(10185,5,'2016-03-21 13:08:20','2016-03-21 17:08:20','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/17260898_s-300x208.jpg\" alt=\"Inactive Subscribers\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10144\" />Maybe you started your email marketing campaign years ago and you\'ve realized you have a large amount of inactive email subscribers. There\'s no good reason to waste all your effort building your email list. Even inactive subscribers have value, if you know what to do with them. \r\n\r\nWith the right strategy, you don\'t have to send out new deals, newsletters and other announcements only to think the open rate is too low and the number of sales isn\'t satisfactory. Here are some of the ways you can handle inactive email subscribers on your list.\r\n\r\n<h2>What constitutes an inactive subscriber?</h2>\r\n\r\nBefore we go any further, it\'s good to know what constitutes an inactive subscriber. There isn\'t really a set rule for this, but usually, if the subscriber goes too long without opening one of your emails, they become inactive. This time fame is different and varies from one website to another. \r\n\r\n<h2>Is there anything wrong with inactive subscribers?</h2>\r\n\r\nInactive email addresses happen when you spend years collecting them and building your list. Often, they are looked at as no big deal, but they could be causing issues with your analytics. When your list contains too many inactive emails, your numbers will not show the real open rates, clicks and sales percentages. These numbers probably drive many of your decisions, so it\'s important to have accurate numbers.\r\n\r\nAlong with messing with your analytics, your inactive subscribers may also be costing you cash. Some of the auto responder programs, such as Constant Contact or MailChimp charge you based on the size of your list. This means, you are paying to have inactive email addresses on your list. \r\n\r\nIn addition, if those you send messages to don\'t open them, they won\'t see your message. This means your email marketing isn\'t really working.\r\n\r\n<h2>Why do subscribers become inactive?</h2>\r\n\r\nYou may become very frustrated when you notice subscribers becoming in active. It\'s a difficult thing to understand because they gave you an email address, so you assume they are at least somewhat interested in what you have to offer. There are numerous reasons for subscribers going inactive, which include:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>One-time Customers - Sometimes, customers only wanted to purchase one project form you as a gift for someone or they are trying out a new hobby. After the purchase, they have no reason to want your emails anymore and simply don\'t have interested in what you offer.</li>\r\n<li>\"Spam or Junk\" Email Address - Many people use what is known as a \"spam or junk\" email address for offers requiring an email address. This is an email address they don\'t check very often, or at all. Instead, they just use it for offers they really don\'t want to see. </li>\r\n<li>Outdated Email Address - Another thing that causes inactive subscribers is an outdated email address. Maybe they don\'t use it anymore, have a new one from a new job, stopped going to the school it\'s associated with or it just became overloaded with spam, so they opened a new account. When a subscriber doesn\'t update their information, they may become inactive.</li>\r\n<li>Content Issues- Of course, there is the real possibility that you are not providing the type of content they want. Maybe the subject line gets lost in the flood of other emails they receive or they open it and the email is simply too long. If this is the case, you may be able to fix it.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\nThere are several reasons for subscribers becoming inactive. It may have nothing to do with you or your website.\r\n\r\n<h2>How to Give Inactive Subscribers a Nudge</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/8925387_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Email Marketing\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10143\" />Sometimes, you can resurrect an inactive subscriber by giving them a little nudge. You don\'t need to just chop them from your list, just yet. Making one last attempt to re-engage with them may save you a few subscribers, which could turn into customers.\r\n\r\nStart with improving your emails. Compelling subject lines may be all it takes or checking the spam rating on emails could be the different. Adding in free gifts, coupon codes and other giveaways may help, as well.\r\n\r\nAn email sent just to your inactive subscribers with a subject such as, \"Come Back, We\'ve Missed You!\" may be just what you need. This type of email might just get them to open your email and you can even include a coupon code for a special discount.\r\n\r\nAnother method of resurrecting an inactive subscriber is to send they a survey. Try to find out if they had a bad experience if there is anything you can do to improve. \r\n\r\nIf you think some of your inactive subscribers may be using an old email address, you could try adding a link to update their information. This might help when they do finally check that old work email or school account.\r\n\r\n<h2>What about subscribers you can\'t re-engage?</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/51715090_s-300x180.jpg\" alt=\"Subscribers\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10145\" />Of course, unless you\'re very lucky, your efforts to nudge inactive subscribers will only work with some of them. The rest may simply need to be cut from your list to save you money and give you more active analytics. It\'s a bit controversial, as some businesses never delete any subscribers and others regularly clean out inactive subscribers. \r\n\r\nUnderstanding how to handle your inactive email subscribers is very important. If you want to get the most out of your inactive subscribers, use the information above and you may be able to get some of them to become active.\r\n','What Should You Do with Your Inactive Email Subscribers?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10141-revision-v1','','','2016-03-21 13:08:20','2016-03-21 17:08:20','',10141,'https://itxdesign.com/10141-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10186,5,'2016-03-22 12:34:59','2016-03-22 16:34:59','<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-150x100.jpg 150w\" alt=\"typewriter-801921_1920\" width=\"339\" height=\"226\" />Owning a home-based business can be stressful. Without the traditional office/home boundaries, it can be difficult to stay on track and be productive with your time.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a challenge to stay connected to your employees and create a harmonious company culture.\r\n\r\nBut operating your business from home doesn’t have to mean it’s doomed to be disorganized or chaotic. The fact that you’re reading this article shows that you are invested in your business and want to make it work against all odds.\r\n\r\n<em>“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”</em>\r\n\r\nWe scoured the web and came up with a list of 10 actionable tips for operating a successful home-based business. You can get started right now!\r\n\r\n<b><b>1. Stay on task.</b></b>\r\n\r\nDo you know how hard it is to take care of business when there are infinity cat and puppy videos to watch online? When Facebook beckons from just a tab away? When Google has a fun new game to play on their homepage?\r\n\r\nYes, you do. That’s why it’s important to make yourself stay on track while you’re working. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/which-old-school-strategies-can-you-use-to-boost-productivity/\" target=\"_blank\">Close those extra tabs</a> and focus on the task at hand. The kitties will be there when you finish.\r\n\r\n<b><b>2. Get connected.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you’re working with a remote team, it’s really important that you stay connected to your team members. Make sure you’re checking in often, and that everyone is on the same page. No one should feel like an island on a remote team.\r\n\r\nCheck out apps and programs <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-use-slack-interactions-to-become-more-productive/\" target=\"_blank\">like Slack</a> or Pidgin to stay in touch with your team when you can’t be there in person.\r\n\r\n<b><b>3. Switch things up.</b></b>\r\n\r\nFeel like you just can’t take another day of working from your couch? Don’t! Visit a local park, coffee shop, or library to do your work for the day and get rid of your cabin fever. Simply <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/4-benefits-get-from-sunlight-fresh-air/\" target=\"_blank\">sitting in the sunlight and breathing fresh air can boost your mood</a> and make you more productive.\r\n\r\nDon’t want to leave the house? Try working from a different area of the house; with or without soft music playing; at different times of the day. Switching things up could be the change you need to succeed!\r\n\r\n<b><b><img class=\"wp-image-3842  alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-1024x674.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-300x197.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-768x505.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4.jpg 1500w\" alt=\"TheYard4\" width=\"303\" height=\"199\" />4. Try coworking.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you find yourself going to coffee shops a lot just to be around others, <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/what-is-coworking-and-how-do-i-get-started/\" target=\"_blank\">coworking might be the ticket for you</a>.\r\n\r\nYou’ll be able to surround yourself with other remote workers–freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote corporate teams–and that can get the creativity and productivity flowing.\r\n\r\nYou might even meet someone you’d like to hire to work for you!\r\n\r\n<b><b>5. Get a business phone number.</b></b>\r\n\r\nServices like Grasshopper provide professional phone numbers for your small business. You can get your own toll-free or local number, along with the ability to transcribe voice mails directly to your email, add extensions, and forward calls to your mobile phone.\r\n\r\n<b><b>6. Create boundaries.</b></b>\r\n\r\nDesignate some <a href=\"http://web.archive.org/web/20160913091833/https://www.conversational.com/what-traits-make-you-fit-to-work-from-home/\" target=\"_blank\">concrete boundaries</a> for yourself so you can concentrate on being productive. For example, you might say that from 8am-12pm, you’ll work, 12pm-1pm is lunch, and 1pm-4pm is your second chunk of productivity.\r\n\r\nYour boundaries may look nothing like this, but it’s important to be realistic when you schedule your time. Don’t put yourself down for working 4 hours straight when you know you work better in 2 hour bursts.\r\n\r\n<b><b>7. Schedule family time.</b></b>\r\n\r\nEven though you’re home most of the time, owning a home-based business can seriously impede on your family time. Why? Because it’s hard to set boundaries on work when you’re in the same place where work is done.\r\n\r\nYou literally live at your office, so to make sure you don’t skimp on family time, schedule it just like you would schedule a meeting. You can schedule that time daily in big chunks or schedule specific activities with family members.\r\n\r\nFor example, on weekdays from 4pm-8pm is family time (barring any unforeseen crises at work), or on Mondays, I take my daughter out to eat at 6pm-7:30pm.\r\n\r\n<b><b>8. Set goals and track your progress.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIt can feel like you’re disconnected, or doing it all alone, when you’re running a business from home. That makes it especially important to set goals and track your progress along the way. This works in two ways.\r\n\r\nFirst, it will build your perseverance toward working on long-term goals, which is invaluable for an entrepreneur.\r\n\r\nSecond, it will give you concrete, measurable milestones and accomplishments to celebrate. Who could turn down a perfectly good reason to celebrate? Not us.\r\n\r\n<b><b>9. Hire extra help.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve been going at it alone, or if you’ve been working with a limited team, it might be time to consider <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/how-can-your-virtual-assistant-help-with-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">hiring some extra help</a>. That might be for your business (a virtual receptionist, marketing assistant, web designer, etc.) or it might be for you or your home (a maid, organization specialist, chef a few nights per week, etc.).\r\n\r\nIf you’re having trouble getting something done, look into hiring someone to help you do it.\r\n\r\n<b><b>10. Get some exercise.</b></b>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-3844 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy-300x168.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy.jpg 400w\" alt=\"stayhealthy\" width=\"240\" height=\"134\" />You may not think exercise has anything to do with your success as an entrepreneur, but it can. Research has shown that sedentary lifestyles do affect our brains and the way we learn, react to, and retain information.\r\n\r\nIf you’ve been working from your couch, it’s a good idea to take a walk during your next phone call, do some leg lifts while you answer emails, or join a gym.\r\n\r\nKeeping your body healthy will put you in the right state of mind to accomplish your goals and run a successful business from home.','10 Ways to Help Your Home Based Business Succeed','','publish','open','closed','','10-ways-help-home-based-business-succeed','','','2018-07-10 05:48:10','2018-07-10 09:48:10','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10186',0,'post','',0),(10187,5,'2016-03-22 12:33:45','2016-03-22 16:33:45','<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-150x100.jpg 150w\" alt=\"typewriter-801921_1920\" width=\"339\" height=\"226\" />Owning a home-based business can be stressful. Without the traditional office/home boundaries, it can be difficult to stay on track and be productive with your time. It\'s a challenge to stay connected to your employees and create a harmonious company culture.\r\n\r\nBut operating your business from home doesn’t have to mean it’s doomed to be disorganized or chaotic. The fact that you’re reading this article shows that you are invested in your business and want to make it work against all odds.\r\n\r\n<em>“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”</em>\r\n\r\nWe scoured the web and came up with a list of 10 actionable tips for operating a successful home-based business. You can get started right now!\r\n\r\n<b><b>1. Stay on task.</b></b>\r\n\r\nDo you know how hard it is to take care of business when there are infinity cat and puppy videos to watch online? When Facebook beckons from just a tab away? When Google has a fun new game to play on their homepage?\r\n\r\nYes, you do. That’s why it’s important to make yourself stay on track while you’re working. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/which-old-school-strategies-can-you-use-to-boost-productivity/\" target=\"_blank\">Close those extra tabs</a> and focus on the task at hand. The kitties will be there when you finish.\r\n\r\n<b><b>2. Get connected.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you’re working with a remote team, it’s really important that you stay connected to your team members. Make sure you’re checking in often, and that everyone is on the same page. No one should feel like an island on a remote team.\r\n\r\nCheck out apps and programs <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-use-slack-interactions-to-become-more-productive/\" target=\"_blank\">like Slack</a> or Pidgin to stay in touch with your team when you can’t be there in person.\r\n\r\n<b><b>3. Switch things up.</b></b>\r\n\r\nFeel like you just can’t take another day of working from your couch? Don’t! Visit a local park, coffee shop, or library to do your work for the day and get rid of your cabin fever. Simply <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/4-benefits-get-from-sunlight-fresh-air/\" target=\"_blank\">sitting in the sunlight and breathing fresh air can boost your mood</a> and make you more productive.\r\n\r\nDon’t want to leave the house? Try working from a different area of the house; with or without soft music playing; at different times of the day. Switching things up could be the change you need to succeed!\r\n\r\n<b><b><img class=\"wp-image-3842  alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-1024x674.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-300x197.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-768x505.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4.jpg 1500w\" alt=\"TheYard4\" width=\"303\" height=\"199\" />4. Try coworking.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you find yourself going to coffee shops a lot just to be around others, <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/what-is-coworking-and-how-do-i-get-started/\" target=\"_blank\">coworking might be the ticket for you</a>.\r\n\r\nYou’ll be able to surround yourself with other remote workers–freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote corporate teams–and that can get the creativity and productivity flowing.\r\n\r\nYou might even meet someone you’d like to hire to work for you!\r\n\r\n<b><b>5. Get a business phone number.</b></b>\r\n\r\nServices like Grasshopper provide professional phone numbers for your small business. You can get your own toll-free or local number, along with the ability to transcribe voice mails directly to your email, add extensions, and forward calls to your mobile phone.\r\n\r\n<b><b>6. Create boundaries.</b></b>\r\n\r\nDesignate some <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/what-traits-make-you-fit-to-work-from-home/\" target=\"_blank\">concrete boundaries</a> for yourself so you can concentrate on being productive. For example, you might say that from 8am-12pm, you’ll work, 12pm-1pm is lunch, and 1pm-4pm is your second chunk of productivity.\r\n\r\nYour boundaries may look nothing like this, but it’s important to be realistic when you schedule your time. Don’t put yourself down for working 4 hours straight when you know you work better in 2 hour bursts.\r\n\r\n<b><b>7. Schedule family time.</b></b>\r\n\r\nEven though you’re home most of the time, owning a home-based business can seriously impede on your family time. Why? Because it’s hard to set boundaries on work when you’re in the same place where work is done.\r\n\r\nYou literally live at your office, so to make sure you don’t skimp on family time, schedule it just like you would schedule a meeting. You can schedule that time daily in big chunks or schedule specific activities with family members.\r\n\r\nFor example, on weekdays from 4pm-8pm is family time (barring any unforeseen crises at work), or on Mondays, I take my daughter out to eat at 6pm-7:30pm.\r\n\r\n<b><b>8. Set goals and track your progress.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIt can feel like you’re disconnected, or doing it all alone, when you’re running a business from home. That makes it especially important to set goals and track your progress along the way. This works in two ways.\r\n\r\nFirst, it will build your perseverance toward working on long-term goals, which is invaluable for an entrepreneur.\r\n\r\nSecond, it will give you concrete, measurable milestones and accomplishments to celebrate. Who could turn down a perfectly good reason to celebrate? Not us.\r\n\r\n<b><b>9. Hire extra help.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve been going at it alone, or if you’ve been working with a limited team, it might be time to consider <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/how-can-your-virtual-assistant-help-with-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">hiring some extra help</a>. That might be for your business (a virtual receptionist, marketing assistant, web designer, etc.) or it might be for you or your home (a maid, organization specialist, chef a few nights per week, etc.).\r\n\r\nIf you’re having trouble getting something done, look into hiring someone to help you do it.\r\n\r\n<b><b>10. Get some exercise.</b></b>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-3844 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy-300x168.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy.jpg 400w\" alt=\"stayhealthy\" width=\"240\" height=\"134\" />You may not think exercise has anything to do with your success as an entrepreneur, but it can. Research has shown that sedentary lifestyles do affect our brains and the way we learn, react to, and retain information.\r\n\r\nIf you’ve been working from your couch, it’s a good idea to take a walk during your next phone call, do some leg lifts while you answer emails, or join a gym. Keeping your body healthy will put you in the right state of mind to accomplish your goals and run a successful business from home.','10 Ways to Help Your Home Based Business Succeed','','inherit','closed','closed','','10186-revision-v1','','','2016-03-22 12:33:45','2016-03-22 16:33:45','',10186,'https://itxdesign.com/10186-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10188,5,'2016-03-22 12:34:59','2016-03-22 16:34:59','<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-1024x683.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/typewriter-801921_1920-150x100.jpg 150w\" alt=\"typewriter-801921_1920\" width=\"339\" height=\"226\" />Owning a home-based business can be stressful. Without the traditional office/home boundaries, it can be difficult to stay on track and be productive with your time.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a challenge to stay connected to your employees and create a harmonious company culture.\r\n\r\nBut operating your business from home doesn’t have to mean it’s doomed to be disorganized or chaotic. The fact that you’re reading this article shows that you are invested in your business and want to make it work against all odds.\r\n\r\n<em>“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”</em>\r\n\r\nWe scoured the web and came up with a list of 10 actionable tips for operating a successful home-based business. You can get started right now!\r\n\r\n<b><b>1. Stay on task.</b></b>\r\n\r\nDo you know how hard it is to take care of business when there are infinity cat and puppy videos to watch online? When Facebook beckons from just a tab away? When Google has a fun new game to play on their homepage?\r\n\r\nYes, you do. That’s why it’s important to make yourself stay on track while you’re working. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/which-old-school-strategies-can-you-use-to-boost-productivity/\" target=\"_blank\">Close those extra tabs</a> and focus on the task at hand. The kitties will be there when you finish.\r\n\r\n<b><b>2. Get connected.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you’re working with a remote team, it’s really important that you stay connected to your team members. Make sure you’re checking in often, and that everyone is on the same page. No one should feel like an island on a remote team.\r\n\r\nCheck out apps and programs <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-use-slack-interactions-to-become-more-productive/\" target=\"_blank\">like Slack</a> or Pidgin to stay in touch with your team when you can’t be there in person.\r\n\r\n<b><b>3. Switch things up.</b></b>\r\n\r\nFeel like you just can’t take another day of working from your couch? Don’t! Visit a local park, coffee shop, or library to do your work for the day and get rid of your cabin fever. Simply <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/4-benefits-get-from-sunlight-fresh-air/\" target=\"_blank\">sitting in the sunlight and breathing fresh air can boost your mood</a> and make you more productive.\r\n\r\nDon’t want to leave the house? Try working from a different area of the house; with or without soft music playing; at different times of the day. Switching things up could be the change you need to succeed!\r\n\r\n<b><b><img class=\"wp-image-3842  alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-1024x674.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-300x197.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-768x505.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4-1024x674.jpg 1024w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheYard4.jpg 1500w\" alt=\"TheYard4\" width=\"303\" height=\"199\" />4. Try coworking.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you find yourself going to coffee shops a lot just to be around others, <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/what-is-coworking-and-how-do-i-get-started/\" target=\"_blank\">coworking might be the ticket for you</a>.\r\n\r\nYou’ll be able to surround yourself with other remote workers–freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote corporate teams–and that can get the creativity and productivity flowing.\r\n\r\nYou might even meet someone you’d like to hire to work for you!\r\n\r\n<b><b>5. Get a business phone number.</b></b>\r\n\r\nServices like Grasshopper provide professional phone numbers for your small business. You can get your own toll-free or local number, along with the ability to transcribe voice mails directly to your email, add extensions, and forward calls to your mobile phone.\r\n\r\n<b><b>6. Create boundaries.</b></b>\r\n\r\nDesignate some <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/what-traits-make-you-fit-to-work-from-home/\" target=\"_blank\">concrete boundaries</a> for yourself so you can concentrate on being productive. For example, you might say that from 8am-12pm, you’ll work, 12pm-1pm is lunch, and 1pm-4pm is your second chunk of productivity.\r\n\r\nYour boundaries may look nothing like this, but it’s important to be realistic when you schedule your time. Don’t put yourself down for working 4 hours straight when you know you work better in 2 hour bursts.\r\n\r\n<b><b>7. Schedule family time.</b></b>\r\n\r\nEven though you’re home most of the time, owning a home-based business can seriously impede on your family time. Why? Because it’s hard to set boundaries on work when you’re in the same place where work is done.\r\n\r\nYou literally live at your office, so to make sure you don’t skimp on family time, schedule it just like you would schedule a meeting. You can schedule that time daily in big chunks or schedule specific activities with family members.\r\n\r\nFor example, on weekdays from 4pm-8pm is family time (barring any unforeseen crises at work), or on Mondays, I take my daughter out to eat at 6pm-7:30pm.\r\n\r\n<b><b>8. Set goals and track your progress.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIt can feel like you’re disconnected, or doing it all alone, when you’re running a business from home. That makes it especially important to set goals and track your progress along the way. This works in two ways.\r\n\r\nFirst, it will build your perseverance toward working on long-term goals, which is invaluable for an entrepreneur.\r\n\r\nSecond, it will give you concrete, measurable milestones and accomplishments to celebrate. Who could turn down a perfectly good reason to celebrate? Not us.\r\n\r\n<b><b>9. Hire extra help.</b></b>\r\n\r\nIf you’ve been going at it alone, or if you’ve been working with a limited team, it might be time to consider <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/how-can-your-virtual-assistant-help-with-twitter/\" target=\"_blank\">hiring some extra help</a>. That might be for your business (a virtual receptionist, marketing assistant, web designer, etc.) or it might be for you or your home (a maid, organization specialist, chef a few nights per week, etc.).\r\n\r\nIf you’re having trouble getting something done, look into hiring someone to help you do it.\r\n\r\n<b><b>10. Get some exercise.</b></b>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-3844 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy-300x168.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/stayhealthy.jpg 400w\" alt=\"stayhealthy\" width=\"240\" height=\"134\" />You may not think exercise has anything to do with your success as an entrepreneur, but it can. Research has shown that sedentary lifestyles do affect our brains and the way we learn, react to, and retain information.\r\n\r\nIf you’ve been working from your couch, it’s a good idea to take a walk during your next phone call, do some leg lifts while you answer emails, or join a gym.\r\n\r\nKeeping your body healthy will put you in the right state of mind to accomplish your goals and run a successful business from home.','10 Ways to Help Your Home Based Business Succeed','','inherit','closed','closed','','10186-revision-v1','','','2016-03-22 12:34:59','2016-03-22 16:34:59','',10186,'https://itxdesign.com/10186-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10189,4,'2016-03-23 15:32:15','2016-03-23 19:32:15','Whether amateur or professional, photographers with a WordPress website and/or blog need the right plugins. With the right plugins, you can make your site stand out, keep it from slowing down and make sure you can display your images in the highest possible resolution.\r\n\r\nYour images are important and they are probably the lifeblood of your site. You need to be able to show off your talents without your site taking forever to load or losing resolution due to the size of the image. Here are five great plugins every photographer should be using for their WordPress website. \r\n\r\n<h2>WP Smush Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WPSmushit.png\" alt=\"WP Smush it\" width=\"763\" height=\"249\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10194\" />\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-smushit/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=_blank\">WP Smush plugin</a> makes it easy to keep the resolution you need without killing your website load times. This plugin will reduce the size of images without losing the resolution you need to show off your awesome pictures. It\'s 100% free and will take care of making sure your site doesn\'t slow down due to the many images you will be showing off. \r\n\r\nIf you let your site load slowly, it could deter viewers from actually staying on your site. It will also hurt your SEO and you cannot have a website, as a photographer, without showing off plenty of images. \r\n\r\nWP Smush has more than 300K downloads and a 4.7 out of 5 rating. It\'s known as one of the best plugins for reducing the size of images without giving up quality. \r\n\r\n<h2>Easy Watermark Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/EasyWatermark.png\" alt=\"Easy Watermark\" width=\"751\" height=\"231\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10190\" />\r\n\r\nOf course, you need to protect your work and the <A href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-watermark/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Easy Watermark</a> plugin allows you to do just that. Without a watermark, someone could steal your image and you may not have the time to track them down and file a lawsuit. Avoiding all of this mess is easy with the Easy Watermark plugin.\r\n\r\nYou can easily add watermarks to every image you upload to your media library with this plugin. This means, if someone does steal your image, it will be watermarked with your name, company name and even logo. This will keep them from using it without giving you credit. \r\n\r\nThe Easy Watermark plugin has more than 20K downloads and has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on WordPress. It will help protect your brand and keep your images from being used without your permission or without receiving credit.\r\n\r\n<h2>Envira Gallery Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/EnviraGallery.png\" alt=\"Envira Gallery\" width=\"744\" height=\"239\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10191\" />\r\n\r\nThe <A href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/envira-gallery-lite/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Envira Gallery</a> plugin provides a great choice for photographers looking for a responsive gallery plugin. It\'s easy to set up and can used within minutes. \r\n\r\nIf you need to set up a personal portfolio, show past work you have done, display travel images or any other type of images in a gallery, this is the right choice. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for anybody to use and the plugin is very SEO friendly. It\'s also set up to work great with mobile devices. \r\n\r\nEnvira Gallery Lite has been downloaded more than 150K times and has received a 4.4 out of 5 rating on WordPress.\r\n\r\n<h2>Imsanity Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Imsanity.png\" alt=\"Imsanity\" width=\"743\" height=\"228\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10192\" />\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/imsanity/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Imsanity plugin</a> is another good choice for resizing larger images. This will help you get those images that are too big to upload set up on your site without any issue. It\'s designed for even beginners to use and makes resizing images very easy.\r\n\r\nThis plugin isn\'t a replacement for WP Smush, but another one you should add to your arsenal as a photographer. It has been downloaded more than 100K times and has a 4.8 out of 5 on WordPress.\r\n\r\n<h2>Pinterest \"Pin It\" Button</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PinterestPinItButton.png\" alt=\"Pinterest Pin It Button\" width=\"731\" height=\"227\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10193\" />\r\n\r\nOf course, every photographer needs a Pinterest plugin to allow for easy pinning. The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pinterest-pin-it-button/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Pinterest \"Pin It\" Button</a> plugin is the right choice. It will automatically add the \"Pin It\" button to all your images making it easy for visitors to pin your pictures.\r\n\r\nThe plugin has been downloaded more than 30K times and has a 3.9 out of 5 rating on WordPress.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re a photographer looking for the right plugins for WordPress, these five should certainly be at the top of your list.\r\n','Which WordPress Plugins Do Photographers Need?','','publish','open','closed','','which-wordpress-plugins-do-photographers-need','','','2016-03-22 15:36:32','2016-03-22 19:36:32','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10189',0,'post','',0),(10190,4,'2016-03-22 15:33:58','2016-03-22 19:33:58','','Easy Watermark','','inherit','open','closed','','easywatermark-3','','','2016-03-22 15:35:17','2016-03-22 19:35:17','',10189,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/EasyWatermark.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10191,4,'2016-03-22 15:34:00','2016-03-22 19:34:00','','Envira Gallery','','inherit','open','closed','','enviragallery-2','','','2016-03-22 15:35:34','2016-03-22 19:35:34','',10189,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/EnviraGallery.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10192,4,'2016-03-22 15:34:02','2016-03-22 19:34:02','','Imsanity','','inherit','open','closed','','imsanity-2','','','2016-03-22 15:35:46','2016-03-22 19:35:46','',10189,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Imsanity.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10193,4,'2016-03-22 15:34:03','2016-03-22 19:34:03','','Pinterest Pin It Button','','inherit','open','closed','','pinterestpinitbutton','','','2016-03-22 15:36:07','2016-03-22 19:36:07','',10189,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PinterestPinItButton.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10194,4,'2016-03-22 15:34:05','2016-03-22 19:34:05','','WP Smush it','','inherit','open','closed','','wpsmushit','','','2016-03-22 15:34:35','2016-03-22 19:34:35','',10189,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WPSmushit.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10195,4,'2016-03-22 15:36:16','2016-03-22 19:36:16','Whether amateur or professional, photographers with a WordPress website and/or blog need the right plugins. With the right plugins, you can make your site stand out, keep it from slowing down and make sure you can display your images in the highest possible resolution.\r\n\r\nYour images are important and they are probably the lifeblood of your site. You need to be able to show off your talents without your site taking forever to load or losing resolution due to the size of the image. Here are five great plugins every photographer should be using for their WordPress website. \r\n\r\n<h2>WP Smush Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WPSmushit.png\" alt=\"WP Smush it\" width=\"763\" height=\"249\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10194\" />\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-smushit/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=_blank\">WP Smush plugin</a> makes it easy to keep the resolution you need without killing your website load times. This plugin will reduce the size of images without losing the resolution you need to show off your awesome pictures. It\'s 100% free and will take care of making sure your site doesn\'t slow down due to the many images you will be showing off. \r\n\r\nIf you let your site load slowly, it could deter viewers from actually staying on your site. It will also hurt your SEO and you cannot have a website, as a photographer, without showing off plenty of images. \r\n\r\nWP Smush has more than 300K downloads and a 4.7 out of 5 rating. It\'s known as one of the best plugins for reducing the size of images without giving up quality. \r\n\r\n<h2>Easy Watermark Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/EasyWatermark.png\" alt=\"Easy Watermark\" width=\"751\" height=\"231\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10190\" />\r\n\r\nOf course, you need to protect your work and the <A href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/easy-watermark/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Easy Watermark</a> plugin allows you to do just that. Without a watermark, someone could steal your image and you may not have the time to track them down and file a lawsuit. Avoiding all of this mess is easy with the Easy Watermark plugin.\r\n\r\nYou can easily add watermarks to every image you upload to your media library with this plugin. This means, if someone does steal your image, it will be watermarked with your name, company name and even logo. This will keep them from using it without giving you credit. \r\n\r\nThe Easy Watermark plugin has more than 20K downloads and has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on WordPress. It will help protect your brand and keep your images from being used without your permission or without receiving credit.\r\n\r\n<h2>Envira Gallery Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/EnviraGallery.png\" alt=\"Envira Gallery\" width=\"744\" height=\"239\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10191\" />\r\n\r\nThe <A href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/envira-gallery-lite/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Envira Gallery</a> plugin provides a great choice for photographers looking for a responsive gallery plugin. It\'s easy to set up and can used within minutes. \r\n\r\nIf you need to set up a personal portfolio, show past work you have done, display travel images or any other type of images in a gallery, this is the right choice. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for anybody to use and the plugin is very SEO friendly. It\'s also set up to work great with mobile devices. \r\n\r\nEnvira Gallery Lite has been downloaded more than 150K times and has received a 4.4 out of 5 rating on WordPress.\r\n\r\n<h2>Imsanity Plugin</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Imsanity.png\" alt=\"Imsanity\" width=\"743\" height=\"228\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10192\" />\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/imsanity/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Imsanity plugin</a> is another good choice for resizing larger images. This will help you get those images that are too big to upload set up on your site without any issue. It\'s designed for even beginners to use and makes resizing images very easy.\r\n\r\nThis plugin isn\'t a replacement for WP Smush, but another one you should add to your arsenal as a photographer. It has been downloaded more than 100K times and has a 4.8 out of 5 on WordPress.\r\n\r\n<h2>Pinterest \"Pin It\" Button</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/PinterestPinItButton.png\" alt=\"Pinterest Pin It Button\" width=\"731\" height=\"227\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10193\" />\r\n\r\nOf course, every photographer needs a Pinterest plugin to allow for easy pinning. The <a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/pinterest-pin-it-button/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Pinterest \"Pin It\" Button</a> plugin is the right choice. It will automatically add the \"Pin It\" button to all your images making it easy for visitors to pin your pictures.\r\n\r\nThe plugin has been downloaded more than 30K times and has a 3.9 out of 5 rating on WordPress.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re a photographer looking for the right plugins for WordPress, these five should certainly be at the top of your list.\r\n','Which WordPress Plugins Do Photographers Need?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10189-revision-v1','','','2016-03-22 15:36:16','2016-03-22 19:36:16','',10189,'https://itxdesign.com/10189-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10196,4,'2016-03-24 15:37:03','2016-03-24 19:37:03','The beauty and wellness industry has exploded and many beauty salons and spas are taking their business online. Whether they sell products or just use their website to inform and take appointments, a professional WordPress theme makes a big difference. With the vast majority of consumers using the internet to research businesses before making any type of appointment or commitment, it\'s vital for your salon or spa to have a website.\r\n\r\nUsing WordPress makes it easy to build your own website or hire a designer to take care of it for you. The process will include choosing the right theme for your new website. Here are ten of the top beauty salon and spa websites for WordPress.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/beauty-hair-salon-nail-spa-fashion-wp-theme/14458185\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Beauty</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Beauty.png\" alt=\"Beauty\" width=\"599\" height=\"308\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10198\" />\r\n\r\nBeauty is a theme specifically designed for hair salons, spas, fashion sites and even nail salons. It\'s set up to provide an easy way for salons and other beauty businesses to create a great looking website. The theme comes from Themeforest and includes a Page Builder plugin, along with the ability to translate into more than a dozen languages. This specific theme is $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/skin-beauty-beauty-spa-salon-wordpress-theme/11531537\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Skin Beauty</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SkinBeauty.png\" alt=\"Skin Beauty\" width=\"594\" height=\"303\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10204\" />\r\n\r\nThe Skin Beauty WordPress theme fits well for barbershops, beauty salons, massage salons and more. It\'s a great theme for adding WooCommerce for your online shop. You can easily customize the layouts, coupons, promotions and so much more. This theme sells for $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.wpzoom.com/themes/modena/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Moderna</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Moderna.png\" alt=\"Moderna\" width=\"562\" height=\"382\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10202\" />\r\n\r\nA very popular responsive theme for beauty salons, Moderna comes from WPZoom. It\'s a great choice for small businesses of all types and can easily be set up for a beauty salon or spa. You will have the ability to show any services you want, along with a widgetized area on the homepage for even more customization. The theme is $69.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.cssigniter.com/ignite/themes/salon/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Salon</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Salon.png\" alt=\"Salon\" width=\"708\" height=\"319\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10203\" />\r\n\r\nWith the Salon theme, you get a variety of color schemes to choose from. It also comes with a drag and drop modular homepage and a very customizable layout. You can easily add large images and you can even turn different options on and off. This is a great theme for those looking to grab the attention of visitors with images. The theme sells for $39.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/spa-lab-beauty-salon-wordpress-theme/8795615\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Spa Lab</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Spa_Lab.png\" alt=\"Spa Lab\" width=\"592\" height=\"307\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10205\" />\r\n\r\nIf you need a theme to display a large amount of information, Spa Lab is the right theme for you. This theme is perfect for those looking to show off details about their specialties and products. The theme has a ton of custom options you can use and will even allow you to adjust the colors to match your brand. It sells for $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/hair-care-creative-multipurpose-wordpress-theme/8329114\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Hair Care</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Hair_Care.png\" alt=\"Hair Care\" width=\"597\" height=\"306\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10201\" />\r\n\r\nThe Hair Care theme gives you 20 different layouts for the home page, along with full screen background image options. You can use all kinds of customizations to make the theme fit your specific needs. It\'s set up for easy WooCommerce integration for selling your products online, as well. The cost of this theme is $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://stylemixthemes.com/demo/cinderellawp\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Cinderella</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Cinderella.png\" alt=\"Cinderella\" width=\"960\" height=\"616\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10199\" />\r\n\r\nThe Cinderella theme is made for small businesses. It\'s specific for the beauty industry and allows you to show off one salon or a full chain of salons. You can set up easy booking for clients and even create a shop for your products. The theme sells for $59. \r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://xpeedstudio.com/#wellness_wp\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Wellness Center Spa & Beauty</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WellnessCenter.png\" alt=\"Wellness Center\" width=\"1036\" height=\"568\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10207\" />\r\n\r\nThe WellnessCenter plugin comes from XpeedStudio and provides a simple to use, very customizable option. It\'s great for beauty salons and provides a drag and drop builder. You get the option to use unlimited colors, both dark and light layouts multiple styles for the homepage, menu and footer and so much more. The theme sells for $43. \r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/salon-barbershop-tatoo-wordpress-theme/11827115\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Barber & Tattoo Salon</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BarberTattooSalon.png\" alt=\"Barber Tattoo Salon\" width=\"594\" height=\"303\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10197\" />\r\n\r\nThe Barber & Tattoo Salon WordPress theme gives you a great deal of customization with two color skins and an easy appointment form. It can even be used to sell your products online. The theme comes in at just $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.templatemonster.com/wordpress-themes/48523.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Tattoo Salon Responsive</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TattooSalonResponsive.png\" alt=\"Tattoo Salon Responsive\" width=\"634\" height=\"338\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10206\" />\r\n\r\nIf you run a tattoo salon, the Tattoo Salon Responsive WordPress theme provides a good choice. IT will give you the ability to show off a large number of designs, along with services. The theme runs $75.\r\n\r\nThere are several good themes for beauty salons, spas and other beauty related businesses. If you plan to use WordPress, choose one of these top ten themes and you will have a custom design for your website in no time.\r\n','Top 10 WordPress Themes for Spas and Beauty Salons','','publish','open','closed','','top-10-wordpress-themes-for-spas-and-beauty-salons','','','2016-03-22 15:41:42','2016-03-22 19:41:42','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10196',0,'post','',0),(10197,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:32','2016-03-22 19:38:32','','Barber Tattoo Salon','','inherit','open','closed','','barbertattoosalon','','','2016-03-22 15:41:19','2016-03-22 19:41:19','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BarberTattooSalon.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10198,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:34','2016-03-22 19:38:34','','Beauty','','inherit','open','closed','','beauty','','','2016-03-22 15:39:11','2016-03-22 19:39:11','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Beauty.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10199,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:36','2016-03-22 19:38:36','','Cinderella','','inherit','open','closed','','cinderella','','','2016-03-22 15:40:49','2016-03-22 19:40:49','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Cinderella.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10200,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:39','2016-03-22 19:38:39','','Easelly','','inherit','open','closed','','easelly','','','2016-03-22 15:38:39','2016-03-22 19:38:39','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Easelly.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10201,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:42','2016-03-22 19:38:42','','Hair Care','','inherit','open','closed','','hair_care','','','2016-03-22 15:40:34','2016-03-22 19:40:34','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Hair_Care.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10202,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:44','2016-03-22 19:38:44','','Moderna','','inherit','open','closed','','moderna','','','2016-03-22 15:39:44','2016-03-22 19:39:44','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Moderna.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10203,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:47','2016-03-22 19:38:47','','Salon','','inherit','open','closed','','salon','','','2016-03-22 15:39:56','2016-03-22 19:39:56','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Salon.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10204,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:49','2016-03-22 19:38:49','','Skin Beauty','','inherit','open','closed','','skinbeauty','','','2016-03-22 15:39:27','2016-03-22 19:39:27','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SkinBeauty.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10205,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:51','2016-03-22 19:38:51','','Spa Lab','','inherit','open','closed','','spa_lab','','','2016-03-22 15:40:11','2016-03-22 19:40:11','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Spa_Lab.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10206,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:54','2016-03-22 19:38:54','','Tattoo Salon Responsive','','inherit','open','closed','','tattoosalonresponsive','','','2016-03-22 15:41:36','2016-03-22 19:41:36','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TattooSalonResponsive.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10207,4,'2016-03-22 15:38:58','2016-03-22 19:38:58','','Wellness Center','','inherit','open','closed','','wellnesscenter','','','2016-03-22 15:41:03','2016-03-22 19:41:03','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WellnessCenter.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10208,4,'2016-03-22 15:41:39','2016-03-22 19:41:39','The beauty and wellness industry has exploded and many beauty salons and spas are taking their business online. Whether they sell products or just use their website to inform and take appointments, a professional WordPress theme makes a big difference. With the vast majority of consumers using the internet to research businesses before making any type of appointment or commitment, it\'s vital for your salon or spa to have a website.\r\n\r\nUsing WordPress makes it easy to build your own website or hire a designer to take care of it for you. The process will include choosing the right theme for your new website. Here are ten of the top beauty salon and spa websites for WordPress.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/beauty-hair-salon-nail-spa-fashion-wp-theme/14458185\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Beauty</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Beauty.png\" alt=\"Beauty\" width=\"599\" height=\"308\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10198\" />\r\n\r\nBeauty is a theme specifically designed for hair salons, spas, fashion sites and even nail salons. It\'s set up to provide an easy way for salons and other beauty businesses to create a great looking website. The theme comes from Themeforest and includes a Page Builder plugin, along with the ability to translate into more than a dozen languages. This specific theme is $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/skin-beauty-beauty-spa-salon-wordpress-theme/11531537\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Skin Beauty</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SkinBeauty.png\" alt=\"Skin Beauty\" width=\"594\" height=\"303\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10204\" />\r\n\r\nThe Skin Beauty WordPress theme fits well for barbershops, beauty salons, massage salons and more. It\'s a great theme for adding WooCommerce for your online shop. You can easily customize the layouts, coupons, promotions and so much more. This theme sells for $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.wpzoom.com/themes/modena/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Moderna</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Moderna.png\" alt=\"Moderna\" width=\"562\" height=\"382\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10202\" />\r\n\r\nA very popular responsive theme for beauty salons, Moderna comes from WPZoom. It\'s a great choice for small businesses of all types and can easily be set up for a beauty salon or spa. You will have the ability to show any services you want, along with a widgetized area on the homepage for even more customization. The theme is $69.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.cssigniter.com/ignite/themes/salon/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Salon</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Salon.png\" alt=\"Salon\" width=\"708\" height=\"319\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10203\" />\r\n\r\nWith the Salon theme, you get a variety of color schemes to choose from. It also comes with a drag and drop modular homepage and a very customizable layout. You can easily add large images and you can even turn different options on and off. This is a great theme for those looking to grab the attention of visitors with images. The theme sells for $39.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/spa-lab-beauty-salon-wordpress-theme/8795615\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Spa Lab</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Spa_Lab.png\" alt=\"Spa Lab\" width=\"592\" height=\"307\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10205\" />\r\n\r\nIf you need a theme to display a large amount of information, Spa Lab is the right theme for you. This theme is perfect for those looking to show off details about their specialties and products. The theme has a ton of custom options you can use and will even allow you to adjust the colors to match your brand. It sells for $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/hair-care-creative-multipurpose-wordpress-theme/8329114\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Hair Care</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Hair_Care.png\" alt=\"Hair Care\" width=\"597\" height=\"306\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10201\" />\r\n\r\nThe Hair Care theme gives you 20 different layouts for the home page, along with full screen background image options. You can use all kinds of customizations to make the theme fit your specific needs. It\'s set up for easy WooCommerce integration for selling your products online, as well. The cost of this theme is $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://stylemixthemes.com/demo/cinderellawp\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Cinderella</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Cinderella.png\" alt=\"Cinderella\" width=\"960\" height=\"616\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10199\" />\r\n\r\nThe Cinderella theme is made for small businesses. It\'s specific for the beauty industry and allows you to show off one salon or a full chain of salons. You can set up easy booking for clients and even create a shop for your products. The theme sells for $59. \r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://xpeedstudio.com/#wellness_wp\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Wellness Center Spa & Beauty</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/WellnessCenter.png\" alt=\"Wellness Center\" width=\"1036\" height=\"568\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10207\" />\r\n\r\nThe WellnessCenter plugin comes from XpeedStudio and provides a simple to use, very customizable option. It\'s great for beauty salons and provides a drag and drop builder. You get the option to use unlimited colors, both dark and light layouts multiple styles for the homepage, menu and footer and so much more. The theme sells for $43. \r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://themeforest.net/item/salon-barbershop-tatoo-wordpress-theme/11827115\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Barber & Tattoo Salon</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BarberTattooSalon.png\" alt=\"Barber Tattoo Salon\" width=\"594\" height=\"303\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10197\" />\r\n\r\nThe Barber & Tattoo Salon WordPress theme gives you a great deal of customization with two color skins and an easy appointment form. It can even be used to sell your products online. The theme comes in at just $59.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.templatemonster.com/wordpress-themes/48523.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Tattoo Salon Responsive</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TattooSalonResponsive.png\" alt=\"Tattoo Salon Responsive\" width=\"634\" height=\"338\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10206\" />\r\n\r\nIf you run a tattoo salon, the Tattoo Salon Responsive WordPress theme provides a good choice. IT will give you the ability to show off a large number of designs, along with services. The theme runs $75.\r\n\r\nThere are several good themes for beauty salons, spas and other beauty related businesses. If you plan to use WordPress, choose one of these top ten themes and you will have a custom design for your website in no time.\r\n','Top 10 WordPress Themes for Spas and Beauty Salons','','inherit','closed','closed','','10196-revision-v1','','','2016-03-22 15:41:39','2016-03-22 19:41:39','',10196,'https://itxdesign.com/10196-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10209,5,'2016-03-23 15:02:45','2016-03-23 19:02:45','Businesses that don\'t prioritize security online are making a big mistake that could cost them customers and leak sensitive information.\r\n\r\nHackers and cyber threats lurk everywhere, and a business\' responsibility to protect and maintain their customers\' sensitive information can\'t afford to risk that information getting into the wrong hands.\r\n\r\nThink of the public outcry after hackers stole credit card information from major retailers in the past, like Target and TJ Maxx. You don\'t want something similar happening to your business!\r\n\r\nHere are 5 common IT security mistakes businesses make and how you can avoid them.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10210 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/one.jpg\" alt=\"one\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />1. Leaving staff out of the loop</h2>\r\nYour company\'s employees need to be made aware of the security risks you\'re protecting against and how they can help minimize such risks. A single mistake by a staff member who wasn\'t aware of security policy or threats could cause a company-wide issue that compromises the information of your customers.\r\n\r\nEducate your employees so they know what they\'re fighting against, and they\'ll do a better job helping keep your business protected.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10211 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/onetwo.jpg\" alt=\"onetwo\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" />2. Not Following Login Best Practices</h2>\r\nIt\'s important to restrict the number of people who can access your networks to begin with. Set usernames and passwords so only authorized personnel can access your networks.\r\n\r\nRemember to never use a single password for all employees. If the code falls into the wrong hands, there\'s nothing you can do. And if many people have the same code, there\'s a higher chance someone will slip up and leak the information somehow.\r\n\r\nInform your employees of password policies, and preferably, set unique and hard-to-guess passwords that include symbols and uppercase letters. You might consider one-time access code systems to provide an additional layer of security.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10212 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneone-e1458758992683.jpg\" alt=\"oneone\" width=\"324\" height=\"205\" />3. Relying on Consumer Products</h2>\r\nDon\'t make the mistake of using the same security products you use at home to manage security at the office. There\'s a lot more information at stake here. Business-grade security products are required if you\'re handling sensitive information.\r\n\r\nHire a professional to build protocol that protects your networks and have them check it regularly to ensure there\'s never a lapse in protection and security.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10213 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneona.jpg\" alt=\"oneona\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />4. Not Performing Updates</h2>\r\nThis is an easy mistake to make, but it can have serious consequences. Not updating your security software and programs means your data may not be protected.\r\n\r\nUpdates may include fixes in weak areas or vulnerabilities viruses or malware are attempting to target, and if your business is without the updated version, you could fall victim to a hacker.\r\n<h2>5. Not Disposing of Data Correctly</h2>\r\nWhen you upgrade to new technology or throw out an old hard drive, you have to ensure you\'re disposing of your data in the correct way. If you\'ve ever wondered why people set hard drives on fire in films, there\'s a very good reason for that: Digital information is never truly deleted unless it\'s written over in binary or physically destroyed.