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Beyond the Click: Winning in a World of Ephemeral Content and Algorithmic Crackdowns

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The Changing Social Landscape

Social media is no longer the wild west. Platforms like Facebook are tightening the reins, pushing back against cheap engagement tricks like clickbait headlines. At the same time, attention spans continue to shift toward fast, ephemeral, micro-content — the kind popularized by Snapchat, Instagram’s Hyperlapse, and bite-sized video loops. These trends are reshaping how brands communicate and what audiences expect.

Facebook’s Fight Against Clickbait

In its ongoing effort to improve user experience, Facebook has rolled out a new algorithm to demote so-called “clickbait” — headlines that overpromise and underdeliver. Posts that result in short time-on-site and high bounce rates now risk limited visibility in users’ news feeds. The update forces marketers and media outlets to reevaluate their content strategy: the days of curiosity-gap headlines like “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next” are numbered.

This aligns with the *Factics* principle: effective content is grounded in truth and built on trust. Algorithms can now measure how long users stay on linked articles or whether they engage after clicking. These behavior signals determine whether content truly delivers value. In response, Digital Ethos continues to advocate for content that informs, educates, and earns attention—not tricks users into a click.

The Rise of Micro-Content and Ephemeral Media

While Facebook clamps down on clickbait, other platforms are doubling down on bite-sized, fast-fading media. Snapchat’s growth is undeniable. With its disappearing images and videos, it taps into a psychological urgency: see it now or miss it forever. Meanwhile, Instagram’s launch of Hyperlapse in late August provides users with time-lapse video creation tools, opening new creative possibilities for event recaps, behind-the-scenes clips, and branded visuals.

Instagram’s advertising platform is also expanding, giving more brands access to paid promotion tools. The combination of beautiful, native ads and highly engaging micro-content makes Instagram an essential part of the marketer’s toolkit. And unlike clickbait articles, these visual-first posts reward users with storytelling instead of sensationalism.

A Strategic Shift for Marketers

This shift isn’t just about complying with new algorithms. It’s a creative opportunity. When content is ephemeral, every post counts. When headlines can’t rely on trickery, the story itself must stand strong. That’s where the *Teachers NOT Speakers* philosophy proves valuable—audiences engage more with content that teaches, shows, and demonstrates than with generic promotion.

To succeed now, event marketers, brands, and even small businesses must pivot toward value-driven micro-content. Short-form videos, animated GIFs, behind-the-scenes peeks, quick Q&As, and visually captivating stories work best. Facebook rewards content with genuine time-on-site, and Instagram rewards visual quality over volume. The lesson is clear: content must not just attract attention, it must earn it.

References

Facebook Newsroom. (2014). News Feed FYI: Click-baiting. https://about.fb.com/news/2014/08/news-feed-fyi-click-baiting/
TechCrunch. (2014). Instagram’s Hyperlapse Is A Cinematic Time-Lapse App For iOS. https://techcrunch.com/2014/08/26/hyperlapse/
The Verge. (2014). Facebook’s war on clickbait. https://www.theverge.com/2014/8/25/6064679/facebook-algorithm-update-to-fight-clickbait
AdWeek. (2014). Instagram Expands Its Ad Offering. https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/instagram-expands-ads-2014-160303/

Well I Never, Five Tech Developments We Didn’t See Coming

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touchscreenThe world of modern technology moves so very quickly. It is difficult to keep abreast from week to week as scientists, computer experts and programmers come up with so many new and exciting developments.
Some innovations – such as the useful and fun Google Goggles – have come right out of nowhere in so far as the consciousness of the majority of the public is concerned.
Even mobile telephones with MMS capability, camera integration and web access are something which the public could never have imagined 15 years ago but which have become a necessity now. Other advances such as digital photo frames, mobile phone payments which work with scanners and online gaming with voice chat were hard to predict yet seemed likely with the way in which technology was headed for so long.
Here are just five of the most interesting developments in technology so far – we definitely didn’t see these ones coming!
iPod: The iPod is one of the iconic gadgets of our modern generation. Considering that the predecessor was the personal stereo CD player then this compact little machine really did amaze the general public. The gadget has come a very long way since the original came out and now boasts a touch screen, internet access, video capability, and an incredible amount of storage for games, music and apps.
Reverse image search: The reverse image search sites were a real innovation in themselves. To think that one could upload a photo and that software would find that item and all its relevant details on the internet was incredible.
Google Goggles has taken this technology mobile and through taking a simple photograph with a mobile phone you can find all manner of results on your chosen subject.
Cloud: Cloud computing is something which many in the know could have predicted. However, the way in which it has changed how we work forever is remarkable. By storing information and software on the internet, we now have access to our data in a way like never before.
Touch screens: We now take mobile phones with touch screens for granted and these can be purchased for a reasonable amount of money. However, when these first were introduced they were an incredible innovation.
Google Glass: Google Glass takes us into the realms of science fiction with its “augmented reality”. These streamlined glasses with a small screen above the right eye will give you information on your next appointment, the weather up ahead – and potentially so much more. This is one innovation which – if it caught on – would change the face of the world as we know it.
 
