Outsourse Web / Mobile / E-commerce Design

Author: Alexey Mustafin

  • Hello world!

    Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

  • Ways ChatGPT Can Be Used in an eCommerce Business

    Ways ChatGPT Can Be Used in an eCommerce Business

    Something amazing has come to town, and it’s taking many industries by storm, from education to finance to law and so on. We’re referring to none other than ChatGPT, the highly advanced chatbot. And today, it’s making its significant presence felt in digital commercial transactions. As a savvy entrepreneur, it’s but natural for you to want to know more about this latest technology to rev up your online marketing and sales. So, in this blog post, we’ll unpack the top-notch ways you can use ChatGPT to boost your eCommerce business.

     

    What is ChatGPT?

     

    ChatGPT is a revolutionary natural language processing (NLP) technology that enables users to interact with computers as if they were human. It utilizes advanced deep-learning algorithms to grasp and respond to user input. This allows faster and more accurate information retrieval. As a result, the chatbot can help users quickly find the answers they need without manually sifting through long-winded search queries. What’s more, it can also pick up multiple languages, making it easier for customers around the world to access digital services regardless of their vernacular. The best part? ChatGPT is easy to use and requires minimal setup. Just plug in your data, and voila—you can start chatting away! So all that is well and good—but how can it help you with your online business? Let us count the ways.

    How ChatGPT can take your eCommerce business to the next level

     

    Here are some of the most effective ways that ChatGPT can revolutionize your online business. It can:

    1. Offer seamless shopping experiences

     

    ChatGPT can create personalized shopping experiences for customers, helping them find what they need quickly and easily. AI chatbots can leverage natural language processing (NLP) to understand customer queries, provide intuitive navigational guidance, and offer tailored product recommendations. This helps create a more seamless shopping experience, enhancing customer satisfaction.

    2. Automate time-consuming tasks

     

    Time-consuming tasks, such as order fulfillment and customer service inquiries, become a walk in the park with ChatGPT. Businesses can tap ChatGPT with its automated AI bots that can process orders quickly and accurately. At the same time, these can also provide quick responses to customer questions. This helps reduce the time it takes for customers to receive their orders while also freeing up employees to focus on more critical tasks.

    3. Increase customer engagement with conversational ads

     

    ChatGPT-powered conversational ads are becoming popular among eCommerce businesses. These ads allow companies to engage customers in genuine conversations and better understand their needs and preferences. By leveraging NLP capabilities, AI bots can deep-dive into the intent behind customer queries. Thus, they can better respond with relevant information about products or services that may interest your target market more. The result is more conversions and higher sales growth.

    4. Enhance development processes

     

    Online entrepreneurs can also leverage ChatGPT for software development automation. For example, the innovation can computerize the creation of specifications and deploy code based on those highly defined details. This could mean a more comprehensive understanding of customer needs, the ability to rapidly prototype applications, and the opportunity to receive feedback in real-time.

     

    ChatGPT could also be used for project management by providing insights on market trends that can inform product decisions. Ultimately, ChatGPT can help developers reduce time spent on mundane tasks such as debugging code or creating documentation. This way, they can focus their brain power on the more creative aspects of the development process.

    5. Improve cross-selling opportunities

     

    Additionally, AI chatbots powered by ChatGPT technology can help eCommerce companies improve cross-selling opportunities. For instance, they can offer real-time recommendations based on a user’s past purchasing behaviors or preferences. So, if a customer purchases a product from one category, the bots can suggest similar items from other affiliated categories in the same store that may also interest them. This way, customers also get to have the chance to enjoy more products that’ll suit their needs and tastes.

    6. Streamline checkout

     

    ChatGPT technology enables more streamlined checkout processes with intelligent automation techniques. Examples include payment process optimization and fraud prevention measures. These ensure secure transactions with minimal human intervention. This is advantageous to customers who are able to save time. From your end, you can also reduce your manual labor costs.

    7. Facilitate smarter shopping decisions

     

    With advanced natural language processing capabilities, ChatGPT-enabled AI bots can present detailed product information, such as reviews or specs. And they can even do this in a simple manner that customers can readily understand. In the process, the latter can make smarter shopping decisions.

    8. Handle complex queries more efficiently

     

    Traditional chatbot systems often struggle with complex queries. This is due to their limited understanding of the context behind the query itself. But ChatGPT’s deep learning algorithms enable its AI bots to better comprehend more nuanced questions from customers. As a result, they can provide more accurate answers. And this can go a long way in helping eCommerce businesses handle customer service inquiries more efficiently than ever!