\r\n\r\nWhen you throw out old equipment, make sure you\'re disposing of it properly to keep the information safe from unauthorized eyes.','Avoiding the 5 Common IT Security Mistakes Businesses Make','','publish','open','closed','','avoiding-5-common-it-security-mistakes-businesses-make','','','2016-03-23 15:02:45','2016-03-23 19:02:45','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10209',0,'post','',0),(10215,5,'2016-03-23 15:02:45','2016-03-23 19:02:45','Businesses that don\'t prioritize security online are making a big mistake that could cost them customers and leak sensitive information.\r\n\r\nHackers and cyber threats lurk everywhere, and a business\' responsibility to protect and maintain their customers\' sensitive information can\'t afford to risk that information getting into the wrong hands.\r\n\r\nThink of the public outcry after hackers stole credit card information from major retailers in the past, like Target and TJ Maxx. You don\'t want something similar happening to your business!\r\n\r\nHere are 5 common IT security mistakes businesses make and how you can avoid them.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10210 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/one.jpg\" alt=\"one\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />1. Leaving staff out of the loop</h2>\r\nYour company\'s employees need to be made aware of the security risks you\'re protecting against and how they can help minimize such risks. A single mistake by a staff member who wasn\'t aware of security policy or threats could cause a company-wide issue that compromises the information of your customers.\r\n\r\nEducate your employees so they know what they\'re fighting against, and they\'ll do a better job helping keep your business protected.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10211 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/onetwo.jpg\" alt=\"onetwo\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" />2. Not Following Login Best Practices</h2>\r\nIt\'s important to restrict the number of people who can access your networks to begin with. Set usernames and passwords so only authorized personnel can access your networks.\r\n\r\nRemember to never use a single password for all employees. If the code falls into the wrong hands, there\'s nothing you can do. And if many people have the same code, there\'s a higher chance someone will slip up and leak the information somehow.\r\n\r\nInform your employees of password policies, and preferably, set unique and hard-to-guess passwords that include symbols and uppercase letters. You might consider one-time access code systems to provide an additional layer of security.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10212 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneone-e1458758992683.jpg\" alt=\"oneone\" width=\"324\" height=\"205\" />3. Relying on Consumer Products</h2>\r\nDon\'t make the mistake of using the same security products you use at home to manage security at the office. There\'s a lot more information at stake here. Business-grade security products are required if you\'re handling sensitive information.\r\n\r\nHire a professional to build protocol that protects your networks and have them check it regularly to ensure there\'s never a lapse in protection and security.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10213 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneona.jpg\" alt=\"oneona\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />4. Not Performing Updates</h2>\r\nThis is an easy mistake to make, but it can have serious consequences. Not updating your security software and programs means your data may not be protected.\r\n\r\nUpdates may include fixes in weak areas or vulnerabilities viruses or malware are attempting to target, and if your business is without the updated version, you could fall victim to a hacker.\r\n<h2>5. Not Disposing of Data Correctly</h2>\r\nWhen you upgrade to new technology or throw out an old hard drive, you have to ensure you\'re disposing of your data in the correct way. If you\'ve ever wondered why people set hard drives on fire in films, there\'s a very good reason for that: Digital information is never truly deleted unless it\'s written over in binary or physically destroyed.\r\n\r\nWhen you throw out old equipment, make sure you\'re disposing of it properly to keep the information safe from unauthorized eyes.','Avoiding the 5 Common IT Security Mistakes Businesses Make','','inherit','closed','closed','','10209-revision-v1','','','2016-03-23 15:02:45','2016-03-23 19:02:45','',10209,'https://itxdesign.com/10209-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10210,5,'2016-03-23 14:48:20','2016-03-23 18:48:20','','one','','inherit','open','closed','','one','','','2016-03-23 14:48:20','2016-03-23 18:48:20','',10209,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/one.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10211,5,'2016-03-23 14:48:26','2016-03-23 18:48:26','','onetwo','','inherit','open','closed','','onetwo','','','2016-03-23 14:48:26','2016-03-23 18:48:26','',10209,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/onetwo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10212,5,'2016-03-23 14:48:30','2016-03-23 18:48:30','','oneone','','inherit','open','closed','','oneone','','','2016-03-23 14:48:30','2016-03-23 18:48:30','',10209,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneone.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10213,5,'2016-03-23 14:48:32','2016-03-23 18:48:32','','oneona','','inherit','open','closed','','oneona','','','2016-05-17 15:01:42','2016-05-17 19:01:42','',10209,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneona.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10214,5,'2016-03-23 15:01:00','2016-03-23 19:01:00','Businesses that don\'t prioritize security online are making a big mistake that could cost them customers and leak sensitive information.\r\n\r\nHackers and cyber threats lurk everywhere, and a business\' responsibility to protect and maintain their customers\' sensitive information can\'t afford to risk that information getting into the wrong hands.\r\n\r\nThink of the public outcry after hackers stole credit card information from major retailers in the past, like Target and TJ Maxx. You don\'t want something similar happening to your business!\r\n\r\nHere are 5 common IT security mistakes businesses make and how you can avoid them.\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10210 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/one.jpg\" alt=\"one\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />1. Leaving staff out of the loop</h2>\r\nYour company\'s employees need to be made aware of the security risks you\'re protecting against and how they can help minimize such risks. A single mistake by a staff member who wasn\'t aware of security policy or threats could cause a company-wide issue that compromises the information of your customers.\r\n\r\nEducate your employees so they know what they\'re fighting against, and they\'ll do a better job helping keep your business protected.\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10211 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/onetwo.jpg\" alt=\"onetwo\" width=\"300\" height=\"220\" />4. Not Following Login Best Practices</h2>\r\nIt\'s important to restrict the number of people who can access your networks to begin with. Set usernames and passwords so only authorized personnel can access your networks.\r\n\r\nRemember to never use a single password for all employees. If the code falls into the wrong hands, there\'s nothing you can do. And if many people have the same code, there\'s a higher chance someone will slip up and leak the information somehow.\r\n\r\nInform your employees of password policies, and preferably, set unique and hard-to-guess passwords that include symbols and uppercase letters. You might consider one-time access code systems to provide an additional layer of security.\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10212 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneone-e1458758992683.jpg\" alt=\"oneone\" width=\"324\" height=\"205\" />6. Relying on Consumer Products</h2>\r\nDon\'t make the mistake of using the same security products you use at home to manage security at the office. There\'s a lot more information at stake here. Business-grade security products are required if you\'re handling sensitive information.\r\n\r\nHire a professional to build protocol that protects your networks and have them check it regularly to ensure there\'s never a lapse in protection and security.\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-10213 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oneona.jpg\" alt=\"oneona\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />8. Not Performing Updates</h2>\r\nThis is an easy mistake to make, but it can have serious consequences. Not updating your security software and programs means your data may not be protected.\r\n\r\nUpdates may include fixes in weak areas or vulnerabilities viruses or malware are attempting to target, and if your business is without the updated version, you could fall victim to a hacker.\r\n<h2></h2>\r\n<h2>10. Not Disposing of Data Correctly</h2>\r\nWhen you upgrade to new technology or throw out an old hard drive, you have to ensure you\'re disposing of your data in the correct way. If you\'ve ever wondered why people set hard drives on fire in films, there\'s a very good reason for that: Digital information is never truly deleted unless it\'s written over in binary or physically destroyed.\r\n\r\nWhen you throw out old equipment, make sure you\'re disposing of it properly to keep the information safe from unauthorized eyes.','Avoiding the 5 Common IT Security Mistakes Businesses Make','','inherit','closed','closed','','10209-revision-v1','','','2016-03-23 15:01:00','2016-03-23 19:01:00','',10209,'https://itxdesign.com/10209-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10217,5,'2016-03-28 16:04:26','2016-03-28 20:04:26','Thinking about transitioning to a virtual office? Business owners who have made the switch say they are more satisfied with their job and personal life afterward. Running a virtual office is easier, cheaper, and more productive than a physical or \"brick and mortar\" location.\r\n\r\nBelow is a guide for creating a virtual office today, including everything you\'ll need and special tips and tricks to consider along the way.\r\n<h3>What is a Virtual Office?</h3>\r\nA virtual office is run from your home or a remote location. By working with third parties, your virtual office can have a trustworthy business address, a toll free phone number, and a live receptionist that answers all calls as thought you are a physical office.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>More flexibility and freedom</li>\r\n	<li>Meeting &amp; conference rooms</li>\r\n	<li>Virtual services</li>\r\n	<li>Better mobility</li>\r\n	<li>Short-term agreements</li>\r\n	<li>Cost effective</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3>Deciding to go virtual?</h3>\r\nIf you’re just starting out or you’re looking for a way to eliminate a major part of your overhead, taking your office online might be the right solution. You won\'t pay for a physical office space and you can still remain as professional as you always have been.\r\n\r\nThe problem with the traditional office is the cost and commitment. You have to purchase your property or lease it, which requires a long-term commitment to that specific location. When you take your business online, you won’t have to worry about any type of long-term commitment.\r\n\r\nEvery business owner is in a different situation. Sometimes you just need a coffee house or restaurant for all your client meetings. It\'s not unheard of to meet a client for a cup of coffee or lunch instead of at the office, anyway.\r\n\r\nYou will need the right virtual services to help you get the most out of your new virtual office. Maintaining a business address, using a virtual receptionist and outsourcing some of your regular tasks are just a few of the things you\'ll need to create a professional virtual office space. There are details on creating your virtual office below.\r\n<h2>Creating a Virtual Office Right Now</h2>\r\nIf you want to create your virtual office from home right now or in the near future, you will need the following:\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li><strong>Your own personal work space</strong> – Whether you create a physical home office or just choose a place on the couch, you need a spot to work from. Keep the receipts and write off your home office on your taxes next year!</li>\r\n	<li><strong>A virtual receptionist service</strong> – This type of service will make sure your calls are answered professionally.</li>\r\n	<li>P.O. box address – A P.O. box address will provide a professional look and feel for your business.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>Online conference call services</strong> – Some businesses regularly hold conference calls and this type of service can allow you to meet with partners, clients and employees from anywhere.</li>\r\n	<li><strong>A toll free phone number </strong>– Our partner Conversational Receptionists offers toll free and local phone numbers at a nominal cost each month.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThere are many more services that can enhance your business when you set up a virtual office from home; however, you really don’t need more than a good address, someone answering your calls and a way to meet with important people.','How to Create a Virtual Office Right Now','','inherit','closed','closed','','10216-revision-v1','','','2016-03-28 16:04:26','2016-03-28 20:04:26','',10216,'https://itxdesign.com/10216-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10218,5,'2016-03-29 13:34:49','2016-03-29 17:34:49','<img class=\"wp-image-4878 alignright\" src=\"https://www.conversational.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/computerchart.jpg\" alt=\"computerchart\" width=\"358\" height=\"238\" />There are a plethora of <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/top-5-tools-for-startups/\" target=\"_blank\">free and paid tools available</a> that allow you to track the analytics and metrics related to your website and content marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nEvery tool offers similar information, although some require you to pay more for certain features.\r\n\r\nUsing a web analytics tool to measure and track your progress online can be overwhelming. There are so many metrics to measure—how do you know which ones are the most important? Which metrics reveal the bottom line?\r\n\r\nWe use Google Analytics to follow our website and content marketing efforts, but any tool you decide to use will be fine.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nIf you do nothing else related to your marketing efforts, <strong>measure and track these 5 website metrics.</strong>\r\n<h2>1. Keywords</h2>\r\n<strong>What words are leading people to your website? </strong>You need to know the keywords that people are already using to find you online. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/4-things-know-hiring-content-marketer/\" target=\"_blank\">Keywords are one of the most valuable</a> website metrics to track.\r\n\r\nOnce you know the most popular keywords for your website, you can tailor and customize your content to include those words and better fit the topics your audience is searching for. This will give your site more leverage in search engine rankings, helping more people see your site and content.\r\n<h2>2. Referrers</h2>\r\n<strong>What websites were people browsing before they were referred to yours?</strong> It’s wise to know and track the top referrers to your website so you can start building relationships with them to further leverage the amount of referrals they\'re sending to your website.\r\n\r\nYour top referrers might let you write a guest post for them, cross-promote your brand’s content, give shout-outs on social media, or help promote your upcoming events and specials.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you should always track your top referrers and ensure they’re saying things that benefit your business rather than chip away at your reputation.\r\n<h2>3. Traffic sources</h2>\r\n<strong>What sources did your website visitors come from?</strong> Traffic sources are broad categories that depict whether a person landed on your website via a search engine, website, or direct traffic (someone typed in your website URL).\r\n\r\nOnce you know how much traffic you’re receiving from each category, you can tailor your content plan to mirror the results you’d like to get; for example, you might notice you don\'t get many visitors from search, which would prompt you to improve your SEO efforts.\r\n<h2>4. Visitors</h2>\r\n<strong>Your website visitors are all potential customers</strong>. Visitors are one of the most critical website metrics to measure and track over time. You brought them to your site using marketing and ad campaigns, specific keywords, targeted content, and engaging social media posts. Now, you should track:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The total number of daily visitors</li>\r\n	<li>The total number of unique daily visitors</li>\r\n	<li>The total number of repeat daily visitors</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you’re succeeding at <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/customers-share-5-things-that-encourage-brand-loyalty/\" target=\"_blank\">winning loyal customers</a>, you’ll see the number of repeat visitors creep up over time. That’s a great sign--it means you’re on the right track!\r\n<h2>5. Most popular content</h2>\r\n<strong>The pages on your website that get visited most often are your most popular content</strong>. When you discover what your best performing content is, you can further analyze that content to find what’s unique about it. What engages visitors when they see this blog post, video, or infographic? More importantly, how can you improve it and make it even more engaging next time?\r\n\r\nBy finding your best performing content, you can also take a look at your worst performing content. Analyze it, too—what’s different about this and your top content? Try to define the traits that aren’t appealing to your audience and avoid including those in your future content.\r\n\r\nThis is what\'s at the heart of marketing—finding what’s working best and making sure that even your least effective efforts are always getting better.\r\n\r\nSo, if you only measure 5 website metrics, make it these: Keywords, referrers, traffic sources, visitors, and best performing content. You\'ll get a solid sense of where your content marketing efforts are leading you.','The 5 Most Valuable Website Metrics to Measure','','publish','open','closed','','5-most-valuable-website-metrics-measure','','','2016-03-29 13:34:49','2016-03-29 17:34:49','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10218',0,'post','',0),(10219,5,'2016-03-29 13:30:03','2016-03-29 17:30:03','','growth','','inherit','open','closed','','growth','','','2016-03-29 13:30:03','2016-03-29 17:30:03','',10218,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/growth.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10221,5,'2016-03-29 13:34:22','2016-03-29 17:34:22','<img class=\"wp-image-4878 alignright\" src=\"https://www.conversational.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/computerchart.jpg\" alt=\"computerchart\" width=\"358\" height=\"238\" />There are a plethora of <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/top-5-tools-for-startups/\" target=\"_blank\">free and paid tools available</a> that allow you to track the analytics and metrics related to your website and content marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nEvery tool offers similar information, although some require you to pay more for certain features.\r\n\r\nUsing a web analytics tool to measure and track your progress online can be overwhelming. There are so many metrics to measure—how do you know which ones are the most important? Which metrics reveal the bottom line?\r\n\r\nWe use Google Analytics to follow our website and content marketing efforts, but any tool you decide to use will be fine.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nIf you do nothing else related to your marketing efforts, <strong>measure and track these 5 website metrics.</strong>\r\n<h2>1. Keywords</h2>\r\n<strong>What words are leading people to your website? </strong>You need to know the keywords that people are already using to find you online. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/4-things-know-hiring-content-marketer/\" target=\"_blank\">Keywords are one of the most valuable</a> website metrics to track.\r\n\r\nOnce you know the most popular keywords for your website, you can tailor and customize your content to include those words and better fit the topics your audience is searching for. This will give your site more leverage in search engine rankings, helping more people see your site and content.\r\n<h2>2. Referrers</h2>\r\n<strong>What websites were people browsing before they were referred to yours?</strong> It’s wise to know and track the top referrers to your website so you can start building relationships with them to further leverage the amount of referrals they\'re sending to your website.\r\n\r\nYour top referrers might let you write a guest post for them, cross-promote your brand’s content, give shout-outs on social media, or help promote your upcoming events and specials.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you should always track your top referrers and ensure they’re saying things that benefit your business rather than chip away at your reputation.\r\n<h2>3. Traffic sources</h2>\r\n<strong>What sources did your website visitors come from?</strong> Traffic sources are broad categories that depict whether a person landed on your website via a search engine, website, or direct traffic (someone typed in your website URL).\r\n\r\nOnce you know how much traffic you’re receiving from each category, you can tailor your content plan to mirror the results you’d like to get; for example, you might notice you don\'t get many visitors from search, which would prompt you to improve your SEO efforts.\r\n<h2>4. Visitors</h2>\r\n<strong>Your website visitors are all potential customers</strong>. Visitors are one of the most critical website metrics to measure and track over time. You brought them to your site using marketing and ad campaigns, specific keywords, targeted content, and engaging social media posts. Now, you should track:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The total number of daily visitors</li>\r\n	<li>The total number of unique daily visitors</li>\r\n	<li>The total number of repeat daily visitors</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you’re succeeding at <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/customers-share-5-things-that-encourage-brand-loyalty/\" target=\"_blank\">winning loyal customers</a>, you’ll see the number of repeat visitors creep up over time. That’s a great sign--it means you’re on the right track!\r\n<h2>5. Most popular content</h2>\r\n<strong>The pages on your website that get visited most often are your most popular content</strong>. When you discover what your best performing content is, you can further analyze that content to find what’s unique about it. What engages visitors when they see this blog post, video, or infographic? More importantly, how can you improve it and make it even more engaging next time?\r\n\r\nBy finding your best performing content, you can also take a look at your worst performing content. Analyze it, too—what’s different about this and your top content? Try to define the traits that aren’t appealing to your audience and avoid including those in your future content.\r\n\r\nThis is what\'s at the heart of marketing—finding what’s working best and making sure that even your least effective efforts are always getting better.\r\n\r\nSo, if you only measure 5 website metrics, make it these: Keywords, referrers, traffic sources, visitors, and best performing content. You\'ll get a solid sense of where your content marketing efforts are leading you.','The 5 Most Valuable Website Metrics to Measure','','inherit','closed','closed','','10218-revision-v1','','','2016-03-29 13:34:22','2016-03-29 17:34:22','',10218,'https://itxdesign.com/10218-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10220,5,'2016-03-29 13:32:40','2016-03-29 17:32:40','<img class=\"wp-image-4878 alignright\" src=\"https://www.conversational.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/computerchart.jpg\" alt=\"computerchart\" width=\"358\" height=\"238\" />There are a plethora of <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/top-5-tools-for-startups/\" target=\"_blank\">free and paid tools available</a> that allow you to track the analytics and metrics related to your website and content marketing efforts.\r\n\r\nEvery tool offers similar information, although some require you to pay more for certain features.\r\n\r\nUsing a web analytics tool to measure and track your progress online can be overwhelming. There are so many metrics to measure—how do you know which ones are the most important? Which metrics reveal the bottom line?\r\n\r\n<strong><a href=\"http://ctt.ec/x5Vb8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Click to Tweet: If you do nothing else related to #marketing, measure + track these 5 website metrics. via @ITXdesign</a></strong>\r\n\r\nWe use Google Analytics to follow our website and content marketing efforts, but any tool you decide to use will be fine.<strong> </strong>\r\n\r\nIf you do nothing else related to your marketing efforts, <strong>measure and track these 5 website metrics.</strong>\r\n<h1>1. Keywords</h1>\r\n<strong>What words are leading people to your website? </strong>You need to know the keywords that people are already using to find you online. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/4-things-know-hiring-content-marketer/\" target=\"_blank\">Keywords are one of the most valuable</a> website metrics to track.\r\n\r\nOnce you know the most popular keywords for your website, you can tailor and customize your content to include those words and better fit the topics your audience is searching for. This will give your site more leverage in search engine rankings, helping more people see your site and content.\r\n<h1>2. Referrers</h1>\r\n<strong>What websites were people browsing before they were referred to yours?</strong> It’s wise to know and track the top referrers to your website so you can start building relationships with them to further leverage the amount of referrals they\'re sending to your website.\r\n\r\nYour top referrers might let you write a guest post for them, cross-promote your brand’s content, give shout-outs on social media, or help promote your upcoming events and specials.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you should always track your top referrers and ensure they’re saying things that benefit your business rather than chip away at your reputation.\r\n<h1>3. Traffic sources</h1>\r\n<strong>What sources did your website visitors come from?</strong> Traffic sources are broad categories that depict whether a person landed on your website via a search engine, website, or direct traffic (someone typed in your website URL).\r\n\r\nOnce you know how much traffic you’re receiving from each category, you can tailor your content plan to mirror the results you’d like to get; for example, you might notice you don\'t get many visitors from search, which would prompt you to improve your SEO efforts.\r\n<h1>4. Visitors</h1>\r\n<strong>Your website visitors are all potential customers</strong>. Visitors are one of the most critical website metrics to measure and track over time. You brought them to your site using marketing and ad campaigns, specific keywords, targeted content, and engaging social media posts. Now, you should track:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>The total number of daily visitors</li>\r\n	<li>The total number of unique daily visitors</li>\r\n	<li>The total number of repeat daily visitors</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIf you’re succeeding at <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/customers-share-5-things-that-encourage-brand-loyalty/\" target=\"_blank\">winning loyal customers</a>, you’ll see the number of repeat visitors creep up over time. That’s a great sign--it means you’re on the right track!\r\n<h1>5. Most popular content</h1>\r\n<strong>The pages on your website that get visited most often are your most popular content</strong>. When you discover what your best performing content is, you can further analyze that content to find what’s unique about it. What engages visitors when they see this blog post, video, or infographic? More importantly, how can you improve it and make it even more engaging next time?\r\n\r\nBy finding your best performing content, you can also take a look at your worst performing content. Analyze it, too—what’s different about this and your top content? Try to define the traits that aren’t appealing to your audience and avoid including those in your future content.\r\n\r\nThis is what\'s at the heart of marketing—finding what’s working best and making sure that even your least effective efforts are always getting better.\r\n\r\nSo, if you only measure 5 website metrics, make it these: Keywords, referrers, traffic sources, visitors, and best performing content. You\'ll get a solid sense of where your content marketing efforts are leading you.','The 5 Most Valuable Website Metrics to Measure','','inherit','closed','closed','','10218-revision-v1','','','2016-03-29 13:32:40','2016-03-29 17:32:40','',10218,'https://itxdesign.com/10218-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10222,5,'2016-03-30 13:22:48','2016-03-30 17:22:48','<img class=\" wp-image-10223 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/viral.jpg\" alt=\"viral\" width=\"297\" height=\"198\" />What is viral content?\r\n\r\nViral content starts out like all other content--it\'s written or created with an audience in mind. What makes viral content different, however, is the way it\'s received by the audience.\r\n\r\nInstead of drawing a few clicks and likes here and there, viral content takes on a life of its own once it starts being shared by a small group of people and grows.\r\n\r\n<strong>At the heart of viral content is share-ability</strong>, or how appropriate readers deem the content for sharing.\r\n\r\nA lot of great, well-written or designed content fails to go viral simply because it\'s not presented in the right way to encourage lots of shares.\r\n\r\nInterested in creating viral content that drives traffic to your website and familiarizes people with your brand? Read on for 3 steps that make your content go viral.\r\n<h2><b>3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral</b></h2>\r\n<h4><em>1. Take it to social media </em></h4>\r\nWhile your website should be the core presence of your business online, social media is where people are hanging out and sharing things. That\'s where you need to be if you want your content to go viral. You can\'t expect to post an article on your blog and have it go viral without any input on your part.\r\n\r\nTake your would-be viral content to social media and come up with a catchy, shareable way to promote it. That means going beyond the article title\r\n\r\nWhich encourages you to click and share more?\r\n\r\n<em>\"Check out our new blog post: 3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral | Link\"</em>\r\n\r\n<em>\"At the heart of viral content is share-ability. A lot of great content fails to go viral simply because it\'s not presented in the right way to encourage lots of shares. 3 steps that make your content go viral: Link\"</em>\r\n\r\nBe creative when you promote your content on social media to give it a better chance of going viral.\r\n<h4><em>2. Turn it into a free eBook</em></h4>\r\nIf you\'ve been creating good, meaty content for a while, consider <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/repurposing-your-blog-posts-into-fresh-content/\" target=\"_blank\">putting it together in a free, downloadable eBook</a> for your customers and audience. People that have never heard of your brand could find the eBook\'s topic interesting and download it, netting you their contact information for a mailing list and familiarizing them with your brand.\r\n\r\nIf your content is really good, people will be excited to download it for free. Encourage readers to share with their friends, and as a bonus, you can offer a special promotion to those who download the eBook.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you\'ll need to promote your eBook on social media channels to give more people a chance to see it. If you can afford to run a social advertising campaign for your eBook, you\'ll see your download numbers jump through the roof.\r\n<h4><em>3. Try it in video form</em></h4>\r\nIf you <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-create-a-youtube-video-with-powerpoint/\" target=\"_blank\">create a video and upload it to YouTube</a>, you can share that video with your social media following and website visitors. If they like it and the video becomes popular, it can go viral without any help from you. If your video is really good, you have the opportunity of having it noticed by several websites or blogs that want to embed your video on their site.\r\n\r\nRemember--others sharing and promoting your content is a major component of it going viral!','3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral','','publish','open','closed','','3-steps-that-make-your-content-go-viral','','','2016-03-30 13:22:48','2016-03-30 17:22:48','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10222',0,'post','',0),(10223,5,'2016-03-30 13:19:50','2016-03-30 17:19:50','Copyright: <a href=\'http://www.123rf.com/profile_faithie\'>faithie / 123RF Stock Photo</a>','viral','','inherit','open','closed','','viral','','','2016-03-30 13:19:55','2016-03-30 17:19:55','',10222,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/viral.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10224,5,'2016-03-30 13:21:28','2016-03-30 17:21:28','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhat is viral content?\r\n\r\n<img class=\" wp-image-10223 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/viral.jpg\" alt=\"viral\" width=\"326\" height=\"217\" />Viral content starts out like all other content--it\'s written or created with an audience in mind. What makes viral content different, however, is the way it\'s received by the audience.\r\n\r\nInstead of drawing a few clicks and likes here and there, viral content takes on a life of its own once it starts being shared by a small group of people and grows.\r\n\r\n<strong>At the heart of viral content is share-ability</strong>, or how appropriate readers deem the content for sharing.\r\n\r\nA lot of great, well-written or designed content fails to go viral simply because it\'s not presented in the right way to encourage lots of shares.\r\n\r\nInterested in creating viral content that drives traffic to your website and familiarizes people with your brand? Read on for 3 steps that make your content go viral.\r\n<h2><b>3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral</b></h2>\r\n<h4><em>1. Take it to social media </em></h4>\r\nWhile your website should be the core presence of your business online, social media is where people are hanging out and sharing things. That\'s where you need to be if you want your content to go viral. You can\'t expect to post an article on your blog and have it go viral without any input on your part.\r\n\r\nTake your would-be viral content to social media and come up with a catchy, shareable way to promote it. That means going beyond the article title\r\n\r\nWhich encourages you to click and share more?\r\n\r\n<em>\"Check out our new blog post: 3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral | Link\"</em>\r\n\r\n<em>\"At the heart of viral content is share-ability. A lot of great content fails to go viral simply because it\'s not presented in the right way to encourage lots of shares. 3 steps that make your content go viral: Link\"</em>\r\n\r\nBe creative when you promote your content on social media to give it a better chance of going viral.\r\n<h4><em>2. Turn it into a free eBook</em></h4>\r\nIf you\'ve been creating good, meaty content for a while, consider <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/repurposing-your-blog-posts-into-fresh-content/\" target=\"_blank\">putting it together in a free, downloadable eBook</a> for your customers and audience. People that have never heard of your brand could find the eBook\'s topic interesting and download it, netting you their contact information for a mailing list and familiarizing them with your brand.\r\n\r\nIf your content is really good, people will be excited to download it for free. Encourage readers to share with their friends, and as a bonus, you can offer a special promotion to those who download the eBook.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you\'ll need to promote your eBook on social media channels to give more people a chance to see it. If you can afford to run a social advertising campaign for your eBook, you\'ll see your download numbers jump through the roof.\r\n<h4><em>3. Try it in video form</em></h4>\r\nIf you <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-create-a-youtube-video-with-powerpoint/\" target=\"_blank\">create a video and upload it to YouTube</a>, you can share that video with your social media following and website visitors. If they like it and the video becomes popular, it can go viral without any help from you. If your video is really good, you have the opportunity of having it noticed by several websites or blogs that want to embed your video on their site.\r\n\r\nRemember--others sharing and promoting your content is a major component of it going viral!','3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral','','inherit','closed','closed','','10222-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 13:21:28','2016-03-30 17:21:28','',10222,'https://itxdesign.com/10222-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10225,5,'2016-03-30 13:22:19','2016-03-30 17:22:19','<img class=\" wp-image-10223 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/viral.jpg\" alt=\"viral\" width=\"297\" height=\"198\" />What is viral content?\r\n\r\nViral content starts out like all other content--it\'s written or created with an audience in mind. What makes viral content different, however, is the way it\'s received by the audience.\r\n\r\nInstead of drawing a few clicks and likes here and there, viral content takes on a life of its own once it starts being shared by a small group of people and grows.\r\n\r\n<strong>At the heart of viral content is share-ability</strong>, or how appropriate readers deem the content for sharing.\r\n\r\nA lot of great, well-written or designed content fails to go viral simply because it\'s not presented in the right way to encourage lots of shares.\r\n\r\nInterested in creating viral content that drives traffic to your website and familiarizes people with your brand? Read on for 3 steps that make your content go viral.\r\n<h2><b>3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral</b></h2>\r\n<h4><em>1. Take it to social media </em></h4>\r\nWhile your website should be the core presence of your business online, social media is where people are hanging out and sharing things. That\'s where you need to be if you want your content to go viral. You can\'t expect to post an article on your blog and have it go viral without any input on your part.\r\n\r\nTake your would-be viral content to social media and come up with a catchy, shareable way to promote it. That means going beyond the article title\r\n\r\nWhich encourages you to click and share more?\r\n\r\n<em>\"Check out our new blog post: 3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral | Link\"</em>\r\n\r\n<em>\"At the heart of viral content is share-ability. A lot of great content fails to go viral simply because it\'s not presented in the right way to encourage lots of shares. 3 steps that make your content go viral: Link\"</em>\r\n\r\nBe creative when you promote your content on social media to give it a better chance of going viral.\r\n<h4><em>2. Turn it into a free eBook</em></h4>\r\nIf you\'ve been creating good, meaty content for a while, consider <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/repurposing-your-blog-posts-into-fresh-content/\" target=\"_blank\">putting it together in a free, downloadable eBook</a> for your customers and audience. People that have never heard of your brand could find the eBook\'s topic interesting and download it, netting you their contact information for a mailing list and familiarizing them with your brand.\r\n\r\nIf your content is really good, people will be excited to download it for free. Encourage readers to share with their friends, and as a bonus, you can offer a special promotion to those who download the eBook.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, you\'ll need to promote your eBook on social media channels to give more people a chance to see it. If you can afford to run a social advertising campaign for your eBook, you\'ll see your download numbers jump through the roof.\r\n<h4><em>3. Try it in video form</em></h4>\r\nIf you <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-create-a-youtube-video-with-powerpoint/\" target=\"_blank\">create a video and upload it to YouTube</a>, you can share that video with your social media following and website visitors. If they like it and the video becomes popular, it can go viral without any help from you. If your video is really good, you have the opportunity of having it noticed by several websites or blogs that want to embed your video on their site.\r\n\r\nRemember--others sharing and promoting your content is a major component of it going viral!','3 Steps That Make Your Content Go Viral','','inherit','closed','closed','','10222-revision-v1','','','2016-03-30 13:22:19','2016-03-30 17:22:19','',10222,'https://itxdesign.com/10222-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10278,5,'2016-04-07 14:45:29','2016-04-07 18:45:29','<img class=\"wp-image-10280 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Writing-Amazing-Headlines.jpg\" alt=\"writing amazing headlines that make people click\" width=\"305\" height=\"305\" />What made you click on this article?\r\n\r\nThe headline probably had something to do with it. Right away, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-copy-that-converts/\" target=\"_blank\">the headline told you</a> what the post would be about and provided some extra information in brackets. Imagine if the headline had been How to Write Headlines That Get More Clicks. Would it have appealed to you as strongly?\r\n\r\nWriting amazing headlines that make people click is less of an art and more of a science. That is, we\'ve figured out the formulas that seem to work and those that definitely don\'t.\r\n<h3>Steer clear of clickbait</h3>\r\nSurprisingly, many bloggers and writers are still using outdated buzzwords that turn readers off and repel people from your potentially well-written content.\r\n\r\nPoorly written headlines are everywhere you look online - \"I Thought It Was a Normal Aquarium Until I Noticed THIS\" - and people have officially wised up. Clickbait headlines are not effective.\r\n<h3>3 things every headline needs</h3>\r\nHere\'s a tip that will help you create better headlines every time you <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-evergreen-content-that-doesnt-go-stale/\" target=\"_blank\">write a blog post or article</a>: Most of the words used in headlines fall under the category of nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Without going into a full-on grammar review, the three work together to create appealing phrases that are enough to spark our interest and make us click on a headline.\r\n\r\nFor example, the headline \"Writing Headlines\" doesn\'t appeal to many people. It\'s too short and it doesn\'t describe anything about the contents within the post.\r\n\r\nHowever, add an adjective, and it\'s a relatively appealing phrase: \"Writing Better Headlines.\" Suddenly, better headlines are occurring to you:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Writing Better Headlines (Verb Adjective Noun)</li>\r\n	<li>How to Create Click-worthy Headlines (Verb Verb Adjective Noun)</li>\r\n	<li>10 Awesome Formulas for Writing Headlines (Adj. Adj. Noun Verb Noun)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe more descriptive, active, and powerful language you use in your headlines, the more compelled people will be to click on them. While there isn\'t a specific formula to follow as you write headlines, if you remember to be descriptive and direct, you really can\'t go wrong.\r\n<h3>Phrases to start headlines with</h3>\r\nThe following phrases are great ways to start your headlines and get your creativity flowing. Save this list and refer to it when you\'re having trouble coming up with a good headline.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>How to</li>\r\n	<li>Learn to</li>\r\n	<li>You can</li>\r\n	<li>Here\'s how</li>\r\n	<li>10 ways</li>\r\n	<li>5 tips</li>\r\n	<li>The best</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAbove all, stay in testing mode when it comes to your headlines and content in general. Even if you strongly believe a headline you tried should\'ve worked, if the results say otherwise, accept it and test something else. True optimization has no hangups and is always striving toward what\'s working best.','Writing Amazing Headlines That Make People Click [Quick Read]','','publish','open','closed','','writing-amazing-headlines-that-make-people-click','','','2016-04-07 14:45:29','2016-04-07 18:45:29','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10278',0,'post','',0),(10294,4,'2016-04-12 16:47:52','2016-04-12 20:47:52','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10296\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9341080_s-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"Choosing a Domain Name\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" />When you want to start a website or blog, you need to choose a domain name. This is a bit like choosing the name of your website, but there\'s more that goes into it.\r\n\r\nAfter choosing your domain name, you will be able to register it (if the name you\'ve chosen is available) and start uploading content. At this point, it\'s very difficult to change your domain name and can cause all kinds of branding issues if you try to change it.\r\n\r\nIt\'s best to choose the right domain name from the beginning.\r\n\r\nBelow, we are going to cover what you need to know about choosing the best domain name for your website. Of course, it can simply be your business name, but this may not always be available or the right choice.\r\n<h2>Domain Name Basics</h2>\r\nBefore you start looking into the right domain name, it\'s important to understand some of the basics of choosing a great domain name. The domain name can be anything you want it to be, as long as it\'s available.\r\n\r\nMost of the generic words or common personal names will be taken, but you may be able to get these domains with a different extension.\r\n\r\nThe .com extension is the most sought after and the best choice for your domain. However, if it\'s not available, you may want to consider a .co, .net or .org domain name extension. Of course, you can also choose a different domain name to get the .com extension.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to understand what type of content you will put on the site and what your goals are for the site. You should also understand your audience before you start looking for a domain name. When you understand your audience and your goals, choosing a domain name becomes much easier.\r\n<h2>Keywords in Your Domain Name</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10295\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6895067_s-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Name Choices\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />While you may read that getting a domain with your keyword in it is very important, this is only one strategy.\r\n\r\nMany of the most popular brands don\'t use this strategy and have no issue ranking well. Think about some of the most common websites you use and you will quickly realize, they don\'t have a keyword in their domain name.\r\n<h2>Create a List of Possibilities</h2>\r\nBefore you start searching for your new domain name, you should brainstorm a long list of possibilities.\r\n\r\nFor example, if you\'re starting a personal blog, you may want to start with your own name and variations of your name. You can also add creative names having to do with the type of content you plan to blog about to the list.\r\n\r\nThe longer your list, the better because some will not be available and will cross themselves off the list.\r\n<h2>Domain Name Quick Guidelines</h2>\r\nYou\'re almost ready to do your domain name search, but you need just a few more guidelines to follow:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Make sure to get a .com, .net or .org extension.</li>\r\n	<li>The domain should be easy to spell and remember.</li>\r\n	<li>Numbers should be avoided when possible in the domain.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use brand names and be careful with copyrights.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nUse these guidelines as you create your list and do your search for the perfect domain name.\r\n<h2>Searching your Domain Name Possibilities</h2>\r\nBefore you choose the best domain name for your new website, go through the list you created and start looking at which ones are actually available. Go to one of the many domain registrars and simply search for your domain name. Make a note of whether the .com, .net or .org is available and move onto the next.\r\n\r\nGo through your entire list and cross off any that are not available. This will give you a suitable list of available domain names to choose from when it comes to making your final choice.\r\n<h2>A Great Domain Doesn\'t Equal Success Online</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10297\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10327493_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Extensions\" width=\"234\" height=\"234\" />While your domain name is important, it\'s not what will make your site a success.\r\n\r\nYou want to spend time using the tips above to choose a great domain name, but even if your domain name is asdfjkl.com, you can find success online. While this would be hard to remember and not easy to spell as it\'s not a word, it can still become a successful website with the right content.\r\n\r\nThe domain name isn\'t what will make your website a success. It\'s the content on your website that matters.\r\n\r\nOf course, a great domain name does help with branding, especially with offline advertising. It should be easy to remember and spell, but you can find plenty of success even if you don\'t have the best domain name in the world.\r\n\r\nMost websites start with the decision for a specific domain name. Spend some time making a good decision about your domain name and it will help lead you to success. Understand your audience and choose a domain name that makes sense with the content you plan to provide.','Choosing the Best Domain Name for Your Website','','publish','open','closed','','choosing-the-best-domain-name-for-your-website','','','2016-04-12 12:20:03','2016-04-12 16:20:03','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10294',0,'post','',0),(10347,5,'2016-04-19 13:25:57','2016-04-19 17:25:57','','CuttingUpCards3','','inherit','open','closed','','cuttingupcards3','','','2016-04-19 13:26:17','2016-04-19 17:26:17','',10346,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CuttingUpCards3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10230,4,'2016-04-04 16:00:40','2016-04-04 20:00:40','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6996059_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Professional Photography\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10231\" />When you create a website for your company, every element needs to serve a purpose. Whether it\'s the way visitors navigate or the design, it needs to have a specific focus and serve your company. Often, companies refuse to invest in key elements, which make all the difference. \r\n\r\nDid you know, about 65% of the population is visually inclined when learning? Most people visiting your website will get so much more out of the visual elements than the words on the page. The words are very important, but the pictures are even more important. \r\n\r\nOutdated, stock or poor photography simply won\'t cut it. Instead of telling the right story for your visitors, these types of images will take the wrong story. You need professional photography for your company\'s website and here\'s why.\r\n\r\n<h2>Better Images Equals Better Conversions</h2>\r\n\r\nThe images on your website are directly linked to your conversions. If you don\'t have great images, you may not have as high of a conversion rate as you would like. It\'s important to create the best possible pictures for your website, especially if you\'re running an ecommerce store. The only way customers know what they are really getting is through the images you provide of the products you sell.\r\n\r\nWe all know how important images are to the buying process. Whether you\'ve skipped over a product on eBay or another website due to a lack of pictures, we have all done it. Even in the Real Estate world, we refuse to even consider homes without looking at dozens of high quality pictures online. \r\n\r\nIf you\'re selling items on your website, you want to use a professional photographer to capture the product at all angles. You also want to make sure the product is shown off in the best possible way for the customer. Since they cannot pick it up, feel it, touch it and see how it works, you have to use images to convey this on your website. \r\n\r\n<h2>Tells a Positive Story</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10382215_s-300x213.jpg\" alt=\"Professional Website Photography\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10233\" />Your website tells a story about your company. If you use stock images, most visitors will think you\'re cheap and not willing to invest in your business. This paints a rather negative picture of your company, which won\'t serve you well.\r\n\r\nProfessional photography has the ability to make the snap judgements visitors make go away. They will see your site appear as professional and clean. A great example of how this works is found on restaurant websites. If they provide blurry pictures or stock pictures only, you may not want to eat there. However, if they provide professional images of actual dishes they serve, you may be enticed to make a reservation.\r\n\r\nThis concept translates across many industries and very few websites can succeed without professional images.\r\n\r\n<h2>No Worries of Copyright Infringement</h2>\r\n\r\nWhen you hire a professional photographer to handle your images, you don\'t have to worry about infringing on any copyright. Finding images on other websites could lead to issues, if you don\'t follow the rules. Not only will you still have to pay for image, to make sure you have the right to use them, but you may also be tempted to use free images other websites also use.\r\n\r\nBy using your own professional images, you won\'t need to worry about any potential copyright issues. Instead, you will know you own the images and you will know you can use them.\r\n\r\n<h2>Better SEO</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/7317019_s-300x252.jpg\" alt=\"Website Images\" width=\"300\" height=\"252\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10232\" />High quality images translate to better SEO in many cases. When you provide great images, they will get picked up in the Google Image Search, which can provide a ton of great traffic for your website. Some studies have shown that great images can increase your traffic by up to 60%!\r\n\r\nThere are several reasons why your company website needs professional photography. Whether you just need a few images for your homepage or you need ongoing product images, hiring a professional to take or create your images is the best way to go for most companies.\r\n','Does your Company\'s Website Need Professional Photography?','','publish','open','closed','','does-your-companys-website-need-professional-photography','','','2016-04-03 20:17:31','2016-04-04 00:17:31','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10230',0,'post','',0),(10231,4,'2016-04-03 20:15:39','2016-04-04 00:15:39','','Professional Photography','','inherit','open','closed','','6996059_s','','','2016-04-03 20:16:22','2016-04-04 00:16:22','',10230,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6996059_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10232,4,'2016-04-03 20:16:07','2016-04-04 00:16:07','','Website Images','','inherit','open','closed','','7317019_s','','','2016-04-03 20:17:06','2016-04-04 00:17:06','',10230,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/7317019_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10233,4,'2016-04-03 20:16:09','2016-04-04 00:16:09','','Professional Website Photography','','inherit','open','closed','','10382215_s','','','2016-04-03 20:16:49','2016-04-04 00:16:49','',10230,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10382215_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10234,4,'2016-04-03 20:17:16','2016-04-04 00:17:16','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6996059_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Professional Photography\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10231\" />When you create a website for your company, every element needs to serve a purpose. Whether it\'s the way visitors navigate or the design, it needs to have a specific focus and serve your company. Often, companies refuse to invest in key elements, which make all the difference. \r\n\r\nDid you know, about 65% of the population is visually inclined when learning? Most people visiting your website will get so much more out of the visual elements than the words on the page. The words are very important, but the pictures are even more important. \r\n\r\nOutdated, stock or poor photography simply won\'t cut it. Instead of telling the right story for your visitors, these types of images will take the wrong story. You need professional photography for your company\'s website and here\'s why.\r\n\r\n<h2>Better Images Equals Better Conversions</h2>\r\n\r\nThe images on your website are directly linked to your conversions. If you don\'t have great images, you may not have as high of a conversion rate as you would like. It\'s important to create the best possible pictures for your website, especially if you\'re running an ecommerce store. The only way customers know what they are really getting is through the images you provide of the products you sell.\r\n\r\nWe all know how important images are to the buying process. Whether you\'ve skipped over a product on eBay or another website due to a lack of pictures, we have all done it. Even in the Real Estate world, we refuse to even consider homes without looking at dozens of high quality pictures online. \r\n\r\nIf you\'re selling items on your website, you want to use a professional photographer to capture the product at all angles. You also want to make sure the product is shown off in the best possible way for the customer. Since they cannot pick it up, feel it, touch it and see how it works, you have to use images to convey this on your website. \r\n\r\n<h2>Tells a Positive Story</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10382215_s-300x213.jpg\" alt=\"Professional Website Photography\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10233\" />Your website tells a story about your company. If you use stock images, most visitors will think you\'re cheap and not willing to invest in your business. This paints a rather negative picture of your company, which won\'t serve you well.\r\n\r\nProfessional photography has the ability to make the snap judgements visitors make go away. They will see your site appear as professional and clean. A great example of how this works is found on restaurant websites. If they provide blurry pictures or stock pictures only, you may not want to eat there. However, if they provide professional images of actual dishes they serve, you may be enticed to make a reservation.\r\n\r\nThis concept translates across many industries and very few websites can succeed without professional images.\r\n\r\n<h2>No Worries of Copyright Infringement</h2>\r\n\r\nWhen you hire a professional photographer to handle your images, you don\'t have to worry about infringing on any copyright. Finding images on other websites could lead to issues, if you don\'t follow the rules. Not only will you still have to pay for image, to make sure you have the right to use them, but you may also be tempted to use free images other websites also use.\r\n\r\nBy using your own professional images, you won\'t need to worry about any potential copyright issues. Instead, you will know you own the images and you will know you can use them.\r\n\r\n<h2>Better SEO</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/7317019_s-300x252.jpg\" alt=\"Website Images\" width=\"300\" height=\"252\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10232\" />High quality images translate to better SEO in many cases. When you provide great images, they will get picked up in the Google Image Search, which can provide a ton of great traffic for your website. Some studies have shown that great images can increase your traffic by up to 60%!\r\n\r\nThere are several reasons why your company website needs professional photography. Whether you just need a few images for your homepage or you need ongoing product images, hiring a professional to take or create your images is the best way to go for most companies.\r\n','Does your Company\'s Website Need Professional Photography?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10230-revision-v1','','','2016-04-03 20:17:16','2016-04-04 00:17:16','',10230,'https://itxdesign.com/10230-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10235,4,'2016-04-05 15:17:54','2016-04-05 19:17:54','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10236\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21410911_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Negative Reviews\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />As a business, negative business reviews are inevitable. It\'s hard to please every single customer. You may try your hardest, provide great products and excellent customer service, but you\'ll have to deal with a negative business review sooner or later. This is simply an organic part of any business as it grows.\r\n\r\nWith the online world using reviews to make decisions on what to buy, where to eat and even which plumbing service to call, it\'s important to handle negative reviews in the best way possible. You cannot simply ignore these reviews.\r\n\r\nHere are five effective ways to handle negative reviews about your business.\r\n<h2>1. Find out what you can</h2>\r\nThe first step in handing any negative business review is to find out where it\'s coming from and who wrote the review, if possible. You may need to set up alerts for popular review sites and social media sites to help you find out where the review is coming from. This will allow you to see it as soon as it happens and it will not go unnoticed.\r\n<h2>2. Take a breath and relax</h2>\r\nYour first reaction may be to get a bit upset about a negative review. However, you want to make sure you take a little time to relax before you respond or try to handle the review. The last thing you want to do is make the situation worse with a knee jerk reaction.\r\n\r\nBefore responding, think about what you will say and whether it will be helpful for the customer or simply spiteful. You don\'t want to make the situation worse, so don\'t write anything until you are calm and thinking clearly.