B2B Connection

Despite their title, the impact small businesses have on the U.S and global economies is anything but. Small businesses account for 99.9% of U.S.-based businesses. Small businesses are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees by the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA. As with most things in the world, entrepreneurs and their small businesses have faced new challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals used the pandemic as their opportunity to be their own boss and turn that passion project into a business, as new business applications trended up in late 2020. The statistics below show how small businesses are evolving to meet these challenges. Top 13 Small Business Statistics for 2021 Because of their size, small businesses are more dynamic than their larger corporate counterparts. The small business space changes more rapidly and dramatically than the corporate world.  As such, the stats provided below are from 2020 and 2021 to give the most up to date information possible. 78% of small business owners expect their business to survive the pandemic, while 4% expect their businesses to fail (Guidant Financial, 2021). Shoppers spent roughly $19.8 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2020 (American Express, 2020). […]

SMS marketing is one of the fastest-growing trends in the modern world. As generations change, more and more interest is garnered for text communication from companies. This report looks at the amazing growth of the new marketing medium, along with it’s pitfalls and triumphs.  Below are statistics meant to give a holistic view of SMS marketing and its importance to businesses and consumers.  10 Major SMS Statistics for 2021 Before the Covid-19 pandemic, 51% of US retailers planned to invest more in SMS marketing, and in 2020 the percentage grew to 56% (eMarketer, 2021). Using texting for B2C customer service is rising, reaching 2.7 trillion in 2020 during th pandemic (eMarketer, 2021). The number of mobile phone users stands at 7.1 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to 7.4 billion by 2025 (Satista, 2021). To give perspective, there are over 7.7 billion people on earth.  About 96% of marketers claim SMS marketing drives revenue and 60% found SMS marketing greatly improved revenue (Attentive Mobile, 2021). Of the marketers that have not used mobile marketing, around 66% have highly considered or plan to in 2021 (Attentive Mobile, 2021). According to adults that received SMS texts, 29% valued notifications about […]

For entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a small business, having the right marketing tools is necessary for success. Digital marketing tools can level the playing field, allowing upstarts to compete with established players. If you have a limited budget, it’s essential to maximize productivity and keep your overhead low.  By understanding the arsenal of affordable tools available to your brand, you will be able to improve your marketing experience and maximize sales.  3 Fantastic Web Design Tools A website or social media page is a company’s calling card to potential customers. In 2020, around 80% of shoppers reported making online purchases. With the increasing number of resources available for businesses to improve online channels, providing a fantastic buyer experience online has never been more crucial. Web design tools can empower small and mid- sized businesses to optimize their sites and social media. This will help you make them more attractive, competitive, and effective.  Product Price trScore Pros Cons WordPress.org Free, with hosting costs at $46 – $100 per year 8.7/10 Integrated link management,Customizable templates,SEO-friendly permalink structure Number of plugins,Customer support,Learning curve BigCommerce     $30-$300 per month 8.2/10 Integration with marketplaces,Automated inventory management,Dropshipping  High fees,Reporting,Customer support Canva $0-$290 per year  […]

If you’ve been online at all in the last few months, you’ve likely seen an article or two about problems with the supply chain and how it might cause issues with your holiday shopping.  Supply chain issues came into public awareness amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite nearly two years and guidance from several consulting firms including Deloitte and Accenture, they remain a significant challenge for suppliers, manufacturers and retailers around the world. The ongoing challenges have emphasized the need for efficient supply chain management for all businesses. Top 10 Supply Chain Statistics for 2021 It is estimated that the supply chain management industry will reach a valuation of $8.95 billion by 2024. (Statista 2020a) Of those in the supply chain management industry, 45.1% said that they were investing in warehouse management software, and that automation was a key feature. (Statista 2021a)  58.6% of retail supply chain executives wanted to invest more in omnichannel fulfillment, s a result of supply chain disruption.(Statista 2021b) 42% of supply management organizations stated that increased cost to supply management due to the Covid-19 pandemic was one of their top concerns of 2021. 43% of those in the same survey listed limited availability of raw materials […]

The Internet of Things (IoT) speaks to a system of devices that connect wirelessly to the online space. These devices are capable of data transfer, communication, and storage. This is where we introduce Big Data. With a total of 35.82 billion IoT devices slated to be installed by 2021, the size and amount of data circulating are at an overwhelming high. Big Data has become so apparent the mathematical science occupations will grow to 27.9 percent from 2016 to 2026. This translates into 50,400 new jobs. This massive data consumption requires regulation and employing people to aid in managing the data. This also calls for new technology to harness the potential that Big Data has to offer. Top 10 Big Data Statistics Big Data is proving to immerse at lightning speed and with that is the increasing data consumption seen across several platforms. Let’s see how the stats add up: Each person generated 1.7 megabytes per second in 2020. (IBM, 2020 ) Of the data we generate today, 80-90% is unstructured. (CIO, 2019) 95% of businesses report one of the problems for their business is the need to manage unstructured data. (Forbes, 2019 ) Of companies worldwide, 45% are running […]

