re welcome.

23. Create a memorial for someone/something you lost

It hurts to lose something you love be it a faithful dog or a family member, but they don’t have to be forgotten.

You can write a touching memorial for them and let their memory live on not just in your mind, but in the minds of everyone who reads your blog.

24. Pick a date in history, talk about what happened on that day

Title the post with a random date in history, maybe the day that sliced bread was invented, and talk about all the things that happened that day.

You’ll be surprised how much can happen on a random day in history.

25. Reveal secrets behind your blog’s success and marketing

Help out your fellow bloggers by giving out the ingredients to your secret sauce. It may seem odd to do such a thing, but if it works, then giving it out to help others isn’t going to change that.

When it comes to blogging, everyone is in it together. That it, until money becomes involved, then it’s every man and woman for themselves.

26. Show off your personal possessions

This may seem like an arrogant thing to do, but as far as interesting blog topics go, this ranks pretty high.

Turns out, people like peeking into your life and seeing that you’ve got. Is this a scented candle I see? My, are those hand painted dishes of yours from IKEA? I see you have your bachelor’s degree hanging on the wall next to you so you never forget how smart you are.

Pictures are great in general, but having them in a blog post about your stuff is a great way to show people who you are, and makes for some great blogging material.

Mac and Glasses

27. Share the best lessons you’ve learned thus far in your life

Life is a constant cycle of mistakes and lessons, so maybe you can help out some younger or less experienced people and help them avoid a few pitfalls that you had to go through.

Case and point, sharing the things you’ve learned in life is a great way to generate some good content and help out a fellow person.

28. Create an intricate lie and make it obvious what you’re doing

Pick a truth that everyone knows and challenge it. Or, make up something ridiculous and defend it to the last word of your post.

Crafting an intricate lie and really trying to sell it is one of those good blog ideas that can either make people laugh, or set the comments ablaze with people trying to disprove your lie. Either way, it brings the traffic.

29. Talk about your dream vacation

When it comes to personal blog ideas, this is a great way to showcase your imagination. Create post where you describe your perfect vacation. It doesn’t have to be anywhere on Earth either, maybe you can describe a dip in the oceans of Neptune, or a space trip to the center of the galaxy. You can always do more than one of these too.

30. Publish your resume and experience on your blog

Putting up your resume and a CV is a smart blog post idea that will not only give you some content, but it makes your skills publicly available for potential employers or other blogs to see.

This way you can show a little more about yourself and maybe open up a nice opportunity at the same time.

31. Tell the world about your bad habits, and how you plan to break them

If you smoke too much, hit the bottle too hard, or you just bite your nails a lot, tell us about it. Then, tell us how you plan to fix it.

You can even post about it each day to show your progress and ask you fans for encouragement.

32. Publish a full biography about yourself 

The first line should be the date of your birth and the last should be the present. Tell us your life’s story despite the fact that people usually decline to listen, your followers come to your blog to hear about you, so tell them everything there is to know.

This may need to be structured though, not a single post. Not to worry though, our how to blog articles will show you the best ways to present it.

33. Show off your monthly budget, offer financial advice

We may have given you this blogging idea, but you’ll have to decide if you want to write it.

Obviously you don’t want to divulge anything too personal like bank statements, but you can offer financial advice and examples of your budget when you go to the store, that way people can create spending habits like yours.

34. Post or create Linkbait 

Linkbait is increasingly popular, but using them comes down to finding the right mixture of written and visual content.

There are a lot of ways to do this, but the goal is to create something people want to link to and share with others. The best blog topics find their success through this spread of shared links.

35. Feature your most popular posts

If a blog post idea worked once, it will work again. Find your most successful posts and throw them back up again for an encore. You will be surprised how many new viewers will see it, and some of the ones from last time will probably return again as well.

36. If you won the lottery, what would you spend it on?

Posing questions like this are good because they don’t have a single answer. This is something you can tackle multiple times as you mature and grow.

For example say you answer this question in a post before you’re married and then you answer it again after. The two posts are going to be drastically different.

37. Write some posts in a casual, conversational style

If you tend to write in a boring, stiff style, then switch things up every once and a while. Write a few posts where you’re just talking.

Nothing too fancy, no SAT words, just a nice conversational post that keeps the tone light. It will be a breath of fresh air for you, and your readers.

Productivity Ideas

38. Post the elements of your portfolio

If you’re a writer or a poet, put your work up.

That’s why you get a blog to begin with, to showcase yourself and your topic. Exposure is key and your talents need to be viewed by the world. This is the first step.

39. Teach people to protect their blogs from hackers

There are various ways to keep your blog secure, but many of them sound complicated and none of them piece together all of the possibilities.

That’s where you come in, you can explain the steps in a way that anyone can understand, and in doing so you will help them protect their hard work from people out there who just want to make everyone’s lives harder.

#40 Ask for feedback from your followers

Feedback is the best way to grow, and your followers may be hesitant to give you any, so ask them.

Create posts on occasion where you ask your followers to express their thoughts on your blog and offer suggestions on how it can improve.

41. Summarize other people’s posts, books, or ideas

Some people just don’t have the time or patience to read a whole book or an entire lengthy article, so boil it down and post it yourself, giving credit where credit is due of course. This way, people can still find the content they’re looking for, without having to spend time reading the entire thing.

42. Create a list of common mistakes in your niche

You know everything about your blog topic, but you see people doing everything wrong around you. Why not post about common mistakes that other people make in that niche and offer advice to those who are unaware of what they’re doing wrong.

43. Write and publish a manifesto

Giving away something lengthy for free may not seem like a good idea, but this is a fantastic blog idea that will grant you some serious viewership if it works out the first time. It needs to be somewhat lengthy and it needs to offer a lot of value to the reader. A good cover design will make it stand out as well.

44. Feature specific followers and dedicate posts to them 

Showing appreciation to your fans is paramount. Take some time to feature a guest blogger, or showcase a specific follower. They will appreciate it, and they’ll probably share it as well.

45. Walk away for a week, make people think you disappeared

This is risky, but apparently it has worked in the past. Take a week off, walk-away, maybe hint at something big happening and then take a week off. Rumors will circulating, people will start asking questions, and the air will be buzzing by the time you make your triumphant return.

46. Invite questions, post your answers

To create engagement with your followers, try posting some questions about anything relating to your blog topic or niche.

Once you’ve gathered up some answers, create a subsequent post and see what people had to say. This works for generating content, and it helps keep followers coming back.

47. Write a series of posts

If you start something and you know it’s going to be long. Break it up into a series of posts.

This will help keep the reading level light for people online who have very small attention spans, and you’ll also have several posts worth of content to put up.

48. Publish a short story or poem

A story or poem is meant to be seen, so put it out there and don’t be afraid of what people might say. You’re going to get good feedback, and you’re going to get jerks who can’t properly form a sentence. Still, stuff like that isn’t meant to sit on a hard drive forever.

49. Create a custom 404 page, and encourage people to find it

This is one requires a bit of elbow grease, but if one of your visitors runs into a 404 error, you don’t want the page they see to be the default, trust me. There are helpful tutorials on how to do this, and creating a page that is funny and informative is the best way to handle these kinds of errors.

50. Invite experts to review your posts and comment on them 

They may not come, but if you create posts inviting experts in your field or niche to come and comment on your blog, you may just attract a few, and with them, a lot of new followers.

51. Create an audio post

Something I like to refer to as a “noisy blog.” Doing an audio post just requires a recording device of some kind and your willingness to say out loud what you would normally write.

Doing this enables you to get a new post up quickly and offers some variety.

Audio Blog Post

52. Showcase interesting and useful people to follow

Support the community within your niche and feature other bloggers and maybe some of your followers who have blogs.

This kind of networking benefits everyone involved.

53. Post links to new and exciting technological breakthroughs

In addition to current events, posting links to exciting new breakthroughs is really fun because you get to weigh in with your opinion, and enrich the reader’s life with exciting news about the next gadget or mainstream device.

54. Rant and rave about something that drives you nuts

We all have those things that “grind our gears” so why not let off a little steam is an enraged post that goes for almost 1,000 words about something small and insignificant that drives you up a wall.

55. Create your own bucket list

A bucket list contains all the things you want to do before you “kick the bucket” as it were. Put one together and post it. Every time you cross something off the list, post again and tell us how it went.

56. Explain your blogging origin story

So why did you get into blogging? Did something inspire you? Was it our inspiring article on why you should start a blog today? Tell the world and they will love you more for it. People like to know all they can about the people they follow, so let the information flow.

57. Show off your most successful social media posts

Did post a tweet that had a thousand views? Was there a Facebook post you did that made the world implode? Feature it on your blog, that way you can bring those people right into your perfect trap of excellent writing.

58. Host a live event on your blog

People love to be a part of history, so put together a live blogging event or a video stream and advertise it well in advance. This way people can jump on and tune in.

59. Write a scathing review for something that doesn’t need one

This falls into the category of doing something just because it’s funny. Try writing a horrible review for something that everyone knows is bad.

You could review the common cold for example, or review a gallon of milk that expired six months ago. Take it seriously and it will be all the more hilarious as a result.

60. Enable Gravatar images in your comments

This puts power in the hands of your followers and allows for even more hilarity to ensue. Not to mention it lets your followers showcase their name and profile on your blog so you can connect with them easier.

61. Learn something new and share it with your followers

Have you ever replaced the heat sink over a processor in a custom built PC? Well, why not learn how to do it, and then share the process with your followers. Find something in your niche that needs a step-by-step guide and learn how to do it yourself.

62. Film a video post

Like the noisy blog I mentioned earlier, this is a great way to mix things up, and it allows you to show off that gorgeous mug of yours. See, everybody wins!

63. Post completely useless facts

There are some things that people just really don’t need to know. For example, did you know that it’s impossible to hum while holding your nose shut?

Go ahead and try, I did. This is one of those tempting things to blog about, so give in and do it.

64. Publish your art

I don’t care if it’s a finger painting or a red dot, everything is considered art nowadays. Post it on your blog and talk about what it means. If you have a deep meaning behind your red dot, that’s what makes it art.

65. Share your income and traffic numbers with your followers

Full disclosure is the best idea when starting your own blog. You don’t have to give out your password, but if you keep followers updated with your income and traffic numbers, they will be able to see how they can help improve it, and help give you feedback.

66. Write about common misconceptions in your niche

People always make assumptions, which lead to misconceptions. Blog about the kinds of things people say and think about your niche and prove them wrong. The community will thank you for it.

67. Showcase a small business, artist, or writer

If you have a lot of followers, help out someone who is just starting out by showcasing their work on your blog. It’s free content, and they get the exposure they need. Everyone wins.

68. Write about what you would do with a Time Machine

This is another one that can change as your perception of the world does, but why not start a series of posts where you talk about what you would do with access to a time machine.

Would you right the wrongs of history, or just go back and see what came first: The chicken or the egg? Tell us in a post or better yet, a series of them.

69. Respond to another blogger’s post or idea

Go out and read other blog posts in your niche. Find one that you love, or maybe one you hate, and post your own response to it. You may even get a shout out from the other blogger in the future.

70. Describe your dream girl/guy

Well I’m looking at mine right now, but she doesn’t know I’m writing about her. Whether you’ve found your soul mate or you’re still searching, why not describe them for the world, maybe he/she is already a follower?

71. Solve a problem

Whether it’s the issue of opening a jar when someone closed it too tight, or ending world hunger, find a problem and solve it. When you’ve figured out the solution, post it on your blog. Helpful posts are always welcome.

72. Argue both sides of a topic in one post

People may think you’re certifiable, but this is a fun way to go a little nuts. Find a topic and argue with yourself in a single post. Really get into it too, don’t hold back just because you know the author.

73. Reveal little known facts about a well-known subject

Find something that is commonly recognized and switch things up by revealing a secret about it that most people wouldn’t know. This new spin on an old subject works wonders for creating an engaging blog post.

74. Write a “time capsule” post to your future self

This is a fun one, why not write a message to yourself in the future. Maybe offer some advice, throw out a few reminders, and have fun with it. It’s not going anywhere so you can see it again in a few years. On the flip side, you can do this, but write a letter to your past self.

75. Profile your favorite company or brand

This can be done with a big company or a small one, but try and put together an entire profile of a company and see how much you learn in your search. Showcase the highs and lows, and really dig deep to make this a truly interesting post.

76. Post shocking conversation logs

You wouldn’t believe some of the things people will say when they’re on a chat. It’s like all social norms just go out the window. Find some of these crazy conversations and post them on your blog for a few laughs and an opportunity to throw in your opinion.

77. Offer advice for tough situations

Whether it’s fights with your significant other, or how to best handle a nasty love triangle, why not share your tips for handling the situations people find themselves in? Everything from a broken down car to a bad living situation, you can offer your wisdom.

City Building

78. Have your significant other write posts as well

When starting a blog, you could always bring your other half into the equation and make it a joint effort. This way you can also get a different perspective on some topics as well.

79. Publish an E-book and promote it on your blog

Your blog is a great marketing tool, so make sure you use it! You can generate a lot of buzz by writing an E-book and publishing it online for free. Then you can promote it via your blog and generate downloads plus followers all in one fell swoop.

80. Examine the origins of a major corporation or company

This is a more focused concept than previously mentioned, but you can trace the roots of just about anything back to where it started and in a lot of cases, the origin story is quite fascinating. The legwork isn’t too hard on your part, and your followers will appreciate the research you did.

81. Create a list of your favorite things

It could be anything from your favorite foods, to your favorite movie, throw it all in a list and it makes for a great post. Your followers will love the extra information and that serves to strengthen your bond with them.

82. Write about hypothetical scenarios

Make up something crazy like an alien invasion or a zombie apocalypse and then write it out. Tell everyone what you would say, do, and be willing to sacrifice in that scenario. This can be really fun for a writing blog, or anything else really.

For business, you could speculate what would happen in a crisis situation and talk about how to handle it. Creativity and knowledge is key here to make this convincing.

83. Create alternate history, show what could have happened

When you start blogging, it can be daunting to get that first wave of content out there, but don’t fret. Why not try an alternate history post? Take something like WWII and write about what would happen if, say, Japan won the war? You could talk about how different the world would be. This is something that history buffs go crazy for.

84. Offer dog training tips

If you’ve raised a few animals of your, people are always looking for help training their pets, dogs specifically, and you could offer your expertise. Free advice is always popular when it comes to online blogging.

85. Examine human behavior in specific situations

This is one for the psychologists out there. Take scenarios such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or other disasters and examine how people behaved in those scenarios. Check out third world countries and see what people will do to survive. Understanding the way that people react is a great method of handling situations like that, and a fascinating topic in general.

86. Review your favorite things

After you’ve listed your favorite things like my suggestion above, you can create some specific posts where you examine those things you love so much and tell everyone why they made the cut.

87. Examine different types of addictions

People can become addicted to all kinds of things, so why not talk about the psychology behind it, and warn people of the signs so they can stop themselves from falling too deep into that hole. Informative and useful.