\r\n<h2>3. Rely on fans\' support</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10237\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/23832457_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Negative Business Reviews\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />While there are things you should do to handle a negative review, sometimes it\'s enough to rely on your existing fan\'s support. You don\'t want to go through the review line by line and counter every point the reviewer made. This will make you look incompetent and a bit vindictive.\r\n\r\nInstead, let other customers handle this part by responding to the reviewer for you if they feel led to do so.\r\n<h2>4. Apologize to the reviewer</h2>\r\nIt may seem counterproductive to apologize to a negative reviewer, as though you are \"admitting guilt\" or wrongdoing. However, an apology will go a long way when it comes to a negative business review.\r\n\r\nIf a customer had bad experience with your company, the best way to open up the possibility of rectifying the situation is with a sincere apology. If mistakes were made, acknowledge the mistakes and make sure you remain humble.\r\n<h2>5. Make it better</h2>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-10238 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/31476454_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Business Reviews\" width=\"173\" height=\"173\" />Some companies will go overboard with explanation letters when they receive a negative review. This isn\'t necessary and can make things worse. Instead, keep it short and to the point. You can ask the customer how you can improve their experience and you can even reach out to them in a more personal way.\r\n\r\nIf you really feel like you need to go above and beyond, you can offer the customer something free of charge or at a discount. Maybe a replacement product, a credit, or some type of coupon will help smooth things over.\r\n\r\nNegative business reviews are part of the reality of doing business. You need to make sure you handle negative reviews in the best possible way. Take the time to calm down before you respond and use the tips above to help you handle any negative business reviews you might receive.','How to Effectively Handle Negative Business Reviews','','publish','open','closed','','how-to-effectively-handle-negative-business-reviews','','','2016-04-05 15:16:52','2016-04-05 19:16:52','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10235',0,'post','',0),(10236,4,'2016-04-03 20:31:32','2016-04-04 00:31:32','','Negative Reviews','','inherit','open','closed','','21410911_s','','','2016-04-03 20:31:47','2016-04-04 00:31:47','',10235,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21410911_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10237,4,'2016-04-03 20:31:35','2016-04-04 00:31:35','','Negative Business Reviews','','inherit','open','closed','','23832457_s','','','2016-04-03 20:32:07','2016-04-04 00:32:07','',10235,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/23832457_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10238,4,'2016-04-03 20:31:36','2016-04-04 00:31:36','','Business Reviews','','inherit','open','closed','','31476454_s','','','2016-04-03 20:32:26','2016-04-04 00:32:26','',10235,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/31476454_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10239,4,'2016-04-03 20:32:55','2016-04-04 00:32:55','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21410911_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Negative Reviews\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10236\" />As a business, it\'s hard to please every single customer. You may try your hardest, provide great products and excellent customer service, but you will inevitably have to deal with a negative business review sooner or later. This is simply an organic part of any business as it grows. \r\n\r\nWith the online world using reviews to make decisions on what to buy, where to eat and even which plumbing service to call, it\'s important to handle negative reviews in the best way possible. You cannot simply ignore these reviews. Here are some of the best ways you can handle negative reviews about your business.\r\n\r\n<h2>Find Out Where the Reviews are Coming From</h2>\r\n\r\nThe first step in handing any negative business review is to find out where it\'s coming from. You may need to set up alerts for popular review sites and social media sites to help you find out where the review is coming from. This will allow you to see it as soon as it happens and it will not go unnoticed. \r\n\r\n<h2>Take a Breath and Relax</h2>\r\n\r\nYour first reaction may be to get a bit upset about a negative review. However, you want to make sure you take a little time to relax before you respond or try to handle the review. The last thing you want to do is make the situation worse. \r\n\r\nBefore responding, think about what you will say and whether it will be helpful for the customer or simply spiteful. You don\'t want to make the situation worse, so don\'t write anything until you are calm and thinking clearly.\r\n\r\n<h2>Let Other Customers Handle it</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/23832457_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Negative Business Reviews\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10237\" />While there are things you should do to handle a negative review, you can also let customers help with the situation. You don\'t want to go through the review line by line and counter every point the reviewer made. This will make you look incompetent and a bit vindictive. Instead, let other customers handle this part by responding to the reviewer for you.\r\n\r\n<h2>Apologize to the Reviewer</h2>\r\n\r\nOften, an apology will go a very long way when it comes to a negative business review. If a customer feels like they have had a bad experience with your company, the best way to open up the possibility of rectifying the situation is with a sincere apology. If mistakes were made, acknowledge the mistakes and make sure you remain humble. \r\n\r\n<h2>Make it Better</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/31476454_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Business Reviews\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10238\" />Some companies will go overboard with explanation letters when they receive a negative review. This isn\'t necessary and can make things worse. Instead, keep it short and to the point. You can ask the customer how you can improve their experience and you can even reach out to them in a more personal way.\r\n\r\nIf you really feel like you need to go above and beyond, you can offer the customer something free of charge or at a discount. Maybe a replacement product, a credit or some type of coupon will help smooth things over.\r\n\r\nReviews are very important to any business today. You need to make sure you handle negative reviews in the best possible way. Take the time to calm down before you respond and use the tips above to help you handle any negative business reviews you might receive.\r\n','How to Properly Handle Negative Business Reviews','','inherit','closed','closed','','10235-revision-v1','','','2016-04-03 20:32:55','2016-04-04 00:32:55','',10235,'https://itxdesign.com/10235-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10240,4,'2016-04-06 14:33:20','2016-04-06 18:33:20','<img class=\"alignleft wp-image-10241\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8908225_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Blog Goals\" width=\"246\" height=\"164\" />Setting goals has always been a wise, growth-motivated thing to do for a business, individual, website, blog or any other endeavor. However, you can\'t just set goals and expect to reach them.\r\n\r\nThe goals have to be set in the proper way to ensure you have a fighting chance of reaching and achieving your goals.\r\n\r\nYour blog is no different. Setting <strong>S.M.A.R.T. goals</strong> will make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your efforts. It doesn\'t matter why you\'re blogging - the way you set your goals will make a difference.\r\n<h2>Defining a S.M.A.R.T. Goal</h2>\r\nS.M.A.R.T. goals are not a new thing. They have been used by many very successful professionals and individuals for many years. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym and helps you set the right type of goals. It stands for:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>S</strong>pecific</li>\r\n	<li><strong>M</strong>easureable</li>\r\n	<li><strong>A</strong>chievable</li>\r\n	<li><strong>R</strong>elevant</li>\r\n	<li><strong>T</strong>ime-Bound</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBy setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, you will have the right plan in place to make achieving your goal much easier.\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-10242 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12701763_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Goals\" width=\"440\" height=\"292\" />S is for specific</h2>\r\nThe first part of setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal is making the goal specific. If you set a vague goal, such as \"I want to grow my business by using a blog,\" you don\'t really have much to shoot for.\r\n\r\nIt will be much harder to achieve this goal compared to a more specific goal, such as, \"I want to add 10 new posts to my blog every week to increase the number of new leads I get for my business,\" or \"I want to use my blog to earn enough money to pay my monthly rent/mortgage bill.\"\r\n\r\nBy making the goal very specific, it can become a motivator and you can use the other steps of SMART goals to make it more achievable.\r\n<h2>M is for measurable</h2>\r\nOnce you make your goal specific, you need a way to measure the goal. This can be very easy to set up, depending on your goal. An immeasurable goal would be, \"I want to use my blog to increase how many leads I get every month.\" This type of goal only means if you get one more lead than a normal month, you have achieved your goal.\r\n\r\nA measurable goal would be, \"I want to add 10 new leads every month by using my blog.\" This sets a specific and measurable goal you can actually see as you work towards achieving it.\r\n<h2>A is for achievable</h2>\r\nMaking your goals for your blog achievable is another very important factor. If you set your goal too high, it can be discouraging instead of motivating. Make sure the goals you set are realistic and that you can actually achieve them.\r\n\r\nAn un-achievable goal may be to make $100,000 your first year of blogging, while an achievable goal may be to build your blog to make $500 per month by the end of the first year. You want your goals to stretch you a bit, but they still need to be achievable.\r\n<h2>R is for relevant</h2>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-10243 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/32138177_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Goals\" width=\"212\" height=\"196\" />Setting relevant goals makes a difference, as well. There\'s no need to chase a goal that won\'t help you or your company achieve your overall focus.\r\n\r\nAn irrelevant goal may be to double your audience on social media, while a relevant goal would be to double your actual blog subscribers. While social media may be important, it\'s not your blog, so setting goals for social media doesn\'t fit with your blogging goals.\r\n<h2>T is for time-bound</h2>\r\nA time-bound goal gives you focus and allows an end date for achieving the goal. You don\'t want to just set a goal, such as \"I want to increase my blog traffic.\" Instead, you want your goal to be time-bound, such as, \"I want to increase my blog traffic to 100 visitors per day by the end of this year.\"\r\n\r\nBy adding a time-frame for achieving the goal, you will be able to see how close you are and keep yourself on the right track.\r\n\r\nAs you set S.M.A.R.T. goals for your blog, you want to make sure they fit with every part of the acronym. With S.M.A.R.T. goals, you will have something to shoot for and something you can achieve. As you achieve every goal, you will build confidence and it will help you find success with the blog you are working on.','How to Use S.M.A.R.T. Goals to Grow Your Blog','','publish','open','closed','','how-to-use-smart-goals-to-grow-your-blog','','','2016-04-05 15:26:54','2016-04-05 19:26:54','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10240',0,'post','',0),(10241,4,'2016-04-03 20:36:00','2016-04-04 00:36:00','','SMART Blog Goals','','inherit','open','closed','','8908225_s','','','2016-04-03 20:36:19','2016-04-04 00:36:19','',10240,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8908225_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10242,4,'2016-04-03 20:36:02','2016-04-04 00:36:02','','SMART Goals','','inherit','open','closed','','12701763_s','','','2016-04-03 20:36:33','2016-04-04 00:36:33','',10240,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12701763_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10243,4,'2016-04-03 20:36:03','2016-04-04 00:36:03','','Blog Goals','','inherit','open','closed','','32138177_s','','','2016-04-03 20:36:47','2016-04-04 00:36:47','',10240,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/32138177_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10244,4,'2016-04-03 20:36:53','2016-04-04 00:36:53','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8908225_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Blog Goals\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10241\" />Setting goals has always been a smart thing to do for a business, individual, website, blog or any other endeavor. However, you cannot just set goals and expect to reach them. The goals have to be set in the proper way to ensure you have a fighting chance of reaching and achieving your goals.\r\n\r\nYour blog is no different. Whether it\'s a blog for your company or a blog for you as an individual, setting SMART goals will make a huge difference. It doesn\'t matter why you\'re blogging, the way you set your goals will make a difference.\r\n\r\n<h2>Defining a SMART Goal</h2>\r\n\r\nSMART goals are not a new thing. They have been used by many very successful professionals and individuals for many years. SMART is an acronym and helps you set the right type of goals. It stands for:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Specific</li>\r\n<li>Measureable</li>\r\n<li>Achievable</li>\r\n<li>Relevant</li>\r\n<li>Time-Bound</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBy setting SMART goals, you will have the right plan in place to make achieving your goal much easier.\r\n\r\n<h2>Specific</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12701763_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Goals\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10242\" />The first part of setting a SMART goal is making it very specific. If you set a vague goal, such as \"I want to grow my business by using a blog,\" you don\'t really have much to shoot for. \r\n\r\nIt will be much harder to achieve this goal compared to a more specific goal, such as, \"I want to add 10 new posts to my blog every week to increase the number of new leads I get for my business,\" or \"I want to use my blog to earn enough money to pay my monthly rent/mortgage bill.\"\r\n\r\nBy making the goal very specific, it can become a motivator and you can use the other steps of SMART goals to make it more achievable.\r\n\r\n<h2>Measurable</h2>\r\n\r\nOnce you have made your goal specific, you need a way to measure the goal. This can be very easy to set up, depending on your goal. An unmeasurable goal would be, \"I want to use my blog to increase how many leads I get every month.\" This type of goal only means if you get one more lead than a normal month, you have achieved your goal. \r\n\r\nA measurable goal would be, \"I want to add 10 new leads every month by using my blog.\" This sets a specific and measurable goal you can actually see as you work towards achieving it.\r\n\r\n<h2>Achievable</h2>\r\n\r\nMaking your goals for your blog achievable is another very important factor. If you set too high of a goal, it can be very discouraging instead of motivating. Make sure the goals you set are realistic and you can actually achieve them. \r\n\r\nAn unachievable goal may be to make $100K your first year of blogging, while an achievable goal may be to build your blog to make $500 per month by the end of the first year. You want your goals to stretch you a bit, but they still need to be achievable.\r\n\r\n<h2>Relevant</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/32138177_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Goals\" width=\"300\" height=\"277\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10243\" />Setting relevant goals makes a difference, as well. There\'s no need to chase a goal that won\'t help you or your company achieve your overall focus. An irrelevant goal may be to double your audience on social media, while a relevant goal would be to double your actual blog subscribers. While social media may be important, it\'s not your blog so setting goals for social media doesn\'t fit with your blogging goals.\r\n\r\n<h2>Time-Bound</h2>\r\n\r\nA time-bound goal gives you focus and allows an end date for achieving the goal. You don\'t want to just set a goal, such as \"I want to increase my blog traffic.\" Instead, you want your goal to be time-bound, such as, \"I want to increase my blog traffic to 100 visitors per day by the end of this year.\"  By adding a time-frame for achieving the goal, you will be able to see how close you are and keep yourself on the right track.\r\n\r\nAs you set SMART goals for your blog, you want to make sure they fit with every part of the acronym. With SMART goals, you will have something to shoot for and something you can achieve. As you achieve every goal, you will build confidence and it will help you find success with the blog you are working on.\r\n','How to use SMART Goals to Grow Your Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10240-revision-v1','','','2016-04-03 20:36:53','2016-04-04 00:36:53','',10240,'https://itxdesign.com/10240-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10245,4,'2016-04-07 15:37:59','2016-04-07 19:37:59','<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10246\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10202028_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Conversion Rate\" width=\"182\" height=\"168\" />Website traffic is great, but it doesn\'t make your website worth more. You may have a high traffic website, but if your conversion rate is very low, it won\'t help your business or give you much value.\r\n\r\nYou need traffic <strong><em>and</em></strong> a high conversion rate to really make your website worth money.\r\n\r\nWhether your website is used to generate business leads, sell products or make commissions from affiliate products, you need a high conversion rate.\r\n\r\nHere are a few tips you can use to optimize your website and increase your overall conversions.\r\n<h2>Keep it simple and clear</h2>\r\nA huge mistake many new website owners make is crowding the site with graphics, ads, information and more. You don\'t need every bell and whistle in the world to make your website flourish.\r\n\r\nIn fact, you\'re better off with a very simple website compared to a complicated, hard to read and slow-loading site.\r\n\r\nThe top websites in the world keep their message very clear and simple. They don\'t provide distractions because they know what their focus is all about. This is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your website and avoid any penalties from the search engines.\r\n\r\nBefore you do anything else, consider how simple and clear your website is.\r\n<h2>Check out the competition</h2>\r\nAs you make tweaks to help your site convert visitors into leads and sales, you should take time to look at your competition. Sometimes, your competition will show you exactly what works and you will see why it works.\r\n\r\nIn addition, you will be able to see their weaknesses and where you can beat the competition by providing more value.\r\n\r\nFollowing your competition will help you see what visitors are finding when they leave your site and try to Google the same product or service or something very similar.\r\n\r\nBy looking at what your visitors see, you will be able to figure out how to better keep visitors from leaving your site for the competition.\r\n<h2>Use A/B split testing</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10248\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/27674059_s-300x264.jpg\" alt=\"Increase Conversions\" width=\"300\" height=\"264\" />A very powerful way to find out how well your site is converting is to use A/B split testing for landing pages. This will allow you to pit one landing page against another and see which one converts the best.\r\n\r\nSometimes, you will find that changing a color, font size, image or something very small will lead to a higher conversion rate.\r\n\r\nTake the time to create multiple versions of your landing pages and split test them. After an appropriate amount of data, you can dump the losing landing page and throw in the next one.\r\n\r\nSome very successful websites never stop split testing as they are always trying to improve their conversion rate.\r\n<h2>Use an incentive to create urgency</h2>\r\nThe old impulse buy used to be a candy bar in the grocery store aisle. Now, the impulse buy has moved to the internet and many websites use urgency to make sure a purchase is made by visitors.\r\n\r\nThis can help you increase your conversion rate quite a bit and help you make more sales.\r\n\r\nWhether you use a giveaway to drive more leads or you use scarcity by letting visitors know the price will go up after so many purchases or there are only so many available, you can create urgency and drive sales.\r\n\r\nAmazon.com does this very well by letting users know there is only so many of a product left. Even though they will restock once they are gone, this creates urgency and drives sales.\r\n<h2>Improve your sales funnel</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10247\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/19606104_s-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sales Funnel\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" />Your sales funnel needs to be amazing. If it\'s not very efficient, you are losing potential sales along the way.\r\n\r\nIt will depend on what you are offering, but a well-planned sales funnel will help the visitor become a client, trust your company and feel comfortable with the purchase.\r\n\r\nYou should use a drip system for information, add plenty of value and offer problem-solving solutions for those not purchasing immediately. This can be done through email, social media or even through special offers.\r\n\r\nIncreasing your conversion rate is a great way to get more out of your website. Whether you are selling a product, service or trying to make commissions from affiliate products, you need more than just traffic.\r\n\r\nUse these five tips to help increase your conversion rate and watch your website flourish.','Skyrocket Your Conversions With These 5 Optimization Tips','','publish','open','closed','','skyrocket-your-conversions-5-optimization-tips','','','2016-04-05 15:31:23','2016-04-05 19:31:23','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10245',0,'post','',0),(10246,4,'2016-04-03 20:40:33','2016-04-04 00:40:33','','Conversion Rate','','inherit','open','closed','','10202028_s','','','2016-04-03 20:40:49','2016-04-04 00:40:49','',10245,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10202028_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10247,4,'2016-04-03 20:40:36','2016-04-04 00:40:36','','Sales Funnel','','inherit','open','closed','','19606104_s','','','2016-04-03 20:41:24','2016-04-04 00:41:24','',10245,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/19606104_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10248,4,'2016-04-03 20:40:37','2016-04-04 00:40:37','','Increase Conversions','','inherit','open','closed','','27674059_s','','','2016-04-03 20:41:10','2016-04-04 00:41:10','',10245,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/27674059_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10249,4,'2016-04-03 20:41:32','2016-04-04 00:41:32','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10202028_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Conversion Rate\" width=\"300\" height=\"277\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10246\" />Website traffic is great, but it doesn\'t make your website worth more. You may have a high traffic website, but if your conversion rate is very low, it won\'t help your business or give you much value. You need traffic and a high conversion rate to really make your website worth money.\r\n\r\nWhether your website is used to generate business leads, sell products or make commissions from affiliate products, you need a high conversion rate. Here are a few tips you can use to optimize your website and increase your overall conversions. \r\n\r\n<h2>Keep It Simple and Clear</h2>\r\n\r\nA huge mistake many new website owners make is crowding the site with graphics, ads, information and more. You don\'t need every bell and whistle in the world to make your website flourish. In fact, you\'re better off with a very simple website compared to a complicated, hard to read and slow-loading site.\r\n\r\nThe top websites in the world keep their message very clear and simple. They don\'t provide distractions because they know what their focus is all about. This is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your website and avoid any penalties from the search engines. Before you do anything else, consider how simple and clear your website is.\r\n\r\n<h2>Check Out the Competition</h2>\r\n\r\nAs you make tweaks to help your site convert visitors into leads and sales, you should take time to look at your competition. Sometimes, your competition will show you exactly what works and you will see why it works. In addition, you will be able to see their weaknesses and where you can beat the competition by providing more value.\r\n\r\nFollowing your competition will help you see what visitors are finding when they leave your site and try to Google the same product or service or something very similar. By looking at what your visitors see, you will be able to figure out how to better keep visitors from leaving your site for the competition.\r\n\r\n<h2>Use A/B Split Testing</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/27674059_s-300x264.jpg\" alt=\"Increase Conversions\" width=\"300\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10248\" />A very powerful way to find out how well your site is converting is to use A/B split testing for landing pages. This will allow you to pit one landing page against another and see which one converts the best. Sometimes, you will find that changing a color, font size, image or something very small will lead to a higher conversion rate. \r\n\r\nTake the time to create multiple versions of your landing pages and split test them. After an appropriate amount of data, you can dump the losing landing page and throw in the next one. Some very successful websites never stop split testing as they are always trying to improve their conversion rate.\r\n\r\n<h2>Use an Incentive to Create Urgency</h2>\r\n\r\nThe old impulse buy used to be a candy bar in the grocery store aisle. Now, the impulse buy has moved to the internet and many websites use urgency to make sure a purchase is made by visitors. This can help you increase your conversion rate quite a bit and help you make more sales. \r\n\r\nWhether you use a giveaway to drive more leads or you use scarcity by letting visitors know the price will go up after so many purchases or there are only so many available, you can create urgency and drive sales. Amazon.com does this very well by letting users know there is only so many of a product left. Even though they will restock once they are gone, this creates urgency and drives sales.\r\n\r\n<h2>Make your Sales Funnel Great</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/19606104_s-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sales Funnel\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10247\" />Your Sales Funnel needs to be amazing. If it\'s not very efficient, you are losing potential sales along the way. It will depend on what you are offering, but a well-planned sales funnel will help the visitor become a client, trust your company and feel comfortable with the purchase.\r\n\r\nYou should use a drip system for information, add plenty of value and offer problem-solving solutions for those not purchasing immediately. This can be done through email, social media or even through special offers.\r\n\r\nIncreasing your conversion rate is a great way to get more out of your website. Whether you are selling a product, service or trying to make commissions from affiliate products, you need more than just traffic. Use these five tips to help increase your conversion rate and watch your website flourish.\r\n','Skyrocket Your Conversions With These Five Optimization Tips','','inherit','closed','closed','','10245-revision-v1','','','2016-04-03 20:41:32','2016-04-04 00:41:32','',10245,'https://itxdesign.com/10245-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10250,4,'2016-04-05 14:42:02','2016-04-05 18:42:02','If a major objective of your website or blog is getting more email subscribers, you need the right plugins. Using WordPress means you have access to some of the best tools to make this happen.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a look at some of the best free and paid plugins for getting more email subscribers.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">WPForms</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10255\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-300x118.png\" alt=\"WP Forms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" />\r\n\r\nA very easy to use tool, WPForms provides a drag &amp; drop form builder you can use for WordPress. It provides the ability to create payment forms, contact forms, subscription forms and much more. You can do it all with just a few clicks of a mouse and even the newest WordPress user can figure this plugin out.\r\n\r\nAlong with creating forms, you can manage everything from one screen, including your email newsletter. You will even be able to redirect subscribers to a thank you page after they have joined your list.\r\n\r\nThis plugin is free to use and does offer a paid upgrade for $39 per year.\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://optinmonster.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">OptinMonster</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10253\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OptinMonster-300x58.png\" alt=\"OptinMonster\" width=\"300\" height=\"58\" />\r\n\r\nThe OptinMonster plugin provides a very powerful way to generate leads for WordPress users. It\'s a great tool for converting abandoning website visitors into email list subscribers. You can use the A/B test feature to for your lead capture forms, as well.\r\n\r\nThis plugin allows for creating many types of forms including a floating header, footer bars, lightbox popups, scroll triggered boxes, welcome gates and many more. It\'s a very targeted choice with plenty of integration options including MailChimp, AWeber and Constant Contact.\r\n\r\nOptinMonster isn\'t free. It costs $9 per month or $49 per year.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/dreamgrow-scroll-triggered-box/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10251\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DreamgrowScrollTriggeredBox-300x94.png\" alt=\"Dreamgrow Scroll Triggered Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" />\r\n\r\nAnother very easy to use plugin, the DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box allows you to create slide-in option boxes, which are triggered when a visitor scrolls. This plugin will allow you to select the position for the box and will even allow you to set how long the box will stay hidden after a visitor sees it.\r\n\r\nThis plugin is free and doesn\'t offer any upgrade options.\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://plugmatter.com/feature-box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">PlugMatter Feature Box</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10254\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PlugMatter_Feature_Box-300x106.png\" alt=\"PlugMatter Feature Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" />\r\n\r\nWith a feature box, you can make your email list grow very quickly. The PlugMatter Feature Box plugin allows you to create a feature box for email subscriptions under the header of your WordPress website.\r\n\r\nIt will be before the main content, which will allow you to get the most subscribers from your efforts. You can use it with MailChimp, AWeber, Constant Contact and many other email services.\r\n\r\nThe cost for this plugin is $37 per year and there is no free option.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://instapage.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">InstaPage</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10252\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/InstaPage.png\" alt=\"InstaPage\" width=\"186\" height=\"65\" />\r\n\r\nWith InstaPage, you can create landing pages perfect for marketing. This plugin will make it very easy to get visitors to subscribe to your list. It\'s a more comprehensive solution compare to many of the other choices out there with more than 100 landing pages to choose from.\r\n\r\nThe plugin is free to try and offers multiple pricing options.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/comment-redirect/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Comment Redirect</a></h2>\r\nMany WordPress users don\'t know about how the Comment Redirect plugin can help you gain subscribers. This plugin will take those leaving a comment to your thank you page, which can help you engage them and get them to subscribe. You can incentivize the page with a coupon or free offer to get them to subscribe after leaving a comment.\r\n\r\nThis is a free to use plugin.\r\n\r\nAll of these plugins will help you gain more email subscribers. You don\'t need every single plugin on the list, but the right combination may provide you with the perfect way to gain more subscribers this year.','Which WordPress Plugins Help You Gain More Email Subscribers?','','publish','open','closed','','which-wordpress-plugins-help-you-gain-more-email-subscribers','','','2016-04-05 16:03:29','2016-04-05 20:03:29','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10250',0,'post','',0),(10251,4,'2016-04-03 20:43:49','2016-04-04 00:43:49','','Dreamgrow Scroll Triggered Box','','inherit','open','closed','','dreamgrowscrolltriggeredbox','','','2016-04-03 20:45:01','2016-04-04 00:45:01','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DreamgrowScrollTriggeredBox.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10252,4,'2016-04-03 20:43:51','2016-04-04 00:43:51','','InstaPage','','inherit','open','closed','','instapage','','','2016-04-03 20:45:41','2016-04-04 00:45:41','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/InstaPage.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10253,4,'2016-04-03 20:43:52','2016-04-04 00:43:52','','OptinMonster','','inherit','open','closed','','optinmonster-4','','','2016-04-03 20:44:34','2016-04-04 00:44:34','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OptinMonster.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10254,4,'2016-04-03 20:43:54','2016-04-04 00:43:54','','PlugMatter Feature Box','','inherit','open','closed','','plugmatter_feature_box','','','2016-04-03 20:45:26','2016-04-04 00:45:26','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PlugMatter_Feature_Box.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10255,4,'2016-04-03 20:43:57','2016-04-04 00:43:57','','WP Forms','','inherit','open','closed','','wpforms','','','2016-04-03 20:44:15','2016-04-04 00:44:15','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10256,4,'2016-04-03 20:45:49','2016-04-04 00:45:49','If a major part of your website or blog is getting more email subscribers, you need the right plugins. Using WordPress means you have access to some of the best tools to make this happen. Here\'s a look at some of the best free and paid plugins for getting more email subscribers.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">WPForms</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-300x118.png\" alt=\"WP Forms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10255\" />\r\n\r\nA very easy to use tool, WPForms provides a drag & drop form builder you can use for WordPress. It provides the ability to create payment forms, contact forms, subscription forms and much more. You can do it all with just a few clicks of a mouse and even the newest WordPress user can figure this plugin out. \r\n\r\nAlong with creating forms, you can manage everything from one screen, including your email newsletter. You will even be able to redirect subscribers to a thank you page after they have joined your list. \r\n\r\nThis plugin is free to use and does offer a paid upgrade for $39 per year.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://optinmonster.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">OptinMonster</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OptinMonster-300x58.png\" alt=\"OptinMonster\" width=\"300\" height=\"58\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10253\" />\r\n\r\nThe OptinMonster plugin provides a very powerful way to generate leads for WordPress users. It\'s a great tool for converting abandoning website visitors into email list subscribers. You can use the A/B test feature to for your lead capture forms, as well.\r\n\r\nThis plugin allows for creating many types of forms including a floating header, footer bars, lightbox popups, scroll triggered boxes, welcome gates and many more. It\'s a very targeted choice with plenty of integration options including MailChimp, AWeber and Constant Contact. \r\n\r\nOptinMonster isn\'t free. It costs $9 per month or $49 per year.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/dreamgrow-scroll-triggered-box/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DreamgrowScrollTriggeredBox-300x94.png\" alt=\"Dreamgrow Scroll Triggered Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10251\" />\r\n\r\nAnother very easy to use plugin, the DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box allows you to create slide-in option boxes, which are triggered when a visitor scrolls. This plugin will allow you to select the position for the box and will even allow you to set how long the box will stay hidden after a visitor sees it.\r\n\r\nThis plugin is free and doesn\'t offer any upgrade options.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://plugmatter.com/feature-box\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">PlugMatter Feature Box</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PlugMatter_Feature_Box-300x106.png\" alt=\"PlugMatter Feature Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10254\" />\r\n\r\nWith a feature box, you can make your email list grow very quickly. The PlugMatter Feature Box plugin allows you to create a feature box for email subscriptions under the header of your WordPress website. It will be before the main content, which will allow you to get the most subscribers from your efforts. You can use it with MailChimp, AWeber, Constant Contact and many other email services.\r\n\r\nThe cost for this plugin is $37 per year and there is no free option.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://instapage.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">InstaPage</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/InstaPage.png\" alt=\"InstaPage\" width=\"186\" height=\"65\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10252\" />\r\n\r\nWith InstaPage, you can create landing pages perfect for marketing. This plugin will make it very easy to get visitors to subscribe to your list. It\'s a more comprehensive solution compare to many of the other choices out there with more than 100 landing pages to choose from. \r\n\r\nThe plugin is free to try and offers multiple pricing options.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/comment-redirect/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Comment Redirect</a></h2>\r\n\r\nMany WordPress users don\'t know about how the Comment Redirect plugin can help you gain subscribers. This plugin will take those leaving a comment to your thank you page, which can help you engage them and get them to subscribe. You can incentivize the page with a coupon or free offer to get them to subscribe after leaving a comment. \r\n\r\nThis is a free to use plugin.\r\n\r\nAll of these plugins will help you gain more email subscribers. You don\'t need every single plugin on the list, but the right combination may provide you with the perfect way to gain more subscribers this year.\r\n','Which WordPress Plugins Help You Gain More Email Subscribers?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10250-revision-v1','','','2016-04-03 20:45:49','2016-04-04 00:45:49','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/10250-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10262,5,'2016-04-05 15:26:31','2016-04-05 19:26:31','<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10241\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8908225_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Blog Goals\" width=\"246\" height=\"164\" />Setting goals has always been a wise, growth-motivated thing to do for a business, individual, website, blog or any other endeavor. However, you can\'t just set goals and expect to reach them.\r\n\r\nThe goals have to be set in the proper way to ensure you have a fighting chance of reaching and achieving your goals.\r\n\r\nYour blog is no different. Setting <strong>S.M.A.R.T. goals</strong> will make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your efforts. It doesn\'t matter why you\'re blogging - the way you set your goals will make a difference.\r\n<h2>Defining a S.M.A.R.T. Goal</h2>\r\nS.M.A.R.T. goals are not a new thing. They have been used by many very successful professionals and individuals for many years. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym and helps you set the right type of goals. It stands for:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>S</strong>pecific</li>\r\n	<li><strong>M</strong>easureable</li>\r\n	<li><strong>A</strong>chievable</li>\r\n	<li><strong>R</strong>elevant</li>\r\n	<li><strong>T</strong>ime-Bound</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBy setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, you will have the right plan in place to make achieving your goal much easier.\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-10242 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12701763_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Goals\" width=\"440\" height=\"292\" />S is for specific</h2>\r\nThe first part of setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal is making the goal specific. If you set a vague goal, such as \"I want to grow my business by using a blog,\" you don\'t really have much to shoot for.\r\n\r\nIt will be much harder to achieve this goal compared to a more specific goal, such as, \"I want to add 10 new posts to my blog every week to increase the number of new leads I get for my business,\" or \"I want to use my blog to earn enough money to pay my monthly rent/mortgage bill.\"\r\n\r\nBy making the goal very specific, it can become a motivator and you can use the other steps of SMART goals to make it more achievable.\r\n<h2>M is for measurable</h2>\r\nOnce you make your goal specific, you need a way to measure the goal. This can be very easy to set up, depending on your goal. An immeasurable goal would be, \"I want to use my blog to increase how many leads I get every month.\" This type of goal only means if you get one more lead than a normal month, you have achieved your goal.\r\n\r\nA measurable goal would be, \"I want to add 10 new leads every month by using my blog.\" This sets a specific and measurable goal you can actually see as you work towards achieving it.\r\n<h2>A is for achievable</h2>\r\nMaking your goals for your blog achievable is another very important factor. If you set your goal too high, it can be discouraging instead of motivating. Make sure the goals you set are realistic and that you can actually achieve them.\r\n\r\nAn un-achievable goal may be to make $100,000 your first year of blogging, while an achievable goal may be to build your blog to make $500 per month by the end of the first year. You want your goals to stretch you a bit, but they still need to be achievable.\r\n<h2>R is for relevant</h2>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-10243 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/32138177_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Goals\" width=\"212\" height=\"196\" />Setting relevant goals makes a difference, as well. There\'s no need to chase a goal that won\'t help you or your company achieve your overall focus.\r\n\r\nAn irrelevant goal may be to double your audience on social media, while a relevant goal would be to double your actual blog subscribers. While social media may be important, it\'s not your blog, so setting goals for social media doesn\'t fit with your blogging goals.\r\n<h2>T is for time-bound</h2>\r\nA time-bound goal gives you focus and allows an end date for achieving the goal. You don\'t want to just set a goal, such as \"I want to increase my blog traffic.\" Instead, you want your goal to be time-bound, such as, \"I want to increase my blog traffic to 100 visitors per day by the end of this year.\"\r\n\r\nBy adding a time-frame for achieving the goal, you will be able to see how close you are and keep yourself on the right track.\r\n\r\nAs you set S.M.A.R.T. goals for your blog, you want to make sure they fit with every part of the acronym. With S.M.A.R.T. goals, you will have something to shoot for and something you can achieve. As you achieve every goal, you will build confidence and it will help you find success with the blog you are working on.','How to use S.M.A.R.T. Goals to Grow Your Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10240-revision-v1','','','2016-04-05 15:26:31','2016-04-05 19:26:31','',10240,'https://itxdesign.com/10240-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10263,5,'2016-04-05 15:26:54','2016-04-05 19:26:54','<img class=\"alignleft wp-image-10241\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/8908225_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Blog Goals\" width=\"246\" height=\"164\" />Setting goals has always been a wise, growth-motivated thing to do for a business, individual, website, blog or any other endeavor. However, you can\'t just set goals and expect to reach them.\r\n\r\nThe goals have to be set in the proper way to ensure you have a fighting chance of reaching and achieving your goals.\r\n\r\nYour blog is no different. Setting <strong>S.M.A.R.T. goals</strong> will make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your efforts. It doesn\'t matter why you\'re blogging - the way you set your goals will make a difference.\r\n<h2>Defining a S.M.A.R.T. Goal</h2>\r\nS.M.A.R.T. goals are not a new thing. They have been used by many very successful professionals and individuals for many years. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym and helps you set the right type of goals. It stands for:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><strong>S</strong>pecific</li>\r\n	<li><strong>M</strong>easureable</li>\r\n	<li><strong>A</strong>chievable</li>\r\n	<li><strong>R</strong>elevant</li>\r\n	<li><strong>T</strong>ime-Bound</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nBy setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, you will have the right plan in place to make achieving your goal much easier.\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-10242 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12701763_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"SMART Goals\" width=\"440\" height=\"292\" />S is for specific</h2>\r\nThe first part of setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal is making the goal specific. If you set a vague goal, such as \"I want to grow my business by using a blog,\" you don\'t really have much to shoot for.\r\n\r\nIt will be much harder to achieve this goal compared to a more specific goal, such as, \"I want to add 10 new posts to my blog every week to increase the number of new leads I get for my business,\" or \"I want to use my blog to earn enough money to pay my monthly rent/mortgage bill.\"\r\n\r\nBy making the goal very specific, it can become a motivator and you can use the other steps of SMART goals to make it more achievable.\r\n<h2>M is for measurable</h2>\r\nOnce you make your goal specific, you need a way to measure the goal. This can be very easy to set up, depending on your goal. An immeasurable goal would be, \"I want to use my blog to increase how many leads I get every month.\" This type of goal only means if you get one more lead than a normal month, you have achieved your goal.\r\n\r\nA measurable goal would be, \"I want to add 10 new leads every month by using my blog.\" This sets a specific and measurable goal you can actually see as you work towards achieving it.\r\n<h2>A is for achievable</h2>\r\nMaking your goals for your blog achievable is another very important factor. If you set your goal too high, it can be discouraging instead of motivating. Make sure the goals you set are realistic and that you can actually achieve them.\r\n\r\nAn un-achievable goal may be to make $100,000 your first year of blogging, while an achievable goal may be to build your blog to make $500 per month by the end of the first year. You want your goals to stretch you a bit, but they still need to be achievable.\r\n<h2>R is for relevant</h2>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-10243 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/32138177_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Goals\" width=\"212\" height=\"196\" />Setting relevant goals makes a difference, as well. There\'s no need to chase a goal that won\'t help you or your company achieve your overall focus.\r\n\r\nAn irrelevant goal may be to double your audience on social media, while a relevant goal would be to double your actual blog subscribers. While social media may be important, it\'s not your blog, so setting goals for social media doesn\'t fit with your blogging goals.\r\n<h2>T is for time-bound</h2>\r\nA time-bound goal gives you focus and allows an end date for achieving the goal. You don\'t want to just set a goal, such as \"I want to increase my blog traffic.\" Instead, you want your goal to be time-bound, such as, \"I want to increase my blog traffic to 100 visitors per day by the end of this year.\"\r\n\r\nBy adding a time-frame for achieving the goal, you will be able to see how close you are and keep yourself on the right track.\r\n\r\nAs you set S.M.A.R.T. goals for your blog, you want to make sure they fit with every part of the acronym. With S.M.A.R.T. goals, you will have something to shoot for and something you can achieve. As you achieve every goal, you will build confidence and it will help you find success with the blog you are working on.','How to Use S.M.A.R.T. Goals to Grow Your Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10240-revision-v1','','','2016-04-05 15:26:54','2016-04-05 19:26:54','',10240,'https://itxdesign.com/10240-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10264,5,'2016-04-05 15:31:06','2016-04-05 19:31:06','<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10246\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10202028_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Conversion Rate\" width=\"182\" height=\"168\" />Website traffic is great, but it doesn\'t make your website worth more. You may have a high traffic website, but if your conversion rate is very low, it won\'t help your business or give you much value.\r\n\r\nYou need traffic <strong><em>and</em></strong> a high conversion rate to really make your website worth money.\r\n\r\nWhether your website is used to generate business leads, sell products or make commissions from affiliate products, you need a high conversion rate.\r\n\r\nHere are a few tips you can use to optimize your website and increase your overall conversions.\r\n<h2>Keep it simple and clear</h2>\r\nA huge mistake many new website owners make is crowding the site with graphics, ads, information and more. You don\'t need every bell and whistle in the world to make your website flourish.\r\n\r\nIn fact, you\'re better off with a very simple website compared to a complicated, hard to read and slow-loading site.\r\n\r\nThe top websites in the world keep their message very clear and simple. They don\'t provide distractions because they know what their focus is all about. This is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your website and avoid any penalties from the search engines.\r\n\r\nBefore you do anything else, consider how simple and clear your website is.\r\n<h2>Check out the competition</h2>\r\nAs you make tweaks to help your site convert visitors into leads and sales, you should take time to look at your competition. Sometimes, your competition will show you exactly what works and you will see why it works.\r\n\r\nIn addition, you will be able to see their weaknesses and where you can beat the competition by providing more value.\r\n\r\nFollowing your competition will help you see what visitors are finding when they leave your site and try to Google the same product or service or something very similar.\r\n\r\nBy looking at what your visitors see, you will be able to figure out how to better keep visitors from leaving your site for the competition.\r\n<h2>Use A/B split testing</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10248\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/27674059_s-300x264.jpg\" alt=\"Increase Conversions\" width=\"300\" height=\"264\" />A very powerful way to find out how well your site is converting is to use A/B split testing for landing pages. This will allow you to pit one landing page against another and see which one converts the best.\r\n\r\nSometimes, you will find that changing a color, font size, image or something very small will lead to a higher conversion rate.\r\n\r\nTake the time to create multiple versions of your landing pages and split test them. After an appropriate amount of data, you can dump the losing landing page and throw in the next one.\r\n\r\nSome very successful websites never stop split testing as they are always trying to improve their conversion rate.\r\n<h2>Use an incentive to create urgency</h2>\r\nThe old impulse buy used to be a candy bar in the grocery store aisle. Now, the impulse buy has moved to the internet and many websites use urgency to make sure a purchase is made by visitors.\r\n\r\nThis can help you increase your conversion rate quite a bit and help you make more sales.\r\n\r\nWhether you use a giveaway to drive more leads or you use scarcity by letting visitors know the price will go up after so many purchases or there are only so many available, you can create urgency and drive sales.\r\n\r\nAmazon.com does this very well by letting users know there is only so many of a product left. Even though they will restock once they are gone, this creates urgency and drives sales.\r\n<h2>Improve your sales funnel</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10247\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/19606104_s-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sales Funnel\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" />Your sales funnel needs to be amazing. If it\'s not very efficient, you are losing potential sales along the way.\r\n\r\nIt will depend on what you are offering, but a well-planned sales funnel will help the visitor become a client, trust your company and feel comfortable with the purchase.\r\n\r\nYou should use a drip system for information, add plenty of value and offer problem-solving solutions for those not purchasing immediately. This can be done through email, social media or even through special offers.\r\n\r\nIncreasing your conversion rate is a great way to get more out of your website. Whether you are selling a product, service or trying to make commissions from affiliate products, you need more than just traffic.\r\n\r\nUse these five tips to help increase your conversion rate and watch your website flourish.','Skyrocket Your Conversions With These 5 Optimization Tips','','inherit','closed','closed','','10245-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-05 15:31:06','2016-04-05 19:31:06','',10245,'https://itxdesign.com/10245-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10265,5,'2016-04-05 15:31:23','2016-04-05 19:31:23','<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10246\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10202028_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Conversion Rate\" width=\"182\" height=\"168\" />Website traffic is great, but it doesn\'t make your website worth more. You may have a high traffic website, but if your conversion rate is very low, it won\'t help your business or give you much value.\r\n\r\nYou need traffic <strong><em>and</em></strong> a high conversion rate to really make your website worth money.\r\n\r\nWhether your website is used to generate business leads, sell products or make commissions from affiliate products, you need a high conversion rate.\r\n\r\nHere are a few tips you can use to optimize your website and increase your overall conversions.\r\n<h2>Keep it simple and clear</h2>\r\nA huge mistake many new website owners make is crowding the site with graphics, ads, information and more. You don\'t need every bell and whistle in the world to make your website flourish.\r\n\r\nIn fact, you\'re better off with a very simple website compared to a complicated, hard to read and slow-loading site.\r\n\r\nThe top websites in the world keep their message very clear and simple. They don\'t provide distractions because they know what their focus is all about. This is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your website and avoid any penalties from the search engines.\r\n\r\nBefore you do anything else, consider how simple and clear your website is.\r\n<h2>Check out the competition</h2>\r\nAs you make tweaks to help your site convert visitors into leads and sales, you should take time to look at your competition. Sometimes, your competition will show you exactly what works and you will see why it works.\r\n\r\nIn addition, you will be able to see their weaknesses and where you can beat the competition by providing more value.\r\n\r\nFollowing your competition will help you see what visitors are finding when they leave your site and try to Google the same product or service or something very similar.\r\n\r\nBy looking at what your visitors see, you will be able to figure out how to better keep visitors from leaving your site for the competition.\r\n<h2>Use A/B split testing</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10248\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/27674059_s-300x264.jpg\" alt=\"Increase Conversions\" width=\"300\" height=\"264\" />A very powerful way to find out how well your site is converting is to use A/B split testing for landing pages. This will allow you to pit one landing page against another and see which one converts the best.\r\n\r\nSometimes, you will find that changing a color, font size, image or something very small will lead to a higher conversion rate.\r\n\r\nTake the time to create multiple versions of your landing pages and split test them. After an appropriate amount of data, you can dump the losing landing page and throw in the next one.\r\n\r\nSome very successful websites never stop split testing as they are always trying to improve their conversion rate.\r\n<h2>Use an incentive to create urgency</h2>\r\nThe old impulse buy used to be a candy bar in the grocery store aisle. Now, the impulse buy has moved to the internet and many websites use urgency to make sure a purchase is made by visitors.\r\n\r\nThis can help you increase your conversion rate quite a bit and help you make more sales.\r\n\r\nWhether you use a giveaway to drive more leads or you use scarcity by letting visitors know the price will go up after so many purchases or there are only so many available, you can create urgency and drive sales.\r\n\r\nAmazon.com does this very well by letting users know there is only so many of a product left. Even though they will restock once they are gone, this creates urgency and drives sales.\r\n<h2>Improve your sales funnel</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10247\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/19606104_s-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sales Funnel\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" />Your sales funnel needs to be amazing. If it\'s not very efficient, you are losing potential sales along the way.\r\n\r\nIt will depend on what you are offering, but a well-planned sales funnel will help the visitor become a client, trust your company and feel comfortable with the purchase.\r\n\r\nYou should use a drip system for information, add plenty of value and offer problem-solving solutions for those not purchasing immediately. This can be done through email, social media or even through special offers.\r\n\r\nIncreasing your conversion rate is a great way to get more out of your website. Whether you are selling a product, service or trying to make commissions from affiliate products, you need more than just traffic.\r\n\r\nUse these five tips to help increase your conversion rate and watch your website flourish.','Skyrocket Your Conversions With These 5 Optimization Tips','','inherit','closed','closed','','10245-revision-v1','','','2016-04-05 15:31:23','2016-04-05 19:31:23','',10245,'https://itxdesign.com/10245-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10266,5,'2016-04-05 16:03:24','2016-04-05 20:03:24','If a major objective of your website or blog is getting more email subscribers, you need the right plugins. Using WordPress means you have access to some of the best tools to make this happen.\n\nHere\'s a look at some of the best free and paid plugins for getting more email subscribers.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">WPForms</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10255\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-300x118.png\" alt=\"WP Forms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" />\n\nA very easy to use tool, WPForms provides a drag &amp; drop form builder you can use for WordPress. It provides the ability to create payment forms, contact forms, subscription forms and much more. You can do it all with just a few clicks of a mouse and even the newest WordPress user can figure this plugin out.\n\nAlong with creating forms, you can manage everything from one screen, including your email newsletter. You will even be able to redirect subscribers to a thank you page after they have joined your list.\n\nThis plugin is free to use and does offer a paid upgrade for $39 per year.\n<h2><a href=\"http://optinmonster.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">OptinMonster</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10253\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OptinMonster-300x58.png\" alt=\"OptinMonster\" width=\"300\" height=\"58\" />\n\nThe OptinMonster plugin provides a very powerful way to generate leads for WordPress users. It\'s a great tool for converting abandoning website visitors into email list subscribers. You can use the A/B test feature to for your lead capture forms, as well.\n\nThis plugin allows for creating many types of forms including a floating header, footer bars, lightbox popups, scroll triggered boxes, welcome gates and many more. It\'s a very targeted choice with plenty of integration options including MailChimp, AWeber and Constant Contact.