Sarah Paige is a writer with a keen interest in telecommunications. Sarah currently has her eye on cloud computing companies such as the Macquarie Telecom Group (ASX:MAQ). Follow her on twitter @sarahleepaige.

Startup Hiring Tips: Use Creativity and Technology to Find the Right People

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Hiring new employees for any startup can be a real challenge. Dipping into the gene pool and trying to pluck out the best and brightest to bring on board can present a problem depending on the size of your company. Smaller companies need people who can fill many roles. Many startups are lean and mean with little or no extra time to spend reviewing resumes, interview countless applicants and come to a consensus as to who is right for the job. Time may be scare but in a world of technology and innovation here are some creative ways to streamline the hiring phase.

Corporate Culture Conveyed Through Craigslist

Craigslist can be a powerful tool to bring potential team members into the company. Unemployment is around 10% making the sheer volume of potential employees hunting Craigslist for a new job very large. The key to getting the right people for your company and not simply getting overly qualified individuals can be done with a creative advertisement. Take a look at what category the listing may appear and pick the best one. One look at the front page of Craigslist and you will see one of the largest categories is for jobs. This may seem simple but it should not be overlooked.
Next create a listing that sells your startup’s culture. One easy way to convey cultural identity is through a few pictures of the office and maybe even the team. You will notice on the job listings pages that almost none of the advertisements have an attached picture. Pictures can set you apart from the rest and may weed out people who might not fit in well with your company.

Use Registration Forms to Screen Applicants

The resume is essentially useless when it comes to making a decision about hiring. It serves as a great way to start a conversation but leaves too much to the imagination when it comes to the true identity of a person. The real test for a potential hire is how effectively they can communicate. Communication skills are magnified 10 fold in a small startup because everyone talks to everyone. There is no room to hide in a small office space filled with “startup minded” people. Using phone interviews can be effective in testing communication skills but unless you record the conversation chances are you will forget the meat of what was said and simply be left with you impression. If you capture the ideas in writing then it may serve you and your team better while making a decision. Try using a online form, like a registration form, that you can customize with a few questions to really test the communication skill and style of your potential talent. This will also prove them in their writing ability. Make no mistake; everyone must be able to communicate both verbally and by the written word to succeed in a startup.

The Bottom Line

A startup should always be in the hiring phase ready to snatch up the best and brightest. If you always have your feelers out then you and your team of highly motivated, work 60+ hours a week at any cost, will find people you need to prosper. Using creative Craigslist ads and simple technology, like customized online forms, finding the right people just might not be so hard.
Jared Jaureguy is a Technology Consultant who has helped many startups implement the best use of technology to achieve their goals. You can follow Jared on Twitter @JaredJaureguy.

Constant Contact: eMail Marketing [INTERNSHIP]