88. Showcase medical research and potential cures for major diseases

We’re all looking for the cure to cancer, and while it may not be here yet, you can keep people updated on medical breakthroughs for various diseases. This is a subject many people want to stay up to date on. You can be the one to keep them in the loop.

89. Create posts about ancestors in your family tree

Research your ancestry and write about all the people that came before you in your family tree. Maybe you’re related to a general or a war hero, you never know. You can find out, and tell everyone the story.

90. Point out ridiculous laws in the world

Somewhere there’s a law where you can’t stare at a moose from an airplane window, not even kidding. Write up some blog posts about these weird and oddball laws from around the world, this could take up quite a few posts actually.

91. List stereotypes that need to go away

Stereotypes can sometimes turn out to be true, but some of them are just plain dated. Point out the old ones and start them on the track to obscurity.

92. Feature humanity’s greatest mistakes

We’re not perfect, not at all. Put together some posts about horrible decisions we have made as a species and talk about the effects they had on the people around us, and the world. Hopefully we won’t repeat these in the future.

93. Offer relationship advice

If you’ve been through a few rough relationships, you know what works, and what doesn’t. Share you knowledge for those who need help. This is an always popular subject.

94. Give tips for talking to your crush

Breaking the ice can be tough, so post some ideas about striking up a conversation with someone else that has struck your fancy. It can be nerve wracking and some people just don’t bother starting the conversation at all. Show them how to make it happen so they don’t have regrets.

95. Showcase the benefits of aromatherapy candles

Aromatherapy is a massive industry, and scented candles fall right in the middle of it. Create posts about how these scents and recipes help us relax and unwind.

96. Describe your worst mistakes and what you learned from them

Choose some of the major pitfalls in your life and talk about what you learned. By doing this, you can help other people (hopefully) avoid the same mistakes.

97. Create lists of must-see art galleries and museums

There are many museums and places of art around the world, but some truly stand apart. Create a list of them for your blog and give travelers the advice they need to make the most of their time abroad.

98. Write about haunted locations around the world

Nothing like a good ghost story to get the blood flowing. Create a list of the most haunted locations in the world for your readers to get them excited, then dare them to go visit.

99. Try to deduce the meaning of life

You could have an entire blog about this, but really sit down and try to figure out the ultimate question. You’ll come up with some profound stuff for your blog and your followers may just find themselves enlightened as well. As far as post topics go, this one is good.

100. Create an ongoing mystery, have your followers decide where the story goes

This is a cool way to turn your blog into an interactive story. Have your followers vote or comment on where they want the next post to lead and make an interactive mystery out of it.

101. Write a post series in which every section is done by a different author

You could take one of these ideas or make your own and run a series where you right the first post and each subsequent one is written by a guest author. This will create a winding road of perspectives and really stand out amongst other blogs.

Beach City

102. Publish your opinions on hot button topics

Find something that people feel very passionate about and proudly place your input into the mix.

There’s a difference between this and stirring the pot though, in this instance, you’re firmly rooting yourself on one side, or the other for the sake of proving your side’s superior nature.

103. Write everything there is to know about your favorite animal

Pick your favorite animal or animals and create posts where you describe everything there is to know about them. This is both fun for you and extremely educational for your followers.

104. Describe your dream house

It doesn’t have to make sense, but you can write about the perfect house and put in everything from hover boards to an automated system voiced by Pierce Brosnan. Make it creative and funny, or you can pick out a real life house and start saving your pennies.

105. Journal your experience with a major life event

Whether you’re recovering from a disease or you are experiencing a pregnancy, an ongoing series of posts about the situation and how you’re handling it is a great way to keep content coming, and receiving support from your followers.

106. Write about your favorite songs

If you like the lyrics, talk about that, if the band’s hairstyles are your favorite aspect that’s fine too. Talk about what makes these songs your favorite and really examine the emotional effect that the music has on you for maximum effect.

107. Feature massive collections of various things

Scour the web or your own home if you’d like and find collections that are just too large to be true. Stickers, toys, movies, you name it, some people really go crazy collecting these things.

108. Roast your favorite celebrities

If you’ve ever seen a celebrity roast, you know they can be hilarious and cruel all at once. Take your favorite celebrity and imagine you’re on stage roasting them and let the hilarity ensue.

109. Showcase cultures that do things differently than you

There are other cultures around the world that we may find odd, but it would be interesting to see an actual examination of them and their practices. This is one of those good blog topics that I haven’t see used very much.

110. Reveal your biggest fears

Don’t tell anyone where you live, because they might come play a prank on you, but revealing your deepest fears can be vindicating and exciting for your followers to read.

111. Describe your favorite memories from your childhood

It’s hard to remember some of our early years, but we all have those great childhood memories. Tell your stories in a series of posts that will make your followers feel closer to you.

112. Post funny pictures of your pets

I have two dogs and let me tell you, they can be ridiculous and hilarious at times. Catch them on camera or film them and upload these to your blog for instant success.

113. Create your own superhero or villain

It doesn’t have to be too serious, but come up with a superhero or villain and write out their whole story in a blog post. Maybe have an ongoing series with them if your followers like the idea.

114. Speculate on the mysteries of the universe

There are things like dark matter and aliens that we don’t know everything about. Why not try and come up with your own theories about what’s out there. These aren’t conspiracy theories, more like opportunities to fill in the cracks that science has yet to fill.

115. Dare your followers to do something crazy (within reason)

Depending on your niche, you can dare your followers to do something crazy or funny within reason and have them send you the results. This can make for some great posts.

116. Pretend you’ve gone insane, see how long you can keep it up

One day just pretend that you’ve snapped and start writing insane blog posts. See what happens when your followers think you’ve lost your mind.

117. Create an urban myth

From scary stories to Slenderman, a lot of urban myths still survive to this day. Why not create one of your own and spread the word of it to see if it catches on.

118. Spread rumors, even if they’re not real

Make up a rumor just for the sake of doing it and try to spread it amongst your followers and beyond. Don’t attack someone’s character, but maybe challenge an accepted norm and see how far the charade will go.

119. Start a blogging war

This may not fall into the category of good blog topics, but you could respond to another blog’s post and take the opposite stance, thereby instigating a blog war. You could also work out a fake attack on each other in the background and see how the followers react to your flying insults.

120. Create posts about your pet peeves

Watch out for people who will use this against you, but you could always write about the things that make your fists clench involuntarily.

121. Showcase the most ridiculous phobias

There are fears out there that, while real, are ridiculous. Point out some of them in a post or several and make the fear of peanut butter being stuck to the roof of your mouth (Arachibutyrophobia) known to the world

122. Write posts from other perspectives

Pretend that you’re a rock, or a dog, maybe even a microwave and write posts from that perspective. This is great for flexing the old imagination and makes for some hilarious moments.

Blogging Ideas

123. Describe the weirdest thoughts you’ve ever had

Our minds tend to have odd moments, so when you have one write it down and create a post about it.

You can pick out one of the strange thoughts that seemed to leap into your head and it makes for great material.

124. Invent your own product, share your idea

Don’t give away too many details before you patent it, but this is a good way to get feedback on an invention or product concept.

125. Criticize things that cannot be changed

Do you hate that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west? What about the fact that winter comes after fall? Try complaining about it even if you can’t change anything. It makes for a fun post.

126. Write a series of posts where you take everything literally

Try taking every figure of speech and idiom at face value and write about it in your post. This can result in some truly hilarious situations. For example, how can you do something every now, and again?

127. Try writing a post in an entirely different voice and tone than usual

In the spirit of changing things around to keep your followers on their toes, why not try changing up your tone and voice out of the blue for a post or two? You could even rhyme like I just did.

128. Chronicle your favorite plot twists

This requires a big spoiler warning, but you could point out some truly great twists in movies, books, and video games that could last for several posts.

129. Promote a cause that you feel passionate about

If you have something like a charity or a cause that you want to help promote and raise money for, blog about it and help raise money for the cause. Just make sure you have a way to show that the money is going to the right place since people will want to ensure they are donating to the cause.

130. Highlight your most insignificant accomplishments

Instead of bragging about major successes, post about all of the little things you accomplished each day. For example: “I got out of bed,” which is hard, so let the world know you’re stronger than that.

131. Describe how something extremely complex works

I don’t know how a microphone works. I can make it record my voice, but I don’t know how it does that. Try breaking down electronics and appliances into their individual parts and explaining how they do what they do.

132. Predict the future, back up your claims

Do some research and really try to predict what’s going to happen either in your life, or the world, and publish your predictions. See how close you were, or how far off you can be as time goes on.

133. Post clever “life hacks”

These are fun things that make your life easier. For example, if you place a wooden spoon across a pot of boiling water, it will never boil over. These make for great topics and there’s a lot of them out there.

134. Write about things you like that other people hate 

Everyone’s got an opinion, but there are some things that people really like that others truly hate. Find out which ones fall into your field of interest and defend the honor of it in your blog posts.

135. Take a picture of your computer desk as it is, then explain it 

Your desk may have a wallet, empty soda cans, a microphone and some bills on it but snap a shot and upload it with an explanation of why all of that stuff is on your computer desk. Make it a weekly thing and never clean your desk for maximum results.

Blog Ideas with a Coffee

136. Write about the last time you cried

If we cried about something, it had to be emotional. Recall the last time you shed tears and write about why you felt so strongly in that moment.

Emotionally charged writing is the best kind.

137. Post about people or things you wish you could switch places with

Maybe you want to be your dog for a day? You could write about taking a celebrity’s life for a week. This has a lot of possibilities to it.

138. Showcase your receipt from your last grocery store trip

Cross out the sensitive info and post a picture of your grocery store trip to show what kind of foods you tend to eat and how much you spend for you other people in your life. This could start a discussion about how to cut down on extra costs as well.

139. Write about the things you would change about the world if you could

There’s a lot wrong with the world, but what would you change if you could change anything? Tell us how you would do it and maybe someone with power will stumble across your blog and make it happen.

140. Transcribe a conversation where your grandmother describes the current generation 

You could set up a blog around this alone. Try asking Grandma to describe Facebook to you, or what a smartphone is and record her answers. I imagine they would be pretty funny.

141. Describe the world to someone who has been in a coma for 100 years

This is a good post prompt. Limit yourself to 800 words and try to describe everything that someone who has been in a coma for 100 years has missed. Good luck.

142. Answer a fundamental question in your own words

Take a really complicated question about life or evolution, or something very fundamental and scientific and answer it without the help of a textbook or fancy wording.

143. Write about illusions that we cling onto

We always imagine that things like money and power are worth something, but they’re all illusions that we’ve given value. Why not tackle some of these fickle things and see how we cling so desperately to them.

144. Create a presidential campaign, describe your platform 

Politics can be a tricky thing, but if you were to run for president, what would you fight for? Would you run as a republican, a democrat, or independent? Put your campaign together and see what your followers think of it.

145. Post a challenge and accompanying photos of your progress

Challenge yourself to grow a beard, lose weight, something that you can measure, and do daily posts with photos to show your progress. These are inspiring to a lot of people and it makes for great content on your blog to boot.

146. Describe how something we use every day is made

It’s amazing that they get all those potato chips to taste the same, but how are they made? Put together posts of common things we use and eat and talk about the process behind their production.

147. Create writing prompts for your guest bloggers or followers

You can post ideas like these on your blog and ask followers or guest writers to submit their ideas on them to you for some great content that you know is fitting for your niche.

148. Post a journal of your nightly dreams and nightmares 

Dream journals aren’t done very often, but it’s always interesting to hear what people dream about. Put together your own posts where you talk about what you saw and did in your dreams and maybe you can piece together what’s all those dreams mean.

149. Create a weekly/bi-weekly newsletter

Throwing together a newsletter of various sub-sections is a great way to keep steady content coming to your blog.

150. Show Off Unique Tools 

Did you notice that fancy image up there where I showed you the results of that Google search? That’s a new tool I discovered called Recordit. It’s a tool that let’s you capture your own recorded screenshots. Did I mention it’s free? Find tools like these and showcase them in a post to your followers!

151. Share Tips For Increasing Efficiency 

We all want to know how to write better, faster, and stronger. There’s plenty of ways to increase your concentration or keep your energy levels up while working. I for one like to use the Pomodoro method because it keeps me energized and focused.

152. Ask Yourself “Why?” Post the Answer

This may cause an existential breakdown on your part, but man, that would make for a sweet post. Ask yourself the big question in life: “Why?” It could be specific, like “why do you blog?” or “why did you pick this topic?” Or, if you’re feeling particularly profound, it can answer a much larger question about you, yourself, or the world we live in.

153. Do a Holiday Post 

There’s honestly a holiday for everything. Why not try to keep track of as many as you can? When you go to write a post, see if it just so happens to be “National Popcorn Day” or something like that, and do a post around the purpose and potential history of that day? Mainstream holidays work too, but finding the obscure or historical ones make this even more fun.

154. Do a Behind the Scenes Post 

Ever wonder what goes on in the daily life of Matt Banner? Well, too bad, I like my secrecy. Just kidding, maybe I’ll try this myself one day, but if you have a large following of fans, why give them a sneak peek into your life outside of blogging?

155. Do an Expert Roundup 

I actually posted an expert roundup of my own recently with great results. All you need to do is find a question that people are asking in your niche, and ask other key people in your sphere what they think is the answer. Compile their answers, along with your own, for an action-packed post!

156. Is a Picture Truly Worth a Thousand Words? 

Take a photo that you took, or one that speaks to you. Write about it, and see if you can make the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” happen in real life.

157. What’s the Weirdest/Funniest Thing You’ve Seen or Heard This Week?

You could make this a weekly trend if you’d like. Say each Thursday you post the funniest or weirdest thing you saw or heard that week. It can be a quote, a video, something you said or heard, anything you want!

158. Debate in The Comments 

If you’re particularly passionate about something, try writing a post where you set some ground rules and state your opinions. Then, tell people you’ll be monitoring the comments and debating your stance with them. Keep things respectful and honest, and you could really start a fire here.

159. Post Comic Strips 

This one requires artistic talent, so it’s off the table for me, but maybe you could do it! If there’s something in your niche that you want to poke fun at, try your hand at a satirical cartoon or comic strip and post it on your blog to see what your readers think!

I hope you got a few ideas for your blog from this long and comprehensive list. If you have any questions or anything else to say about the topic please let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear them.

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This post was originally published in Onblastblog blog

Who is Tracking Your Smartphone [Infographic]

 

Few technological innovations have been quite as successful as the smartphone. Being able to deal with phone calls, text messaging, emails, instant messaging and social networking, plus a host of other functions, on one device is extraordinary. However, smartphones are also fraught with danger, as the sheer volume of data they contain makes them prime targets for spies and hackers to gain unauthorized access.

