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Technology, Web Development

Top 10 Steps for Digital Marketing for Software Development Companies

Top 10 Steps for Digital Marketing for Software Development Companies

All types of products or services require an effective digital marketing strategy these days. The bulk of advertising and brand building done exists online because that is where both consumers and business targets put their attention. Software development companies obviously focus on computer landscapes and the Internet, which makes digital marketing efforts necessary for their success. These 10 steps will help your company increase brand recognition, reputation, lead generation, and conversion to fuel current and future success.

1 – Establish Marketing Goals

As with all smart goal-making processes, establish specific and actionable ones for your software development company’s marketing efforts. A business goal that simply states “Sell lots of systems” will get you nowhere. Each part of your marketing strategy focuses on a particular end: attracting a certain number of leads, increasing profits by a particular percent, or reaching a precise subscriber number for your email list.

Write down marketing goals the same way you would write down the plan for developing a new piece of software. Each program has its own methods that help you achieve the perfect end. The same is true for marketing.

2 – Identify the Ideal Target Audience

Who is most likely to purchase your software? The answer to this question is as diverse as the different programming systems and apps available on the market today. In order to attract the right type of attention, you need to know what it looks like. Every item on your digital marketing strategy list must conform to the interests and expectations of this ideal audience.

This remains true whether you focus on consumer or B2B products. Advertising for a phone app game enjoyed by children and teenagers is infinitely different than the efforts put forth to attract C-suite corporate attention for financial analysis software.

3 – Determine a Marketing Budget

While the Internet offers huge range of free marketing methods, a successful launch of either a business or one software product works better with funding. The classic adages of “Time is money” and “You get what you pay for” both factor into your marketing strategy decisions. You can either spend an awful amount of time and effort for slower and less effective results, or you can invest in your future success. Some options include display ads, PPC, and social media placement.

4 – Construct a Strong Platform

The people who run a software development company should understand the power of creating a strong online presence. One of the first parts of an effective marketing strategy includes constructing a platform that consists of a professional website, appropriate social media pages, directory listings, and more. Everywhere your company or products show up online must convey the true sense of your brand identity and the benefits you bring to your target audience.

Do not skimp on professional website development and design. Create a recognizable brand with logo, typography, and matching name, address, and phone number (NAP) on all pages you do not control directly. These touch points will provide you with places to direct interested consumers or business targets with your advertising efforts.

5 – Build a Multichannel System

Multichannel marketing results in better short and long-term results because it targets the individuals or businesses most likely to need your software products. If you focus on only one method, platform, or ad type, you may face abject destruction if search engine algorithms or trends shift suddenly. Instead, use all the appropriate channels available to you: on-site SEO, content marketing, off-site link strategies, directory listings, video marketing, social media, and a host of paid advertising methods.

6 – Create a Smart Content Plan

As a software development company, your main goals when it comes to marketing is to impress the importance and usefulness of your system on the people most likely to use. In order to convince people you have what they need, you must create content that explains and demonstrates this. Every piece of written, audio, and video content associated with your brand and product exists as a cumulative effort to establish your place in the market and communicate directly with the target consumers or businesses eager for your expertise.

7 – Get Active in the Online Community

Now more than any other time in history, consumers and businesses want to know the brands they buy from in a more personal way. Marketing has transformed into a way to build relationships that hopefully grow and strengthen over time. Creating a strategy to interact with the online community interested in the type of apps you offer promotes this type of connection. U can control every interaction that occurs, creating a plan for easing your audience members through the customer experience process makes sense

8 – Provide Educational or Entertainment Value

A large part of your content strategy involves giving away value for free. This can come in the form of educational materials, games, or even attractive images and jokes. The value you provide to your target audience appends on what type of software you sell. This extends beyond content creation, too. Every social media reply, blog comment, or podcast appearance you do should focus on providing value to others rather than your company directly.