     

    The bottom line

    By leveraging ChatGPT, eCommerce businesses can achieve greater success in today’s competitive digital landscape and remain ahead of their competition. Indeed, with this cutting-edge technology, the possibilities for online commercial industries are truly endless! Interested in supercharging your business with the latest tech innovations? Visit the blog of buildateam.io today!

    by Chatty Garrate.

  • 4 Ways Market Segmentation Can Drive Your E-commerce Sales

    4 Ways Market Segmentation Can Drive Your E-commerce Sales

    Among the most important aspects of marketing is knowing who your target audience is. Identifying the people who are likely to acknowledge and act upon your marketing efforts is the key to proving their success and generating a return on investment (ROI) through increased sales. One way companies can do so is through market segmentation.

     

    Market segmentation supports brands in efficiently communicating with consumers by focusing on particular consumer segments. It does so by dividing its market based on demographics, needs, priorities, interests, and other psychographic and behavioral criteria.

     

    Through this strategy, companies can effectively make an approachable subset of customers and tailor products, services, and branding in a way that is most attractive to the group.

    More on Market Segmentation

    As mentioned, market segmentation is used to help businesses create marketing strategies and tailor their products or services to fit their target markets. They also use this initiative to study their competitors and develop ways to set themselves apart.

     

    This process breaks down the consumer base into smaller subsets and makes it easier for companies to gain a better understanding of their customer’s behaviors, motivations, and pain points.

     

    Effective market segmentation is also used in identifying markets with high growth potential to help businesses develop strategies for acquiring new customers.

     

    Having this knowledge then helps companies create the best possible customer experience for their patrons and prospects, which could then lead to better branding and increased sales.

    How Market Segmentation Can Drive E-commerce Sales

    Understanding the customer base is crucial for business growth and with market segmentation, companies can speed up this development. It’s especially beneficial for e-commerce businesses since they can easily connect with their target audience.

     

    Connecting with the consumers — whether they are existing, new, or potential customers — is only the start of driving up engagement and sales. Here are other ways e-commerce companies can boost online transactions using market segmentation.

    1. Allows companies to personalize their marketing strategies

    Personalization in marketing makes it easier for businesses to connect with their target audience and encourage engagement with their product or service. Even small companies operating in specific niches can gain benefits by tailoring their strategies instead of employing the same messages to everyone.

     

    Organizations can implement this initiative with market segmentation. By dividing the market based on a set of criteria, companies can pinpoint the specific wants and needs of their customers and prospects.

     

    This knowledge enables them to employ customer-specific marketing strategies that express clear messages, attract potential customers, and differentiate the company from its competition — all of which help increase sales.

    2. Helps in improving products and services

    By identifying the wants and needs of their customer base, companies can also innovate and improve their products and services to meet those demands. That’s because market segmentation helps in creating a customer persona.

     

    A customer persona is an archetypal representation of existing consumer subsets created to determine what kind of user will interact with the company and it uses the product or service. This portrayal then helps organizations better understand customer needs and build on their existing products to develop better designs.

     

    Knowing what their customers are looking for also helps businesses discover new opportunities from unexplored demographics. With this new scope, companies can create new goods and services that can solve unique consumer problems or provide their specific needs.

    3. Builds a stronger brand image and product differentiation

    One of the results of a market segmentation study is determining how different subsets perceive the companies that employ this strategy. This outcome then forces these businesses to take that perception into account when delivering their message and creating other marketing materials.

     

    That means companies will tailor their messages and advertisements to that specific subset to reflect their existing perception. Doing so enables the brands to uphold and build a stronger brand image that customers can easily identify.

     

    Aside from strengthening their brand image, market segmentation also helps companies differentiate their products and offerings from their competitors. They can do so by personalizing how they market their goods and services to make them more memorable and enticing for different segments.

    4. Enhances customer experience

    Through market segmentation, companies can unlock valuable customer insights that can help them improve their service and elevate the customer experience. This understanding includes consumer perception, how customers use the product or service, and their preferences.

     

    Market segmentation also enables businesses to determine which segments engage with their offerings the most and which ones use or interact with them the least. This data then allows them to understand this behavior and what they can do about it.

     

    For instance, they can maintain existing marketing strategies for the segment that shows greater engagement and develop new campaigns to improve the delivery of their message to the weaker subsets.

     

    Implementing these strategies improves how companies approach and interact with different segments — which then helps them build long-term relationships that can support sales of goods or services.

