Category: Financial

If you are a website pro like a designer or developer, it can be tempting to think you have limited responsibility for the security of a client’s site — but that might not be the best way to think about it from a business perspective.

While it’s likely true that the vast majority of hacks occur due to client error (like using 123456 as a password) rather than you or the host. However, the issue might not be quite so simple.

In fact, there are a number of good arguments for helping your clients with cybersecurity.

One is the moral argument. As is painfully obvious from the number of articles now popping up on how to secure your online store for the holidays, the perennially popular searches on improving website security, and the recent boom in guides for protecting websites during the pandemic, you might be surprised … Read more

Google My Business (GMB), a service offered by Google, is a platform where companies can share relevant information about their business and customers can leave reviews and add photos. The initial benefit of GMB is improved legitimacy and increased exposure while customers benefit by learning more about you. However, there are many more benefits to creating a Google My Business profile.

Learn more about how to leverage Google My Business, including the types of information you should add, and why it’s important for you to prioritize.

Understanding the value of a Google My Business profile

Google My Business has become increasingly useful as customers turn to the search engine for local information. In fact, 90% of consumers used the internet to find a local business between 2018 and 2019 with 33% looking every day, according to a recent Bright Local survey.

As our world turns increasingly digital, this … Read more

Over the past few months, Microsoft Advertising has been piloting an exciting new platform, Microsoft’s Digital Marketing Center, a Microsoft Garage project. This platform is a way to help small and medium-sized business owners manage their digital marketing across Microsoft Advertising and leading advertising and social media platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The pilot program — which has been running with a limited number of customers — is now being extended to more users in the United States. Those managing the online presence of a U.S. business can now apply to join up. Be aware, though, the Digital Marketing Center is only available in the United States currently.

Let’s jump into a brief overview of the latest features below.

Key benefits of Microsoft’s Digital Marketing Center

The Digital Marketing Center is a central platform to manage your online presence and marketing activities efficiently across paid search … Read more

Consumers’ shopping habits have transformed over the years, with more shoppers going online to buy. And even with an uncertain economy, opportunities to grow your ecommerce business continue to abound. Figures from eMarketer show online sales will exceed $700 billion in 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic is also fueling the exponential growth in ecommerce.

And as things look now, there’s no likelihood of ecommerce sales declining soon. Further, once shoppers develop new habits they’re more likely to stick to them, rather than go back to traditional bricks and mortar shopping.

What is the essential tech needed to grow your ecommerce business?

If you currently don’t have an online presence, this could be the right time to get yourself established. And if you’ve already set up an ecommerce site, you might want to optimize the service you offer your buyers.

Depending on where your business is now, that may mean … Read more

Make no mistake about it: whether you’re a new or seasoned web pro, prospective clients want to interview you. Maybe they were referred, or possibly they found your website. Perhaps they already think they want to work with you. But it’s often the in-person interview that seals the deal.

Think like a candidate

I like to approach interviews with the tried-and-true political candidate debate prep methodology:

• Prepare for the obvious questions
• Rehearse and enlist a stand-in opponent for productive role-play
• Prepare additional “talking points” for opportunities that arise

Even a candidate with previous experience will prep for each debate, with special focus on anticipated opponent responses. Similarly, you’ll want to prepare for each interview with the prospective client in mind.

Let’s address each of these steps in turn.

Preparation for the obvious questions

We can easily create a list of straightforward, should-be-asked questions. Yes, it’s a lengthy list… but even … Read more