This infographic by Neon SMS identified the parties most likely to callously track your smartphone and also identifies a number of warning signs to look out for if you fear that your phone is being tracked. These red flags include unexpected shutdowns, making noise when not in use, receiving unusual text messages, abnormally quick battery drain, unusually high data usage and overheating. These, and several other danger signs, could all indicate that a spy or hacker is tracking your smartphone.

You spent good money to buy your smartphone, and continue to pay a standard fee on a regular basis to use it as you would like, so inevitably you will want to protect it from unsolicited access by untrusted sources. Read the infographic below to learn what signs you need to know in order to see if your phone is being tracked, so that you can remedy the problem before it’s too late.

who-is-tracking-your-smartphone-infographic

How To Choose Your Next TV

 

With so many options out there, and technology that changes so fast, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the choices.  In this article, We’ll give you advice for deciding on the best TV for you to purchase.

There are three things to look out for when deciding on your next TV set, and those are:

  • 3D
  • size
  • internet connectivity.

In addition to that, with so many 1080p and 4K TVs, and now UHD TVs, choosing  the right size TV is more difficult than ever before.  You also need to consider the size and weight of the TV very closely. However, no matter what television set you have, you can enhance it with Direct TV for your home to get the most out of your viewing experience. Conversely, you must select a package keeping in mind the kind of television set you have. For example, there is no point in paying for 4K content if you do not have a television that can display such such quality.

With older big screen TVs, the clarity was lost the closer you got to them.  Now, technology has advanced so that high-definition big-screen TVs look just as good or better close up.  Screen sizes are getting bigger and bigger.  Now you can get good deals on TVs as large as 90 inches with HD, and 110 inches with UHD.  Consider one of these if you have an extremely large living space to take full advantage of what they have to offer.  You’ll also need a pretty large bank account though.

 

How Do You Measure Up? 

Break out the tape measure before you head to the electronics store.  You need to know just how big a TV your living space can accommodate before you make a choice.  Keep in mind that televisions are measured diagonally, so even a couple of inches can make a large difference in terms of both height and width.

Measuring before you go shopping will also help you in keeping perspective.  It is very difficult to guess which TV will work best when you are faced with an entire wall of them if you have no numbers in hand.  When you approach things in this manner, you are less likely to make a mistake.

In most cases, a bigger screen is better, as very few people spend a lot of time wishing they were watching a smaller screen.

 

Weight 

You need to know if you want to mount your TV, or place it on a stand.  If you are planning on putting it on a stand, you need to know how much surface area you have on the stand, and must be sure that it can support the weight of any TV you have in mind.

If you want the TV mounted on your wall, there are several other factors you must take into account.  You must have a wall mount that is strong enough to support the weight of any TV you are considering.  That mount may also need the wall mount to be anchored to studs in your wall.  The last thing you need is your your expensive new TV to fall and break because your drywall gives way.

In general, you can expect most flat screens to weigh around 45 pounds.  That number can increase with larger screens and display size.  Edge-lit LEDs are the lightest, around 25 pounds, while UHD displays will add more weight to the equation.

Take all of these factors into account when you go shopping for a new TV. There is a number of options out there which is why it is important to act wise.

 

[Image by Adrian Black via Flickr http://flic.kr/p/5ggqca]

The Future is Now – Phone Tracking Technology

 

A couple years back, the best way to track a mobile device was through the usage of phone towers. Truly, phone companies can without much of a stretch find the area of a phone device by decoding information longs got after the target make calls. Beside this, the organizations can likewise track the area of a phone when the cell phone remains on and continues sending radio signs. In any case, when the phone device is off, it is near difficult tracking it.

Cell phone tracking has turned into an ordinary event. In any case, everybody who uses a mobile phone is being or can be tracked. Numerous late studies uncover disturbing proposals about how mobile phone behavior is being used, not to just track individuals but rather keep an eye on regular life.

We all actually need the most recent technology in telephones. Cell phones, every Android phone including the iPhone, incorporate incalculable measures of applications and uses, from playing music, watching movies, taking photos, playing games and more. However when you buy a cell phone, you are outfitting yourself with presumably one of the most complex tracking devices around.

Today, phone tracker software is no more a thing that amazes individuals. Everybody, in this very moment, knows about the way that cell phones can be tracked. To let you know reality, whether you like it or aversion it, everybody who possesses a cell phone is being spied and tracked. As per various studies directed recently, more individuals tend to keep an eye on somebody. As such, they attempt to track their area notwithstanding their online exercises without their authorization.

Regardless of what mobile device you claim, it is fit for sending and accepting radio signs at whatever point you make calls, send text messages or surf the web. Presently, envision that your phone is armed with a satellite GPS tracking device too. Practically all most recent phone devices accompany GPS phone tracking component. Every day, many people get caught on account of the GPS in their devices.

Another disturbing truth is that, researchers have contrived an approach to track human behavior in points of interest, in a trial crossing maybe over two years. The researchers claim to foresee future conduct of individuals through cell phones. Clearly, mobile devices organizations are presently foreseeing if a client is going to change to another service supplier through this innovation.

The researchers were not just ready to distinguish general changes in the changes of individuals, there were additionally fit for deciding data as to the wellbeing of the mobile device client before he could even thought about it himself. This gives us a thought of what the eventual future of phone tracking will resemble. And this will happen with the assistance of the helpful device you can put in your pocket and convey wherever you need to. Give us a chance to figure out what specialists need to say in regards to it.

As indicated by specialists, as innovation gains progress, cell phone tracking innovation with likewise keep on creating. This innovation is helping us from multiple points of view:

  • It is offering folks some assistance with keeping tabs on their insidious children;
  • It is tracking so as to offer cops some assistance with catching criminals by tracking their mobile devices;
  • It is offering husbands or wives some assistance on finding out if they are cheating;
  • It is helping insight organizations in tracking terrorist and so on.

Along these lines, with the help of this innovation, it is trusted that we will have the capacity to cope with the bad guys in a better way.

 

5 Most Creative Applications of Voice Tech

 

Twenty years ago, telling your phone to schedule reminders, open apps, and answer what is zero divided by zero was unfathomable. The average person wouldn’t believe that voice tech would become a reality.

Fast forward to the present. Speech recognition technology has been woven into our lives as personal assistants. They’ve helped simplify the way we use our phones. They’ve opened a new frontier of learning for blind people. And they’ve given our phones character, for those moments where talking to your voice assistant soothes you.

So, out of the plethora of speech recognition apps out there, what are the best out of the rest? What five apps have completely revolutionized human interaction with their phones and/or computers? Keep reading to find out.

  1. Siri

Siri, the personal assistant app found on devices utilizing Apple’s iOS was first introduced on October 4, 2011. Siri’s unveiling coincided with the release of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5.

Since that day, it has been a mainstay on all Apple devices and has spawned plenty of meme-worthy moments.  In addition, others followed suit with Google Now and Cortana being released.

With Siri, users could send text messages using their voices, make dinner reservations, flip a coin, display movie times, place a call, set a reminder, set an alarm, tell you the calories in a Diet Coke, show you flight times and train times – you get the point. The capabilities of Siri are almost infinite, and she continues to get better and better with every update.

Siri was a catalyst for voice technology in phones. If Siri had been poorly received, do you think Cortana or Google Now would’ve been released?

  1. Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking (Dragon from here on out) has become one of the most efficient voice recognition tools on the PC platform. The ability to take what you say and put them into words has simplified the way we type.

The software was developed by Nuance and has been designed for personal and commercial use. It may not be perfect (no speech recognition service is), but it is one of the best voice technology software out there.

Long gone are the days when you had to sit hours at the computer typing up documents and articles. Dragon has finally done what we’ve all been dreaming about, for which it rightfully earns its place on this list.

apple-ios-9-siri

  1. DriveSafe.ly Pro

One of the biggest problems society faces today is distracted driving. In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. A big culprit behind that startling number is texting while driving. But DriveSafe.ly aims to combat that.

The app reads your most recent text message to you and you can reply using your voice – all hands-free.

It’s a creative idea that aims to address the issue of texting while driving. As long as the app’s functionality continues to improve, it could be a lifesaver for many drivers who suffer from being distracted on the road.

  1. Google Voice Search

See that little microphone in the Google Search box? That’s Google’s own little piece of voice tech that many people often overlook. What lands it on this list is how impressive the accuracy is. It’s not 100%, but it certainly makes a case for it. Next, Google’s search was already fast. Adding voice search has only made the process quicker.

  1. Ford SYNC

Voice recognition software in cars has largely been useless up to this point. Yes, they can play music on demand or activate the GPS, but Ford SYNC has been the pinnacle of speech recognition in cars for a long time.

Ford SYNC has been available in the Explorer, Focus, Mustang, Escape and Fusion models since 2007. The service has over 10,000 commands, including real-time traffic, directions, and streaming music from your phone. All this can be controlled through you voice with the right words.

So these are the most creative apps that utilize voice technology. All these apps manage to utilize the tech in a way that it has become an integral part of our lives. Voice technology only has more room to surprise us with the next trick it has up its sleeve.

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This is a guest post by Jessica Kane, a professional blogger who writes about technology and other gadgets and gizmos aplenty. She currently writes for Total Voice Tech, her go to for all professional Dragon products.

Smartphone Apps That Measure Your Broadband Stats

 

There are various reasons why you might want to have the ability to measure a variety of stats relating to your broadband connection. When you are paying for a broadband connection, you will want to know that you are getting what you have paid for in terms of connection speed. If you have a restricted amount of bandwidth each month then you will also need to monitor how much of that allowance you have been using.  Mobile apps can be a great way to monitor both your broadband usage and your performance. Let’s take a look at some of the apps that are available for this purpose.

Speedtest.net Mobile Speed Test

Speedtest.net have been one of the most popular sites for testing internet speed connections for several years and now they are also offering an app for testing the speed of mobile internet connection. It is pretty much the go to app for iPhone users and it also has a pretty big following among Android users as well. This quick and easy test can let you know if your internet provider is really offering you the speed of broadband connection that they have promised and can be very helpful if you suspect that you are not getting what you have paid for.

Verizon My FiOS

If you happen to have subscribed to your internet services via one of the many Verizon bundles that are available, then you will no doubt find the Verizon My FiOS app useful. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and allows you to monitor your usage and manage your account right from your smartphone. The app can be used to pay your bill, redeem rewards points and monitor your monthly usage. The app is free of charge and available to  all Verizon FiOS Broadband customer.

SamKnows Mobile Whitebox

The SamKnows app was actually designed in partnership with the FCC and some of the United States’ top mobile providers. It measures a variety of broadband stats including the following:

  • download speeds
  • upload speeds
  • latency
  • packet loss
  • jitter
  • additional passive metrics

The app is available for both iOS and Android, with the Android version able to run in the background while you are using your phone. This is great for building up a long term picture of your broadband connection’s performance without much effort on your part!

Traffic Monitor

Another useful app which is available in the Apple App store for iOS devices is Traffic Monitor. This in a mobile speed test and data usage widget which can be downloaded free of charge. It offers an at a glance look at both speed and performance.

These are just a handful of the apps that you can choose from in order to monitor the speed of your internet connection or keep tab on your data usage. It is worth noting that although most internet providers do offer apps like this, it is sometimes best to download a back up from an independent source, just to verify what your ISP is suggesting. After all, your provider has good reason to fudge connection speed figures, so why not put your mind at rest by checking the results from more than one app to get an accurate reading.

 

image via chipchick

10 Most Popular And Meticulous Mobile Apps

 

Take a look on vast array of mobile apps that simply provides fun & joys with unlimited photos, videos, productivity, news, social networking and much more

Mobile applications are either pre-installed in our phones or simply downloaded from play store or different mobile distribution platforms. These mobile applications are built in with strong development for additional functionality and better performance of smart phones.

If I ask you a simple question that which is the most interesting mobile application you have used in past few days? Then I guess you might get confuse for few seconds, because there are ample of such apps in the digital market which are supposed to be quite helpful and wonderful for every time and for every user. On the basis of this increased popularity, Global web index which is a popular online research firm conducted a survey to collect the findings about most famous apps in the world.

Also have a look at the info-graphic provided by the same firm:

  1. Google Maps: helps you to get around!

Google maps- one of the wonderful apps that help you to navigate the directions like a pro. This app is dynamically re-route and stands on real time traffic information which suggests that which is a correct lane to be get in. It not only helps you to choose the best eating spot around but also provides the opportunity to visit any city in the world and discover highest mountains to lowest valleys on Earth. You can also create your own map, save the home and workplace addresses and keep track of all the places you reviewed.

54% internet usage has been monitored by the research team.Financial analysts estimated the annual net income of Google which is approximately $3.64 billion in net income $56.52 billion in cash and cash equivalents, and operating income of $4.34 billion (29% of revenues), up from $3.76 billion in the same quarter last year. And now it has been expected to hit more figures in upcoming years.

  1. Facebook mobile app: best for social hangouts

Face book mobile app is a most comprehensive application optimized for all phones. According to a rough estimate, there are approximately 125.7 million people in the world are using Face book daily. 44% usage has been recorded by people from age 18-24. App allows people to discover latest news about friends and family, get their latest photos and videos and provide more opportunities to interact closely through different fan pages.

According to financial researchers of US, Facebook’s revenue grew from 7.87 million in 2013 to 12.47 billion US dollars in 2014. That year, the social network accumulated a net income of 2.94 billion US dollars.

film-589491_640

  1. You tube: watch, post & share

You tube mobile app is a world’s most popular site that helps users to find their desirable videos all around the globe. According to a survey team, approximately 25% of YouTube’s traffic is generated by mobile apps and now mobile views have been increased up to 300% since last 2 years. 98.9 million People are using you tube in US and approximately 35% people in the whole world to upload content, to subscribe different channels, activities and friends.

You tube is expected to generate about $5.6 billion in gross advertising revenue worldwide this year, which is considerably higher than previous years

  1. Google + mobile app

Google + is quite different from Facebook or twitter but definitely a sweeter spot than other social networks. In Google plus you can classify your friends and co-workers more easily. It is not allowed for under 18 aged people; moreover no private messaging is allowed as a dedicated part. It has excellent push notification system and privacy is taken care with elegant circles. 30% people are using Google plus daily on their android devices.

  1. We-Chat: free live chat sessions

We chat mobile app integrates with your Android version to give you best experiences with your friends. You can simply select your contact and enjoy instant text messaging with lots of animated smiley. It has a real walkie talkie mode with up to 40 friends. You can also share, comment and like your friend’s pictures, send photos & videos and import contacts directly. 27% internet usability has been recorded in the world and more than 30% usability in US.

The surge in We-Chat’s active users has been a major contributor in driving its first quarter net profit which is up 64%QoQ to US$1.26 billion

  1. Twitter mobile app: most open social network

The official twitter mobile app allows people to use most extensive social network at any place and at any moment. From the main app page, you can carry out several functions such as follow, un-follow, and tweet; re-tweet like etc. the biggest advantage of using twitter is you can receive constant notifications without visiting the main page of website. It has approximately 22% usability around the world.