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Constant contact is an online marketing company that allows you to stay connected with your customers all around the world. With the world rapidly moving their marketing towards the web, constant contact is a great way to anticipate new customers. They offer their services primarily to small businesses, membership associations, and nonprofit organizations. Constant contact is known for their dependable email marketing. Their main goal is to help their customers find new customers, drive repeat business, and generate referrals.
Email marketing is basically sending email messages with a purpose of attracting new customers, or enhancing the relationships with current customers. Email marketing through constant contact is a great reliable way for your company to grow. With features that allow you to have a professional look, constant contact’s email marketing is more effective than regular email. No technical skills are required to create a professional looking email because constant contact offers over 400 templates to choose from. Creating newsletters are simple and fast so you can send them much more frequently than paper ones.
In order to effectively get your prospectors to respond, differentiate your data base and create smaller customer lists based on their shared interests. After you’ve done that, send them relevant information that pertains to them. This will get more of a chance for them to actually act upon your emails. The emails you send are easy to forward so if you target your audience and their interested, there’s no doubt they’ll click the forward button. This will get you referrals much more easily and allow your company to grow.
A cool feature constant contact’s email marketing offers is tracking and reporting. After you send an email you are able to see who read, clicked, or forwarded your email. This allows you to understand what the people you’re trying to contact are really interested about. You can then go back and tailor your content the best possible way for your targeted audience.
Besides the email templates constant contact offers, they also offer list management and free coaching. List management is a tool that allows you to organize and grow your contact list by combing multiple lists and segmenting them based on an audience with common interests. This is a much easier way to send out a mass email because the lists are already narrowed down to a targeted audience. If you’re having trouble with email marketing through constant contact, they offer free personal coaching and support at anytime. They present webinars, guides, and podcasts to go further in detail about email marketing and how it can boost your businesses customer service.
Constant contact is the new marketing success formula that helps create and grow customer relationships in today’s socially connected world. It’s an easy reliable way for your business to keep a strong communication line. If you use constant contact’s email marketing the right way, your customers will share your emails with their networks therefore making your business grow.
Sources:
http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp
http://landing.constantcontact.com/goog-grow-with-email-marketing-ad?utm_id=GOO-100846&cc=GOO-100846&gclid=CPXIgL3ZybMCFQOf4AodzQMA7A
http://www.constantcontact.com/email-marketing/what-is-email-marketing/index.jsp
http://www.constantcontact.com/about-constant-contact/index.jsp
The content in this article is part of Digital Ethos’s Digital Media Education in the Higher Education Internship Program, the content was created by @KaylaMarzo, a Student at Suffolk County Community college, intern at Digital Ethos.

Benefits of Adding a Subscription Component to Your Website

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Advantages for Vendors

Building a subscription website or adding a subscription component to an existing website is a rapidly growing trend, offering vendors a host of benefits, including the opportunity to increase revenues exponentially. Subscription models allow you to establish long-term relationships with customers as opposed to settling for a one-time purchase. They offer predictable monthly or periodic revenue with the ability to add new goods or services to an existing plan. Moreover, online subscription models build brand loyalty, the type of commitment made possible by solid customer relationships.

Advantages for Customers

Online subscriptions offer customers the opportunity to receive ongoing content or promotions from your company and to subscribe to a service rather than buying outright. Typically subscribers have a clear understanding of or interest in the goods, services, or support services you are offering. Accordingly, they often prefer thelow up-front and more manageable costs inherent in monthly or periodic payments (as well as the ability to renew, upgrade, or cancel their subscription).

Any Business Can Profit from a Subscription Model

The recurring revenue stream provided by online subscription models benefits small and large businesses alike. In fact, startups in the software-as-a-service (Saas) segment of the industry are seeing profits increase at an up-to 6x growth rate. As a result, more and more businesses are adding a subscription component to their website or even changing from a single point-of-sale model to a subscription model, with the goal of capitalizing on a sustained and long-term predictable income.

Types of Website Subscription Models

Nowadays, everyone seems to be subscribing to something. The notion of receiving services or content one enjoys (or depends upon) on regular basis is highly appealing. In general, there are two ‘archetypes’ of subscription models – those which are used primarily for monetization and those which drive traffic. If you are thinking of introducing a subscription component ton your website, consider the following types of online subscription models:

  • Freemium Model: Websites offer free content but add a “subscribers-only” link, providing paying subscribers exclusive access to premium features (such as archives or special promotions).
  • Newsletter Model: Access to a digital or print newsletter is provided to subscribers only.
  • Membership Model: A user-driven, content-based model wherein paid members enjoy access to a library of information on topics related to your business. Membershipsubscriptions create an online community of users who share a common interest or passion.
  • Magazine Model: Subscribers gain access to issues of a print or digital magazine related to your website (the magazine should be issued with regular frequency and be easily downloadable as a PDF, viewed in HTML, or stored in a closed document format).
  • Blog Model: Readers who subscribe become part of a community and are welcome to post comments. While originating as ‘personal soapboxes,’ blogs are increasingly being used by businesses as part of their online strategies. Blogs can introduce a new product, announce upcoming events, get news out publicly and quickly, or share company news/information. Many bloggers also use their blog to boost visibility by announcing speaking engagements, books deals, work in other publications, and more.

To capitalize fully on a subscription model for your website, consider investing in subscription management software, designed to help you manage all aspects of the platform – including billing, managing recurring payments, providing multiple credit card payment options, and canceling/upgrading/changing plans.
Businesses are increasingly adding a subscription component to their existing monetization strategies.
Eldad Ben Tora has Over 12 years of experience in the strategy and development of products for social and commercial platforms with strong emphasis on product positioning, strategy and design. Our great eCommerce Service can provide all the subscription services tools you need, allowing you to capitalize on the technology and enjoy the expected increment in revenue.