9 – Utilize Current SEO Practices

Understand what currently works for search engine optimization and integrated into everything from blog post writing to display ad campaigns to social media interactions. Every online marketing strategy must include a focus on attracting organic traffic from Google and other search engines. Throughout time, this has been the most effective way to get attention on your brand, traffic to your sites, and ultimately sales.

10 – Collect Data, Analyze It, and Stay Flexible

Very few things work perfectly the first time you try them. As a software developer, you understand that trial and error is often part of any process. The same holds true for developing an effective marketing strategy. However, the last thing you want to do is shoot into the dark and hope your efforts reach the right people.

Absolutely every marketing effort you make must include a way to collect data about its efficacy so that you can analyze what works and what does not. Split test ads, ask your audience for feedback, and always try new things while holding on to the strategies that get you the best results. Stay flexible but only forge off in a new marketing direction if the numbers back it up.

Web Design, Web Development

The Most Common PPC Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Running a Pay-Per-Click campaign has a myriad of benefits, from boosting awareness to increasing conversion rates. It is vital to many companies’ success. However, PPC marketing is not as clear-cut as it sounds. It is a bit tricky to navigate, especially if you are new to the trade.

One common mistake that marketers make when it comes to PPC marketing is neglecting to optimize their ad strategies. In fact, 53% of marketers optimize their Google Ad strategies only four times a year. Others even less so. Mistakes like these can cost you a lot in the wrong run.

In order to avoid confusion and disappointment when running your PPC campaign, it is important to take note of the most common PPC mistakes and how you can remedy them.

Using the Wrong Keywords

The keywords are the foundation of your ads. It is the first consideration that can jumpstart your ad campaign. Without the correct target keywords, your ad campaign will not take off. It must be something that anticipates your audience’s queries. What can your products or services give your customers? How can they benefit from it?

Not all keywords are equal, so simply picking whatever words remotely relate to your business is a big no-no. You must also remember to find a competitive keyword or phrases that your potential customers will likely use when they search, but not too competitive that they will be too expensive and hard to win in a bid.

Your keyword should not be broad that it can attract almost anyone looking for a general product, like sneakers, for example. A lot of people will be searching for it, so the competition is high. You would not want a keyword that is too specific either because then only a few will be searching for it.

An ideal keyword phrase should be a balance between the two. Find the words that can best describe your offering and phrase them in a way that will get you quality leads from your target market.

The Ad Copy Leaves Much to be Desired

An essential element of any PPC campaign, your ad copy should have two objectives: attracting the attention of users and compelling them to click on it. It sounds so easy, right? PPC ads, however, are some of the most challenging copies to write.

For one, there is a set word limit. You are also trying to vie for an audience with a decidedly short attention span. Internet users nowadays have grown wise over paid ads as well, ignoring most of the ads they see, apart from the most eye-grabbing ones.

Don’t despair though. There is a way around those obstacles. First, you must get to know your ideal customers. What do they want? And most importantly, what do they need? Getting into your potential customers’ shoes can help you understand their motivations, and you can then craft your ads by focusing on the benefits that they can gain from it. Your ad must match the goals of your ideal customers.

A good ad copy is created using simple, one-syllable words that are easy to read and grasp. You have only a few seconds to grab the attention of your customers, after all. Most users also prefer number and figures (like prices, specs, or discounts), so including them on your ad copy will lend you more authority.  

The Landing Page is Not Optimized

Another mistake most advertisers commit when it comes to their PPC campaign is driving all the traffic to their home page. It’s a generic place that would not give much value to the visitors aside from introducing your brand.

When people search for a product or service, they most likely want information or already have the intention to buy. That is why linking to your home page is a grave mistake because this will confuse them and force them to navigate to the correct page where they can view your offerings. This can tire them out and make them decide to leave.

How to rectify this mistake? Create an optimized landing page that fulfills what your ad promised. If you have shown a buy 1 take 1 offer on a cleansing cream, do not take your visitor to a whole page of skincare products that can overwhelm them. Avoid disappointing your potential customers by being clear on their expectations.