So according to financial analysts, twitter is generating approximately 3.3 billion dollars in 2015 and expecting to be more in 2016 and onwards.

  1. Skype: a versatile communication tool

Skype is considered to be the official app from video calling program backed by Microsoft, which makes it easier to send text messages and video calling as well. Once you install Skype you can search and communicate with different users and taking into account that there are approximately 250 million users in the world, you can add any of them through their email address in just matter of seconds.

Now Microsoft Skype unit is approaching 2 billion dollars annual income in 2015 which is considerably high than 2014.

  1. Facebook Messenger: keep connected with several users

Face book messenger is considered as an official Face book app that allows users to enjoy text conversations with friends community. Thanks to this app, that enables us to send text messages and video conversations which we can continue later on… We can even add multiple recipients at a same time and then it appears in the bubble look which we can easily move around on the mobile screen.

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  1. Whatsapp: cross platform messenger

Instant messaging is one of the key features of whatsapp. We can even start group conversations with friends, and can use epic smileys related to daily life concerns. It doesn’t require adding of buddies and available without any International charges. It also doesn’t demand any pins, codes and usernames. It simply works through our phone numbers and integrates with the address book. 17% usability has been recorded according to the survey.

Whats-App has 100m active users who have used it for more than a year. The average revenue split on app stores is 70/30 so in addition to initial revenue from iOS (ca $18m), this gives us around $45m annual revenue through app renewals.

  1. Instagram: enjoy mobile photography on android

Instagram is one of the most wonderful filter photograph applications form androids and I phone. It differs itself from all other apps by creating social network of users. Its main function is to give your pictures a unique frames and best series of filters in which popular ones are XPro II, Earlybird, Sutro, Toaster, Brannan and many more… it also allow users to determine other people to see which pictures they have uploaded to the wall.

Financial analysts believe that Instagram could generate more than $2 billion revenue next year and would quickly overtake Twitter’s revenue.

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Follow latest trends for your business:

Have you ever thought creating your own mobile app? If you are thinking that mobile app creation is solely for reputed brands then you are wrong. Every small and large business is following the latest trend for making more income and benefits because they understand that effective mobile strategies involves more than just a simple mobile friendly website.

I know it sounds quite challenging, but believe me once you decide; you will find different prestigious organizations that are successfully providing you the opportunity to design your own mobile app development system having flash technology targeting Android and iOS etc.

7 Simple Home Remedies to Boost Your Energy

 

Do you feel lazy and sleepy all the time? Are you not able to perform daily routine tasks? If yes, then you need some transformation in your immune system for sure! These are also signs of weakness and tiredness, it is a common problem that many people face. Weakness is absence of physical and muscle strength and when you need to put extra effort in carrying out daily household tasks. Symptoms of weakness includes:

  • Drowsiness
  • lack of concentration
  • loss of appetite and
  • Extreme panicking.

Whereas causes of it can be:

  • Not getting enough sleep.
  • Emotional stress.
  • Skipping meals.
  • More physical labor and
  • A weak immune system.

A person can also suffer from persistent weakness due to several causes:

  • Sleep disorder.
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Diabetes or heart disease.

If you want to feel refreshed and energetic the whole day, start exercising on the daily basis at least for 30 minutes, sleep properly, follow a good diet and drink water to keep yourself dehydrated.

There are several simple home remedies you can follow that will boost your energy and help you in performing day-to-day activities.

7- Coffee

coffee

You are in office, have lots of work but you are sleepy already and you do not have enough energy to work furthermore, so it’s a time when you need to order a cup of coffee, a little caffeine can do a magical trick, coffee is a perfect pre-workout drink. Don’t forget to mix some milk in it as it offers calcium, vitamin D and make your bones stronger.

NOTE TO REMEMBER: Do not intake more than 2 cups of coffee a day, because it will increase the risk on anxiety and insomnia.

You can’t buy happiness but you can buy a coffee and that’s pretty close!

 

6- Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Berry

Amla is rich in the content of Vitamin-C that is why it is beneficial for many health problems. Amla is basically an Indian gooseberry that is useful for:

  • Absorption of food.
  • Brain nourishment.
  • Helps the urinary system.
  • Helps in the health of skin and
  • Promotes healthy hair.

To stay healthy and energetic, consumption of food that are high in protein is the most important thing. Amla is the nutritious fruit that improves the energy level. Eat one gooseberry a day or you can grind them and eat it with honey.

 

5- Spinach

Spinach

Spinach is loaded with nutrients such as fiber, vitamin K and it even helps in making muscle work more effectively during a work-out. These green leaves also contains much more of iron which helps you when you are feeling tired. You can make great breakfast with spinach and eggs together and eat it before going to work. Remember Popeye the sailor man? Whenever he used to have spinach, he was loaded with buzz of energy. This is the advantage of having spinach on daily basis. Also, many people asks that how to lower blood pressure, for that, spinach is the answer, it helps in lowering blood pressure naturally.

 

4- Fruits

Fruits

When you are tired, the first thing that comes in your mind is either Tea or Coffee, surely they are good for boosting you up but they just work temporarily. Next time, when you feel drowsy or tired, try these fruits which will help you in increasing your energy and are also good for your health.

  • Strawberries: Strawberries are really great for your health and in fights fatigue and they are full of vitamin C. You can also have strawberries combined with milk. Strawberries are also good for your eyesight.
  • Pears: It is a great source of energy especially for kids. You can mix the pears with cottage cheese and make the yummy breakfast which will help you in keeping energetic the whole day.
  • Oranges: This fruit is full of vitamin C and natural sugars that helps in raising your energy. You can have a glass of orange juice in the morning or eat a whole orange.
  • Bananas: It gives the instant energy to your immune system and is easy on the digestive system. It also contains potassium which is good for the health of muscle.
  • Papaya: It is a fruit that comes with added energy boost. Also good for fighting the common cold.

 

To eat is a necessity but to eat intelligently is an art!

3- Almonds

Almonds

Almonds contains magnesium and vitamin B that helps in converting food to energy. It helps in fighting the daily weakness while working. You can have 23 almonds which will lessen the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Almonds can be eaten in many different ways:

  • Soak the almonds in water overnight, in the morning, remove its brown skin and eat it.
  • When you feel fatigue, have roasted almonds.
  • Have almonds with honey which will also help in cold.

 

2- Oat Meal

Oat Meal

Oatmeal is good source of vitamin B, potassium, magnesium and proteins. Have oatmeal in breakfast as it is easy to prepare. When starting your day, oatmeal is good to boost your energy. Easy to prepare recipes of oatmeal for breakfast.

  • Oatmeal with blueberries and sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup of oatmeal.
  • ½ cup blueberries.
  • 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds

Prepare the oatmeal and top it with blueberries and sunflower seeds.

  • Oatmeal with yogurt and Marmalade
  • 1 cup of oatmeal.
  • 2 tablespoons of low fat yogurt.
  • 2 tablespoons of orange marmalade.

Prepare the oatmeal and top it with yogurt and orange marmalade.

 

1- Water

Water

The most important thing to boost up your energy is Water. It keeps the cells of the body hydrated for long time. Water keeps you energetic the whole day. It is necessary to start off your day with two glasses of water.

To keep yourself energetic, follow some of the rules:

  • Get a proper sleep of at least 6 to 8 hours.
  • Eat the right amount of food.
  • Take a warm shower before going to sleep.
  • Don’t skip the breakfast.
  • Avoid drinking and smoking.

Boosting your energy does not mean to need a doctor, you can do it with full fun and it can be delicious and relaxing.

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This is a guest post by Angela Abram, a senior writer for OLWOMEN.com, an avid reader, fashion and make up enthusiast who simply lives to write and talk about all kinds of stuff. Focusing on Fat burning foods especially for women to lose inner thigh fat!

JustHost Review: A Personal Experience with JustHost

 

Over the past few years I have built over five hundred websites manually or CMS on WordPress, Joomla or Drupal.

I tried so many web hosting companies and know for nearly all pros and cons. From all companies I’ve tried, JustHost is one of the best web hosting companies with many pros and one cons which in my case was pros, but from many reviews and customer testimonials their features is cons, probably from those customer testimonials, big percent are not technicians.

JustHost is most affordable web hosting on the market. I will recommend and easily give JustHost 5 from 5 stars for their features, price, ease of use and support. For support and customer testimonials you can read later in this ultimate review of JustHost.

JustHost Prices

From my experience with JustHost you get a lot more from the price compared to other web hosting companies. I should use JustHost earlier that was my fault. Earlier I’ve hosted my website with another hosting company, it was the best web hosting company at least on the reviews that I’ve read and use more money fixing problems caused by the hosting company that I used.

That is not case with JustHost, but I’m here to share my experience with you in this review so you don’t need to check and lose time and money trying which one is better. For best price you can visit our coupon codes review of JustHost coupon codes and get 30% OFF discount or 50% OFF discount.

JustHost have features that can satisfy all users with their great cPanel from shared hosting to dedicate with plugins and ease of use for every users, professionals or beginners. One thing that is true for all business if you sing up for more time you have more discount or bonus in the price.

JustHost right now have promotion for 12 months sign up for only $1.99 per month with Starter shared hosting plan, so you have for $23.88 one year web hosting from one of the best web hosting companies JustHost. Sign up for one month or pay the real price $7.99 with Starter plan.

The only downside of Starter plans is that he is limited to one website. JustHost gives you one domain name for free with sign up no matter which plan you sign up.

JustHost have three main plans:

  • Shared hosting
  • VPS and
  • Dedicated

If you are reading this review you probably need shared hosting but I’m not excluding you are professional and you need VPS or even dedicated plan. I will recommend when you sign up with JustHost check the Site Backup Pro for only $1.99 per month you are completely safe for any data loss with daily backups.

Customer Support

If you mess something or being hacked and everyone who work is making errors you can contact JustHost support and they will restore your site and you are good to go.

On the same page you will have more choices I will recommend Domain Privacy Protection for only $0.99 per month, but it’s up to you, this will protect from checking you private info and give JustHost as owner and not your name, surname, address etc. Back on support from my own experience I would give JustHost support a 5 from 5 stars, but from many customer testimonials we can see that they are complaining about Justhost support. I’m not sure if they are just not professionals which no need to be or I have been just lucky. Every time when I contact JustHost support they were fast in response and fast in fixing the problem.

You don’t need to worry for nothing if you aren’t satisfied JustHost money back guarantee is here, they will refund you within 45 days, but read term of use if you buy more features like another domain beside free they give you. You will not be refunded of course for that.

How Technology Can Help With Your Pets

 

Statistics indicate that global spending on caring for pets continues to increase year on year. Figures in 2014 were $98.3 billion and that figure is expected to rise to $103.8 billion by the end of 2015. While billions are spent on pet food, there has also been a large increase on non-edible spend such as: grooming treatments, holidays, day care, clothes and toys. It is clear that more and more people are treating their pets as family members, and companies are noticing an opportunity to cash in on this.

Euromonitor has identified three different types of pet owner. Mainstream humanisers who predominantly buy premium brands. These make up two thirds of owners. Anti-humanisers make up over 20% of owners and generally buy smaller brands. The final group identified are known as extreme humanisers and make up over 5% of owners. This group tends to treat their pets as personal accessories and favour exclusivity and designer outfits for their pets.

A particular area that has adapted to the growth in pet spending has been the technological sector. There has been a sharp increase in the amount of apps and wearables that target pet owners. Owners can now monitor the fitness of their loved ones, as well as having confidence in the whereabouts of their pets through tracking devices. Feeding and training and has even been made easier for the owner, thanks to technological advancements, while there are also an extensive array of play apps available to ensure that your pet is never bored.

At Greyhounds As Pets the guys are dealing with hundreds of pet owners on a daily basis. Speaking with owners, and understanding the important role that their pets have within the family. Many believe that technology has given them a better understanding of their pet’s needs, while others praise the flexibility and convenience that apps and technology offer them. For example, you can now manage your pet’s meals through your smartphone or tablet, controlling when, how much and how often they eat.

Here’s an infographic to inform and educate pet owners on the excellent selection of apps and wearables now available for pets.

tech-for-pets

10 Professions that Need a Mobile Recording App

Always on the go, almost every professional relies on mobile technology to take care of business whenever and wherever it calls. But when companies and organizations rely on customer data collection, chances are that everything from customer calls to company meetings will need to be recorded and stored for constructive use. The good news is that advancements in the app world have found a way to bridge the gap between mobility and the need for data storage. Professionals no longer need to be tied to a desk to help customers. They can be out in the field using their mobile technology.

Taking a work related call on a mobile device isn’t exactly a new phenomenon in our increasingly on-the-go world, but it does present an issue for many businesses and professions. There are quite a few reasons that businesses record calls—quality assurance, record keeping, and data collection all have their place in the business world. But increasingly, mobile devices in the field are being used to take and send those calls that used to go through company landlines. That’s where mobile recording apps come into play. While these apps can record calls, they can also tag, record, and transmit photos and videos to home office databases.

These apps are used for a variety of reasons, each of them important to the business using their services. So check out just a few of the professions that need a mobile recording app these days.

Insurance Claim Adjusters

From inspecting property damage to interviewing claimants and witnesses, there are a wide range of reasons a claim adjustor would need to be able to record and transmit data on his or her mobile device.

Emergency Responders

When police, firemen, or EMS arrive on the scene, they most often use their cell phones as primary points of contact. Without a mobile recording app, the critical content from these calls would be lost.

Social Workers

In many cases, social workers face situations that require them to make a serious decision regarding child welfare in an unsafe environment. These apps make gathering and sharing information about a situation easier and more transparent.

Financial Institutions

New legislation in several different countries, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom, require financial institutions to record and store calls and SMS messages.

Journalists

Journalistic ethics demand that all parties on the line know they are being recorded during a conversation, but if that’s the case, then mobile recording apps are an excellent tool for making sure the a quote or source is being used exactly as it should.

Customer Service

Recording customer service calls is standard practice for assuring that the quality help is being provided, but in many cases the calls might not be answered from a cubicle, but out in the field on a company issued phone. Mobile recording apps are perfect for maintaining clarity and mediating disputes.

Construction Inspectors

Working in the field is a constant part of construction inspector’s job. Gathering and relaying data from calls and GPS coordinates for future use is a necessary component of the job, made easy with a mobile recording app.

Health Inspectors

You may think of health inspectors as the guys who shut down that shady burger joint on the corner, but they also take on a variety of other fieldwork, such as lead paint inspection and water and air quality monitoring. All of this data from the field needs to be recorded and transmitted as efficiently as possible.

Transportation Inspectors

By definition, this job requires quite a bit of fieldwork. Recording and transmitting detailed data on the various forms of transportation used by the public is a serious job, and a mobile recording app ensures that it’s done quickly and accurately.

Sales

Meeting with clients at their homes or offices requires a level of flexibility that a mobile device is perfect for. Making sure every point is clear and agreed upon is essential, and a mobile recording app ensures they have detail just right.

