How Changing Your Mindset Can Help Your Business Succeed

Though every entrepreneur wants his or her business to succeed, several fail due to various reasons. The most important factor according to experts is the mindset of the businessmen. Successful people strongly believe in their ideas and work hard to achieve them. Being highly motivated they are able to withstand setbacks and overcome adversity.

Here we’ll dive into some of the changes necessary for a business to thrive.

1. Entrepreneurial mindset

Entrepreneurs are not born. You can always cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset which is just thinking like an entrepreneur.

Decisiveness, confidence, resilience, and humility are some of the qualities which you will have to develop to become a successful entrepreneur. Mastering your entrepreneurial mindset is always possible though not easy. Work towards it and you are sure to succeed.

2. Quality over quantity

Successful businesses always prefer quality over quantity. When the prime focus is on quality, your product and service are bound to make an impact on the market. You are bound to have a loyal and satisfied customer base.

Success is directly proportional to the quality of your product. There should never be any compromise where quality is concerned.

3. Own your power

We’ve all got reserves of inner strength which we can use in times of emergency and adversity. Unfortunately, most of us are not aware of this. Most of the time we dwell on our shortcomings and our weaknesses. This mindset has to change.

Dwell on your strengths. Understand what motivates you and gives you a thrill. Hold on to these things and continually develop them. Always have a can-do attitude even when it seems impossible to have one.

4. Use your leverage

Leverage can be defined as the advantage that exists with you. This may be your expertise or superior knowledge, exclusivity in a particular market, better quality, better prices, great personal relationship with the customers, etc.

You should have a clear understanding about the areas where you have got leverage. For example, if you possess something which others do not have, you can use this leverage to push for better pricing. Always try to create additional value so that it elevates your negotiating position and therefore your leverage.

It is all about understanding what the other party desires and figuring out how to fulfill the need. Only then can you use this position to gain an outcome in your favor. Leverage should be used responsibly and ethically.

5. Self-worth

Always project yourself as a person with a lot of self worth. The confidence, energy and passion you carry with you make a lot of difference to the success or failure of your business. Never underestimate your value and worth.

Appreciate and utilize every bit of your talent. Having a positive attitude throughout will help a lot.

6. Avoid being self-centered

It is very important that you give back to society. This is not only a nice thing to do but you also gain a lot in return. You will learn about other people’s needs clearly and can bring about changes in business accordingly. Trying to make a difference in other people’s lives will give you happiness and satisfaction.

Also stop focusing on how people react towards you. This will help you to stop taking things personally, thereby bringing more calm and balance in your dealings.

7. Build relationships

Take time to build a strong relationship with your customers. Winning and retaining customers is not easy, you need to be authentic and willing to listen.

Build a strong network, both online and offline. Offer the customer a more personalized experience. The fundamental building block for any successful business is strong relationships.

8. Become a good leader

Leadership is all about motivating and inspiring people to work together to achieve success. Focus on understanding your employees and then use that knowledge to make changes in business wherever necessary. A good leader should be decisive, innovative, and should be willing to take risks.

If you aspire to be an effective leader you can always develop these skills. Effective leadership is very important for any business to succeed.

9. Create an effective goal

Always keep the ultimate goal in mind. When you set goals, you create a vision of what your business should look like. Set goals that are specific, timely, and realistic and then work towards achieving the same.

Running a business could look tough but you can always take the help of companies like SDI who can help your business grow. If you are interested in bringing about changes in the business, building a strong network, and attracting customers call us at +1.408.621.8481 or mail us at team@sdi.la to learn more.

Though every entrepreneur wants his or her business to succeed, several fail due to various reasons. The most important factor according to experts is the mindset of the businessmen. Successful people strongly believe in their ideas and work hard to achieve them. Being highly motivated they are able to withstand setbacks and overcome adversity. Here we’ll dive into some of the changes necessary for a business to thrive. 1. Entrepreneurial mindset Entrepreneurs are not born. You can always cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset which is just thinking like an entrepreneur. Decisiveness, confidence, resilience, and humility are…

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How Safe Is Your App

Apps are an integral part of our daily life. There are all types of mobile apps that range from ordering food to ones that help you sleep. There are also plenty of social media apps as well as ones that tell you when to go to the bathroom while you’re watching a movie. There is literally an app for everything now. There are 2.87 million apps on the Google play store alone. It is very hard to imagine life without mobile apps.

