E-commerce: Business Ideas to Try

E-commerce: Business Ideas to Try

Products You Can Sell Online

The e-commerce industry continues to grow each year. Last year alone, it grew by around 32 percent compared to the year before, which is the fastest so far in the past decade. The pandemic may have helped this growth as stores started selling online due to the authorities’ restrictions.

With this, you may be interested in setting up your e-commerce business. Here are some business ideas you may want to consider when you dive into the e-commerce industry.

Setting Up an E-commerce Store

But before offering anything, you should set up an e-commerce store where you’ll sell the products. You have several e-commerce platforms to choose from depending on your coding knowledge and skills. Among the more popular options are Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and BigCommerce.

Some of these platforms require some coding knowledge, while others are user-friendly that you only need a domain name and website hosting. Basic designs on the website are already suitable for you to sell products online. But you can also enhance their look by hiring professionals to do it for you.

For instance, you can work with an agency that creates stores using web development tools from Shopify. These agencies can enhance the look of your website and make it user-friendly. Additionally, they can also make your e-commerce stand out in the market.

When you’ve set up your e-commerce site, it’s time to select the products to sell online. Here are some product ideas you can consider.

Second-Hand Products

Selling second-hand but good-quality products will always have a place in the market. People are always on the lookout for bargains, and they normally buy used-but-not-abused products in the market. With this, you can start checking your cabinets for any items that you can sell online. These items can include clothing, furniture, and jewelry.

After selling what you have at home, you can also visit any open thrift shops to source your products. Just make sure the thrift shop doesn’t have a website, or else you’ll be competing with the place where you’re sourcing your items. Additionally, the price should be reasonable enough to entice visitors to buy your products.

Educational Content

If you’re a teacher, you can create a course that you can sell online. Since many schools worldwide have implemented remote learning arrangements, you can offer courses that may help learners while they’re taking lessons online. The content may range from elementary-level lessons to university courses.

Remaking Your Business Website For 2021

Remaking Your Business Website For 2021

A New Year And A New Look For Your Business Website

2021 is here, and you need to welcome it right. For business owners, this means giving your website a complete overhaul. It is even more important because of the shift that the world has experienced, with the digital experience becoming a more powerful part of daily life. If you left your website static this past year, then you need to catch up. Here are some changes that you should be making to ensure your site stays competitive.

Visuals That Pop

Websites are visual mediums, and yours should be a feast for the eyes. When visitors open your site, they should immediately recognize that it is yours. There are various ways to do this. For one, you’ll want to have prominent branding on your website. Logos and prominent positioning should make your site visually unique, an important factor to aim for if you want people to remember your company. Combine this with excellent graphic design, and your site’s visitors will be very impressed.

Don’t stop at the basics either. You need to fill your website with pictures of your products and services at their best. For example, if your business sells expensive fashion accessories, then pictures of them should be a prominent part of your site. It would be best if you made them look good soretouching jewelryphotos to be attractive is part of that. The result is that your website becomes a visual showcase of what you can offer.

An Online Store With Your Products

Many people have gotten into the habit of online shopping during the pandemic. Online purchaseswent up by 30 percent in 2020. Now that the new year is here, that habit is not going to change. Adding an online store to your website allows you to be part of people’s changing purchasing habits.

But a simple store is not going to cut it. You compete with online giants like Amazon. It would be best if you gave potential customers something more than basic products. Offer things like free shipping or additional services.

If your company offers services instead of products, an online store is not exactly possible. But you can allow potential clients to contact you online, which can quickly lead to them hiring you. For example, any potential inquiries about your services can be sent through your website. Following these inquiries up can potentially become an opportunity for you.

Better User Experience

When visitors go through a website nowadays, they wanta smooth user experience. The moment they click on the link to your site, visitors should experience an optimized experience. This means ensuring faster loading times and smooth accessibility. This is whether they are using a desktop computer or a mobile device. Additionally, it would be best if you designed it to guide visitors in the right direction. If a visitor feels like they are in a maze, then your website needs a redesign so that it is less confusing.

Increased Automation

The big push a lot of websites are experiencing is to have more automation. This is more a behind-the-scenes update than something visible. This is because it mainly focuses on the upkeep of the website. Websites often need a lot of attention, with a daily checkup being the bare minimum. You might need to check on it every few minutes to ensure that it is running properly. This is where automation comes in. Security updates being automatically implemented as well as auto-backups are an important part of that.

There is a part that interacts with customers, too. Automated newsletter senders can be integrated into your website so that they can collect visitors’ emails so that they can send them out seamlessly. Additionally, having a review and testimonial aggregator on the website can help promote your business.

Improved Data Protection

Your website also needs to move towards being more secure. Online security is very important nowadays, especially with the increased online presence of people. Several essential changes include moving towards the HTTPS protocol so that hackers would not be able to change website information to secure personal info. Additionally, moving towards a safe website host and upgrading your software can be a good move.