As you can see, these apps are essential for anyone working out of the office. The ease of recording important calls, photos, and videos for later retrieval makes these apps the go-to for professionals in the field.

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This is a guest post by Emily Hunter crafts content on behalf of the mobile recording app specialists at Kova Corp. In her spare time, she cheers for Spirit of Atlanta, Carolina Crown and Phantom Regiment, creates her own sodas, and crushes tower defense games. Follow her on Twitter at @Emily2Zen

HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX – Budget Notebook with The Latest-gen Intel Core-i Processor

hp_pavilion_15_b_laptop

HP recently launched its new Pavilion series laptop, the Pavilion 15-ab028TX in India. The company is aiming the latest Pavilion notebook at the users who need impressive performance at a budget price tag. The notebook utilises the latest-gen Intel Core i series processor and runs Windows 8.1 out of the box.

If you are looking to purchase your next budget notebook with the latest-gen Intel Core-i3 processor, the HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX is a nice choice. So let’s take a look on what else the latest HP Pavilion series laptop offers.

HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX: budget laptop with the fifth-gen Intel Core i3 processor

Design

The HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX laptop offers a decent design. The notebook offers a slim 25.1mm waistline, and weighs just 2.2 kilograms, making it a portable device that suits perfect for the users who travel a lot. The laptop comes with a full size island-style keyboard along with the brand’s Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support.

Display and OS

The HP Pavilion 15 comes with a 15.6-inch display bearing a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, which delivers an impressive media experience. The device also has a layer of anti-glare coating on the display, which puts less strain eyes, allowing it to be continuously used for several hours. On the software front, the notebook comes with the 64-bit Windows 8.1 operating system along with the company’s suite of applications for productivity.

Processor, RAM, and storage

The notebook is powered by the latest fifth-gen Intel Core i3-5010U processor that runs at the clock speed of 2.1GHz. To make sure the laptop offer lag-free user experience with solid performance, the brand has aided the CPU with a whopping 16GB of RAM. The laptop offers solid one terabyte of hard disk drive, so users don’t run out of space to store anything they want.

Gaming, graphics, and multimedia

The latest-generation Intel Core i3 series processor of the HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX is further supported by an AMD Radeon R7 M360 graphics processor with 2GB of dedicated memory. The notebook offers an immersive gaming experience. Overall, for graphics and gaming, the Pavilion 15 offers decent experience for a budget. As for the multi-media, the notebook creates an ideal gaming and media-viewing environment via its Bang & Olufsen technology-powered stereo speakers. It also comes with an HP TrueVision web-camera for video calling.

Connectivity and battery life

In terms of connectivity, the HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX laptop packs in a punch. The notebook offers an Ethernet port, two high-speed USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, Wi-Fi, and a multi-format SD card reader. To offer long lasting usage, the HP Pavilion 15 offers a 4-cell battery.

Conclusion

After looking at the features above, you now have idea that the HP Pavilion 15-ab028TX is one of the best budget notebook with the latest-gen Intel Core-i processor for $645 (Rs. 41,000). The laptop offers a massive display with anti-glare coating, dedicated graphics processing unit, solid internal memory, and runs the latest OS. The notebook will also get a Windows 10 upgrade for free as soon as the new OS becomes commercially available later this year. Overall, it is an impressive Windows machine for both gaming and professional computing at a budget price tag.

The Evolution of Learning Technologies

learning-book-glasses

Have you ever thought about how technology affects the way you learn? When we think about learning technologies, we normally tend to think about eTextbooks or tablets used by teachers and students in the classroom, but education in technology is not something new.

It actually dates back to thousands of years ago when Egyptians used hieroglyphics to teach phrases, laws and rules or the abacus was used as a counting mechanism. And it has evolved through the years to what we nowadays know as edtech.

This infographic visualizes the most important historic moments of the evolution of learning technologies to make us think about what will the future of education hold for us.

The Evolution of Learning Technologies
The Evolution of Learning Technologies by Open Colleges

Sony Xperia C4 Dual vs M4 Aqua Dual

sony-xperia-c4-smartphone

Sony has just launched its two new smartphones in India. These are Xperia series smartphones named M4 Aqua Dual and C4 Dual. Xperia M4 Aqua Dual has been priced at $390 (Rs. 24990) while the price of C4 Dual has not been disclosed yet. M4 Aqua Dual happens to be the first smartphone fitted with an octa-core processor. As both smartphones belong to Xperia series and share many similarities, it becomes confusing for the people to choose one of the two smartphones. This article attempts to compare the two smartphones to highlight their pros and cons.

Dimensions

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual has dimensions of 145.5X72.6X7.3mm. On the other hand, C4 Dual measures 150.3 x 77.4 x 7.9mm. This means that M4 Aqua Dual is thinner of the two siblings. However, C4 Dual is not only longer but also wider than M4 Aqua Dual. As far as weight is concerned, C4 Dual is heavier at 147g while the weight of M4 Aqua Dual is only 140g.  Thus for all those who prefer a lighter and thinner smartphone, Xperia M4 Aqua Dual is a better choice.

Processing power

Both these Xperia smartphones are equipped with octa-core processor to make them lightening fast. Xperia M4 Aqua Dual is fitted with a Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 4 cores at 1.5GHz and other 4 cores at 1 GHz. On the other hand, Xperia C4 Dual is powered by a 54 bit 1.7 GHz octa core processor from Mediatek (MT6572). This makes the processor of C4 Dual around 13% faster than the processor of M4 Aqua Dual. Both smartphones run on the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system.

RAM and onboard storage

Both smartphones belonging to the Xperia range of phones are fitted with a solid 2 GB of RAM and provide 16 GB of onboard memory. However, M4 Aqua Dual is also available with an 8GB model having 2 GB of RAM. One can expand the memory of both smartphones using micro SD cards.

Display

It is the bright and colorful display that attracts most buyers. Xperia M4 Aqua Dual has a 5 inch display whereas C4 Dual has a larger 5.5 inch display. Both phones make use of IPS LCD screens. The resolution produce by C4 Dual is higher at 1920X1080p whereas Xperia M4 Aqua Dual reaches a resolution of only 1280X720pixels. Even in terms of pixel density, C4 Dual is way ahead with 401ppi whereas M4 Aqua Dual has 294ppi.

Camera power

Both Xperia smartphones from Sony are dual camera devices. Both M4 Aqua Dual and C4 Dual are fitted with 13 MP rear cameras. Both rear cameras can record videos in HD and fitted with LED flash and Autofocus features. Both smartphones also have 5 MP front cameras. However there is LED flash in the front camera of C4 Dual whereas this feature is absent in the front camera of M4 Aqua Dual.

Battery life

In terms of battery life, Sony Xperia C4 Dual is a winner as it is fitted with a 2600mAh Li-ion battery whereas M4 aqua Dual is fitted with a smaller 2400mAh battery.  Both phones have non removable batteries. This often poses a problem for the users. With a removable battery, they can remove the battery when the set hangs because of some reason. The standby time of battery of M4 Aqua Dual is 779 hours while it gives a talk time of up to 13 hours. Surprisingly, even with a larger battery, C4 Dual gives roughly the same 13 hours of talk time to the user.

Sony_Xperia_C4_Smartphone

Connectivity features

Both Xperia series smartphones are packed with great connectivity features. Both phones are Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and they can become Wi-Fi hotspots. Both have GPS, GPRS, Bluetooth V4.1, and micro USB V2.0. Both phones also have NFC and DLNA. However, M4 Aqua Dual boasts of HDMI port for display on larger screens while C4 Dual lacks this feature. Both smartphones are fitted with HTML 5 browsers. Both smartphones are also fitted with FM radios with RDS.

Extra features

Xperia M4 Aqua Dual has a dust proof design. It is also water resistant up to a depth of 30 meters as per IPS68 certification.  Both these features are lacking in C4 Dual smartphone. This makes M4 a better choice for people working in close proximity to water and those who work in dusty environments.

Price

Both these smartphones belong to the mid price segment. While Sony has announced the price of M4 Aqua Dual, pegging it at $390 (Rs. 24990), it has not disclosed the price of C4 Dual. However, given the specifications, experts believe that it should have a more or less similar price tag.

Conclusion

Both Xperia M4 Aqua Dual and Xperia C4 Dual are great smartphones boasting of very similar specifications. Both are also expected to be priced at similar levels. Sony is projecting M4 Aqua Dual as the first dust resistant and water proof smartphone in this segment. M4 Aqua Dual is the thinner of the two smartphones though C4 is much longer and wider. C4 Dual boasts of a larger display (5.5 inches) and it also produces a much higher resolution than M4 aqua Dual. Thus C4 Dual will be the first choice of consumers who are fond of watching videos on their smartphones. Both smartphones run on latest Android 5.0 Lollipop OS but the C4 is ahead of M4 aqua Dual as it has 13% more processing power because of 1.7 GHz processor in comparison to 1.5 GHz processor of M4 aqua Dual.

On the face of it, C4 Dual has better specs than M4 Aqua Dual as it has larger display, bigger battery, and a faster processor. But some people might prefer M4 Aqua Dual because of its dust free and water proof designing. Experts believe that M4 would be the first choice if Sony decides to sell C4 at a higher price. But if the price difference is close to a thousand Rupees, most people would go in for C4 Dual.

 

Images are courtesy of Sony

Buy a Used Vehicle Without Getting Ripped Off by Car Dealers

Mercedes-SLS-Sport-Car

Purchasing a vehicle whether new or used is a great investment and you want to make the smart decision for your budget and lifestyle. You need to take your time in finding the right offer so you can avoid getting ripped off by car dealers. Here are some tips that can help you close the right deal.

Ask for a mechanical car check

You need a mechanic or any car knowledgeable friend that will open the hood of you vehicle and do a quick inspection to make sure the car is in a good condition. If you can’t find anyone at least listen the engine and make a transmission and air conditioning check. You need to be rational and don’t have great expectations if you are paying a very small amount of money.

Check the tires

Observe the tire wear. They need to be even and consistent. If there are worn out you might have to invest in new parts sooner than you’ve expected. You also need to make sure the oil is ok and make simple comparisons. Check if there is water or some additive in the oil. If it’s more brown than red, you need to check whether it smells burned. Don’t forget to check under the car as well and anything that might been hidden. Even small visible scratches may indicate there has been a more serious damage to the vehicle.

Ask for a test drive

Drive the vehicle at least 15 minutes to check whether overheating may occur. Once you are on the road pay attention if the car tracks straight down the road. Practice stopping your car on the side road with your hands off the wheel. Can you notice if the car stops straight? While driving, make sure the car doesn’t bounce all around and it has the same mileage as on the odometer. Focus on all the small details. Is the windshield sand blasted and appears old? Are the brake pads worn out? Use your test drive wisely and inspect the condition of the vehicle carefully.

Ask for a car history report

This is one of the inexpensive and trustworthy ways to check the record of the used car. The vehicle history report will give you a detailed record based on the car’s serial number and all the public record information you need. You’ll be able to find out whether there were minor damages in the past due to improper maintenance, odometer frauds and recalls. You can also identify whether it’s been stolen or owned by hire car rental agencies. However don’t rely completely on this report since only the public information is revealed and further car inspection might be required.

Never settle for the first offer

Remember, there are a lot of options online and you don’t want to settle for the first car that looks good. Do a research of the model and ask for a car comparison between two or three models you prefer. Some reputable used car supermarkets such as Fords of Winsford and others will offer you advice from automotive experts and help you make the right decision. So take your time and enjoy the car buying ride.

Good luck with buying your very first car.

The Ultimate List Of AB Testing

Creative-Design

Building a conversion optimization strategy is a process. You’ve spent time on tracking, analyzing, building a hypothesis and building your test. Moments before you launch, take the time to go over the following AB test checklist to make sure you have everything you need and to ensure your test results are meaningful and scalable.

Everything you need to do before launching:

The first thing to do when you decide to start testing is ask yourself where you’re going to test. That’s where planning comes in. Usually you want to start where you can both have the biggest impact and also learn the most. Oftentimes, this is at the top of the funnel where there are the most users, but take a look at this section and see what works best for you.

  • Measure your website’s performance (Read more about where to start and what to track)

  • Use heatmaps to understand user behavior (Read more about heatmaps to increase conversion)

  • Define your goal – (e.g – registrations, sales)

  • Define KPI’s – what will you track?

  • How long will it take you to reach significance? Make sure to chose a part of the funnel that will generate results and matter.

  • If you have other tests planned or ongoing – would yours conflict?
  • Choose the best platform for your test

CREATIVE CHECKLIST

The design process of a test is where you make the difference. Knowing what to test and how will be the difference between a successful or failed test. The steps you take to optimize your assets will determine if your test results in relevant or non-essential conclusions. Here’s what you need to make sure of before you complete your new variation:

The Call to Action Button:

  • You have one call to action (CTA)

  • Your CTA is above the fold

  • The text on your call to action contains no more than one or two words

  • Your CTA is clear – people will know what to do immediately

  • The call to action button stands out – in color and size

The Content:

  • The content focuses on value – not features

  • Your headline matches your message on ads

  • Your title is actionable and tells people what to do

  • You’re using one font type
  • Your unique selling proposition is clear

  • You’re using social proof – testimonial, customer logos, reviews

  • Your keywords are relevant to your SEO needs

  • All text is HTML for SEO

  • You are mobile focused
  • You have no or a minimum of links on the page

The Main Visual:

  • You have no more than 2 main colors on your page

  • The visual compliments your USP

  • The visual directs user attention to the call to action

  • The visual projects trust and reliability

The Registration Form:

  • Requires a minimum of fields to get started

  • Required fields are easy to distinguish from non required fields

  • Highlights your USP and why people should sign up
  • You have a confirmation page/layer

  • You send a confirmation email to signups

PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLIST

Before launching your test, there are a few important elements you have to check. This AB testing checklist may take sometime to go through but once you move forward with your test, you’ll know it has been set up in the best way. You should always be sure that the changes you made are working well and are trackable:

  • Your goals are set up in Google Analytics

  • Your goals are set up in AdWords (if relevant)

  • Your Google Analytics tracking code has been implemented

  • Google Analytics events have been set

  • Images are rendering correctly
  • Adwords account is connected to analytics (if relevant)

  • Ecommerce tracking is enabled (if relevant)

  • Goals are firing within Google Analytics

  • Segmentation is correct: your experiment is appearing to the right audience

  • Page load time is at minimum – use Google’s speed test tool

  • Variation is compatible with all browsers using BrowserStack

  • Demographics and Interest reports are enabled on GA

  • All links work (and send to the right page)

  • All links open in new tab

  • Links have anchor text

  • Image size is at minimum

  • Variation is compatible with mobile or excludes mobile traffic

  • You’ve QA’d the entire funnel of your variation (not just the page you’re working on)

  • Heatmaps are working well

  • You’ve located any 404 non existing pages

  • Lead box is working correctly

  • Your main title is in H1

  • Experiment parameters are setup

Time to launch that test!