\n\nOptinMonster isn\'t free. It costs $9 per month or $49 per year.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/dreamgrow-scroll-triggered-box/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10251\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DreamgrowScrollTriggeredBox-300x94.png\" alt=\"Dreamgrow Scroll Triggered Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" />\n\nAnother very easy to use plugin, the DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box allows you to create slide-in option boxes, which are triggered when a visitor scrolls. This plugin will allow you to select the position for the box and will even allow you to set how long the box will stay hidden after a visitor sees it.\n\nThis plugin is free and doesn\'t offer any upgrade options.\n<h2><a href=\"http://plugmatter.com/feature-box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">PlugMatter Feature Box</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10254\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PlugMatter_Feature_Box-300x106.png\" alt=\"PlugMatter Feature Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" />\n\nWith a feature box, you can make your email list grow very quickly. The PlugMatter Feature Box plugin allows you to create a feature box for email subscriptions under the header of your WordPress website.\n\nIt will be before the main content, which will allow you to get the most subscribers from your efforts. You can use it with MailChimp, AWeber, Constant Contact and many other email services.\n\nThe cost for this plugin is $37 per year and there is no free option.\n<h2><a href=\"https://instapage.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">InstaPage</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10252\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/InstaPage.png\" alt=\"InstaPage\" width=\"186\" height=\"65\" />\n\nWith InstaPage, you can create landing pages perfect for marketing. This plugin will make it very easy to get visitors to subscribe to your list. It\'s a more comprehensive solution compare to many of the other choices out there with more than 100 landing pages to choose from.\n\nThe plugin is free to try and offers multiple pricing options.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/comment-redirect/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Comment Redirect</a></h2>\nMany WordPress users don\'t know about how the Comment Redirect plugin can help you gain subscribers. This plugin will take those leaving a comment to your thank you page, which can help you engage them and get them to subscribe. You can incentivize the page with a coupon or free offer to get them to subscribe after leaving a comment.\n\nThis is a free to use plugin.\n\nAll of these plugins will help you gain more email subscribers. You don\'t need every single plugin on the list, but the right combination may provide you with the perfect way to gain more subscribers this year.','Which WordPress Plugins Help You Gain More Email Subscribers?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10250-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-05 16:03:24','2016-04-05 20:03:24','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/10250-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10267,5,'2016-04-05 16:03:29','2016-04-05 20:03:29','If a major objective of your website or blog is getting more email subscribers, you need the right plugins. Using WordPress means you have access to some of the best tools to make this happen.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a look at some of the best free and paid plugins for getting more email subscribers.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">WPForms</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10255\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-300x118.png\" alt=\"WP Forms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" />\r\n\r\nA very easy to use tool, WPForms provides a drag &amp; drop form builder you can use for WordPress. It provides the ability to create payment forms, contact forms, subscription forms and much more. You can do it all with just a few clicks of a mouse and even the newest WordPress user can figure this plugin out.\r\n\r\nAlong with creating forms, you can manage everything from one screen, including your email newsletter. You will even be able to redirect subscribers to a thank you page after they have joined your list.\r\n\r\nThis plugin is free to use and does offer a paid upgrade for $39 per year.\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://optinmonster.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">OptinMonster</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10253\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OptinMonster-300x58.png\" alt=\"OptinMonster\" width=\"300\" height=\"58\" />\r\n\r\nThe OptinMonster plugin provides a very powerful way to generate leads for WordPress users. It\'s a great tool for converting abandoning website visitors into email list subscribers. You can use the A/B test feature to for your lead capture forms, as well.\r\n\r\nThis plugin allows for creating many types of forms including a floating header, footer bars, lightbox popups, scroll triggered boxes, welcome gates and many more. It\'s a very targeted choice with plenty of integration options including MailChimp, AWeber and Constant Contact.\r\n\r\nOptinMonster isn\'t free. It costs $9 per month or $49 per year.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/dreamgrow-scroll-triggered-box/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10251\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DreamgrowScrollTriggeredBox-300x94.png\" alt=\"Dreamgrow Scroll Triggered Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" />\r\n\r\nAnother very easy to use plugin, the DreamGrow Scroll Triggered Box allows you to create slide-in option boxes, which are triggered when a visitor scrolls. This plugin will allow you to select the position for the box and will even allow you to set how long the box will stay hidden after a visitor sees it.\r\n\r\nThis plugin is free and doesn\'t offer any upgrade options.\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://plugmatter.com/feature-box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">PlugMatter Feature Box</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10254\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PlugMatter_Feature_Box-300x106.png\" alt=\"PlugMatter Feature Box\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" />\r\n\r\nWith a feature box, you can make your email list grow very quickly. The PlugMatter Feature Box plugin allows you to create a feature box for email subscriptions under the header of your WordPress website.\r\n\r\nIt will be before the main content, which will allow you to get the most subscribers from your efforts. You can use it with MailChimp, AWeber, Constant Contact and many other email services.\r\n\r\nThe cost for this plugin is $37 per year and there is no free option.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://instapage.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">InstaPage</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10252\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/InstaPage.png\" alt=\"InstaPage\" width=\"186\" height=\"65\" />\r\n\r\nWith InstaPage, you can create landing pages perfect for marketing. This plugin will make it very easy to get visitors to subscribe to your list. It\'s a more comprehensive solution compare to many of the other choices out there with more than 100 landing pages to choose from.\r\n\r\nThe plugin is free to try and offers multiple pricing options.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/comment-redirect/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Comment Redirect</a></h2>\r\nMany WordPress users don\'t know about how the Comment Redirect plugin can help you gain subscribers. This plugin will take those leaving a comment to your thank you page, which can help you engage them and get them to subscribe. You can incentivize the page with a coupon or free offer to get them to subscribe after leaving a comment.\r\n\r\nThis is a free to use plugin.\r\n\r\nAll of these plugins will help you gain more email subscribers. You don\'t need every single plugin on the list, but the right combination may provide you with the perfect way to gain more subscribers this year.','Which WordPress Plugins Help You Gain More Email Subscribers?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10250-revision-v1','','','2016-04-05 16:03:29','2016-04-05 20:03:29','',10250,'https://itxdesign.com/10250-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10268,5,'2016-04-06 14:54:44','2016-04-06 18:54:44','<img class=\"wp-image-10273 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-2.jpg\" alt=\"recommended times to post on social media\" width=\"251\" height=\"251\" />Running the <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/what-small-businesses-should-be-on-social-media/\" target=\"_blank\">social media channels for your business</a> or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the <strong>best times to post on social media</strong> - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-signs-youre-not-investing-enough-in-social-media/\" target=\"_blank\">get the most out of your social media presence.</a>\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\nPost at these times to have the best success and engagement on your social media networks.\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen your posts are scheduled at the times listed in this table, you ensure that a majority of people are online to see your content and engage with your brand.\r\n<h3>The infomercial effect</h3>\r\nSometimes, posting times that seem obvious at first turn out to be a bad idea. For example, you\'ll notice that the morning hours of 9am-11am are only recommended as a posting time for Google+ and none of the other networks. But if you check out Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram during those hours, there are tons of posts going up! Wouldn\'t that be a great time to post to those networks?\r\n\r\nNo. Sometimes it\'s wiser to learn from <strong>the informercial effect</strong> - if your content is part of a much smaller group of just-posted content, it has a better chance of being seen by your audience. This is a lot like the late night infomercials that somehow pull us in.\r\n\r\nIt\'s because they\'re the only thing on TV right then that we even decide to give it our attention. That benefit can work for you if you make sure to post in \"low traffic\" posting zones.\r\n\r\nWant to know how you\'re doing on social? <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/the-4-step-litmus-test-for-your-social-media-content/\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this 4 step litmus test for your social media content</a> to find out!','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','publish','open','closed','','the-recommended-times-to-post-on-social-media','','','2016-04-06 14:54:44','2016-04-06 18:54:44','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10268',0,'post','',0),(10269,5,'2016-04-06 14:33:42','2016-04-06 18:33:42','Running the social media channels for your business or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the best times to post on social media - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to get the most out of your social media presence.\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"undefined;table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','inherit','closed','closed','','10268-revision-v1','','','2016-04-06 14:33:42','2016-04-06 18:33:42','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/10268-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10270,5,'2016-04-06 14:34:40','2016-04-06 18:34:40','Running the social media channels for your business or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the best times to post on social media - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to get the most out of your social media presence.\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','inherit','closed','closed','','10268-revision-v1','','','2016-04-06 14:34:40','2016-04-06 18:34:40','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/10268-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10271,5,'2016-04-06 14:47:23','2016-04-06 18:47:23','','besttime','','inherit','open','closed','','besttime','','','2016-04-06 14:47:23','2016-04-06 18:47:23','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10272,5,'2016-04-06 14:47:59','2016-04-06 18:47:59','','besttime','','inherit','open','closed','','besttime-2','','','2016-04-06 14:47:59','2016-04-06 18:47:59','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10273,5,'2016-04-06 14:48:13','2016-04-06 18:48:13','','besttime','','inherit','open','closed','','besttime-3','','','2016-04-06 14:48:30','2016-04-06 18:48:30','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10274,5,'2016-04-06 14:49:06','2016-04-06 18:49:06','<img class=\"wp-image-10273 alignleft\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-2.jpg\" alt=\"recommended times to post on social media\" width=\"251\" height=\"251\" />Running the social media channels for your business or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the <strong>best times to post on social media</strong> - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to get the most out of your social media presence.\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nWhen your posts are scheduled at the times listed in this table, you ensure that a majority of people are online to see your content and engage with your brand.\r\n<h3>The infomercial effect</h3>\r\nSometimes, posting times that seem obvious at first turn out to be a bad idea. For example, you\'ll notice that the morning hours of 9am-11am are only recommended as a posting time for Google+ and none of the other networks. But if you check out Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram during those hours, there are tons of posts going up! Wouldn\'t that be a great time to post to those networks?\r\n\r\nNo. Sometimes it\'s wiser to learn from <strong>the informercial effect</strong> - if your content is part of a much smaller group of just-posted content, it has a better chance of being seen by your audience. This is a lot like the late night infomercials that somehow pull us in.\r\n\r\nIt\'s because they\'re the only thing on TV right then that we even decide to give it our attention. That benefit can work for you if you make sure to post in \"low traffic\" posting zones.','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','inherit','closed','closed','','10268-revision-v1','','','2016-04-06 14:49:06','2016-04-06 18:49:06','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/10268-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10275,5,'2016-04-06 14:49:18','2016-04-06 18:49:18','<img class=\"wp-image-10273 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-2.jpg\" alt=\"recommended times to post on social media\" width=\"251\" height=\"251\" />Running the social media channels for your business or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the <strong>best times to post on social media</strong> - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to get the most out of your social media presence.\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nWhen your posts are scheduled at the times listed in this table, you ensure that a majority of people are online to see your content and engage with your brand.\r\n<h3>The infomercial effect</h3>\r\nSometimes, posting times that seem obvious at first turn out to be a bad idea. For example, you\'ll notice that the morning hours of 9am-11am are only recommended as a posting time for Google+ and none of the other networks. But if you check out Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram during those hours, there are tons of posts going up! Wouldn\'t that be a great time to post to those networks?\r\n\r\nNo. Sometimes it\'s wiser to learn from <strong>the informercial effect</strong> - if your content is part of a much smaller group of just-posted content, it has a better chance of being seen by your audience. This is a lot like the late night infomercials that somehow pull us in.\r\n\r\nIt\'s because they\'re the only thing on TV right then that we even decide to give it our attention. That benefit can work for you if you make sure to post in \"low traffic\" posting zones.','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','inherit','closed','closed','','10268-revision-v1','','','2016-04-06 14:49:18','2016-04-06 18:49:18','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/10268-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10276,5,'2016-04-06 14:49:50','2016-04-06 18:49:50','<img class=\"wp-image-10273 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-2.jpg\" alt=\"recommended times to post on social media\" width=\"251\" height=\"251\" />Running the social media channels for your business or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the <strong>best times to post on social media</strong> - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to get the most out of your social media presence.\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen your posts are scheduled at the times listed in this table, you ensure that a majority of people are online to see your content and engage with your brand.\r\n<h3>The infomercial effect</h3>\r\nSometimes, posting times that seem obvious at first turn out to be a bad idea. For example, you\'ll notice that the morning hours of 9am-11am are only recommended as a posting time for Google+ and none of the other networks. But if you check out Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram during those hours, there are tons of posts going up! Wouldn\'t that be a great time to post to those networks?\r\n\r\nNo. Sometimes it\'s wiser to learn from <strong>the informercial effect</strong> - if your content is part of a much smaller group of just-posted content, it has a better chance of being seen by your audience. This is a lot like the late night infomercials that somehow pull us in.\r\n\r\nIt\'s because they\'re the only thing on TV right then that we even decide to give it our attention. That benefit can work for you if you make sure to post in \"low traffic\" posting zones.','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','inherit','closed','closed','','10268-revision-v1','','','2016-04-06 14:49:50','2016-04-06 18:49:50','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/10268-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10277,5,'2016-04-06 14:54:18','2016-04-06 18:54:18','<img class=\"wp-image-10273 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/besttime-2.jpg\" alt=\"recommended times to post on social media\" width=\"251\" height=\"251\" />Running the <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/what-small-businesses-should-be-on-social-media/\" target=\"_blank\">social media channels for your business</a> or blog? You\'re likely using a scheduling program\'s optimized posting time suggestions or assumptions like \"post at lunchtime\" to schedule your posts, but that\'s not netting you the results you\'re looking for.\r\n\r\nPeople tend to use social media in predictable patterns throughout the day, and a lot of research has gone into finding the <strong>best times to post on social media</strong> - no matter who your audience is.\r\n\r\nWithout spending a dime on expensive research or trial and error, schedule your posts at the times you\'ll see below to <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-signs-youre-not-investing-enough-in-social-media/\" target=\"_blank\">get the most out of your social media presence.</a>\r\n<h2>Recommended times to post on social media</h2>\r\nPost at these times to have the best success and engagement on your social media networks.\r\n<table class=\"tg\" style=\"table-layout: fixed; width: 247px;\"><colgroup> <col style=\"width: 126px;\" /> <col style=\"width: 121px;\" /> </colgroup>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Network</th>\r\n<th class=\"tg-b3ol\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Best Time</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Twitter</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">12pm-3pm; 5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Facebook</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1pm-4pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Pinterest</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">3pm-5pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Instagram</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2pm-3pm;\r\n8pm-9pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">LinkedIn</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5pm-6pm</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tg-731p\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Google+</td>\r\n<td class=\"tg-e9v8\" style=\"text-align: center;\">9am-11am</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen your posts are scheduled at the times listed in this table, you ensure that a majority of people are online to see your content and engage with your brand.\r\n<h3>The infomercial effect</h3>\r\nSometimes, posting times that seem obvious at first turn out to be a bad idea. For example, you\'ll notice that the morning hours of 9am-11am are only recommended as a posting time for Google+ and none of the other networks. But if you check out Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram during those hours, there are tons of posts going up! Wouldn\'t that be a great time to post to those networks?\r\n\r\nNo. Sometimes it\'s wiser to learn from <strong>the informercial effect</strong> - if your content is part of a much smaller group of just-posted content, it has a better chance of being seen by your audience. This is a lot like the late night infomercials that somehow pull us in.\r\n\r\nIt\'s because they\'re the only thing on TV right then that we even decide to give it our attention. That benefit can work for you if you make sure to post in \"low traffic\" posting zones.\r\n\r\nWant to know how you\'re doing on social? <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/the-4-step-litmus-test-for-your-social-media-content/\" target=\"_blank\">Check out this 4 step litmus test for your social media content</a> to find out!','The Recommended Times to Post on Social Media','','inherit','closed','closed','','10268-revision-v1','','','2016-04-06 14:54:18','2016-04-06 18:54:18','',10268,'https://itxdesign.com/10268-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10279,5,'2016-04-07 14:33:45','2016-04-07 18:33:45','What made you click on this article?\r\n\r\nThe headline probably had something to do with it. Right away, the headline told you what the post would be about and provided some extra information in brackets. Imagine if the headline had been How to Write Headlines That Get More Clicks. Would it have appealed to you as strongly?\r\n\r\nWriting amazing headlines that make people click is less of an art and more of a science. That is, we\'ve figured out the formulas that seem to work and those that definitely don\'t.\r\n<h3>Steer clear of clickbait</h3>\r\nSurprisingly, many bloggers and writers are still using outdated buzzwords that turn readers off and repel people from your potentially well-written content.\r\n\r\nPoorly written headlines are everywhere you look online - \"I Thought It Was a Normal Aquarium Until I Noticed THIS - and people have officially wised up. Clickbait headlines are not effective.\r\n<h3>3 things every headline needs</h3>\r\nHere\'s a tip that will help you create better headlines every time you write a blog post or article: Most of the words used in headlines fall under the category of nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Without going into a full-on grammar review, the three work together to create appealing phrases that are enough to spark our interest and make us click on a headline.\r\n\r\nFor example, the headline \"Writing Headlines\" doesn\'t appeal to many people. It\'s too short and it doesn\'t describe anything about the contents within the post.\r\n\r\nHowever, add an adjective, and it\'s a relatively appealing phrase: \"Writing Better Headlines.\" Suddenly, better headlines are occurring to you:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Writing Better Headlines (Verb Adjective Noun)</li>\r\n	<li>How to Create Click-worthy Headlines (Verb Verb Adjective Noun)</li>\r\n	<li>10 Awesome Formulas for Writing Headlines (Adj. Adj. Noun Verb Noun)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe more descriptive, active, and powerful language you use in your headlines, the more compelled people will be to click on them. While there isn\'t a specific formula to follow as you write headlines, if you remember to be descriptive and direct, you really can\'t go wrong.\r\n<h3>Phrases to start headlines with</h3>\r\nThe following phrases are great ways to start your headlines and get your creativity flowing. Save this list and refer to it when you\'re having trouble coming up with a good headline.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>How to</li>\r\n	<li>Learn to</li>\r\n	<li>You can</li>\r\n	<li>Here\'s how</li>\r\n	<li>10 ways</li>\r\n	<li>5 tips</li>\r\n	<li>The best</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAbove all, stay in testing mode when it comes to your headlines and content in general. Even if you strongly believe a headline you tried should\'ve worked, if the results say otherwise, accept it and test something else. True optimization has no hangups and is always striving toward what\'s working best.','Writing Amazing Headlines That Make People Click [Quick Read]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10278-revision-v1','','','2016-04-07 14:33:45','2016-04-07 18:33:45','',10278,'https://itxdesign.com/10278-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10280,5,'2016-04-07 14:41:32','2016-04-07 18:41:32','','Writing Amazing Headlines','','inherit','open','closed','','writing-amazing-headlines','','','2016-04-07 14:41:49','2016-04-07 18:41:49','',10278,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Writing-Amazing-Headlines.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10281,5,'2016-04-07 14:44:23','2016-04-07 18:44:23','<img class=\"wp-image-10280 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Writing-Amazing-Headlines.jpg\" alt=\"writing amazing headlines that make people click\" width=\"305\" height=\"305\" />What made you click on this article?\r\n\r\nThe headline probably had something to do with it. Right away, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-copy-that-converts/\" target=\"_blank\">the headline told you</a> what the post would be about and provided some extra information in brackets. Imagine if the headline had been How to Write Headlines That Get More Clicks. Would it have appealed to you as strongly?\r\n\r\nWriting amazing headlines that make people click is less of an art and more of a science. That is, we\'ve figured out the formulas that seem to work and those that definitely don\'t.\r\n<h3>Steer clear of clickbait</h3>\r\nSurprisingly, many bloggers and writers are still using outdated buzzwords that turn readers off and repel people from your potentially well-written content.\r\n\r\nPoorly written headlines are everywhere you look online - \"I Thought It Was a Normal Aquarium Until I Noticed THIS\" - and people have officially wised up. Clickbait headlines are not effective.\r\n<h3>3 things every headline needs</h3>\r\nHere\'s a tip that will help you create better headlines every time you <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-evergreen-content-that-doesnt-go-stale/\" target=\"_blank\">write a blog post or article</a>: Most of the words used in headlines fall under the category of nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Without going into a full-on grammar review, the three work together to create appealing phrases that are enough to spark our interest and make us click on a headline.\r\n\r\nFor example, the headline \"Writing Headlines\" doesn\'t appeal to many people. It\'s too short and it doesn\'t describe anything about the contents within the post.\r\n\r\nHowever, add an adjective, and it\'s a relatively appealing phrase: \"Writing Better Headlines.\" Suddenly, better headlines are occurring to you:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Writing Better Headlines (Verb Adjective Noun)</li>\r\n	<li>How to Create Click-worthy Headlines (Verb Verb Adjective Noun)</li>\r\n	<li>10 Awesome Formulas for Writing Headlines (Adj. Adj. Noun Verb Noun)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe more descriptive, active, and powerful language you use in your headlines, the more compelled people will be to click on them. While there isn\'t a specific formula to follow as you write headlines, if you remember to be descriptive and direct, you really can\'t go wrong.\r\n<h3>Phrases to start headlines with</h3>\r\nThe following phrases are great ways to start your headlines and get your creativity flowing. Save this list and refer to it when you\'re having trouble coming up with a good headline.\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>How to</li>\r\n	<li>Learn to</li>\r\n	<li>You can</li>\r\n	<li>Here\'s how</li>\r\n	<li>10 ways</li>\r\n	<li>5 tips</li>\r\n	<li>The best</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAbove all, stay in testing mode when it comes to your headlines and content in general. Even if you strongly believe a headline you tried should\'ve worked, if the results say otherwise, accept it and test something else. True optimization has no hangups and is always striving toward what\'s working best.','Writing Amazing Headlines That Make People Click [Quick Read]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10278-revision-v1','','','2016-04-07 14:44:23','2016-04-07 18:44:23','',10278,'https://itxdesign.com/10278-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10282,5,'2016-04-08 12:40:12','2016-04-08 16:40:12','Motivating employees that seem to have lost their drive can be a challenge. Many business owners and supervisors are tempted to give exuberant raises, undeserved promotions, and implement expensive workplace changes in attempts to motivate employees.\r\n\r\nBut research has proven that money and other extrinsic (outside the self) motivators simply don\'t work long term to recharge employees. In fact, they can condition employees to continue the un-driven behavior that you want to change.\r\n\r\nLuckily, you can rely on motivation techniques that have already been proven to be effective. There\'s no guesswork involved--if you want to boost productivity and workplace morale, use these techniques and watch the changes you see.\r\n<h4>1. Help them work toward a personal work goal</h4>\r\nIt\'s no secret that people work harder when they\'ve got a direct stake in the results, so use that to your advantage. If an office employee regularly asks about trade shows or conventions and wants to attend, make it your business to help them work toward that goal and give them the opportunity to show their competence at a new level. Helping an employee work toward a goal they already have at work will earn you the added power of intrinsic motivation, which is more powerful than extrinsic motivation.\r\n<h4>2. Reward success with status instead of money</h4>\r\nPromotions and raises are important ways to reward employees, but they should never be confused with motivators. They just don\'t provide enough motivation to result in long term changes in productivity or drive. But if you reward employees\' success with a new status level, the achievement sticks. It motivates the employee to continue to work hard and continue working up the ladder. It\'s especially motivational to create a new position for an employee with a unique and valued skill set.\r\n<h4>3. Recognize high performers</h4>\r\nYour high performers deserve more recognition because they\'re doing more work. Success doesn\'t just happen! If you want your high performers to keep it up, you have to recognize their hard work. It doesn\'t always have to be an office-wide announcement or a party--a simple pat on the back and \"Great job on that report last week!\" is sufficient to remind your employees that you appreciate their effort and are noticing the results. Nothing drains motivation like a lack of recognition, or worse, an abundance of negative feedback.\r\n<h4>4. Bring in bonuses and perks</h4>\r\nIt\'s a surefire way to boost employee motivation: Offer a bonus or perk for hard work! If the office has done a great job with a recent campaign or change, you might buy everyone tickets to a local game. You could hold an office picnic, give out gift cards, or allow everyone to leave early on a Friday if certain requirements are met. Get creative--you know your employees best and what perks would mean the most to them.\r\n<h4>5. Ask them outright</h4>\r\nIf you\'re interested in finding what motivates your employees, just ask them! You can hand out an office-wide survey where you ask questions about perks or bonuses you\'ve considered bringing in. You can leave your ideas out of it and ask for their opinions, compile the best, and take a vote. You can have each person choose their favorite perk or bonus out of a small list. The possibilities are endless! The best part about this method is that you\'ll get your answer straight from the source, so you\'ll know it will be a success.','5 Employee Motivation Techniques That Are Proven to Be Effective','','publish','open','closed','','5-employee-motivation-techniques-proven-effective','','','2016-04-08 12:40:12','2016-04-08 16:40:12','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10282',0,'post','',0),(10283,5,'2016-04-08 12:38:07','2016-04-08 16:38:07','Motivating employees that seem to have lost their drive can be a challenge. Many business owners and supervisors are tempted to give exuberant raises, undeserved promotions, and implement expensive workplace changes in attempts to motivate employees.\r\n\r\nBut research has proven that money and other extrinsic (outside the self) motivators simply don\'t work long term to recharge employees. In fact, they can condition employees to continue the un-driven behavior that you want to change.\r\n\r\nLuckily, you can rely on motivation techniques that have already been proven to be effective. There\'s no guesswork involved--if you want to boost productivity and workplace morale, use these techniques and watch the changes you see.\r\n<h4>1. Help them work toward a personal work goal</h4>\r\nIt\'s no secret that people work harder when they\'ve got a direct stake in the results, so use that to your advantage. If an office employee regularly asks about trade shows or conventions and wants to attend, make it your business to help them work toward that goal and give them the opportunity to show their competence at a new level. Helping an employee work toward a goal they already have at work will earn you the added power of intrinsic motivation, which is more powerful than extrinsic motivation.\r\n<h4>2. Reward success with status instead of money</h4>\r\nPromotions and raises are important ways to reward employees, but they should never be confused with motivators. They just don\'t provide enough motivation to result in long term changes in productivity or drive. But if you reward employees\' success with a new status level, the achievement sticks. It motivates the employee to continue to work hard and continue working up the ladder. It\'s especially motivational to create a new position for an employee with a unique and valued skill set.\r\n<h4>3. Recognize high performers</h4>\r\nYour high performers deserve more recognition because they\'re doing more work. Success doesn\'t just happen! If you want your high performers to keep it up, you have to recognize their hard work. It doesn\'t always have to be an office-wide announcement or a party--a simple pat on the back and \"Great job on that report last week!\" is sufficient to remind your employees that you appreciate their effort and are noticing the results. Nothing drains motivation like a lack of recognition, or worse, an abundance of negative feedback.\r\n<h4>4. Bring in bonuses and perks</h4>\r\nIt\'s a surefire way to boost employee motivation: Offer a bonus or perk for hard work! If the office has done a great job with a recent campaign or change, you might buy everyone tickets to a local game. You could hold an office picnic, give out gift cards, or allow everyone to leave early on a Friday if certain requirements are met. Get creative--you know your employees best and what perks would mean the most to them.\r\n<h4>5. Ask them outright</h4>\r\nIf you\'re interested in finding what motivates your employees, just ask them! You can hand out an office-wide survey where you ask questions about perks or bonuses you\'ve considered bringing in. You can leave your ideas out of it and ask for their opinions, compile the best, and take a vote. You can have each person choose their favorite perk or bonus out of a small list. The possibilities are endless! The best part about this method is that you\'ll get your answer straight from the source, so you\'ll know it will be a success.','5 Employee Motivation Techniques That Are Proven to Be Effective','','inherit','closed','closed','','10282-revision-v1','','','2016-04-08 12:38:07','2016-04-08 16:38:07','',10282,'https://itxdesign.com/10282-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10346,5,'2016-04-19 13:30:53','2016-04-19 17:30:53','<img class=\"wp-image-10347 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CuttingUpCards3.jpg\" alt=\"what startup websites get wrong most of the time\" width=\"345\" height=\"230\" />If you\'re building a startup, a great website is one of the first things on your list. It seems like startup websites are easily distinguishable from other business websites and are known for providing a unique browsing experience that feels high-tech and kind of luxurious.\r\n\r\nBut startup websites get something wrong most of the time, and it has to do with the founder\'s mindset.\r\n\r\nBeing the <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-better-manage-your-time-as-an-entrepreneur/\" target=\"_blank\">owner of a fast-growing startup</a> means constantly adapting to shifting circumstances and trends. If you\'ve managed to make it this far solely on your own knowledge and expertise, you\'re owed a hearty congratulations.\r\n\r\nBut in most cases, it doesn\'t take long before you realize that your skills and everything you know about are limited. You can\'t know everything, and you can\'t be a master in every aspect of business.\r\n\r\nThat\'s one area where startup founders and business owners tend to go wrong when <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-most-valuable-website-metrics-measure/\" target=\"_blank\">building a website</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really tempting to take the role of building your startup website into your own hands,</strong> but if you truly want the best possible end product, you have to delegate responsibilities to other people that pick up where your skill set leaves off or thins out.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re willing to hire people to help to strengthen the areas you don\'t know as much about, the website will turn out better and you\'ll convert more visitors into customers. After all, admitting your personal limits is a small price to pay for finding success.\r\n\r\nBelow, we\'ll talk about 3 mistakes we see startup websites making and how they can be avoided.\r\n<h3>3 Mistakes We See on Startup Websites</h3>\r\n<h4>Not using a domain</h4>\r\nThere\'s no faster way to turn someone off from your website than by leading them to yourstartup.domain.com. It looks unprofessional, and there\'s a suspicion that the owners of the business may actually be two 12 year old boys playing around on a computer.\r\n\r\nYou can shop around and <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/choosing-the-best-domain-name-for-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">find the right domain for your startup</a> without saddling it to an existing company\'s domain name. It\'s easier for visitors to remember your business when your website features just your business name.\r\n<h4>Cringe-worthy design</h4>\r\nYou know the websites we\'re talking about: They look like the 90\'s and you can\'t understand how someone allowed this to happen. What<em> did</em> happen, anyway? Most likely, a hands-on owner without web design experience decided to single-handedly provide the direction for design on the website.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re not a web designer, let someone else <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-common-web-design-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/\" target=\"_blank\">design your startup website</a>. You want the site to be as aesthetically appealing as possible. Badly designed websites can repel visitors in just a second or two.\r\n<h4>Really bad or promotional content</h4>\r\nJust like websites that are designed badly, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-evergreen-content-that-doesnt-go-stale/\" target=\"_blank\">poorly written content is obvious</a> and zaps your credibility. Grammatical and usage errors, poor word choice, nontraditional diction, and overly promotional content are all turn offs to visitors who read your content.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re not a content writer, hire a writer or blogger to handle the copy for you. You need creative, original blog posts and landing page copy that is written to appeal to your audience specifically. Trying to write appealing content for your website when that\'s just not your area of expertise will only drive potential customers away.','What Startup Websites Get Wrong Most of the Time','','publish','open','closed','','what-startup-websites-get-wrong-most-of-the-time','','','2016-04-19 13:30:53','2016-04-19 17:30:53','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10346',0,'post','',0),(10285,5,'2016-04-11 12:51:00','2016-04-11 16:51:00','<img class=\"wp-image-10288 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/typesofemploy.jpg\" alt=\"types of employees\" width=\"239\" height=\"162\" />You\'ll come across many different types of employees in your office.\r\n\r\nAll types are required to make the world run smoothly (and sometimes, a bit unpredictably).\r\n\r\nEvery office is different, but there seems to be a careful balance: In almost every office across the U.S., you can identify a few people that roughly fit the types we\'ll describe below.\r\n\r\nTell us which types of employees you recognize from your own office--and which type you think you might be!\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 6 Types of Employees in Every Office</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Vocoli put together an excellent infographic outlining the 6 types of employees you\'re likely to run into in any office in North America. Not only is each type recognizable (The Realist--that\'s 100% Tim, right?), but there are also great tips for working with and managing each type.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Make sure to tweet @itxdesign to let us know which type you are!</p>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10287 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.png\" alt=\"infographic-different-employees\" width=\"650\" height=\"2505\" />\r\n<h3>Let\'s recap</h3>\r\n<strong>The Realist -</strong> Strengths are numbers and data, so put the realist in analytics to make them comfortable and give them the opportunity to wow you with their no-nonsense, numbers-only approach.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Over Organizer -</strong> Strengths are organization and planning, so this employee needs to be all over your logistics and project management. It\'s where they will shine, and they do a great job of keeping everyone on the same page.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Seasoned Professional -</strong> These are the \'gifted children\' of the office. They\'re really, really good at whatever you seem to throw at them, so don\'t hold back--toss your most difficult projects and challenges their way to get expert insight and keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Creative -</strong> Beginnings are fascinating to creatives. They enjoy being able to start something without too much preparation, so hand projects that have been planned by the Organizer over to this type. Known for taking ideas and running with them, turning them into something great and innovative.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Introvert -</strong> Be careful not to spook the introvert. They don\'t always speak up, but they do have great insight. You can encourage them to open up in more intimate settings (group meetings are not their forte).\r\n\r\n<strong>The Newbie -</strong> Be a mentor or assign a mentor. They\'ve got potential, but newbies don\'t have the experience or know-how to dive in on their own. Linking a newbie with an over organizer can be a smart move.','The 6 Types of Employees You\'ll Find in Any Office [Infographic]','','publish','open','closed','','6-types-employees-find-any-office','','','2016-04-11 12:51:00','2016-04-11 16:51:00','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10285',0,'post','',0),(10286,5,'2016-04-11 12:26:12','2016-04-11 16:26:12','https://www.vocoli.com/media/3069/infographic-different-employees.pdf','infographic-different-employees','Image via Vocoli','inherit','open','closed','','infographic-different-employees','','','2016-04-11 12:26:28','2016-04-11 16:26:28','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(10287,5,'2016-04-11 12:26:48','2016-04-11 16:26:48','','infographic-different-employees','','inherit','open','closed','','infographic-different-employees-2','','','2016-04-11 12:26:48','2016-04-11 16:26:48','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10288,5,'2016-04-11 12:47:03','2016-04-11 16:47:03','','typesofemploy','','inherit','open','closed','','typesofemploy','','','2016-04-11 12:47:13','2016-04-11 16:47:13','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/typesofemploy.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10289,5,'2016-04-11 12:48:36','2016-04-11 16:48:36','<img class=\"wp-image-10288 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/typesofemploy.jpg\" alt=\"types of employees\" width=\"304\" height=\"206\" />You\'ll come across many different types of employees in your office. Every office is different, but there seems to be a careful balance: In almost every office across the U.S., you can identify a few people that roughly fit the types we\'ll describe below.\r\n\r\nAll types are required to make the world run smoothly (and sometimes, a bit unpredictably).\r\n\r\nTell us which types of employees you recognize from your own office--and which type you think you might be!\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 6 Types of Employees in Your Office</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Vocoli put together an excellent infographic outlining the 6 types of employees you\'re likely to run into in any office in North America. Not only is each type recognizable (The Realist--that\'s 100% Tim, right?), but there are also great tips for working with and managing each type.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Make sure to tweet @conrecept to let us know which type you are!</p>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10287 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.png\" alt=\"infographic-different-employees\" width=\"650\" height=\"2505\" />\r\n\r\nRecap\r\n\r\nThe Realist - Strengths are numbers and data, so put the realist in analytics to make them comfortable and give them the opportunity to wow you with their no-nonsense, numbers-only approach.\r\n\r\nThe Over Organizer - Strengths are organization and planning, so this employee needs to be all over your logistics and project management. It\'s where they will shine, and they do a great job of keeping everyone on the same page.\r\n\r\nThe Seasoned Professional - These are the \'gifted children\' of the office. They\'re really, really good at whatever you seem to throw at them, so don\'t hold back--toss your most difficult projects and challenges their way to get expert insight and keep them engaged.\r\n\r\nThe Creative - Beginnings are fascinating to creatives. They enjoy being able to start something without too much preparation, so hand projects that have been planned by the Organizer over to this type. Known for taking ideas and running with them, turning them into something great and innovative.\r\n\r\nThe Introvert - Be careful not to spook the introvert. They don\'t always speak up, but they do have great insight. You can encourage them to open up in more intimate settings (group meetings are not their forte).\r\n\r\nThe Newbie - Be a mentor or assign a mentor. They\'ve got potential, but newbies don\'t have the experience or know-how to dive in on their own. Linking a newbie with an over organizer can be a smart move.','The 6 Types of Employees You\'ll Find in Any Office [Infographic]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10285-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 12:48:36','2016-04-11 16:48:36','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/10285-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10290,5,'2016-04-11 12:49:40','2016-04-11 16:49:40','<img class=\"wp-image-10288 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/typesofemploy.jpg\" alt=\"types of employees\" width=\"282\" height=\"191\" />You\'ll come across many different types of employees in your office. Every office is different, but there seems to be a careful balance: In almost every office across the U.S., you can identify a few people that roughly fit the types we\'ll describe below.\r\n\r\nAll types are required to make the world run smoothly (and sometimes, a bit unpredictably).\r\n\r\nTell us which types of employees you recognize from your own office--and which type you think you might be!\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 6 Types of Employees in Every Office</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Vocoli put together an excellent infographic outlining the 6 types of employees you\'re likely to run into in any office in North America. Not only is each type recognizable (The Realist--that\'s 100% Tim, right?), but there are also great tips for working with and managing each type.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Make sure to tweet @conrecept to let us know which type you are!</p>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10287 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.png\" alt=\"infographic-different-employees\" width=\"650\" height=\"2505\" />\r\n<h3>Let\'s recap</h3>\r\n<strong>The Realist -</strong> Strengths are numbers and data, so put the realist in analytics to make them comfortable and give them the opportunity to wow you with their no-nonsense, numbers-only approach.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Over Organizer -</strong> Strengths are organization and planning, so this employee needs to be all over your logistics and project management. It\'s where they will shine, and they do a great job of keeping everyone on the same page.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Seasoned Professional -</strong> These are the \'gifted children\' of the office. They\'re really, really good at whatever you seem to throw at them, so don\'t hold back--toss your most difficult projects and challenges their way to get expert insight and keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Creative -</strong> Beginnings are fascinating to creatives. They enjoy being able to start something without too much preparation, so hand projects that have been planned by the Organizer over to this type. Known for taking ideas and running with them, turning them into something great and innovative.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Introvert -</strong> Be careful not to spook the introvert. They don\'t always speak up, but they do have great insight. You can encourage them to open up in more intimate settings (group meetings are not their forte).\r\n\r\n<strong>The Newbie -</strong> Be a mentor or assign a mentor. They\'ve got potential, but newbies don\'t have the experience or know-how to dive in on their own. Linking a newbie with an over organizer can be a smart move.','The 6 Types of Employees You\'ll Find in Any Office [Infographic]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10285-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 12:49:40','2016-04-11 16:49:40','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/10285-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10291,5,'2016-04-11 12:50:25','2016-04-11 16:50:25','<img class=\"wp-image-10288 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/typesofemploy.jpg\" alt=\"types of employees\" width=\"239\" height=\"162\" />You\'ll come across many different types of employees in your office. Every office is different, but there seems to be a careful balance: In almost every office across the U.S., you can identify a few people that roughly fit the types we\'ll describe below.\r\n\r\nAll types are required to make the world run smoothly (and sometimes, a bit unpredictably).\r\n\r\nTell us which types of employees you recognize from your own office--and which type you think you might be!\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 6 Types of Employees in Every Office</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Vocoli put together an excellent infographic outlining the 6 types of employees you\'re likely to run into in any office in North America. Not only is each type recognizable (The Realist--that\'s 100% Tim, right?), but there are also great tips for working with and managing each type.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Make sure to tweet @itxdesign to let us know which type you are!</p>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10287 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.png\" alt=\"infographic-different-employees\" width=\"650\" height=\"2505\" />\r\n<h3>Let\'s recap</h3>\r\n<strong>The Realist -</strong> Strengths are numbers and data, so put the realist in analytics to make them comfortable and give them the opportunity to wow you with their no-nonsense, numbers-only approach.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Over Organizer -</strong> Strengths are organization and planning, so this employee needs to be all over your logistics and project management. It\'s where they will shine, and they do a great job of keeping everyone on the same page.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Seasoned Professional -</strong> These are the \'gifted children\' of the office. They\'re really, really good at whatever you seem to throw at them, so don\'t hold back--toss your most difficult projects and challenges their way to get expert insight and keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Creative -</strong> Beginnings are fascinating to creatives. They enjoy being able to start something without too much preparation, so hand projects that have been planned by the Organizer over to this type. Known for taking ideas and running with them, turning them into something great and innovative.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Introvert -</strong> Be careful not to spook the introvert. They don\'t always speak up, but they do have great insight. You can encourage them to open up in more intimate settings (group meetings are not their forte).\r\n\r\n<strong>The Newbie -</strong> Be a mentor or assign a mentor. They\'ve got potential, but newbies don\'t have the experience or know-how to dive in on their own. Linking a newbie with an over organizer can be a smart move.','The 6 Types of Employees You\'ll Find in Any Office [Infographic]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10285-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 12:50:25','2016-04-11 16:50:25','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/10285-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10292,5,'2016-04-11 12:51:00','2016-04-11 16:51:00','<img class=\"wp-image-10288 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/typesofemploy.jpg\" alt=\"types of employees\" width=\"239\" height=\"162\" />You\'ll come across many different types of employees in your office.\r\n\r\nAll types are required to make the world run smoothly (and sometimes, a bit unpredictably).\r\n\r\nEvery office is different, but there seems to be a careful balance: In almost every office across the U.S., you can identify a few people that roughly fit the types we\'ll describe below.\r\n\r\nTell us which types of employees you recognize from your own office--and which type you think you might be!\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The 6 Types of Employees in Every Office</h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Vocoli put together an excellent infographic outlining the 6 types of employees you\'re likely to run into in any office in North America. Not only is each type recognizable (The Realist--that\'s 100% Tim, right?), but there are also great tips for working with and managing each type.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Make sure to tweet @itxdesign to let us know which type you are!</p>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10287 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/infographic-different-employees.png\" alt=\"infographic-different-employees\" width=\"650\" height=\"2505\" />\r\n<h3>Let\'s recap</h3>\r\n<strong>The Realist -</strong> Strengths are numbers and data, so put the realist in analytics to make them comfortable and give them the opportunity to wow you with their no-nonsense, numbers-only approach.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Over Organizer -</strong> Strengths are organization and planning, so this employee needs to be all over your logistics and project management. It\'s where they will shine, and they do a great job of keeping everyone on the same page.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Seasoned Professional -</strong> These are the \'gifted children\' of the office. They\'re really, really good at whatever you seem to throw at them, so don\'t hold back--toss your most difficult projects and challenges their way to get expert insight and keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Creative -</strong> Beginnings are fascinating to creatives. They enjoy being able to start something without too much preparation, so hand projects that have been planned by the Organizer over to this type. Known for taking ideas and running with them, turning them into something great and innovative.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Introvert -</strong> Be careful not to spook the introvert. They don\'t always speak up, but they do have great insight. You can encourage them to open up in more intimate settings (group meetings are not their forte).\r\n\r\n<strong>The Newbie -</strong> Be a mentor or assign a mentor. They\'ve got potential, but newbies don\'t have the experience or know-how to dive in on their own. Linking a newbie with an over organizer can be a smart move.','The 6 Types of Employees You\'ll Find in Any Office [Infographic]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10285-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 12:51:00','2016-04-11 16:51:00','',10285,'https://itxdesign.com/10285-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10295,4,'2016-04-11 16:50:50','2016-04-11 20:50:50','','Domain Name Choices','','inherit','open','closed','','6895067_s','','','2016-04-11 16:51:46','2016-04-11 20:51:46','',10294,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6895067_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10296,4,'2016-04-11 16:51:03','2016-04-11 20:51:03','','Choosing a Domain Name','','inherit','open','closed','','9341080_s','','','2016-04-11 16:51:25','2016-04-11 20:51:25','',10294,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9341080_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10297,4,'2016-04-11 16:51:10','2016-04-11 20:51:10','','Domain Extensions','','inherit','open','closed','','10327493_s','','','2016-04-11 16:52:03','2016-04-11 20:52:03','',10294,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10327493_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10298,4,'2016-04-11 16:52:18','2016-04-11 20:52:18','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9341080_s-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"Choosing a Domain Name\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10296\" />Whenever you want to start a website or blog, you need to choose a domain name. This is a bit like choosing the name of your website, but there\'s more that goes into it. \r\n\r\nAfter choosing your domain name, you will be able to register it (if available) and start uploading content. At this point, it\'s very difficult to change your domain name and can cause all kinds of branding issues, if you try to change it. It\'s best to choose the right domain name from the beginning.\r\n\r\nBelow, we are going to cover what you need to know about choosing the best domain name for your website. Of course, it can simply be your business name, but this may not always be available or the right choice.\r\n\r\n<h2>Domain Name Basics</h2>\r\n\r\nBefore you start looking into the right domain name, it\'s important to understand some of the basics of choosing a great domain name. The domain name can be anything you want it to be, as long as it\'s available. Most of the generic words or common personal names will be taken, but you may be able to get these domains with a different extension.\r\n\r\nThe .com extension is the most sought after and the best choice for your domain. However, if it\'s not available, you may want to consider a .net or .org domain name extension. Of course, you can also choose a different domain name to get the .com extension.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to understand what type of content you will put on the site and what your goals are for the site. You should also understand your audience before you start looking for a domain name. When you understand your audience and your goals, choosing a domain name becomes much easier. \r\n\r\n<h2>Keywords in Your Domain Name</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6895067_s-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Name Choices\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10295\" />While you may read that getting a domain with your keyword in it is very important, this is only one strategy. Many of the most popular brands don\'t use this strategy and have no issue ranking well. Think about some of the most common websites you use and you will quickly realize, they don\'t have a keyword in their domain name.\r\n\r\n<h2>Create a List of Possibilities</h2>\r\n\r\nBefore you start searching for your new domain name, you should brainstorm a long list of possibilities. For example, if you\'re starting a personal blog, you may want to start with your own name and variations of your name. You can also add creative names having to do with the type of content you plan to blog about to the list. The longer your list, the better because some will not be available and will cross themselves off the list.\r\n\r\n<h2>Domain Name Quick Guidelines</h2>\r\n\r\nYou\'re about ready to do your search, but you need just a few more guidelines to follow:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Make sure you get a .com, .net or .org extension.</li> \r\n<li>The domain should be easy to spell and remember.</li> \r\n<li>Numbers should be avoided in the domain.</li> \r\n<li>Don\'t use brand names and be careful with copyrights.</li> \r\n</ul>\r\nUse these guidelines as you create your list and do your search for the perfect domain name.\r\n\r\n<h2>Searching your Domain Name Possibilities</h2>\r\n\r\nBefore you choose the best domain name for your new website, go through the list you created and start looking at which ones are actually available. Go to one of the many domain registrars and simply search for your domain name. Make a note of whether the .com, .net or .org is available and move onto the next.