    A focused and precise approach

    With market segmentation, companies can properly allocate their marketing efforts and budget to the right audience. It also helps them make efficient use of their time and resources instead of targeting customers individually or the market as a whole.

     

    This is especially important for small businesses that take up loans for their marketing efforts. They have to make use of these funds by employing strategies that yield effective results — and they can do just that through the centered approach of market segmentation.

     

    Written by Chatty Garrate

  • The Role Of The Metaverse In The Future of E-Commerce

    The Role Of The Metaverse In The Future of E-Commerce

    Imagine this: you’re in the metaverse, a virtual world replicating the physical, and you can do all your day-to-day activities. Making new friends, shopping for the latest collections, and working collaboratively – these are all applications of the metaverse. With tech giants sold on this revolutionary concept, it will no longer be a figment of our imagination.

    What Is The Metaverse?

    One of the biggest buzzwords that everyone hears nowadays is the “metaverse”. But has anyone taken their time to wonder, what exactly is the “metaverse”? When you hear the likes of Mark Zuckerberg talking about this new concept, it’s easy to be intrigued by what it means. In the broadest sense, the metaverse is synonymous to cyber space. This idea does not necessarily mean a new type of technology, rather it focuses on the way we interact with technology.

     

    Still don’t get it? Here’s another way people define it: virtual worlds. These virtual worlds can be even found in games that are played on PC, consoles, smartphones, and even virtual reality headsets. And what’s a virtual world without a digital economy? Many companies intend to create and sell digital goods in these virtual worlds too.

     

    What Is The Role Of Metaverse In The Future Of E-Commerce?

    Okay, now you might be wondering – what does the metaverse have to do with e-commerce? Many companies are now hopping on the metaverse train, and the journey seems to show no signs of stopping. While we are still in the nascent stages of the metaverse, we can already see the future impact of metaverse on e-commerce.

    Building A Community

    Shopping online doesn’t always have to be a lonely experience. What the metaverse can bring to the table is an unparalleled community-building experience. When shopping online, you can easily see the reactions of other shoppers when a brand showcases their new products. Plus, if you need any advice on which outfit to pick, you can easily ask your friends in the metaverse! It’s a lot more fun to engage with the brand and other fans of the brand – it gives you a sense of connectedness. That’s why the metaverse is a great tool for social interaction.

    Better Market Insights

    For a brand to capture its audience, this idea always remains at the core: know your customer. There’s no better way to know your customer than by immersing them in the metaverse. Think of it like this. Customers get to see prototypes of new collections without having manufactured them in the first place. It’s easy to obtain feedback from them in the virtual world. In turn, you prevent the risk of a failed product launch. And if they love your product, you’ll have an idea of how much you want to manufacture. In short, it’s marketing research taken to the next level. Who doesn’t want that?

    Lower Product Return Rates

    For stores selling products that are difficult to assess online, such as fashion and cosmetics, the metaverse solves a big problem: high product return rates. When clients are given a chance to judge products up close, they are able to set reasonable product expectations to avoid disappointment. This, in turn, prevents product returns.

    Immersive Experience

    While online shopping has become convenient for many, it can be boring for some. According to a study by Shopkick, a shopping rewards app, about 70% of  customers rate the ability to try on and see products as their favorite part of their in-store shopping experiences. The metaverse solves this by merging physical and virtual worlds to fill the gap between online shopping and in-store shopping experiences. And, the immersive experience it provides sure helps in influencing customers’ purchase decisions.

    Customized Experiences

    The metaverse experience is not only immersive, it’s also customized. Personalization is the future, with many customers making it a priority in their shopping experience. Hence, the metaverse will be the perfect platform for brands to offer targeted promotions and other engagement opportunities. And because the metaverse is a virtual world, customers can visit virtual stores anywhere at their most convenient time.

    Increase Your Reach

    What makes the metaverse so appealing is how easy it is to expand your reach. With virtual real estate included in the metaverse, you can simply rent a piece of virtual land and advertise your brand as you would in a traditional billboard – only that it’s a more exciting option. In fact, many popular brands such as Coca-Cola have already invested in metaverse billboards to promote their products.

     

    Final Word

    The future is bright for e-commerce, thanks to the metaverse. While the technology still has a long way to go, many companies are in a tight race to dominate this new form of tech. After all,  it’s a fresh concept that benefits both customers and companies. Whether you’re a customer seeking personalized shopping experiences or a company wanting to know the market better, riding the wave of the metaverse seems to be the best way to go.