Mobile apps carry a lot of data. It includes your personal information, banking information, location, business transactions, and a lot of other details. A breach in data can have severe consequences for your business or personal life. In the United States, the total cost suffered due to the data breaches was nearly $8.64 million in 2020.

Data that businesses rely on to serve their customers is always a target for criminals. Your business will lose the trust of its customers if there is a data breach. A good reputation is a prized asset for any business and just one episode will damage the reputation of the brand sometimes even beyond repair.

Let’s dive into some of the more damaging consequences that a data breach can bring.

Financial

A financial data breach is one of the most hard-hitting consequences that a business will have to deal with. This can include compensating customers, legal fees, investigating the breach, investment into new security measures among many others.

Reputation

As already mentioned this may turn out to be devastating to the business. Along with losing the trust of existing customers, you lose the ability to attract new customers. Nobody likes to interact with a business if they feel that it is not secure enough.

Downtime

Business operations will be badly affected in the aftermath of a data breach. You may have to shut down operations completely for a proper investigation and to estimate damages. This may take weeks or even months. The havoc this will create and the revenue loss that will occur can be enormous. There will be a lot of difficulties that have to be overcome before the business can recover.

Compensation/Legal action

If people find their data has been compromised they can take legal action and claim compensation. Equifax had to pay more than $700 million to customers all over the US after there was a major data breach in 2017. For small businesses, legal fees and compensation claims can be crippling and even shut down a business for good.

Personal data

A breach may lead to the loss of sensitive personal data. This can be devastating to individuals. If a patient loses his/her data, it will have a very adverse effect on their treatment. Loss of biometric data, credit card information, etc. will have terrible consequences on people’s lives. It doesn’t just affect the businesses but all of your customers’ personal lives as well.

App security

App security is an absolute must. We have seen what devastation data breaches can cause. For companies such as SDI security starts from the very first code we write. Security is always a priority for us from the beginning until the end.

We will run through some of the best practices which will keep an app safe.

Secure code

Malicious code affects more than 11 million devices at any given time. This happens since there are a lot of bugs and vulnerabilities in the code. Security of the code should be ensured from day one.

Professional coders should always minify and obfuscate the code so that it cannot be reverse-engineered.

Testing

Continuous testing should also be done. There shouldn’t be any compromise on this aspect. It’s only through continuous testing that bugs can be identified and fixed. This testing should be done at every stage of development, not just the end.

Encryption

Every single piece of data in the app should be encrypted. Even if the data is stolen, without the key it is all going to look like gibberish. The power of encryption is such that the FBI had to ask permission to access iPhones. If they cannot, even the hackers cannot.

Cautious while using libraries

It is essential to be doubly careful while using third-party libraries. The library could have a security flaw that will enable attackers to hack the system. It is better to use internal repositories. However, in the case, that third-party libraries are necessary proper policy controls should be maintained and the code should be tested thoroughly before being used.

Safe API

API keys play a vital role in app development. Only API’s that are authorized and coded properly should be used. Experts recommend that APIs be authorized centrally for maximum security.

Educate users

The users should be informed of the best practices they should follow to avoid a breach. The most important is to use a strong password. The apps should also be designed to accept only strong passwords which should be renewed periodically. Multi-factor authentication, biometric authentication are some of the options that can be used especially in cases where apps are using sensitive data.

Why SDI

For developing an app that is very secure and at the same time highly user-friendly get in touch with us. Our quality standards are quite ruthless and involve constant testing, as we are very much aware that new threats are always around the corner. We are obsessed with encryption and we give our all to make a first-rate app.

