Let me walk you through it.

A Candidate That Didn’t Add Up

We were evaluating a full-stack developer applicant who presented himself with a polished résumé, links to live work samples, and a clean-looking Texas driver’s license. The individual went by Jessee James Beecham and submitted a PDF ID with the following details:

• Name: Jessee James Beecham
• DOB: 03/20/2003
• Address: 5224 County Rd 417, Cleburne, TX 76031
• License Number: 46665568
• Expiration: 04/29/2034

On the surface, everything seemed passable. But during the video interview, two things triggered immediate concern:

• The candidate’s face appeared glitched, with signs of augmented layering or masking.
• He used ManyCam, a known webcam spoofing tool, and his profile was labeled “Unverified.”

We were dealing with a possible fake.

Things Unraveled Quickly

The LinkedIn Profile

• The LinkedIn profile, still live at the time of writing, had no credible digital history before 2024.
• When we attempted to report the profile, the user blocked us first.

The Address on the ID

• We ran the address (5224 County Rd 417) through the Johnson County Appraisal District (JCAD).
• The parcel exists but is registered as a mobile home owned by Serrano Elias, with no link to the applicant or the business name on the resume.
• No “Jessee Beecham” is listed in property, tax, or voter registration databases tied to that location.

Background Check Tools Fall Short

We tried running a background check using Veremark, but their system requires candidate interaction to begin verification, which is ineffective in a fraud scenario.

Worse, their chatbot support admitted no real team member was available and offered no path forward without the subject’s cooperation.

We requested a refund and immediately moved to a different screening process.

The ID? Almost Certainly Fake.

Between:

• A name/address mismatch,
• No traceable state or property linkage,
• And the use of video masking tech,

…it’s reasonable to conclude the Texas driver’s license provided was not authentic.

We do not make this claim lightly. However, based on the evidence and the individual's failure to validate his identity when asked, we assume that the documentation was falsified, and the candidate could not be verified.

This is shared for educational and security awareness purposes only.

What You Can Learn From This

This isn’t a one-off. These scams are becoming more common, especially in dev, data, and marketing roles. Here’s how to protect your company:

Use Direct-Run Background Check Tools

Don’t rely solely on platforms that require candidate cooperation. Try tools like:

• Certn Lite – Run criminal/ID checks manually
• Sumsub – Upload ID and face match
• Persona – Run identity verification without live interaction

Verify Social and Technical Footprints

• Search GitHub history, Stack Overflow posts, or commit logs.
• Ask specific project questions.
• Check if the name has any digital history that makes sense (school, job, anything).

Watch for Webcam Masking Tools

If someone’s face glitches or they use tools like ManyCam, OBS, Snap Camera, etc., end the interview. No legitimate applicant uses facial filters for job interviews.

Final Word (and Legal Note)

At Bright Vessel, we’ve implemented a multi-layer fraud screening process before technical interviews begin. This process protects not just us but also our clients, our team, and the integrity of our work.

⚠️ This post is shared assuming that the information and documentation we received were invalid and the individual failed to verify their identity upon request. No definitive accusation is made. This accounts for our due diligence process to protect our company from fraud and inform other business owners.

If you’re hiring remotely, especially in tech, vet everyone, check everything, and trust your gut.

The post Hiring Scam Alert: Fake Dev with Fake ID & Masked Video first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Ensuring an accessible online presence is now more critical than ever for businesses looking to meet legal standards and foster inclusivity. In 2025, understanding “How to Address ADA Website Compliance” is essential not only to avoid litigation but also to improve the user experience for individuals with disabilities. With ADA-related lawsuits rising by 14.3% from 2021 to 2022, businesses must proactively address ADA website compliance to mitigate risks and effectively support a wider audience.

This guide provides an in-depth look at ADA website compliance requirements in 2025, examining legal expectations, standard violations, and how to leverage technology for a more accessible digital environment.

Key Points:

• Increasing Importance: ADA compliance is essential to avoid legal action and create an inclusive user experience.
• Rising Lawsuits: ADA-related lawsuits rose by 14.3% from 2021 to 2022, underscoring the need for compliance.

What Are the Most Common ADA Website Compliance Violations?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), established in 1990, protects individuals with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination across various domains, including online accessibility. ADA website compliance requires that businesses follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make websites accessible to individuals with visual, auditory, cognitive, and physical impairments.

ADA violations in the digital space happen when websites fail to meet accessibility standards outlined by WCAG. The 2023 WebAIM Million report found that 98% of the top 1 million websites have detectable accessibility issues, highlighting the widespread need for compliance. For businesses, failing to address these issues may lead to legal consequences and damage to brand reputation.

Key Points:

• Expanding Scope: ADA requirements now encompass digital spaces, ensuring accessible online experiences for all.
• Widespread Issues: According to WebAIM, 98% of websites analyzed had accessibility errors.
• Legal Risks: Non-compliance can lead to reputational damage and lawsuits.

Why do ADA Lawsuits target Businesses?

The rise in ADA-related lawsuits is a significant concern for businesses. Several factors drive this trend:

1. Increased Awareness: Advocacy groups and users are now more aware of their digital rights. A recent Forrester survey found that 60% of consumers prefer to engage with brands prioritizing accessibility.
2. Legal Precedents: Courts increasingly classify websites as “public accommodations” under the ADA, opening legal grounds for litigation.
3. Specialization of Law Firms: Some law firms specialize in ADA lawsuits, pursuing cases where businesses overlook accessibility requirements.

The average cost of settling ADA-related digital lawsuits was estimated at $25,000 in 2022, demonstrating the financial burden on businesses that fail to comply.

Key Points:

• Consumer Demand: Forrester found that 60% of consumers prefer accessible brands, fueling legal demand.
• Legal Framework: Increased court support broadens the potential for litigation.
• Settlement Costs: The average settlement for an ADA-related lawsuit is $25,000.

What Are the Most Common ADA Violations in Digital Spaces?

Identifying common ADA violations is critical to addressing compliance effectively. Frequent issues include:

• Missing Alt Text for Images: Images become inaccessible to users relying on screen readers without descriptive alt text.
• Poor Color Contrast: Low contrast between text and backgrounds impairs readability for users with visual impairments.
• Non-Keyboard Accessible Content: Websites that cannot be navigated using a keyboard exclude users with mobility impairments.
• Improper Use of Headings: Disorganized headings hinder navigation, particularly for screen reader users.
• Inaccessible Forms: Forms lacking labels or instructions create barriers for users with disabilities.

According to the WebAIM Million report, in 2023, 83% of homepages had low-contrast text, while 68% lacked image alt text—two of the most common accessibility errors.

Key Points:

• Frequent Errors: Common issues include missing alt text, low contrast, inaccessible forms, and headings.
• Widespread Issues: 83% of websites had low-contrast text; 68% lacked alt text.
• The barrier to Access: These errors create significant barriers for users with disabilities.

How Can Businesses Avoid ADA Website Compliance Issues?

Proactive measures to improve ADA website compliance protect businesses and enhance user experience. Key practices include:

1. Conduct Regular Audits: Use tools like WAVE and Axe to identify accessibility issues. Automated and manual testing helps catch overlooked compliance gaps.
2. Follow WCAG 2.1 Guidelines: Adopting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards ensures websites meet essential accessibility criteria.
3. Train Team Members: Accessibility training for content creators, developers, and designers helps maintain compliance.
4. Gather User Feedback: Engaging users with disabilities provides insights into real-world usability, often revealing areas for improvement.
5. Utilize Accessibility Testing Tools: Tools like Lighthouse offer real-time insights on accessibility issues, making it easier to address them proactively.

A 2022 Gartner report estimated that accessible websites improved user experience by 30%, highlighting the benefits of compliance.

Key Points:

• Audits and Testing: Use tools like WAVE and Axe for regular audits.
• Adhere to WCAG 2.1: Following established guidelines reduces compliance risks.
• Enhanced UX: According to Gartner, accessible sites show a 30% boost in user experience.

What Are the Legal Implications of ADA Website Compliance Violations?

The consequences of ADA violations extend beyond fines. Businesses face multiple legal implications:

1. Financial Penalties: ADA violations can result in fines from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on severity.
2. Legal Defense Costs: Defending against an ADA lawsuit can be expensive, with or without a guilty verdict.
3. Court-Mandated Remediation: Non-compliant companies may be ordered to make immediate, potentially costly updates.
4. Reputational Damage: A 2022 survey indicated that 54% of consumers trust brands more when they prioritize accessibility, underscoring the reputational benefits of compliance.

Key Points:

• Potential Fines: Non-compliance can result in fines of up to $50,000.
• Consumer Trust: 54% of consumers favor brands committed to accessibility.
• Costly Defense: Legal defense can incur significant expenses for businesses.

What Steps Should You Take If You Face an ADA Lawsuit?

Receiving notice of an ADA lawsuit can be overwhelming, but a systematic approach can help businesses manage the situation effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Consult an ADA-Experienced Attorney: Find legal counsel knowledgeable in ADA compliance and digital accessibility. An attorney can provide insights into your rights, obligations, and potential defense options.
2. Evaluate Website Accessibility: Conduct a thorough assessment of your website to identify accessibility gaps.
3. Please communicate with the Plaintiff: Where possible, engage in dialogue with the plaintiff or their legal representatives. Some cases can be resolved through discussion and negotiation without progressing to court.
4. Develop a Remediation Plan: Outline a plan to address accessibility issues on your website.
5. Consider Settling: A settlement may be more cost-effective in cases where violations are evident.

Key Points:

• Legal Support: Seek an ADA-experienced attorney for guidance on compliance.
• Accessibility Audit: Perform a complete website audit to identify areas of non-compliance.
• Resolution Strategy: Open communication and a remediation plan can help resolve the lawsuit more efficiently.

How Does Technology Influence ADA Compliance?

Advancements in technology provide valuable resources for businesses aiming to meet ADA website compliance requirements. Here are some ways technology aids in achieving compliance:

• Automated Accessibility Checkers: Tools like WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse identify accessibility issues across websites, reducing manual workload and offering a fast way to address ADA requirements.
• Screen Readers: Testing websites with screen readers such as JAWS and NVDA ensures content is accessible to visually impaired users.
• AI-Powered Accessibility Solutions: AI-driven tools can adjust website content in real-time, improving accessibility for users with diverse needs.
• Video Captioning Tools: Tools like Rev and Descript provide automatic video captioning to meet accessibility standards for multimedia content.

Key Points:

• Automated Tools: WAVE, Axe, and others streamline compliance checks.
• AI Solutions: AI-based tools boost accessibility.
• Screen Reader Testing: Testing with tools like JAWS ensures content is usable for visually impaired users.

What is the Future of ADA Compliance and Digital Accessibility?

As digital accessibility awareness grows, the future of ADA website compliance will likely be shaped by several key trends:

1. Increased Regulatory Oversight: The DOJ is signaling greater enforcement of ADA standards for websites, suggesting increased enforcement actions shortly.
2. Emerging Technologies: Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) Innovations introduce new accessibility challenges.
3. Global Standards: As more countries introduce their accessibility standards, businesses may choose to adopt international guidelines.
4. Consumer Demand: According to Forrester, 60% of users are likelier to engage with brands prioritizing accessibility.

Key Points:

• Stricter Regulations: DOJ plans to enforce more stringent accessibility guidelines.
• Technological Adaptation: New tech like VR/AR will require accessibility solutions.
• Consumer Preference: 60% of users are more inclined toward accessible brands.

References

1. WebAIM Million Report, 2023 - WebAIM Million Report
2. UsableNet ADA Digital Accessibility Lawsuit Report, 2022 - UsableNet ADA Report
3. Forrester Accessibility Survey, 2023 - Forrester Research
4. Gartner Accessibility Report, 2022 - Search at Gartner Research
5. Level Access “State of Digital Accessibility,” 2022 - Level Access

The post How to Address ADA Website Compliance in 2025 first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Expanding on the first statistic regarding the projected growth of the Global B2B ecommerce GMV to $20.9 trillion by 2025, we can delve deeper into the causes behind this significant market expansion, its effects, and implications for B2B platforms.

Cause of Growth for Global B2B Ecommerce

The projected growth of the Global B2B e-commerce GMV to $20.9 trillion by 2025 can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the digital transformation of traditional business models has accelerated, with companies across the globe adopting e-commerce solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and expand their market reach. This digital shift is primarily driven by the need to meet changing buyer expectations, where convenience, speed, and personalized experiences are highly valued.

Integrating advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain into B2B e-commerce platforms has streamlined operations and improved customer experiences. These technologies facilitate more efficient order processing, inventory management, and personalized customer interactions, contributing to the sector's overall growth.

Effect of Growth for Global B2B Ecommerce

This substantial growth in Global B2B e-commerce GMV is reshaping the landscape in several ways. For one, it's leading to increased competition among B2B platforms, pushing companies to innovate continually and improve their offerings to capture and retain customers. This competition benefits the end-users, leading to better customer service, more competitive pricing, and more customized and intuitive shopping experiences.

Moreover, the expansion of the B2B e-commerce market is encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enter into global markets, democratizing access to international customers and suppliers. This has the effect of leveling the playing field, allowing smaller players to compete with larger corporations.

Implications for Global B2B Platforms

The projected market expansion signifies both opportunities and challenges for Global B2B platforms. To capitalize on this growth, platforms must prioritize the digital customer experience, offering seamless, efficient, personalized shopping journeys. This includes investing in mobile optimization, as mobile commerce continues to rise, and leveraging data analytics and AI to deliver personalized content and recommendations.

Furthermore, Global B2B platforms must build a scalable and secure infrastructure that can handle increasing volumes of transactions and data, ensuring reliability and trust among users. They must also consider expanding their services to include value-added features such as financing options, logistics support, and after-sales services to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

Conclusion

The projected increase in Global B2B e-commerce GMV to $20.9 trillion by 2025 highlights the sector's rapid growth and evolution. Driven by digital transformation and technological innovation, this growth presents opportunities and challenges for B2B platforms. Success in this expanding market will require focusing on customer experience, technological adaptation, and strategic expansion of services. For businesses willing to invest in these areas, the future of B2B e-commerce offers vast potential for growth and profitability.

The post Global B2B Ecommerce GMV: A Deep Dive first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Unprecedented Growth in B2B E-Commerce

The B2B e-commerce market has grown remarkably, mirroring the broader digital commerce trend. By 2021, the global B2B e-commerce gross merchandise volume (GMV) reached $12.2 trillion. This growth trajectory suggests an even more impressive future, with projections indicating that B2B e-commerce GMV will soar to $20.9 trillion by 2025.

• Key Statistic: Global B2B e-commerce GMV will hit $20.9 trillion by 2025, showcasing significant market expansion.

Mobile Commerce: A Cornerstone of B2B Transactions

The adoption of mobile commerce in B2B transactions has mirrored the consumer sector, becoming an integral part of the B2B purchasing process. The convenience and accessibility offered by mobile platforms have led to their widespread use among B2B buyers for researching and making purchasing decisions.

• Key Statistic: Over 80% of B2B buyers report using mobile devices to research products and services for their businesses.

Personalization: Key to B2B Customer Engagement

Personalization has emerged as a critical factor in customer satisfaction and loyalty in B2B e-commerce. Tailoring the buying experience through customer data has proven effective in enhancing engagement, conversion rates, and customer retention.

• Key Statistic: 72% of B2B customers expect fully/mostly personalized content when using products and services.

The Impact of AI and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are reshaping B2B e-commerce, enabling more personalized and efficient buying experiences. These technologies, from predictive analytics to chatbots, are critical in streamlining operations and enhancing customer engagement.

• Key Statistic: Gartner Predicts 75% of B2B Sales Organizations Will Augment Traditional Sales Playbooks with AI-Guided Selling Solutions By 2025

Conclusion

The B2B e-commerce sector is experiencing rapid growth and transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing buyer expectations. The significant increase in B2B e-commerce GMV, the pivotal role of mobile commerce, and the demand for personalized experiences highlight the dynamic nature of this industry. For businesses in the B2B sector, staying informed of these trends and adapting strategies accordingly is essential for success in the digital marketplace.

The post The Evolving Landscape of B2B Ecommerce: Insights and Statistics first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Choose a Great Profile Picture

Your profile picture is one of the first things people will see when they visit your page, so make sure it's a good representation of who you are. LinkedIn recommends using a headshot cropped close to your shoulders and showing off your smiling face.

Your photo is the first impression profile visitors have of you. Keep it updated and realistic.

Ensure Your Headline is Interesting

Your headline is the second thing people will see on your LinkedIn professional profile, so it should grab people's attention and make them want to learn more about you. Make sure your headline is attractive and catches the reader's attention. Do not just use a job title on your headline. Create a clear, concise description that tells what you do or what you search.

Take a Skills Assessment

One way to show that you are a well-rounded professional is by taking a skills assessment. LinkedIn offers a variety of assessments that test your knowledge in different areas, such as marketing or sales.

Taking and passing a LinkedIn Skills Assessment is a great way to show off your skills and abilities. It will also help you connect with other professionals who have taken the same assessment. While displaying assessment skills is voluntary, it increases your chances of getting hired by at least 30%.

Add a Background Photo

A background photo is another way to make your LinkedIn professional profile stand out. LinkedIn allows you to upload a banner-like image that appears at the top of your profile. Adding a background photo is a great way to show your personality and make your profile more visually appealing. Just make sure that your background photo is appropriate and professional.

Get Endorsements and Recommendations

Endorsements and recommendations are two of the best ways to show potential employers or business partners that you are a reputable professional. LinkedIn allows you to add endorsements from other professionals for skills listed on your profile.

Recommendations are similar to endorsements, but they are longer and more detailed. You can ask for recommendations from colleagues, clients, or anyone familiar with your work. Reach out to professionals from whom you'd like to get endorsements and ask if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you. These are both great ways to show that you are a credible professional.

Join Relevant Groups

Joining relevant groups is a great way to connect with other professionals in your industry. LinkedIn has a variety of groups to join, and many of them are specific to certain industries or professions.

When you join a group, make sure to participate in the discussions and contribute value, as it will help you build relationships with other members and show that you are an expert in your field. Groups are a great way to connect with like-minded professionals and learn more about your industry. They can also be helpful when networking or searching for jobs.

Share Relevant Content From Your Feed

Your LinkedIn feed is full of content that could be relevant to your professional network. Share it on your profile when you see an article or post that you think would be interesting to your connections.

Sharing relevant content from your feed is a great way to show that you are knowledgeable about your industry and stay up-to-date on the latest news. It's also an excellent way to start discussions and engage with other professionals. Always share content that aligns with your point of view.

When you add comments to these discussions, be sure to add value and insights. This will make you stand out as an expert in your field. Well-expressed comments will also make you more memorable to the other professionals in the group.

Engaging with other users' content is a great way to start conversations and build relationships. It's also an excellent way to show that you are interested in what others say. When you engage with others, they are more likely to reciprocate and engage with what you're posting.

Turn Your Summary Into Your Story

Your summary is one of the most critical parts of your LinkedIn professional profile. This is where you have the opportunity to tell your story and explain who you are as a professional. Use your summary to highlight your unique experiences, skills, and accomplishments. You can also use it to share your career goals and what you're looking for in a new opportunity.

Make sure your summary is interesting, engaging, and tells a story that will make people want to connect with you. You could use help from friends and people you know to feel how your story sounds from a different perspective. Your summary is one of the best places to show off your personality and give potential employers or business partners a glimpse into who you are as a professional.

Grow Your Network

LinkedIn is all about networking. The more connections you have, the more opportunities you'll have to find a job or grow your business. You can start growing your network by connecting with people you already know, such as friends, family, or colleagues.

You can also connect with new people by joining relevant groups and participating in discussions. When you comment on someone's post or article, they'll get a notification that will prompt them to check out your profile. This is a great way to start building relationships with other professionals.

Another great way to grow your network is to attend LinkedIn events. These events are usually industry-specific and are a great way to meet other professionals in your field.

Update Your LinkedIn Professional Profile and List Relevant Skills

Your LinkedIn profile is like your online resume. You should update it regularly with your latest experience and accomplishments. You should also add any new skills that you've acquired.

Updating your profile will help you stay visible on LinkedIn and ensure that potential employers or business partners have the most up-to-date information about you. Adding relevant skills to your profile is also a great way to show off your expertise and attract new opportunities. The more relevant skills you add, the more meaning your summary and headline have, which helps you rank higher in LinkedIn search results.

Conclusion

Your LinkedIn profile is a valuable tool to help you find a job, attract new business opportunities, or grow your network. Use these tips to create a great LinkedIn profile that will positively impact everyone who sees it. Don't forget to regularly update your profile and skills so that your profile remains relevant and up-to-date. With a little effort, you can create a LinkedIn profile to help you achieve your professional goals.

If you want to stand out on LinkedIn, it's essential to have a well-written and engaging profile. At Bright Vessel, we understand how to craft a great profile that will get you noticed by the right people. Our expert writers can help you create a profile that accurately reflects your professional accomplishments and goals. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

The post 10 Tips for a Great LinkedIn Professional Profile first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

What Can Be a New Product?

A new product can be something that solves a problem for your customer or fills a need they have. It can also be an improvement or a new version of an existing product. Another option is to create a new product similar to an existing one but offers some additional features or benefits.

You can also develop an entirely new product unlike anything else on the market.

No matter what, it's essential to make sure that your new product is something your target market will want or need.

How Do You Make a Product More Interesting?

• Add new features or benefits that your target market will find appealing
• Make it more visually appealing by changing the packaging or design.
• If you're selling an existing product, you can add a new twist that makes it different from the competition
• Offer it at a lower price point than your competition
• Ensure that your new product is something your target market will want or need.

Key Factors to Consider to Make Your Product Appealing

1. Target Market

• Who is your target market?
• What needs or wants do they have that you can address?
• What are they looking for in a product like yours?

2. Competition

• Who are your competitors, and what are they offering?
• How is your product different from theirs?
• What are your competitive advantages?

3. Pricing

• How much will your product cost to produce?
• What is the right price point for your target market?
• How does your pricing compare to that of your competition?

4. Product

• What are the features and benefits of your product?
• How does your product meet the needs or wants of your target market?
• What makes your product unique?

5. Positioning

• How will you position your product in the market?
• What image do you want to project with your product?
• How will consumers perceive your product?

9 Ways to Come Up With a New Product Idea

1. Dive Into Social Media

Social media platforms can be a great way to see what people discuss. You can use social media to see what problems people have that your product could solve. It's also a great place to get feedback on existing products and gauge interest in new products.

All you need to do is set up a listening campaign on your social media platform of choice and start taking note of the problems that people are mentioning. Twitter is a great place to start. You can use Twitter's search function to find tweets that mention specific keywords related to your industry.

You can also set up Google Alerts for your industry or competitors to get alerted anytime there's new content published about your industry.

Another great way to use social media is to join relevant Facebook groups and forums. You can use these groups to get insights into what people are talking about and what problems they're facing. These groups can also help you test out new product ideas and get feedback. Just make sure you are not breaking any group rules!

2. Follow Industry Influencers

Influencers are respected for their knowledge and expertise in a particular industry. They often have large followings on social media, and their opinion carries weight. By following industry influencers, you can stay up-to-date on new developments in your industry. You can also get insights into what problems people face and what they're looking for in a product.

You can use Twitter's search function or Google Alerts to find influencers to follow.

3. Hit the Marketplaces

Marketplaces are a great place to look for new product ideas. There are many different marketplaces out there, such as Amazon and Etsy. You can use these marketplaces to see which products are popular and selling well. They're also a great place to read reviews and see what problems people have with existing products.

To find marketplaces to explore, you can do a Google search or ask around in relevant Facebook groups and forums. Once you've found a marketplace, take some time to browse through it. And then, take notes!

4. Check out Your Competition

See what products they're selling and what's popular with their customers. You can also use their products to get insights into what problems people have that your version could solve.

Search on Google or ask around in relevant Facebook groups and forums to find your competition. Once you've found your competition, take some time to explore their products. See what's popular and see what problems people are having with existing products.

5. Talk to Your Customers

See what problems your customers are having that your product could solve. Use their feedback to improve existing products and gauge interest in new products. You can use social media, forums, or customer surveys to find your customers.

6. Brainstorm

If you're having trouble coming up with new product ideas, sometimes the best thing is to sit down and brainstorm. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and start brainstorming with your team. Don't worry about whether or not your ideas are good. Just write down whatever comes to mind. Once you have come up with the list, start narrowing them down to the best applicable ones.

7. Look for Gaps in the Market

See what products are missing and fill that gap. To find gaps in the market, you can use social media, forums, or customer surveys. Once you've found an opening, take some time to brainstorm how you could fill that gap. See what is missing and develop a product that would fill that void.

8. Think Add-Ons

Think: what can you add to your existing product to make it better? Can you add a new feature or a new design? To brainstorm add-ons, you can use social media, forums, or customer surveys.

Once you've come up with some ideas, start thinking about how you could implement them. What would be the best way to add this new feature or design?

9. Think Outside the Box

Companies of all sizes are constantly creating new and innovative products. Don't be afraid to explore new and unique ideas.

Conclusion

We at Bright Vessel understand the hustles of coming up with a new product. Contact us, and we will help you develop some new ideas that you can implement to redefine your business for your specific market.

The post How to Find Your Next Product Idea first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

What Are Your Goals?

Firstly, before embarking on the journey to crafting a great email marketing strategy, you need to define your goals. Determining your goals and objectives will enable you to set a definitive process from the onset.

Identify Your Target

Next, clearly define your target. Is it business to business or business to consumer? You need to determine the customers you intend to offer services to and whether they have the kind of problem your business can solve. Craft your email marketing to excite, attract and lure them into coming for your solutions or products.

The easiest way to determine who your target customers are is:

• Analyzing what your portfolio holds or who your existing clients are.
• Study who will benefit from your solution by doing online market research.
• Find out who your direct competitors' customers are.

After this, the next step is finding out and classifying your clients by determining common demographic details such as age, gender, location, income, and marital status.

Select Your Toolbox

A successful strategy will require you to use tools that will help you craft, disseminate, track and measure the marketing emails and campaigns.

For starters, you will need an email service provider. The email provider will enable you to create and send your emails and provide you with additional solutions for email tracking. Next, pick an automation tool that allows you to program and send emails at strategic times.

Once you've selected the tools needed to craft your strategic emails, write down the passwords you'll share with your team.

Qualify Your Leads

Qualifying leads involve reaching out to visitors by cold calling or using your ChatBots and customer service personnel to get them to trust you and share their email addresses. You can only do this through proven tactics to make customers want to hear more from you. A few tactics to get your customers' trust include:

Create Relevant Content on Your Website with a Request for Details

Top-notch content provides value to your prospective customers. You can choose to use educational, entertainment, or informational content that inspires them. Include a call to action requesting visitors sign up for more of your content or services.

Keep an Opt-In Form on Your Website's Service or Home Section

The opt-in button can be situated at the bottom of the page or sidebar for easy visibility while they browse your site.

Create Free Offers

One-time offers come in handy when requesting email addresses. You can offer free trials upon subscriptions or a freebie like an ebook.

Segment the Collected Email List

Email list segmentation involves demographically fragmenting your long list into smaller lists based on similarities. For example, one list can consist of ages between 30-35 or those in their thirties and forties. Don't forget to create a buyer persona for each list.

Create Customized Emails

Use the smaller lists you've created to customize your emails to reflect on your brand offerings and develop precise and on-target emails that will realize increased responses. Some tips to successfully customize your emails:

• Analyze your solutions and how they will address your clients' problems.
• Be consistent with the content on your website.
• Analyze whether your content ideas will work well in email messages.

Ready to email your potential customers? Make sure that your emails are personalized before hitting the send button. Tweak the customized emails to fit your customers' profiles and tastes before sending. Personalized marketing emails have a higher return on investment than generic emails.

How to Personalize Your Email Marketing

Personalized emails may consist of something as simple as a birthday card, which studies have shown to generate more than 300% return on investment.

To gather more personalized information, you can employ the use of digital marketing methods, such as:

• Use social media analytics and your website to get an idea of the products and services that generate the highest rate of engagement which plays a critical role in making them share more details.
• Design lead forms with additional fields that prompt your potential clients to feel in more detail on your website and social media sites. However, be cautious not to make your leads feel as if they are filling a loan application form by asking for more than is conventionally acceptable.
• Employ an email look-up tool to generate the leads' basic information such as server location, name, and social media profiles.

Use A/B Testing

Using A/B testing is critical to getting to know more about your customers. Test body copy, subject lines, layout, images, and many more, and change only one thing at a time to draw clear conclusions. This will help you determine the words that resonate better with your target market.

Set Up Trigger Emails

Trigger emails are sent out to your customers or potential customers while they're on your website. Trigger emails have proven to be more effective in generating replies because you reach out to the customers actively engaging with your content. You can set your triggered these emails to:

• Send a reminder immediately after a customer abandons their cart.
• Ask for feedback immediately after a customer completes a purchase or they've finished browsing your website.
• Send a welcoming email right after they navigate your website.

Share Your Values

Customers nowadays want to support brands they identify with and with missions that align with their core values. You can showcase the milestones of your corporate social responsibility initiatives, like how many orphanages you have supported or your company's impact on the environment, by participating in yearly tree planting events.

Use Dynamic Email Content

Using dynamic email content is the best way to personalize your email marketing. Your email content can be dynamic by including features like a countdown or a live feed from your blog or social channels.

Figure out How You Will Evaluate Your Marketing Campaigns

You have set your goals and gathered your marketing campaign creation tools. Then, you figured out your target market personas and demographics. Finally, you have qualified your leads, tested and personalized your marketing emails to achieve optimum results. Now it's time to establish how you will evaluate your marketing campaigns.

The best way to ensure this process is flawless is by creating email marketing strategy templates that will help you to keep tabs on the accurate net results. Alternatively, you can employ online tools like Hubspot to get an in-depth analysis and evaluation of what your efforts are yielding.

Conclusion

Creating an email marketing strategy is a process that involves a host of fine details that, if overlooked, will give you a hard time implementing and measuring progress and success. Employing a plausible marketing strategy template that you can tweak from time to time will greatly benefit your online store.

At Bright Vessel, we understand the importance of a spelled-out content plan. Contact us today for insights on content marketing strategy and how it can affect your bottom line.

The post Email Marketing for Online Stores first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Read on to discover how to improve your customer retention rates.

Customer Retention: the Basics

Customer retention is the process of maintaining the customers you already have. It's a much more effective way to market a business. Why? Because you're increasing the rate at which they will buy from your company again in the future. There are three things you need to do as a business to achieve customer retention:

1. Provide an excellent product or service.
2. Communicate with your customers effectively.
3. Find a way to follow up after closing the initial sale.

Achieving customer retention can be one of the most challenging parts of running a business. It's difficult to keep old customers interested in what you have to offer, especially as they will never remain as profitable as new customers. However, there are some ways that you can successfully retain your customers.

Customer Retention Rate

The customer retention rate is the percentage of happy customers who continue to buy from a company. The term also includes customers who remain loyal despite being offered competitive products and services by other companies. The average customer retention rate is around 20%, so most customers will not continue to do business with a company once they find better deals elsewhere.

Customers won't give away loyalty easily, as their priority will always be finding a better deal. If you keep your existing customers happy, they're more likely to spend money with your company. Undecided customers are more likely to be tempted away by competitors who are offering better prices at the moment.

Customer Retention Levels

Different customer retention levels depend on how much you're willing to commit to your customers' success and how often they purchase from your business. The customer retention strategies that work best usually follow up with happy customers to find out what they thought about the products or services you provided and what they want to see more of in the future.

Customer Retention Strategies

Suppose you're looking for some customer-retention strategies. In that case, there is a wide range of ways that businesses can keep their existing customers happy, so they'll continue providing business for as long as possible. Here are just some examples:

1. One-to-one Marketing

Find out what your customers want and then supply it to them. It's a good idea to ask their opinions and give them more of whatever they like best. If your customers tell you something about the products and services you provide, be sure to take their feedback seriously.

2. Customer Advisory Boards

These are the recommendations and ideas from people who regularly buy from you. It can be a great way to discover what your customers want and then supply it to them.

3. Customer Referrals

Encouraging your happy customers to recommend their friends and family can be a quick and easy way of attracting new business, especially if you give them an incentive for doing so. Even services your online store will provide customer referrals for you. Ensure that your current customers understand your terms and conditions of customer referrals. That way, they'll trust your program and adhere to the rules.

4. Customer Loyalty Schemes

Customer loyalty schemes provide incentives for people to keep coming back and spending money with your company instead of buying from competitors. These schemes include giving discounts to returning customers or creating a system that allows customers to earn points and exchange them for goods or services.

The most significant benefit of effective customer acquisition and retention is that it helps keep a business running smoothly. Every time a potential customer walks through your door, they have a good chance of becoming a paying customer. When you have a customer retention rate of 20%, it means that every time you acquire a new customer, there is an 80% chance that they will not continue to buy from you in the future.

5. Takeaways

Customer acquisition costs are low, but businesses do not retain customers. Nowadays, free or cheap apps are readily available, and new companies emerge daily. The competition makes it even more challenging for existing businesses to retain customers, as new companies offer free apps and deals.

Keeping your existing customers happy and spending money with your company is essential, and it will keep them from being tempted away by smaller competitors who are offering better prices at the moment.

One-to-one marketing, customer advisory boards, referrals, and loyalty schemes are some of the ways that you can keep customers happy and loyal to your company. These strategies work best when they follow up with satisfied customers to find out what they thought about the products or services you provided and what they want to see more of in the future. Suppose you're looking for some customer retention strategies. In that case, there is a wide range of ways that businesses can keep their existing customers happy, so they'll continue providing business for as long as possible. Here are just some examples:

Encouraging your happy customers to recommend their friends and family can be a quick and easy way of attracting new business, especially if you give them an incentive for doing so. Even services online will provide customer referrals for you, such as Biz Bay.

How to Win Customers from Competitors 

1. Offer the Best Possible Customer Service

When customers stop buying from you, it can be tough to win them back. Offer the best customer service possible to ensure that they'll come back and give you another chance. Here are some expert tips on how to do this:

2. Keep Customers Informed

Keep your WordPress site up to date with the latest information on what's happening in your business. You should also tell visitors about the exact waiting time for your products or services, so they don't have to worry about being kept waiting for something simple.

3. Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep

If you tell a customer that their new product will be with them on a specific date, make sure you can do what you promised. If it didn't arrive when you said it would, contact them immediately and tell them what's going on. You can then deliver the goods as soon as possible to ensure that they'll give your business another chance.

4. Offer Flexible Delivery

Some businesses find that they're much busier in the morning than in the afternoon, so offering an AM or PM delivery slot can help them gain more customers. It all depends on how well you understand your customers. Work with what they prefer, and don't force them to fit in your schedule. If you can't meet their preferences, you should find a way to inform them about the same in the most professional manner possible.

Conclusion

Customer retention is what will keep your business running and your customers coming back. Give them what they want when they want it - and you won't have to worry about losing them to a competitor. Some businesses think that they can afford to ignore customer retention, as it's easier and cheaper to acquire new customers than it is to keep the ones you already have. However, following these strategies will ensure your business stays afloat for as long as possible, even if your competitors offer something better.

Keep customers loyal to your brand by giving them full transparency. You can achieve this through a full WordPress website with all your updated information, and even tips about the goods you provide. Through Bright Vessel, you can find a WordPress or WooCommerce plan that adjusts to your business's specific needs. Contact us to find out more!

The post What Is Customer Retention? first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Know Your Customer

The essential thing in any online business or marketing is knowing exactly who your customer is. The internet gives us enormous power to target our advertising message to exactly the right demographic, which means more sales and less marketing spend.

You must know what that demographic is. So, if you haven’t already worked on creating customer personas that define who you sell to, start now. You could base this on your brick-and-mortar business’s customer profile, or you could start using social media, polls, and even surveys.

Create a Trustworthy Site

People like to shop online – but they like to buy from sites they can trust. They want to know who you are, where you are based, and if you are a legitimate company. Security signals like the little padlock that comes with your SSL certificate matter to online shoppers, and being able to contact you by email, phone, or even visiting a branch makes a difference too. Consider using WordPress for a fully customizable site that you can integrate with ecommerce platforms.

Make sure that your customers identify who your company is and that your site is clear and transparent.

Focus On the Funnel

If you’ve never heard of a sales funnel before, you need to research what they are and how they work. Here’s a basic overview of what the online shopping process looks like:

• A customer searches online for a particular product
• If your online advertising and SEO is good, they find your site and visit your page
• When they arrive on your site, they search for the product they want
• If they find the product, they review the price, availability, and shipping costs
• If they decide that you’re offering the best deal for the item, they place an order
• You deliver or ship the product to them
• If you do a good job of all these things, the customer might return next time they need a similar item

Your potential customer might not find what they need at any point along this process. In that case, they will go to the following website on their search results list, and you will lose the sale. You’ll also lose the opportunity for subsequent sales if they’re happy with the product and service.

So, you need to make sure that your website is optimized to deliver at every step of the process.

Your Products Aren’t Well Displayed.

Online shopping is a lot like shopping in person. Customers look for a price that they can afford or within their budget. Then they take a closer look at the product itself.

It’s essential to make sure that your products are well defined so that people have enough information to decide.

Make sure that your images are clear and that visitors to your site can zoom in to get a better look. Add multiple views to the product page, so people can turn it around the way they would in a store. If you can add a video of the item in use, that’s even better to give people a clear idea of the item they need.

Images are important, but the text content on your product pages matters too. Descriptions should be detailed and enticing. Include a variety of facts, specifications, and statistics. Sometimes, something as simple as the size, weight, or color of an item is enough to sway a customer, so make sure you add all that information on the product page.

Take a leaf from big online retailers’ books, too – by adding related items and upsells onto your product pages too. The longer you can keep your potential customer on your page and engaged, the higher the likelihood that they will buy from you.

Improve Your Payment Options

While it might not be expected, there are still customers who don’t have credit cards. This means if you only accept credit card payments, you might be losing sales.

Giving customers more than one option to pay for their purchases is a great way to increase e-commerce sales. Consider adding well-known and trusted third-party payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, or 2Checkout. Include an option to pay by credit card, and if you’re willing to process manual payments like checks, you can use that option as well.

Dial-In Your Shipping

Shipping is another huge factor for online sales. Many people say that shipping costs are the most significant factors in their online purchasing decisions.

If you can offer free shipping, that’s the gold standard for online shopping success. But if you can’t, try to provide more than one option. A slower, cheaper option might work for some customers, and faster courier services that cost a little more might appeal to others. If you are willing to offer pickup from your physical location, add that. Many people are shopping online for safety reasons these days, and if they can do a curbside collection, they might still choose to order from your online store for that reason.

Ship Promptly

People who shop online are not the most patient in the world. They expect you to ship their product within a reasonable time and receive it within as short a period as possible.

If you have longer shipping times, make sure that it’s clear on your website. Place a banner mentioning your shipping time on every page, so there are no nasty surprises after they’ve checked out.

Ensure that you send tracking information for shipments as soon as they are received. You’ll avoid a lot of angry follow-up emails if customers can log in to the carrier’s website and see where their order is.

Make Your Customer Feel Like the King (or Queen)

Customers online are not that different from the ones that visit brick-and-mortar locations. If your customer service is terrible, they will vote with their wallet and take their business elsewhere.

If you make them feel like royalty, answer questions, and solve problems promptly, however, they’re not only more likely to be repeat buyers, they’re also likely to recommend you to other people.

Perfect Your Marketing

Marketing an online store is a little different from a brick-and-mortar location. You can’t rely on foot traffic and location on the web! But there are a lot of other tools you can use to grow your presence and get more sales. Those include:

• Building an email list so you can email customers about specials, deals, coupons, and events
• Use paid ads on search engines to drive traffic to your website
• Use shopping comparison services like Google Shopping to get your store and your products in front of customers
• Creating social media profiles and engaging with potential customers about your products
• Using video services like YouTube to demonstrate how to use the products you sell
• Asking customers to review your products and your site online – reviews are a huge factor in online shopping decisions!

Offer Warranties and Return Options

People want to be reassured that they’re spending their money on a high-quality item that will fulfill their needs.

A warranty on your products is a good way to do that. So, if you offer a warranty on the items you sell, publish it on your website. Or, if you’re a reseller, make sure that you link to the manufacturer’s warranty or information on your page or theirs.

Returns are another big issue for online shoppers. If the item they bought doesn’t meet their expectations or arrives damaged or broken, who can they speak to, how do they send it back, and who pays for shipping.

Trust is even more important in online sales because shoppers can’t just bring an item back, so be upfront and honest about your policies, and then make sure you stick to them.

Pricing and Perks

Finally, when building or updating your online store, you need to consider pricing and perks.

Some online shoppers are completely price-driven, and they will always buy the cheapest product on offer. Others will consider other factors like your shipping policies, whether you’re a local business, or if you have social projects like supporting charities.

Many customers will also consider “perks” when they are shopping online. So, discounts on future purchases or free items with their order might sway them to choose your products, even if they aren’t the cheapest out there.

When customers are not entirely price-driven, the value you offer might very well be the deciding factor. So, make sure that every time your customers deal with you, they are delighted, and you underpromise and over-deliver.

The post How to Increase Ecommerce Sales 2022 first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Podcasts are increasingly prevalent to millions, and that number is only on the rise.

Why?

While other forms of media and information are offered from countless sources, such as TV or newspapers, podcasts are primarily leading due to their accessibility and convenience.

This works under the idea that while it may not always be feasible to watch a video or read about a subject, most people can integrate podcasts into their lives through their easy and simple auditory delivery. Podcasts are easy to listen to when you're driving, cleaning, or working out in a way that other media aren't. Most people find that there's still time for an audio recording, even if they have a busy schedule.

So, how can you benefit from this?

A podcast may be an excellent tool for ecommerce business owners seeking to gain a foothold in the market. Podcasts, with choices ranging from nearly every topic and field, offer a lot of possibilities.

Podcasts are popular for a reason. They provide both education and entertainment in a convenient format that may be accessed from anywhere, at any time. As an ecommerce business owner, however, you can acquire a lot of extra professional advantages if you listen to them regularly.

Keep Up With Industry Trends

Today's ecommerce industry is always evolving. What worked one day may not work the next, making it tough for small firms with limited resources to reach new heights.

Podcasts are a fantastic method to stay on top of what's going on in the industry, allowing you to keep your thumb on the pulse of today's ecommerce strategies both easily and simply.

In addition to providing wide-ranging topics from which to choose, ecommerce podcasts are also available on particular themes. This allows people looking for more specialized information to explore essential subjects — such as customer retention or brand image.

Learn From The Best

The majority of podcasts that succeed are hosted by industry experts, such as ecommerce company owners, marketing experts, and thought leaders in the field. Programs run by individuals such as these can give people a better idea of how top names sell and market their products.

Running an ecommerce business entails a lot more than simply selling items online. In the industry, expertise is undoubtedly crucial, and that's why an established professional's guidance is always useful.

A podcast may help close the knowledge gap for new entrepreneurs and small business owners, providing them direct access to the finest guidance. Some podcasts also allow listeners to submit questions, allowing them to get personalized assistance from industry leaders.

Choose From Endless Options And Topics

Ecommerce is a wide subject that covers a variety of subtopics. Fortunately, there's a podcast for just about anything. Ecommerce site owners may have varied goals based on the target market they're aiming for, and the appropriate podcast may provide insight that no other source offers.

The chances of finding a podcast that meets your particular needs are very high, far greater than finding a consistent source through other media formats. Furthermore, there's no limit to the number of podcasts you can listen to, so if you enjoy listening to podcasts about a wide range of subjects as an ecommerce professional, there are likely many that will work for you.

Access Podcasts Anywhere

The accessibility of ecommerce podcasts is one of its greatest benefits. Because reading, watching television and listening to the radio all take time away from other activities, they're difficult to engage in while multitasking. Podcasts differ from these

mediums in the way that they are digestible and accessible, allowing listeners to learn from them almost everywhere and anyhow.

As podcasts can be listened to while doing nearly anything, including chores, driving, shopping, or any other activity, even busy professionals may find time to listen to podcasts. They boast an easy and low-commitment opportunity for everyone to stay up to date.

Top Ecommerce Podcasts for WordPress Developers

Listening to the best podcasts is an excellent method to advance in the ecommerce industry for people in this sector. Industry experts typically create podcasts, so they may be an excellent method to obtain insider knowledge. These podcasts also include updates on cutting-edge technologies, new programs, and timely news items.

Here, we will do a brief overview of some of the most popular ecommerce podcasts out there.

EcommerceFuel

Andrew Youderian, the founder of EcommerceFuel Podcast, is a well-known ecommerce personality with years of podcasting experience and praise.

From brand-specific reports to industry trends to leadership team formation advice, the program covers it all. EcommerceFuel also offers a business development program that connects companies with entrepreneurs to help them grow more quickly and implement industry best practices.

EcommerceFuel is a fantastic all-around ecommerce marketing resource for anybody in the business. The information provided is broad and wide, and the leadership and ecommerce company expertise on offer is outstanding.

My Wife Quit Her Job

My Wife Quit Her Job is a site dedicated to transitioning away from full-time employment into solo entrepreneurship. It's run by a husband-and-wife team that left the corporate world to enter the ecommerce sector. This podcast hosted by Steve Chou covers a wide range of ecommerce subjects tailored to those just getting started and seeking development.

This podcast is a wonderful first step for people who are new to the ecommerce sector and want to get started on the right path. Much of the material is targeted toward beginners in ecommerce sales, although it can also be beneficial to everyone.

2X Ecommerce

2X Ecommerce, founded by ecommerce advisor Kunle Campbell, dreams up a unique approach and concept to ecommerce podcasts. The site's emphasis is on development, acquiring more clients, and ultimately improving outcomes in a market that is already saturated.

X2X Ecommerce has a large online presence and provides lots of assistance to those seeking for real results. The podcast focuses on business success stories while also looking at how direct-to-consumer firms have met their goals.

This program is an excellent tool for ecommerce experts looking to expand their businesses quickly and stay competitive. The terminology may be technical, but novices and veterans of all types can learn a lot here.

Ecommerce Conversations From Practical Ecommerce

The Ecommerce Conversations podcast, hosted by Practical Ecommerce, is a rich source of ecommerce information with a primary emphasis on success tales. Listeners will learn about excellent leadership, management abilities, and guidance on various product procurement and placement elements.

Ecommerce businesses that are looking for ideas that have worked for others will enjoy what this podcast has to offer. As it mainly focuses on the comparison of company profiles, straightforward business advice is somewhat restricted. Regardless, there are a lot of excellent suggestions and takeaways in between the analysis.

The Fizzle Show Podcast

This Podcast has been active since 2013, is a long-standing source for practical business guidance. The Fizzle Show is a membership organization dedicated to assisting new businesses in achieving their objectives. The podcast is for creative minds who want to make a living doing what they love. The majority of episodes include an interview with a successful business owner and discuss things like blogging, content marketing, audience development, productivity, and more.

Entrepreneurs who enjoy interview-style podcasts and want to learn from seasoned professionals in the business world would enjoy The Fizzle Show Podcast. Specific ecommerce advice may not be as readily available, but the interviewees have a wonderful sense of direction.

Ecommerce Minute

The Ecommerce Minute is a daily podcast produced by John Suder and Bart Mroz that covers ecommerce news. Episodes are published Monday through Friday and run around seven minutes each. Although it's somewhat shorter than a conventional podcast, Ecommerce Minute delivers an enormous amount of new information every week that's easy to listen to while multitasking.

Ecommerce Minute is a fantastic alternative for ecommerce owners looking for up-to-the-minute, relevant information regularly. The topics are broader in nature than some other podcasts, with less business-specific analysis and strategy.

Conlusion

Podcasts are an amazing method to get information in a quick and easy-to-consume format. It also fits nicely with the madness of modern life. You can take it anywhere with you on your smartphone and podcast platform. The accessibility allows for constant and instant access to the best of information and entertainment.

Podcasts provide a wealth of information, entertainment, and knowledge in addition to providing a fun escape. Ecommerce is a popular topic among podcasts, with numerous programs providing insight on all levels. With ecommerce podcasts accessible to everyone, novices and experts alike can distinguish themselves from the competition with world-class material at the touch of a button.

The post Top Ecommerce Podcasts for WordPress Developers first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Well, good!

Super versatile and easy to use, this all-popular content management system's become the go-to choice for both individuals and businesses.

Heck, WordPress is so dominant in this space that it now powers almost 40% of all websites on the internet!

Want to find out what all the fuss is about and learn more about why it's such a first-class platform?

We can help.

8 reasons to use WordPress for your site

As you may already know, there are actually two versions of WordPress out there to choose from: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Now, going into detail on the differences between them is a job for another article!

The most important thing to note is that WordPress.org is self-hosted and is open-sourced , whereas the .com version isn't. Both give you:

1. Far more control over your site (more on this later) and
2. Access to advanced plugins

1. It's Free

WordPress is a better option for anyone other than someone running a small, personal blog.

Whether you opt for WordPress.com or .org, though, you won't pay a dime to get started. Both versions are 100% free to download, thanks to their open-source nature, allowing teams of contributors to use the software in their projects.

That's a big deal if you want to experiment with the platform without investing any of your hard-earned cash!

However, because WordPress.org is self-hosted, you will have to purchase your domain name and pay for web hosting. Thankfully, countless budget-friendly hosting services only charge a few dollars each month for it!

2. It's Simple to Use

You don't have to be an IT expert or technological whiz kid to learn how to use WordPress either. Indeed, one reason for its mass popularity is that anybody can use it.

You can be a complete website newbie or a professional coder with 30 years of experience, and both enjoy using this platform. It costs little to nothing to get started and offers premium customer support only adds to the accessibility. And don't worry if you do get stuck somewhere.

WordPress users have created many online resources that outline every aspect of setting up and running a WP site. You'll find a stack of free blog articles, YouTube videos, e-books, and seminars explaining the solution no matter the issue.

There are even designated WordPress forums for you to post questions and receive answers from fellow users! Failing that, browsing through peoples' past questions could provide an answer too.

3. It's Simple to Scale

Like people and businesses, the best websites change and adapt.

Everything from the color scheme and layout to the overall user experience shifts over time to reflect the latest online trends, SEO rules, rebranding efforts, and so on.

Unfortunately, other website-builders make this a challenge. But not WordPress! Thanks to the many plugins and themes available, scaling up and/or altering the course couldn't be simpler.

That's right, the purpose of these handy features doesn't stop at the setup phase. They're invaluable when you need to upgrade your site too. Imagine a business that offers customers different membership options. If they decided to add another income stream by selling digital products one day, they could simply use the WooCommerce plugin and have it running quickly.

And that's just one example! With 54,000 free plugins and thousands of paid ones now available, the options for scaling your site are endless.

Isometric multiple web pages and data analysis

4. You're In Control

We noted earlier how WordPress' self-hosted nature puts you in total control. But it's worth explaining why that's so valuable for your website!

In short, it gives you options. Similar to owning a house, you can decide exactly what it looks like and how it functions. You can also change your mind at any point and alter course in line with your vision for the site.

Alas, this isn't possible with other website builders, such as Squarespace or Wix. To continue with the housing analogy, the fact these platforms aren't open source means you're essentially renting a website from them.

They decide where it's hosted, and complex changes require experienced programmers to complete. If they choose to update their processes, then you're forced to go along with it. And the worst part?

If you stop paying for that particular service, you'll lose access to all your pages, files, and work. With WordPress, you own everything, putting you in the driving seat at all times.

5. It Isn't Just for Blogs

Contrary to what many people think, WordPress isn't just for bloggers!

It may have started out like that, but it's shifted focus over time to become a much better-rounded and more versatile platform.

Whether you want to create an e-commerce site or a job board, a business directory, or an online forum, there's almost no limit to the type of website you can develop on WordPress these days.

The best part?

Developing the site you want couldn't be easier. Generally speaking, all you do is pick the theme and plugins that feel right and follow the setup instructions. Throw an occasional bit of code into the mix, and voila, you're up and running.

This isn't to say anything bad about its blogging acumen, though!

Because its origins are in this niche, WordPress continues to shine here too.

Indeed, whereas other site-building services seem to treat their blogging interface as an afterthought, you'll enjoy a swift, simple, and polished way to publish blog posts if that's on your agenda.

6. You Can Upload Any Media Type

Imagine a musician setting up a website to promote their latest album. Or a photographer who wants an online portfolio to show their work to prospective clients.

Thanks to WordPress, they'd have no trouble uploading any of their respective files.

Why?

Because this multipurpose platform supports almost every type of media under the sun. Whether you need to upload something commonplace, like a .JPG, .GIF, or .PDF, or something more obscure, like an .OGG or .3GP, you'll almost always be able to do it.

We say "almost always" because certain files (SVGs are a good example) aren't permitted.

But even then, you should be able to find a workaround that lets you upload them! Simply Google the file format (e.g., "how to upload SVGs to WordPress") to find a tutorial that explains the process.

7. Management and Maintenance Aren't Too Tricky

Worried about the maintenance side of things?

Don't be!

Although there are perks to paying a web development company to handle it, you can save sizable sums of money by taking the DIY approach instead. Furthermore, having a good host and some relevant plugins make handling the main tasks relatively straightforward.

In a world where cyberattacks are increasingly common, for instance, it's imperative that your website's backed up and secure at all times. What's great about WordPress is that you can either install a simple plugin to do both or pay for a managed hosting plan to do the same.

And remember, the mass of trouble-shooting and "how-to" style resources online should shed light on anything you're unsure about!

8. Search Engine Optimization's Sorted

The secret to success for any site is search engine optimization (SEO).

After all, this is what helps Google (or any other search engine) find, understand, and rank your content online! Get your SEO strategy right, and you can reap the rewards of huge amounts of traffic without spending a cent on ads.

Want to find out how this pertains to WordPress?

With various SEO capabilities built into the platform, WordPress makes this crucial and complex part of running a website much simpler. Not only does it automate key SEO elements, such as generating meta-descriptions and title tags, but there are also many plugins designed to facilitate this specific task.

Yoast SEO is a prime example. A must-have for any WordPress user, it'll reveal everything from how effectively you've targeted your keywords in an article to how compelling your titles are.

Leverage the Benefits of Using WordPress for Your Website

Conclusion

As you can tell, there's no shortage of reasons to follow the crowd and use WordPress for your website!

A content management system that's used by millions of people around the world, including some of the biggest sites on the internet, you can rest assured that you're in safe hands.

Trust us, whether you're setting up an e-commerce site, a personal blog, an online portfolio, or anything else, you'd be hard-pressed to find another option that's as versatile, powerful, or convenient.

Ready to give it a try? Contact Bright Vessel today for best-in-class support building and managing your new WordPress site.

The post 8 Good Reasons Why You Should Use WordPress first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.

Fortunately, with the advent of the internet and e-commerce, things have changed dramatically. Nearly everything these days is measured, calibrated, collated, and quantified. We know where people shop online and when. We know what drives their purchasing decisions and what makes them change their brand loyalty. They tell us everything about their shopping wants, needs, and habits.

You can use those facts and statistics to improve your Black Friday performance! Here are some of the most important Black Friday stats for you to adapt, digest and use!

How Many People Shop Online, and How Much Do They Spend?

Online Black Friday sales are measured in tens of billions, and those numbers are only going up! Black Friday has always been one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and nothing has changed just because we're shopping online. If anything, we're spending more online because there's less access to entertainment and activities.

● In 2019, over 90 million people chose to shop online. Now, during the pandemic, that number is even higher!

● The value of online Black Friday sales is now well over $7 billion. So, there's a lot of money to be made in online stores!

● Black Friday is known for great deals, and the average discount on these deals is 37%.

● We shop more between black Friday and Christmas. 30% of ALL retail sales that happen during the year happen during these few weeks!

● 40% of all retail shoppers bought something at online Black Friday sales in 2019, and again, the pandemic is only increasing that number.

Online Black Friday Demographics and Preferences

Different age groups and genders have different online shopping habits on Black Friday, but everyone from millennials to baby boomers is spending large amounts of money online!

● More than half of all women are Black Friday shoppers, and millennials are the biggest group looking for Black Friday deals.

● Millennials spent, on average, just over $500, shopping the online Black Friday sales

● 94% of millennials who shopped online Black Friday sales bought electronics, which amounted to over $11 billion!

● 90% of Gen Xers also spent a lot on electronics. They spent over $31 billion on gadgets and gizmos. They also spent more on cosmetics and beauty products, but at $5.9 billion, that was a distant second to technology!

● Baby boomers don't spend a lot on technology in a normal year. Their biggest spend is usually on travel, with over $12 billion on Black Friday getaway deals. Of course, it's unlikely we'll see spending this year with this pandemic stage, so we will have to wait and see where Boomers will spend their dollars this year!

Who Sells More Online?

Of course, big brand stores sell more products online on Black Friday. Aside from Amazon, BestBuy, Costco, and Walmart all see big sales increases on the year's biggest sales day.

● Internet giants score big on Black Friday. In fact, Amazon claimed over 54% of all online Black Friday sales in 2019. Many more businesses are selling online today, but they still expect to take a big bite out of Black Friday sales.

● 49% of online Black Friday shoppers are swayed by shipping costs – which might be why sites like Amazon that offer low cost or free shipping are big winners.

Online Black Friday Budgets and Trends

Black Friday is always a huge shopping day, but the numbers show that a lot more shopping is happening from mobile devices.

● Most people plan to spend around $400 online on Black Friday

● Nearly 40% of online Black Friday sales were not made on desktop or laptop computers. They were made via tablets or mobile phones. Which is yet another reason to make sure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive!

● In 2019, over $900 million was spent on Shopify on Black Friday, and nearly 70% of those sales were made via mobile devices!

● People who do shop via desktop or laptop computers tend to spend more. They tend to buy items that are nearly 30% more expensive than their mobile compatriots.

● 36% of Black Friday shoppers in 2020 planned to be at the store between midnight and 6 am, waiting for the doors to open. 46% planned to be there before 10 am, and only 17% planned to be there later in the day.

Buyer's Remorse

Yes – some people still feel bad about the things they buy online on Black Friday.

● Online shoppers still feel buyer's remorse. In fact, about 66% of millennials regret their Black Friday splurges, while a little over 40% of Boomers report feeling that they make a mistake.

Location and Product Winners

Some states and areas buy more online on Black Friday, and some products do better than others.

● The states that spend the most online for Black Friday aren't what you think they are. In fact, in 2019, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming topped the list. Of course, again, with fewer people in malls in 2020 and 2021, online Black Friday sales figures are up for every state.

● Clothing and shoes, electronics, cosmetics, and travel are some of the biggest sale items on Black Friday.

● Furniture is a much bigger in-person seller than an online one on Black Friday. 21.9% of shoppers bought their furnishings in a real-world store, while only a little over 16% chose to shop online. This makes sense because it's hard to tell if a new couch or mattress is comfortable from a website!

We've never known as much about what people want to buy, where they want to buy it, and how much they want to spend as we do today. We know exactly which deals get the most interest, what kind of products people want to buy at Black Friday sales, and who they are.

What Does It Mean Now?

The good news for online retailers is that the pandemic has changed the way we shop.

Statistics show that online sales have at least doubled since we have all been spending more time at home and avoiding public places.

That trend is likely to continue this year, even though we have fewer official restrictions. It's unlikely that people will want to brave the huge crowds that Black Friday sales generate in a normal year.

Major retailers and smaller companies are taking their Black Friday sales online, and digital sales might likely match or exceed sales in stores.

Black Friday is traditionally also an opportunity to stock up on Christmas gifts. Still, with so many more online sales and supply chain disruptions, getting those items to customers might be more complicated. Many stores are still offering curbside pickup options, so shoppers might opt to buy online and pick up in person.

If you want to capitalize on online Black Friday this year, here are a few ideas:

● Offer great deals. Most online Black Friday purchases are priced between 30 and 40% lower than their usual price.

● Know who your customers are. Different customers are looking for different things and have different budgets.

● Consider limiting the availability of great deals. Scarcity is a great motivator and could have virtual "lines" of shoppers waiting for your sale to start!

Many people have more disposable income thanks to the pandemic and savings on childcare and commuting. So, it's likely to be a bumper year for Black Friday sales this year, whether you're talking about online or in-person shopping. There's never been a better time to think about your own Black Friday shopping strategy.

The post Black Friday Ecommerce Statistics You Need to Know 2021 first appeared on B2B Website Platform Developer - Bright Vessel.