Month: April 2019

DevelopmentInsightsMartechProducts

Everyday Items that Can Change Your Branded Giveaway Game

Promotional products are integral parts of tradeshows and product campaigns. They should never be an afterthought. Sometimes, brands spend months trying to find their one “magical” promotional product that can turn their business around. Whether you aim to sell your products or to introduce a new service; you can leverage promotional items to reach that goal.

Why should your promotional product be common but useful?

The first mistake most brands make is choosing something rather uncommon or unique as their promotional product. Your promotional product should increase the engagement between your consumer and the brand. If it is unique and the target consumer only uses it sparingly, you should think twice before buying and customizing the item in bulk. The product you choose for promotional purposes should be useful and durable. Something as familiar as a pen with customized branding can deliver higher recall than something unique like branded beach towels or snow shovels that people use only in particular season and limited areas.

While surveying items for promotional needs, do not forget to look at everyday things that people buy and keep in their homes, cars or offices. Visit https://www.superior-resource.com/services/promotional-products-nyc/ for a fresh look at the things you can customize for your promotional campaigns.

The seven every day but useful branded giveaways

Here are seven grand ideas for promotional products your brand should leverage in the upcoming trade shows –

1. Throw pillows

Who does not have throw-pillows and cushions at home or office? People love using throw pillows, and no one can have enough of them. There is no reason you cannot use them as giveaways. Create a nice design, keep the logo small and tasteful, incorporate your brand colors and make sure they are plush! Customized throw-pillows are the new “pen” of the promotional product world. Since they don’t have a seasonal factor, people tend to use them in their living rooms or office all year round.

2. Kitchen sponges

Move over coasters; it is the time of the kitchen sponge. With a drastic increase in microwave resistant cookware, people are buying and dumping sponges every week! There is a sudden surge in demand for good quality, reusable kitchen sponges. While a good sponge is not necessarily great looking, you can design one with your brand logo and colors that works great and looks stunning. They are the perfect low-budget giveaways when your target audience is a homemaker or a person, who takes special care in keeping their house clean.

3. Picture frames

We have all been in love with photo frames since time immemorial. Your customer can choose to display family photos, pet photos or graduation photos in a frame with your brand colors. Customization of a frame can help your brand engage with the customer and his or her family every time they look at their photo. Be careful to keep your logo small and tasteful.

4. Storage containers

Storage containers from recycled wood pulp and fiber are our favorites. No homeowner has ever said he or she has enough storage bins in the house. There are always new books, new clothes or new toys that require discrete storage. Design containers from recycled material to uphold your brand’s environmentally friendly image. Don’t forget to include your logo and message on the unique but useful gifts!

5. Socks

Unisex, ankle-length socks are perfect for almost everyone. Whether you are targeting kids or their parents, designing socks in attractive colors and patterns can become your brand’s best chance to lure in more customers. Socks are so easy to customize and design! They are always within the budget. You can think about creating only ankle-length socks or customize a variety of lengths for your target customers. More brands should think about using them as promotional giveaways in events and tradeshows.

6. Water bottles

If your consumer loves the outdoors, you should think about designing eco-friendly and BPA-free water bottles that can keep their drinking water cool for hours. Get a custom labeled, see-through bottle with a water drinking guide. It should not only help your consumers stay hydrated, but it should refresh your brand’s memory each time he or she takes a sip.

7. Scented candles

Scented candles are the black lights and fairy lights of 2019. Do you sell coffee? You can think about giving away coffee-scented candles with your logo on the lid. Give away candles according to seasonally trending smells. The next time your target consumer comes across the same fragrance in a mall, he or she will think about your brand only! It is an entirely scientific method that helps link memory to a scent. Studies show that this method is effective more than 90% of the times.

Brands should consider their demographics before they select the products they want to customize for promotions. These seven items are only suggestions. There are hundreds of budget-friendly, durable and high-quality items out there that you can use to establish high brand recall. Research shows that conducting consumer surveys on promotional products they have used often yields a guideline for new brands.

DevelopmentInsightsProducts

Cracked iPhone Screen: Here’s What you Should Do!

What happens after your drop your prized iPhone? Panic! Pure panic sets in because we know how fragile those touchscreens can be. When you manage to shatter or crack your display screen, you should immediately start thinking about repair options. Sometimes, you even need to consider using it with minor cracks after a soft fall.