Check us out and you will see the difference. Call us at +1.408.621.8481 or email us at team@sdi.la

Apps are an integral part of our daily life. There are all types of mobile apps that range from ordering food to ones that help you sleep. There are also plenty of social media apps as well as ones that tell you when to go to the bathroom while you’re watching a movie. There is literally an app for everything now. There are 2.87 million apps on the Google play store alone. It is very hard to imagine life without mobile apps. Mobile apps carry a lot of data. It includes your personal information, banking…

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How To Choose The Best Web Developers

To run a modern business having a website is essential. Several business activities are moving online which means that for a business to survive and thrive it is imperative to go digital. A website keeps your business competitive and modern. It also allows you to sell your services and products anywhere and make money.

With so many players in the field, it is important that you choose the right website developer that can meet your expectations. You want a website that not only attracts traffic but also converts them into sales.

Here are some tips which will help you find the right development company which is best suited for your business.

1. Communication

You should be clear in your expectations while approaching a company. Once you have made your needs clear, you can assess the responsiveness and expertise of the web development company. The questions asked or the solutions offered will give you an idea about the competence of the company. A web developer who has no questions or very few questions will most likely not produce a great product. Their responsiveness can be a good indicator of their future availability throughout the project.

2. Customer Review

You can check the social media platforms of the company to get an idea about their reputation. Many users leave their reviews about the company and the products. Of course, every company no matter how great their customer service is will see negative reviews. You just have to understand the balance. A lot of positive reviews and only a few negative ones shouldn’t deter you. When the negatives start reaching the same amount as the positives then it may be a wise choice to look at another company.

3. Confidentiality

Request a Non-Disclosure Agreement before discussing any details with the developer. This is necessary to protect you and to prevent misuse of your confidential information. Professional vendors will always discuss proposals only after an NDA has been signed.

4. Portfolio

Request examples of work and also references from the web developer. Ask for a diversified portfolio so that you can see a broad spectrum of their work. If the company is not able to provide a reference then move on to someone else. Reputable companies should be able to easily provide you examples of their work. A strong portfolio is a testament to a great development company.

5. Cost and Quality

There are companies which promise to create your website at a very low price. Be wary of them. Quality should never be compromised. You should choose a company which follows strict quality standards and is process-driven. Many times that low price is too good to be true. The best companies usually have prices in the middle, not too low but not overpriced either.

6. Company’s Website

Do check how well the company has maintained its website. Whether it has been updated or not. The look and functionality of their website will give you an idea about their expertise.

7. Evaluating References

It is time-consuming but it helps if you can contact the references to find out how the company met their requirements. Some of the questions you would like to ask are: Did the website achieve the business objectives? Was their service good? Was it completed on time and within budget?

8. Marketing/SEO

The website is the face of your business. It is an interface to tap potential customers. Check whether the company offers SEO services and other services like copywriting, blogging, and social media marketing.

9. Communication with the developers

It will be helpful if the company allows you to interact directly with the team of developers who are working on the code. Direct communication will avoid errors due to miscommunication.

10. Support and Maintenance

A website requires continuous maintenance. The company should offer a support system so that nothing goes wrong and the site is well maintained.

11. Design

A good company will have both designers and developers working on a project thereby ensuring a good design along with an effective website. Design is the key to attracting and retaining customers. Their user experience should be flawless and only an experienced design team can do this properly.

Why SDI?

SDI is a leading web and app development company. Our apps and websites have been hugely successful making a lot of money for the owners. We are a highly process-driven, quality-conscious company creating immense value for all types of businesses.

We have built more than 1500 websites and have more than 10,000 clients throughout the world. More than 80% of our orders come from existing clients. We have been in the field for more than two decades and have got the best design and development team in Silicon Valley.

There are several reasons why we are an ideal choice for developing your website. You can always interact with our technical team throughout the project. This will ensure that nothing is lost in communication and all your expectations are attended to.