THE AFTERMATH

A test isn’t complete until we’ve reached conclusions, analyzed our results and have a plan for our next steps:

  • Test for a minimum of 7 days – to make sure there aren’t any changes due to special occasions or unknown criteria

  • Make sure you reach statistical significance. Don’t be quick to the trigger – allow tests to run to their full extent until you’ve reached significant validity

  • Analyze the data and draw conclusions

  • Get the team involved – the best way to keep testing is to showcase your results to others and get them on board with testing

  • Take the next steps – optimize

TOOLS

There are many tools that can make your job easier and faster:

  • Hotjar – The all in one solution for heatmaps, surveys, analysis and visitor recordings. If you haven’t tried it yet you’re definitely missing out.

  • Invision – Use invision for better communication around design and creative. Comment and collaborate on creative projects with your team and clients.
  • VWO – Like Optimizely, Visual Website Optimizer allows you to edit pages via its sleek user interface and AB test them without needing developers or designers.

  • Webmaster tools – Google’s webmaster tools lets webmasters tell search engines about their site to make it understandable by bots and maximize visibility to people.

  • Kissmetrics – Analytics platforms like these, in conjunction with Google Analytics, can give you access to extra-accurate and different types of reporting

  • Site speed checker – Speed checkers such as Google PageSpeed tool allow you to assess the load time of your page and learn of ways to optimize it

  • Test Significance Calculator – Sometimes, for one reason or another, we run AB tests outside of a true testing platform and just wind up with raw data. Having a significance calculator allows you to determine statistical significance in these scenarios.


This post originally published on Talia Wolf’s blog

Talia helps businesses plan and execute conversion optimization programs. She runs thousands of A/B tests using emotional targeting and persuasive design to grow their business.

 

Talia is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing conferences and was recently listed as one of the most influential experts in conversion optimization. Follow her on twitter at @taliagw and learn more about her conversion optimization training programs.

14 Great Free Online Resources To Boost Traffic To Your Blog

Traffic

Congratulations, you’ve started a blog for your business. Content Marketing is one of the key ways to drive online leads to your business, so you’re off to a good start.

But how can you find the best topics to write about, the best design tools and the best ways to distribute your content? Just as importantly, how can you do it all without breaking the bank?

To help your business we’ve collected 14 awesome free resources to help you grow your blog traffic. How do we know they are awesome? We’ve tried and tested them for ourselves, and we’ve only included the tools that we’ve seen have really made a difference to our blog traffic.

1. Generate Content Ideas- from BuzzSumo

Starting a blog isn’t the hard part, knowing what to write is. Start off with BuzzSumo to check what content on your online site drives the most traffic, as well as what your competitors are writing about that is getting them attention from your potential customers.

BuzzSumo

2. Check interest and Influencers with Topsy

You can also use Topsy to check that there is a general interest in your topic, and to learn which influencers are already talking about your topic. You can then embed their tweets in your posts, or quote them to add value to your blog, and interest for your readers.

Topsy

3. Brainstorm topics with Hubspot’s Free Blog Topic Generator

Have a general idea about what to write about now but can’t seem to put the words together in a catchy way? You need Hubspot’s Blog Topic Generator. Just put in a few nouns related to your topic of choice and this fantastic free resource will create a ton of great headline options to inspire you.

Hubspot-headline-generator

4. Craft The Perfect Title with Co-Schedule’s Headline Analyzer

Once you’ve got some headline options you need to craft the perfect headline to grab your readers’ attention. I’m a huge fan of Co-Schedule’s headline analyzer to help create that perfect headline. Enter in your headline of choice and you’ll get both an analysis and an overall score to hone your title to perfection.

Co-schedule-headline

5. Use Evernote for Content Structuring and Brainstorming

Once you’ve crafted your headline you can start collecting ideas for your blog post. I love using Evernote for this, but you can also simply open a Google Doc and share it with your team. Collect all your ideas and begin to shape your blog content.

Evernote

6. Use Atomic Reach for Testing and Honing Your Content

Written out a blog post outline? Great! Now you just need to check it is relevant and interesting for your audience. We’ve been testing out the Atomic Reach App, for exactly this purpose, and we are loving how easy it makes it to check your content.

It not only checks it for appropriate sentence length, spelling mistakes and more, it also lets you know if your content is relevant for your audience.

Atomic

Ready to launch your beautifully crafted, appropriate content into the blogisphere? Wait a minute! You’ve forgotten images. Posts with images have a 50% higher click rate, so if you want to stand out from the crowd you’ll need interesting and appropriate images.

7. Beautiful, free images from Canva

Canva is a freemium service which helps you design beautiful images to accompany your blog posts. Whilst many templates will cost you a token $1 to use, there are enough free options to help a beginner blogger create beautiful, functional images.

canva

8. Free images for social media, including great collages from PicMonkey

Another fantastic free resource for creating images for your blog posts is PicMonkey. PicMonkey not only offers you a great choice of free backgrounds and fonts, but can also create perfect collages for your blog needs, perfect for tool roundups, or posts about influencers in your field.

PicMonkey

9. Super simple design for your blog from Pablo

Looking for even more options for gorgeous graphics to help your blog post stand out? We’re loving the beautiful new tool from the team over at Buffer, Pablo.  Pablo is simplicity itself, enabling you to create wonderful images in mere seconds.

Pablo

So you’ve picked your topic, you’ve written your headline, you’ve finished your content, and you’ve added beautiful images to really show off your work. Now what?

Without distribution nobody is going to get to your content. You don’t need an enterprise budget to distribute your content to your target audience. There are some fantastic free tools to get you started without paying a dollar.

10. Social Media Distribution the easy way with Buffer

Buffer is a fantastic free social scheduling tool to help you distribute your content across all your social networks. You don’t need any social media knowledge to be able to use Buffer, which really is the simplest social media tool around, and totally free.

Buffer

11. Promote your blog via your email signature with WiseStamp

When promoting your blog post don’t just add it to your Buffer and forget about it. Add your blog link to your email signature with WiseStamp and every email you send out becomes a blog promotion tool. Promoting a company blog? Double, triple or quadruple your blog exposure by using a team signature solution like WiseStamp for Business.

wisestamp

12. Add a call to action to your blog with Snip.ly

Snip.ly is an ingenious little free tool which allows you to add a personalized call to action to either your content, or somebody else’s content. You can use snip.ly to drive your blog traffic by linking to other content from authoritative sources on a similar topic, and adding a snip.ly call to action to drive readers to your content. You can also add a call to action to your blog with snip.ly to convert more of your readers into users.

snip.ly

13. Track and amplify to your blog progress with Mention

I love Mention! Mention pulls up your footprint from the web and social media, so you can track exactly who is sharing your blog, and where. By being responsive to your readers you can double your blog traffic, as well as engage and create dialogue by looking for people asking the question that your blog post answers.

mention

14. Test, and retest with Google Analytics

You’ve sent your blog post out, and with our free tools at your disposal, your traffic is looking good. Use Google Analytics to monitor not only your numbers, but also your traffic referrals, so you can thank your users, make any relevant changes to your blog post, and craft even better content next time.

Google_Analytics

 

This is a guest post by Naomi Goldberg, a British-born content marketer and mummy to three, crafting and promoting content and social for WiseStamp for Business.

This post was originally published on WiseStamp blog

Here Are Some Of The Most Important Conversion Optimization Numbers You Should Know About

It is that time of the year again when everyone rushes to sum up the year and plan for the next. So these past few weeks we have been working on getting as many numbers as possible to understand the current conversion optimization statistics. Understanding what marketers are doing, how shoppers are behaving, what devices people are converting on and more importantly what to look forward to in 2015 can be a crucial part of your plans for the upcoming year.

Here are some very interesting numbers coming up from this year’s companies and spenders:

  • 63% of marketers optimize websites based on intuition & best practices.
  • 73% of companies have no idea why consumers abandon their shopping carts.
  • Poor A/B testing methodologies are costing online retailers up to $13bn a year in lost revenue.

Here’s what you all should look at in the conversion optimization statistics infographic below:

2014:

  • What marketers are doing
  • How Customers Are Spending
  • Conversion by traffic
  • Conversion by Devices
  • Mobile Apps Numbers
  • Where & When to Invest in Social Marketing
  • Making Videos Convert
  • Retail Numbers and Stats

2015:

  • What’s next?

Conversion-optimization-numbers-2014


This post originally published on Talia Wolf’s blog

Talia helps businesses plan and execute conversion optimization programs. She runs thousands of A/B tests using emotional targeting and persuasive design to grow their business.

 

Talia is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing conferences and was recently listed as one of the most influential experts in conversion optimization. Follow her on twitter at @taliagw and learn more about her conversion optimization training programs.

42 Tips And Tricks For Mobile Landing Page Optimization

mobile-colors

We’ve all heard the phrase “you only have one chance to make a first impression”, this is even more true when it comes to mobile landing pages. At the most basic level a landing page is the first interaction a customer will have with your website.  Getting that first impression right is critical.  Earlier this year we published the post, responsive design is not a mobile optimization strategy focusing on the importance of creating dedicated mobile landing pages for your mobile traffic and not using responsive design to convert visitors into customers.

Mobile Statistics:

  • Smartphone mobile commerce revenues amounted to 14.8 billion U.S. dollars this year. (Statista) (tweet this)
  • By 2016, mobile local search is expected to make $3.2 billion in revenue compared to desktop’s $10.2 billion. (Kelsey report)
  • 50% of smartphone users have made a purchase via their phone (Prosper Mobile Insights). ()
  • 73% of smartphone users say they used the mobile web to make a purchase instead of using an app (JumpTap.com). ()

Below are 42 mobile landing page optimization tips that will set you on your way to convert more mobile visitors into paying customers divided to:

  • Strategy
  • The Basics
  • AB Testing

The Strategy

1. Know where to start – Creating an entire mobile web site is expensive and tales a lot of time. The best way to get started is by tracking analytics and understanding the pain points and drops in conversion you currently have. Once you’ve understood those, you’ll know where to start. The most important elements you want to track for mobile conversions are volume of traffic, demographics and buying patterns.

2. Understand your customer’s goals – Make sure you understand how your goals differ with mobile and desktop users. Do you want them to have the exact same experience? We use web differently than mobile, the experience is different and sometimes we use 2 or 3 devices at the same time for completely different reasons. Figure out what your visitors are doing on your mobile site, understand what they’re trying to achieve and create a user journey that helps them get there faster and quicker.

3. Define Your Goals – Once you’ve defined and understood your visitor’s goals, define yourlanding page goal and design an experience with that goal in mind. Remove side information, multiple call to actions buttons and other gimmicks. Focus on the most important elements of your landing page and how they help visitors complete your goal.

4. Change their life: There are thousands of companies doing the same. People spend very little time on mobile sites and need to understand your value proposition in a matter of seconds. Remember to focus on the customer and their benefit. Less: “We are the best in the world” more: “This will change your life”.

5. Define the desired action – know the one desired action you want visitors to take on your mobile landing page and lay out a clear call to action that stands out and logically moves visitors to the next step.

6. Say it at the top – A visitor should be able to identify what’s in it for them quickly without needing to read complicated texts and stories. Make sure to have your value proposition at the top of the page. Your headline and call to action should be above the fold (what visitors see when the land on the page) and give your visitor the information they need quickly.

7. Be clear about the outcome – it’s important that visitors clearly understand what they will receive if they provide information and how you will use that information once it is collected.

The Basics

8. Forget about scrolling – Create pages that fit within the boundaries of a mobile screen that eliminate the need to scroll. This should apply to both landscape and portrait modes.

9. Design for landscape and portrait – most people think of the portrait view when designing mobile landing pages, but depending on how your visitor orients their phone they may also be seeing your mobile site in landscape mode.  Make sure your mobile landing page scales for both.

10. Use Localization – GPS-enabled devices allow for specific, localized content that can reduce friction and increase conversions. In your registration forms you can detect your visitor’s state and city by the zip code they insert. Make the “zip code” your first address field to leverage on this option.

11. Remove external links – By removing the external links to other parts of the site you can control the visitor’s journey and focus them on your call to action. Remember, new tabs open immediately in mobile and navigate the visitor away from your target. Make it a quick and easy journey for your users without luring them to other places.

12. Clean out the clutter – Focus on what’s important, keep the page as clean as possible, minimize friction and keep buttons as far away from each other as possible. The less clutter, text and colors, the more visitors will complete the funnel.

13. Maintain consistent flow and design –Don’t surprise your visitors or try to fool them, use the same messaging and design on your mobile landing page as they saw in the ad. Be consistent with the messaging, this will assist with converting visitors once they’re on your page and improve your ad’s quality score.

14. Don’t make people pinch and zoom – The focus point of a landing page is determined by you. The way you design your landing page will determine what visitors do on your site. By making them pinch, they, not you, choose where to focus on the site.

sleekmakeup

15. Click to call – Many of mobile searches are aimed at immediate contact. By using direct “click to call” buttons instead of a copy-pasted number you allow for quick conversions and an easier path your visitor. Make sure to set up your phone tracking to track incoming calls before starting out.

16. Adjust the Keyboard – make sure you use the proper keyboard for each form field. When a visitors needs to insert a number or an email, they should be able to do so quickly without changing their keyboard output.

17. Keep your forms minimal – Registration forms are frustrating on all devices, when it comes to mobile, even more so.  Avoid open text fields when possible, as writing on mobile can be exhausting. Make sure your form is large and clear, using the full extent of the screen, and keep fields as well as the submit button large enough for clicking with a thumb (missing the right field because its too small can be a drag).

18. Simplify search – make it easy on your visitor to find what they need quickly. Have the search element in a key position to ensure people find what they want fast. (Remember it’s not the most important feature so don’t let overtake other elements).

Etsy

19. Carry your visitor’s identity – The vast majority of smartphone conversions come from either a direct link or email marketing. Use emails to carry the identity of your users into your mobile platform.

20. Allow to “shop later” – Sometimes we just don’t have the time or energy to complete our registration or purchase process. Make it easy on users to complete their journey on other devices and convert later. Offer a simple way to complete the funnel on another device via email or save-to-cart functionality.

21. QA, QA, and QA – Just because you tested the mobile site on your mobile phone doesn’t mean it works on everyone else’s. Before starting out check Google Analytics to discover the most common mobile screens your visitors use. Make sure to check your landing page on multiple devices and track it over time.

22. Ask for less – to minimize friction and increase conversion, ask for less from your visitors. Get the most important information you need to start a process and get additional information later. Screens are small, time is short and people won’t stay there if your funnel is hard work.

23.Keep copy to a minimum – Most visitors will not want to read through several paragraphs of text.  Surface the most important information on your landing page and quickly move visitors to the next step in your conversion funnel.

24. Emphasis your call to action – The call to action is the first thing a visitor should see on your landing page. Provide a quick way for people to follow your call to action and make it easy to complete the funnel. Make your call to action button visible and easy to click on with a touch screen.