No matter what you decide to do, this guide can be of help.

Keep your fingers safe

If you have a broken iPhone screen, first check if sharp shards are sticking out. You don’t want to break your iPhone and land up in the emergency room on the same day! Secure the pieces with clear wrapping plastic so that the repair person has access to it.

Inspect the damage

How damaged is the screen? Is it one clean crack? Can you still use it? Does the screen look like a cobweb? Is it wholly shattered with pieces falling off? Assessing the degree of damage can help you make the next decision.

In the event of minor damage, Apple might make an exception. You might be able to get authorized service from Apple stores in Orlando for minor repairs.

However, since Apple does not cover any physical damage to its products, you might have to seek out local repair services. Local repair shops in Orlando are often cheaper than Apple repair services.

Call a service center – repair options

1. Come to your repair services

The modern service centers for Apple products provide door-to-door repair service to their customers. They understand how important a phone might be and how impossible it is for some to get away from their jobs or homes for even an hour. These enterprises send highly skilled and specially trained technicians to their client’s doorstep to cater to their need. Check out Love My Phone Orlando iPhone screen repair for “come to you” repair options near your location.

2. Mail-in repair services

In case you don’t have access to a “come to you” repair option, you can check with mail-in repair services near you. You don’t need to go and wait listlessly at service centers for fixing your broken screen. You can mail your broken phone to a registered and authentic address in Orlando. Before you send your precious phone, always ensure that the company has excellent reviews. The only downside to mail-in repairs is their return time. You may have to wait for more than a week for the repair or replacement of a screen.

Self-service!

Fixing an iPhone screen is not rocket science, but it is the option only accessible to tech-savvy iPhone owners. Repairing the touchscreen of any iPhone model is a delicate process that requires confidence and finesse. You might be able to master it after watching an endless number of YouTube videos, but it is still risky. There are uncountable numbers of small cables that are fragile and require delicate handling. Apple warranty services will not cover tearing these cables or damaging the iPhone while trying to fix the screen.

Keep using it

When your iPhone is still working, and the screen does not have multiple scratches, you should be able to use it for a couple more days till the replacement becomes imminent or it is time to buy a new phone. Unless you are planning to resell it, trading it or giving it to someone, you can keep using your iPhone with minimal cracks and scratches.

Development

Advantages of Crafting a Web Application With MEAN Stack

Incorporating smart development projects within your project is what gives you an indirect business advantage over your competitors. This requires accurate and experienced knowledge of frameworks which help you establish the best development routines using which you can upscale and improvise to the best in regard to your outputs and ever-evolving demands. Prolonged development routines in MEAN stack can help you accomplish the most sophisticated strategies for your applications in today’s period.

Association with brands like Groupon, Uber, GoDaddy, Skycatch, Netflix, Paypal, etc makes it quite evident of the fact that node.js is capable of delivering some exceptional standards for any organization at any stage. It is a well-suited event-driven web application that can establish a stable connection from server to user and back. This has helped application developers maintain some great standards for real-time applications. As one of the top MEAN stack development company we at BrainMobi have made extensive use of the platform and have developed some highly successful web applications for various startups and industry verticals.  

Highly Adaptable For Developers

Node.js offers a fairly lower learning curve and is a pretty adaptable platform for web application developers out there. It lets you avail the benefit of sharing the same language both on client and server sides. It also eliminates the necessity of switching from both backend and front end and requires fewer developers compared to any other language. Node.Js along with its presence in Mean Stack delivers all the essential benefits of full stack development such as enhanced productivity, ability to share or reuse the code, as well as good communication and clarity within the team. Thus the overall quantity of the javascript code in such applications requires fewer files compared to other languages on the frontend or backend used. Experienced and skilled engineers thus employ this to reduce the amount of code, have fewer risks and gain engineering speed.

Faster Development

Besides letting you have a faster outcome on the part of the product, the speedy development routines of Node.Js also has helped several organizations and startups optimize their strategies. The technology is very lightweight and comes with plenty of inbuilt tools to accelerate development speed. The NPM registry offers various libraries and solutions that can create produce more results with a comparatively lesser amount of effort. Beyond this, the reusable components help reduce the size of your application and negate a number of bugs that help reducing marketing time shorter.  Language consistency on server and client sides not only reduces the amount of effort but also reduces a considerable amount of time as well.