We keep the costs low without compromising on quality by following a hybrid offshore and onshore development structure. We are obsessed with encryption and the safety of your website is paramount. Upon the completion of the project, you are the sole owner of all the project code and documentation.

We would love to help your business grow by creating a new website or modifying an existing one. Our website development costs range from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on what your specific needs are. So why wait? Call +1.408.621.8481 or email team@sdi.la to get started.

To run a modern business having a website is essential. Several business activities are moving online which means that for a business to survive and thrive it is imperative to go digital. A website keeps your business competitive and modern. It also allows you to sell your services and products anywhere and make money. With so many players in the field, it is important that you choose the right website developer that can meet your expectations. You want a website that not only attracts traffic but also converts them into sales. Here are some tips…

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How Building An Online Business Can Boost Your Wealth

The overall buyer-seller relationship has changed drastically in the last few years. People have started going online to buy most of their products and services. The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards a more digital world changing shopping behavior forever.

Consumers prefer to shop online as they can buy at their convenience whenever and wherever they want. Unlike brick and mortar stores, consumers don’t need to be physically present to make a purchase. A lot of money and time can be saved by shopping online.

If you are thinking about starting a business, we would suggest building an online one or at least one that focuses heavily on the online side. Many existing brick and mortar businesses have started going online as a way to survive and thrive. It is estimated that e-commerce is approaching $200 billion in revenue in the United States alone and this is going to increase considerably in the future.

We at SDI have helped several online businesses to earn money. If you have got an idea we are there to turn it into a success.

Let’s take a look at some of the business sectors which are doing very well.

1. E-commerce

A popular way of making money is to start an eCommerce platform. Based on the consumer’s needs you can create a niche eCommerce site. There is an audience for anything from pet food to dolls and everything in between. You can also offer a variety of different products. An eCommerce platform will allow you to sell products to anyone, anywhere. Offering good discounts and personalized services allows you to attract and retain customers.

You can also resell products manufactured by companies after creating a link with them through your website. For instance, you can use platforms such as Amazon, and once the order is placed on your online store, the customer details can be routed back to the manufacturer who is responsible for packing and shipping the product. You can earn a commission without making a huge investment. In the eCommerce space, this is known as drop shipping.

E-commerce is a growing field and this year it’s expected to reach $5 trillion.

2. Online tutoring

Online tutoring is a lucrative business. The industry is developing rapidly with parents and students increasingly turning to them for their personalized learning requirements. Online learning has turned into a boom for students with the pandemic closing down schools and colleges.

If you enjoy teaching and have good subject knowledge you can always start tutoring online. You can work with students from various geographic territories and cultural backgrounds and help them achieve their maximum potential.

You can also share your expertise by starting digital courses. You can sell prepared written materials or other downloadable content for a fee.

Some people may want something more than lessons. You can provide one-to-one coaching offering support, guidance, and support to your clients. With a small investment, you can make a lot of money through this.

3. Blogging

If you love writing or have something interesting to tell, blogging is the right business for you. Starting one is very simple and if you are able to provide high-quality content that provides value to your readers, you can definitely become successful at it.

4. Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistants are especially in demand by online businesses and entrepreneurs who need help. You need organizational and task management skills to be successful. With more and more businesses moving online there is an increasing demand for skilled VAs.

5. Podcast

You can build a podcast by talking about something which you are passionate about. Giving other people opportunities to contribute their own podcasts will enable your network to grow. You can make a lot of money by selling courses, advertising, and hosting events.

6. Technical writer

If you have a technical background and can write instruction manuals and other technical documents, then you can start an online business and become a technical writer. Globally there is a huge demand for good technical writers.

The above list is quite brief, but there are a vast amount of opportunities available for making money by starting an online business. You can contact our team at SDI who will be able to run you through the various options available. We can create an app or a website within a short period so that you do not lose much time. We provide highly personalized services and full confidentiality is maintained.

We have worked with prominent clients such as Pepsi and Marvell and also several small businesses providing the same service to all. Our team is well versed in handling and solving complex issues.