\r\n\r\nGo through your entire list and cross off any that are not available. This will give you a suitable list of available domain names to choose from when it comes to making your final choice.\r\n\r\n<h2>A Great Domain Doesn\'t Equal Success Online</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10327493_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Extensions\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10297\" />While your domain name is important, it\'s not what will make your site a success. You want to spend time using the tips above to choose a great domain name, but even if your domain name is asdfjkl.com, you can find success online. While this would be hard to remember and not easy to spell as it\'s not a word, it can still become a successful website with the right content.\r\n\r\nThe domain name isn\'t what will make your website a success at all, it\'s the content. Of course, a domain does help with branding, especially with offline advertising. It should be easy to remember and spell, but you can find plenty of success even if you don\'t have the best domain name in the world.\r\n\r\nMost websites start with the decision for a specific domain name. Spend some times making a good decision about your domain name and it will help lead you to success. Understand your audience and choose a domain name that makes sense with the content you plan to provide. Just remember, the domain won\'t make you a success, but the content will.\r\n','Choosing the Best Domain Name for Your Website','','inherit','closed','closed','','10294-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 16:52:18','2016-04-11 20:52:18','',10294,'https://itxdesign.com/10294-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10299,4,'2016-04-13 16:52:51','2016-04-13 20:52:51','<img class=\"wp-image-10300 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/34840992_s-300x211.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare\" width=\"200\" height=\"141\" />Making your blog successful takes time, effort and creative marketing solutions. SlideShare provides an interesting way to market your blog outside of the normal social media choices, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.\r\n<h2>What is SlideShare?</h2>\r\nSlideShare has been ranked at one of the top 200 most visited websites for a while now. It receives a ton of traffic from business owners and it\'s one of the largest sites for content sharing when it comes to business professionals.\r\n\r\nThe website allows users to upload and view infographics, PowerPoint, and other types of presentations. People from all over the world add content about different industries.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a great place for professional content about law, leadership, software, business, social media and a number of other topics. The presentations are very quick and to the point, which makes them appealing to entrepreneurs.\r\n<h2>Why You Should Use SlideShare for Your Blog</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10301\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/35956806_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Marketing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" />There are several good reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog.\r\n\r\nOf course, the main reason is the 70 million users the site has and the fact that more than 80% of their traffic comes from Google search. With the right titles and tags, you can easily get your content ranked high on Google through SlideShare.\r\n\r\nOther reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog include:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Demographics - Unlike many social media platforms, SlideShare has a very professional demographic. This works out well for those targeting business owners and not the everyday consumer.</li>\r\n	<li>Less Competitive - While SlideShare is large, it\'s not YouTube large or Facebook large. This means less competition when you put content online there.</li>\r\n	<li>User Friendly - If you know how to create a PowerPoint, you can easily use SlideShare.</li>\r\n	<li>Visual, Audio and Written Content - You don\'t just create a slideshow on SlideShare. You can add audio, visual and written content to better reach your target market.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThese are just the main reasons you should be using SlideShare to market your blog. It\'s a great tool for branding and sharing, especially if you target business professionals.\r\n<h2>SlideShare Content Creation</h2>\r\nSuccessfully marketing on SlideShare means you will need to create click-worthy presentations. This is much like any other type of content marketing, as the titles and tags make a big difference.\r\n\r\nFor bloggers, using SlideShare should be very easy. You can simply add a presentation as an outline of the information you put into a blog post. Just do this in a slideshow, .pdf or infographic, and you\'re all set.\r\n<h2>Marketing Tips for SlideShare</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-10302 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10784270_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" />The best way to use SlideShare is just like any other type of content marketing service. You want to make sure you follow a few tips including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Short and Simple - Keep your message short and to the point. You want to provide important information for views and get to the point.</li>\r\n	<li>Quality Matters - As with any content, quality matters. You have to provide great quality to really gain the benefits of SlideShare.</li>\r\n	<li>Unique - Anytime you can provide something unique, you will get more out of SlideShare than just regurgitating the same thing others have already done.</li>\r\n	<li>Value - Readers and viewers always need plenty of value out of any form of content. SlideShare users are no different.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nUse these tips and you will be able to take advantage of the SlideShare platform.\r\n\r\nAs a blogger, if you cover any type of topic business professionals would be interested in, you should be using SlideShare. It\'s one of the best choices for your target audience and you won\'t have to compete with the huge user base like you have to on YouTube, Facebook and other websites.','Marketing Your Blog with SlideShare','','publish','open','closed','','marketing-your-blog-with-slideshare','','','2016-04-12 12:24:31','2016-04-12 16:24:31','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10299',0,'post','',0),(10300,4,'2016-04-11 16:56:46','2016-04-11 20:56:46','','SlideShare','','inherit','open','closed','','34840992_s','','','2016-04-11 16:56:58','2016-04-11 20:56:58','',10299,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/34840992_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10301,4,'2016-04-11 16:56:48','2016-04-11 20:56:48','','Blog Marketing','','inherit','open','closed','','35956806_s','','','2016-04-11 16:57:16','2016-04-11 20:57:16','',10299,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/35956806_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10302,4,'2016-04-11 16:57:30','2016-04-11 20:57:30','','SlideShare Content','','inherit','open','closed','','10784270_s','','','2016-04-11 16:57:40','2016-04-11 20:57:40','',10299,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10784270_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10303,4,'2016-04-11 16:57:45','2016-04-11 20:57:45','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/34840992_s-300x211.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare\" width=\"300\" height=\"211\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10300\" />Making your blog successful takes time, effort and creative marketing solutions. SlideShare provides an interesting way to market your blog outside of the normal social media choices, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube. \r\n\r\n<h2>What is SlideShare?</h2>\r\n\r\nSlideShare has been ranked at one of the top 200 most visited websites for a while now. It receives a ton of traffic from business owners and it\'s one of the largest sites for content sharing when it comes to business professionals.\r\n\r\nThe website allows users to upload and view infographics, PowerPoints and other types of presentation. People from all over the world add content about different industries. It\'s a great place for professional content about law, leadership, software, business, social media and a number of other topics. The presentations are very quick and to the point, which makes them very appealing for entrepreneurs.\r\n\r\n<h2>Why You Should Use SlideShare for Your Blog</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/35956806_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Marketing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10301\" />There are several good reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog. Of course, the main reason is the 70 million users the site has and the fact that more than 80% of their traffic comes from Google search. With the right titles and tags, you can easily get your content ranked high on Google through SlideShare.\r\n\r\nOther reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog include:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Demographics - Unlike many social media platforms, SlideShare has a very professional demographic. This works out well for those targeting business owners and not the everyday consumer.</li>\r\n<li>Less Competitive - While SlideShare is very large, it\'s not YouTube large or Facebook large. This means less competition when you put up your content.</li>\r\n<li>User-Friendly - If you know how to create a PowerPoint, you can easily use SlideShare.</li>\r\n<li>Visual, Audio and Written Content - You don\'t just create a slideshow on SlideShare. You can add audio, visual and written content to better reach your target market.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThese are just the main reasons you should be using SlideShare to market your blog. It\'s a great tool for branding and sharing, especially if you target business professionals.\r\n\r\n<h2>SlideShare Content Creation</h2>\r\n\r\nSuccessfully marketing on SlideShare means you will need to create click-worthy presentations. This is much like any other type of content marketing, as the titles and tags make a big difference. For bloggers, using SlideShare should be very easy. You can simply add a presentation as an outline of the information you put into a blog post. Just do this in a slideshow, .pdf or infographic and you\'re all set.\r\n\r\n<h2>Marketing Tips for SlideShare</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10784270_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10302\" />The best way to use SlideShare is just like any other type of content marketing service. You want to make sure you follow a few tips including:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Short and Simple - Keep your message short and to the point. You want to provide important information for views and get to the point.</li>\r\n<li>Quality Matters - As with any content, quality matters and you have to provide great quality to really gain the benefits of SlideShare.</li>\r\n<li>Unique - Anytime you can provide something unique, you will get more out of SlideShare than just regurgitating the same thing others have already done.</li>\r\n<li>Value - Readers and viewers always need plenty of value out of any form of content. SlideShare users are no different.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nUse these tips and you will be able to take advantage of the SlideShare platform. \r\n\r\nAs a blogger, if you cover any type of topic business professionals would be interested in, you should be using SlideShare. It\'s one of the best choices for your target audience and you won\'t have to compete with the huge user base like you have to on YouTube, Facebook and other websites.\r\n','Marketing Your Blog with SlideShare','','inherit','closed','closed','','10299-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 16:57:45','2016-04-11 20:57:45','',10299,'https://itxdesign.com/10299-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10304,4,'2016-04-14 16:58:19','2016-04-14 20:58:19','The right plugins can make your nonprofit website really shine. Of course, when you\'re on a tight budget, you can\'t just choose any plugin for your WordPress website. You have to carefully select plugins capable of giving you plenty of value for every dollar spent.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a look at 10 of the top WordPress plugins for nonprofit websites.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">WPForms</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10312\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-1-300x118.png\" alt=\"WPForms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" />\r\n\r\nThe WPForms plugin is very user-friendly and allows you to create all the forms you need. You can use the WPForms Lite version, which is free and works great for nonprofits websites. The plugin will even work with PayPal, AWeber, MailChimp and Stripe.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/sucuri-scanner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sucuri Security</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10309\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SucuriSecurity-300x93.png\" alt=\"Sucuri Security\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" />\r\n\r\nSecurity is very important, especially for a nonprofit. The last thing you need is a hacker getting in and accessing your information. The Sucuri Security plugin will allow you to scan for malicious code and malware on your website. It\'s one of the best and they have helped block many attacks on WordPress websites.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Yoast SEO</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10313\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/YoastSEO-300x91.png\" alt=\"Yoast SEO\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" />\r\n\r\nEvery website needs an SEO plugin and Yoast SEO is the best choice. This plugin will help with optimizing your site, pages and posts for the search engines. Without an SEO plugin, you won\'t be able to get the best optimization and you may not rank as well on Google and other search engines.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/quick-and-easy-faqs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Quick and Easy FAQs</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10307\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/QuickAndEasyFAQs-300x91.png\" alt=\"Quick And Easy FAQs\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" />\r\n\r\nEvery nonprofit website needs a FAQ section. With the Quick and Easy FAQs plugin, you will be able to easily add questions and answers to your section. It has plenty of great features and makes this process much easier than coding and editing all yourself.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">BackupBuddy</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10305\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BackupBuddy-300x106.png\" alt=\"Backup Buddy\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" />\r\n\r\nBacking up your site is vital to your success. BackupBuddy is known as the best backup choice for WordPress websites. It\'s an automatic and complete solution for websites using WordPress. It will create a database on cloud storage and you can create a schedule for backups.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/give/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Give</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10306\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Give-300x94.png\" alt=\"Give\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" />\r\n\r\nOne of the best plugins for nonprofits is called Give. This plugin makes it easy to take donations. You can add a donation form, your payment gateway and manage all your donations from the WordPress dashboard. It will even work with MailChimp, AWeber, PayPal and other services.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-calendar-events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Simple Calendar</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10308\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SimpleCalendar-300x95.png\" alt=\"Simple Calendar\" width=\"300\" height=\"95\" />\r\n\r\nThe Simple Calendar plugin works great for those needing to display events for a nonprofit or church. It makes this process easy and gives you something attractive to show off to visitors. The plugin is very user-friendly and makes adding important events to a calendar section very easy.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Testimonials Widget</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10311\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TestimonialsWidget-300x90.png\" alt=\"Testimonials Widget\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" />\r\n\r\nTestimonials are always a helpful way to gain more donations for nonprofits. They provide social proof and the Testimonials Widget is one of the best plugins nonprofits can use. It will allow you to display your testimonials anywhere you want and manage them from your WordPress dashboard.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/tablepress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">TablePress</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10310\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TablePress-300x93.png\" alt=\"TablePress\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" />\r\n\r\nThe WordPress visual editor doesn\'t make it easy to create tables. However, when you add TablePress, you can easily create tables to organize information without adding your own HTML code.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">MapPress</a></h2>\r\nProviding an easy way for people to find your location is very important. With the MapPress plugin, you will be able to add Google Maps to your website easily. This makes getting directions to your location much easier for visitors.\r\n\r\nAll ten of these plugins work great for nonprofit WordPress websites. Most have a free version with a premium upgrade, as well. Whether you need to add an event calendar or you need an easy way to accept donations, you now have ten plugins to make running your nonprofit website much easier.','Top 10 WordPress Plugins For Nonprofit Websites','','publish','open','closed','','top-10-wordpress-plugins-for-nonprofit-websites','','','2016-04-12 13:14:04','2016-04-12 17:14:04','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10304',0,'post','',0),(10305,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:14','2016-04-11 21:00:14','','Backup Buddy','','inherit','open','closed','','backupbuddy-2','','','2016-04-11 17:02:00','2016-04-11 21:02:00','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BackupBuddy.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10306,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:18','2016-04-11 21:00:18','','Give','','inherit','open','closed','','give','','','2016-04-11 17:02:11','2016-04-11 21:02:11','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Give.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10307,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:19','2016-04-11 21:00:19','','Quick And Easy FAQs','','inherit','open','closed','','quickandeasyfaqs-2','','','2016-04-11 17:01:46','2016-04-11 21:01:46','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/QuickAndEasyFAQs.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10308,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:20','2016-04-11 21:00:20','','Simple Calendar','','inherit','open','closed','','simplecalendar','','','2016-04-11 17:02:31','2016-04-11 21:02:31','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SimpleCalendar.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10309,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:21','2016-04-11 21:00:21','','Sucuri Security','','inherit','open','closed','','sucurisecurity','','','2016-04-11 17:01:02','2016-04-11 21:01:02','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SucuriSecurity.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10310,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:22','2016-04-11 21:00:22','','TablePress','','inherit','open','closed','','tablepress','','','2016-04-11 17:02:59','2016-04-11 21:02:59','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TablePress.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10311,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:25','2016-04-11 21:00:25','','Testimonials Widget','','inherit','open','closed','','testimonialswidget','','','2016-04-11 17:02:46','2016-04-11 21:02:46','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TestimonialsWidget.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10312,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:27','2016-04-11 21:00:27','','WPForms','','inherit','open','closed','','wpforms-2','','','2016-04-11 17:00:44','2016-04-11 21:00:44','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10313,4,'2016-04-11 17:00:30','2016-04-11 21:00:30','','Yoast SEO','','inherit','open','closed','','yoastseo-4','','','2016-04-11 17:01:24','2016-04-11 21:01:24','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/YoastSEO.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10314,4,'2016-04-11 17:03:08','2016-04-11 21:03:08','The right plugins can make your nonprofit website really shine. Of course, when you\'re on a tight budget, you can\'t just choose any plugin for your WordPress website. You have to carefully select plugins capable of giving you plenty of value for every dollar spent. Here\'s a look at 10 of the top WordPress plugins for nonprofit websites.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">WPForms</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-1-300x118.png\" alt=\"WPForms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10312\" />\r\n\r\nThe WPForms plugin is very user-friendly and allows you to create all the forms you need. You can use the WPForms Lite version, which is free and works great for nonprofits websites. The plugin will even work with PayPal, AWeber, MailChimp and Stripe.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/sucuri-scanner/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Sucuri Security</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SucuriSecurity-300x93.png\" alt=\"Sucuri Security\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10309\" />\r\n\r\nSecurity is very important, especially for a nonprofit. The last thing you need is a hacker getting in and causing all kinds of issues. The Sucuri Security plugin will allow you to scan for malicious code and malware on your website. It\'s one of the best and they have helped block many attacks on WordPress websites.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Yoast SEO</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/YoastSEO-300x91.png\" alt=\"Yoast SEO\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10313\" />\r\n\r\nEvery website needs an SEO plugin and Yoast SEO is the best choice. This plugin will help with optimizing your site, pages and posts for the search engines. Without an SEO plugin, you won\'t be able to get the best optimization and you may not rank as well on Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/quick-and-easy-faqs/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Quick and Easy FAQs</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/QuickAndEasyFAQs-300x91.png\" alt=\"Quick And Easy FAQs\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10307\" />\r\n\r\nEvery nonprofit website needs a FAQ section. With the Quick and Easy FAQs plugin, you will be able to easily add questions and answers to your section. It has plenty of great features and makes this process much easier than coding and editing all yourself.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">BackupBuddy</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BackupBuddy-300x106.png\" alt=\"Backup Buddy\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10305\" />\r\n\r\nBacking up your site is vital to your success. BackupBuddy is known as the best backup choice for WordPress websites. It\'s an automatic and complete solution for websites using WordPress. It will create a database on cloud storage and you can create a schedule for backups. \r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/give/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Give</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Give-300x94.png\" alt=\"Give\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10306\" />\r\n\r\nOne of the best plugins for nonprofits is called Give. This plugin makes it easy to take donations. You can add a donation form, your payment gateway and manage all your donations from the WordPress dashboard. It will even work with MailChimp, AWeber, PayPal and other services.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-calendar-events/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Simple Calendar</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SimpleCalendar-300x95.png\" alt=\"Simple Calendar\" width=\"300\" height=\"95\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10308\" />\r\n\r\nThe Simple Calendar plugin works great for those needing to display events for a nonprofit or church. It makes this process easy and gives you something attractive to show off to visitors. The plugin is very user-friendly and makes adding important events to a calendar section very easy.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Testimonials Widget</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TestimonialsWidget-300x90.png\" alt=\"Testimonials Widget\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10311\" />\r\n\r\nTestimonials are always a helpful way to gain more donations for nonprofits. They provide social proof and the Testimonials Widget is one of the best plugins nonprofits can use. It will allow you to display your testimonials anywhere you want and manage them from your WordPress dashboard.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/tablepress/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">TablePress</a></h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TablePress-300x93.png\" alt=\"TablePress\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10310\" />\r\n\r\nThe WordPress visual editor doesn\'t make it easy to create tables. However, when you add TablePress, you can easily create tables without adding your own HTML code.\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">MapPress</a></h2>\r\n\r\nProviding an easy way for people to find your location is very important. With the MapPress plugin, you will be able to add Google Maps to your website easily. This makes getting directions to your location much easier for visitors.\r\n\r\nAll ten of these plugins work great for nonprofit WordPress websites. Most have a free version with a premium upgrade, as well. Whether you need to add an event calendar or you need an easy way to accept donations, you now have ten plugins to make running your nonprofit website much easier.\r\n','Top 10 WordPress Plugins For Nonprofit Websites','','inherit','closed','closed','','10304-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 17:03:08','2016-04-11 21:03:08','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/10304-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10315,4,'2016-04-15 17:03:43','2016-04-15 21:03:43','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10317\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21691583_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Ecommerce Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Sometimes, we lose our mojo and struggle to come up with new things to blog about, especially for an ecommerce website. If you\'re online shop has a blog, you need to know how to come up with new subjects when you have a case of writer\'s block.\r\n\r\nThere are plenty of things you can blog about. Here are just a few great choices to get you started and jump start your creativity.\r\n<h2>Your Products</h2>\r\nOf course, one of the things you can blog about is the products you carry. You can provide lists featuring your products, tips for using the products, information about the products and all types of other blog posts about products you sell. This is a great way to build readership targeted specifically to your products.\r\n\r\nDon\'t go overboard and post only information about your company and products, though. That\'s a recipe for disaster. If your products are truly innovative and work differently than similar products, it\'s fine to talk about the differences. But promotional content is generally a turn-off for visitors, so make sure there\'s a good reason when you write about your products.\r\n<h2>Industry News</h2>\r\nWhen you\'re struggling to come up with something to write about, industry news is a great place to turn. There\'s always something going on and a news post will help show your readers that you stay up-to-date with the industry. They can also drive quite a bit of traffic to your website if you use the right keywords.\r\n\r\nOf course, every industry is a bit different. If you sell sporting goods, you may be able to talk about the latest feat in sports. However, if your eCommerce site sells jewelry, it\'s a completely different ball game. You may find the news is about blood diamonds or some recent jewelry heist. Either way, these news stories can be very interesting for readers and they are easily shareable on social media.\r\n<h2>Events</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10318\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/24728473_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Events\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Event posts are great, but they won\'t last for very long. If you\'re going to blog about events, you\'re best bet is to do it early enough to get some juice out of the post before the event.\r\n\r\nA good month or two before the event or even blogging about it before the first round of tickets go on sale can help you get more life out of the post.\r\n<h2>Go Creative</h2>\r\nCreativity is what blogging is all about. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to get something a bit different for your blog. For example, if you sell food products, you may want to provide creative, well-targeted recipes using your products.\r\n\r\nSome websites have done this with organic food products or their specific brand and it works very well.\r\n<h2>How-to and Tutorial Posts</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10316\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9673436_s-300x271.jpg\" alt=\"How To\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" />Another good choice for your eCommerce blog is a how-to or tutorial post. This can work very well if you\'re showing your audience how to use a product you sell.\r\n\r\nIf there\'s something unique that can be done with it or even just providing useful tips for getting more out of the product can help draw in a huge audience.\r\n<h2>You and Your Company</h2>\r\nYou certainly don\'t want it to be all about you and your company, but a few posts here and there will help you connect with your audience.\r\n\r\nYou need to be honest, open and transparent with these types of posts or you won\'t get much out of them, however. Show your audience who you are and what your company is all about. If you volunteer, do a post about the experience and how you helped the community.\r\n<h2>Anything Industry Related</h2>\r\nNo matter what industry you\'re in, there\'s something you can write about. Every industry has plenty of subjects, whether you want to write about where the industry is headed or the history of it, you can find plenty of blog ideas just looking into the industry itself.\r\n\r\nIn fact, longer in-depth industry posts will often rank very well on Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\nWhen you\'re suffering from writer\'s block, use these ideas to come up with something great for your eCommerce website. In fact, you can keep a file of ideas for blog posts, which will help whenever you\'re struggling to come up with something new.','What Can You Blog About On Your eCommerce Website?','','publish','open','closed','','what-can-you-blog-about-on-your-ecommerce-website','','','2016-04-12 13:19:43','2016-04-12 17:19:43','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10315',0,'post','',0),(10316,4,'2016-04-11 17:06:43','2016-04-11 21:06:43','','How To','','inherit','open','closed','','9673436_s','','','2016-04-11 17:07:26','2016-04-11 21:07:26','',10315,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9673436_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10317,4,'2016-04-11 17:06:44','2016-04-11 21:06:44','','Ecommerce Blog','','inherit','open','closed','','21691583_s-2','','','2016-04-11 17:06:57','2016-04-11 21:06:57','',10315,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21691583_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10318,4,'2016-04-11 17:06:45','2016-04-11 21:06:45','','Events','','inherit','open','closed','','24728473_s','','','2016-04-11 17:07:12','2016-04-11 21:07:12','',10315,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/24728473_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10319,4,'2016-04-11 17:07:32','2016-04-11 21:07:32','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21691583_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Ecommerce Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10317\" />Sometimes, we lose our mojo and struggle to come up with new things to blog about, especially for an ecommerce website. If you\'re online shop has a blog, you need to know how to come up with new subjects when you have a case of writer\'s block. There are plenty of things you can blog about. Here are just a few great choices.\r\n\r\n<h2>Your Products</h2>\r\n\r\nOf course, one of the things you can blog about is the products you carry. You can provide lists featuring your products, tips for using the products, information about the products and all types of other blog posts about products you sell. This is a great way to build readership targeted specifically to your products.\r\n\r\n<h2>Industry News</h2>\r\n\r\nWhen you\'re struggling to come up with something to write about, industry news is a great place to turn. There\'s always something going on and a news post will help show your readers that you stay up-to-date with the industry. They can also drive quite a bit of traffic to your website.\r\n\r\nOf course, every industry is a bit different. If you sell sporting goods, you may be able to talk about the latest feat in sports. However, if your ecommerce site sells jewelry, it\'s a completely different ball game. You may find the news is about blood diamonds or some recent jewelry heist. Either way, these news stories can be very interesting for readers and they are very sharable on social media.\r\n\r\n<h2>Events</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/24728473_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Events\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10318\" />Event posts are great, but they won\'t last for very long. If you\'re going to blog about events, you\'re best bet is to do it early enough to get some juice out of the post before the event. A good month or two before the event or even blogging about it before the first round of tickets go on sale can help you get more life out of the post.\r\n\r\n<h2>Go Creative</h2>\r\n\r\nCreativity is what blogging is all about. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to get something a bit different for your blog. For example, if you sell food products, you may want to provide creative, well-targeted recipes using your products. Some websites have done this with organic food products or their specific brand and it works very well. \r\n\r\n<h2>How-to and Tutorial Posts</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9673436_s-300x271.jpg\" alt=\"How To\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10316\" />Another good choice for your ecommerce blog is a how-to or tutorial post. This can work very well if you\'re showing your audience how to use a product you sell. If there\'s something unique that can be done with it or even just providing useful tips for getting more out of the product can help draw in a huge audience.\r\n\r\n<h2>You and Your Company</h2>\r\n\r\nYou certainly don\'t want it to be all about you and your company, but a few posts here and there will help you connect with your audience. You need to be honest, open and transparent with these types of posts or you won\'t get much out of them, however. Show your audience who you are and what your company is all about. If you volunteer, do a post about the experience and how you helped the community.\r\n\r\n<h2>Anything Industry Related</h2>\r\n\r\nNo matter what industry you\'re in, there\'s something you can write about. Every industry has plenty of subjects, whether you want to write about where the industry is headed or the history of it, you can find plenty of blog ideas just looking into the industry itself. In fact, longer in-depth industry posts will often rank very well on Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\nWhen you\'re suffering from writer\'s block, use these ideas to come up with something great for your ecommerce website. In fact, you can keep a file of ideas for blog posts, which will help whenever you\'re struggling to come up with something new.\r\n','What Can you Blog About on Your Ecommerce Website?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10315-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 17:07:32','2016-04-11 21:07:32','',10315,'https://itxdesign.com/10315-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10320,4,'2016-04-18 17:07:56','2016-04-18 21:07:56','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10322\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18132743_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Shallow Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Running a successful online business these days requires a solid blog. If you want to draw in a large number of visitors, even just in a local market, you need the right type of blog content.\r\n\r\nJust like shallow people can only be tolerated for a short time before they lose our interest entirely, shallow content won\'t cut it and will only take away from the potential value of your blog.\r\n\r\nWhen you provide shallow content it can ruin your reputation, turn visitors away and stall your growth. Content is simply too important to provide anything less than the best quality possible for your visitors.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what you should know about blog content.\r\n<h2>How Content Became King</h2>\r\nOriginally, as the internet became more than just a fad, the importance of and focus on content exploded and grew through the early 2000s. With many content mills starting to form, such as Demand Studios and eHow, writers could easily make a living by providing average or even low quality content with the right keywords.\r\n\r\nIt was a game of \"how much can you product\" and quality didn\'t really matter.\r\n\r\nPeople have been using the internet to find information ever since the first sound of dial-up internet was heard. It didn\'t take very long before the explosion of content, specifically written content happened.\r\n\r\nHowever, the first content boom brought about quite a bit of very low quality content and it didn\'t last forever.\r\n<h2>The Transformation of Online Content</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10321\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/17668095_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Online Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />After many content mills made a ton of money, Google made huge changes to their algorithms. These changes caused profits to disappear overnight for many blogs, websites and content mills.\r\n\r\nThe changes had a negative impact, at first, but they ended up causing blogs and websites to provide better, higher quality content.\r\n\r\nThis was the first time shallow content was actually smacked in the face and penalized. At the time, and still today, Google was in charge. They provide more traffic online than any other website, which was why the changes they made killed many shallow websites and blogs.\r\n\r\nWhen these changes came about, writers, bloggers, website owners and anybody providing content had to make changes. They had to start providing content for the reader instead of just the search engine.\r\n\r\nThis has caused shallow content to fall off the map and now, if you try to provide shallow content, you won\'t be able to rank on Google nearly as well and your readers won\'t be interested.\r\n<h2>How Shallow Content Destroys Your Blog</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10323\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/22187694_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />While some may say the content online is headed back to a shallow time with infographics and shorter bursts of information, Google won\'t rank these types of content very well.\r\n\r\nContent has to be high in quality and provide usable information for the reader. It doesn\'t matter if the content is written, video, images, infographics or any other type of content--it must provide value.\r\n\r\nOf course, images make content better, but the written word still has to be formatted properly and given to the reader in the way they prefer. Research matters and many businesses are smartly moving towards research-driven articles linking to sources and providing in-depth information.\r\n\r\nWhether you run a large corporate blog with thousands of daily visitors or a small, local blog with just a few daily visitors, shallow content may be the reason you can\'t grow. When you provide only shallow content, you don\'t have your readers\' best interest in mind. Not only will readers quickly figure this out, but so will Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\nIf you want to be successful online with your blog and your business, you need in-depth, high quality content. Shallow content won\'t cut it, even if you provide a cool infographic. Longer, well-researched content is the best way to go, if you want to build a blog for the long term and not just a short traffic burst.','What Shallow Content Really Does to Your Blog','','publish','open','closed','','what-shallow-content-really-does-to-your-blog','','','2016-04-12 13:23:11','2016-04-12 17:23:11','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10320',0,'post','',0),(10321,4,'2016-04-11 17:11:30','2016-04-11 21:11:30','','Online Content','','inherit','open','closed','','17668095_s','','','2016-04-11 17:11:58','2016-04-11 21:11:58','',10320,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/17668095_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10322,4,'2016-04-11 17:11:32','2016-04-11 21:11:32','','Shallow Content','','inherit','open','closed','','18132743_s','','','2016-04-11 17:11:46','2016-04-11 21:11:46','',10320,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18132743_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10323,4,'2016-04-11 17:11:33','2016-04-11 21:11:33','','Blog','','inherit','open','closed','','22187694_s','','','2016-04-11 17:12:13','2016-04-11 21:12:13','',10320,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/22187694_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10324,4,'2016-04-11 17:12:19','2016-04-11 21:12:19','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18132743_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Shallow Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10322\" />Running a successful online business these days requires a solid blog. If you want to draw in a large number of visitors, even just in a local market, you need the right type of blog content. Shallow content won\'t cut it and will only take away from the potential value of your blog. \r\n\r\nWhen you provide shallow content it can ruin your reputation, turn visitors away and stall your growth. Content is simply too important to provide anything less than the best quality possible for your visitors. Here\'s what you should know about blog content.\r\n\r\n<h2>How Content Became King</h2>\r\n\r\nOriginally, as the internet became more than just a fad, content exploded and grew through the early 2000s. With many content mills starting to form, such as Demand Studios and eHow, writers could easily make a living by providing average or even low quality content with the right keywords. It was a game of \"how much can you product\" and quality didn\'t really matter.\r\n\r\nPeople have been using the internet to find information ever since the first sound of dial-up internet was heard. It didn\'t take very long before the explosion of content, specifically written content happened. However, the first content boom brought about quite a bit of very low quality content and it didn\'t last forever.\r\n\r\n<h2>The Transformation of Online Content</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/17668095_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Online Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10321\" />After many content mills made a ton of money, Google made huge changes to their algorithms. These changes caused profits to disappear overnight for many blogs, websites and content mills. The changes had a negative impact, at first, but they ended up causing blogs and websites to provide better, higher quality content. \r\n\r\nThis was the first time shallow content was actually smacked in the face and penalized. At the time, and still today, Google was in charge. They provide more traffic online than any other website, which was why the changes they made killed many shallow websites and blogs.\r\n\r\nWhen these changes came about, writers, bloggers, website owners and anybody providing content had to make changes. They had to start providing content for the reader instead of just the search engine. This has cause shallow content to fall off the map and now, if you try to provide shallow content, you won\'t be able to rank on Google nearly as well and your readers won\'t be interested.\r\n\r\n<h2>How Shallow Content Destroys Your Blog</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/22187694_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10323\" />While some may say the content online is headed back to a shallow time with infographics and shorter bursts of information, Google won\'t rank these types of content very well. Content has to be high in quality and provide usable information for the reader. It doesn\'t matter if the content is written, video, images, infographics or any other type of content, it must provide value.\r\n\r\nOf course, images make content better, but the written word still has to be formatted properly and given to the reader in the way they prefer. Research matters and many businesses are smartly moving towards research-driven articles linking to sources and providing in-depth information.\r\n\r\nWhether you run a large corporate blog with thousands of daily visitors or a small, local blog with just a few daily visitors, shallow content may be the reason you can\'t grow. When you provide only shallow content, you don\'t have your readers\' best interest in mind. Not only will readers quickly figure this out, but so will Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\nIf you want to be successful online with your blog and your business, you need in-depth, high quality content. Shallow content won\'t cut it, even if you provide a cool infographic. Longer, well-researched content is the best way to go, if you want to build a blog for the long term and not just a short traffic burst.\r\n','What Shallow Content Really Does to Your Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10320-revision-v1','','','2016-04-11 17:12:19','2016-04-11 21:12:19','',10320,'https://itxdesign.com/10320-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10325,5,'2016-04-12 12:19:06','2016-04-12 16:19:06','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10296\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9341080_s-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"Choosing a Domain Name\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" />When you want to start a website or blog, you need to choose a domain name. This is a bit like choosing the name of your website, but there\'s more that goes into it.\n\nAfter choosing your domain name, you will be able to register it (if the name you\'ve chosen is available) and start uploading content. At this point, it\'s very difficult to change your domain name and can cause all kinds of branding issues if you try to change it.\n\nIt\'s best to choose the right domain name from the beginning.\n\nBelow, we are going to cover what you need to know about choosing the best domain name for your website. Of course, it can simply be your business name, but this may not always be available or the right choice.\n<h2>Domain Name Basics</h2>\nBefore you start looking into the right domain name, it\'s important to understand some of the basics of choosing a great domain name. The domain name can be anything you want it to be, as long as it\'s available.\n\nMost of the generic words or common personal names will be taken, but you may be able to get these domains with a different extension.\n\nThe .com extension is the most sought after and the best choice for your domain. However, if it\'s not available, you may want to consider a .co, .net or .org domain name extension. Of course, you can also choose a different domain name to get the .com extension.\n\nIt\'s important to understand what type of content you will put on the site and what your goals are for the site. You should also understand your audience before you start looking for a domain name. When you understand your audience and your goals, choosing a domain name becomes much easier.\n<h2>Keywords in Your Domain Name</h2>\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10295\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6895067_s-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Name Choices\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />While you may read that getting a domain with your keyword in it is very important, this is only one strategy.\n\nMany of the most popular brands don\'t use this strategy and have no issue ranking well. Think about some of the most common websites you use and you will quickly realize, they don\'t have a keyword in their domain name.\n<h2>Create a List of Possibilities</h2>\nBefore you start searching for your new domain name, you should brainstorm a long list of possibilities.\n\nFor example, if you\'re starting a personal blog, you may want to start with your own name and variations of your name. You can also add creative names having to do with the type of content you plan to blog about to the list.\n\nThe longer your list, the better because some will not be available and will cross themselves off the list.\n<h2>Domain Name Quick Guidelines</h2>\nYou\'re almost ready to do your domain name search, but you need just a few more guidelines to follow:\n<ul>\n	<li>Make sure to get a .com, .net or .org extension.</li>\n	<li>The domain should be easy to spell and remember.</li>\n	<li>Numbers should be avoided when possible in the domain.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t use brand names and be careful with copyrights.</li>\n</ul>\nUse these guidelines as you create your list and do your search for the perfect domain name.\n<h2>Searching your Domain Name Possibilities</h2>\nBefore you choose the best domain name for your new website, go through the list you created and start looking at which ones are actually available. Go to one of the many domain registrars and simply search for your domain name. Make a note of whether the .com, .net or .org is available and move onto the next.\n\nGo through your entire list and cross off any that are not available. This will give you a suitable list of available domain names to choose from when it comes to making your final choice.\n<h2>A Great Domain Doesn\'t Equal Success Online</h2>\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10297\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10327493_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Extensions\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" />While your domain name is important, it\'s not what will make your site a success.\n\nYou want to spend time using the tips above to choose a great domain name, but even if your domain name is asdfjkl.com, you can find success online. While this would be hard to remember and not easy to spell as it\'s not a word, it can still become a successful website with the right content.\n\nThe domain name isn\'t what will make your website a success. it\'s the content. Of course, a domain does help with branding, especially with offline advertising. It should be easy to remember and spell, but you can find plenty of success even if you don\'t have the best domain name in the world.\n\nMost websites start with the decision for a specific domain name. Spend some times making a good decision about your domain name and it will help lead you to success. Understand your audience and choose a domain name that makes sense with the content you plan to provide. Just remember, the domain won\'t make you a success, but the content will.','Choosing the Best Domain Name for Your Website','','inherit','closed','closed','','10294-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-12 12:19:06','2016-04-12 16:19:06','',10294,'https://itxdesign.com/10294-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10326,5,'2016-04-12 12:20:03','2016-04-12 16:20:03','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10296\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9341080_s-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"Choosing a Domain Name\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" />When you want to start a website or blog, you need to choose a domain name. This is a bit like choosing the name of your website, but there\'s more that goes into it.\r\n\r\nAfter choosing your domain name, you will be able to register it (if the name you\'ve chosen is available) and start uploading content. At this point, it\'s very difficult to change your domain name and can cause all kinds of branding issues if you try to change it.\r\n\r\nIt\'s best to choose the right domain name from the beginning.\r\n\r\nBelow, we are going to cover what you need to know about choosing the best domain name for your website. Of course, it can simply be your business name, but this may not always be available or the right choice.\r\n<h2>Domain Name Basics</h2>\r\nBefore you start looking into the right domain name, it\'s important to understand some of the basics of choosing a great domain name. The domain name can be anything you want it to be, as long as it\'s available.\r\n\r\nMost of the generic words or common personal names will be taken, but you may be able to get these domains with a different extension.\r\n\r\nThe .com extension is the most sought after and the best choice for your domain. However, if it\'s not available, you may want to consider a .co, .net or .org domain name extension. Of course, you can also choose a different domain name to get the .com extension.\r\n\r\nIt\'s important to understand what type of content you will put on the site and what your goals are for the site. You should also understand your audience before you start looking for a domain name. When you understand your audience and your goals, choosing a domain name becomes much easier.\r\n<h2>Keywords in Your Domain Name</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10295\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6895067_s-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Name Choices\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" />While you may read that getting a domain with your keyword in it is very important, this is only one strategy.\r\n\r\nMany of the most popular brands don\'t use this strategy and have no issue ranking well. Think about some of the most common websites you use and you will quickly realize, they don\'t have a keyword in their domain name.\r\n<h2>Create a List of Possibilities</h2>\r\nBefore you start searching for your new domain name, you should brainstorm a long list of possibilities.\r\n\r\nFor example, if you\'re starting a personal blog, you may want to start with your own name and variations of your name. You can also add creative names having to do with the type of content you plan to blog about to the list.\r\n\r\nThe longer your list, the better because some will not be available and will cross themselves off the list.\r\n<h2>Domain Name Quick Guidelines</h2>\r\nYou\'re almost ready to do your domain name search, but you need just a few more guidelines to follow:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Make sure to get a .com, .net or .org extension.</li>\r\n	<li>The domain should be easy to spell and remember.</li>\r\n	<li>Numbers should be avoided when possible in the domain.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t use brand names and be careful with copyrights.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nUse these guidelines as you create your list and do your search for the perfect domain name.\r\n<h2>Searching your Domain Name Possibilities</h2>\r\nBefore you choose the best domain name for your new website, go through the list you created and start looking at which ones are actually available. Go to one of the many domain registrars and simply search for your domain name. Make a note of whether the .com, .net or .org is available and move onto the next.\r\n\r\nGo through your entire list and cross off any that are not available. This will give you a suitable list of available domain names to choose from when it comes to making your final choice.\r\n<h2>A Great Domain Doesn\'t Equal Success Online</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-10297\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10327493_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Domain Extensions\" width=\"234\" height=\"234\" />While your domain name is important, it\'s not what will make your site a success.\r\n\r\nYou want to spend time using the tips above to choose a great domain name, but even if your domain name is asdfjkl.com, you can find success online. While this would be hard to remember and not easy to spell as it\'s not a word, it can still become a successful website with the right content.\r\n\r\nThe domain name isn\'t what will make your website a success. It\'s the content on your website that matters.\r\n\r\nOf course, a great domain name does help with branding, especially with offline advertising. It should be easy to remember and spell, but you can find plenty of success even if you don\'t have the best domain name in the world.\r\n\r\nMost websites start with the decision for a specific domain name. Spend some time making a good decision about your domain name and it will help lead you to success. Understand your audience and choose a domain name that makes sense with the content you plan to provide.','Choosing the Best Domain Name for Your Website','','inherit','closed','closed','','10294-revision-v1','','','2016-04-12 12:20:03','2016-04-12 16:20:03','',10294,'https://itxdesign.com/10294-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10327,5,'2016-04-12 12:24:24','2016-04-12 16:24:24','<img class=\"wp-image-10300 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/34840992_s-300x211.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare\" width=\"200\" height=\"141\" />Making your blog successful takes time, effort and creative marketing solutions. SlideShare provides an interesting way to market your blog outside of the normal social media choices, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.\n<h2>What is SlideShare?</h2>\nSlideShare has been ranked at one of the top 200 most visited websites for a while now. It receives a ton of traffic from business owners and it\'s one of the largest sites for content sharing when it comes to business professionals.\n\nThe website allows users to upload and view infographics, PowerPoint, and other types of presentations. People from all over the world add content about different industries.\n\nIt\'s a great place for professional content about law, leadership, software, business, social media and a number of other topics. The presentations are very quick and to the point, which makes them appealing to entrepreneurs.\n<h2>Why You Should Use SlideShare for Your Blog</h2>\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10301\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/35956806_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Marketing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" />There are several good reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog.\n\nOf course, the main reason is the 70 million users the site has and the fact that more than 80% of their traffic comes from Google search. With the right titles and tags, you can easily get your content ranked high on Google through SlideShare.\n\nOther reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog include:\n<ul>\n	<li>Demographics - Unlike many social media platforms, SlideShare has a very professional demographic. This works out well for those targeting business owners and not the everyday consumer.</li>\n	<li>Less Competitive - While SlideShare is large, it\'s not YouTube large or Facebook large. This means less competition when you put content online there.</li>\n	<li>User Friendly - If you know how to create a PowerPoint, you can easily use SlideShare.</li>\n	<li>Visual, Audio and Written Content - You don\'t just create a slideshow on SlideShare. You can add audio, visual and written content to better reach your target market.</li>\n</ul>\nThese are just the main reasons you should be using SlideShare to market your blog. It\'s a great tool for branding and sharing, especially if you target business professionals.\n<h2>SlideShare Content Creation</h2>\nSuccessfully marketing on SlideShare means you will need to create click-worthy presentations. This is much like any other type of content marketing, as the titles and tags make a big difference.\n\nFor bloggers, using SlideShare should be very easy. You can simply add a presentation as an outline of the information you put into a blog post. Just do this in a slideshow, .pdf or infographic, and you\'re all set.\n<h2>Marketing Tips for SlideShare</h2>\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-10302 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10784270_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" />The best way to use SlideShare is just like any other type of content marketing service. You want to make sure you follow a few tips including:\n<ul>\n	<li>Short and Simple - Keep your message short and to the point. You want to provide important information for views and get to the point.</li>\n	<li>Quality Matters - As with any content, quality matters. You have to provide great quality to really gain the benefits of SlideShare.</li>\n	<li>Unique - Anytime you can provide something unique, you will get more out of SlideShare than just regurgitating the same thing others have already done.</li>\n	<li>Value - Readers and viewers always need plenty of value out of any form of content. SlideShare users are no different.</li>\n</ul>\nUse these tips and you will be able to take advantage of the SlideShare platform.