An ideal landing page is clear, concise, and simple. It tells your customers what they are looking for, meeting their query with the information they are expecting. It is also important for your landing page to have a compelling call to action. Tell your customer what to do next. Do not lose the opportunity to lead them through the first step of your sales funnel.

PPC marketing is a work-in-progress. Making mistakes is unavoidable. But if you are aware of them early on, you can make sure to devise ways to avoid them. If it is impossible, then knowing all about them beforehand will help you find a way to fix them.

Web Development

Why Use Multiple Payment Gateways for WooCommerce

Why Use Multiple Payment Gateways for WooCommerce

When you shop for any type of product online, you make a purchase due to things like quality, options, and affordability. Accessibility also matters. If you get to the checkout page on any ecommerce site and do not find your favorite payment gateway, the chance of abandoning the cart and shopping elsewhere increases. Shoppers are simply not going to buy if they cannot use a method they feel comfortable with.

Combine this truth with the most popular ecommerce platforms, and you get a very real need for multiple payment gateways no matter what type of website you operate. If your shop uses WP and WooCommerce, which are both well-known for their user-friendliness, the need for options does not disappear.

Website developers and online business owners know that WordPress and the WooCommerce app represent the most popular ecommerce setups used on the internet today. Over 3 million websites currently use it to sell every type of tangible or digital product available. The benefits’ list goes on and on, but most of them have to do with providing a smooth buying process for the people interested in the products offered.

Why Multiple Payment Gateways Matter For Your Bottom Line

Before getting into statistical evidence for using more than one, it makes sense to understand why sellers often default to a single payment gateway. With WooCommerce free version, you have limited options when it comes to how people can pay for the products you offer. However, they do offer a very robust payment extension with over 100 others to choose from.

People generally stick with one or a few options because they do not want to spend more money gaining access to others. This demonstrates a general lack of confidence and understanding in the concept of spending some money to increase profits. Most gateways including PayPal and major credit card processing systems charge fees to handle transactions. This is a regular part of doing business. In the quest for higher profit margins, however, many e-tailers choose the lowest cost ones only.

You might think this makes sense. Why should you offer payment gateways through WooCommerce that leave you with higher fee payments? It all comes down to the willingness for your target consumer group to use the less expensive options.

The Issue of Cart Abandonment

Up to 17% of online shoppers leave the website shopping cart page without clicking the “Place Order” button if they do not trust the site with their payment information. Around 6% leave because it did not offer enough payment options. Think about the last time you shopped online. If the website only offered payment gateways you were not comfortable using, would you go through with the transaction? Probably not.

Take a look at your yearly profit numbers. What would they look like if you added 17% more on top of them? For many ecommerce companies, that is a considerable amount of money.

Payment Gateways Improve Trust Overall

A large part of succeeding with ecommerce depends on how much customer trust the security of your site and your company as a whole. Any time they must share payment and personal information, a trickle of fear descends as stories about hacked databases and sold information from the news echo through their minds.

Multiple payment gateways on a WooCommerce website created on the most-trusted WordPress CMS adds to the overall feeling of security. They keep some of the control over who they give their credit card information to. Their ability to choose the processor leads to a heightened sense of customer satisfaction. It shows your company cares about their comfort and safety.

The benefits of multiple payment gateways keep adding up. Despite some options with higher monthly or per-payment fees, options create interest, lead conversion, and repeat business. The fees cease to matter when you sell more products and increase profits across the board. Also, if you target international consumers, some popular payment gateways simply do not work. You need to choose those that are accessible to everyone.

What Payment Options Should Your WooCommerce Site Offer?

When it comes to offering the most popular and trusted payment options on a WooCommerce sales site, you first need to identify what companies work with it. As this WordPress extension is simply the most popular in the entire world, they allow for a huge selection of payment options.

The most popular WooCommerce payment gateways include:

  • PayPal
  • Stripe
  • Square
  • Amazon Pay
  • Authorize.net

PayPal – No monthly fees, a high degree of trust across the internet, and many countries supported makes this payment processing site one of the most popular. Although it has its detractors, PayPal offers a high degree of security and ease of use.