If you are a website looking to increase your click-through rate and rankings, it is a necessity to have rich snippets. Google Rich Snippets can help you maximize your position on SERP and get the most out of your content. Not only does it make your listing attractive but it drives traffic to your site, which opens the floodgates to a plethora of benefits. What are Google Rich Snippets? Rich snippets or rich results are like blurbs of a web page. When making them Google rich, there are a few key things to note, that will truly enhance your listing on the search engine results page. No one wants to be another overlooked blue link. Notice that this snippet included the normal features found in Google search results, the Title, Meta Description, and URL. It became a rich snippet because of the additional details. These include the concert dates, purchase links for tickets, and the number of people who liked/viewed or are interested in it. Pay attention to the following video for thorough detailing on how to use Google rich snippets and structured data to optimize your listing: How to create Google rich snippets using structured data and schema markup. […]

Wireframes are a wonderful way to plan the user interface for web pages and apps. User Experience (UX) designers and students can use them in their design process. Designers use wireframe tools or pencil and paper and plan out the backgrounds, navigation, home button, and much more. You don’t need to be a web designer or student to use wireframes. You could have a blog that you want to plan out; the project does not have to be coded from scratch. Anyone using a website builder can benefit from the wireframe process. Your use case doesn’t even have to be web-related. Any person that needs to visualize a project or concept can take the skills learned here and apply them elsewhere.  Wireframes are about planning and visualizing your project. They are used in User Experience Design because they help you plan for the user or customer’s experience. The wireframe you create can be tested and researched multiple times before you actually create the project. That way, by the time you’re ready to create the project or product, you’ve worked out kinks in the design. User Experience Design Website UX design aims to put the customer at the center of brainstorming, […]

A/B testing tools are a way for companies to make more money by putting forward the best version of their websites, emails, ads (etc.) possible. Testing two designs and seeing which one drives the most traffic allows companies to ensure that the content they put out will result in the most engagement possible.  A/B testing can also help examine user behavior on web pages. With data from A/B testing, companies can determine whether they should stick to the status quo, or if changes couldincrease their conversion rates and engagement. For example, something as simple as a red or green button could make a 21% difference in the number of clicks. Such an increase in clicks on a CTA button is nothing to sneeze at for any business! 9 Essential A/B Testing Statistics Businesses large and small are utilizing A/B testing, and the market is poised for growth. Business Insider predicts that the A/B testing software market will surpass $1.08 billion by 2025. (QY Research 2019) 51% of the top 10,000 sites on the internet were utilizing A/B testing as of October 2021,  (BuiltWith 2021) 27.1% of businesses using A/B tests are using client-side and server-side simultaneously, while 17.8% are running […]

There is no shortage of web conferencing tools out there, but not all are suited for large meetings. A virtual meeting app may work well for chatting with a client but struggle with group meetings of 10 people or more. Thankfully, TrustRadius has thousands of user reviews for different web conferencing options, complete with information about use cases and pros & cons, to help you make this decision.  In this post, we walk through the answers to two important questions to ask when looking for a new web conferencing software: what factors you should consider before investing in a web conferencing platform, and which enterprise web conferencing products are recommended for large meetings.  Factors to Consider for Web Conferencing Software If you need a video meeting app for large conferences, you most likely either manage a large client-facing team or work with a remote workforce. Either way, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll want to be sure you invest in a web conferencing tool that fits your needs.  These are a few factors to consider when choosing a web conferencing platform: Take time to understand the real cost of each solution.  Some software pricing depends on how the software is hosted, […]

Remembering anything before the pandemic is a challenge, but remote wasn’t always a necessity. Covid forced the transition to virtual workspaces overnight, creating mixed feelings for many.  One of the big decisions facing employers is whether to go back to the office or stay remote. The answer depends on the business, but virtual collaboration is so essential it should be considered as a real option.  Virtual collaboration has serious potential to improve your business in amazing ways. In 2019, 24% of the workforce was hybrid or entirely remote. In 2021, 1 in 4 Americans is expected to work from home. As people that work remotely increase, so does productivity by a whopping 47%.  Benefits of Virtual Collaboration Team collaboration from home opens digital doors. Employee workflows can improve from constant practice with new software. Problem-solving will improve from experience with troubleshooting. The communication skills of your network can improve after learning new messaging apps. When your workforce is virtual your employees can improve their computer literacy skills.  Bigger Talent Pool  If your position is remote you can hire nationally and globally. Expanding the net you cast expands the kinds of fish you catch… Talent with diverse backgrounds, innovation, and experience […]