Your website needs to change with the times. Post-COVID online life is much different, with a lot of people expecting more from websites. They have been stuck at home for a year, and they’ve been using it to surf the internet. If your website doesn’t rank with the best, you won’t be getting the same attention as others who have kept up with the changes.

How to Have a Successful International Teleconference

How to Have a Successful International Teleconference

A Guide to Successful Teleconferencing

by Jerry Mooney

In the wake of the coronavirus, organizations are changing the way they work. Movement is limited. The primary solution to slowing the virus spread is to stay home. That can be challenging if you want to communicate with business partners abroad. But that does not mean it is impossible.

One way to meet with business partners is teleconferencing. With a sound IP PBX integrated into your existing phone system, communication becomes possible. But there are things that you should do to ensure that your teleconferencing becomes successful:

 1. Dress for success

One of the major advantages of working from home is being able to wear your pajamas all day if you want to. But that is not a good idea if you intend to have an international video conference. It will give your business partners a poor impression of you and cost you their business.

Make an effort to clean up and dress professionally even though you might be working from home. It shows that you are serious about your brand. And those potential clients will take you seriously, too.

 2. Set a reasonable meeting time

One major challenge of having meetings with people from different geographical locations is the timing. There are many time zones in the world. And what you think is the appropriate time for you might not be suitable for your business partners.

So when setting the time, you need to be careful. Try to find a meeting time that works both for you and the people you will be communicating with abroad. So use a world clock to determine the best possible time that will not affect the performance and productivity of everyone who attends the meeting.

And make sure that you are on time. It is better to be early for a teleconference than to be late. Do not take other people for granted.

 3. Get a reliable Internet connection

You might not need electricity for teleconferencing, especially if you have a fully charged mobile device like a laptop. But you do need the internet. For that reason, make sure in advance that your internet service provider is reliable. On the date of the meeting, you must have a stable Internet connection throughout.

 4. Be aware of cultural differences

Different countries have different cultures. To make your teleconference a success, you should avoid offending people. Doing so could cost you customers.

Research about your business partners or potential clients. Learn where they come from and know their culture. For example, a thumbs-up can be a sign of congratulations in one country, but it can be an insult in another. Such minor details can make you lose valuable business projects.

If you think that language is going to be a barrier to communication, then find a way out. You can hire a translator to help you communicate with the participants of the teleconference. It can cost you money upfront, but you can end up gaining more clients after the meeting is over. It can be a necessary investment that will grow your business.

Changing the way you work can be challenging, but you can learn to adjust. Investing in a high-quality IP PBX system can be one way to do that. Then you can maintain communication with all the relevant business partners, suppliers, and clients, regardless of where in the world they stay.

Temporary Medical Facilities: What to Consider for Their Setup

Temporary Medical Facilities: What to Consider for Their Setup

Factors to Consider in Setting up Temporary Medical Facilities

by Sharon Jones

The number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in the Philippines continues to rise. The problems related to the pandemic continue to worsen, including the full capacity of hospitals, lack of proper isolation facilities for persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs), and lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for frontliners.

To help assist hospitals that handle COVID-19 related cases, the Philippine Red Cross put up a medical field tent at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City. The city administration of Imus, Cavite, put up at least five field hospitals, each equipped with ten beds, an oxygen tank, and other health amenities.

If the needs arise, local government units (LGUs) and hospitals might need to modify their interior space or set up more temporary medical facilities. In this case, they must consider the following elements outlined by the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (ASPR TRACIE).

Planning

The surge of patients is expected to continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For this issue to be addressed, it is critical to have a hospital-wide approach and integration with concerned departments and supervisors. Hospitals and healthcare facilities must discuss the emergency department volume versus the expected amount of patients, coordinate discharge plans, and address staffing issues. The cost of operation must also be considered. Additional expenses may include lighting, security, additional staffing, and rental or acquisition of tents.

Thresholds

Advance planning and analysis of data from previous similar events will help hospitals establish their thresholds in their additional temporary facilities. Considerations may be made based on the volume of the emergency department or patients that need to be admitted. LGUs can expand their hospital capacity by renting or acquiring medical tents with the help of trusted tent manufacturers in the Philippinesthat can cater to their diverse needs.

Coordination

Hospitals, LGUs, and the national government must be well-coordinated, especially if they plan to set up the temporary facilities in locations that might potentially affect traffic flow. Moreover, they should work well with the local barangays to help minimize the influx of patients by educating citizens about proper health care and alternative options to a hospital visit.

Considerations for Staff and Patients’ Behavioral Health Needs

This pandemic has claimed lives and caused anxiety, worry, and fear. With the rising number of PUIs and PUMs and the lack of testing kits and hospital facilities, it is understandable that the patients, along with their families and the hospital staff, feel stressed and tired.