Stripe – An excellent international option for credit card payments makes sales in 26 countries quite simple. You can collect mobile payments easily with WooCommerce.

Square – This popular option also allows for POS processing for companies with brick-and-mortar shops as well as online presences.

Amazon Pay – People trust Amazon. While their payment processing is not quite as popular as their retail mega-store, it adds a high degree of familiarity that can result in more sales.

Authorize.net – Although this does have a monthly charge, it does provide secure and trustworthy processing for credit cards and PayPal transactions.

No doubt exists that the WooCommerce plugin for WordPress content management system provides a very powerful online sales solution for many types of sales companies. Its popularity, power, and user friendliness has propelled it to the top of the success list. However, your own business growth and profits will not follow the same trajectory if you do not entice consumers to click that “Buy Now” button effectively.

Offering multiple payment gateways for WooCommerce matters. Not only can you facilitate more international sales, you give every consumer the comfort and sense of security they need to type in their credit card and personal information. With cart abandonment statistics clearly showing the dangers of limited payment options, it makes sense to expand the opportunities offered on your own ecommerce site.

Web Development

How To Get SEO Training

How To Get SEO Training

I will not rain in the wet and say that is to follow the main blogs in Brazil and abroad, participate in events in the area, as well as develop a network where you can exchange experiences. This is quite obvious and even important, but still not the main one, as SEO is learned in practice. So, I will suggest three ways that all SEO professionals should go (but it won’t always be possible): For more information you can check at Glamy SEO Service.

Own SEO cases: always important

This is the simplest and most autonomous path. However, due to Google’s changes to its quality policy, it is difficult for small sites to position themselves on competing keywords.

But a good affordable SEO services professional should have difficult term positioning cases using white hat techniques. A second way to accomplish this is by providing SEO consulting, or even working at an affordable SEO services company or agency.

If we could summarize an SEO expert’s focus on one thing they would be the keywords. That alone is unlikely to provide any kind of results for the site being optimized, but someone who does not have the keywords as a focus of their work will not succeed as expected – and that is where many of the frustrations come from the work of SEO we can hear from new clients who have professionals or other agencies working on your site. (This is not a challenge to competitors, as I think mostly of other agencies or companies that offer SEO without the least knowledge.)

Working in a company with SEO culture: a differentiator

Although there are few companies with true SEO culture in Brazil, they exist, but due to the privacy of information I have prefer not to mention specific names. What I can say is that most of them are mostly in the media, tourism and e-commerce segments. To be able to join these companies, which are usually medium or large in size, may require some referral or participate in bureaucratic selection processes that make the entry barrier higher for agencies or the development of their own websites.

 Work in an SEO Agency: The Simplest and Longest

This path, while quite obvious, should not be overlooked and can often be one of the “easiest”, especially for those in their early career, since access to them is simpler and less bureaucratic; and if the candidate already has a few SEO cases, even simple ones, it may catch the attention of the executives of these agencies;

This rule applies here at Conversion, and I think among all our competitors as well. In agencies, in turn, it is essential that the professional grows and seek managerial / managerial positions or, if you want to become an expert in SEO, you must have agencies that have this type of position.

Web Design, Web Development

Five Simple Steps to Create a WordPress Website

Five Simple Steps to Create a WordPress Website Online

There’s a very good reason that business owners and individuals alike have made WordPress the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world today. With a full 27% of the entire count of online websites in existence, there is no doubt that WordPress is worth a look when it comes to creating your own internet presence.

What makes this CMS so popular? Imagine a stylish, professionally polished, easy-to-use, ultimately customizable, and affordable website in half an hour or less. You do not need to know anything about programming, design, or the types of technical details web developers get paid big money for. Of course, you can hire one to set up your WP site with a unique style and tons of rich features, but it also presents a really accessible do-it-yourself opportunity.

All you need to get online, share your content, and build yourself a platform worthy of any activity is five simple steps.