Scalability

The scalability features of Node.Js are one of the key features that attract the eyes of startups and budding organization. Considering its lean and lightweight structure, it is the pick of the platforms for microservice applications which in turn ensures better flexibility. Its specialty lies in the fact that it breaks the app logic into smaller modules which in turn allows developers to add more modules to the existing ones instead of stacking all of them into one large monolithic core. The Docker is also one main reason why several companies pick node for developing and launching microservice solutions after which they can implement other related technologies. Node applications support vertical as well as horizontal scaling.

Rich Echo System And Solid Community Support

Node.Js comes with a default Node packager module known as the default node package manager that also works as a huge database for free javascript tools. It currently boasts over 475,000 packages available in the registry with over 11,000 tools published weekly. All of this contributes to the overall cost of development and the applications time-to-market. On top of which, several leading companies like Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Fidelity, and several others have joined node.js as its founding members. As of yet, the community counts over a thousand individual contributors besides the 300 startups and other well-established companies that are using them. All of it makes it a mature and well-tested tool that attracts the eyes of developers and team leaders for various kinds of purposes.

Reduced Response Time

The single threaded event loop model of Node.Js enables it to handle a larger number of concurrent user requests without creating more threads and thereby employing fewer resources. The non-blocking asynchronous structure enables developers to create real-time applications with enhanced responsiveness and smooth performance. This technology stands to its credit when it comes to showing off its efficiency and adaptability while handling immense volumes of mobile traffic and distributing the load efficiently to prevent it from crashing.

As one of the Best MEAN Stack Development Company, BrainMobi has undertaken a lot of quality projects requiring the technical brilliance of the framework and our developers have always stood up to the standards. Thanks to our extensive amount of research, our analysts shall be easily able to sketch the shortest and smartest route to any node.js project requirement. If you got the idea for a web or mobile application, kindly write to us at sales@brainmobi.com.

DevelopmentInsightsMartech

Custom Manufacturing: Expectations vs Reality

After years of decline and overall slow growth, the manufacturing sector is starting to thrive once again. No doubt aided by technological growth and innovation, the uptick should largely be seen as a positive thing.

On the flip side, however, there are still major challenges to be faced.

In this article, we take a look at what these challenges are – and we also present some solutions.

Shortage of Labor

Baby boomers acquired lots of skills that were valuable to the manufacturing sector. In 2019, however, many are exiting the workforce and taking those skills with them. As a result, the worry is that they’ll leave behind 2.4 million unfulfilled jobs.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence, robots and automation are helping to plug the gap, but only to a certain extent. A labor shortage is real, with the lack of trade school opportunities for young people being a growing problem.

A solution lies with solid training programs aimed at teaching candidates the right skills needed to thrive in the manufacturing sector. These skills include sheet rolling, robotics programming, and welding.

Manufacturers also need to improve the way they attract workers, and this means employing extensive digital marketing strategies and utilizing social media.

Keeping Up To Date With The Latest Technologies

Cloud computing, robotics, artificial intelligence and the Industrial Internet of Things are just some examples of advanced technology that is helping the custom manufacturing sector.

The problem is that many manufacturers are struggling to keep abreast of all the latest changes and advances. Worse still, technologies are developing at such a fast pace that once manufacturers have got to grips with a piece of technology, a new one is developed.

It’s a smart idea for businesses to work closely with consulting firms who have experience with manufacturing, and the latest technologies. This will allow the business to make faster strides forward, and it will give them the insights and assistance needed to adapt as fast as – if not faster – than their rivals.

This is key because, as analyst firm IDC points out, spending on drones and robotic systems is expected to eclipse $115 billion by the end of 2019.

Other technologies manufacturers need to get to grips with include blockchain, which will soon directly impact the cost-effectiveness, security, and speed of financial transactions and operations in the manufacturing sector.

3D printing is another piece of technology that is continuing to evolve and improve. Its ultimate benefit will be cheaper, stronger and better manufacturing.

Cybersecurity

So, technology is rapidly evolving. While this is clearly beneficial to the manufacturing sector, there is a darker side. Namely, those cybercriminals are upping their game at the same time.

Cryptominer’s and banking Trojans have been named as the two biggest cybersecurity threats that the manufacturing industry is now facing. The concern is that too many manufacturers are still using old and outdated security systems that are simply unable to thwart these attacks.