    Article written by Chatty Garrate

  • Grow Your Business the Smart Way

    Grow Your Business the Smart Way

    It’s time to grow your business. You’re ready to take what you’ve already created and expand on that. But how? With a plan of action in place that includes goal setting, thinking about what your customers are looking for, and a few more smart tips, you can start to bring your business to the next level.

    Talk to the Experts

    Build a Team is your supercharged remote team of top-rated experts, ready for the next challenge. They will help transform your ideas and business requirements into optimal solutions tailored to your needs, budget, and timeline. Contact them to find out how they can optimize your business goals.

    Goals

    Business goals are the driving force of any company. They help to define the direction that the company will take and what its purpose is.

    The first step in defining your business goals is to identify what you want to achieve with your company. This can be anything from reaching a specific number of customers to even being on top of the local market.

    Once you have decided on your goal, you should be able to communicate it clearly and concisely, making it easier for employees and stakeholders alike to understand what you are trying to achieve. Take into account the various factors that will influence the success of your business, such as the current market situation and competition and your business’s strengths and weaknesses.

    Marketing

    The key to a successful marketing revamp is to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to change. It’s important to keep in mind that marketing can be a long-term investment. It takes time and effort to create a successful marketing plan that will work for your business.

    Consider creating a promotional video showcasing your services or products. You can use a merge video tool to quickly combine videos and images to create compelling video content. The tool allows you to edit videos so you can share the exact moments you want to capture.

    Diversification

    The key to diversifying your product or service is to make sure that you have a clear understanding of your target market. What are their needs and what are they willing to pay for? By introducing new products or services, you can expand your market share and increase revenue.

    The benefits of diversifying are many, but they all come with their own set of challenges. You need to think about how you will manage the additional workload, how your company culture will change with this new product or service, and how the changes in revenue will impact the business model as a whole.

    Data Analytics and eCommerce

    Data analytics is a powerful tool that can be used to make better decisions, provide information on how people are using your company’s products and services, help you identify the most popular features of your service, and prioritize new products.

    In order to obtain the most helpful data, you need a well-designed and high-performing website. This includes having an e-commerce/payment option for your customers, as well as having it being SEO-optimized. You can either work with a dedicated web designer for a custom-built site, or you can use a website builder, which is perfect for those who want to DIY their site. Just be sure the site looks professional, loads quickly, and is easy to navigate or visitors won’t hang around.

    Take a Look at Your Competitors

    Look at what your competitors are doing to see what is that you can improve on. When you research your competitors, you should be focusing on their strengths and weaknesses. Search Google for your competitor’s name and keywords. If they have a website, search their website for information on the company, products, and services they offer. Search the company’s LinkedIn page. Look for their Facebook business page or Twitter account to learn what other people are saying about them online. If you are looking at a product, search Google Images to find images of their products to see how yours measure up by comparison.

    List your goals and do some market research into your customers and your competitors. Revamp your marketing, including adding videos to attract attention to your site. Take advantage of things like data analytics and be sure your website is easy to navigate. With all that in place, you may just see your company grow beyond what you ever imagined!

     

    Article written by Chatty Garage.

    Image by Pexels

  • 7 Cyber Security Threats E-Commerce Websites Should Watch Out For

    7 Cyber Security Threats E-Commerce Websites Should Watch Out For

    Image source

     

    With looming security threats against online businesses, keeping your company safe should be your priority. The e-commerce industry in particular is greatly affected by these attacks. In fact, e-commerce companies lose 5% of their revenue to fraud every year. It’s important that you keep your website secure because it helps establish trust and credibility, especially among your clients. Now, the big question is: what are these threats that you should watch out for?

    What Are The Cyber Security Threats E-Commerce Websites Should Watch Out For?

    The e-commerce industry is now experiencing a surge in a number of security threats brought about by hackers online. Without you knowing, your website might have already been a victim of malware, phishing, bots, and other security threats. And with hackers targeting owners, admins, and employees of e-commerce companies, the best way to protect your company is to arm yourself with knowledge of these cyber security threats.

    Malware

    A huge cyber security threat involves a term you might be familiar with – malware. Hackers are extremely clever people. They can design software that can infect your computer systems without you knowing. These programs include viruses, trojans, and ransomware. Whether it’s your admin’s or your customer’s system, a malware-infected system can have data swiped easily. And yes, this can affect your e-commerce website as well.

    Phishing

    Phishing is a common practice of attackers wherein they send emails purporting that they are either a legitimate shop or company owners. In this practice, they create a convincing clone of your website to fool readers into believing them. This, in turn, leads to readers providing sensitive information such as card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.