Step #1 – Register a Domain Name

Creating a WordPress website is a lot like building your dream home. The neighborhood is the online world. Your domain name is the house address. It is what tells people where your website lives and helps them get there through search engines or when typed directly into their browser bar.

How do you choose a website address or domain name that will work well for your site? It all depends on what type of WordPress website you wish to build. Is it personal or is it for a company you plan to start?

To make your domain name more memorable and recognizable, follow these tips:

 Keep it short

  • Choose words that pertain to the topic of your site
  • Always use a .com domain extension where possible
  • Use words that indicate what the site is about

MarysHouseofStuffedAnimals.info would be a not-so-great domain name. PlushPetsbyMary.com would be much better. Avoid using the free version of WordPress that comes with a somethingsomething.wordpress.com domain version. It looks unprofessional, and your site will not have as many capabilities as a self-hosted website.

In order to get a self-hosted website, move on to step two.

Step #2 – Get a Hosting Package and Set It Up

If your neighborhood is the internet, and the domain name is your address, the hosting package is the plot of land your website gets built on. Many hosting companies exist, though there are some standout favorites like BlueHost and HostGator. For a very low monthly charge, you can host your WordPress website with ease.

Sign up for an account, enter your payment information, choose your package (a small one will do to start), and determine any extras you want to invest in. These can include extra security, domain-specific email addresses, and more. Read the contract and terms, digitally sign and process the payment, and you now rent a piece of digital property to build a website on. Remember to choose a random, secure password no one will guess or figure out.

Most website hosts have one-click WordPress installation in the administrative section of your control panel. If you cannot find it, read the host’s FAQ or engage the services of a web developer. After installation is complete, familiarize yourself with the basic navigation of your wp-admin screen. This is the admin section of your website where you will do everything from change the site name to post on your blog.

Before you start creating content, however, make your WP site look its best.

Step #3 – Pick a Stylish WP Theme

In the wp-admin page, click on Appearance and then select a new theme. There are over 125 million different free themes to choose from, and you can find premium options if you would like to pay for something a bit fancier or with more features. Your WordPress installation comes with three or four generic themes. Do not stick with any of these if you want a polished, modern-looking site. The last thing you want your website to be is ordinary.

Some themes allow you to change colors, fonts, layout, header graphics, and navigation style. For the most part, you can change things back and forth all you want and never really mess things up. It makes sense to have some idea of what colors and styles you want to use on your WordPress website from the start, though.

After installing a new theme or template, it is time to get acquainted with all the other possibilities.

Step #4 – WordPress Dashboard Exploration

The dashboard, aka the wp-admin page, has a huge selection of options down the left hand side. Click on them all, and see what they do. Ask your web developer for guidance if you hired one to help you set up the WordPress website. Read a tutorial or information provided by the hosting company. None of the selections are especially complex, and everything is quite user-friendly and intuitive.

One of the top reasons why WordPress is so incredibly popular comes from its ease of use. No one has to garner technical, insider knowledge to make their website look great. Pay special attention to the Plug-Ins menu selection. WP has capabilities you haven’t even dreamed of yet.

Step #5 – Build Your Pages and Add Content

Your WordPress website exists, and it looks great, but no one will take any notice if you don’t add content. First, tackle all the style issues like colors and fonts to coincide with your business or personal interests. Check in “Pages” and edit the home page to introduce the site to anyone who stops by for a look. Consider launching your blog with a new “Post.”

Although many choices exist, most WordPress website owners do not use every menu item very frequently. You may change themes sometime in the future, but not very often. You can add plug-ins when you need additional functionality, but this won’t occur every week or even month. The bulk of your attention will focus on the Media library, Blog posts, and Page content.

The pages and elements you choose for your WordPress website depend on the type of platform you want to create. A personal blog looks and feels a lot different than a corporate presence or an e-commerce site. WordPress CMS can handle them all, but they all start out with these five basic steps.

