Does your business have a mobile app? How’s that going for you? Most businesses are jumping on the app bandwagon because it’s seen as the right thing to do – but is your app performing as well as you expected it to?
If your app needs improving, then you should put some plans in place to take it to the next level. Get the help you need with these five ways you can make your app better.
1. Get rid of bugs
Most people choose an app over using the mobile version of a website because it’s quicker and easier to use. However, if your app is slow and tends to crash or the functionality is poor – your users might delete the app and go elsewhere. Regularly testing your app is important, and a few software testing company such as this one could help you make sure that your app is up to scratch. Review your app regularly to make sure it’s functioning as it should be.
2. Use a slick, modern design
When was the last time your app updated its appearance? If it resembles your web page or has a dated interface, it can be a turn-off for users. Pay attention to the latest app design trends to help you plan a redesign that is in touch with modern layouts and features. Remember that people are adopting phones that use larger screens, so your app needs to be able to cater for different devices too.
3. Make your app accessible
Web users with disabilities will use apps because they allow them to access content in a way that’s simple and easy to use. Phones come with fantastic accessibility features that can make it easy for a user to navigate applications easier than mobile versions of web pages. Consult with an accessibility specialist or a testing company to ensure that you consider all of the accessibility requirements of your business.
4. Allow more personalization
Consumers love to be able to personalize their experiences, which is why companies like Netflix and Amazon do so well with their mobile applications. Allow users to change settings and improve the functionality so that they can tailor the app to their needs. Even simple things like adding a profile picture can enhance the user’s experience and make them feel more connected to the app.
5. Boost your marketing
One reason your app might be underperforming is your marketing strategy. To make marketing work, you need to come up with ideas that will resonate with your target audience and make them feel a connection. You might want to bring in an external marketing company to help with your marketing needs and to run the campaign on your behalf. If you have any additional budget for marketing your app – make sure you put it to good use.
With some simple improvements, you can help your business get the most out of its app through better features and a better design that will make it a must for people to have on their mobile devices.
At some point in time, the business is going to have to move out of your basement. Don’t get it twisted; the basement has done the company proud for a couple of years. Without its hospitality, the firm wouldn’t be at the stage of its life that it currently finds itself. There was a need to save money and limit expenses and the home offered you the chance to do just that.
The business is expanding, though, and that brings with it new challenges. The company has to be able to sound and appear professional. Otherwise, consumers and clients will avoid it and opt for a competitor. There’s also the fact that as the business grows, there is a need to hire and house employees. Unless you own a mansion, the basement won’t have enough space.
Commercial property is the next step, but it isn’t as straightforward as signing a tenancy agreement. Some entrepreneurs prefer buying rather than leasing, for example. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, it’s essential to make sure that the investment is sound. Here are tricks of the trade that will guide you through the process.
Length Of Contract
Business owners often make the mistake of thinking about the long-term and forgetting the short-term. Yes, a ten-year lease is cheap and provides structure. For those 3,650 days, the company has a place that it can call home and it doesn’t have to pay through the nose. But, rigidity is inflexible that is essential to factor into negotiations. What happens if a cheaper option pops up on the market in two year’s time? Even better, what if it’s less expensive and is in a fantastic part of town, an area that is bound to raise awareness of the brand? In this scenario, you have to quickly thrash out negotiations and move into the new offices as soon as possible. There’s one hitch, though – a binding contract. Unless the landlord is a saint or you pay off the rest of the deal, the company will have to stay put for the foreseeable future. On the whole, a short-term rent agreement is a wise move because it provides you with options. One of the major advantages of leasing is flexibility so you shouldn’t sign an unyielding deal.
Short-Term Over Long-Term
Buying a commercial property is the flip side of renting. In this regard, investors tend to focus on the here and now rather than the future. It’s easy to see why when all a boss wants to do is set up operations and go live as quickly as possible. Moving premises is a long process so banging out a short-term lease is a fast solution. However, be wary of cutting off your nose to spite your face. For instance, the plan may be to buy it cheaply, flip it, and sell it for a profit. Great, plenty of businesses do this to really good effect and make a killing. The problem is that the present factors may not exist in three year’s time. The location could be the biggest selling point, but what if there is a drive to build more houses in the area? Having to deal with disgruntled residents isn’t something CEOs enjoy doing, historically. Even the benefits for the company can change in the blink of an eye. Summer is almost here and shoppers love the sun and warm weather. However, this can change when autumn and winter return.
Capital Versus ROI
Pretty much everything you buy with company money is an investment that is made to increase profits. Otherwise, you wouldn’t purchase it in the first place. A commercial property – buying or renting – is no different and should follow the same rules. No responsible boss in their right mind would buy a piece of machinery or a piece of software that could bankrupt the company. So, the first thing to consider is whether the real estate is financially viable. Do you have the cash to pay the rent or the rates even if the business takes a nosedive? If the answer is no, then a cheaper option should be something you consider before signing on the dotted line. But, don’t only take the money the firm has now into account. Will this lease/purchase lead to an increase in sales? Is the return on the investment very high? If the answers are yes and the stats prove it, then it isn’t a bad move. In fact, it may be the difference between expansion success and failure. 247 Broadsheet says that things such as location, infrastructure, and the local economy are vital factors to consider.