    Financial Fraud

    Financial frauds have existed since the creation of online businesses. The two major types of financial fraud include credit card fraud and fake return fraud. As implied by the name itself, credit card fraud involves a criminal using stolen credit card data to purchase goods on an e-commerce website. This type of fraud may also come in the form of cyber criminals stealing personal identities to apply for new credit cards. Meanwhile, fake return frauds refer to unauthorized transactions that falsely request returns. For any company, this results in financial losses. That’s why this is a type of fraud you must keep an eye out for.

     

    Spamming

    Sending emails is one of the standard means of communicating electronically. And when it comes to increasing sales and generating leads, it’s one of the most effective channels of communication. But, bad players can take advantage of this powerful medium. How do they do this? They attack through infected links in forms, comments, or messages. And when an innocent reader falls into the trap of clicking the link, they will be directed to the website where they become a victim. This website then downloads different types of viruses or spyware on their device.

    Bots

    Bots are specific programs that are created to perform a specific task. A commonly used bot is a web crawler:  a bot that ranks all websites by browsing all the pages on the world wide web. You might be wondering how these web crawlers pose a security threat to your website. It’s simple – these bots crawl through your website to obtain info on inventory on prices. And when the hacker is a competitor, data can be used to lower the prices on their websites in an attempt to lower your sales.

    To give you an edge against these competitors, include customized products in your catalog is a great  way to set yourself apart.

     

    DDoS Attacks

    DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are a huge nuisance to many e-commerce companies. This type of threat involves a server receiving a barrage of requests from IP addresses that ultimately leads to crashing your website, making it unavailable to visitors. Your sales then suffer, making the attack successful.

     

    Man In The Middle (MITM)

    Have you ever feared that your conversations are being eavesdropped on? Your greatest fears are actually a reality on the internet. Many hackers eavesdrop on conversations between the e-commerce company and a client. When a user connects to a vulnerable Wi-Fi network, attackers can easily take advantage of it and steal personal data from these conversations.

     

    What Are The Solutions To These Cyber Security Threats?

    With different types of security threats rampant in the e-commerce industry, your company must be up to speed with the best solutions to combat these attacks. Fortunately, there are a variety of security measures you can take to keep yourself and your clients protected. Here’s what you can do to prevent a cyber security attack:

     

    Risk Assessment

    Conducting a regular risk assessment is a step toward combating these security threats. A risk assessment identifies assets that could be affected by an attack and the risks that affect them. This type of assessment ensures that the controls put in place are appropriate for your e-commerce company. Also, this data is used in helping company executives make important decisions on security.

    Anti-Malware Software

    In case you don’t have an anti-malware program yet, you should know that downloading one is an absolute must. This program is responsible for detecting and deleting viruses that can harm your computer systems. Make sure to download an efficient program and regularly update it so that your systems stay safe.

    HTTPS and SSL Certificates

    An excellent way to improve data security involves HTTPS and SSL certificates. Not only does it protect data transfer between servers and devices, but it also keeps your websites up in the rankings. This is especially needed for e-commerce websites due to the number of online transactions. Hackers can simply steal credit card information when there is a lack of security. Due to the number of financial transactions done on ecommerce websites, hiring a FinTech dev team is another way to ensure that your online transactions are safe.

     

    Final Word

    Keeping your website safe from cyber security threats is undoubtedly difficult, But, it’s a necessary measure all e-commerce companies must take if they want to protect the company and their clients. With hackers getting more creative with their attacks, cyber security must be a top priority of any company that wants to make it in the industry – and that includes yours.

     

    If you need to build a hacker-proof high-conversion ecommerce website – reach out to support@buildateam.io and our team will gladly help you with your project.

     

    Written by Chatty Garage

  • How to Transfer Your Love of Sports Into a Passion for Business

    How to Transfer Your Love of Sports Into a Passion for Business

    If you feel impassioned by sports and can’t imagine it being part of your daily life, then why not transfer your love for sports into a passion for business?  Here’s how to get started on this.

    Go into sports therapy

    If helping people on the sports field has always intrigued you, then why not consider becoming a sports therapist? This way, you’ll be right in the heart of the action and making a big difference in the lives of players by helping to speed up their recovery process.

     

    Sponsor your favorite team

     

    If you have the resources, why not consider sponsoring your favorite teams or those that are less fortunate to help them succeed in their sporting careers? For example, you can help sponsor uniforms, sporting gear, or even sporting grounds to make a big difference in your community.