Web Design, Web Development

GDPR Compliance Guidelines for Web and App Development

GDPR Compliance Guidelines for Web and App Development

Although the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) focuses on EU members, all websites and apps accessed by them have to follow the same rules as of May 2018. Web and program developers who do business internationally face extensive fines and penalties if they are not currently following the guidelines outlined below. Those that are must stay up-to-date with any changes or risk similar problems.

While this seems quite serious, the GDPR compliance guidelines do not demand much from site owners and app creators. Since you undoubtedly want to protect visitor and user data and identity just as much as they do, fulfilling the requirements makes sense for multiple reasons.

Why the GDPR Exists and What It Does For Consumers

The Parliament in Europe created the GDPR in 2016 as a way to protect consumer information using consistent guidelines throughout the EU. Prior to its effective date two years later, companies could choose their own methods of security. Some chose none at all, which was part of the problem. Now, the country of origin matters little. If you do business with EU customers, you must comply with GDPR regulation.

This security law provides security protection and control for individuals. Now, the consumers themselves decide what is done with their information and whether app or site developers and business entities can collect it at all.

  • People have the right to refuse personal data collection
  • App and site users must have access to their own information
  • Only necessary and relevant data is collected
  • Data should only exist for a limited time of use or processing
  • Individuals may request and receive data deletion at any time
  • All security breaches must be disclosed immediately

Other requirements exist in the GDPR documentation. They include requiring some companies to hire data protection officers, details about transmitting data across EU borders, and general security measures. While all of these criteria should have been in place for a year or more by now, keeping up to date with compliance matters just as much as implementing it at the start. Ensure that everyone at your company understands the importance of GDPR compliance.

6 Steps to GDPR Legal Compliance

Developers have multiple options when it comes to implementing GDPR regulations and protecting users from security issues. Please note that these regulations apply to all international companies, sites, and apps. You still have to follow these steps if you operate outside the European Union. Whatever methods you use, the steps to creating a compliant app or website remain the same.

1 – Every User Must Give Informed Consent to Data Collection

Definitive consent requires the app user to check a box, select an answer, or type certain words before clicking on an “Accept” button. This guideline attempts to ensure they understand what they are consenting to beforehand. This part of the regulation primarily affects mobile access and signups to account-based systems. Data may be given freely through a form or gathered remotely.

2 – Offer Quick and Unlimited Data Access to Users

Privacy policies should give clear information about what data is collected, how it is used, and how the individual can gain access to their own. You must inform them why you gather information, how it is used, and who you share it with. Always stay informed about whether particular data types can be shared with third parties. Some, such as legal or medical information, may fall under other laws and regulations.

3 – Keep Current With All GDPR Regulations

Data protection officers, GDPR-knowledgeable employees, or outside service providers like Spider Teams stay in the know about necessary regulations. This allows you to stay current, legal, and avoid penalties. At this point, you are a year out of date if you have not yet complied with the rules. Avoid penalties up to 4% of total company value by catching up quickly.

4 – Allow for Data Portability for Specific Users

Not only can users gain access to their own data and learn what you do with it, but they can also request that you use it in different ways and share it with other apps, companies, or individuals. Of course, the transmission of any data requires full security measures in place.

5 – Provide Methods to Stop Data Use or Delete It Completely

Terms and policies clearly displayed for your site or app must include instructions on how to delete all their user data if desired. Also, they have the right to stop you from sharing information with third-parties at any time. They do not have to lodge a complaint or give a specific reason. According to the GDPR, their basic objection to its use is enough.

6 – Use the Best Quality Security Systems to Protect All Data

All web and app developers should provide the utmost in security even without the risk of GDPR fines and penalties. It also requires periodic Data Protection Impact Assessments to maintain appropriate levels of safety, identify any potential risks, and close loopholes or destroy vulnerabilities in the program. These responsibilities exist even without the EU’s official rules. If your users’ data falls into the wrong hands, it could mean company failure.