Patients and their families are concerned about their health and their healthcare, and receiving treatment in a non-traditional setting may add to their stress. Meanwhile, hospital staff might be working extra shifts or might know the patients, so they are likely overworked and stressed. They might feel more stressed when they need to provide care in an unfamiliar environment, such as a temporary field hospital.

Thus, LGUs and hospitals must provide for the behavioral needs of patients and staff. They can do this by encouraging short breaks and stocking hospital break rooms with healthy drinks and snacks. They can also provide antibacterial wipes or alcohol and post self-care and proper hygiene reminders. Maintaining an adequate supply of PPEs, encouraging its use, and providing on-site faith-based support for both patients and staff can aid them in this situation.

With these considerations in mind, LGUs can set up better temporary medical sites and be a step closer to winning the battle against COVID-19.

Choosing The Best Company For Your A/C Requirements

Choosing The Best Company For Your A/C Requirements

https://www.pexels.com/photo/round-brown-wooden-table-between-two-chairs-and-ottoman-chair-2079246/

No matter whether you are looking for a business to provide air conditioning for your home or your business, you need to choose with care. There are many businesses out there today, and so you need to know how to narrow down your selection carefully. With that in mind, in this blog post, we are going to take a look at the different factors to consider when looking for an A/C company.

Check their experience and certification – There is only one place to begin when looking for the best company for your A/C requirements, and this is with their level of experience. It is important to make sure the company has a number of years in their locker and that they have an experienced team. You should make sure that all members of the team have received the required training and that they hold the necessary certification. 

Discover how much the job is going to cost – Aside from checking the experience and certification of the company, you will want to find out how much the job is going to cost. Not only is it a good idea to get a quote, but you will want to make sure the quote provided is a fixed cost. After all, there is nothing worse than getting a nasty surprise at the end and realising that you have been charged more than the initial quote.  

Make sure they offer a wide range of products – You need to make sure that the company has everything required in order to run your A/C unit efficiently. This includes everything from air control dampers to eco-friendly modules. There have been many inventions in the world of A/C over the past decades, and so you want to make sure you have the most up-to-date models. 

Be certain to get a warranty for the work carried out – You will also want to make sure you get a warranty for the work carried out. Any business that believes in their work will have no problem offering a warranty. If this doesn’t come with the service, you’re not going to be protected. 

Take the time to read reviews – Last but not least, you need to make sure you take the time to read reviews that have been left by others. Feedback from family and friends can be helpful, but this is not the only sort of feedback you should be looking for. You should also make the most of independent review websites. There are a number of sites that have been established so that people can rate the service they have received from contractors and traders. These sites can be a great source of information. 

As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered when you are looking for the best A/C company. However, if you carefully consider everything that has been discussed above, you can give yourself the best chance of selecting the right company for your requirements. 

Technology Upgrades for Businesses in 2020

Technology Upgrades for Businesses in 2020

Photo by Floriane Vita on Unsplash

With technology always changing and improving, you have to always be adapting in your business as well. With the start of a new decade, it is essential to look at your technology systems and make any upgrades to make sure you are as current and efficient as possible. 

Integration

Your website and any apps need to be able to transition across different types and sizes of screens. From desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, customers should be able to navigate through your interfaces easily. You also need to think about if your website or app interacts with any other websites or apps regularly and how you can make that interaction smoother. With the ease of clicking online, you will lose your audience if it becomes too hard for them to find what they want. 

Don’t Forget Security

An ever-present risk to running businesses online is the chance for information to be stolen. Having your business information stolen can wreck your finances and mess with your systems. Having customers’ data stolen is even worse. In addition to those customers having to sort through identity theft, they will no longer be your customers. The negative press associated with a breach in security will also harm your company in the long run and prevent new customers from coming to your business. 

Updates

Making sure all your systems are up-to-date is very important. Updates to your software will make sure that you are running smoothly, performing at optimum speeds, and are experiencing glitches. Updates can also be necessary for security reasons and efficiency. 

Email Hosting

One thing you might want to consider when updating your systems is to switch to email hosting. These systems are stable and take the burden of managing this system off your shoulders. It also adds a sense of coherency to your business which increases your standing in the public’s view. Picking one email hosting site for all employees to use can also ensure that employees don’t lose track of important communication in their email accounts. There is usually also a chat option that allows for more instant communication around the office for quick problem-solving. 

Consider the Cloud

If your business isn’t too large, you should consider using the Cloud to store all your files. This is a cost-efficient and safe way to solve your online storage problems. They also provide security for these files and pairing this with another form of storing data is an excellent way to back-up the data. Having these files on the Cloud makes sure that all employees have access to what they need, but also ensures that your files are safe. 

Talk to a Professional

When in doubt, consult with a professional. There are so many intricate details that go into your technology-driven business, that it is impossible for you to stay abreast of all the changes. It may also be a good idea to outsource your IT service and support to an IT company instead of handling it on your own. This way, you know you are getting expert help with all your needs.

Pin It on Pinterest