Research and mining information is one of the most important ways to grow a business, career, or personal goal. The time it takes to acquire that information is arduous. Multiple searches, and checking back for new information is hard to juggle while working on immediate tasks.  Google Alert allows you to have new information delivered straight to you as soon as it arrives on the search operator’s radar. Google alert functions as a hyper-vigilant assistant notifying you about a super important person, company, or concept, all in real-time.  You can use it to keep tabs on your image and brand, learn about new discoveries by NASA, or see what people say about you personally. The reasons are endless, from marketing to personal interest and exploration. Google Alerts is a perfect research tool for any intent. How To Create a Google Alert A Google Alert sends a notification to your Gmail, or you can use your regular e-mail. It will push you to use your Google account if you already have one. To get to the Google Alerts page, type “Google Alerts” into a search engine, or add a slash to Google.com and enter “alerts.” Alternatively, you can use this link: […]

There are a plethora of Blueprint Makers that offer premium services and features. If you’ve come across any of these you’re also familiar with the hefty price tag attached.  The problem is, this isn’t always a feasible option for a student working minimum wage, or a do-it-yourselfer who has tons more projects and out-of-pocket expenses to cover. Even if you are a sought-after interior designer or architect, you still are not obligated to break the bank. Hence, the most trusted and low-risk option is opting for free floor plan creating software which, might I add, you can find to be of very high quality.  From apps available on Android and Apple to online sources, there is not a shortage from which to choose. What is a Blueprint/Floor plan maker? If you’re anything like me, you may need to brush up on a few points about Blueprint makers and how they create 2D, 3D, or even VR-capable blueprints. This clip gives a great rundown of how to use some of the features and capabilities within blueprint-making software to create visually stunning floor plans. What are the Best Free Blueprint Makers? With more blueprint-making software gaining popularity, the process may become overwhelming […]

You need product demo videos to share your vision of your product. You may think your new app is amazing and everyone will love playing it, but that won’t translate with a simple description in the AppStore. Customers need to be shown what’s in your head. That’s how you generate excitement, by sharing how you see your product.  The statistics for viewer engagement are great, and today there are so many mediums to share your video like Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok.  There is so much for you to consider going into this form of advertising. Who will make this video? And what do you need to make it yourself? The best part of the process is learning there are options for every situation. Small business, low-budget, there are few obstacles in the modern age. Some of the cheapest, shortest videos can drive campaigns.  Overview  Before you get into specifics, make sure to check all prerequisites before video production. Poorly planned videos are a waste of your time, money, and won’t achieve your goals.  Video Goals Are you looking to spread awareness or make sales? Do you have a detailed marketing plan around this video and other advertising? Where are […]

It is a normal day at the office when all of a sudden you get an angry message from a customer. You know right away that if you don’t handle the situation correctly not only will you lose the customer, but you will also risk them ranting about their experience online. What do you do in a situation like this? What is the best way to calm down your customer to convince them not to cancel their services with you and not to vent their frustrations publicly? Everyone who works on the frontline of a business has had to deal with angry customers. The experience is always unpleasant and stress-inducing. There is a lot of information online on what you should do in order to attract customers and retain them. Experts will tell you that the process of converting an ordinary customer into a loyal one is one of the most challenging aspects of running a business. While gaining customer loyalty is tricky, trying to win back a customer that you have lost is even harder. Every business has its ups and downs and entrepreneurs of all levels have had their fair share of bad customer experiences. When you are […]

 As the second largest search engine, YouTube is a reputable platform that brings in revenue from video content. YouTube SEO tools help businesses improve the quality of video content. They also provide a better understanding of subscribers. Ultimately, YouTube SEO tools make channels more profitable.  There are different categories of tools that support YouTube marketers in their SEO efforts. YouTube SEO typically involves research on keywords, trends, and even competitors. You can find a number of free tools to boost your channel’s growth. This piece will give you an overview of the most affordable YouTube SEO tools and link them to important SEO concepts.    Essential Tools for YouTube Marketing  The best YouTube SEO tools optimize video content and target keywords that are commonly used in search queries. They also strategically improve your video description or video title and use social media to bring more attention to your channel.  Each of the tools below are extremely capable of improving your YouTube marketing strategies. With that said, they are useful for different elements of YouTube SEO. You should use the information below to determine which is right for you. YouTube SEO Tool Function Price Biggest Pro Biggest Con Google Keyword Planner Keyword […]