If you currently fail to provide any of these individual rights when it comes to data consent, usage, or handling, consider scheduling a security audit as soon as possible. Update terms of service, privacy policies, and data collection compliance forms. Create or adopt systems to turn to if a user asks for their data, information sharing, or removes consent to use it at any time. Improve security to stop data breaches before they start, but always have a method for minimizing damage after the fact just in case.

As the deadline for GDPR compliance has passed a year ago, this list serves as a tool to remind you to fulfill all compliance requirements and keep them up-to-date. If you have not taken steps yet to secure data and give users control over their own consent and information usage, do not wait a moment longer. Spider Teams provides comprehensive coverage for all potential GDPR compliance problems. Contact us today to avoid potential fines and lost business.

Web Design, Web Development

What’s the Difference Between a Web Designer and Web Developer?

What’s the Difference Between a Web Designer and Web Developer?

To those unfamiliar with website development, the roles of web developer and web designer sound interchangeable. While it is true that both are key to building a website, there are notable differences in their responsibilities and skillsets. Here is what you should know about these two roles when preparing to hire for your project.

What Is the Role of Designers?

Designers focus on the look and feel of the website or web application. From page layout to field positioning to navigation, web designers are the ones primarily responsible for the user experience. They have a thorough understanding of graphic design and information flow, and although they may be experienced with front-end programming languages such as CSS, HTML and Javascript, their work is primarily completed with tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and wireframing software.

What Is the Role of Developers?

There are front-end and backend developers. Front-end developers are the ones who are usually mistaken for designers. They use CSS, HTML and Javascript to make the user interface of the application or website operate as planned. Backend developers use programming languages such as Ruby on Rails and Python to ensure the unseen aspects of the site or application such as data storage and reporting capabilities function appropriately.

You may come across the term “full stack” when reading about developers. It refers to a web developer who is experienced with both front- and backend programming languages.

What Should You Expect When Hiring?

First, you should expect to pay more for a developer. Second, you should expect to work differently with the two. Designers are right-brained and creative and expect more freedom to use their intuition. Developers, on the other hand, are more left-brained and logical in their thinking and require specific instructions to complete their jobs.

It takes a whole team to bring forth a fully-functioning website or application. Understanding the similarities and differences between a web developer and designer is a pivotal first step in ensuring the success of your project.

WordPress Plugins

Best WordPress Job Board Plugins

WordPress is currently one of the biggest website builders in the market with more than 30% of all websites on the internet powered by WordPress. No matter the kind of website that you need to build, WordPress can be used to design it. Job board websites are sites that are used for filling out applications. It is a great way to make money from your website or blog.  These kinds of websites can also be built using WordPress. (WordPress plugins are great way to extend functionality of WordPress CMS) Plugins are used to make websites easy to use and manage. There are several WordPress job board plugins that can be used to easily create a job board and charge other companies to post jobs. WordPress Job Board plugin lets users filter jobs, apply for them, use templates, and much more. The best part is, it’s fully integrating with your site. These are the best WordPress Job Board plugins.

  • Apply Online

Job Board Plugin

Apply Online is ads management plugin and one of the best WordPress Job Board Plugins which allows users to quickly respond to listings. It is effective and easy to use. Apply Online has over 5000 active installations with a rating of 4.7 out of 5. Not many plugins have achieved this feat. Websites owners can easily add a job board to their website and start accepting applications. It has powerful features like ad categories, application form fields, email notifications, filters, and many more. With the Apply Online plugin, there are several other applications apart from creating a job board. It can also be used as an advertising board and online registration board as well. Some of its features are given below:

  • Advertisements listing page with the excerpts
  • Application Manager can write his own comments on applications received
  • Ad filter option
  • Different types and categories of ads like careers, admissions, etc.
  • Inbuilt form builder to create application forms

Apply Online is free to all WordPress site users. The plugin enables the applications which are added to be categorized and managed from within the dashboard. It can also be customized to display on any page of your website using a shortcode. Online applications are accepted by the plugin, along with resumes and CVs. once applications have been made, email notifications are sent to notify job board admin(s).

The ApplyOnline plugin comes with various add-ons for easier running and management. One of such add-ons is the Application tracker add-on. This add-on enables users to edit and save their job applications for later submissions. Users can also track the progress of their job applications and receive email notifications with the Apply Online tracker add-on.

  • WP JobBoard
Job Board Plugin

WP Job Board has numerous applications and is very easy to install. WP JobBoard is compatible with all WordPress themes and you can add it to new or existing websites. It is equipped with many SEO and social measure to help your website gain more followers. The best part is that it is extensive and informative, explaining and documenting everything you need to know. Other advantages of this plugin include low cost, ease of use, great customer service and user-friendly interface. The WP Job Board is both versatile and effective.

WP Job Board has numerous applications and is very easy to install. WP Job Board is compatible with all WordPress themes and you can add it to new or existing websites. It is equipped with many SEO and social measure to help your website gain more followers. The best part is that it is extensive and informative, explaining and documenting everything you need to know. Other advantages of this plugin include low cost, ease of use, great customer service and user-friendly interface. The WP Job Board is both versatile and effective.

 

  • WP Job Manager
Job Board Plugin

WP Job Manager is one of the most easy-to-use WordPress job board plugins. By Simply creating new job pages and adding shortcodes, you can have a live job board in a matter of minutes. With WP Job Manager, users are able to post their job listings and register on your website. There is also a simple dashboard from where users can manage their listings. It can be used to make money online through paid listings by using add-ons. It also has add-ons to integrate with online platforms such as Facebook, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, WooCommerce stores etc. the WP Job Manager makes use of native WordPress user interface so it can feel like part of the website rather than a plugin. By using front-end submissions forms that take on the styling and appearance of your chosen theme, signing up and submitting applications.

  • Simple Job Board

           

Simple Job Board is an easy to use, light weight plugin that adds a job board to any WordPress website. Ease of use is an advantage to this extendable plugin. Various job offers are managed via the customized job board. With a simple shortcode you can add multiple job listings and show them on any page of your web site. Multiple job features can be added, and you can customize application forms for every distinct job listing. Notes can also be added from the dashboard. Several add-ons are available to help create multiple attachment fields, email an application, provide filters and hiring based on location or category. If something is not on the list a custom add-on can be created.

Web Design

Is There a Difference Between SEM and SEO?

Is There a Difference Between SEM and SEO?

Internet activity has exploded in the last few years. The unprecedented growth in all areas from online shopping to conducting research has resulted in even the smallest company having a website. Employing SEO and SEM helps the right people find your products and services in a vast sea of competitors. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference.

What is Search Engine Marketing?

Search Engine Marketing is part of an overall marketing plan and a subset of an internet marketing strategy. It’s the set of techniques used to get more search engine visibility, either through ads or from SEO. The goal is to promote your website primarily through paid search and contextual advertising.

  • Paid search is precisely targeted advertising. When supported with focused analytics, it can help determine and improve ROI. This method is also referred to as cost-per-click and pay per click advertising.
  • Contextual advertising is advertising displayed on a web page that is relevant to that page’s content, based on keyword targeting. Examples include in-game text or video ads, native advertising and behavioral advertising.

What is Search Engine Optimization?

Another type of search marketing is organic placement, also known as SEO. This is the set of tactics used to increase the number of visitors to your website. By employing on-page and off-page techniques, your site can move up on the search engine results page so that more web searchers can find it.

On-Page activities use tactics within your site’s pages to help visitors find them. They include:

  • Using targeted keywords in the headings, titles and meta tags
  • Integrating social sharing
  • Adding high-quality page content and blog posts

Off-Page activities are measures taken outside the website to improve your search engine rankings. They include:

  • Engaging in social media
  • Creating quality backlinks
  • Contributing as a guest author

Millions of organizations are online worldwide. Understanding the differences between SEO and SEM and how they are used is imperative to being found by your target audience. Developing an effective marketing strategy using these techniques can increase your website traffic and improve your return on investment.

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