\n\nAs a blogger, if you cover any type of topic business professionals would be interested in, you should be using SlideShare. It\'s one of the best choices for your target audience and you won\'t have to compete with the huge user base like you have to on YouTube, Facebook and other websites.','Marketing Your Blog with SlideShare','','inherit','closed','closed','','10299-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-12 12:24:24','2016-04-12 16:24:24','',10299,'https://itxdesign.com/10299-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10328,5,'2016-04-12 12:24:31','2016-04-12 16:24:31','<img class=\"wp-image-10300 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/34840992_s-300x211.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare\" width=\"200\" height=\"141\" />Making your blog successful takes time, effort and creative marketing solutions. SlideShare provides an interesting way to market your blog outside of the normal social media choices, such as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.\r\n<h2>What is SlideShare?</h2>\r\nSlideShare has been ranked at one of the top 200 most visited websites for a while now. It receives a ton of traffic from business owners and it\'s one of the largest sites for content sharing when it comes to business professionals.\r\n\r\nThe website allows users to upload and view infographics, PowerPoint, and other types of presentations. People from all over the world add content about different industries.\r\n\r\nIt\'s a great place for professional content about law, leadership, software, business, social media and a number of other topics. The presentations are very quick and to the point, which makes them appealing to entrepreneurs.\r\n<h2>Why You Should Use SlideShare for Your Blog</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10301\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/35956806_s-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Marketing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" />There are several good reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog.\r\n\r\nOf course, the main reason is the 70 million users the site has and the fact that more than 80% of their traffic comes from Google search. With the right titles and tags, you can easily get your content ranked high on Google through SlideShare.\r\n\r\nOther reasons to use SlideShare to market your blog include:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Demographics - Unlike many social media platforms, SlideShare has a very professional demographic. This works out well for those targeting business owners and not the everyday consumer.</li>\r\n	<li>Less Competitive - While SlideShare is large, it\'s not YouTube large or Facebook large. This means less competition when you put content online there.</li>\r\n	<li>User Friendly - If you know how to create a PowerPoint, you can easily use SlideShare.</li>\r\n	<li>Visual, Audio and Written Content - You don\'t just create a slideshow on SlideShare. You can add audio, visual and written content to better reach your target market.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThese are just the main reasons you should be using SlideShare to market your blog. It\'s a great tool for branding and sharing, especially if you target business professionals.\r\n<h2>SlideShare Content Creation</h2>\r\nSuccessfully marketing on SlideShare means you will need to create click-worthy presentations. This is much like any other type of content marketing, as the titles and tags make a big difference.\r\n\r\nFor bloggers, using SlideShare should be very easy. You can simply add a presentation as an outline of the information you put into a blog post. Just do this in a slideshow, .pdf or infographic, and you\'re all set.\r\n<h2>Marketing Tips for SlideShare</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-10302 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10784270_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"SlideShare Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" />The best way to use SlideShare is just like any other type of content marketing service. You want to make sure you follow a few tips including:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Short and Simple - Keep your message short and to the point. You want to provide important information for views and get to the point.</li>\r\n	<li>Quality Matters - As with any content, quality matters. You have to provide great quality to really gain the benefits of SlideShare.</li>\r\n	<li>Unique - Anytime you can provide something unique, you will get more out of SlideShare than just regurgitating the same thing others have already done.</li>\r\n	<li>Value - Readers and viewers always need plenty of value out of any form of content. SlideShare users are no different.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nUse these tips and you will be able to take advantage of the SlideShare platform.\r\n\r\nAs a blogger, if you cover any type of topic business professionals would be interested in, you should be using SlideShare. It\'s one of the best choices for your target audience and you won\'t have to compete with the huge user base like you have to on YouTube, Facebook and other websites.','Marketing Your Blog with SlideShare','','inherit','closed','closed','','10299-revision-v1','','','2016-04-12 12:24:31','2016-04-12 16:24:31','',10299,'https://itxdesign.com/10299-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10329,5,'2016-04-12 13:13:22','2016-04-12 17:13:22','The right plugins can make your nonprofit website really shine. Of course, when you\'re on a tight budget, you can\'t just choose any plugin for your WordPress website. You have to carefully select plugins capable of giving you plenty of value for every dollar spent.\n\nHere\'s a look at 10 of the top WordPress plugins for nonprofit websites.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">WPForms</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10312\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-1-300x118.png\" alt=\"WPForms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" />\n\nThe WPForms plugin is very user-friendly and allows you to create all the forms you need. You can use the WPForms Lite version, which is free and works great for nonprofits websites. The plugin will even work with PayPal, AWeber, MailChimp and Stripe.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/sucuri-scanner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sucuri Security</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10309\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SucuriSecurity-300x93.png\" alt=\"Sucuri Security\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" />\n\nSecurity is very important, especially for a nonprofit. The last thing you need is a hacker getting in and accessing your information. The Sucuri Security plugin will allow you to scan for malicious code and malware on your website. It\'s one of the best and they have helped block many attacks on WordPress websites.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Yoast SEO</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10313\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/YoastSEO-300x91.png\" alt=\"Yoast SEO\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" />\n\nEvery website needs an SEO plugin and Yoast SEO is the best choice. This plugin will help with optimizing your site, pages and posts for the search engines. Without an SEO plugin, you won\'t be able to get the best optimization and you may not rank as well on Google and other search engines.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/quick-and-easy-faqs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Quick and Easy FAQs</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10307\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/QuickAndEasyFAQs-300x91.png\" alt=\"Quick And Easy FAQs\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" />\n\nEvery nonprofit website needs a FAQ section. With the Quick and Easy FAQs plugin, you will be able to easily add questions and answers to your section. It has plenty of great features and makes this process much easier than coding and editing all yourself.\n<h2><a href=\"https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">BackupBuddy</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10305\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BackupBuddy-300x106.png\" alt=\"Backup Buddy\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" />\n\nBacking up your site is vital to your success. BackupBuddy is known as the best backup choice for WordPress websites. It\'s an automatic and complete solution for websites using WordPress. It will create a database on cloud storage and you can create a schedule for backups.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/give/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Give</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10306\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Give-300x94.png\" alt=\"Give\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" />\n\nOne of the best plugins for nonprofits is called Give. This plugin makes it easy to take donations. You can add a donation form, your payment gateway and manage all your donations from the WordPress dashboard. It will even work with MailChimp, AWeber, PayPal and other services.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-calendar-events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Simple Calendar</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10308\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SimpleCalendar-300x95.png\" alt=\"Simple Calendar\" width=\"300\" height=\"95\" />\n\nThe Simple Calendar plugin works great for those needing to display events for a nonprofit or church. It makes this process easy and gives you something attractive to show off to visitors. The plugin is very user-friendly and makes adding important events to a calendar section very easy.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Testimonials Widget</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10311\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TestimonialsWidget-300x90.png\" alt=\"Testimonials Widget\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" />\n\nTestimonials are always a helpful way to gain more donations for nonprofits. They provide social proof and the Testimonials Widget is one of the best plugins nonprofits can use. It will allow you to display your testimonials anywhere you want and manage them from your WordPress dashboard.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/tablepress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">TablePress</a></h2>\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10310\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TablePress-300x93.png\" alt=\"TablePress\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" />\n\nThe WordPress visual editor doesn\'t make it easy to create tables. However, when you add TablePress, you can easily create tables to organize information without adding your own HTML code.\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">MapPress</a></h2>\nProviding an easy way for people to find your location is very important. With the MapPress plugin, you will be able to add Google Maps to your website easily. This makes getting directions to your location much easier for visitors.\n\nAll ten of these plugins work great for nonprofit WordPress websites. Most have a free version with a premium upgrade, as well. Whether you need to add an event calendar or you need an easy way to accept donations, you now have ten plugins to make running your nonprofit website much easier.','Top 10 WordPress Plugins For Nonprofit Websites','','inherit','closed','closed','','10304-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-12 13:13:22','2016-04-12 17:13:22','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/10304-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10330,5,'2016-04-12 13:14:04','2016-04-12 17:14:04','The right plugins can make your nonprofit website really shine. Of course, when you\'re on a tight budget, you can\'t just choose any plugin for your WordPress website. You have to carefully select plugins capable of giving you plenty of value for every dollar spent.\r\n\r\nHere\'s a look at 10 of the top WordPress plugins for nonprofit websites.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wpforms.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">WPForms</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10312\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WPForms-1-300x118.png\" alt=\"WPForms\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" />\r\n\r\nThe WPForms plugin is very user-friendly and allows you to create all the forms you need. You can use the WPForms Lite version, which is free and works great for nonprofits websites. The plugin will even work with PayPal, AWeber, MailChimp and Stripe.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/sucuri-scanner/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sucuri Security</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10309\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SucuriSecurity-300x93.png\" alt=\"Sucuri Security\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" />\r\n\r\nSecurity is very important, especially for a nonprofit. The last thing you need is a hacker getting in and accessing your information. The Sucuri Security plugin will allow you to scan for malicious code and malware on your website. It\'s one of the best and they have helped block many attacks on WordPress websites.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-seo/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Yoast SEO</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10313\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/YoastSEO-300x91.png\" alt=\"Yoast SEO\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" />\r\n\r\nEvery website needs an SEO plugin and Yoast SEO is the best choice. This plugin will help with optimizing your site, pages and posts for the search engines. Without an SEO plugin, you won\'t be able to get the best optimization and you may not rank as well on Google and other search engines.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/quick-and-easy-faqs/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Quick and Easy FAQs</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10307\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/QuickAndEasyFAQs-300x91.png\" alt=\"Quick And Easy FAQs\" width=\"300\" height=\"91\" />\r\n\r\nEvery nonprofit website needs a FAQ section. With the Quick and Easy FAQs plugin, you will be able to easily add questions and answers to your section. It has plenty of great features and makes this process much easier than coding and editing all yourself.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">BackupBuddy</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10305\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BackupBuddy-300x106.png\" alt=\"Backup Buddy\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" />\r\n\r\nBacking up your site is vital to your success. BackupBuddy is known as the best backup choice for WordPress websites. It\'s an automatic and complete solution for websites using WordPress. It will create a database on cloud storage and you can create a schedule for backups.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/give/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Give</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10306\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Give-300x94.png\" alt=\"Give\" width=\"300\" height=\"94\" />\r\n\r\nOne of the best plugins for nonprofits is called Give. This plugin makes it easy to take donations. You can add a donation form, your payment gateway and manage all your donations from the WordPress dashboard. It will even work with MailChimp, AWeber, PayPal and other services.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-calendar-events/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Simple Calendar</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10308\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SimpleCalendar-300x95.png\" alt=\"Simple Calendar\" width=\"300\" height=\"95\" />\r\n\r\nThe Simple Calendar plugin works great for those needing to display events for a nonprofit or church. It makes this process easy and gives you something attractive to show off to visitors. The plugin is very user-friendly and makes adding important events to a calendar section very easy.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/testimonials-widget/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Testimonials Widget</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10311\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TestimonialsWidget-300x90.png\" alt=\"Testimonials Widget\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" />\r\n\r\nTestimonials are always a helpful way to gain more donations for nonprofits. They provide social proof and the Testimonials Widget is one of the best plugins nonprofits can use. It will allow you to display your testimonials anywhere you want and manage them from your WordPress dashboard.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/tablepress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">TablePress</a></h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-10310\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TablePress-300x93.png\" alt=\"TablePress\" width=\"300\" height=\"93\" />\r\n\r\nThe WordPress visual editor doesn\'t make it easy to create tables. However, when you add TablePress, you can easily create tables to organize information without adding your own HTML code.\r\n<h2><a href=\"https://wordpress.org/plugins/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">MapPress</a></h2>\r\nProviding an easy way for people to find your location is very important. With the MapPress plugin, you will be able to add Google Maps to your website easily. This makes getting directions to your location much easier for visitors.\r\n\r\nAll ten of these plugins work great for nonprofit WordPress websites. Most have a free version with a premium upgrade, as well. Whether you need to add an event calendar or you need an easy way to accept donations, you now have ten plugins to make running your nonprofit website much easier.','Top 10 WordPress Plugins For Nonprofit Websites','','inherit','closed','closed','','10304-revision-v1','','','2016-04-12 13:14:04','2016-04-12 17:14:04','',10304,'https://itxdesign.com/10304-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10331,5,'2016-04-12 13:19:13','2016-04-12 17:19:13','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10317\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21691583_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Ecommerce Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Sometimes, we lose our mojo and struggle to come up with new things to blog about, especially for an ecommerce website. If you\'re online shop has a blog, you need to know how to come up with new subjects when you have a case of writer\'s block.\n\nThere are plenty of things you can blog about. Here are just a few great choices to get you started and jump start your creativity.\n<h2>Your Products</h2>\nOf course, one of the things you can blog about is the products you carry. You can provide lists featuring your products, tips for using the products, information about the products and all types of other blog posts about products you sell. This is a great way to build readership targeted specifically to your products.\n\nDon\'t go overboard and post only information about your company and products, though. That\'s a recipe for disaster. If your products are truly innovative and work differently than similar products, it\'s fine to talk about the differences. But promotional content is generally a turn-off for visitors, so make sure there\'s a good reason when you write about your products.\n<h2>Industry News</h2>\nWhen you\'re struggling to come up with something to write about, industry news is a great place to turn. There\'s always something going on and a news post will help show your readers that you stay up-to-date with the industry. They can also drive quite a bit of traffic to your website if you use the right keywords.\n\nOf course, every industry is a bit different. If you sell sporting goods, you may be able to talk about the latest feat in sports. However, if your eCommerce site sells jewelry, it\'s a completely different ball game. You may find the news is about blood diamonds or some recent jewelry heist. Either way, these news stories can be very interesting for readers and they are easily shareable on social media.\n<h2>Events</h2>\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10318\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/24728473_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Events\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Event posts are great, but they won\'t last for very long. If you\'re going to blog about events, you\'re best bet is to do it early enough to get some juice out of the post before the event.\n\nA good month or two before the event or even blogging about it before the first round of tickets go on sale can help you get more life out of the post.\n<h2>Go Creative</h2>\nCreativity is what blogging is all about. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to get something a bit different for your blog. For example, if you sell food products, you may want to provide creative, well-targeted recipes using your products.\n\nSome websites have done this with organic food products or their specific brand and it works very well.\n<h2>How-to and Tutorial Posts</h2>\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10316\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9673436_s-300x271.jpg\" alt=\"How To\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" />Another good choice for your eCommerce blog is a how-to or tutorial post. This can work very well if you\'re showing your audience how to use a product you sell.\n\nIf there\'s something unique that can be done with it or even just providing useful tips for getting more out of the product can help draw in a huge audience.\n<h2>You and Your Company</h2>\nYou certainly don\'t want it to be all about you and your company, but a few posts here and there will help you connect with your audience.\n\nYou need to be honest, open and transparent with these types of posts or you won\'t get much out of them, however. Show your audience who you are and what your company is all about. If you volunteer, do a post about the experience and how you helped the community.\n<h2>Anything Industry Related</h2>\nNo matter what industry you\'re in, there\'s something you can write about. Every industry has plenty of subjects, whether you want to write about where the industry is headed or the history of it, you can find plenty of blog ideas just looking into the industry itself.\n\nIn fact, longer in-depth industry posts will often rank very well on Google and other search engines.\n\nWhen you\'re suffering from writer\'s block, use these ideas to come up with something great for your ecommerce website. In fact, you can keep a file of ideas for blog posts, which will help whenever you\'re struggling to come up with something new.','What Can You Blog About On Your eCommerce Website?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10315-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-12 13:19:13','2016-04-12 17:19:13','',10315,'https://itxdesign.com/10315-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10332,5,'2016-04-12 13:19:43','2016-04-12 17:19:43','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10317\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21691583_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Ecommerce Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Sometimes, we lose our mojo and struggle to come up with new things to blog about, especially for an ecommerce website. If you\'re online shop has a blog, you need to know how to come up with new subjects when you have a case of writer\'s block.\r\n\r\nThere are plenty of things you can blog about. Here are just a few great choices to get you started and jump start your creativity.\r\n<h2>Your Products</h2>\r\nOf course, one of the things you can blog about is the products you carry. You can provide lists featuring your products, tips for using the products, information about the products and all types of other blog posts about products you sell. This is a great way to build readership targeted specifically to your products.\r\n\r\nDon\'t go overboard and post only information about your company and products, though. That\'s a recipe for disaster. If your products are truly innovative and work differently than similar products, it\'s fine to talk about the differences. But promotional content is generally a turn-off for visitors, so make sure there\'s a good reason when you write about your products.\r\n<h2>Industry News</h2>\r\nWhen you\'re struggling to come up with something to write about, industry news is a great place to turn. There\'s always something going on and a news post will help show your readers that you stay up-to-date with the industry. They can also drive quite a bit of traffic to your website if you use the right keywords.\r\n\r\nOf course, every industry is a bit different. If you sell sporting goods, you may be able to talk about the latest feat in sports. However, if your eCommerce site sells jewelry, it\'s a completely different ball game. You may find the news is about blood diamonds or some recent jewelry heist. Either way, these news stories can be very interesting for readers and they are easily shareable on social media.\r\n<h2>Events</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10318\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/24728473_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Events\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Event posts are great, but they won\'t last for very long. If you\'re going to blog about events, you\'re best bet is to do it early enough to get some juice out of the post before the event.\r\n\r\nA good month or two before the event or even blogging about it before the first round of tickets go on sale can help you get more life out of the post.\r\n<h2>Go Creative</h2>\r\nCreativity is what blogging is all about. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to get something a bit different for your blog. For example, if you sell food products, you may want to provide creative, well-targeted recipes using your products.\r\n\r\nSome websites have done this with organic food products or their specific brand and it works very well.\r\n<h2>How-to and Tutorial Posts</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10316\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9673436_s-300x271.jpg\" alt=\"How To\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" />Another good choice for your eCommerce blog is a how-to or tutorial post. This can work very well if you\'re showing your audience how to use a product you sell.\r\n\r\nIf there\'s something unique that can be done with it or even just providing useful tips for getting more out of the product can help draw in a huge audience.\r\n<h2>You and Your Company</h2>\r\nYou certainly don\'t want it to be all about you and your company, but a few posts here and there will help you connect with your audience.\r\n\r\nYou need to be honest, open and transparent with these types of posts or you won\'t get much out of them, however. Show your audience who you are and what your company is all about. If you volunteer, do a post about the experience and how you helped the community.\r\n<h2>Anything Industry Related</h2>\r\nNo matter what industry you\'re in, there\'s something you can write about. Every industry has plenty of subjects, whether you want to write about where the industry is headed or the history of it, you can find plenty of blog ideas just looking into the industry itself.\r\n\r\nIn fact, longer in-depth industry posts will often rank very well on Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\nWhen you\'re suffering from writer\'s block, use these ideas to come up with something great for your eCommerce website. In fact, you can keep a file of ideas for blog posts, which will help whenever you\'re struggling to come up with something new.','What Can You Blog About On Your eCommerce Website?','','inherit','closed','closed','','10315-revision-v1','','','2016-04-12 13:19:43','2016-04-12 17:19:43','',10315,'https://itxdesign.com/10315-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10333,5,'2016-04-12 13:22:19','2016-04-12 17:22:19','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10322\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18132743_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Shallow Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Running a successful online business these days requires a solid blog. If you want to draw in a large number of visitors, even just in a local market, you need the right type of blog content.\n\nShallow content won\'t cut it and will only take away from the potential value of your blog.\n\nWhen you provide shallow content it can ruin your reputation, turn visitors away and stall your growth. Content is simply too important to provide anything less than the best quality possible for your visitors.\n\nHere\'s what you should know about blog content.\n<h2>How Content Became King</h2>\nOriginally, as the internet became more than just a fad, the importance of and focus on content exploded and grew through the early 2000s. With many content mills starting to form, such as Demand Studios and eHow, writers could easily make a living by providing average or even low quality content with the right keywords.\n\nIt was a game of \"how much can you product\" and quality didn\'t really matter.\n\nPeople have been using the internet to find information ever since the first sound of dial-up internet was heard. It didn\'t take very long before the explosion of content, specifically written content happened.\n\nHowever, the first content boom brought about quite a bit of very low quality content and it didn\'t last forever.\n<h2>The Transformation of Online Content</h2>\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10321\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/17668095_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Online Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />After many content mills made a ton of money, Google made huge changes to their algorithms. These changes caused profits to disappear overnight for many blogs, websites and content mills.\n\nThe changes had a negative impact, at first, but they ended up causing blogs and websites to provide better, higher quality content.\n\nThis was the first time shallow content was actually smacked in the face and penalized. At the time, and still today, Google was in charge. They provide more traffic online than any other website, which was why the changes they made killed many shallow websites and blogs.\n\nWhen these changes came about, writers, bloggers, website owners and anybody providing content had to make changes. They had to start providing content for the reader instead of just the search engine.\n\nThis has caused shallow content to fall off the map and now, if you try to provide shallow content, you won\'t be able to rank on Google nearly as well and your readers won\'t be interested.\n<h2>How Shallow Content Destroys Your Blog</h2>\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10323\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/22187694_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />While some may say the content online is headed back to a shallow time with infographics and shorter bursts of information, Google won\'t rank these types of content very well.\n\nContent has to be high in quality and provide usable information for the reader. It doesn\'t matter if the content is written, video, images, infographics or any other type of content--it must provide value.\n\nOf course, images make content better, but the written word still has to be formatted properly and given to the reader in the way they prefer. Research matters and many businesses are smartly moving towards research-driven articles linking to sources and providing in-depth information.\n\nWhether you run a large corporate blog with thousands of daily visitors or a small, local blog with just a few daily visitors, shallow content may be the reason you can\'t grow. When you provide only shallow content, you don\'t have your readers\' best interest in mind. Not only will readers quickly figure this out, but so will Google and other search engines.\n\nIf you want to be successful online with your blog and your business, you need in-depth, high quality content. Shallow content won\'t cut it, even if you provide a cool infographic. Longer, well-researched content is the best way to go, if you want to build a blog for the long term and not just a short traffic burst.','What Shallow Content Really Does to Your Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10320-autosave-v1','','','2016-04-12 13:22:19','2016-04-12 17:22:19','',10320,'https://itxdesign.com/10320-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10334,5,'2016-04-12 13:23:11','2016-04-12 17:23:11','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10322\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18132743_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Shallow Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />Running a successful online business these days requires a solid blog. If you want to draw in a large number of visitors, even just in a local market, you need the right type of blog content.\r\n\r\nJust like shallow people can only be tolerated for a short time before they lose our interest entirely, shallow content won\'t cut it and will only take away from the potential value of your blog.\r\n\r\nWhen you provide shallow content it can ruin your reputation, turn visitors away and stall your growth. Content is simply too important to provide anything less than the best quality possible for your visitors.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what you should know about blog content.\r\n<h2>How Content Became King</h2>\r\nOriginally, as the internet became more than just a fad, the importance of and focus on content exploded and grew through the early 2000s. With many content mills starting to form, such as Demand Studios and eHow, writers could easily make a living by providing average or even low quality content with the right keywords.\r\n\r\nIt was a game of \"how much can you product\" and quality didn\'t really matter.\r\n\r\nPeople have been using the internet to find information ever since the first sound of dial-up internet was heard. It didn\'t take very long before the explosion of content, specifically written content happened.\r\n\r\nHowever, the first content boom brought about quite a bit of very low quality content and it didn\'t last forever.\r\n<h2>The Transformation of Online Content</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10321\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/17668095_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Online Content\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />After many content mills made a ton of money, Google made huge changes to their algorithms. These changes caused profits to disappear overnight for many blogs, websites and content mills.\r\n\r\nThe changes had a negative impact, at first, but they ended up causing blogs and websites to provide better, higher quality content.\r\n\r\nThis was the first time shallow content was actually smacked in the face and penalized. At the time, and still today, Google was in charge. They provide more traffic online than any other website, which was why the changes they made killed many shallow websites and blogs.\r\n\r\nWhen these changes came about, writers, bloggers, website owners and anybody providing content had to make changes. They had to start providing content for the reader instead of just the search engine.\r\n\r\nThis has caused shallow content to fall off the map and now, if you try to provide shallow content, you won\'t be able to rank on Google nearly as well and your readers won\'t be interested.\r\n<h2>How Shallow Content Destroys Your Blog</h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10323\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/22187694_s-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" />While some may say the content online is headed back to a shallow time with infographics and shorter bursts of information, Google won\'t rank these types of content very well.\r\n\r\nContent has to be high in quality and provide usable information for the reader. It doesn\'t matter if the content is written, video, images, infographics or any other type of content--it must provide value.\r\n\r\nOf course, images make content better, but the written word still has to be formatted properly and given to the reader in the way they prefer. Research matters and many businesses are smartly moving towards research-driven articles linking to sources and providing in-depth information.\r\n\r\nWhether you run a large corporate blog with thousands of daily visitors or a small, local blog with just a few daily visitors, shallow content may be the reason you can\'t grow. When you provide only shallow content, you don\'t have your readers\' best interest in mind. Not only will readers quickly figure this out, but so will Google and other search engines.\r\n\r\nIf you want to be successful online with your blog and your business, you need in-depth, high quality content. Shallow content won\'t cut it, even if you provide a cool infographic. Longer, well-researched content is the best way to go, if you want to build a blog for the long term and not just a short traffic burst.','What Shallow Content Really Does to Your Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10320-revision-v1','','','2016-04-12 13:23:11','2016-04-12 17:23:11','',10320,'https://itxdesign.com/10320-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10335,5,'2016-04-13 11:27:37','2016-04-13 15:27:37','You know that email marketing is an important part of your marketing plan. But if you aren’t sure where to start, the entire process can seem overwhelming. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/mailchimp-vs-constant-contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Mailchimp and Constant Contact</a> are the two leading players in the email marketing industry, and to someone just beginning their journey of subscribers and mail lists\r\nand click rates (oh my!), the two can seem one and the same.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3967 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-300x300.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-300x300.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-768x768.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Mailchimppiechart\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" />However, there are some important distinctions between the two, and getting both sides of the story will help you make an informed decision about the email marketing solution–Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact–you want to use.\r\n\r\nFirst, let’s look at who is more popular overall:\r\n\r\nA recent survey of business owners found that close to 75% prefer Mailchimp and around 25% prefer Constant Contact, with just a few undecided votes.\r\n\r\nDon’t let these statistics skew your decision just yet, however. There are a few important factors to consider for each solution: <strong>Cost, features, customer support, and level of integration</strong> will ultimately decide who the winner is in Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact.\r\n<h2>Mailchimp Pricing</h2>\r\nMailchimp is free if you have less than 2,000 email subscribers and will send out less than 12,000 emails each month. If you want to send unlimited emails, it’s $10/month for up to 500 subscribers, and $5 additional each month for every 500 subscribers you add. <img class=\"wp-image-3974 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimp-Pricing-1.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimp-Pricing-1-300x184.png 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimp-Pricing-1.png 555w\" alt=\"Mailchimp-Pricing\" width=\"376\" height=\"231\" />\r\n\r\nThere is a Pay As You Go option for businesses whose email list fluctuates a lot or who don’t want to permanently increase their subscriber plan for a one-time list increase. You’ll purchase email credits to use in this case, which come out to about $.005-$.03 cents per email sent.\r\n\r\nAnd if you’ll be sending emails less than 4 times each month to a large subscriber list, Mailchimp’s high volume CPM pricing might benefit you best: You can purchase email credits starting at around $1.25 per thousand emails (it can go as low as $.40/thousand if you purchase a lot of credits at once).\r\n\r\nNonprofit organization? That’s great, because Mailchimp will give you 15% off your paid account each month.\r\n<h2>Constant Contact Pricing</h2>\r\nConstant Contact has a 60 day free (limited) trial for new users. During the trial, you’ll be able to email up to 100 contacts an unlimited number of times. Once the trial is over, pricing starts at $20/month when you have less than 500 subscribers, and increases by subscriber count up to $85/month for 10,000 <img class=\" wp-image-3970 alignleft\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Constant-Contact-Pricing-300x146.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Constant-Contact-Pricing-300x146.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Constant-Contact-Pricing.jpg 564w\" alt=\"Constant Contact Pricing\" width=\"333\" height=\"162\" />contacts.\r\n\r\nConstant Contact’s Email Plus Plan includes surveys, forms, coupons, and more starting at $45/month for 500 contacts, $110/month for 10,000 contacts.\r\n\r\nThey say the <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/how-starting-a-morning-routine-makes-you-a-better-entrepreneur/\" target=\"_blank\">early bird gets the worm</a>, and that must be true because there’s a special discount if you prepay your account for 6 months in advance: 10% off, or a year in advance: 15% off.\r\n\r\nNonprofits can benefit from CC’s prepayment plan twice as well with a 20% off 6 month prepay discount or 30% off a 1 year prepayment. But when it’s Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact, Mailchimp wins with its’ automatic nonprofit discounts, Forever Free service for smaller lists and businesses, and low cost per month on paid plans.\r\n<h4><em><strong>The Price Winner: </strong></em><strong>Mailchimp</strong></h4>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-3972 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-789x1024.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-231x300.png 231w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-768x997.png 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-789x1024.png 789w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1.png 1510w\" alt=\"MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1 (1)\" width=\"448\" height=\"581\" />\r\n<h2>Mailchimp Features</h2>\r\nMailchimp is given a run for its’ money in the <a href=\"http://blog.capterra.com/mailchimp-vs-constant-contact/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">features race</a> with Constant Contact.\r\n\r\nBoth companies offer many of the same features: customizable, drag and drop editor, social sharing, archived emails, list segmentation, contact/subscriber management, text messaging, and detailed reports, to name a few.\r\n\r\nBut put Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact in a few categories: Easier customization, free, unlimited storage, subject lines and segments for A/B testing,  surveys, and a user-preferred report layout–and Mailchimp is probably going to be the user’s preference.\r\n<h2>Constant Contact Features</h2>\r\nConstant Contact may lack a bit in certain features compared to Mailchimp, but some say it’s the best choice for users without much email marketing experience.\r\n\r\nThere are a wider variety of templates available on CC, and if you know HTML, you can customize them even further. Unlike Mailchimp, which charges for time zone integration, CC users can segment their subscribers by time zone to ensure the emails land in their inbox at the right time no matter where they are.\r\n\r\nBut lots of features Mailchimp offers for free are either unavailable entirely, or only offered as a paid feature on Constant Contact.\r\n<h4><strong><em>The Features Winner: </em>Mailchimp, but it’s close</strong></h4>\r\n<h2>Mailchimp Integration</h2>\r\nMailchimp is so widely used, it seamlessly integrates with many CRMs, blogging platforms, and social media networks:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>WordPress<img class=\"wp-image-3958 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle-300x300.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle.jpg 640w\" alt=\"mailchimp vs. constant contact\" width=\"246\" height=\"246\" /></li>\r\n	<li>Twitter</li>\r\n	<li>Magento</li>\r\n	<li>Salesforce</li>\r\n	<li>ZenDesk</li>\r\n	<li>BigCommerce</li>\r\n	<li>Drupal</li>\r\n	<li>Mandrill</li>\r\n	<li>Eventbrite</li>\r\n	<li>Google Analytics</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2>Constant Contact Integration</h2>\r\nConstant Contact offer fewer integrations, but those include:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Facebook</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/quickbooks-vs-quicken-a-full-comparison/\" target=\"_blank\">QuickBooks</a></li>\r\n	<li>Outlook</li>\r\n	<li>Hootsuite</li>\r\n	<li>Salesforce</li>\r\n	<li>ACT!</li>\r\n	<li>Mindbody</li>\r\n	<li>WordPress</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><em><strong>The Integration Winner: </strong></em><strong>Mailchimp</strong></h4>\r\nLet’s review: In the pricing battle of Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact, Mailchimp came away the winner due to it’s Forever Free option for small businesses and subscriber lists. When it comes to features, Constant Contact comes closer to competing with Mailchimp, but in the end, Mailchimp wins due to a wider variety of features and functionality without additional costs.\r\n\r\nAnd last, as far as integration goes, Mailchimp is the hands-down winner, connecting seamlessly with more sites and programs than Constant Contact.\r\n<h2>Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact: Mailchimp wins</h2>','Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact: Choosing the Best Email Marketing Tool','','publish','open','closed','','mailchimp-vs-constant-contact-choosing-the-best-email-marketing-tool','','','2016-04-13 11:27:37','2016-04-13 15:27:37','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10335',0,'post','',0),(10336,5,'2016-04-13 11:25:39','2016-04-13 15:25:39','','mailchimpvscc','','inherit','open','closed','','mailchimpvscc','','','2016-04-13 11:25:51','2016-04-13 15:25:51','',10335,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/mailchimpvscc.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10337,5,'2016-04-13 11:26:58','2016-04-13 15:26:58','You know that email marketing is an important part of your marketing plan. But if you aren’t sure where to start, the entire process can seem overwhelming. <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/mailchimp-vs-constant-contact/\" target=\"_blank\">Mailchimp and Constant Contact</a> are the two leading players in the email marketing industry, and to someone just beginning their journey of subscribers and mail lists\r\nand click rates (oh my!), the two can seem one and the same.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3967 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-300x300.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-300x300.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart-768x768.jpg 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimppiechart.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Mailchimppiechart\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" />However, there are some important distinctions between the two, and getting both sides of the story will help you make an informed decision about the email marketing solution–Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact–you want to use.\r\n\r\nFirst, let’s look at who is more popular overall:\r\n\r\nA recent survey of business owners found that close to 75% prefer Mailchimp and around 25% prefer Constant Contact, with just a few undecided votes.\r\n\r\nDon’t let these statistics skew your decision just yet, however. There are a few important factors to consider for each solution: <strong>Cost, features, customer support, and level of integration</strong> will ultimately decide who the winner is in Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact.\r\n<h2>Mailchimp Pricing</h2>\r\nMailchimp is free if you have less than 2,000 email subscribers and will send out less than 12,000 emails each month. If you want to send unlimited emails, it’s $10/month for up to 500 subscribers, and $5 additional each month for every 500 subscribers you add. <img class=\"wp-image-3974 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimp-Pricing-1.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimp-Pricing-1-300x184.png 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mailchimp-Pricing-1.png 555w\" alt=\"Mailchimp-Pricing\" width=\"376\" height=\"231\" />\r\n\r\nThere is a Pay As You Go option for businesses whose email list fluctuates a lot or who don’t want to permanently increase their subscriber plan for a one-time list increase. You’ll purchase email credits to use in this case, which come out to about $.005-$.03 cents per email sent.\r\n\r\nAnd if you’ll be sending emails less than 4 times each month to a large subscriber list, Mailchimp’s high volume CPM pricing might benefit you best: You can purchase email credits starting at around $1.25 per thousand emails (it can go as low as $.40/thousand if you purchase a lot of credits at once).\r\n\r\nNonprofit organization? That’s great, because Mailchimp will give you 15% off your paid account each month.\r\n<h2>Constant Contact Pricing</h2>\r\nConstant Contact has a 60 day free (limited) trial for new users. During the trial, you’ll be able to email up to 100 contacts an unlimited number of times. Once the trial is over, pricing starts at $20/month when you have less than 500 subscribers, and increases by subscriber count up to $85/month for 10,000 <img class=\" wp-image-3970 alignleft\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Constant-Contact-Pricing-300x146.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Constant-Contact-Pricing-300x146.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Constant-Contact-Pricing.jpg 564w\" alt=\"Constant Contact Pricing\" width=\"333\" height=\"162\" />contacts.\r\n\r\nConstant Contact’s Email Plus Plan includes surveys, forms, coupons, and more starting at $45/month for 500 contacts, $110/month for 10,000 contacts.\r\n\r\nThey say the <a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/how-starting-a-morning-routine-makes-you-a-better-entrepreneur/\" target=\"_blank\">early bird gets the worm</a>, and that must be true because there’s a special discount if you prepay your account for 6 months in advance: 10% off, or a year in advance: 15% off.\r\n\r\nNonprofits can benefit from CC’s prepayment plan twice as well with a 20% off 6 month prepay discount or 30% off a 1 year prepayment. But when it’s Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact, Mailchimp wins with its’ automatic nonprofit discounts, Forever Free service for smaller lists and businesses, and low cost per month on paid plans.\r\n<h4><em><strong>The Price Winner: </strong></em><strong>Mailchimp</strong></h4>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-3972 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-789x1024.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-231x300.png 231w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-768x997.png 768w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1-789x1024.png 789w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1-1.png 1510w\" alt=\"MailChimp-vs.-Constant-Contact-Feature-Comparison1 (1)\" width=\"448\" height=\"581\" />\r\n<h2>Mailchimp Features</h2>\r\nMailchimp is given a run for its’ money in the <a href=\"http://blog.capterra.com/mailchimp-vs-constant-contact/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">features race</a> with Constant Contact.\r\n\r\nBoth companies offer many of the same features: customizable, drag and drop editor, social sharing, archived emails, list segmentation, contact/subscriber management, text messaging, and detailed reports, to name a few.\r\n\r\nBut put Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact in a few categories: Easier customization, free, unlimited storage, subject lines and segments for A/B testing,  surveys, and a user-preferred report layout–and Mailchimp is probably going to be the user’s preference.\r\n<h2>Constant Contact Features</h2>\r\nConstant Contact may lack a bit in certain features compared to Mailchimp, but some say it’s the best choice for users without much email marketing experience.\r\n\r\nThere are a wider variety of templates available on CC, and if you know HTML, you can customize them even further. Unlike Mailchimp, which charges for time zone integration, CC users can segment their subscribers by time zone to ensure the emails land in their inbox at the right time no matter where they are.\r\n\r\nBut lots of features Mailchimp offers for free are either unavailable entirely, or only offered as a paid feature on Constant Contact.\r\n<h4><strong><em>The Features Winner: </em>Mailchimp, but it’s close</strong></h4>\r\n<h2>Mailchimp Integration</h2>\r\nMailchimp is so widely used, it seamlessly integrates with many CRMs, blogging platforms, and social media networks:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>WordPress<img class=\"wp-image-3958 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle-300x300.jpg 300w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/puzzle.jpg 640w\" alt=\"mailchimp vs. constant contact\" width=\"246\" height=\"246\" /></li>\r\n	<li>Twitter</li>\r\n	<li>Magento</li>\r\n	<li>Salesforce</li>\r\n	<li>ZenDesk</li>\r\n	<li>BigCommerce</li>\r\n	<li>Drupal</li>\r\n	<li>Mandrill</li>\r\n	<li>Eventbrite</li>\r\n	<li>Google Analytics</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2>Constant Contact Integration</h2>\r\nConstant Contact offer fewer integrations, but those include:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Facebook</li>\r\n	<li><a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/quickbooks-vs-quicken-a-full-comparison/\" target=\"_blank\">QuickBooks</a></li>\r\n	<li>Outlook</li>\r\n	<li>Hootsuite</li>\r\n	<li>Salesforce</li>\r\n	<li>ACT!</li>\r\n	<li>Mindbody</li>\r\n	<li>WordPress</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4><em><strong>The Integration Winner: </strong></em><strong>Mailchimp</strong></h4>\r\nLet’s review: In the pricing battle of Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact, Mailchimp came away the winner due to it’s Forever Free option for small businesses and subscriber lists. When it comes to features, Constant Contact comes closer to competing with Mailchimp, but in the end, Mailchimp wins due to a wider variety of features and functionality without additional costs.\r\n\r\nAnd last, as far as integration goes, Mailchimp is the hands-down winner, connecting seamlessly with more sites and programs than Constant Contact.\r\n<h2>Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact: Mailchimp wins</h2>','Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact: Choosing the Best Email Marketing Tool','','inherit','closed','closed','','10335-revision-v1','','','2016-04-13 11:26:58','2016-04-13 15:26:58','',10335,'https://itxdesign.com/10335-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10338,5,'2016-04-15 13:32:21','2016-04-15 17:32:21','Have you noticed your <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-reduce-bounce-rate-and-increase-page-views-for-your-wordpress-website/\" target=\"_blank\">website\'s bounce rate increasing</a>? Has it always been a little high? The industry you\'re in has a lot to do with what your bounce rate goals should be. Landing pages have a much higher average bounce rate than login portals or retail websites.\r\n\r\nYou don\'t want to create goals that are too lofty to reach, but it\'s always smart to take steps to keep visitors on your site longer and reduce your bounce rate.\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-10339 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Bounce-rate-by-industry.jpg\" alt=\"Bounce-rate-by-industry\" width=\"391\" height=\"260\" />How to Reduce Bounce Rate</h2>\r\nHere are 5 changes you can make to <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/difference-between-bounce-rates-open-rates-click-rates/\" target=\"_blank\">reduce your bounce rate</a> and keep visitors on your site longer.\r\n<h4>1. Make sure you\'re bringing the right visitors in</h4>\r\nIf you\'re getting links on websites that reach a lot of traffic but are driving the wrong crowd to your website, they\'ll look at one page and navigate away. That increases your bounce rate and doesn\'t earn you any sales.\r\n\r\nFocus your efforts on bringing in visitors that are your target audience instead of bringing in anyone who will click.\r\n<h4>2. Look at your user experience again</h4>\r\nThe way a user experiences your website is likely very different from the way you and even your developers experience it. Have a fresh pair of eyes <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/7-quick-tips-to-improve-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">evaluate your website for user friendliness</a> and give you an honest appraisal.\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Is it easy to navigate?</li>\r\n 	<li>Is the text easily readable?</li>\r\n 	<li>Are in-text links a different color than the body text?</li>\r\n 	<li>Is there enough white space?</li>\r\n 	<li>How\'s the layout in general?</li>\r\n 	<li>Does anything look \"cheap?\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>3. Change your marketing and advertising campaign messages</h4>\r\nIf the people coming to your website have only been viewing one page and not sticking around long enough to convert, chances are, your marketing and advertising campaigns aren\'t targeted to the right people. Reevaluate your marketing and advertising strategies, which may be fine on their own, but not landing in front of the people that will respond to them.\r\n\r\nOnce you\'re sending the right visitors to your website with your marketing and advertising campaigns, they\'ll stick around longer and be more likely to convert as a result.\r\n<h4>4. Optimize your content</h4>\r\nOnce people come to your website, they\'re going to notice your content. From the copy on the landing page to a blog post they click on for more information, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-better-understand-your-target-audience-and-provide-great-content-for-them/\" target=\"_blank\">your website content needs to be optimized</a> if you want them to have interest in exploring your website beyond one page.\r\n\r\nOne thing you can do is try to identify at least one key way each new piece of content will provide value to your visitors. That can come in the form of a useful, downloadable guide, a free eBook, an invitation to an online webinar or course you\'re teaching, free templates, and more. Be creative and customer-minded as you come up with ideas to <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-use-sticky-content-to-make-visitors-stay-on-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">give visitors value through your website content</a>.\r\n<h4>5. Speed up page load</h4>\r\nIf your pages are loading too slowly, visitors get impatient and leave. Your website doesn\'t have to be all that slow to make visitors impatient--with so many <a href=\"http://itxdesign.com\">websites that load lightning-fast</a>, people expect the same speed from everyone.\r\n\r\nIf your website is not loading fast enough, your competitors can offer similar pricing, content, and products or services, but still come out the winner if their pages load faster than yours. Work with a reputable hosting company that can offer you the fastest speeds along with exceptional customer service to ensure you don\'t get left behind because of page loading speed.','5 Website Changes That Will Reduce Your Bounce Rate','','publish','open','closed','','5-website-changes-that-will-reduce-your-bounce-rate','','','2016-04-15 13:32:21','2016-04-15 17:32:21','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10338',0,'post','',0),(10339,5,'2016-04-15 12:55:16','2016-04-15 16:55:16','','Bounce-rate-by-industry','','inherit','open','closed','','bounce-rate-by-industry','','','2016-04-15 12:55:16','2016-04-15 16:55:16','',10338,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Bounce-rate-by-industry.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10340,5,'2016-04-15 13:25:00','2016-04-15 17:25:00','Have you noticed your website\'s bounce rate increasing? Has it always been a little high? The industry you\'re in has a lot to do with what your bounce rate goals should be. Landing pages have a much higher average bounce rate than login portals or retail websites.\r\n\r\nYou don\'t want to create goals that are too lofty to reach, but it\'s always smart to take steps to keep visitors on your site longer and reduce your bounce rate.\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-10339 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Bounce-rate-by-industry.jpg\" alt=\"Bounce-rate-by-industry\" width=\"391\" height=\"260\" />How to Reduce Bounce Rate</h2>\r\nHere are 5 changes you can make to reduce your bounce rate and keep visitors on your site longer.\r\n<h4>1. Make sure you\'re bringing the right visitors in</h4>\r\nIf you\'re getting links on websites that reach a lot of traffic but are driving the wrong crowd to your website, they\'ll look at one page and navigate away. That increases your bounce rate and doesn\'t earn you any sales.\r\n\r\nFocus your efforts on bringing in visitors that are your target audience instead of bringing in anyone who will click.\r\n<h4>2. Look at your user experience again</h4>\r\nThe way a user experiences your website is likely very different from the way you and even your developers experience it. Have a fresh pair of eyes look at your website and give you an honest appraisal.\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Is it easy to navigate?</li>\r\n 	<li>Is the text easily readable?</li>\r\n 	<li>Are in-text links a different color than the body text?</li>\r\n 	<li>Is there enough white space?</li>\r\n 	<li>How\'s the layout in general?</li>\r\n 	<li>Does anything look \"cheap?\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>3. Change your marketing and advertising campaign messages</h4>\r\nIf the people coming to your website have only been viewing one page and not sticking around long enough to convert, chances are, your marketing and advertising campaigns aren\'t targeted to the right people. Reevaluate your marketing and advertising strategies, which may be fine on their own, but not landing in front of the people that will respond to them.\r\n\r\nOnce you\'re sending the right visitors to your website with your marketing and advertising campaigns, they\'ll stick around longer and be more likely to convert as a result.\r\n<h4>4. Optimize your content</h4>\r\nOnce people come to your website, they\'re going to notice your content. From the copy on the landing page to a blog post they click on for more information, your website content needs to be optimized if you want them to have interest in exploring your website beyond one page.\r\n\r\nOne thing you can do is try to identify at least one key way each new piece of content will provide value to your visitors. That can come in the form of a useful, downloadable guide, a free eBook, an invitation to an online webinar or course you\'re teaching, free templates, and more. Be creative and customer-minded as you come up with ideas to give visitors value through your website content.\r\n<h4>5. Speed up page load</h4>\r\nIf your pages are loading too slowly, visitors get impatient and leave. Your website doesn\'t have to be all that slow to make visitors impatient--with so many <a href=\"http://itxdesign.com\">websites that load lightning-fast</a>, people expect the same speed from everyone.\r\n\r\nIf your website is not loading fast enough, your competitors can offer similar pricing, content, and products or services, but still come out the winner if their pages load faster than yours. Work with a reputable hosting company that can offer you the fastest speeds along with exceptional customer service to ensure you don\'t get left behind because of page loading speed.','5 Website Changes That Will Reduce Your Bounce Rate','','inherit','closed','closed','','10338-revision-v1','','','2016-04-15 13:25:00','2016-04-15 17:25:00','',10338,'https://itxdesign.com/10338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10341,5,'2016-04-15 13:31:26','2016-04-15 17:31:26','Have you noticed your <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-reduce-bounce-rate-and-increase-page-views-for-your-wordpress-website/\" target=\"_blank\">website\'s bounce rate increasing</a>? Has it always been a little high? The industry you\'re in has a lot to do with what your bounce rate goals should be. Landing pages have a much higher average bounce rate than login portals or retail websites.\r\n\r\nYou don\'t want to create goals that are too lofty to reach, but it\'s always smart to take steps to keep visitors on your site longer and reduce your bounce rate.\r\n<h2><img class=\"wp-image-10339 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Bounce-rate-by-industry.jpg\" alt=\"Bounce-rate-by-industry\" width=\"391\" height=\"260\" />How to Reduce Bounce Rate</h2>\r\nHere are 5 changes you can make to <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/difference-between-bounce-rates-open-rates-click-rates/\" target=\"_blank\">reduce your bounce rate</a> and keep visitors on your site longer.\r\n<h4>1. Make sure you\'re bringing the right visitors in</h4>\r\nIf you\'re getting links on websites that reach a lot of traffic but are driving the wrong crowd to your website, they\'ll look at one page and navigate away. That increases your bounce rate and doesn\'t earn you any sales.\r\n\r\nFocus your efforts on bringing in visitors that are your target audience instead of bringing in anyone who will click.\r\n<h4>2. Look at your user experience again</h4>\r\nThe way a user experiences your website is likely very different from the way you and even your developers experience it. Have a fresh pair of eyes <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/7-quick-tips-to-improve-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">evaluate your website for user friendliness</a> and give you an honest appraisal.\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Is it easy to navigate?</li>\r\n 	<li>Is the text easily readable?</li>\r\n 	<li>Are in-text links a different color than the body text?</li>\r\n 	<li>Is there enough white space?</li>\r\n 	<li>How\'s the layout in general?</li>\r\n 	<li>Does anything look \"cheap?\"</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>3. Change your marketing and advertising campaign messages</h4>\r\nIf the people coming to your website have only been viewing one page and not sticking around long enough to convert, chances are, your marketing and advertising campaigns aren\'t targeted to the right people. Reevaluate your marketing and advertising strategies, which may be fine on their own, but not landing in front of the people that will respond to them.\r\n\r\nOnce you\'re sending the right visitors to your website with your marketing and advertising campaigns, they\'ll stick around longer and be more likely to convert as a result.\r\n<h4>4. Optimize your content</h4>\r\nOnce people come to your website, they\'re going to notice your content. From the copy on the landing page to a blog post they click on for more information, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-better-understand-your-target-audience-and-provide-great-content-for-them/\" target=\"_blank\">your website content needs to be optimized</a> if you want them to have interest in exploring your website beyond one page.\r\n\r\nOne thing you can do is try to identify at least one key way each new piece of content will provide value to your visitors. That can come in the form of a useful, downloadable guide, a free eBook, an invitation to an online webinar or course you\'re teaching, free templates, and more. Be creative and customer-minded as you come up with ideas to <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-use-sticky-content-to-make-visitors-stay-on-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">give visitors value through your website content</a>.\r\n<h4>5. Speed up page load</h4>\r\nIf your pages are loading too slowly, visitors get impatient and leave. Your website doesn\'t have to be all that slow to make visitors impatient--with so many <a href=\"http://itxdesign.com\">websites that load lightning-fast</a>, people expect the same speed from everyone.\r\n\r\nIf your website is not loading fast enough, your competitors can offer similar pricing, content, and products or services, but still come out the winner if their pages load faster than yours. Work with a reputable hosting company that can offer you the fastest speeds along with exceptional customer service to ensure you don\'t get left behind because of page loading speed.','5 Website Changes That Will Reduce Your Bounce Rate','','inherit','closed','closed','','10338-revision-v1','','','2016-04-15 13:31:26','2016-04-15 17:31:26','',10338,'https://itxdesign.com/10338-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10342,5,'2016-04-18 12:50:34','2016-04-18 16:50:34','<img class=\"wp-image-10343 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/features.jpg\" alt=\"common website features users hate\" width=\"312\" height=\"249\" />As a business owner with a website, you get to see the best of both worlds: You browse the web both as a user and as a creator. That gives you some unique insight, and you probably think about the features and web design of every business website you come across.\r\n\r\nSome features annoy users more than others, and in the marketing world, some of these annoying website features are still encouraged when they should be blacklisted.\r\n\r\nWe will outline the 3 common website features users hate and talk about why each one comes off as abrasive or annoying to your visitors. If you\'re using any of the features listed below, it\'s time to rethink your website design and overall strategy.\r\n<h3>The 3 Most Hated Website Features</h3>\r\n<h4>1. Any kind of pop up</h4>\r\nDeep down, you already knew this one, didn\'t you? Pop ups, in any form, are a bad idea for businesses. They\'re intrusive and they interrupt the browsing experience your visitor is having. Unfortunately, once a visitor is interrupted--and by something they consider annoying--they\'re going to leave your website without another thought.\r\n\r\nAvoid relying on pop ups to convey a strong call to action--if it\'s email signups or a download you\'re aiming for, use strong, compelling language and content to get your point across, not pop ups. You\'ll have a better chance of getting through to your users this way.\r\n<h4>2. Long loading times</h4>\r\nEven if every other thing about your website is perfect (and we hate to sound negative, but chances are, your website isn\'t perfect!), long loading times will annoy and repel your website visitors. This might seem like it\'s out of your control, but it\'s really not--the web hosting company you host your website through is responsible for how quickly (or slowly) your web pages load for visitors.\r\n\r\nGoogle crawls websites all day long to test page loading speeds and factors that into your search rank, so that\'s another reason to optimize your page loading speed with the right web hosting provider.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/compare-hosting-plans/\">Click here for more information on increasing your website speed</a>.\r\n<h4>3. Asking for signups too soon</h4>\r\nEver been on a date with someone who quickly came across as desperate? Think back to their actions and words. What made them seem desperate to you?\r\n\r\nIt was probably how quickly they shared personal information with you. When someone you\'ve only just met starts telling you they plan to be married within a year or two and asks if you\'d rather have 6 children or 12, it\'s too much too soon. You make a mental note--\"Not the one\"--and move on.\r\n\r\nSame thing goes for websites. If you approach a website visitor who just arrived on your site and ask them to sign up for a newsletter or download a free guide, you come off as desperate and repel the visitor. Play it cool by letting their experience come together more naturally. Give them time to browse the site, read your content, and become interested in your company before asking them to sign up for something.','3 Common Website Features Users Hate','','publish','open','closed','','3-common-website-features-users-hate','','','2016-04-18 12:50:34','2016-04-18 16:50:34','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10342',0,'post','',0),(10343,5,'2016-04-18 12:47:29','2016-04-18 16:47:29','','features','','inherit','open','closed','','features','','','2016-04-18 12:47:41','2016-04-18 16:47:41','',10342,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/features.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10344,5,'2016-04-18 12:48:25','2016-04-18 16:48:25','','features','','inherit','open','closed','','features-2','','','2016-04-18 12:48:25','2016-04-18 16:48:25','',10342,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/features-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10345,5,'2016-04-18 12:48:54','2016-04-18 16:48:54','<img class=\"wp-image-10343 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/features.jpg\" alt=\"common website features users hate\" width=\"312\" height=\"249\" />As a business owner with a website, you get to see the best of both worlds: You browse the web both as a user and as a creator. That gives you some unique insight, and you probably think about the features and web design of every business website you come across.\r\n\r\nSome features annoy users more than others, and in the marketing world, some of these annoying website features are still encouraged when they should be blacklisted.\r\n\r\nWe will outline the 3 common website features users hate and talk about why each one comes off as abrasive or annoying to your visitors. If you\'re using any of the features listed below, it\'s time to rethink your website design and overall strategy.\r\n<h3>The 3 Most Hated Website Features</h3>\r\n<h4>1. Any kind of pop up</h4>\r\nDeep down, you already knew this one, didn\'t you? Pop ups, in any form, are a bad idea for businesses. They\'re intrusive and they interrupt the browsing experience your visitor is having. Unfortunately, once a visitor is interrupted--and by something they consider annoying--they\'re going to leave your website without another thought.\r\n\r\nAvoid relying on pop ups to convey a strong call to action--if it\'s email signups or a download you\'re aiming for, use strong, compelling language and content to get your point across, not pop ups. You\'ll have a better chance of getting through to your users this way.\r\n<h4>2. Long loading times</h4>\r\nEven if every other thing about your website is perfect (and we hate to sound negative, but chances are, your website isn\'t perfect!), long loading times will annoy and repel your website visitors. This might seem like it\'s out of your control, but it\'s really not--the web hosting company you host your website through is responsible for how quickly (or slowly) your web pages load for visitors.\r\n\r\nGoogle crawls websites all day long to test page loading speeds and factors that into your search rank, so that\'s another reason to optimize your page loading speed with the right web hosting provider.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/compare-hosting-plans/\">Click here for more information on increasing your website speed</a>.\r\n<h4>3. Asking for signups too soon</h4>\r\nEver been on a date with someone who quickly came across as desperate? Think back to their actions and words. What made them seem desperate to you?\r\n\r\nIt was probably how quickly they shared personal information with you. When someone you\'ve only just met starts telling you they plan to be married within a year or two and asks if you\'d rather have 6 children or 12, it\'s too much too soon. You make a mental note--\"Not the one\"--and move on.\r\n\r\nSame thing goes for websites. If you approach a website visitor who just arrived on your site and ask them to sign up for a newsletter or download a free guide, you come off as desperate and repel the visitor. Play it cool by letting their experience come together more naturally. Give them time to browse the site, read your content, and become interested in your company before asking them to sign up for something.','3 Common Website Features Users Hate','','inherit','closed','closed','','10342-revision-v1','','','2016-04-18 12:48:54','2016-04-18 16:48:54','',10342,'https://itxdesign.com/10342-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10348,5,'2016-04-19 13:27:16','2016-04-19 17:27:16','<img class=\"wp-image-10347 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CuttingUpCards3.jpg\" alt=\"what startup websites get wrong most of the time\" width=\"345\" height=\"230\" />If you\'re building a startup, a great website is one of the first things on your list. It seems like startup websites are easily distinguishable from other business websites and are known for providing a unique browsing experience that feels high-tech and kind of luxurious.\r\n\r\nBut startup websites get something wrong most of the time, and it has to do with the founder\'s mindset.\r\n\r\nBeing the <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-better-manage-your-time-as-an-entrepreneur/\" target=\"_blank\">owner of a fast-growing startup</a> means constantly adapting to shifting circumstances and trends. If you\'ve managed to make it this far solely on your own knowledge and expertise, you\'re owed a hearty congratulations.\r\n\r\nBut in most cases, it doesn\'t take long before you realize that your skills and everything you know about are limited. You can\'t know everything, and you can\'t be a master in every aspect of business.\r\n\r\nThat\'s where startup founders and business owners tend to go wrong when <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-most-valuable-website-metrics-measure/\" target=\"_blank\">building a website</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really tempting to take the role of building your startup website into your own hands,</strong> but if you truly want the best possible end product, you have to delegate responsibilities to other people that pick up where your skill set leaves off or thins out.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re willing to hire people to help to strengthen the areas you don\'t know as much about, the website will turn out better and you\'ll convert more visitors into customers. After all, admitting your personal limits is a small price to pay for finding success.\r\n<h3>3 Mistakes We See on Startup Websites</h3>\r\n<h4>Not using a domain</h4>\r\nThere\'s no faster way to turn someone off from your website than by leading them to yourstartup.domain.com. It looks unprofessional, and there\'s a suspicion that the owners of the business may actually be two 12 year old boys playing around on a computer.\r\n\r\nYou can shop around and <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/choosing-the-best-domain-name-for-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">find the right domain for your startup</a> without saddling it to an existing company\'s domain name. It\'s easier for visitors to remember your business when your website features just your business name.\r\n<h4>Cringe-worthy design</h4>\r\nYou know the websites we\'re talking about: They look the 90\'s and you can\'t understand how someone allowed this to happen. What<em> did</em> happen, anyway? Most likely, a hands-on owner without web design experience decided to single-handedly provide the direction for design on the website.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re not a web designer, let someone else <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-common-web-design-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/\" target=\"_blank\">design your startup website</a>. You want the site to be as aesthetically appealing as possible. Badly designed websites can repel visitors in just a second or two.\r\n<h4>Really bad or promotional content</h4>\r\nJust like websites that are designed badly, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-evergreen-content-that-doesnt-go-stale/\" target=\"_blank\">poorly written content is obvious</a> and zaps your credibility. Grammatical and usage errors, poor word choice, nontraditional diction, and overly promotional content are all turn offs to visitors who read your content.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re not a content writer, hire a writer or blogger to handle the copy for you. You need creative, original blog posts and landing page copy that is written to appeal to your audience specifically. Trying to write appealing content for your website when that\'s just not your area of expertise will only drive potential customers away.','What Startup Websites Get Wrong Most of the Time','','inherit','closed','closed','','10346-revision-v1','','','2016-04-19 13:27:16','2016-04-19 17:27:16','',10346,'https://itxdesign.com/10346-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10349,5,'2016-04-19 13:30:53','2016-04-19 17:30:53','<img class=\"wp-image-10347 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CuttingUpCards3.jpg\" alt=\"what startup websites get wrong most of the time\" width=\"345\" height=\"230\" />If you\'re building a startup, a great website is one of the first things on your list. It seems like startup websites are easily distinguishable from other business websites and are known for providing a unique browsing experience that feels high-tech and kind of luxurious.\r\n\r\nBut startup websites get something wrong most of the time, and it has to do with the founder\'s mindset.\r\n\r\nBeing the <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-can-you-better-manage-your-time-as-an-entrepreneur/\" target=\"_blank\">owner of a fast-growing startup</a> means constantly adapting to shifting circumstances and trends. If you\'ve managed to make it this far solely on your own knowledge and expertise, you\'re owed a hearty congratulations.\r\n\r\nBut in most cases, it doesn\'t take long before you realize that your skills and everything you know about are limited. You can\'t know everything, and you can\'t be a master in every aspect of business.\r\n\r\nThat\'s one area where startup founders and business owners tend to go wrong when <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-most-valuable-website-metrics-measure/\" target=\"_blank\">building a website</a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>It\'s really tempting to take the role of building your startup website into your own hands,</strong> but if you truly want the best possible end product, you have to delegate responsibilities to other people that pick up where your skill set leaves off or thins out.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re willing to hire people to help to strengthen the areas you don\'t know as much about, the website will turn out better and you\'ll convert more visitors into customers. After all, admitting your personal limits is a small price to pay for finding success.\r\n\r\nBelow, we\'ll talk about 3 mistakes we see startup websites making and how they can be avoided.\r\n<h3>3 Mistakes We See on Startup Websites</h3>\r\n<h4>Not using a domain</h4>\r\nThere\'s no faster way to turn someone off from your website than by leading them to yourstartup.domain.com. It looks unprofessional, and there\'s a suspicion that the owners of the business may actually be two 12 year old boys playing around on a computer.\r\n\r\nYou can shop around and <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/choosing-the-best-domain-name-for-your-website/\" target=\"_blank\">find the right domain for your startup</a> without saddling it to an existing company\'s domain name. It\'s easier for visitors to remember your business when your website features just your business name.\r\n<h4>Cringe-worthy design</h4>\r\nYou know the websites we\'re talking about: They look like the 90\'s and you can\'t understand how someone allowed this to happen. What<em> did</em> happen, anyway? Most likely, a hands-on owner without web design experience decided to single-handedly provide the direction for design on the website.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re not a web designer, let someone else <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/5-common-web-design-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/\" target=\"_blank\">design your startup website</a>. You want the site to be as aesthetically appealing as possible. Badly designed websites can repel visitors in just a second or two.\r\n<h4>Really bad or promotional content</h4>\r\nJust like websites that are designed badly, <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-write-evergreen-content-that-doesnt-go-stale/\" target=\"_blank\">poorly written content is obvious</a> and zaps your credibility. Grammatical and usage errors, poor word choice, nontraditional diction, and overly promotional content are all turn offs to visitors who read your content.\r\n\r\nIf you\'re not a content writer, hire a writer or blogger to handle the copy for you. You need creative, original blog posts and landing page copy that is written to appeal to your audience specifically. Trying to write appealing content for your website when that\'s just not your area of expertise will only drive potential customers away.','What Startup Websites Get Wrong Most of the Time','','inherit','closed','closed','','10346-revision-v1','','','2016-04-19 13:30:53','2016-04-19 17:30:53','',10346,'https://itxdesign.com/10346-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10383,5,'2016-04-29 11:05:53','2016-04-29 15:05:53','<img class=\"wp-image-10386 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacen.jpg\" alt=\"datacen\" width=\"275\" height=\"213\" />Wondering exactly what data centers are? You\'re not alone. It\'s a common question and if you\'re not in the industry or are just starting out, information you find online about data centers and servers can seem like it\'s written in a different language.\r\n\r\nBefore you view the infographic, it\'s helpful to remember these key points:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Data centers house servers.</li>\r\n 	<li>Servers collect, process, and store data so that it can be accessed remotely.</li>\r\n 	<li>All data centers have 6 main components:</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Storage</li>\r\n 	<li>Recovery and backup</li>\r\n 	<li>Power</li>\r\n 	<li>Cooling</li>\r\n 	<li>Physical protection</li>\r\n 	<li>Security</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExplaining data centers and what they do can be complex, but this infographic manages to take the information and make it easy to process. Check it out to learn about data centers, \'the brains of the operation.\'\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What are data centers?</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10384 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacenters.png\" alt=\"what are data centers? infographic\" width=\"1000\" height=\"3332\" />\r\n\r\n<em>Infographic sourced from <a href=\"http://www.coolinfographics.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Cool Infographics</a>.</em>\r\n<h3>The data center layout</h3>\r\nAs you can see, every area and section of data centers has a specific purpose and importance. The air conditioning and cooling units are essential to keep the equipment from overheating. IT and security personnel must monitor the data center 24/7 to ensure nothing is compromised or threatened. An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and backup generators are required to ensure there\'s never a total loss of power at the data center.\r\n<h3>The data pathway</h3>\r\nVisualizing the data pathway helps in understanding the way data travels from a data center to our computers. This infographic was especially helpful as it shows every step of the way. The data starts in the data centers, travels through the network cables to your Internet Service Provider, making its way to your modem, router, and finally, computer. You\'re able to access data remotely when it\'s stored in data centers because of this complex pathway.\r\n<h3>Streaming video</h3>\r\nWe take advantage of streaming video all the time, but did you really know how it worked? It\'s pretty simple: You select a movie or show to start streaming on, say, Netflix. Your selection gets Netflix\'s servers to send a request to its media servers: This person wants to start streaming Chasing Monsters. The media server sends the video data to your device, and the data is buffered by the program or app you\'re playing it from.\r\n\r\nIt\'s called streaming because it plays as it\'s sent or streamed, not after the entire file is downloaded. That explains why poor connections result in loading and buffering pauses in your streaming shows.','What Are Data Centers and How Do They Work? [Infographic]','','publish','open','closed','','what-are-data-centers','','','2016-04-29 11:35:03','2016-04-29 15:35:03','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10383',0,'post','',0),(10351,5,'2016-04-20 15:22:22','2016-04-20 19:22:22','<img class=\"wp-image-10352 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/complaints.jpg\" alt=\"complaints\" width=\"312\" height=\"239\" />The trend has been indicating for a while that customers expect their favorite brands to be not just responsive, but also active on social media.\r\n\r\nAs social media becomes further ingrained in the marketing and buying processes, small and midsize businesses will have to join larger, corporate brands on social media to meet customers where they\'re already spending time.\r\n<h4>Social media is gaining importance</h4>\r\nAs marketing techniques continue to shift away from physical materials and traditional marketing avenues, small businesses can transition to providing customer service through social media in order to have a real chance at remaining relevant in an increasingly technological society.\r\n\r\nBrands that don\'t want to or find it difficult to provide complete customer service through social media might opt instead to issue standardized responses to customer service inquiries received through social media pages.\r\n\r\nBeing unresponsive or unavailable on social media won\'t be taken lightly by your customers. They now expect to see you representing your brand online, and when you\'re not, it\'s noticeable.\r\n\r\nThe younger your customer base is, the more it matters that you\'re active on social media and able to solve customer issues quickly.\r\n<h4>Exceptions to the rule</h4>\r\nIf your company doesn\'t seem to be a good fit for social media, do a search of your competitors on the top social media networks. Are they active on social media? Do many people like and follow their page? How often do they post updates? If you monitor what your competitors are doing, you can evaluate whether or not investing in social media is the right decision for your small business.\r\n\r\nConsider that sometimes, even unlikely businesses can be a hit on social media--a small town\'s gas station can gather lots of likes and comments just by inviting community members and posting pictures of the store over the years.\r\n<h4>When did customer service change?</h4>\r\nCustomer service has always been about getting the customer help as quickly and easily as possible. Companies always want to provide the smoothest and fastest experience for their customers. Using the phone, live chat, and email used to be enough in the world of customer service. When did being on social media become part of the equation? How important could it really be?\r\n\r\nWhen new technology becomes available, customers want to use it and take advantage of the benefits. Telephones won out over telegrams, eBooks are presenting strong competition with physical books--now that social media is widely used and easy to access anywhere, customers expect the brands they use to be available to solve issues and complaints (as well as respond to praise and questions) on every social media network they use.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easier and faster than email and it gives the benefit of social support and magnifying customer messages about brands to your networks.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to small businesses on social media, you get what you put in. Time and effort will yield new followers and engagement, while neglecting to provide branded company service through your social media pages will have the opposite effect.','Providing Customer Service Through Social Media is Now Essential','','publish','open','closed','','providing-customer-service-through-social-media-is-now-essential','','','2016-04-20 15:22:22','2016-04-20 19:22:22','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10351',0,'post','',0),(10352,5,'2016-04-20 15:20:37','2016-04-20 19:20:37','','complaints','','inherit','open','closed','','complaints','','','2016-04-20 15:20:37','2016-04-20 19:20:37','',10351,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/complaints.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10353,5,'2016-04-20 15:22:01','2016-04-20 19:22:01','<img class=\"wp-image-10352 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/complaints.jpg\" alt=\"complaints\" width=\"312\" height=\"239\" />The trend has been indicating for a while that customers expect their favorite brands to be not just responsive, but also active on social media.\r\n\r\nAs social media becomes further ingrained in the marketing and buying processes, small and midsize businesses will have to join larger, corporate brands on social media to meet customers where they\'re already spending time.\r\n<h4>Social media is gaining importance</h4>\r\nAs marketing techniques continue to shift away from physical materials and traditional marketing avenues, small businesses can transition to providing customer service through social media in order to have a real chance at remaining relevant in an increasingly technological society.\r\n\r\nBrands that don\'t want to or find it difficult to provide complete customer service through social media might opt instead to issue standardized responses to customer service inquiries received through social media pages.\r\n\r\nBeing unresponsive or unavailable on social media won\'t be taken lightly by your customers. They now expect to see you representing your brand online, and when you\'re not, it\'s noticeable.\r\n\r\nThe younger your customer base is, the more it matters that you\'re active on social media and able to solve customer issues quickly.\r\n<h4>Exceptions to the rule</h4>\r\nIf your company doesn\'t seem to be a good fit for social media, do a search of your competitors on the top social media networks. Are they active on social media? Do many people like and follow their page? How often do they post updates? If you monitor what your competitors are doing, you can evaluate whether or not investing in social media is the right decision for your small business.\r\n\r\nConsider that sometimes, even unlikely businesses can be a hit on social media--a small town\'s gas station can gather lots of likes and comments just by inviting community members and posting pictures of the store over the years.\r\n<h4>When did customer service change?</h4>\r\nCustomer service has always been about getting the customer help as quickly and easily as possible. Companies always want to provide the smoothest and fastest experience for their customers. Using the phone, live chat, and email used to be enough in the world of customer service. When did being on social media become part of the equation? How important could it really be?\r\n\r\nWhen new technology becomes available, customers want to use it and take advantage of the benefits. Telephones won out over telegrams, eBooks are presenting strong competition with physical books--now that social media is widely used and easy to access anywhere, customers expect the brands they use to be available to solve issues and complaints (as well as respond to praise and questions) on every social media network they use.\r\n\r\nIt\'s easier and faster than email and it gives the benefit of social support and magnifying customer messages about brands to your networks.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to small businesses on social media, you get what you put in. Time and effort will yield new followers and engagement, while neglecting to provide branded company service through your social media pages will have the opposite effect.','Providing Customer Service Through Social Media is Now Essential','','inherit','closed','closed','','10351-revision-v1','','','2016-04-20 15:22:01','2016-04-20 19:22:01','',10351,'https://itxdesign.com/10351-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10389,0,'2016-04-29 13:17:37','2016-04-29 17:17:37','','','','inherit','open','closed','','10389','','','2016-04-29 13:17:37','2016-04-29 17:17:37','',10374,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/48271524_s-277x300-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10355,1,'2016-04-21 19:47:48','2016-04-21 23:47:48','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1650\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/web-hosting-acquisitions-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"hosting acquisitions\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" />ITX Design is a privately owned Corporation specializing in website hosting and 24/7/365 technical support. Our foundation dates back to May of 2001 and we are a small business web hosting company. Over the years, ITX Design has seen explosive growth with our full line of web hosting solutions (Shared Hosting, Dedicated Servers, Reseller and VPS). Additionally, we have successfully completed a large number of web hosting company acquisitions.\r\n\r\nOver the past 10 years, we’ve developed a proven technique/strategy for migrations allowing us to seamlessly integrate/migrate other hosting companies into our system.\r\n<h2>Web Hosting Business for Sale?</h2>\r\nIf you\'re looking to exit the hosting industry, we are here to help. We not only want to grow our business, but we also want to offer you a solution to move on to the next stage of your business life. Sometimes it\'s necessary to let your hosting company go, but you don\'t want to let down your clients.\r\n\r\nWe will offer a great home for your clients by providing great customer support, full migration with very little downtime and the opportunity to grow their businesses with ours. Every acquisition is unique and we understand the differences. Our team treats all new acquisitions as new opportunities. We use a professional approach to make sure your hard work isn\'t wasted.\r\n\r\nSometimes running a hosting company becomes overwhelming or too expensive for one person or a small team. When this happens and you realize you want out, we provide a solution, no matter your reason for leaving the industry. Whether you don\'t enjoy providing support or your business simply doesn\'t provide the income you hoped it would, we\'re interested. Contact us today and find out more about how we can help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe support various hosting platforms and we\'re complete web hosting company acquisitions successfully for the following platforms and control panels.\r\n\r\n<strong>This includes support for the following systems and control panels: </strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Alabanza</li>\r\n 	<li>Hsphere</li>\r\n 	<li>Cpanel</li>\r\n 	<li>Plesk</li>\r\n 	<li>Ensim</li>\r\n 	<li>VPS</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>ITX Design is interested in companies that meet the following specifications: </strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>US and Canadian Web Hosting Companies</li>\r\n 	<li>Control Panel Software (Alabanza/Navisite,Hsphere,Cpanel,Plesk)</li>\r\n 	<li>Shared and Dedicated/VPS Servers</li>\r\n 	<li>Web Hosting Resellers</li>\r\n 	<li>50 + Clients/Domains</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Please contact us if you are interested in selling your web hosting company:</strong>\r\n\r\nTelephone: 703-652-4643\r\n\r\nEmail: acqitx@itxdesign.com\r\n<h2>Successful Web Hosting Company Acquisitions</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>OS Hosting (oshosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Ehost2 (ehost2.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Dial Your Web (dialyourweb.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Resell Your Web (resellyourweb.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Great Hosting (greathosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Ameri Servers (ameriservers.net)</li>\r\n 	<li>The Host Group (<a href=\"http://thehostgroup.com\">thehostgroup.com</a>)</li>\r\n 	<li>Web HSP (<a href=\"http://webhsp.com\">webhsp.com</a>)</li>\r\n 	<li>A1 Web Server (a1webserver.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Hosting Direct (hostingdirect.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Total Hosting (totalhosting.com)</li>\r\n</ul>','Web Hosting Company Acquisitions','','inherit','closed','closed','','202-revision-v1','','','2016-04-21 19:47:48','2016-04-21 23:47:48','',202,'https://itxdesign.com/202-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10356,1,'2016-04-21 19:49:34','2016-04-21 23:49:34','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1650\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/web-hosting-acquisitions-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"hosting acquisitions\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" />ITX Design is a privately owned Corporation specializing in website hosting and 24/7/365 technical support. Our foundation dates back to May of 2001 and we are a small business web hosting company. Over the years, ITX Design has seen explosive growth with our full line of web hosting solutions (Shared Hosting, Dedicated Servers, Reseller and VPS). Additionally, we have successfully completed a large number of web hosting company acquisitions.\r\n\r\nOver the past 10 years, we’ve developed a proven technique/strategy for migrations allowing us to seamlessly integrate/migrate other hosting companies into our system.\r\n<h2>Web Hosting Business for Sale?</h2>\r\nIf you\'re looking to exit the hosting industry, we are here to help. We not only want to grow our business, but we also want to offer you a solution to move on to the next stage of your business life. Sometimes it\'s necessary to let your hosting company go, but you don\'t want to let down your clients.\r\n\r\nWe will offer a great home for your clients by providing great customer support, full migration with very little downtime and the opportunity to grow their businesses with ours. Every acquisition is unique and we understand the differences. Our team treats all new acquisitions as new opportunities. We use a professional approach to make sure your hard work isn\'t wasted.\r\n\r\nSometimes running a hosting company becomes overwhelming or too expensive for one person or a small team. When this happens and you realize you want out, we provide a solution, no matter your reason for leaving the industry. Whether you don\'t enjoy providing support or your business simply doesn\'t provide the income you hoped it would, we\'re interested. Contact us today and find out more about how we can help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe support various hosting platforms and we\'re complete web hosting company acquisitions successfully for the following platforms and control panels.\r\n\r\n<strong>This includes support for the following systems and control panels: </strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Alabanza</li>\r\n 	<li>Hsphere</li>\r\n 	<li>Cpanel</li>\r\n 	<li>Plesk</li>\r\n 	<li>Ensim</li>\r\n 	<li>VPS</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>ITX Design is interested in companies that meet the following specifications: </strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>US and Canadian Web Hosting Companies</li>\r\n 	<li>Control Panel Software (Alabanza/Navisite,Hsphere,Cpanel,Plesk)</li>\r\n 	<li>Shared and Dedicated/VPS Servers</li>\r\n 	<li>Web Hosting Resellers</li>\r\n 	<li>50 + Clients/Domains</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Please contact us if you are interested in selling your web hosting company:</strong>\r\n\r\nTelephone: 540-737-3575\r\n\r\nEmail: acqitx@itxdesign.com\r\n<h2>Successful Web Hosting Company Acquisitions</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>OS Hosting (oshosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Ehost2 (ehost2.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Dial Your Web (dialyourweb.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Resell Your Web (resellyourweb.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Great Hosting (greathosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Ameri Servers (ameriservers.net)</li>\r\n 	<li>The Host Group (<a href=\"http://thehostgroup.com\">thehostgroup.com</a>)</li>\r\n 	<li>Web HSP (<a href=\"http://webhsp.com\">webhsp.com</a>)</li>\r\n 	<li>A1 Web Server (a1webserver.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Hosting Direct (hostingdirect.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Total Hosting (totalhosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Expiry (expiry.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>101 Site Hosting (101sitehosting.com)</li>\r\n</ul>','Web Hosting Company Acquisitions','','inherit','closed','closed','','202-revision-v1','','','2016-04-21 19:49:34','2016-04-21 23:49:34','',202,'https://itxdesign.com/202-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10357,1,'2016-04-21 19:54:18','2016-04-21 23:54:18','<img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1650\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/web-hosting-acquisitions-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"hosting acquisitions\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" />ITX Design is a privately owned Corporation specializing in website hosting and 24/7/365 technical support. Our foundation dates back to May of 2001 and we are a small business web hosting company. Over the years, ITX Design has seen explosive growth with our full line of web hosting solutions (Shared Hosting, Dedicated Servers, Reseller and VPS). Additionally, we have successfully completed a large number of web hosting company acquisitions.\r\n\r\nOver the past 10 years, we’ve developed a proven technique/strategy for migrations allowing us to seamlessly integrate/migrate other hosting companies into our system.\r\n<h2>Web Hosting Company For Sale?</h2>\r\nIf you\'re looking to exit the hosting industry, we are here to help. We not only want to grow our business, but we also want to offer you a solution to move on to the next stage of your business life. Sometimes it\'s necessary to let your hosting company go, but you don\'t want to let down your clients.\r\n\r\nWe will offer a great home for your clients by providing great customer support, full migration with very little downtime and the opportunity to grow their businesses with ours. Every acquisition is unique and we understand the differences. Our team treats all new acquisitions as new opportunities. We use a professional approach to make sure your hard work isn\'t wasted.\r\n\r\nSometimes running a hosting company becomes overwhelming or too expensive for one person or a small team. When this happens and you realize you want out, we provide a solution, no matter your reason for leaving the industry. Whether you don\'t enjoy providing support or your business simply doesn\'t provide the income you hoped it would, we\'re interested. Contact us today and find out more about how we can help.  Contact us today if you have a <strong>web hosting company for sale</strong>!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe support various hosting platforms and we\'re complete web hosting company acquisitions successfully for the following platforms and control panels.\r\n\r\n<strong>This includes support for the following systems and control panels: </strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Alabanza</li>\r\n 	<li>Hsphere</li>\r\n 	<li>Cpanel</li>\r\n 	<li>Plesk</li>\r\n 	<li>Ensim</li>\r\n 	<li>VPS</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>ITX Design is interested in companies that meet the following specifications: </strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>US and Canadian Web Hosting Companies</li>\r\n 	<li>Control Panel Software (Alabanza/Navisite,Hsphere,Cpanel,Plesk)</li>\r\n 	<li>Shared and Dedicated/VPS Servers</li>\r\n 	<li>Web Hosting Resellers</li>\r\n 	<li>50 + Clients/Domains</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<strong>Please contact us if you are interested in selling your web hosting company:</strong>\r\n\r\nTelephone: 540-737-3575\r\n\r\nEmail: acqitx@itxdesign.com\r\n<h2>Successful Web Hosting Company Acquisitions</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>OS Hosting (oshosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Ehost2 (ehost2.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Dial Your Web (dialyourweb.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Resell Your Web (resellyourweb.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Great Hosting (greathosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Ameri Servers (ameriservers.net)</li>\r\n 	<li>The Host Group (<a href=\"http://thehostgroup.com\">thehostgroup.com</a>)</li>\r\n 	<li>Web HSP (<a href=\"http://webhsp.com\">webhsp.com</a>)</li>\r\n 	<li>A1 Web Server (a1webserver.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Hosting Direct (hostingdirect.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Total Hosting (totalhosting.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>Expiry (expiry.com)</li>\r\n 	<li>101 Site Hosting (101sitehosting.com)</li>\r\n</ul>','Web Hosting Company Acquisitions','','inherit','closed','closed','','202-revision-v1','','','2016-04-21 19:54:18','2016-04-21 23:54:18','',202,'https://itxdesign.com/202-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10358,5,'2016-04-22 12:44:01','2016-04-22 16:44:01','We all face situations that require us to negotiate. While looking out for yourself is always important, when it comes to a business negotiation, it\'s absolutely essential. The other party is bargaining for a deal that will benefit them the most, and in order to make sure you\'re not slighted, you have to go to bat for the terms you want.\r\n\r\nNegotiation isn\'t a natural talent--it\'s something that we learn over time. People that appear to be natural negotiators often pick up on negotiation tactics through nontraditional means--attending auctions, having a parent in small business, or simply by associating with serious bargain hunters and hagglers.\r\n\r\nYou can borrow some of the tips they\'ve learned the hard way and put them into practice next time you face a negotiation. Here\'s how to negotiate like a pro in 6 steps!\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-3940 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate.jpg 640w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate-300x300.jpg 300w\" alt=\"negotiate\" width=\"297\" height=\"297\" />1. The first offer is a starting point, not a destination.</h2>\r\nTried and true, this tactic will change your negotiation game and mindset from the ground up. When you think of the first offer as just that–the <em>first</em> offer–you’ll be more confident when you assert that Y is a fine starting point, but you were thinking something more along the lines of X.\r\n<h2>2. React honestly to the other party\'s offer.</h2>\r\nIf their offer is insultingly low or offers much less than you expected, you shouldn’t act like you\'re honored; let your dissatisfaction show a bit. Flinch, wince, chuckle–whatever you feel about their offer, react honestly (but not rudely). An important part of negotiation is letting the other party believe that you are in control of the outcome–even if it doesn’t really feel like that’s the case.\r\n<h2>3. Put more cards on the table.</h2>\r\nReveal some extra information about yourself, your company, or your current needs to turn the tides in your favor. It will humanize you to the other party, and if you’re sharing additional info that will help them make a decision in your negotiation, you only increase your chances of coming out on top. Research shows that including a reason you need something by using the word <em>because</em> increases your chances of getting your request.\r\n<h2>4. Know your target price.</h2>\r\nThe best negotiators know they can’t win every negotiation, and they’re okay with that. You need to set limits on what offers you will accept and what you will walk away from. Adam Galinsky, Northwestern University professor and negotiation expert, calls the amount you’re willing to walk away from your “reservation price,” while the amount you really want is your “target price.”\r\n\r\nIf the other party can’t meet or (ideally) exceed your reservation price, you’ll know it’s time to walk, and if they meet your target price, you’ll know the offer is good.\r\n<h2>5. Always counter.</h2>\r\nCounter offers leave both parties feeling more satisfied with the deal in the end, and that may have something to do with the way we all like to feel like we’ve just finished up some really tough negotiating and come out on top.\r\n\r\nDon’t be afraid to counter offer–the other party will respect that you know what you need and won\'t settle for less. This makes you a more attractive prospect to work with!\r\n<h2>6. Silence wins the deal.</h2>\r\nDetectives understand this tactic well–state your final case, and then simply shut your mouth. Sometimes the best information comes when you simply let the other party lead the conversation.\r\n\r\nBy making your final statement (“I appreciate the offer, but we’re going to need at least x amount to move forward.) then going silent, you make it clear that it’s their turn to talk and make a concession.','How to Negotiate Like a Pro in 6 Steps','','publish','open','closed','','how-to-negotiate-like-a-pro-in-6-steps','','','2016-04-22 12:44:01','2016-04-22 16:44:01','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10358',0,'post','',0),(10359,5,'2016-04-22 12:41:10','2016-04-22 16:41:10','','negotiate','','inherit','open','closed','','negotiate','','','2016-04-22 12:41:21','2016-04-22 16:41:21','',10358,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/negotiate.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10360,5,'2016-04-22 12:43:06','2016-04-22 16:43:06','We all face situations that require us to negotiate. While looking out for yourself is always important, when it comes to a business negotiation, it\'s absolutely essential. The other party is bargaining for a deal that will benefit them the most, and in order to make sure you\'re not slighted, you have to go to bat for the terms you want.\r\n\r\nNegotiation isn\'t a natural talent--it\'s something that we learn over time. People that appear to be natural negotiators often pick up on negotiation tactics through nontraditional means--attending auctions, having a parent in small business, or simply by associating with serious bargain hunters and hagglers.\r\n\r\nYou can borrow some of the tips they\'ve learned the hard way and put them into practice next time you face a negotiation. Here\'s how to negotiate like a pro in 6 steps!\r\n<h2>1. The first offer is a starting point, not a destination.</h2>\r\nTried and true, this tactic will change your negotiation game and mindset from the ground up. When you think of the first offer as just that–the <em>first</em> offer–you’ll be more confident when you assert that Y is a fine starting point, but you were thinking something more along the lines of X.\r\n<h2>2. React honestly to the other party\'s offer.</h2>\r\nIf their offer is insultingly low or offers much less than you expected, you shouldn’t act like you\'re honored; let your dissatisfaction show a bit. Flinch, wince, chuckle–whatever you feel about their offer, react honestly (but not rudely). An important part of negotiation is letting the other party believe that you are in control of the outcome–even if it doesn’t really feel like that’s the case.\r\n<h2>3. Put more cards on the table.</h2>\r\nReveal some extra information about yourself, your company, or your current needs to turn the tides in your favor. It will humanize you to the other party, and if you’re sharing additional info that will help them make a decision in your negotiation, you only increase your chances of coming out on top. Research shows that including a reason you need something by using the word <em>because</em> increases your chances of getting your request.\r\n<h2>4. Know your target price.</h2>\r\nThe best negotiators know they can’t win every negotiation, and they’re okay with that. You need to set limits on what offers you will accept and what you will walk away from. Adam Galinsky, Northwestern University professor and negotiation expert, calls the amount you’re willing to walk away from your “reservation price,” while the amount you really want is your “target price.”\r\n\r\nIf the other party can’t meet or (ideally) exceed your reservation price, you’ll know it’s time to walk, and if they meet your target price, you’ll know the offer is good. <img class=\" wp-image-3940 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate.jpg 640w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate-300x300.jpg 300w\" alt=\"negotiate\" width=\"366\" height=\"366\" />\r\n<h2>5. Always counter.</h2>\r\nCounter offers leave both parties feeling more satisfied with the deal in the end, and that may have something to do with the way we all like to feel like we’ve just finished up some really tough negotiating and come out on top.\r\n\r\nDon’t be afraid to counter offer–the other party will respect that you know what you need and won\'t settle for less. This makes you a more attractive prospect to work with!\r\n<h2>6. Silence wins the deal.</h2>\r\nDetectives understand this tactic well–state your final case, and then simply shut your mouth. Sometimes the best information comes when you simply let the other party lead the conversation.\r\n\r\nBy making your final statement (“I appreciate the offer, but we’re going to need at least x amount to move forward.) then going silent, you make it clear that it’s their turn to talk and make a concession.','How to Negotiate Like a Pro in 6 Steps','','inherit','closed','closed','','10358-revision-v1','','','2016-04-22 12:43:06','2016-04-22 16:43:06','',10358,'https://itxdesign.com/10358-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10361,5,'2016-04-22 12:43:47','2016-04-22 16:43:47','We all face situations that require us to negotiate. While looking out for yourself is always important, when it comes to a business negotiation, it\'s absolutely essential. The other party is bargaining for a deal that will benefit them the most, and in order to make sure you\'re not slighted, you have to go to bat for the terms you want.\r\n\r\nNegotiation isn\'t a natural talent--it\'s something that we learn over time. People that appear to be natural negotiators often pick up on negotiation tactics through nontraditional means--attending auctions, having a parent in small business, or simply by associating with serious bargain hunters and hagglers.\r\n\r\nYou can borrow some of the tips they\'ve learned the hard way and put them into practice next time you face a negotiation. Here\'s how to negotiate like a pro in 6 steps!\r\n<h2><img class=\" wp-image-3940 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate.jpg 640w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate-150x150.jpg 150w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/negotiate-300x300.jpg 300w\" alt=\"negotiate\" width=\"297\" height=\"297\" />1. The first offer is a starting point, not a destination.</h2>\r\nTried and true, this tactic will change your negotiation game and mindset from the ground up. When you think of the first offer as just that–the <em>first</em> offer–you’ll be more confident when you assert that Y is a fine starting point, but you were thinking something more along the lines of X.\r\n<h2>2. React honestly to the other party\'s offer.</h2>\r\nIf their offer is insultingly low or offers much less than you expected, you shouldn’t act like you\'re honored; let your dissatisfaction show a bit. Flinch, wince, chuckle–whatever you feel about their offer, react honestly (but not rudely). An important part of negotiation is letting the other party believe that you are in control of the outcome–even if it doesn’t really feel like that’s the case.\r\n<h2>3. Put more cards on the table.</h2>\r\nReveal some extra information about yourself, your company, or your current needs to turn the tides in your favor. It will humanize you to the other party, and if you’re sharing additional info that will help them make a decision in your negotiation, you only increase your chances of coming out on top. Research shows that including a reason you need something by using the word <em>because</em> increases your chances of getting your request.\r\n<h2>4. Know your target price.</h2>\r\nThe best negotiators know they can’t win every negotiation, and they’re okay with that. You need to set limits on what offers you will accept and what you will walk away from. Adam Galinsky, Northwestern University professor and negotiation expert, calls the amount you’re willing to walk away from your “reservation price,” while the amount you really want is your “target price.”\r\n\r\nIf the other party can’t meet or (ideally) exceed your reservation price, you’ll know it’s time to walk, and if they meet your target price, you’ll know the offer is good.\r\n<h2>5. Always counter.</h2>\r\nCounter offers leave both parties feeling more satisfied with the deal in the end, and that may have something to do with the way we all like to feel like we’ve just finished up some really tough negotiating and come out on top.\r\n\r\nDon’t be afraid to counter offer–the other party will respect that you know what you need and won\'t settle for less. This makes you a more attractive prospect to work with!\r\n<h2>6. Silence wins the deal.</h2>\r\nDetectives understand this tactic well–state your final case, and then simply shut your mouth. Sometimes the best information comes when you simply let the other party lead the conversation.\r\n\r\nBy making your final statement (“I appreciate the offer, but we’re going to need at least x amount to move forward.) then going silent, you make it clear that it’s their turn to talk and make a concession.','How to Negotiate Like a Pro in 6 Steps','','inherit','closed','closed','','10358-revision-v1','','','2016-04-22 12:43:47','2016-04-22 16:43:47','',10358,'https://itxdesign.com/10358-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10362,5,'2016-04-25 13:07:42','2016-04-25 17:07:42','Home offices are usually located in relatively small spaces. They don\'t need to be very large for one person to sit down and get to work. But working from a home office can become a chore when there\'s not enough space to move freely and things feel cluttered.\r\n\r\nFinding the right furniture for your home office can help you get additional storage space and walking room without betraying the design aesthetic you were going for. Here are 3 types of furniture every home office needs.\r\n<h3>3 Types of Furniture Every Home Office Needs</h3>\r\nIn order to be an effective and productive work space, every home office needs to have these types of furniture. It\'s not about the design or form, but about the function and usefulness.\r\n<h4>1. Corner furniture</h4>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-5741 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg 966w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice-768x1024.jpeg 768w\" alt=\"home office furniture ideas for small spaces\" width=\"244\" height=\"325\" />\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"> Corner furniture is necessary in a home office because it’s built specifically to stand out of the way in corners. Corners are usually wasted space.</p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Instead of placing rectangular or square pieces of furniture diagonally in a corner and wasting the triangle of space behind it, opt for furniture built specifically for the corner and notice the huge difference it makes in walking room.</p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can find corner shelving and racks, chairs and desks. Take advantage of corners in your home office to make the space seem bigger.</p>\r\n\r\n<h4>2. Vertical storage</h4>\r\n<a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/6-ways-improve-home-office-today/\">Bringing in bookshelves and free shelving are easy ways</a><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"> to add visual depth to your office, make it seem larger, and add storage space. By building up instead of out, you don’t take up walking room and create additional places to store office supplies, books, knick knacks, and papers. </span>\r\n\r\nYou could bring in a small bookshelf or build a custom shelf that reaches from the floor to the ceiling. Additionally, you could use a room divider with shelves to add vertical storage space, create a nice divide, and make your office seem bigger.\r\n<h4>3. Hidden storage</h4>\r\nOttomans, side tables, desks, cabinets, and more can all contain hidden storage compartments that allow you to keep things close by without cluttering your office. Furniture with hidden storage enables you to bring in additional pieces without sacrificing much space.\r\n\r\nWhile you might not go as far as installing a bookshelf that spins around to reveal a door to an underground lair, bringing in furniture that features hidden storage space is a smart choice for any home office.\r\n\r\nWhat home office furniture tips do you have to share? We\'d love to feature our readers\' tips for working from home in an upcoming article. Leave your tips in the comments below and we\'ll be in touch!','3 Types of Furniture Every Home Office Needs','','publish','open','closed','','3-types-of-furniture-every-home-office-needs','','','2016-04-25 13:07:42','2016-04-25 17:07:42','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10362',0,'post','',0),(10363,5,'2016-04-25 12:58:37','2016-04-25 16:58:37','<h3>3 Types of Furniture Every Home Office Needs</h3>\r\nIn order to be an effective and productive work space, every home office needs to have these types of furniture. It\'s not about the design or form, but about the function and usefulness.\r\n<h4>1. Corner furniture</h4>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-5741 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg 966w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice-768x1024.jpeg 768w\" alt=\"home office furniture ideas for small spaces\" width=\"244\" height=\"325\" />\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"> Corner furniture is necessary in a home office because it’s built specifically to stand out of the way in corners. Corners are usually wasted space. You can find corner shelving and racks, chairs and desks. Take advantage of corners in your home office to make the space seem bigger.</p>\r\n\r\n<h4>2. Vertical storage</h4>\r\n<a style=\"line-height: 1.5;\" href=\"https://www.conversational.com/6-ways-improve-home-office-today/\">Bringing in bookshelves and free shelving are easy ways</a><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"> to add visual depth to your office, make it seem larger, and add storage space. By building up instead of out, you don’t take up walking room and create additional places to store office supplies, books, knick knacks, and papers.