Our world is becoming increasingly data-driven. This is true if you work in the public or private sector. You will be asked to justify critical decisions with data. Even more so, technological advancements give us the opportunity to leverage data to make informed decisions. Surveys are an incredibly helpful and common way to collect qualitative and quantitative data. But not everyone knows how to craft effective surveys that produce useful and reliable results.  Why is Good Survey Design Important?  If you’re wondering why establishing good survey design practices is important, it’s simple. Good surveys with good questions produce good data that can turn into valuable insights. Poorly designed surveys result in unreliable, shoddy, and low-quality data. Where good surveys inform smart decision making, bad surveys are worse than unhelpful. They can be actively harmful. Having high-quality survey data is critical In the academic setting. It’s necessary for producing accurate and influential academic studies. Scholars that produce journal articles found to be based on shaky data can lose their funding and credibility.  Surveys are also used to conduct various types of research within the business world, including:  Market research  Competitive research  Product feedback  User experience research Employee experience feedback Customer feedback   […]

The business-to-business environment is constantly evolving, presenting challenges to newcomers and experienced professionals alike. Understanding the definition and working reality of this ecosystem is vital for many reasons. This can be improving your own implementation or making better B2B purchase decisions. B2B can refer to organizations, transactions, and more. You apply these operational definitions, strategy, and software to your unique use case.  What is B2B? B2B refers to organizations, transactions, or products designed with a focus of interacting directly with other customers. This is different from B2C, or Business to Customer.  B2B has its focus on interactions with individual, personal customers. One confusing aspect is that both B2B and B2C organizations sell products and services. What changes is the target audience. In a B2B environment, they are selling to other businesses, and thus other businesses are the customers. B2B companies still have “customers” in a sense, they are just professionals and organizations rather than personal consumers.  B2B buying and selling exists in all kinds of industries. One of the easiest to understand is in the tech industry, where TrustRadius reviews are focused. A vendor creating Human Resource Management software is not marketing this at a store for individuals. No individual […]

CRMs for higher education enable universities to streamline their communications and track and report on an individual’s journey within the institution. This leads to a more engaged student and alumni body, better understanding across teams, and, eventually, increased ROI. The nature of higher education means CRM requirements for higher education are different from that of other organizations. To understand which CRM is best for your organization, you must first understand how these needs are different.  What is a CRM for Higher Education? Customer relationship management (CRM) is a type of software that acts as a communication aid for teams and individuals. At higher education institutions, a CRM stores data and organizes it in a way that enables users to streamline admissions, target their marketing campaigns, and track results at the other end. CRM systems contain a unified record of all contact information, activities, and attributes for each individual. As a result, users can ultimately provide students, alumni, and donors the best possible service, from their initial inquiry at the start of their application journey to graduation – and beyond. Higher education is becoming increasingly competitive and globalized. Naturally, the focus on the quality of digital communication has intensified. With the […]

All businesses have conventional knowledge of how they “should” be operating. This is true for B2B and B2C organizations. Despite this, there are substantial differences in how the two types operate. Just as importantly, there are areas where they can learn from each other. Whether your organization focuses on B2B or B2C, understanding the differences between the two is vital. Doing so will help you generate the most effective strategies for your company.  B2B Vs. B2C: What are they? To start with the baseline definitions: B2B refers to business-to-business, while B2C refers to business-to-consumer.  B2B companies largely deal with work between organizations. They offer their goods and services to collections of people, whose purchase decision is determined by someone looking to address ar professional use case. A perfect example is human resource management software. No individual consumer will be buying a license to Bamboo HR to use at the weekend when they are home.  B2C has a focus on selling directly to consumers. Organizations focusing on B2C market directly to individuals instead of organizations. The types of organizations are endless and sell the things people use in their everyday lives. If you are reading this on a phone, that is […]

Cloud Infrastructure and As-a-Service Solutions With each year, cloud solutions dominate B2B technology industries more and more. On-premises infrastructure and software require hands-on maintenance and can be challenging to scale. Cloud infrastructure and software-as-a-service outsource hosting to improve scalability and reduce management demands. Understanding cloud infrastructure and software will help guide your purchasing decisions.  You can check out the video below for a simple explanation of cloud computing. Cloud infrastructure providers have differentiated their products as their popularity has grown. You may have noticed a huge variety of software categories with the “as-a-service” suffix. All of these solutions are cloud-based, but they provide infrastructure and services in a slightly different way. Four of the most notable cloud infrastructure solutions are software-as-a-service, infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, and function-as-a-service. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Of all the cloud service categories, SaaS is the broadest. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are designed to deliver applications to users over the internet.  It covers services many professionals use every day, like Google Workspaces and Dropbox.  SaaS also includes more complex platforms like SalesForce. No matter how complex SaaS solutions get, most are accessed through a web browser. There are a few key benefits to SaaS applications over an on-premises deployment. The first […]