A Guide To Virtual Services – How They Are Modernising The World

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When it comes to being successful in the world of business, having the right company image is key. No matter how great a company may be, without looking professional, it won’t get very far. Getting that all important professional image can be a difficult task, especially for smaller businesses.
One of the major elements required to achieve a strong company profile, is having a respectable business address. Entrepreneurs starting a business from their homes aren’t going to impress clients with a standard urban address. This is where virtual services can help transform the way in which people see a company. Here is a breakdown of what virtual services entail, and how they can massively improve company appearance.
Virtual Office
Anyone running a limited company is required to provide a business address. This address is where companies will receive any official correspondence, and of course, the address that clients will see. Renting a virtual office from a virtual service provider is a great way to get a professional and modern-looking address.
With a respectable point of contact, companies will come across as both credible and reliable to their customers. Another benefit of having a virtual address is the added privacy is confers. With all correspondence sent to the virtual address, business owners can protect their homes from unsolicited callers and mail.
The Power of the PO Box
Being able to receive business correspondence via a professional-looking PO Box is a great way to raise a company’s profile. Instead of an endless supply of letters falling through the front door, company mail can be directed straight to the virtual address. Some virtual service providers also offer mail forwarding. This allows business owners to receive their important correspondence at home without needing to visit their PO Box. A virtual mail box can be great for those who want to make a strong first impression, whilst having the ability to prevent a torrent of post in their homes.
Company Growth Made Easy
For companies looking to branch out to a different geographical region, the move can be both expensive and time consuming. Instead of spending large amounts of capital on securing new office space and personnel, companies can instead make use of a virtual office in the area. Simply put, this affords companies the power of a professional business presence, without the looming overheads.
Unlike establishing a physical base of operation, utilising a virtual office is quick and cost effective, meaning company expansion is made a smooth as possible.
More than a Mail Box
As well as the ability to make use of virtual offices, it is also possible to benefit from phone answering services and dedicated business numbers. Some virtual service providers also offer the option to have company calls handled professionally by a receptionist. This service can go a long way to boosting company profile and giving a credible impression to clients. Calls to such business numbers can usually be forwarded to a home number; meaning business calls can be handled from home without losing that professional image.
Calls can be handled professionally with virtual services
Conclusion
For an easy way to get a great company profile, virtual services are an excellent solution. From virtual office space for quick expansion, to dedicated post boxes for important correspondence, there are many ways in which companies can benefit. With so many advantages to virtual services, it is easy to see how they are modernising the world of business.
Image License: Creative Commons image source
This article was provided by Nathan Griffiths on behalf of the Workstation a virtual services provider.

Best Ways to Market to Different Generations

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http://www.edupics.com/coloring-page-different-generations-i4588.html

Every successful business owner knows that marketing is the key to expanding a business and gaining new customers, but not all types of marketing are equally effective. Multiple marketing techniques exist; each of which are helpful for reaching different age demographics. Knowing which type of approach to use to target various generations is essential for a successful marketing campaign.
Youth
Children are easily targeted through television. Commercial advertising to young people during popular television shows can bring in sizeable revenues. The key is advertising during after school hours and on the weekends when children are most likely to be watching television. Another way of marketing to children is through strategic store displays and product placement. Noise and Bright Colors are always great ideas to catch their attention. Mobile apps are also a great way to reach children and generate familarity with a brand, Rovio’s Angry Birds is a great example of how mobile apps are reaching the youthful market.
Teenagers
When they are not in school, teenagers spend a lot of time on social networks. That means hours perusing Facebook and reading Twitter updates from friends. Every business — regardless of whether it is marketing to a teenage demographic — should have Facebook and Twitter accounts. This is an easy way to keep potential customers updated on special deals, sales and information pertaining to a particular business. Retailers, for example, can post pictures of the season’s new inventories, and Twitter is a viable way to respond directly to followers. One of the important aspects to consider is the right mix of organic marketing on the social networks with advertising models. Facebook is particularly useful remarketing specific ads to those teenagers that have already connected to your brand, product or service.
Young and Middle-Age Adults
Young and middle-age adults are one of the most profitable demographics for business owners. Marketing trends for this generation are directly connected to digital media. Online banner ads and pay per click marketing, for example, are profitable ways of reaching the millions of people who use the Internet to get their news, socialize with friends and conduct business. The introduction of remarking tools have made these even more effective as you can target audiences that already are familiar with the brand, product or service. One of the top things to consider is if remarketing is a part of the banner campaign and what that looks like compared to your standard banner campaigns.
Another increasingly popular way of marketing to young and middle-age adults is by using mobile marketing. Mobile marketing companies help business owners take advantage of the rising number of cell phone users who access the Internet using their Smartphone devices. Mobile marketing companies help serve business owners by teaching them which customers to target and how to gain the most financial return on their marketing investments. While mobile apps are great for youth, mobile SMS campaigns have also become very successful, with success rates in the high 90’s SMS is a must for targeting this generation.
Seniors and Baby Boomers
Senior citizens and baby boomers are less likely to take advantage of digital media. Traditional marketing methods are still the primary way of reaching senior citizens and baby boomers. For example, according to StateOfTheMedia.org, individuals over the age of 55 are significantly more likely to subscribe to newspapers than individuals under age 35. As of 2011, approximately half of Americans over age 55 and six in every ten Americans over age 65 read a newspaper on a daily basis. With this age range being the fastest growing user base on social sites it shouldn’t take long before they become a viable audience for other digital campaigns but for now you might find a higher rate of success with email marketing. While email is prone to low open rates, developing loyalty programs with email marketing can be extremely successful with the generational group.
Alex Nieland provides editorial on the mobile marketing industry. Mr. Nieland has written several publications relating to the latest tips, trends, and statistics within the mobile advertising sector.

Google AdWords, Part 2 [Internship]

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As you read in the Google Adwords part one, pay per click (PPC) is one of the options Google offers as an advertising feature. However, PPC is not the only feature. Cost Per Impression (CPI) is another online advertising tool that Google offers. CPI usually is in the form of a banner ad on a website and advertisers pay for every time their ad is displayed. CPI is different from PPC because CPI is only when the ad is displayed on a website, not clicked like PPC. Cost Per Mille (CPM) is the most common marketing practice used on the internet. CPM advertising is the way a marketer can be more certain about the revenue they generate from their website traffic. When the amount paid for every thousand earning impressions served, this is said to be CPM or CPI.
Some of Google Adwords advanced features include location options. In the previous Google Adwords article, it talked about setting your location to make your ads visible to a certain area. Advanced location options allow a marketer to reach people viewing pages about your targeted location. This will help because you will not only be seen in just your targeted area anymore. The only catch is that this feature is only available for certain campaign types that have “all features”. The good news is that you can switch your campaign type whenever you like.
Google had recently been trying out a new feature called Google Email Subscription Ads. This allows companies to buy ads that automatically fill in a newsletter slot. This allows users to sign up more easily for email subscriptions or other free newsletters. A cool feature on this allows your Google email address to be displayed next to your ad.
A new revolutionizing feature that Google Adwords set up is calling Pay Per Call (PPC). Pay Per Call is simply the process of an advertiser paying the publisher every time their phone number is clicked off a Google search page. This is another good way a marketer can establish their advertisements and see how their PPC option really works.
Google offers many different features for businesses to choose from. Google Adwords is a great beneficial step for your business to take. The set up is easy, and Google is kind enough to show you a step by step process. Even though Google is testing out some features, it’s easy to see that they are thriving and will go into good use.
Read: Google AdWords Part 1
Sources:
http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing/advertising-internet-advertising/2646-1.html#axzz29NUBY4iJ
http://support.google.com/adwords/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1722038
http://www.crunchbase.com/product/google-adwords-2
http://paypercallexchange.com/mobile-marketing/google-mobile-adwords/
 
The content in this article is part of Digital Ethos’s Digital Media Education in the Higher Education Internship Program, the content was created by @KaylaMarzo, a Student at Suffolk County Community college, intern at Digital Ethos.

4 Top Internet Business Ventures to Keep an Eye On

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By now, almost everyone knows about a little thing called the Internet. While it’s not necessarily healthy to surf the Web all day long (ahem, Facebook and Twitter addicts), the Internet can provide a little respite from that less than enjoyable task called work. New applications and websites are popping up every day; there’s literally something for everyone. Well, Internet junkies, make room on your Favorites bar as we take a look at 5 of the top Internet ventures to keep an eye on.