Check out the example below by Naked Wines:

  • A lot of text
  • The call to action button is cut

wines

25. Optimize your forms – To make it as simple as possible for visitors to complete your forms, test breaking them into multiple, simple steps.

26. Keep titles short – Keep your title no longer than 3-4 words to maintain a one-line headline and not more.

27. Build for limited data – Mobile data connections can be slower than home broadband connections. Users can run out of patience waiting for your mobile site to load. Make sure to keep it relevant for mobile users and light.

28. Stay away from flash –it may look nice on web (and doesn’t convert), but it won’t on mobile. HTML5, GIFs and JPEGs highly recommended.

29. Take location into account – We use our smartphones while watching TV, driving, shopping and other various locations. Make it easy on the eyes & use icons for faster navigation (include short explanatory text).

30. Embrace social behavior – Social login have high conversion rates and are a great way to encourage visitors to interact socially with your product.

31. Offer exclusivity – The majority of people prefer to checkout on desktop screens. To increase conversions try offering mobile exclusive sales to reduce friction and increase sales.

iconixx

32. Design for action – Design all clickable elements as buttons (not just text links), make them big enough and add white space around them to emphasis them.

33. Less is more– Use as less text as possible and eliminate all unnecessary design elements – leave only functional elements.

34. Personalize your message – smartphones offer a lot of important information on visitors. Incorporate features that are available on mobile like GPS and location-based information for the users, for example: Shipping to Washington!

35. Take font into account – make texts more readable. Use larger font, bigger line-spacing and letter-spacing to allow for easy reading and skimming.

36. Optimize for SEO without damaging conversions – Avoid using a lot of text on your mobile landing page and introducing clutter by using an expandable-div. This will make pages shorter, and visitors will be able to click on what interests them.

AB Testing on Mobile

37. Test KPI’s – Before setting out to start testing, establish your business goals and translate them into digital KPIs (e.g – signups, purchases, downloads). Once you’ve determined your KPI’s make sure your tracking is set up correctly.

38. Reach significance – while running tests make sure you run them until you reach statistical significance, Google Experiments will tell you when you’ve reached it or you can use this A/B test calculator.  Reaching significance will ensure you learn as much as possible from your tests and know they’re correct.

39. Exclude irregular days – conduct your tests in an environment that will give you the most authentic results. Avoid testing during holidays, events or paycheck days.

40. Be systematic – To achieve clear results and understand the meaning of the test results, make sure to run one test a time or, if you have sufficient traffic run simultaneous tests with different test groups.

41. Test Strategies, not elements – After you’ve taken care of all the technological issues and elements that can increase conversion, be sure to start testing strategies to better understand your users. Testing button colors or titles will only get you to a certain point. In order to gain larger wins and learn more from your tests, you need to start testing emotional strategies.

42. Use a checklist – with so many things to remember prior to launching your campaign it is best to use a checklist to make sure no important steps have been missed.  A checklist also ensures that you and your team are following a consistent process for each new campaign.

Wrapping up

Responsive design is not a mobile optimization strategy. To get more out of your mobile visitors, creating dedicated landing pages and different user journeys for them is key for success.

Do you have any mobile landing optimization tips of your own? I’d love to hear your comments!


This post originally published on Talia Wolf’s blog

Talia helps businesses plan and execute conversion optimization programs. She runs thousands of A/B tests using emotional targeting and persuasive design to grow their business.

 

Talia is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing conferences and was recently listed as one of the most influential experts in conversion optimization. Follow her on twitter at @taliagw and learn more about her conversion optimization training programs.

15 Landing Page Design Examples And What They Can Teach Us

Most  marketers spend the majority of their time and budget on driving users to their sites and landing pages, but very little thought is given to the experience the user has once they reach there. In fact, companies typically spend $92 to bring customers to their site, but only $1 to convert them (Eisenberg Holdings). This lack of attention and investment in landing page optimization is a huge missed opportunity for organizations.

landing-page-examples

 Learning From Others

A great place to get started in optimizing your own pages is to look at common landing page examples and mistakes that many companies are making on a daily basis. In this article I’ll explore 15 landing pages’ major mistakes and offer different tests you can run to increase conversion:

6 Elements Addressed in Each Landing Page Design

1. Call To Action (CTA) – This is the most important part of the landing page as it is the end goal for what you want the action you want the user to perform. The CTA should be the first natural object a visitor sees. An effective landing page services on clear objective (e.g. sign up, leave their contact information, download a whitepaper, request a demo, or buy now). The call to action should represent the only action you can take on the landing page, which means removing any menus or links on the page. The CTA should also stand out from all other elements by using high contrast, bright colors, and strategic placement. Lastly, make it absolutely clear what the user will get when they click on it. For more information on CTA’s, check out this detailed article on Call to Action Buttons.

2. Messaging – An effective landing page talks about benefits, not features:
Putting the customer in the spotlight, not your product or service. Good messaging conveys the change a customer will experience in their daily lives with your product, not how amazing your product is. This message should also be conveyed in a matter of seconds. Providing convincing information to allow a visitor to make a decision. Understanding the experience a visitor needs to go through is key to higher conversions.

3. Registration Forms – If the goal of your page is to capture leads or contact information, your landing page will have a registration form. Creating an effective, and high converting registration form involves several factors and there are several ways to increase their conversion:

a. Minimize your request – ask for the minimum possible
b. Be precise- Explain the reason for singing up and be specific.
c. Call to action – make sure to have a clear call to action that indicates the next steps that need to be taken.
d. Guide the user – Help users understand where they are, and where they’re going. Use indicators, explanation fields and don’t surprise the user.
e. Consider social signups – Following the minimizing requests necessity, introduce social connect for easier signup.

There are many other elements to take into consideration, and we’ll discuss them when we dig deeper in to our landing page examples.

4. Page Structure– The look, feel, and overall structure of a landing page will have a large impact on how it performs, and ultimately conversion. Minimalist design tends to perform better, so be sure to maintain a clean landing page with clear navigation and little distraction. The most important content should be placed at the top of the page, or “above the fold.” This way a user does not have to scroll in order to get all of the necessary information to convert.

5. Images – I know, I’m probably like a broken record by now BUT: Our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text. The Image is IMPORTANT.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and having an image that captures your visitors’ attention, or stirs emotion can make or break landing page performance. Some things to keep in mind:

a. Use imagery to add meaning: either to the brand, or to the content
b. Get more meaning from fewer graphics
c. Use images deliberately to support your message and communication goals
d. Remember the landing page’s goal and the users’ goals, and apply graphics in subtle proportions

6. Colors – Believe it or not, color has a powerful influence on our emotions and decision-making abilities. Colors are a great way to communicate emotions in a matter of seconds. Checkout this extensive article on color psychology.

So, lets take a look at these landing page critiques and learn as much as possible from them. I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on the landing pages. If you’d like to have your landing page critiqued next, send a quick email to [email protected].

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GolfLinked

Landing page examples

I know I’m not the targeted audience, BUT:

What’s in it for me? So this is the BEST app for connecting golfers. Great, but how is it going to change my life? Circling back to messaging –> it should be about the customer not the app. What’s in it for the user?

Let’s talk about the image –the image is one of the most dominating elements on your landing page and can be used not only to convey a message but to direct users attention to other important elements. The image shows a golf player with his back to us (which makes it impersonal) but further more, the image is distracting. In fact the first thing a visitor notices on the page is the iPhone and not the call to action, which is what we want them to notice.

The Call to action is placed on his butt. Enough said. No one wants to click on anyone’s butt.

Stop emphasizing your logo and even worst making it clickable, companies do this all the time. It’s attention grabbing, if you’re not Apple or another huge brand there’s no need to highlight your logo. Move it out of the spotlight.

The use of colors – Green is a great color for creating a fresh, clean and new feeling.  Green also serves as a great natural color that is easy on the eyes.

What to test:

  • Have your image facing/pointing at the call to action button – it will focus the visitor’s attention in the right direction. Finding an image that works for golf isn’t easy at all, we ran a similar test last year.

HookFeed

Landing page Examples

The headline is really vague. My customers are my business? What do you do? Why should I use this product? It doesn’t give me enough of an insight to how this will make my life much easier. I’m not sure how segmented are the visitors arriving on this page, but it lacks a more in-depth explanation.

Great use of social proof quotes, especially from Stripe’s co-founder. People love to feel others like them are using the same products and services as they are.

Nice call to action, contrasted from the rest of the page, stands out and it is the first natural elements my eyes focus on.

Extremely Confusing Funnel – The call to action button opens a confusing list of options. You’ve just gotten people to tryout your free trial but instead you’re confusing people and asking them for too much.

Hookefeed 2

  2 Elements You Can Test:

  • Before showing them a list of prices, start by collecting their email details that way you can follow up on them if they leave.
  • Once they’ve entered their email address, send them to the product and have your list of offers in a layer above it. This way, customers will feel they’re just a step away from reaching the product and will complete the funnel.

Present

Landing page examples

The image of the girl conveys a great feeling of excitement and adventure. For an app that wants to get you excited about capturing your life in video, it does a great job. One comment: Flip her! Get her to look the other direction.

The messaging is great – “A social Video Diary, capturing your life’s journey.” I know what this is, I know how it will improve my life and I can get this in less than 5 seconds.

What do you want a visitor to do? Find out more, download the app or subscribe? All 3 buttons on the page have the same weight and it’s not clear what the target is.

What To Test:

  • Flipping the girls image to look at the CTA
  • Try using the “Win an iPhone 6″ competition as an exit pop, so that when people come to leave they have a last minute proposition.
  • If you want to subscribe Android users to a mailing list, you can do that with a simple link under the “Download App” button asking: “Android user?” a click on that can open a subscribe window.

StampReady

landing page example

What is your call to action? Are you trying to get people to watch the video? Or register?

Everything’s grey. You need to use your design and colors to point the visitor in the natural direction of the call to action.

Nice work on the signup form, it’s short and to the point. I would however change the color of “Register account” to something different than grey, more actionable and I would think about changing the messaging on the call to action to something more exciting.

stampready 2

The messaging doesn’t tell me anything. What are you offering? Why is StampReady better for me? How is it going to simplify my life? I’m also not sure about having the name of your company in the headline. The headline is meant to give you the big picture in under 3 seconds, unless you’re a well known brand, that won’t work.

What to Test:

  • The image/video in the background says nothing about the service. As you’re already showing a video as your main call to action, I would have a static image in the background that would give more of a feeling of what StampReady is for its customers.
  • Add a clear call to action
  • Change the messaging
  • Add color to page

PeekCalendar

landing page examples

What’s the CTA? “Watch the video” or “Get it”? choose.

What do you want me to look at? This is similar to the previous comment. There’s so much going on with colors, images, text, screenshots, buttons I have no idea what the flow is, what I’m suppose to do or what your app does.

I’d definitely test one main image, or if you’re set on having 2 then less colors, more focus. Also, note how you can barley read the “watch the video” text, it almost blends in with the background…

Where’s the emotion? Where’s the “This is the answer to all your scheduling turmoil’s?” (and there are soooo many!!) A pair of hands holding an iPhone with a calendar that looks just any other isn’t the answer.

Love the title, calendars are extremely hard to manage (like email) and I like the reference to it being humanized for actual people to use.

Things to test:

Find the right image

  • Test using a screenshot from the app that shows the actual difference and value you bring
  • If you can’t, then test using an image that conveys emotion (no screenshots or iPhones), just an image that says “this is how you will look like/feel once you use our app.”

Munchery

landing page examples

The use of images could be optimized. A great way to direct users attention to the call to action button is using the images themselves as indicators. For example, instead of having the corn facing outwards, have it facing the call to action button. Basically all elements on the landing page should point to the call to action.

I’d definitely look into focusing the user on one message only that explains the service quicker.

Actionable call to action messaging: “View Menu” – I know exactly where I’m heading with it and it gives a safe feeling.

Great use of colors to provoke emotion, arouse the taste buds and basically make people hungry.

What to Test:

  • The Messaging doesn’t explain the product.  In fact, you have to read the fine print to really understand what Munchery do ‘Wholesome Meals In a Snap’ could be a site with recipes… There’stoo much text and it’s hard to take in. Try reducing the text “Order expertly…” and see if you can use it as your headline.

Frank & Oak

Frank & Oak

The messaging is completely vague. Why should I discover Frank & Oak? Similar to the case of StampReady, putting your brand’s name in the headline is like answering a question with a question. You’re basically asking people to read more and investigate, people don’t have time for that.

Too many ‘Call to Action’ buttons. Both their colors are in complete contrast to each other and the background and I don’t understand what you prefer I’d do: Signup with facebook or my email? It’s extremely important to have one call to action, if you want to give people another way of signing up offer it under the large call to action button in a way of a link.

What to test:

  • The image is a controversy, on one hand it’s doing great use in pointing towards the call to action. On the other hand, he has his head pointing down and he looks sad. Depending on culture, an image of a person staring at the user is too intrusive, but no eye contact whatsoever creates the sense of detachment, depression and seclusion. I’d test a different image, still pointing at the CTA but something more cheerful.

Mixioapp

Mixioapp

To understand Mixioapp I had to do some scrolling, downloading and watching.

The messaging isn’t clear enough to understand how this works or when. The amount of text under the main headline is basically telling visitors “Don’t read this!”

The call to action button almost doesn’t exist. Located on the far top right corner in the same white color that all other elements on the page are in, it’s hard to see how people even notice it.

To play fair, I checked the page on my mobile device and was surprised to find that although it is a downloadable app, there was absolutely no call to action to be found. Basically, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to be told how to use this app. Not to mention to be told what this app is…

The use of color on the landing page is important. Mixioapp’s messaging is all about taking pictures while on an adventure or just on a daily basis when magical things happen. Green represents fresh, new and growth, which is just what their targeted audience needs.

One Hour Translation

One hour transaltion

It’s easy to get what you do, but the first thing that appears on this landing page is clutter. The amount of colors and things going on this page is overwhelming.

The amount of call to action buttons is distracting and hard to comprehend. There’s no room to breath. Do you want people to fill in the form? Or do you want people to click on ”Get an instant quote”? The page can benefit from some cleaning up and redefining the goals of the landing page.

The amount of text is also an issue, all the text is on the right of the page and as a result you get is headline attached to a subtitle the additional text, the form and the security icons. Keep in mind that people may need al this info in bullets + the text needs more spacing.

I cannot say this enough: Marketing isn’t about the product or service, it’s about the change you make in a consumers life. Being the world’s fastest translation agency is fantastic but it’s about you, not the customer. I’d definitely mention it, but would try and test over headlines with a more targeted message to the customers.

I love using icons to ensure trust and security; the use of badges and certificates is a great way toenhance brand security. In One-hour translations’ case I would suggest repositioning them in a place that would give them more emphasis.

What to test:

  • A good way to emphasis an element is to give it some white space. Whitespace will help differentiate between the important and the less.
  • Cleaning the page completely. Removing text, all the elements and amount of colors.