Businesses need to start employing better, more sophisticated and advanced ways of keeping their networks strong and secure. The traditional firewall approach that worked in the past is no longer enough.

To that end, it’s a good idea to make sure all your computer security software is updated frequently. Educate your staff about the telltale warning signs, too.

Fierce Global Competition

The U.S. has traditionally been the world’s most competitive economy – but all that has now changed. China is now leading the way, although the U.S. is still in hot pursuit.

To get back on track, attracting the best talent and getting to grips with the most sophisticated and up-to-date technologies are essential. Production will need to be shifted to a higher value, too, while offering new service-based pricing models and product-as-a-service are seen as other ways to keep the manufacturing sector competitive.

Attracting The Right Leads

In the past, manufacturers would rely on ‘old school’ ways of attracting leads – cold calls, trade shows and the like. In 2019, that won’t cut it anymore.

Manufacturers need to invest heavily in a robust digital marketing strategy. While building a website is important, what’s more, important is that manufacturers take care of the many facets of digital marketing to increase leads. This means creating content marketing campaigns, SEO campaigns, email marketing campaigns, and even social media campaigns.

Digital marketing is all about building relationships and connecting with people where they are at. It also means creating lots of value and giving things away for free that educates their audiences, such as eBooks, case studies and infographics.

Conclusion

Whatever kind of manufacturing industry you’re involved in, it’s really important that you’re aware of the expectations and the realities.

Custom manufacturing is heading in the right direction, and it’s really important that your business follows the latest trends. Use the tips in this article to get up-to-date with where custom manufacturing is, and then put into place plans of action that generates better results in our ever-evolving world.

Development

Awesome VR Interface Design Trend to Follow by Web Designers

We live in a wonderful time that has great technological artifacts that go beyond anything our ancestors could have imagined. We use gadgets that look like something out of a science fiction novel, and we enjoy a higher standard of living than the ancient kings and emperors.

Some of those wonders that once could only be seen in movies is virtual reality and augmented reality. 20 years ago, when Matrix was released, they were a dream. Today they are a reality, and it is impossible to talk about modern technology without mentioning VR and AR.

In the last two years we have seen great advances in this field, making the VR helmets and AR gadgets cheaper and more accessible. Every day more people buy gadgets of this type.

However, there is much to talk about how AR and VR are changing the user experience and why web designers and mobile app developers should keep this in mind if they do not want to be left behind.

Switching to first person designs

Today, the presence of VR has radically changed the user’s perspective. Right now books, movies and mobile apps are produced as a third-person experience, as there is a distance between you and the device.

But if we involve VR, the user becomes part of the experience and immerses him in a new world. Here are some tips to keep in mind for VR and AR developers:

1) Make sure that the content size is reasonable and is determined by the distance between the user and the content.

2) The objective of VR is to provide experiences that are indistinguishable from reality. Do everything possible to prevent it from appearing artificial.

3) Use a reference point, such as a dashboard or a horizon line that remains stable while the user moves on.

Leaving space for interactions

Remember that one of the main purposes of augmented reality is to reduce the general cognitive load, or rather, to make a task simpler. The simplest example of this is when users can display an object in their current environment.

Imagine you want to buy a new sofa but you have no idea how to fit it in the current configuration of your home. Using AR, the manufacturer of the table can show you the table in the current configuration, avoiding any possible refund for discontent.

This same principle applies with clothes and all kinds of products.

Reduce the interaction cost

Another important feature of AR technology in the context of UX design is the reduction in the cost of interaction. Think of that cost as a sum of efforts made by the user to achieve a goal. AR technology allows you to substantially reduce this cost and facilitate your tasks.

For example, if you want to try on a new suit in a store, you have to take off your current clothes and try on the new one, which is very tedious, unless you are the kind of person who is able to spend 5 or 6 hours from store to store.

AR makes it possible for the user to stand in front of a mirror and can choose between different outfits and show them immediately, without needing to take off or put on clothes.

Conclusion

In short, the most important thing is to understand that both VR and AR are becoming increasingly popular and important, and before long, it will be mandatory for every UX designer or app developer to take them into account.

The faster you learn to use AR and VR, the better for you.