1. Pinterest

An online pinboard, Pinterest users may collect their interests and “pin” them to a designated area, virtually of course. Browse through categories like Apparel, DIY and Crafts, Gardening, Home Décor, Travel and Places, and Wedding- which isn’t even half of them. Once you see a picture you like, you may either “Like” it, “Pin” it, or “Comment” on it. Choosing the “Pin” it option will then pin that picture to whatever board you created for such a category. Clicking on the picture will take you to the website where you may purchase or read more about that item. Bottom line: Pinterest organizes your wants, needs, desires via a virtual pinboard and it makes shopping a heck of a lot easier. Check it out for yourself and be prepared to be amazed.

2. Pingram

Who ever thought to mash two of the biggest Internet crazes into one is a complete genius. Pingram, which is a combination of Pinterest and Instagram, allows users to browse through Instagram feeds, popular photos, and comments- all using Pinterest’s layout. Mind-blowing, right? The site may peeve off some Instagram users however, as people may pin other users’ Instagram photos directly to their own Pinterest site. There are some developments on how that can be prevented though, but they’re still in the works. If you can get past that, Pingram sounds like a pretty cool concept.

3. Life With Siri

Okay, so this website is targeted towards iPhone users, but others can view it as well and get a chuckle. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Miss Siri, she is the saucy iPhone personal assistant who assists with anything from directions to advice on love. LifeWithSiri.com is a site where people can view all of the hilarious and cute things Siri has to say as well as gain some helpful tips on how to improve your relationship with her- professionally speaking. The site is updated daily so you won’t miss a beat when it comes to keeping up with Apple’s gal pal.

4. Klout

Ever wonder how many people truly are interested in your social media life? Klout is a numeric representation of your social media influence, or reach, based off of your activity on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and any other social media sites you’re involved in. How many followers you have, how much interaction you have from them, and how much interaction, or klout, your followers have from other people is all taken into account. This site proves to be quite a valuable marketing tool as companies use it to gauge how many people are interested in their products. The higher the Klout scores, the more perks (or giveaways) for consumers.  Companies like Schick and Neutrogena have been known to give followers such giveaways. You don’t need an online business degree to know that this site can totally benefit any company. It also would be interesting to see how many people are actually attentive to what you’re doing in your life- and hey, who doesn’t love free stuff?
Kristy Greene, a freelance writer from California, writes about anything related to the Internet and business. Recently, Kristy has covered online business degree programs and other online college certificate programs.

Why Apps are So Useful for Business

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Business owners rely on every resource they can get to help manage and monitor the endless aspects of their work.  From good employees to effective office supplies and efficient infrastructure, the success or failure of a business depends upon many factors, all of which need to work together harmoniously.  This is why apps are such powerful instruments for business.  They connect, streamline, and organize.  Good apps make all the pieces of a business fit together better.
Office Documents
Probably the most straightforward way in which apps benefit business is by making office files easier to share, more accessible, and interactive like never before.  Tablet and smartphone apps facilitate a level of physical interaction with digital files that was impossible just a few years ago.  And now we can work from home with much greater ease and flexibility.  No more forgetting important files at home or work.  Apps put the office in our pocket––everything is now instantly accessible and easily shared.
Data Crunching
There are many excellent apps that facilitate record keeping, data logging, survey taking, and time tracking.  Instead of wading through dense data lists and relying on clipboards while out of the office, apps now allow us to instantly record, organize, share, and visualize data.
Forecasts and Analytics
For evaluating everything from market trends to internal financial activity, there are countless brilliant apps available today for visualizing the information businesses depend on.  Charts and graphs have never looked so good, nor have they ever been so accessible and transferable.
Creativity and Innovation
Apps have digitized the traditional sketchbooks and notepads we use to plan, create, and innovate.  Now we have greater flexibility and adaptability in the way we mockup important ideas and experiment with business possibilities.
Bridging the Gap
Arguably the most significant improvement apps enable is the ability to link employees to the office even when they are out of it.  We can hold online meetings, assign tasks, monitor activity, share files, and be more mobile in our work than ever before.  Distance is no longer an obstacle.
As important as apps are, they are also inseparable from their platforms.  Mobile technology is ultimately the real champion of these modern business solutions.  It allows us to stay connected like never before with both the information and the personnel that make business possible.  At the same time, tablets and smartphones are making us more efficient and environmentally sustainable by eliminating the clutter and waste of physical files.
About the author: Kirsten works for WhoIsHostingThis.com working to help small and large businesses get online by providing customers with a place to read hosting company ratings and reviews. This allows businesses to choose suitable hosting for their business they they can guarantee their business is in safe hands. Follow them on Twitter.