 Dynado

Dynado

It took me too long to understand what Dynado is offering. “Better All-In-One communications” could be so many products… why are there random words highlighted below the headline? It makes it extremely hard to read the text and understand what they do.

There are literally hundreds of products out there today doing team management and communications. I have no idea why Dyando is better than others.

Using random stock photos of people around a computer does not help their case. Most companies use a task management and communication tool for teams that are remote… they don’t sit around looking at a computer together so I’m not sure what they were going for here.

What to test:

The call to action button has two issues that I’d fix:

  • The first is the text – the title of the page says Dynado and the headline of page uses the word ‘Better’ as part of the sentence, so most people have no idea that “Better” is the name of the product and it’s very confusing.
  • The other thing I’d test is the color of the button, I don’t usually do these kinds of tests (before testing strategies) but the white text on the neon green button make my eyes squint.

daPulse

dapulse

I decided to critique daPulse as a second point of view on team collaboration platforms (full disclosure, I used to work with these guys):

The messaging is great, as mentioned before the world is crowded with different platforms and products and it is extremely important to stand out and say how your product benefits the customer. This is true to all industries, your competitors are doing the same as you more or less and it’s up to you to show your customers the emotional benefits in purchasing your product or software. It’s not about being the best product, it’s about making a change in your customers life.

Appealing to managers on a personal level and telling them they’re going to become amazing managers is what categorizes daPulse as different (Great job!).

The signup area is a little over crowded, I would definitely test moving the “free 30 days trial” sentence below the form and giving it less emphasis. Visually, I’d also enlarge the top part of the page to give it more emphasis and in turn enlarge the signup area.

Notice how the image in the background amplifies the “connecting remote teams” theme; although not a clear image and I’m not quite sure what the gold in the corner stands for, the idea of worldwide collaboration is clear and precise.

What to test:

  • I’d consider using the testimonials and trust elements in a more prominent position on the page (right now it’s at the bottom).
  • I don’t know how targeted and segmented are the visitors arriving on this page but I’d consider further clarifying what it is that you do by adding a subtitle.

The John Maxwell Team

John Maxwell

The first thing that comes to mind when looking at this page is: A coach of what? Very vague headlineand I’m not sure why it is in quotes. I’d move the part about “leadership” to the headline.

Starting a video automatically is extremely annoying. Don’t do it.

The registration form is short and to the point, I would however merge the first and last name fields. I’d also work on the text above the fields, as it is very hard to read clearly.

The messaging of the entire page is about life’s transformation and then the call to action button says, “click here to get started”, I’d consider trying “Change your life today!” or something along those lines.

What to test:

  • The call to action should also be a contrasting color to the rest of the page. I’d also consider adding some type of background color.

Cricket IP Security Cameras

Cricket

The use of the color Green on the call to action button is very good as it is the general direction in which a visitor will look at.

The list of benefits is great but I can’t read it. White space is crucial here, and I’d also increase the headline to make it more noticeable.

Great use of security elements and icons blow the call to action.

What to test:

  • I know they’re selling security cameras but that image is just terrible. No emotion, no interest and no purpose other than showing the visitor what the camera looks like. When talking about security you want to make visitors feel secure and peaceful before even purchasing the product. Show them how safe they’ll be once they acquire this camera.

Last but not least

dating-app

A company that will be launching their dating app in 1.5 months sent this landing page to me and asked me to review it. Their goal for now is to sign up people, so that once they launch they can send them the news and get them engaged. As there’s not a lot to go on, this will be short but I do have some important comments.

This is a screen capture from a standard screen, which means you have a bug and it needs to be fixed, as I can’t read that sentence at the bottom

The hierarchy of elements on your landing page doesn’t make sense. It seems that your logo and company name are more important than the sign up form. I’d enlarge the signup field and button and give it much more weight. In addition the black stipe stands out more than other elements on the page and is hovering all the attention. I’d consider changing the color, moving it lower in the page.

What does “invite me” mean? This again to do with the messaging, you need to put yourself out there and not by compering yourself to your competitors. Explain what happens when you signup, what is the value and why it’s worth your visitors while.

What to test:

  • Your messaging gives the visitor absolutely no value; you’re basically just saying you’re an alternative to Tinder. Nothing about your product, why it’s different or how it will make a change in the world of online dating. There are literally thousands of online dating platforms; you have to give people a reason to signup, because right now there isn’t one.

This concludes this month’s landing page examples and critiques. I hope you get a few ideas from these landing pages critiques and I’d love to hear about them. If you have any questions about my comments let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear them.


This post originally published on Talia Wolf’s blog

Talia helps businesses plan and execute conversion optimization programs. She runs thousands of A/B tests using emotional targeting and persuasive design to grow their business.

 

Talia is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing conferences and was recently listed as one of the most influential experts in conversion optimization. Follow her on twitter at @taliagw and learn more about her conversion optimization training programs.

Here’s How To Increase Conversions Using Color Psychology Methods

Colors, can have a tremendous impact on a consumer’s decision to purchase. With today’s 3 seconds to convince visitors to convert kind of world it’s important to use colors, images and messaging the best way we can. As our brains process images 60,000 times quicker than text, color can have a huge impact on your landing page’s conversion rate. In the following article we will explores the emotional power color has on our brains and decisions, along with tips for how you can incorporate color psychology into your landing page designs.

The Emotional Power of Color

Colors are a way of communicating certain messages and feelings in a matter of seconds.  When we use the right colors, they can have an emotional effect on our visitors and direct them in to action.  According to Kissmetrics, 85% of shoppers place color as the primary reason for why they buy a product and color increases brand recognition by 80%.  People are also said to make subconscious decisions in under 90 seconds, and color is a great way to trigger action.

Emotional-triggers-of-colors

Segmenting Colors by Gender & Age

In general when we design our landing pages we don’t put a large emphasis on gender unless we’re targeting our product to a specific gender. We use colors to portray specific emotions and make a memorable experience for our client’s users. Depending upon the type of product or service you offer, and the industry in which you operate, gender preferences may play heavily into purchase decisions.  It pays to understand which colors persuade a particular gender to stay on a page or make a purchase.

According to research from Sherwin-Williams colors that appeal most to women are blue, purple and green while orange, brown, and gray are least appealing.

Earlier this year we worked on a women’s ecommerce store selling prom dresses in the US. in this test we introduced the color pink to project calm, hopeful and positive feelings towards shopping prom dresses online. The color pink was introduced to more than just the banner or background, the images on the page were given a pink hue and were all directing to a certain type of experience – our goal was to help women (mothers and daughters) experience the delight of shopping online in a world of calm and positive emotions . These changes and others increased revenues by 86%.

Before:

Web-colors-1

After:

Web-colors-2

According to the same research from Sherwin-Williams, men preferred blue, green, and black, while brown, orange, and purple were the least loved.  Again, again and again we see that the emphasis shouldn’t be on the gender or age but on the experience you’re creating for the visitor.

When designing your landing page you should also take into account the age of your audience.  You may already have a clear sense of the age of your audience, or if you are using Google Analytics, you can find this information under the Audience tab.  Children and younger generations tend to prefer warmer colors that are associated with positivity and high energy.  These include red, orange, pink, and yellow.  Brown, purple, yellow, and blue are generally associated with sadness and negativity by children.

Colors & Types of Consumers

Color also has a unique ability to attract certain types of consumers and impact shopping behavior.

  • Impulse shoppers tend to gravitate toward black, red orange, and royal blue.  This is evidenced by the colors found in fast food, outlet malls, and clearance sales.
  • Shoppers on a budget tend to be influenced by navy blue and teal.  This is evidenced by the typical color schemes found in large department stores and retail banking.
  • Traditional buyers are drawn to pink, sky blue, and rose.  Clothing stores will use these customers to attract traditional buyers to their shops.

Designing For Emotion

Color is one of the most subtle and effective ways to instill a specific emotion.   Colors can make us feel happy or sad, relaxed or hungry.  Different research shows that certain colors elicit particular emotions, and by understanding the psychology of color you can establish an emotional connection with consumers.

Yellow

Yellow is a great color to give a gentle energy to a landing page. It is mainly used to inspire happiness, laughter, hope, and sunshine. However, you should use yellow sparingly as it can also irritate the eyes if it is overused. In the landing page below we used the color yellow and other yellow elements to generate fun and sunshine.

QR1

Red

Red can be a great way to draw attention to an element, like a call to action, but use in moderation as the color can become overwhelming.  Red can can bring out emotions of  passion and love, as well as anger or danger. Red also has a tendency to cause us to feel hungry, which is why you see fast food chains like KFC and McDonalds make heavy use of these colors in their branding.

Green

The use of the color green can be done to emphasis regeneration, clean, health and wealth.  Green is commonly found in financial institutions, as it is indicates growth, financial health, and possibility. Earlier this year we introduced the colors green to establish a look and feel of wealth, relaxation, fresh and new. Green is also known as being the easiest color our eyes can process making it easier for us to focus on other elements on the landing page.

This increased conversions by 65% in the first round.

From:

Original-Landing-Page

To:

Landing-page-variation-1

Orange

Orange is more inviting than Red, but still grabs attention.  Orange is one of the most common colors for creating call to action buttons. Earlier this year we discussed Fanta’s use of the color orange and

Blue

Seeing the color blue causes the body to release chemicals that are calming, which causes it to evoke feelings of soothing, calmness, and spirituality.  Dark blue is commonly found in corporate designs because it promotes stability and professionalism.  Lighter blues give a more relaxing and friendly feel.  Take Twitter and Facebook, for example.

Blue-landing-page

Purple

This color is associated with creativity, royalty, nostalgia, and wealth.  Like blue it can also have a calm and soothing effect, however depending on the shade it can also be used to create intrigue.  Purple can be used to make a design appear more luxurious or wealthy, and is often used in beauty and anti-aging products.

The Impact of Color on Conversions

There are plenty of examples where a simple change in the color of increased sales and conversions, since other than copy, design and color play a huge role in the success or failure of any landing page or product. Although changing an elements color on a landing page can have great impact on conversions, it is very hard to analyze results from these types of tests and scale from them. Deciding on the colors of your landing page or brand is more than just the color of your Call to Action button, it’s a strategy. Since colors portray emotions, you can use them in a way that communicates a certain experience.

I just got back from Europe and witnessed all of the McDonalds chains around me in Green. It intrigued me to understand why such a strong brand known for its RED color would change to Green and apparently McDonalds is swapping its traditional red backdrop for a deep Green — to promote a more eco-friendly image in Europe. The power of color.

McDonalds isn’t alone, in a marketing study, Heinz changed the color of their signature ketchup bottle from red to green and sold over 10 million bottles in seven months, resulting in sales of $23 million.

What’s Next?

With all of the information and data provided you should be able to start incorporating color psychology into your landing page designs in order to see which colors resonate with your target audience.  It’s important to understand that work does not end with simply creating a landing page and that continual testing of copy, layout, imagery, and particularly color is need to truly impact conversions.   How have you incorporated color into your designs?


This post originally published on Talia Wolf’s blog

Talia helps businesses plan and execute conversion optimization programs. She runs thousands of A/B tests using emotional targeting and persuasive design to grow their business.

 

Talia is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing conferences and was recently listed as one of the most influential experts in conversion optimization. Follow her on twitter at @taliagw and learn more about her conversion optimization training programs.

Panasonic Lumix TZ40 18.1MP Super Zoom Digital Camera Boasts GPS, WiFi, and NFC Pairing Mode

It’s a challenge to try to keep up with all the latest technology and gadgets that come on the market these days. There’s just plenty of them out there, but when it comes to digital cameras, brand is of utmost importance. In that regard, it will be safe to say that Panasonic is hands-down, one of the top photography brands. The company is well known for making cameras that have plenty of features and great eye-caching goodness, without hurting your pockets. 

The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ40 (known as the DMC-ZS30 Stateside) is one of their latest offering in the digital camera range, that is considered to be professional, but still budget-friendly, for the most part. This compact super-zoom camera features a powerful 20x optical zoom with a 24 mm wide angle lens from LEICA, which gives incredible magnification. The 3-inch LCD touchscreen on the back, comes equipped with a resolution of 920,000-dot pixels, and the camera includes the new 18.1MP high-sensitivity Live MOS sensor under the hood, capable of capturing more details than before. In addition, the TZ40 sports supremely quick continuous shooting, at 10fps with autofocus, and you can also shoot stunning 1080p Full HD videos at 50fps to 640 x 480 VGA quality at 25fps (either with AVCHD or MP4 formats). 

The Lumix  TZ40 compact digital camera weighs only 198g and is housed in silver, white or black enclosure, at your choice. There’s also a 3D mode option in this nice little shooter, and some other neat features such as built in GPS, Panoramic capture mode, integrated WiFi connectivity, and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for easy pairing with other gadgets, such as tablets or top-notch smartphones. 

Other notable specs in this beautiful aluminium casing camera include up to 40x of Intelligent Digital Zoom, alongside Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization feature, and a wide range of full auto exposure modes, including Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and full manual control. 

It is priced at £329.99 / $399.99, but you now get a chance to win this superb camera, by simply following the simple steps right here on this page; however it’s for those in the UK who are over the 18 years old. 

 

Panasonic HC-V520 Video Camera Features a Massive Intelligent 80x Zoom, With Wi-fi and NFC Capabilities

Panasonic_HC_V520_Camcorder

Videos have already become a vital part of our everyday life, as taking a footage is now a whole lot easier thanks to the popularity and innovation of intelligence mobile devices, like the iPhone for example. While shooting a video with your smartphone is comfortable, the quality is not as good as it is with a dedicated HD camcorder. And if you really don’t want to spend a ton of money on a camera but still like to get excellent results, the Panasonic HC-V520 has plenty of amenities and very cool things to offer.

This small and powerful Full-HD device, has a 1/5.8in CMOS under the hood, and a 2.51 megapixels sensor based on a backside illuminated technology. There’s also a sharp and bright 3-inch screen that enables intuitive fingertip touch-operation, and the optical zoom is supplemented by an 80x Intelligent Zoom. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

As mentioned, there are plenty of features in this camera which is best suited for video, at which it works great (1080/50p AVCHD 2.0 format), but also as a very high quality 10 megapixels still camera. In addition to that, there’s the ability to add filter effects to your vids (such as Miniature Effect, 8mm Movie, Silent Movie and Time Lapse Recording) to further enhance your creativity, and the camera includes a 2D to 3D conversion function as well.

Want more? Not a problem! The HC-V520 is also equipped with WiFi and NFC connectivity that allows users to transfer pictures and videos wirelessly to mobile devices or computers. Moreover, the camera can be controlled remotely and can stream video to your smartphone or tablet via mobile networks and wireless internet connections.

All these goodies for only £396 or $346. 

Here’s what you get:

WiFi camera makes a great remote-photography/video streaming tool. The new range of Panasonic camcorders come with Wi-Fi interface enabled, which allows live streaming, and the option for images and videos to be wirelessly transferred. Here’s how it works: