Business

Over recent years there has been large amounts of attention surrounding how much pollution the world is producing from using materials which can’t be recycled alone. From plastic bottles littering the planet’s ocean to online delivery companies using copious amounts of unnecessary packaging; the conversation has never been so intense.

As the attention surrounding sustainability continues to grow, it has put increased pressure on brands to evaluate their current processes and materials used for packaging and how they can meet consumer needs for years to come. With this in mind, branding agency 1HQ have created a magazine which looks in-depth at the future of packaging and what consumers can expect from brands.

What does the future hold for online deliveries?

We’ve all been shocked when an online delivery arrives and large amounts of unnecessary packaging have been used, but the company LivingPackets wants to show other brands how you can be sustainably smart when it comes to online deliveries.

LivingPackets have created ‘THE BOX’, which removes the need for materials such as bubble wrap, cardboard boxes and printing labels. Compromised from 98% air and 2% recycled materials, ‘THE BOX’ contains a built-in locking system and GPS which allows the recipient to track their order via an app. Another appealing factor of ‘THE BOX’ is that address labels have been replaced with an E-link, allowing delivery locations to be amended if needed.

How can fast food companies create a more sustainable future?

Some of the world’s most well-known fast food chains have changed the packaging they use to help improve their sustainability; but one company is on a mission to take this one step further.

One of the most favoured takeaway meals is a pizza and more often than not we order more than we need, meaning extra slices of pizza we don’t want to waste. Instead of having to wrap each individual piece in tin foil or use a plastic container, GreenBox have created a takeaway box which can be folded to just how you need it. From arriving at your home as a cardboard box with a whole pizza inside, the box can then be deconstructed for individual pieces, meaning no extra packaging or materials are being used.

With consumers now wanting sustainable packaging when buying products, now is the time for brands to look at their current manufacturing methods and look ahead to the future. With the likes of LivingPackets and GreenBox already leading the way when it comes to improving sustainability, what does the future hold for the world of sustainable packaging?

It’s time for your business to step it up online, and the development of your website is a foundational step towards digital success. Take your products and services to the world through your business website, and invest in a proper build along the way.

If you’re not sure where to start, it’s a good time to dive into some research. Take a few moments now to read through some effective website development tips for your business, and equip yourself with the knowledge you need to succeed online.

Speed is always important

Never underestimate the power of speed. Your business website must move quickly. Today’s web users simply don’t have time to wait around for your pages to load, so don’t make them.

Always invest in new ways to keep your pages loading with ease. Developing the efficiency of your website means boosting speed. Avoid using heavy multimedia files, and compress whenever needed.

Understand the implications of Hick’s Law

Keep Hick’s Law in mind as you decorate your business website. Hick’s Law simply says that when you give a person a lot of choices, it will take them longer to make their decision. You may think that people taking more time to make up their minds is good for your site, but it’s not.

The longer it takes for people to sort through their options, the less likely they are to actually make a purchase. Make your presentations clear and concise, so users can quickly decide what they need from your business.

Prioritize scrolling over clicking

It’s helpful to know that web users would rather scroll through the information on your website than click through a slider or set of tabs. It may seem fancier to consolidate your information in a slideshow or accordian style layout, but studies show that web users prefer a simpler format.

Layout the information on your business website in a linear manner. A long page with strategically dispersed information is more effective at successfully achieving conversions.

Use visual cues to direct visitors

Use the design of your web pages to direct individuals towards crucial pieces of your layout. For instance, you can include a swift arrow pointing towards your contact form on your website. It seems simple, because it is simple. However, studies show that directing the view of users actually works.

Always keep it mobile friendly

Mobile optimization is critical to the functionality and visibility of your business website for more than a few reasons. Mobile web users are multiplicitous, and your site design should be built to serve. Mobile devices of any shape and size should have no trouble accessing and interacting with the various elements of your business website.

Sometimes, it seems like garages get all the credit for starting businesses. Everyone knows about the garage that birthed the first Apple computer, or the garage where HP initially got its start. However, when you start looking into it, you’ll also find that there are also plenty of companies that got their initial start in basements. Read through these interesting companies that started in basements, then consider a few of the most technically charged ones.

Tech and Other Successful Companies That Started in Parents’ Basements Created By: JES

Kaplan

In 1938, Stanley Kaplan realized that there were many immigrant families in the Brooklyn area that were underprepared for the upcoming NY Regents Exam. To help kids prepare for these upcoming standardized tests, he created a tutoring service in his parents’ basement. It was massively successful, and that success held steady; he eventually sold the company to The Washington Post Company, and in 2018, the company’s annual revenue was $1.5 billion.

Epic Games

You might not recognize the name “Epic Games,” but you almost certainly recognize the name “Fortnite,” which is the company’s most popular title. However, did you know that Epic Games started in 1991 when Tim Sweeney started to design video games in his parents’ basement? The company’s original name, Epic MegaGames, helped to make him sound like a well-established corporation. With the help of Fortnite and the company’s many other hits, Epic Games has a valuation of $15 billion.

Qualtrics

If you’ve never had to gather data and information on your own, you probably don’t know how massively helpful Qualtrics is for that. The company is well-known for being able to help academics conduct field research. However, it got its start when Ryan Smith convinced his brother Jared to quit his job at Google and help build the company’s technical side. It proved to be massively popular, with a modern valuation of $11.1 billion.

Voltage Security

This network security company didn’t start in a parent’s basement; in fact, it started in the basement office at Stanford University. The company was initially a computer science class research project, and after they won the Stanford BASES Entrepreneurs Challenge, they received $150,000 in capital to develop it further. It’s now owned by HP, and it had $39 million in funding before that ownership transaction took place.

FreshBooks

Accounting software is massively important, but it’s something you probably don’t think that much about. That definitely wasn’t the case in 2004 when founder Mike McDerment started FreshBooks. For the first few years, he had only 10 customers, each paying $9.99 per month, and he worked out of his parents’ basement to make sure he used as little as possible to run the business. Of course, it grew from there, and nowadays, the company invoices over $8 billion across its five million users each year.

Bold Commerce

eCommerce is an important part of many businesses’ success; for some businesses, it’s the only tool they have to make sales. Bold Commerce helps companies make the most of their eCommerce tools, and it all started in a basement. In fact, after its founding in 2012, the company cycled offices through three different basements to help keep costs low. One of the basements even had only a moisture barrier sheeting, rather than finished walls.

Conclusion

Basements have done a lot to further technology in every way. Whether you’re interested in starting your own business, you want a second office in your home, or you just want an additional living space, making sure your basement is suitable may be an important part of that process. Make sure you give your basement the care and concern it deserves, and it’s sure to repay the favor.

When considering phone service for your business, you’ll need to think about a variety of things. Many people choose a landline phone service for their business simply because that’s been the norm for many decades now. More forward-thinking or tech-savvy businesses might consider a mobile phone plan because it seems more technological. However, if you want to maximize your opportunities, you need to consider a VoIP. Consider this guide to VoIP phone service to see what benefits a VoIP can provide to you.

1. Price

The first main benefit that many businesses notice about a VoIP is price. A VoIP, on average, is going to be substantially less expensive than any other phone service. For example, a traditional landline usually costs $800-$1,000 per user per year, and a mobile phone is only mildly less expensive at $720-$960 per user per year.

On the other hand, a VoIP can be as little as $239 per user per year through Ooma Office. That means you could be saving up to 76% over a landline. To put that number into perspective, a small business with 15 desk employees could save over $11,000 every year by switching to a VoIP.

2. Workplace Connectivity

Another important concept for workplaces is workplace connectivity. This refers to the way in which your employees can connect with your clients. Landlines are notoriously bad at this; your employees have to sit at desks to make and take calls. However, mobile phones aren’t much better, as they typically require employees to juggle two cell phones.

What’s the answer? For a growing number of businesses, the answer is a VoIP. With a VoIP, you get the convenience of a desk phone when your employees are at their desks, but you also get the benefits of a mobile phone through an app on your employees’ existing phones.

3. Ease of Use

Making your phone service easier to use for both employees and clients is an essential part of building a profitable business. Landlines are difficult for employees to use, as you can’t really move a landline without professional help. However, mobile phones are more difficult for clients, as you can’t transfer calls on a mobile phone line.

The best way to handle both of these problems is with a VoIP. A VoIP allows you to use your existing structure, as almost every company already uses the internet. It also lets you take advantage of many benefits traditionally associated with a landline, which may include call transferring and a toll-free number.

4. Features

There are certain features that a VoIP can offer that may be more expensive with other types of phone service or may not even be available. These are a few of the features that Ooma Office provides for free with its service.

• Toll-Free Number
• Virtual Receptionist for Automated Call Routing
• Conference Bridge
• Call Blocking
• Voicemail Audio Sent to Email
• Main Business Number
• Unique Number for Each User
• Electronic Fax
• Ring Groups

Should You Switch to a VoIP?

Of course, at the end of the day, your choice of whether or not to switch to a VoIP may vary depending on your personal needs. Different businesses need different methods of communication. However, for most businesses, a VoIP provides benefits in all relevant areas, including connectivity, ease of use, and price. Consider switching over to a VoIP to maximize your business’s connectivity and transition into the modern age.