 

About the author:

Manoj Rawat, a Growth Hacker, Ideator, Innovator and Experienced SEO, SMM and Marketing Consultant with over 8 years IT experience. Currently working with a free project management tools platform specifically designed for project managers. He loves to share marketing tips & strategies among online marketers. He is an avid sports person, traveller, explorer & nature lover. You can find Manoj on Quora, LinkedIn and Twitter.

InsightsMartechSaaS

How to Create A Vision and Strategy For Getting More Instagram Likes?

There are several profiles on Instagram; however, only a few of them stand out and are popular online. If you want to join this league of popular Instagram profiles, you should create a vision and strategy that will help you to achieve your goal. Before working on your Instagram profile, the following are some questions you should ask yourself-

What is the purpose of your Instagram profile?

Now, if you are a person or a business, you first need to answer this question- why are you here on Instagram? What is the purpose of your Instagram profile? What do you want others to think or even speak about your brand? These are the first questions you should ask yourself. Once you get a clear understanding of the above questions, you will be able to get the answers and create a good Instagram profile for your followers.

Extra tips for business profiles on Instagram

No one will visit your profile without reason especially if you are on Instagram for business. As a business brand, you should ensure your profile is complete and the response time you take when it comes to getting back to your customers should be short. It is best for you to activate an automated response system on the profile to reply to the customer once he/she sends you a message. This will increase the integrity and goodwill of your business with success. Remember, no one will like to visit a business profile on social media if they have never heard of the brand or the company before. The profile you make for your business should reflect authenticity and the quality of your business in a positive light. This helps you to get a lot of инстаграмнакруткалайков too.

What do you want your profile to look like 5 to 6 months from now?

If you wish to have a popular Instagram profile, you should always focus on development and growth. Make short and long -term goals. At the end of 6 months from now, how many followers do you want? You should write them down and check what your most important objectives are and what should you do to attain them. Create plans and strategies that are in sync with your social media goals-you are bound to get positive results!

Last but not least, evaluate your profile from time to time. Check out other profiles and see whether yours is appealing or not. Think about your profile and look at it from the point of view of a visitor. Make changes as and when desired. If you have a business profile and are looking for a wider audience, embrace an Instagram marketing strategy for your company. This marketing strategy will help you reach your targeted audience faster. Make sure that your Instagram profile for your business gives you an overall view of your products and services to the targeted audience you intend to reach out to. This helps you to increase SEO traffic and improve lead conversions.

You can automate your social media with Somiibo’s free instagram bot to increase your followers on auto-pilot which will save you time and give you a chance to focus on creating good content. Automating your marketing process is a great investment in any business and is worth considering for just about any industry.

Insights

Ways to Eliminate Lower Back Pain for a Fit and Healthy Life

Life has its share of hectic pressures and deadlines. People tend to resort to unhealthy habits, food, and sleep patterns. They do not find time to exercise and spend a lot of time on their desks working. This is why they suffer from posture issues and face lower back pains. Sometimes these pains become so acute and intense; it becomes hard for them to focus on their personal and professional life. The pain is often so bad that they often absent themselves from work. It is here that they resort to quick fixes in painkillers only to experience the lower back pain when it resurfaces again.

Get natural remedies for reducing lower back pain

When you suffer from lower back pain, you do not have to pop in pain killers every time or visit a doctor to have surgeries to fix the issue. There are natural remedies available, and they address the root cause of the lower back pain you face. Natural remedies, such as THC delta 8 carts, are great for those who are looking for an alternative pain relief to the traditional medicine. As long as the person taking the substance looks into their thc tolerance, it is a great help. If you didn’t want to take a cannabis product, there are other natural remedies you could consider, including kratom. Kratom is a herb originating from South-East Asia which, when taken in a higher dose, can be an effective painkiller. If you would like to learn more about kratom, you’ll find all sorts of information, guides, and reviews over at Kratom.org that you can browse at your leisure. It is prudent for you to take care of these issues by consulting experts in natural lower back pain remedies to help you. These trained experts will improve mobility and quality of life with success. They will show you some specific exercises to align the spine and arrest the lower back pain from its root. Most experts claim that lifestyle habits, bad posture and rest help both men and women arrest lower back pain with success. Physical therapy and spinal manipulation are resorted to combat intense and sharp pain. Visit Train Back for more information.

Yoga, breathing, and stretching exercises

Natural techniques like yoga, breathing and stretching exercises are helping men and women combat lower back pain. These exercises do not hurt the spine and ensure it is aligned. Basic yoga exercises for lower back pain are simple and can be done at home. When it comes to stretching exercises, the emphasis is paid to the core. The core has to be strong for the back pain to subside. If one has a weak core, it is inevitable that a lot of pressure will be put on the back. Never attempt to learn exercises on your own. Make sure you consult trained and skilled experts when it comes to lower back, core exercises and stretching.

Never bend or lift heavy objects from the ground with your back

Experts say that when lifting heavy objects, always use the leg and thigh muscles. If the object is very heavy, you should use a lifting machine to help you. Never lift any heavy object from the ground with your back bending forward. You will injure it and trigger off back pain.

The chairs you sit on should give you adequate back support. This also applies to the car driving seat you use. Make sure that you do not keep the driving seat too far from the steering wheel. You can use ergonomic chairs for work and always keep your feet flat on the ground when you are seated at the workplace or home.

InsightsSaaS

The Top Free VPN for Torrenting and Tips to Bypass the Great Firewall

When using the internet to download movies or TV shows through torrenting, it is suggested to use a VPN client also which make it much secured and private. You have to protect your connection during any such file transfer activity with which you can keep yourself safe from the hackers as well as the ISP surveillance services.

The major advantages of using a VPN client while attempting torrenting are:

  • You can avoid any speed throttling from the ISPs
  • Get a random IP location to displayed to the intruders
  • You can access geo-restricted content also through Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, etc. from any part of the world.

Using VPN for torrenting

To enjoy all the benefits, you need to identify a good VPN, which provides you the best torrenting experience. Here will discuss a few options in free VPN for torrenting and also premium options.

1. NordVPN

It offers full value for money on going for the premium option, but you can the free version also as a trail. Nord offers military-grade encryption and a wider server network. There are tutorials also on using the torrent servers.

2. CyberGhost VPN

There are five distinct user profiles CyberGhost offers when it comes to torrenting. It is very easy to choose the server best for you. Apart from torrenting, you can use it to access the US Netflix also which is not available in many other countries.

3. PrivateVPN

The provider is located in Sweden, where there are strict laws related to privacy. However, PrivateVPN fully lives up to its name.  Static IP of Private VPN is ideal for torrenting. They follow a ‘no log’ policy and the 2048 bit military-grade encryption will keep you optimally secured and anonymous over their VPN.

4. ExpressVPN

It is the fastest among the VPN clients available. It offers user access to various content from across the globe and helps shield the privacy of the users and during online data usage. Express VPN doesn’t also keep the user logs or data.

Circumventing China’s Great Firewall

China has a massive internet censor policy, and there are many queries as to how to Bypass the Great Firewall (GFW) of China. Usage of a good VPN can help up to an extent in bypassing. Let’s see how.

Step #1: Sign up with an appropriate VPN service. VyperVPN is an ideal option to try out for GFW and other options like NordVPN, ExpressVPN can also be considered.

Step #2: Follow the instructions to launch the VPN application on your device/s.

Step #3: Log in using your credentials.

Step #4: Choose the server you want to connect to outside the country. The above-mentioned VPN clients offer 30-60 servers at different locations to choose from. Try to choose the best censorship-free location.

Step #5: Once the connection is established, you can use the internet as normal without any restriction and also by masking your IP identity.

However, VPN sites are also banned in China. So, if you are planning to visit China, it is ideal for installing the VPN service well ahead of entering the country. Google Fi is also a good option to consider in order to bypass the Chinese Firewall and gain access to US websites and apps.

Insights

What Are the Ways in Which You Can Reduce High APR?

Millions in the financial sector are looking for effective ways to avoid paying a high annual rate of interest, especially, if you are struggling with a low credit score. If you too are willing to learn some tricks and tips, you have landed on the right article. But before zeroing into the intricate details, you must start with the basics. It is essential that you these terms inside out. Take a look

What is APR?

The term APR means the annual percentage rate. In simple words, it is the sum total of interest that you are liable to pay annually. It brings out the total sum that you have to pay along with interest in a year. So, you can manage your expenses accordingly. There is a great deal of difference between the rate of interest and APR. The rate of interest denotes the extra amount that you are charged for an amount that you have borrowed. APR is inclusive of the sum as well as the interest that you are expected to pay. Also, APR annualizes the fees making it all the more convenient for the borrower. The higher is the credit risk, the higher will be the APR.

What does a good APR signify?

A good APR has a low APR. If you someone says that they have a good APR, that is an ambiguous statement. You would need to ask him certain questions to find out the rate of APR. But it significantly shows that they have a less amount to pay. Now, a good APR for one person, may not be good for the other. It varies. A good APR is dependent on numerous factors. However, the first factor is the rate of interest. The lower the rate of interest the lesser will be the amount that you have to pay. APR is also dependent on your credit score. If “good” signifies something that is best available, then a good APR for a credit card must be around 12-14%. The numbers may fluctuate and are dependent on various factors. For instance, if you miss making a scheduled payment, your APR gets a penalty. This additional penalty may increase the APR. You may require a lot of convincing skills to let go of the penalty if at all your lender is willing to make in a compromise.

What is 0% APR?

You might have come across advertisements with something like 0% APR. It does not mean you are excluded from paying any interest. The advertisement was probably an introductory offer, which may either act as an opportunity or it might be a trap. In this case, you have to deal with a purchase APR, which is a rate of interest levied on your buys if you have balance in your credit card. Hence, a 0% APR may mean that you don’t have to pay interest on your purchase for some time as per the rules. For instance, if you have received for 6 months, you won’t be charged interest for the period of 6 months.

How to lower a high APR?

Most of you might be vexed with high APR and low credit. This section will focus on some effective methods that you can adhere to cut off on the high-interest rate. Have a look.

1. Pay the Visa exceptional sum on time

On any Mastercard, which is sanctioned by any guarantor like Mastercard, consistently, it’s compulsory to give just 5% of the credit. The parity can be moved over to the following month. Now, remember you ought to totally abstain from this practice. It has been found that it is the quickest method for falling in the trap. On the off chance that you don’t make the base measure of 5% on the scheduled period, a late installment expense is accused along of intrigue charges and duties. Points to remember: Pay the full installment on the due date to make the intrigue cost nil. So as to keep the intrigue cost on Mastercard’s under control, fork over the required funds on time.

2. No intrigue free period on new buys

Moving over the extraordinary parity to the following charging cycle will bring about a month to month enthusiasm at the rate of 3-4 percent. On the off chance that you continue moving over and all the while making new buys every month, the intriguing bit may expand and soon you would fall into an obligation trap Commonly, you must have an intrigue free period on Visa buys, which can even go up to 45 or more days. To profit this advantage, the extraordinary sum must be nil. In this way, on the off chance that you move over certain add up to the charges, you won’t have the interest-free period further. Points to remember: If your extraordinary sum is not paid-off, abstain from making crisp buys on the card to lower the intrigue cost.

3. Go for parity exchange

On the off chance that you are hard-squeezed for assets, you probably won’t most likely fork over the required funds. Rotating credit to the following month causes gigantic intrigue charge of around 4-5% for every month. Points to remember: At a situation as stated above, you should try the balance exchange utility, which is conceivable just on the off chance that the individual possesses more than one card. As far as possible up to the sum profited as BT, in any case, is frozen after it is utilized. You may exchange the out-standing add up to another charge card at a decreased loan cost in the scope of 2% per month. Parity exchange is the way toward exchanging your obligation starting with one charge card then onto the next. Your objective is to save money on premium installments every month for a low premium Visa. Hopefully, this article will help you in lowering your high APR and improve your credit score for the future. For more such updates, stay tuned. Share your feedback in the comment section below. All the best for your future ventures!

DevelopmentInsightsMartechSaaS

Zoho Vs. Salesmate – Which CRM You Should Choose for Your Business?

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a tool that enables businesses to organize and access customers’ data. In the past, this was done manually where businesses made paper notes to keep a record of the activities and metrics related to the company. But today, businesses have realized the importance of quality customer service, and now they need something more advanced than notes and sheets. This is where the CRM software comes into play.

Many businesses have invested in CRM software application such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services to unify their strategies related to customer services. CRM software has become a business necessity which is why they have taken the lead as the largest software market in the world. By the end of 2017, the global CRM software market was generating a net revenue of $39.5 billion. Its global revenue is expected to reach $80 billion by 2025.

Two important CRM software commonly used today are Salesmate and Zoho. If you are going to select a CRM software for your business, you need to compare these two and decide which is right for your business.

Zoho Vs. Salesmate

Both Zoho and Salesmate are CRM systems that assist small and large corporations to convert the lead into customers. In this post, we will compare various factors of the two software so that you can decide which one works well for you. These factors include basic features, pricing plans, support, and integrations among other things.

Ideal users of Salesmate and Zoho

The two software platforms differ from one another based on who they are ideally meant for. Salesmate CRM can be customized for a diverse range of businesses. It can meet the needs of various small and large enterprises to organize processes and gain an edge in the competitive market. The different versions and industries that Salesmate serve include:

  • Real Estate CRM software: It allows you to manage contacts, automate activities, and facilitates a smooth sales process. Also, if you need a real-estate logo, the best place for buying it is DesignHill.
  • CRM for construction: It helps you to stay organized and seamlessly handle your bidding process and sales deals
  • CRM for lawyers: SalesmateCRM for law firms to help them maximize efficiency and increase their revenue
  • SaaS CRM for startups: Helps sales reps to simplify sales processes, organize workflows, and provides a holistic view of your prospects
  • Salesmate CRM for agencies: organizes and automates sales operations of media, marketing, and digital agencies
  • CRM for higher education: Helps the competitive educational market to organize processes and records

While Zoho works for similar enterprises, it is mainly intended for large businesses and organizations along with small scale corporations. It is aimed for slightly matured businesses and caters to a sales force of a thousand persons and beyond.

Plans and Pricing

While the introductory Zoho CRM pricing is affordable, the cost inflates every time you are looking for advanced features. Zoho offers a free version of the software which distinguishes it from a Salesmate. However, the free version is generally a poor representation of CRM software as it misses a lot of important features. The standard version of Zoho costs around $15 while the cost goes up to $18 if you are using the professional version.

On the other hand, Salesmate offers a simple and affordable pricing plan. It costs $12 per user/month when billed annually for all the features. It also offers a free trial period of 15 days which can be activated without a credit card. Once the 15-day trial period is over, you have the option to either pick a monthly or annual billing plan.

Features comparison

Salesmate features

Salesmate offers a myriad of features and brings all your favorite apps into one CRM. It enables you to sync apps like Google Drive, Gmail, Contacts, Maps, and Calendar into one CRM. Additionally, it allows you to connect with apps like MailChimp and Shopify and provides a plethora of plugins to convert your leads. You can also set up a professional email signature and further make it appealing by the signature template creator offered by Salesmate. Other features that Salesmate CRM offers are:

Accelerated Sales

  • Pipeline management
  • Tracking activities
  • Smart Emails

Smart Productivity

Gain Visibility

  • Tracking sales goals
  • Sales intelligence
  • Sales forecasting
  • Mobile apps

Zoho features

Zoho CRM software brings all your channels together in an organized timeline. You get to see all your emails arranged in a CRM pipeline and respond to customers with ZohoSalesInbox. It also allows you to contact customers inside the CRM with the click of a button. Other Zoho features include:

Salesforce automation

  • Pipeline analysis
  • Real-time forecasting
  • Lead generation and qualification

CRM workflow management

  • Email notifications with templates
  • Workflow alerts while creating and modifying records
  • Instant notifications to third-party apps

Sales tracking

  • 360-degree view
  • Monitoring sales opportunities
  • Sales pipeline and escalation process
  • Import sales opportunities from third-party services

Document library

  • Send documents from your CRM
  • Role-based folders and sub-folders
  • Quick feedback from team members to improve documents

Integrations and Apps

Both Salesmate and Zoho enjoy plenty of third-party app integrations, but the variety of apps it Salesmate offers in its standard version far exceeds its competitors. It integrates well with Gmail, Drive, Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, to name a few.

Customers support

CRM software is known for its poor customer support. But unlike others, the Salesmate CRM prides on a massive support center. It provides tons of articles and guides that answer many common customer questions. What distinguishes Salesmate from Zoho is the availability of ‘live support’ which comes handy when you need a swift response in case of CRM software malfunction. This is the reason why Salesmate enjoys a 5-star review rating when it comes to customer support. Check Best Zoho CRM Alternatives.

The verdict

Choosing a CRM software that not only your requirements but also falls within the confines of your budget sometimes become a challenge. If you’re looking for a CRM software that is affordable and yet provides all the features that matter, we recommend Salesmate. However, if your business can afford the premium packages delivered by Zoho, you won’t be disappointed by it either.