     

    Open a business and lighting supplies

     

    As you probably know, lighting is a big deal when it comes to sports as the right light can dictate how closely or clearly you can see that winning try, for example. Furthermore, the lighting business is one to go into, as every stadium or sports field will require the right lighting to some degree or another. Suppose you need a little more information on this front, then why not use industry case studies to determine if these LED lights can be used for stadiums and more? Furthermore, you’ll get a better idea of the type of lighting that is required for average size to large size stadiums, as well as what the differences are between indoor and outdoor lighting as well as what lighting you’ll need for sports grounds from college level upwards.

     

    Create your own e-commerce website

     

    If you have a passion for buying and selling sports apparel, then you could even consider creating your own e-commerce business to advertise your trendy sporting goods.

     

    Jobs you can do from home

     

    In today’s digital age, you don’t even have to go out and work someplace else to make a business out of your passion. In fact, there are more than enough options to do what you love from home.

     

    Become a sports writer

     

    If you are mighty with the pen, then becoming a sports writer could just be the job for you. Moreover, there are many mediums you can lend your talents to depending on your preferences, including social media, major league websites, newspapers, and more.

     

    Become a website designer

     

    If you are a talented graphic designer, then why not consider going into the business of building websites for your favorite sports teams to help them gain more exposure and support online? After all, websites are pretty much mandatory, no matter the industry.

     

    Start your own podcast

     

    Becoming a sports podcaster is an excellent option if you have the gift of the gab. Moreover, if you are starting your own podcasting business from home, you probably don’t even need a Communications or a Journalism degree, provided that you are quite knowledgeable about the sport you are passionate about. Then it’s just about figuring out how to make your podcast as engaging as possible if you want your podcast show to have a more casual, chatty feel about it.

     

    These are just a few of the options you might want to consider if you can’t imagine a day without sports. Furthermore, it shows you can be just as involved as ever whether you choose to go into lighting, sports podcasting, or any of the above.

     

    If you’re looking for a remote team to help design and maintain your website, we’re here for you. Visit the Buildateam website for more information.

     

    Image via Pexels

    Written by Patrick Young

  • Moving Into a New Home While Launching a Home-Based Business: What You Need to Know

    Moving Into a New Home While Launching a Home-Based Business: What You Need to Know

    Photo Credit: Blue Bird via Pexels

    Do you want to start your own home-based business but realize that your current home isn’t big enough to support your vision? Did you know that you can move and still start your own company? It will take a lot of hard work and determination, but when you employ the right steps, you can make your journey far more manageable. BuildaTeam presents some tips for balancing starting a new business while tackling a home move.

    Managing the Home Buying Process

    There are several steps you’ll want to be familiar with before you dive into purchasing a new home. Review these steps below.

    Find out How Much You Can Afford

    Before you make a decision on a house, you’ll want to find out how much you can afford. This is important because it will help you make an informed decision on what kind of home you can buy.

    To figure out how much you can afford, you’ll need to take two important steps. The first is to determine your monthly expenses. The second is to determine your monthly disposable income. When you have both of these numbers, you can then use a mortgage calculator to figure out how much you can afford to borrow.

    Look into purchasing a home labeled “as is.” These houses tend to be more affordable because there is something significant that will need to be addressed. However, sometimes these issues are manageable and still provide a significant cost savings. If you’re considering an “as is” home, work with a real estate agent and a property attorney to make sure you don’t get roped into something you don’t want.

    Get Pre-Approved for a Loan

    Before you purchase any home, you’ll first want to get pre-approved for a loan. This means that one of the mortgage lenders has agreed to give you a look at your credit score and loan amount. This is necessary before applying for a conventional loan. Now, getting a loan pre-approved does not guarantee that you’ll be approved for a loan. In fact, many mortgage companies will deny you for a wide array of reasons, including poor credit score, high debt to income ratio, too many open loans and a number of other factors.

    If pre-approved, you will have more negotiating power with the lender. This is because you’ll be able to shop around for better rates and terms. In some cases, you might even be able to secure a loan at a much lower rate than the one that is available to you without a mortgage.

    If you have questions about these processes, it’s best to contact your lender. Look for their phone number online and be prepared with a list of specific questions you’d like to have answered. If you have begun the application process with this lender, provide personal information so that they can pull up your specific account details and give you real answers instead of generalities about the process. Be sure to take notes so that you can refer to them later as you move through the home buying process.

    Find a Real Estate Agent

    A real estate agent can help you navigate the home buying process and find the right house. They can also help you find and negotiate with the sellers when you eventually put in an offer on a home.

    Search for a Home Online

    Once you’ve decided on a neighborhood and a home type, it’s time to start searching. Before you start looking at homes, you’ll want to do your research and figure out what you’re looking for in a home. This will help you narrow your search and save time.

    Starting Your Company

    As with home-buying, there are several steps you’ll need to consider as you establish your company. Take a look at the following before you get started on your entrepreneurial journey.

    Consider Filing a DBA

    A DBA, which stands for Doing Business As, allows small business owners to sell products under another name. DBAs also allow you to market under a different brand in the event your business’s domain is not available

    Start Marketing

    Once you are settled in your new space, it is time for you to begin to build brand awareness. This is possible by creating a unique logo for your business.

    If you have the right logo, your first impressions can be strong with potential clients in the area. A well-designed and unique logo will help you stand apart from other businesses in your area.

    If you are a brand new business owner or have recently moved, it is important to keep your costs down. So instead of having someone design your logo for you, try creating it online with a logo maker tool.

    With this, you will have many different logos that you can choose from. When you find one that you like, you can alter everything from color, text, images, and icons.

    Consider Outsourcing

    There is nothing wrong with getting some help, especially during times when you’re juggling a lot. Consider hiring a virtual assistant or getting help with your design and analysis portion of your business so you can focus on other aspects. BuildaTeam can help get your website, app, and general backend designs moving while you focus on yoru move and setting up shop.

    Doing It All

    Moving and starting a new business at the same time takes a lot of work, but it can be done. Understanding what is involved with buying a new house can make the process less intimidating and can make it easier to find the resources you need. The most important thing is to communicate with everyone involved, from your real estate agent to your lender and your clients, to ensure everything goes smoothly.

    Written by Ethel Lair.

     

  • Top Web-Based Projects to Advance Your Home-Based Business

    Top Web-Based Projects to Advance Your Home-Based Business

    If you run a home-based business, chances are you have an understanding of how important the web is to your success. In fact, many businesses operated out of homes are centered around the web, and it’s difficult in this day and age to succeed otherwise.

     

    With that said, you need more than an email address and an average website. In order to give your home-based business the best chance of long-term growth and success, it’s essential to utilize the web as much as possible and invest in a top-notch website. Buildateam.io presents a few web-based projects that can help you get there.

     

    Mobile App

     

    Whether you offer goods or services, a mobile app is paramount these days, particularly considering how often consumers or clients use their smartphones. Ideally, you want an app that works across different platforms and that has a seamless experience for the user. To ensure you get a top-notch mobile application and save money at the same time, connect with a freelancer who offers mobile app development services to create a custom app that opens new doors for your business.

     

    Ecommerce

     

    If you are ready to add a new revenue stream, a great way to do this is through online sales. This can be a great way to get a product out there or even allow customers to pay for your services online. While diving into ecommerce can be easy, it’s worthwhile to consult with an expert. If you tap into ecommerce services through an independent contractor, you can get your shop up in no time without busting your budget.

     

    Enabling your website or app to take customer or client payments is an essential step toward continuous growth. Look for a payment system that works well for you and your customers/clients.

     

    Invoicing is an important part of ecommerce, as it allows you to accurately reflect to customers what’s been charged and acts as a transaction confirmation. Invoices also give you a way to track sales, which plays into other areas of your business like forecasting. Fortunately, you can use an online invoice maker free of charge, a tool that gives you the ability to customize with color schemes, your logo and other graphics. Use a template from the vast library of professionally designed invoices to provide customers and clients with every transaction.

     

    Social Media Marketing

     

    First of all, embrace social media marketing like never before. It’s critical for any business that wants to expand its customer base and improve its customer relations. If you are savvy enough and have the time, you can do a lot of social media marketing yourself. However, to really level up your reach, it’s best to connect with a professional agency with the chops to take your social media marketing to new heights.

     

    Web Design

     

    Visuals are powerful. People will rarely engage in a website that has nothing but words on the homepage. If you really want your website to be eye-catching, there need to be images, colors, text, symbols, and design. Each element must come together to serve a single purpose: to engage the audience so that your message gets across.

     

    The best way to achieve this is to work with professionals who have ample experience and skills in web design. They can build the ideal site to suit your business needs and boost your online presence.

     

    Content Creation

     

    While content is often not enough in and of itself to reach a wide audience, it nonetheless plays a crucial role in pushing home-based businesses forward. For example, Search Engine Journal notes that providing blogs and articles on your website that inform and entertain your audience can go a long way in establishing your credibility in the industry and growing your customer base. Instructional and promotional videos can have the same effect.