In the same way that you wouldn’t buy a house that was subsiding, you don’t want to invest in wonky office space. In general, this is an issue that is almost impossible to repair. And, if you can, it will set the firm back thousands of dollars. Plus, there is the hassle and the stress to consider also. There is no point buying a property only to spend your time worrying, bitching and moaning about all of the hard work. A piece of commercial real estate is by no means a straightforward task, but digging up the foundations is something you want to avoid like the plague. Remember that as a buyer or a renter that the ball is in your court. It’s your money and no one can make you sign a contract that isn’t in your best interests. Of course, no one is going to put all of the information on a plate for you, so research is vital. Digging down into the nitty-gritty is a process that you shouldn’t shirk. If anything, it’s something to take step by step to ensure that the deal is a favorable one. Don’t confuse major flaws with small things that are easily fixable.
Cost/Repair Ratio
Okay, this is going to sound like a huge contradiction, but stay with us here. Yes, subsidence is often something that is a deal breaker because of the money and time costs. However, don’t dismiss a property out of hand until you have looked into the fine print. Consider this scenario. You’re in the market for a piece of commercial real estate and find one that has the perfect location. Better yet, it’s half the price of everything else on the market. There is a catch, though – it’s falling down. Do you wash your hands of the responsibility, or do you see the silver lining on the horizon? Well, the answer depends on a range of factors. If it’s cheaper to hire Helitech to repair the foundations, then you may want to consider your position. Let’s face it – opportunities such as these don’t come along very often. And, if you can keep the expenses low, then it’s somewhat a no-brainer. Only go to these extremes when the hard work is worth the effort. Anything that is in a mediocre area with a relatively high retail value isn’t a sound investment.
How are you going to pay? Firstly, let’s take a look at leasing options. In many ways, it’s self-explanatory because you have to release the funds every month. Still, you can pick which option is the best for the business. To this day, some owners prefer to pay in cash rather than leave a paper trail. As dodgy as it sounds, it is a viable option if the company is cash-rich and doesn’t have many assets. Usually, the best way to pay is to set up a debit online and let your bank release the funds at the same time every month. Then, there is no need to worry about missing payments and incurring late fees. Buying gets difficult because the amounts are large and there’s a good chance you don’t have the money. Applying for a bank loan or a mortgage is always on the cards, but don’t assume it’s the only option. Alternatives include part-ownership. How it works is straightforward – the fund owns half and you own the rest. This is an excellent way to source the money without high-interest rates and mounting debts. However, be aware that when there is a sale that the fund will take a 50% cut. Another option is to invest in a fund that owns the property. It’s very indirect but it does have its pros.
Experience
The above takes one thing for granted – your level of expertise. It’s easy to see real estate as something which is basic and not complicated. Residential homeowners invest all of the time and seem to come away unscathed so why can’t you? The reality is that commercial real estate is a complicated and messy affair, and novices will get eaten alive. This is particularly true if you’re looking to buy a building outright. Still, it doesn’t mean you should pull out. As long as there are experts by your side who you can trust, then they can carry the slack.
Only you can answer the question – is commercial real estate a sound investment?
When running a business, you are often told never to cut corners because it will come back and bite you in the face. Now, while this is absolutely true in many cases – there are a few corners that you can cut without endangering yourself or your business, you just need to know what they are, and never confuse them for something that they’re not.
Let’s face it, running a business gets awfully expensive, and you will lose a ton of money before you can expect to see any profit. That’s just how it works, so you will need to have a lot of patience. But why spend so much money on things that you don’t necessarily need to do?
Here’s a list of some clever tricks for the corners that you can cut.
Know your numbers at the beginning.
Although your job role may not be a mathematician, there are many skills that you should take from them. As an owner, you will be dealing with numbers every single day, so you need to have a good understanding of them if you’re going to make this work. When you start out, everyone will tell you-you need a budget so you have an idea of what you can and can’t afford. But don’t just have ‘an idea’ – be sure, be one hundred percent certain. Most businesses go wrong because they underestimated or overestimated how much it would cost them, but if you get it right first time, you will not only save a lot of money, but you’ll also save a lot of time too.
Attend auctions for larger equipment.
Buying supplies and equipment can be pretty pricey, especially when you’re required to buy them often, so auctions are an absolute godsend. Essentially all you have to do is book a spot, arrive there on the day, and then bid for what you want, and depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you can get all the things you needed for half the price – if not more. As long as everything works and functions properly, sometimes there’s no need to buy things brand new with the price tag still on. So have a look at some government heavy equipment auctions if you’re in need of a commercial truck or two.
Don’t hire an expert – become one.
If you’re just starting out, or you’re looking to expand your business further and require some assistance on the new sector you’re going into, then hiring an expert would be the first option. But they don’t come cheap – getting the best help and advice from someone with years of experience can cost you a lot of money for their time and knowledge. So rather than relying on them – educate yourself. There are so many tools out there nowadays – the internet, to mention one – so there is no reason you can’t learn and become the best. Sure, it will take time, focus, and determination, but it’s doable.
Over the past few years, the sportswear market is one which has increased and developed in a big way. The items which you choose to wear during your workouts can make a huge difference to how enjoyable and effective your exercise regime turns out to be. So, in this article, we are going to provide you with a brief guide on choosing the right workout clothing for you.
The first thing that you need to make sure of when it comes to choosing your workout clothing is that it actually lets you move. You should be able to do all manner of squats, jumps, lunges etc. If it ends up being too restrictive, this is only going to make your workouts more difficult. So, when you are trying on the workout clothing, instead of just staring back at yourself in the mirror, you need to actually start moving.
It Should Be Breathable and Comfortable
Workout clothing has come a long way over the past few years, and you need to make sure that the clothing that you choose is both breathable and comfortable. So, check out what type of fabric is being used, as well as any areas which have specialised material. It is a good idea to check online for what all the sportswear jargon actually means as this can get confusing in the store. And if you are going to be needing any shoes, try them on to ensure that they are comfortable. Also, it is a good idea to wait until the end of the day as your feet swell up after a day of walking.
Rather than choosing generic workout clothing, you should consider what sort of activities you are going to need it for and select equipment which is specifically designed to help you with than activity. The best brands should signpost you as to what their equipment should be used in doing. For example, there is no point investing in running shoes if you are going to be playing basketball – Air Jordan 1 sneakers are the much better choice.
It Should Enhance Your Workout [While Also Feeling Invisible]
The whole point of workout clothing is that it is supposed to enhance your workout. At the same time, you don’t want it to get in the way and make you feel uncomfortable. So, the best workout clothing should enhance your workout, supporting your body in the right areas, while letting it breathe in others. This is a balance which can be difficult to achieve, and it may take a bit of experimentation until you stumble upon the right combination for you.
Choosing your workout clothing is an essential part of having great exercise sessions. These tips provide you with a general overview of how you can pick items which are best for you. Essentially, everything depends on your body type and the sort of exercise that you will be doing.
You can’t turn around without seeing an example of what the health craze is doing to our High Street and e-commerce industries. The rise of veganism over the last few years has made it trendy, which has made it a lucrative business to get into. But that’s not to say that you need to sell vegan products to get ahead in business, there are so many other ways to take advantage of the health craze, and what are the best ways right now?
Personal Training
As people are looking for the quick fix as far as getting fit is concerned, we’ve seen so many articles online that push the best way forward to get fit when in actual fact good old fashioned exercise is the key. You can set up a gym, or become a personal trainer yourself, and take advantage of the rise in unhealthiness in the world. Yes, the irony is that for as many people who are obsessed with their health, there are as many, if not more, who don’t care.
Health Foods
People try to overhaul their diet, but the best way is to introduce healthy foods bit by bit. You might have seen these paleo bars on the market, which are predominantly made up of nuts and dates. There are so many health food suppliers, like Global Foods UK that provides dates in various forms for businesses. The great thing about these date bars is that they are usually cold-pressed, in other words, you can make them yourself without cooking them. So if you’re looking to start a health food business from home, this could be your entryway.
Alternative Therapies
Acupuncture or massage therapy are incredibly popular now. It’s a great idea to take advantage of this by setting up an office that specializes in alternative therapies, because it’s still a potentially untapped market. And while there are people who are converts to alternative therapies, there are still some who don’t believe the benefits. As a result, if you have the power of persuasion, and concern reticent people onto these therapies, you can benefit. This is a good example of why online therapy can be beneficial.
Selling Fitness Equipment
And for those people who have the power of sales at their disposal, selling medical equipment or fitness equipment has been a great way to earn money. In being a supplier of healthy products, because there are so many gyms or medical centers that require equipment, being a trusted supplier means you will benefit in many ways. So even if you don’t have an inherent knowledge of health or how to get fit, you can still make the most of this burgeoning industry.
It’s generally quite easy to take advantage of the health craze because there are so many different facets of the industry. So, whether you know people who are keen on the high-fat diet, or are paleo, or are hardcore vegans, there’s always an entryway. For those people who are keen on fitness, the impacts of high-intensity interval training have shown people how to get fit quickly. No matter what your intentions are, there’s always a way to benefit from the health craze. And if you’re looking to benefit on a personal level, then extend your passion for health and wellness and set up a business of your own.
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