</span>\r\n<h4>3. Hidden storage</h4>\r\nOttomans, side tables, desks, cabinets, and more can all contain hidden storage compartments that allow you to keep things close by without cluttering your office. Furniture with hidden storage enables you to bring in additional pieces without sacrificing much space.','3 Types of Furniture Every Home Office Needs','','inherit','closed','closed','','10362-revision-v1','','','2016-04-25 12:58:37','2016-04-25 16:58:37','',10362,'https://itxdesign.com/10362-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10364,5,'2016-04-25 13:06:48','2016-04-25 17:06:48','','homeoffice','Photo cred HGTV','inherit','open','closed','','homeoffice','','','2016-04-25 13:07:09','2016-04-25 17:07:09','',10362,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10365,5,'2016-04-25 13:07:24','2016-04-25 17:07:24','Home offices are usually located in relatively small spaces. They don\'t need to be very large for one person to sit down and get to work. But working from a home office can become a chore when there\'s not enough space to move freely and things feel cluttered.\r\n\r\nFinding the right furniture for your home office can help you get additional storage space and walking room without betraying the design aesthetic you were going for. Here are 3 types of furniture every home office needs.\r\n<h3>3 Types of Furniture Every Home Office Needs</h3>\r\nIn order to be an effective and productive work space, every home office needs to have these types of furniture. It\'s not about the design or form, but about the function and usefulness.\r\n<h4>1. Corner furniture</h4>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-5741 alignright\" src=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" srcset=\"https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice.jpeg 966w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://conversational-itxdesign.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/homeoffice-768x1024.jpeg 768w\" alt=\"home office furniture ideas for small spaces\" width=\"244\" height=\"325\" />\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"> Corner furniture is necessary in a home office because it’s built specifically to stand out of the way in corners. Corners are usually wasted space.</p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Instead of placing rectangular or square pieces of furniture diagonally in a corner and wasting the triangle of space behind it, opt for furniture built specifically for the corner and notice the huge difference it makes in walking room.</p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can find corner shelving and racks, chairs and desks. Take advantage of corners in your home office to make the space seem bigger.</p>\r\n\r\n<h4>2. Vertical storage</h4>\r\n<a href=\"https://www.conversational.com/6-ways-improve-home-office-today/\">Bringing in bookshelves and free shelving are easy ways</a><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"> to add visual depth to your office, make it seem larger, and add storage space. By building up instead of out, you don’t take up walking room and create additional places to store office supplies, books, knick knacks, and papers. </span>\r\n\r\nYou could bring in a small bookshelf or build a custom shelf that reaches from the floor to the ceiling. Additionally, you could use a room divider with shelves to add vertical storage space, create a nice divide, and make your office seem bigger.\r\n<h4>3. Hidden storage</h4>\r\nOttomans, side tables, desks, cabinets, and more can all contain hidden storage compartments that allow you to keep things close by without cluttering your office. Furniture with hidden storage enables you to bring in additional pieces without sacrificing much space.\r\n\r\nWhile you might not go as far as installing a bookshelf that spins around to reveal a door to an underground lair, bringing in furniture that features hidden storage space is a smart choice for any home office.\r\n\r\nWhat home office furniture tips do you have to share? We\'d love to feature our readers\' tips for working from home in an upcoming article. Leave your tips in the comments below and we\'ll be in touch!','3 Types of Furniture Every Home Office Needs','','inherit','closed','closed','','10362-revision-v1','','','2016-04-25 13:07:24','2016-04-25 17:07:24','',10362,'https://itxdesign.com/10362-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10366,5,'2016-04-26 12:40:13','2016-04-26 16:40:13','Building a tech startup is a complicated process. You have to move quickly, and if you\'re planning to disrupt an existing sector of the industry, it\'s essential that you have strong, relevant relationships and connections. There\'s a lot of advice startup owners have to share about building a tech startup, but it\'s difficult to get all the good information in one place.\r\n\r\nThat\'s why we compiled the best 10 tips we\'ve seen about building a tech startup. Read on and learn something that could make a difference in your startup!\r\n<h2>10 Tips for Building a Tech Startup</h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li><strong>Do you have something people want?</strong> You need to be sure. Developing a product that you love but others don\'t respond to only wastes your time and money.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Develop strong relationships with the right people.</strong> If you\'re planning to enter a competitive industry, it really helps to have some connections in the industry. Introduce yourself to industry experts, your competitors, relevant political leaders, etc.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Do one thing really well.</strong> Don\'t try to spread yourself too thin (and that\'s really easy to do). If you focus on one thing and do it really well, you\'ll become known for it. If you do 10 things but they\'re mediocre, you\'ll become known for that, too.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Fall out of love with your product.</strong> Love is blind, and for the business owner, it\'s particularly dangerous. Don\'t fall in love with your product or service--fall in love with the issue your product was built to solve. Customer wants and markets change, but if you focus on what your product is built to do, you can always pivot to stay successful.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Stay online until you absolutely need a physical location.</strong> It\'s cheaper, less hassle, and way more comfortable to do your work from home in the beginning. Some startups never feel the need to move into a physical location. Stay home as long as you can to save money and focus on your priorities.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Keep learning about your industry.</strong> You\'ll never know it all, but if you commit to learning continually, you\'ll never be far behind. Stay immersed in industry news.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Hire the right people.</strong> Your startup team will make or break your business. Don\'t hire the wrong people preemptively--start with outsourcing and slowly hire the right full time folks over time.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Grow slowly at first.</strong> You don\'t want to start building unmanageable growth that eventually topples your startup. Grow slowly to ensure you never bite off more than you can chew.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Get a mentor you respect.</strong> It\'s important that you have someone who has already found success doing what you want to do. You can go to this person for advice, reality checks, and accountability.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Develop a uncommonly good pitch for investors.</strong> Your startup is going to need cash at some point. Sub-par pitches don\'t land funding. Work on a great pitch to increase your chances of hooking up with the right investor.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;','Building a Tech Startup? These 10 Tips Are For You','','publish','open','closed','','building-a-tech-startup-these-10-tips-are-for-you','','','2016-04-26 12:40:13','2016-04-26 16:40:13','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10366',0,'post','',0),(10367,5,'2016-04-26 12:39:06','2016-04-26 16:39:06','Building a tech startup is a complicated process. You have to move quickly, and if you\'re planning to disrupt an existing sector of the industry, it\'s essential that you have strong, relevant relationships and connections. There\'s a lot of advice startup owners have to share about building a tech startup, but it\'s difficult to get all the good information in one place.\r\n\r\nThat\'s why we compiled the best 10 tips we\'ve seen about building a tech startup. Read on and learn something that could make a difference in your startup!\r\n<h2>10 Tips for Building a Tech Startup</h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li><strong>Do you have something people want?</strong> You need to be sure. Developing a product that you love but others don\'t respond to only wastes your time and money.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Develop strong relationships with the right people.</strong> If you\'re planning to enter a competitive industry, it really helps to have some connections in the industry. Introduce yourself to industry experts, your competitors, relevant political leaders, etc.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Do one thing really well.</strong> Don\'t try to spread yourself too thin (and that\'s really easy to do). If you focus on one thing and do it really well, you\'ll become known for it. If you do 10 things but they\'re mediocre, you\'ll become known for that, too.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Fall out of love with your product.</strong> Love is blind, and for the business owner, it\'s particularly dangerous. Don\'t fall in love with your product or service--fall in love with the issue your product was built to solve. Customer wants and markets change, but if you focus on what your product is built to do, you can always pivot to stay successful.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Stay online until you absolutely need a physical location.</strong> It\'s cheaper, less hassle, and way more comfortable to do your work from home in the beginning. Some startups never feel the need to move into a physical location. Stay home as long as you can to save money and focus on your priorities.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Keep learning about your industry.</strong> You\'ll never know it all, but if you commit to learning continually, you\'ll never be far behind. Stay immersed in industry news.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Hire the right people.</strong> Your startup team will make or break your business. Don\'t hire the wrong people preemptively--start with outsourcing and slowly hire the right full time folks over time.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Grow slowly at first.</strong> You don\'t want to start building unmanageable growth that eventually topples your startup. Grow slowly to ensure you never bite off more than you can chew.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Get a mentor you respect.</strong> It\'s important that you have someone who has already found success doing what you want to do. You can go to this person for advice, reality checks, and accountability.</li>\r\n 	<li><strong>Develop a uncommonly good pitch for investors.</strong> Your startup is going to need cash at some point. Sub-par pitches don\'t land funding. Work on a great pitch to increase your chances of hooking up with the right investor.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n&nbsp;','Building a Tech Startup? These 10 Tips Are For You','','inherit','closed','closed','','10366-revision-v1','','','2016-04-26 12:39:06','2016-04-26 16:39:06','',10366,'https://itxdesign.com/10366-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10439,5,'2016-05-13 14:43:03','2016-05-13 18:43:03','<img class=\"wp-image-10440 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/contact.jpg\" alt=\"6 reasons a contact form on your website is a necessity\" width=\"351\" height=\"234\" />When visitors come to your website with questions, comments, or problems, they look for the fastest and simplest way to get in touch with you. Phone calls are an important method of contact for many businesses and industries, but others take place primarily online and rely on communication through the internet.\r\n\r\nA contact form is an easy way to remove any barriers a user might have to getting in touch with you and asking a question.\r\n\r\n<strong>Website Tip:</strong> If you\'ve already got a working contact form on your website, live chat should be the next thing on your list. Offering users the chance to talk to a live representative right away instead of hours or days later is a smart choice for optimizing your user experience and <a href=\"http://web.archive.org/web/20170415063018/https://www.conversational.com/live-chat-lead-generation-grow-your-business-faster-starting-today/\">generating leads with live chat</a>.\r\n<h3>7 Reasons a Contact Form on Your Website Is a Necessity</h3>\r\n1. You need to have a simple contact form on your website to <strong>give yourself the opportunity to answer users\' questions that may lead to a sale</strong>. Having multiple channels of customer service is important, and a contact form is one more way you can provide for users to get in touch with you quickly.\r\n\r\n2. Information sent from <strong>a contact form is generally encrypted and more secure than email</strong> messages. People may feel better about sending their email, address, full name, or other personal info knowing that it\'s not easily accessible to hackers.\r\n\r\n3. Website visitors enjoy <strong>the convenience of being able to reach you directly from their website</strong>. Instead of opening their email homepage or app to send an email or picking up the phone to call customer service, they simply enter their info into your contact form and hit submit.\r\n\r\n4. There are <strong>no chances the messages will accidentally be sent to the wrong email</strong> address, or that someone else has access to the email address.\r\n\r\n5. The messages visitors send <strong>never get lost in your Spam or Trash folders inadvertently</strong> when you use contact forms, ensuring you get every message you were intended to receive.\r\n\r\n6. You can <strong>get a clearer sense of what the user needs from you</strong> by offering drop down menus with a required subject of the request, question, or comment (General, editorial, careers, etc.)\r\n\r\n7. Contact forms <strong>allow users to contact you any time they want, 24 hours a day</strong>. Since it\'s a fast but not immediate form of communication, you have a little time to get to the message without actually having to be available 24 hours a day.','7 Reasons a Contact Form on Your Website Is a Necessity','','publish','open','closed','','7-reasons-a-contact-form-on-your-website-is-a-necessity','','','2018-07-10 05:35:26','2018-07-10 09:35:26','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10439',0,'post','',0),(10369,4,'2016-04-27 14:12:19','2016-04-27 18:12:19','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10365862_s-300x103.jpg\" alt=\"Business Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"103\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10371\" />As a small business owner, running your business, your website and your blog can become overwhelming very fast. Not everybody is great at writing content or designing everything necessary for a successful blog. Even though it may be less expensive to work on your blog yourself, it may take up more of your time and you may not be an expert at everything necessary. \r\n\r\nSaving money by cutting corners isn\'t always going to really save you in the long run. You can take advantage of the blogging opportunity without spending your entire day trying to come up with fresh content. Getting the most out of your blog can be done when you outsource to virtual assistants, writers and others. \r\n\r\n<h2>Using VAs for Your Blog</h2>\r\n\r\nA virtual assistant or VA can do quite a bit to help reduce your workload. Not only can they help out with some of the blogging tasks you need done, but they may also be able to help you with other daily tasks for your business. Most will help you with social media sharing, blog maintenance, some graphic design, some writing, research, repurposing current content and a few other services.\r\n\r\nUsually a VA is an inexpensive way to handle some of the easy, yet time-consuming tasks associated with your blog. Not every VA is the same. Some will provides additional services outside of the ordinary, while others will only provide the most basic services. However, they can really help save you time and for only a small hourly fee.\r\n\r\nMany of the VA services will use specific tools you don\'t want to spend the money for to help with social media sharing, email marketing and other parts of your blog. They may also help with some SEO tasks. You can expect to pay about $15 to $25 per hour for a really good VA, but some will perform limited tasks for a much lower cost.\r\n\r\n<h2>Writers</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9969132_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"Writer for Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10370\" />For most small businesses, one writer is going to be enough to handle the blog workload. However, if you run a very successful blog, you may want two or three writers to post multiple times per week. If you\'re just starting out, you may only need a few blog posts per week from your writer.\r\n\r\nIt\'s best to hire a writer based on their quality of work and willingness to stick to a schedule with your blog. Usually, a writer charging less than $0.03 per word isn\'t going to provide much experience or the quality you may be looking for. If you want well-researched articles, interesting topics and a writing style perfect for your blog, expect to pay $0.05 per word and up.\r\n\r\nWhen you hire a writer, they should be able to take over the writing portion of your blog. They will write the content, schedule it on your blog and make sure it\'s set up for success. Writers may not handle all of your image needs, however. If you pay them a little extra, you can set up an account with an image service and ask them to use images within your blog posts.\r\n\r\nThe biggest benefit of a writer is the simple fact that you will save a ton of time. If writing isn\'t something that comes natural to you or it\'s not something you\'re good at, hiring somebody to handle your blog posts is the best way to go.\r\n\r\n<h2>Using Other Services</h2>\r\n\r\nThere are other services you can outsource to in order to ensure you get the most out of your blog. Some will help with social media, while others will help with image creating, design and the backend of your blog. Of course, every service cost money, but most will save you plenty of time.\r\n\r\n<h2>DIY Your Blog</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12389659_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Your Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10372\" />Maybe you think you can take it all on yourself. Your budget is tight or you simply want to be in control of the content and the marketing of your blog. While you might save some money, you can expect to dedicate at least 5 hours a week to your blog. This will include writing a few blog posts, sharing on social media, marketing your blog, building the SEO site of thing and more. For those looking to build a highly successful blog, expect to spend 10 to 20 hour per week working on it.\r\n\r\nThe decision is ultimately yours, but most small business owners will benefit from hiring experts to help with their blog. Even if you only hire a skilled writer and you handle the rest yourself, you will save a ton of time and you will ensure you have high quality content for your blog. Make sure you take the time to consider both route before you decide to handle all of the tasks of running a good blog yourself.\r\n','DIY Your Blog vs. Outsourcing to VAs, Writers and Others','','publish','open','closed','','diy-your-blog-vs-outsourcing-to-vas-writers-and-others','','','2016-04-26 17:17:26','2016-04-26 21:17:26','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10369',0,'post','',0),(10370,4,'2016-04-26 17:15:18','2016-04-26 21:15:18','','Writer for Blog','','inherit','open','closed','','9969132_s','','','2016-04-26 17:15:58','2016-04-26 21:15:58','',10369,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9969132_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10371,4,'2016-04-26 17:15:20','2016-04-26 21:15:20','','Business Blog','','inherit','open','closed','','10365862_s','','','2016-04-26 17:16:15','2016-04-26 21:16:15','',10369,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10365862_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10372,4,'2016-04-26 17:16:29','2016-04-26 21:16:29','','DIY Your Blog','','inherit','open','closed','','12389659_s','','','2016-04-26 17:16:38','2016-04-26 21:16:38','',10369,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12389659_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10373,4,'2016-04-26 17:16:41','2016-04-26 21:16:41','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10365862_s-300x103.jpg\" alt=\"Business Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"103\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10371\" />As a small business owner, running your business, your website and your blog can become overwhelming very fast. Not everybody is great at writing content or designing everything necessary for a successful blog. Even though it may be less expensive to work on your blog yourself, it may take up more of your time and you may not be an expert at everything necessary. \r\n\r\nSaving money by cutting corners isn\'t always going to really save you in the long run. You can take advantage of the blogging opportunity without spending your entire day trying to come up with fresh content. Getting the most out of your blog can be done when you outsource to virtual assistants, writers and others. \r\n\r\n<h2>Using VAs for Your Blog</h2>\r\n\r\nA virtual assistant or VA can do quite a bit to help reduce your workload. Not only can they help out with some of the blogging tasks you need done, but they may also be able to help you with other daily tasks for your business. Most will help you with social media sharing, blog maintenance, some graphic design, some writing, research, repurposing current content and a few other services.\r\n\r\nUsually a VA is an inexpensive way to handle some of the easy, yet time-consuming tasks associated with your blog. Not every VA is the same. Some will provides additional services outside of the ordinary, while others will only provide the most basic services. However, they can really help save you time and for only a small hourly fee.\r\n\r\nMany of the VA services will use specific tools you don\'t want to spend the money for to help with social media sharing, email marketing and other parts of your blog. They may also help with some SEO tasks. You can expect to pay about $15 to $25 per hour for a really good VA, but some will perform limited tasks for a much lower cost.\r\n\r\n<h2>Writers</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/9969132_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"Writer for Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10370\" />For most small businesses, one writer is going to be enough to handle the blog workload. However, if you run a very successful blog, you may want two or three writers to post multiple times per week. If you\'re just starting out, you may only need a few blog posts per week from your writer.\r\n\r\nIt\'s best to hire a writer based on their quality of work and willingness to stick to a schedule with your blog. Usually, a writer charging less than $0.03 per word isn\'t going to provide much experience or the quality you may be looking for. If you want well-researched articles, interesting topics and a writing style perfect for your blog, expect to pay $0.05 per word and up.\r\n\r\nWhen you hire a writer, they should be able to take over the writing portion of your blog. They will write the content, schedule it on your blog and make sure it\'s set up for success. Writers may not handle all of your image needs, however. If you pay them a little extra, you can set up an account with an image service and ask them to use images within your blog posts.\r\n\r\nThe biggest benefit of a writer is the simple fact that you will save a ton of time. If writing isn\'t something that comes natural to you or it\'s not something you\'re good at, hiring somebody to handle your blog posts is the best way to go.\r\n\r\n<h2>Using Other Services</h2>\r\n\r\nThere are other services you can outsource to in order to ensure you get the most out of your blog. Some will help with social media, while others will help with image creating, design and the backend of your blog. Of course, every service cost money, but most will save you plenty of time.\r\n\r\n<h2>DIY Your Blog</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/12389659_s-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Your Blog\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10372\" />Maybe you think you can take it all on yourself. Your budget is tight or you simply want to be in control of the content and the marketing of your blog. While you might save some money, you can expect to dedicate at least 5 hours a week to your blog. This will include writing a few blog posts, sharing on social media, marketing your blog, building the SEO site of thing and more. For those looking to build a highly successful blog, expect to spend 10 to 20 hour per week working on it.\r\n\r\nThe decision is ultimately yours, but most small business owners will benefit from hiring experts to help with their blog. Even if you only hire a skilled writer and you handle the rest yourself, you will save a ton of time and you will ensure you have high quality content for your blog. Make sure you take the time to consider both route before you decide to handle all of the tasks of running a good blog yourself.\r\n','DIY Your Blog vs. Outsourcing to VAs, Writers and Others','','inherit','closed','closed','','10369-revision-v1','','','2016-04-26 17:16:41','2016-04-26 21:16:41','',10369,'https://itxdesign.com/10369-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10374,4,'2016-04-29 13:17:36','2016-04-29 17:17:36','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/48271524_s-277x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Theme\" width=\"277\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10377\" />Starting a new blog is stressful enough without spending days thinking about which theme you should use for the blog. After taking the plunge, you need to have the right theme, but this shouldn\'t be a decision you take forever trying to figure out. Many themes will work well for your blog. There are a few things you should consider, however.\r\n\r\nAs you make the decision to choose the right WordPress theme for your new blog, make sure you\'re looking at more than how pretty it looks. Your theme needs to be more than just good-looking. Here are a few things to consider before you make your final decision.\r\n\r\n<h2>Mobile-Friendly or Responsive Design</h2>\r\n\r\nWith so many searches happening on mobile devices every single day, you have to have a theme with a responsive design or one that is mobile-friendly. With this type of design, you will be able to get plenty of traffic from the many people searching on smartphones, tablets and other devices. \r\n\r\nAny good WordPress theme will already be responsive or set up to be mobile-friendly. However, make sure you double check this when you choose your theme. IF it\'s not responsive or mobile-friendly, it\'s not the theme for you. \r\n\r\n<h2>Readability</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20378007_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Readability\" width=\"300\" height=\"277\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10376\" />Readability makes a huge difference when it comes to your WordPress theme. If you want your visitors to come back often and enjoy using your blog, you need to make sure the theme is very readable. This means, you want a theme with a white or light colored background and dark or black text. Flipping these around will strain the eyes of the reader and will take away from their enjoyment of your blog.\r\n\r\nAlong with the colors of your text and background, you want to consider the fonts, whitespace and spacing of your blog\'s theme. It\'s important to choose a theme with easy to read fonts and don\'t use anything hard to read. Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana and Courier are all very popular and safe fonts to use. \r\n\r\nYour theme should also have white space designed in with pictures, as well. This will help to give your reader\'s eyes a break when they are reading your latest blog posts. Spacing will also help, as you want to have plenty of space between paragraphs and avoid indenting.\r\n\r\n<h2>Compatible with New WordPress Updates</h2>\r\n\r\nYou need a theme that can be updated whenever WordPress updates. This should be guaranteed by the theme designer. If your theme won\'t update with each WordPress update, it will cause you all kinds of problems when WordPress makes changes.\r\n\r\nIt\'s best to use a reputable theme marketplace that guarantees all their themes. This will ensure you don\'t have any issues when WordPress releases a new update.\r\n\r\n<h2>Custom Options</h2>\r\n\r\nDepending on your needs, you may want a theme that\'s easy to customize. Some themes you have to adjust the code to customize the colors or layout. This isn\'t going to make it easy for you.\r\n\r\nHowever, other WordPress themes give you an easy-to-use backend so that you can choose any color you want for any element of the theme. You may also have multiple layouts to choose from. This can be a very nice feature for your blog.\r\n\r\n<h2>Security</h2>\r\n\r\nAnother factor you may not have thought of when choosing your WordPress theme is security. When you use a free theme, there\'s no guarantee it has been designed and coded properly to help keep out hackers. However, most premium themes have specific features to ensure they don\'t have any bad code within the files of the theme. It\'s always best to pay for a theme and the investment is usually very small, anyway.\r\n\r\n<h2>SEO-Friendly</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18056153_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"SEO-Friendly\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10375\" />Most WordPress themes will be SEO-friendly, but it\'s always a good idea to check and make sure it will work with your SEO plans. This is very important if you plan on doing quite a bit of SEO marketing or just hope to become listed high on Google.\r\n\r\nThere are several things to consider before you settle on a theme. Ultimately, your blog\'s theme is important, but if you have great content, it won\'t matter as much. Make sure you do more than just look for a pretty theme, however. Find one you like, but also one that has all the necessary features to ensure you can build a successful blog.\r\n','How to Choose the Right WordPress Theme for Your New Blog','','publish','open','closed','','how-to-choose-the-right-wordpress-theme-for-your-new-blog','','','2016-04-26 17:23:38','2016-04-26 21:23:38','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10374',0,'post','',0),(10375,4,'2016-04-26 17:20:40','2016-04-26 21:20:40','','SEO-Friendly','','inherit','open','closed','','18056153_s','','','2016-04-26 17:21:16','2016-04-26 21:21:16','',10374,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18056153_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10376,4,'2016-04-26 17:20:43','2016-04-26 21:20:43','','Blog Readability','','inherit','open','closed','','20378007_s','','','2016-04-26 17:21:34','2016-04-26 21:21:34','',10374,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20378007_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10377,4,'2016-04-26 17:20:45','2016-04-26 21:20:45','','Blog Theme','','inherit','open','closed','','48271524_s','','','2016-04-26 17:20:59','2016-04-26 21:20:59','',10374,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/48271524_s.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10378,4,'2016-04-26 17:21:47','2016-04-26 21:21:47','<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/48271524_s-277x300.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Theme\" width=\"277\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10377\" />Starting a new blog is stressful enough without spending days thinking about which theme you should use for the blog. After taking the plunge, you need to have the right theme, but this shouldn\'t be a decision you take forever trying to figure out. Many themes will work well for your blog. There are a few things you should consider, however.\r\n\r\nAs you make the decision to choose the right WordPress theme for your new blog, make sure you\'re looking at more than how pretty it looks. Your theme needs to be more than just good-looking. Here are a few things to consider before you make your final decision.\r\n\r\n<h2>Mobile-Friendly or Responsive Design</h2>\r\n\r\nWith so many searches happening on mobile devices every single day, you have to have a theme with a responsive design or one that is mobile-friendly. With this type of design, you will be able to get plenty of traffic from the many people searching on smartphones, tablets and other devices. \r\n\r\nAny good WordPress theme will already be responsive or set up to be mobile-friendly. However, make sure you double check this when you choose your theme. IF it\'s not responsive or mobile-friendly, it\'s not the theme for you. \r\n\r\n<h2>Readability</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20378007_s-300x277.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Readability\" width=\"300\" height=\"277\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10376\" />Readability makes a huge difference when it comes to your WordPress theme. If you want your visitors to come back often and enjoy using your blog, you need to make sure the theme is very readable. This means, you want a theme with a white or light colored background and dark or black text. Flipping these around will strain the eyes of the reader and will take away from their enjoyment of your blog.\r\n\r\nAlong with the colors of your text and background, you want to consider the fonts, whitespace and spacing of your blog\'s theme. It\'s important to choose a theme with easy to read fonts and don\'t use anything hard to read. Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana and Courier are all very popular and safe fonts to use. \r\n\r\nYour theme should also have white space designed in with pictures, as well. This will help to give your reader\'s eyes a break when they are reading your latest blog posts. Spacing will also help, as you want to have plenty of space between paragraphs and avoid indenting.\r\n\r\n<h2>Compatible with New WordPress Updates</h2>\r\n\r\nYou need a theme that can be updated whenever WordPress updates. This should be guaranteed by the theme designer. If your theme won\'t update with each WordPress update, it will cause you all kinds of problems when WordPress makes changes.\r\n\r\nIt\'s best to use a reputable theme marketplace that guarantees all their themes. This will ensure you don\'t have any issues when WordPress releases a new update.\r\n\r\n<h2>Custom Options</h2>\r\n\r\nDepending on your needs, you may want a theme that\'s easy to customize. Some themes you have to adjust the code to customize the colors or layout. This isn\'t going to make it easy for you.\r\n\r\nHowever, other WordPress themes give you an easy-to-use backend so that you can choose any color you want for any element of the theme. You may also have multiple layouts to choose from. This can be a very nice feature for your blog.\r\n\r\n<h2>Security</h2>\r\n\r\nAnother factor you may not have thought of when choosing your WordPress theme is security. When you use a free theme, there\'s no guarantee it has been designed and coded properly to help keep out hackers. However, most premium themes have specific features to ensure they don\'t have any bad code within the files of the theme. It\'s always best to pay for a theme and the investment is usually very small, anyway.\r\n\r\n<h2>SEO-Friendly</h2>\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/18056153_s-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"SEO-Friendly\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-10375\" />Most WordPress themes will be SEO-friendly, but it\'s always a good idea to check and make sure it will work with your SEO plans. This is very important if you plan on doing quite a bit of SEO marketing or just hope to become listed high on Google.\r\n\r\nThere are several things to consider before you settle on a theme. Ultimately, your blog\'s theme is important, but if you have great content, it won\'t matter as much. Make sure you do more than just look for a pretty theme, however. Find one you like, but also one that has all the necessary features to ensure you can build a successful blog.\r\n','How to Choose the Right WordPress Theme for Your New Blog','','inherit','closed','closed','','10374-revision-v1','','','2016-04-26 17:21:47','2016-04-26 21:21:47','',10374,'https://itxdesign.com/10374-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10379,5,'2016-04-27 13:21:14','2016-04-27 17:21:14','<img class=\"wp-image-10380 alignleft\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/biglistof.jpg\" alt=\"big list of blog post ideas\" width=\"267\" height=\"224\" />Running a blog long-term leaves you with writer\'s block a lot. It\'s not always easy to come up with <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/20-blog-post-ideas-to-drive-traffic-to-your-website/\">interesting blog post ideas</a> that haven\'t been \"done to death\" and will appeal to your readers.\r\n\r\nIn a stroke of creative genius, we came up with 64 blog post ideas that can be returned to again and again for fresh, interesting content on your blog (actually, we consulted a ton of other big lists, picked the very best topics, and put our own spin on them).\r\n\r\nWe\'re not going to waste a lot of time explaining why you need interesting, readable content on your blog--you probably realize the importance.\r\n\r\nBelow, you\'ll find our big list of blog post ideas. Enjoy them and we wish you success on your blog!\r\n<h2>The Big List of 64 Blog Post Ideas</h2>\r\n<h4>Marketing</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Facebook ads</li>\r\n 	<li>Twitter ads</li>\r\n 	<li>Generating leads</li>\r\n 	<li>Beginning social media</li>\r\n 	<li>Marketing tips</li>\r\n 	<li>Finding your audience</li>\r\n 	<li>Appealing to a niche</li>\r\n 	<li>Branding</li>\r\n 	<li>Traditional advertising</li>\r\n 	<li>Analytics</li>\r\n 	<li>What to measure</li>\r\n 	<li>Best channels for marketing</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Blogging</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>How to start a blog</li>\r\n 	<li>Sample blogging topics</li>\r\n 	<li>Blog post types</li>\r\n 	<li>Sourcing images</li>\r\n 	<li>Blog themes</li>\r\n 	<li>Blog hosts</li>\r\n 	<li>Interacting with other bloggers</li>\r\n 	<li>Guest blogging</li>\r\n 	<li>Blogging interns</li>\r\n 	<li>Evergreen content</li>\r\n 	<li>Marketing blog posts</li>\r\n 	<li>Integrating blogs with social media</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Websites</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Building a website</li>\r\n 	<li>Website hosting</li>\r\n 	<li>Website best practices</li>\r\n 	<li>Website copywriting tips</li>\r\n 	<li>Hiring web developers</li>\r\n 	<li>Sourcing website images</li>\r\n 	<li>Ranking your website in search</li>\r\n 	<li>SEO disasters</li>\r\n 	<li>Web design trends</li>\r\n 	<li>Design tips</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Industry</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Industry expert interviews</li>\r\n 	<li>Industry forecasts and analysis</li>\r\n 	<li>Cover trends</li>\r\n 	<li>Industry basics</li>\r\n 	<li>Challenges the industry faces</li>\r\n 	<li>How the industry is changing</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>News</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Breaking news</li>\r\n 	<li>News analysis</li>\r\n 	<li>Industry news</li>\r\n 	<li>Relating news to your business</li>\r\n 	<li>Company news</li>\r\n 	<li>New products or services</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Tutorials</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>How to articles</li>\r\n 	<li>Complete tutorials</li>\r\n 	<li>Video tutorials</li>\r\n 	<li>Photo gallery how tos</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Customers</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Customer spotlights</li>\r\n 	<li>Customer appreciation post</li>\r\n 	<li>Improving customer service</li>\r\n 	<li>Customer experience</li>\r\n 	<li>User friendly websites</li>\r\n 	<li>Customer feedback</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Staff</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Staff spotlight</li>\r\n 	<li>Employee of the month post</li>\r\n 	<li>Staff volunteer activities</li>\r\n 	<li>Staff additions</li>\r\n 	<li>Hiring employees</li>\r\n 	<li>Outsourcing tasks</li>\r\n 	<li>Firing employees</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing staff</li>\r\n</ul>','The Big List of Blog Post Ideas [64 Post Ideas]','','publish','open','closed','','the-big-list-of-blog-post-ideas-64-post-ideas','','','2016-04-27 13:21:14','2016-04-27 17:21:14','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10379',0,'post','',0),(10380,5,'2016-04-27 13:19:46','2016-04-27 17:19:46','','biglistof','','inherit','open','closed','','biglistof','','','2016-04-27 13:20:00','2016-04-27 17:20:00','',10379,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/biglistof.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10381,5,'2016-04-27 13:21:14','2016-04-27 17:21:14','<img class=\"wp-image-10380 alignleft\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/biglistof.jpg\" alt=\"big list of blog post ideas\" width=\"267\" height=\"224\" />Running a blog long-term leaves you with writer\'s block a lot. It\'s not always easy to come up with <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/20-blog-post-ideas-to-drive-traffic-to-your-website/\">interesting blog post ideas</a> that haven\'t been \"done to death\" and will appeal to your readers.\r\n\r\nIn a stroke of creative genius, we came up with 64 blog post ideas that can be returned to again and again for fresh, interesting content on your blog (actually, we consulted a ton of other big lists, picked the very best topics, and put our own spin on them).\r\n\r\nWe\'re not going to waste a lot of time explaining why you need interesting, readable content on your blog--you probably realize the importance.\r\n\r\nBelow, you\'ll find our big list of blog post ideas. Enjoy them and we wish you success on your blog!\r\n<h2>The Big List of 64 Blog Post Ideas</h2>\r\n<h4>Marketing</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Facebook ads</li>\r\n 	<li>Twitter ads</li>\r\n 	<li>Generating leads</li>\r\n 	<li>Beginning social media</li>\r\n 	<li>Marketing tips</li>\r\n 	<li>Finding your audience</li>\r\n 	<li>Appealing to a niche</li>\r\n 	<li>Branding</li>\r\n 	<li>Traditional advertising</li>\r\n 	<li>Analytics</li>\r\n 	<li>What to measure</li>\r\n 	<li>Best channels for marketing</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Blogging</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>How to start a blog</li>\r\n 	<li>Sample blogging topics</li>\r\n 	<li>Blog post types</li>\r\n 	<li>Sourcing images</li>\r\n 	<li>Blog themes</li>\r\n 	<li>Blog hosts</li>\r\n 	<li>Interacting with other bloggers</li>\r\n 	<li>Guest blogging</li>\r\n 	<li>Blogging interns</li>\r\n 	<li>Evergreen content</li>\r\n 	<li>Marketing blog posts</li>\r\n 	<li>Integrating blogs with social media</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Websites</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Building a website</li>\r\n 	<li>Website hosting</li>\r\n 	<li>Website best practices</li>\r\n 	<li>Website copywriting tips</li>\r\n 	<li>Hiring web developers</li>\r\n 	<li>Sourcing website images</li>\r\n 	<li>Ranking your website in search</li>\r\n 	<li>SEO disasters</li>\r\n 	<li>Web design trends</li>\r\n 	<li>Design tips</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Industry</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Industry expert interviews</li>\r\n 	<li>Industry forecasts and analysis</li>\r\n 	<li>Cover trends</li>\r\n 	<li>Industry basics</li>\r\n 	<li>Challenges the industry faces</li>\r\n 	<li>How the industry is changing</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>News</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Breaking news</li>\r\n 	<li>News analysis</li>\r\n 	<li>Industry news</li>\r\n 	<li>Relating news to your business</li>\r\n 	<li>Company news</li>\r\n 	<li>New products or services</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Tutorials</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>How to articles</li>\r\n 	<li>Complete tutorials</li>\r\n 	<li>Video tutorials</li>\r\n 	<li>Photo gallery how tos</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Customers</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Customer spotlights</li>\r\n 	<li>Customer appreciation post</li>\r\n 	<li>Improving customer service</li>\r\n 	<li>Customer experience</li>\r\n 	<li>User friendly websites</li>\r\n 	<li>Customer feedback</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Staff</h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Staff spotlight</li>\r\n 	<li>Employee of the month post</li>\r\n 	<li>Staff volunteer activities</li>\r\n 	<li>Staff additions</li>\r\n 	<li>Hiring employees</li>\r\n 	<li>Outsourcing tasks</li>\r\n 	<li>Firing employees</li>\r\n 	<li>Managing staff</li>\r\n</ul>','The Big List of Blog Post Ideas [64 Post Ideas]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10379-revision-v1','','','2016-04-27 13:21:14','2016-04-27 17:21:14','',10379,'https://itxdesign.com/10379-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10382,0,'2016-04-27 14:12:26','2016-04-27 18:12:26','','','','inherit','open','closed','','10382','','','2016-04-27 14:12:26','2016-04-27 18:12:26','',10369,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/10365862_s-300x103-1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10384,5,'2016-04-29 10:28:56','2016-04-29 14:28:56','','datacenters','','inherit','open','closed','','datacenters','','','2016-04-29 10:29:13','2016-04-29 14:29:13','',10383,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacenters.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(10385,5,'2016-04-29 10:52:00','2016-04-29 14:52:00','Wondering exactly what data centers are? You\'re not alone. It\'s a common question and if you\'re not in the industry or are just starting out, information you find online about data centers and servers can seem like it\'s written in a different language.\r\n\r\nBefore you view the infographic, it\'s helpful to remember these key points:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Data centers house servers.</li>\r\n 	<li>Servers collect, process, and store data so that it can be accessed remotely.</li>\r\n 	<li>All data centers have 6 main components:</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Storage</li>\r\n 	<li>Recovery and backup</li>\r\n 	<li>Power</li>\r\n 	<li>Cooling</li>\r\n 	<li>Physical protection</li>\r\n 	<li>Security</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExplaining data centers and what they do can be complex, but this infographic manages to take the information and make it easy to process. Check it out to learn about data centers, \'the brains of the operation.\'\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What are data centers?</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10384 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacenters.png\" alt=\"what are data centers? infographic\" width=\"1000\" height=\"3332\" />\r\n\r\n<em>Infographic sourced from <a href=\"http://www.coolinfographics.com/\">Cool Infographics</a>.</em>\r\n<h3>The data center layout</h3>\r\nAs you can see, every area and section of data centers has a specific purpose and importance. The air conditioning and cooling units are essential to keep the equipment from overheating. IT and security personnel must monitor the data center 24/7 to ensure nothing is compromised or threatened. An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and backup generators are required to ensure there\'s never a total loss of power at the data center.\r\n<h3>The data pathway</h3>\r\nVisualizing the data pathway helps in understanding the way data travels from a data center to our computers. This infographic was especially helpful as it shows every step of the way. The data starts in the data centers, travels through the network cables to your Internet Service Provider, making its way to your modem, router, and finally, computer. You\'re able to access data remotely when it\'s stored in data centers because of this complex pathway.\r\n<h3>Streaming video</h3>\r\nWe take advantage of streaming video all the time, but did you really know how it worked? It\'s pretty simple: You select a movie or show to start streaming on, say, Netflix. Your selection gets Netflix\'s servers to send a request to its media servers: This person wants to start streaming Chasing Monsters. The media server sends the video data to your device, and the data is buffered by the program or app you\'re playing it from.\r\n\r\nIt\'s called streaming because it plays as it\'s sent or streamed, not after the entire file is downloaded. That explains why poor connections result in loading and buffering pauses in your streaming shows.','','','inherit','closed','closed','','10383-revision-v1','','','2016-04-29 10:52:00','2016-04-29 14:52:00','',10383,'https://itxdesign.com/10383-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10386,5,'2016-04-29 11:04:48','2016-04-29 15:04:48','','datacen','','inherit','open','closed','','datacen','','','2016-04-29 11:04:48','2016-04-29 15:04:48','',10383,'https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacen.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(10387,5,'2016-04-29 11:05:20','2016-04-29 15:05:20','<img class=\"wp-image-10386 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacen.jpg\" alt=\"datacen\" width=\"275\" height=\"213\" />Wondering exactly what data centers are? You\'re not alone. It\'s a common question and if you\'re not in the industry or are just starting out, information you find online about data centers and servers can seem like it\'s written in a different language.\r\n\r\nBefore you view the infographic, it\'s helpful to remember these key points:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Data centers house servers.</li>\r\n 	<li>Servers collect, process, and store data so that it can be accessed remotely.</li>\r\n 	<li>All data centers have 6 main components:</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Storage</li>\r\n 	<li>Recovery and backup</li>\r\n 	<li>Power</li>\r\n 	<li>Cooling</li>\r\n 	<li>Physical protection</li>\r\n 	<li>Security</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExplaining data centers and what they do can be complex, but this infographic manages to take the information and make it easy to process. Check it out to learn about data centers, \'the brains of the operation.\'\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What are data centers?</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10384 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacenters.png\" alt=\"what are data centers? infographic\" width=\"1000\" height=\"3332\" />\r\n\r\n<em>Infographic sourced from <a href=\"http://www.coolinfographics.com/\">Cool Infographics</a>.</em>\r\n<h3>The data center layout</h3>\r\nAs you can see, every area and section of data centers has a specific purpose and importance. The air conditioning and cooling units are essential to keep the equipment from overheating. IT and security personnel must monitor the data center 24/7 to ensure nothing is compromised or threatened. An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and backup generators are required to ensure there\'s never a total loss of power at the data center.\r\n<h3>The data pathway</h3>\r\nVisualizing the data pathway helps in understanding the way data travels from a data center to our computers. This infographic was especially helpful as it shows every step of the way. The data starts in the data centers, travels through the network cables to your Internet Service Provider, making its way to your modem, router, and finally, computer. You\'re able to access data remotely when it\'s stored in data centers because of this complex pathway.\r\n<h3>Streaming video</h3>\r\nWe take advantage of streaming video all the time, but did you really know how it worked? It\'s pretty simple: You select a movie or show to start streaming on, say, Netflix. Your selection gets Netflix\'s servers to send a request to its media servers: This person wants to start streaming Chasing Monsters. The media server sends the video data to your device, and the data is buffered by the program or app you\'re playing it from.\r\n\r\nIt\'s called streaming because it plays as it\'s sent or streamed, not after the entire file is downloaded. That explains why poor connections result in loading and buffering pauses in your streaming shows.','What Are Data Centers and How Do They Work? [Infographic]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10383-revision-v1','','','2016-04-29 11:05:20','2016-04-29 15:05:20','',10383,'https://itxdesign.com/10383-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10388,5,'2016-04-29 11:35:03','2016-04-29 15:35:03','<img class=\"wp-image-10386 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacen.jpg\" alt=\"datacen\" width=\"275\" height=\"213\" />Wondering exactly what data centers are? You\'re not alone. It\'s a common question and if you\'re not in the industry or are just starting out, information you find online about data centers and servers can seem like it\'s written in a different language.\r\n\r\nBefore you view the infographic, it\'s helpful to remember these key points:\r\n<ol>\r\n 	<li>Data centers house servers.</li>\r\n 	<li>Servers collect, process, and store data so that it can be accessed remotely.</li>\r\n 	<li>All data centers have 6 main components:</li>\r\n</ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Storage</li>\r\n 	<li>Recovery and backup</li>\r\n 	<li>Power</li>\r\n 	<li>Cooling</li>\r\n 	<li>Physical protection</li>\r\n 	<li>Security</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nExplaining data centers and what they do can be complex, but this infographic manages to take the information and make it easy to process. Check it out to learn about data centers, \'the brains of the operation.\'\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What are data centers?</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-10384 aligncenter\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/datacenters.png\" alt=\"what are data centers? infographic\" width=\"1000\" height=\"3332\" />\r\n\r\n<em>Infographic sourced from <a href=\"http://www.coolinfographics.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Cool Infographics</a>.</em>\r\n<h3>The data center layout</h3>\r\nAs you can see, every area and section of data centers has a specific purpose and importance. The air conditioning and cooling units are essential to keep the equipment from overheating. IT and security personnel must monitor the data center 24/7 to ensure nothing is compromised or threatened. An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and backup generators are required to ensure there\'s never a total loss of power at the data center.\r\n<h3>The data pathway</h3>\r\nVisualizing the data pathway helps in understanding the way data travels from a data center to our computers. This infographic was especially helpful as it shows every step of the way. The data starts in the data centers, travels through the network cables to your Internet Service Provider, making its way to your modem, router, and finally, computer. You\'re able to access data remotely when it\'s stored in data centers because of this complex pathway.\r\n<h3>Streaming video</h3>\r\nWe take advantage of streaming video all the time, but did you really know how it worked? It\'s pretty simple: You select a movie or show to start streaming on, say, Netflix. Your selection gets Netflix\'s servers to send a request to its media servers: This person wants to start streaming Chasing Monsters. The media server sends the video data to your device, and the data is buffered by the program or app you\'re playing it from.\r\n\r\nIt\'s called streaming because it plays as it\'s sent or streamed, not after the entire file is downloaded. That explains why poor connections result in loading and buffering pauses in your streaming shows.','What Are Data Centers and How Do They Work? [Infographic]','','inherit','closed','closed','','10383-revision-v1','','','2016-04-29 11:35:03','2016-04-29 15:35:03','',10383,'https://itxdesign.com/10383-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(10390,5,'2016-05-02 12:44:05','2016-05-02 16:44:05','<img class=\"wp-image-10393 alignright\" src=\"https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/growing.jpg\" alt=\"growing\" width=\"226\" height=\"226\" />Search engines consider video content to be a marker of useful websites. To give your website the best chance at ranking well in search, you need to put more video content online. If you follow the 5 tips we\'ve included below, you\'ll improve your search rank and <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-use-sticky-content-to-make-visitors-stay-on-your-website/\">keep visitors on your website longer</a>.\r\n<h2>5 SEO Tips for Video Content On Your Website</h2>\r\n<h4>1. Metadata really matters</h4>\r\nRich metadata is one of the best methods to increase the ranking of your video content in search. Some companies rely on the smart strategy of including long tail keywords in the metadata.\r\n\r\nHidden tags in the HTML code of your video landing pages are important areas to populate--Facebook OpenGraph tags, Schema.org\'s microdata tags, and Twitter card tags can all boost your video content in search.\r\n<h4>2. Videos should be easy to browse</h4>\r\nThis one provides a distinct benefit for the user and your website: Make videos easy to browse by arranging them in an indexed gallery. Not only will users be able to quickly find videos they\'re interested in under the proper category and keyword, but by creating separate landing pages for each video, you\'re indexing each video so search engines can more easily find and rank the content.\r\n<h4>3. Transcriptions are SEO miracles</h4>\r\nTranscribing a video is a sneaky-but-smart SEO move that can rank videos that aren\'t currently ranking. By adding the transcription of a video, you get a chance to use text keywords to rank your video in search.\r\n\r\nAdd your video transcriptions right to the HTML of each page where your videos are hosted. Transcriptions let users read your video content if they can\'t listen or have a hearing disability. At the same time, the transcription provides a keyword-rich chunk of text for search engines to crawl.\r\n<h4>4. Host all videos on your domain</h4>\r\nAlways, and we mean always, host videos on your own domain if you\'re serious about ranking video content in search.\r\n\r\nUsing Youtube or Vimeo is wonderful for social purposes, but not for hosting video content. By hosting it on their website, you\'re giving all the search cred to that website instead of your own. Some companies create \"teaser\" videos for Youtube and then include CTAs in the video that direct the viewer to their website to view the full video.\r\n<h4>5. Allow users to embed video content</h4>\r\nIf you\'re creating good videos that bring value to your viewers and make people stick around on your website, chances are, there are lots of people who will want to embed your video content on their own websites. That\'s why it\'s essential that you make it easy for viewers to embed your video (resulting in inbound links to your website). We call that an SEO win! Include the code for users to embed your video easily.','5 SEO Tips for Video Content On Your Website','','publish','open','closed','','5-seo-tips-for-video-content-on-your-website','','','2016-05-02 12:44:05','2016-05-02 16:44:05','',0,'https://itxdesign.com/?p=10390',0,'post','',0),(10391,5,'2016-05-02 12:34:43','2016-05-02 16:34:43','Search engines consider video content to be a marker of useful websites. To give your website the best chance at ranking well in search, you need to put more video content online. If you follow the 5 tips we\'ve included below, you\'ll improve your search rank and <a href=\"https://itxdesign.com/how-to-use-sticky-content-to-make-visitors-stay-on-your-website/\">keep visitors on your website longer</a>.\r\n<h2>5 SEO Tips for Video Content On Your Website</h2>\r\n<h4>1. Metadata really matters</h4>\r\nRich metadata is one of the best methods to increase the ranking of your video content in search. Some companies rely on the smart strategy of including long tail keywords in the metadata.\r\n\r\nHidden tags in the HTML code of your video landing pages are important areas to populate--Facebook OpenGraph tags, Schema.org\'s microdata tags, and Twitter card tags can all boost your video content in search.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h4>2. Videos should be easy to browse</h4>\r\nThis one provides a distinct benefit for the user and your website: Make videos easy to browse by arranging them in an indexed gallery. Not only will users be able to quickly find videos they\'re interested in under the proper category and keyword, but by creating separate landing pages for each video, you\'re indexing each video so search engines can more easily find and rank the content.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4>3. Transcriptions are SEO miracles</h4>\r\nTranscribing a video is a sneaky-but-smart SEO move that can rank videos that aren\'t currently ranking. By adding the transcription of a video, you get a chance to use text keywords to rank your video in search.\r\n\r\nAdd your video transcriptions right to the HTML of each page where your videos are hosted. Transcriptions let users read your video content if they can\'t listen or have a hearing disability. At the same time, the transcription provides a keyword-rich chunk of text for search engines to crawl.\r\n<h4>4. Host all videos on your domain</h4>\r\nAlways, and we mean always, host videos on your own domain if you\'re serious about ranking video content in search.\r\n\r\nUsing Youtube or Vimeo is wonderful for social purposes, but not for hosting video content. By hosting it on their website, you\'re giving all the search cred to that website instead of your own. Some companies create \"teaser\" videos for Youtube and then include CTAs in the video that direct the viewer to their website to view the full video.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4>5. Allow users to embed video content</h4>\r\nIf you\'re creating good videos that bring value to your viewers and make people stick around on your website, chances are, there are lots of people who will want to embed your video content on their own websites. That\'s why it\'s essential that you make it easy for viewers to embed your video (resulting in inbound links to your website). We call that an SEO win! Include the code for users to embed your video easily.','5 SEO Tips for Video Content On Your Website','','inherit','closed','closed','','10390-revision-v1','','','2016-05-02 12:34:43','2016-05-02 16:34:43','',10390,'https://itxdesign.com/10390-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),