     

    Moreover, having quality photographs of your products and/or of people using your services in a practical context can prove to be a powerful sales tool. All of these kinds of content projects can help your business grow, which means it’s worth considering hiring professionals for them.

     

    SEO

     

    Veem explains that in many ways, search engine optimization (SEO) is king when it comes to promoting your business online. In its most basic sense, it refers to the position your business pages show up on web searches. For instance, if you make and sell clothes out of your home and someone searches for “handmade clothing in Chicago” on Google, where will your website show up? On the first page, second page, eighth page?

     

    An SEO specialist or digital marketing specialist can use keywords in content and many other tactics to make your business more present on the web. And of course, that’s precisely what you want in today’s market.

     

    Gain Knowledge

     

    Regardless of which web projects you choose to move your business forward, it’s important to fully comprehend business management. Understanding the intricacies of marketing, accounting, leadership and operations will position you to make your company stand out from the competition.

     

    If you’re new to the business world, the best way to expand your knowledge is through higher education. Yes, running a business is a full-time job, and you don’t have the bandwidth to be a full-time student. However, online master’s degree programs make it easy to achieve a degree at your own pace. And while you will still need a team of professionals in your corner, having this advanced knowledge will make you a better employer and business owner.

     

    Taking advantage of the web can do wonders for your home-based business. Remember to consider how you can use social media marketing, web design, content creation, and SEO to take your business to the next level. In no time, you may notice your customer base growing and your company’s reputation solidifying in the industry.

     

    Buildateam.io is ready to provide you with a team of remote experts for your next web design, mobile app, or digital marketing project. Visit us to learn more!

     

    Written by Patrick Young

  • How to Boost Your Business With a Team of Freelancers

    How to Boost Your Business With a Team of Freelancers

    According to industry experts, about 30-40% of an employee’s salary goes to benefits. Hiring freelancers provides small businesses with a way to obtain quality work at substantial savings when compared to hiring employees. These tips will help you build a successful team.

    Identify Jobs That Can Be Done Remotely

    Not all freelance work has to be remote work, but the pool of available freelancers for remote jobs is larger than the pool of local labor. Most non-production jobs that do not require face-to-face interaction with customers or vendors can be done remotely. Examples include accounting, payroll, human resources, web design, app development and customer service.

     

    Establish Processes and Procedures

    Most freelancers don’t work for a company full-time. They may work on just one project or work on periodic projects. Because you may need different freelancers to do the same tasks at different times, it is a good idea to establish processes and procedures for how you want those tasks done. This way, the work is performed consistently even when different freelancers do the work, and you don’t have to keep rehashing how to do the job every time you hire a new freelancer.

     

    Wrap Up Administrative Tasks

    Before you start bringing freelance workers on board, it is a good idea to wrap up any incomplete administrative tasks you have. For example, if you haven’t established a business structure, consider forming a limited liability company. LLCs require less paperwork, are more flexible, have tax advantages and protect your personal assets. State regulations vary, so do your research before you start or save yourself some time and avoid legal fees by working with a formation service.

     

    Find the Right Freelancers for the Job

    The internet is one of the best places to look for freelancers. You can check internet job boards or connect with freelancers on social media. Create eye-catching Facebook ads that highlight your freelance positions to get the attention of candidates.

     

    You can speed up this process by using a template to create a Facebook ad and then customizing it with the text, color, font type and size you want. Complete your post by uploading any photos or images.

     

    Alternatively, you can take some of the work out of finding freelancers by working with Buildateam who can match businesses with tested and verified experts.

     

    Learn What Else Your Freelancers Can Do

    If you have been working with freelancers you like but the project they are working on is coming to an end, talk to them about what other types of jobs they can do. Many freelancers have a wide range of skills, and you may be able to get other work you need to be done without having to start over by finding freelancers you can trust.

     

    Simplify Your Paperwork

    During the hiring process, you will be sending a large amount of paperwork back and forth with freelancers. PDF documents are an ideal format for this paperwork. Avoid the need to print out and scan PDFs by making them editable with a free online converter. This tool turns PDFs into Word files without losing any formatting. The tool is simple to use, requiring only that you upload your PDF, convert it and then download the file.

    Building a team of freelancers can benefit your business in many ways. Identify where you need help, establish procedures and processes, use social media to find talented candidates, and manage your paperwork and documents. These tips will help you successfully build your team and boost your business.

    Written by Ethel Lair.