To get started call us at +1.408.621.8481 or email at team@sdi.la and allow us to transform your business.

The overall buyer-seller relationship has changed drastically in the last few years. People have started going online to buy most of their products and services. The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards a more digital world changing shopping behavior forever. Consumers prefer to shop online as they can buy at their convenience whenever and wherever they want. Unlike brick and mortar stores, consumers don’t need to be physically present to make a purchase. A lot of money and time can be saved by shopping online. If you are thinking about starting a business, we would…

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How AI Apps Will Impact Our Lives

Artificial Intelligence has been playing a tangible role in our daily lives be it commuting, shopping, or browsing the web. As technology improves more and more AI designs are expected, changing the ways we live and interact with the world. This technology has streamlined and improved many day-to-day processes allowing us to accomplish more than we ever have before.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence essentially enables a machine to perform tasks commonly associated with human beings. Particular algorithms assist the AI to function in a range of activities based on the codes. This technology is all-pervasive now, from recommending shows in OTT platforms to enabling search predictions in Google.

There is a wide range of benefits in using AI. As with any technology, there are drawbacks too, but these can be managed intelligently.

1. Healthcare

AI is widely expected to improve your health and life expectancy. All the leading health care systems have some form of AI within their diagnostic setup.

Mobile apps help you to lead a healthier life. There are devices which will be in a position to detect declining lifestyles and can assist you in healthy behaviors such as exercise and eating healthy food. It puts consumers in control of their health. There was a case of a man escaping a fatal heart attack because the Apple Watch notified him.

AI is also being increasingly used to detect cancer and heart diseases. This helps the doctors to treat the patients at the initial stages which helps save their life.

There are various healthcare apps in the market such as WebMD which checks your symptoms, SkinVision which helps detect skin cancer, and ADA which helps the user to understand their health better and manage their symptoms. Then there are the frontrunners Google’s Deep Mind and IBM Watson which are being used to diagnose, manage, and treat symptoms.

2. Work

From recruitment to taking over dangerous and repetitive tasks, AI has dramatically improved the efficiencies of our workplace. It frees the workforce, who can then work on creative and other suitable tasks. AI can help increase job satisfaction and happiness in the workplace as well.

The HR department is one of the areas where AI is making the largest impact. Filling up open positions can often be time consuming and frustrating. It is here apps such as Textio and Modern Hire help. Textio helps managers write compelling job descriptions that will generate more applications and interest from job seekers. Modern Hire helps candidates schedule their own interviews thereby letting managers focus on more important tasks.

Then there are platforms which help identify top performers by analyzing data and help in recognizing and promoting them.

Marketing, sales, internal communications are some other departments where AI plays a pretty important role in a modern business organization. Tasks such as scheduling, organizing or canceling a meeting are being done by AI-powered personal assistants thereby saving a lot of money and time.

AI helps in protecting the mental health of workers as studies point out that employees prefer interacting with a robot on issues such as stress and anxiety as opposed to a human manager.

3. Criminal Justice

Experts claim that AI leads to a more fair investigation as it carries none of the prejudices of humans. Companies and governments are using AI to prevent and detect theft. AI is a growing part of the criminal justice system. From facial recognition apps to identifying victims, AI does it all.

4. Transportation

Apps such as Google Maps or Waze helps you get real time traffic updates. Using location data they are able to analyze traffic conditions in your area thereby helping you with your travel plans.

AI is being used to avoid accidents and for road safety. For example, an application called Safe Sense allows citizens to inform them of traffic violations with the aim of bringing accident rates down.

5. Personal Assistants

These are the most popular apps and they are the closest we have to imitate human intelligence. In some cases, they are even better than human assistants.

From helping you to find information to managing your day to day activities they assist you with almost everything.

There are numerous popular apps such as Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant among others. The popularity of these apps are increasing day by day.

AI impacts almost all aspects of human life and the possibilities are endless. We at SDI understand technology very well, having developed many highly successful apps for our customers. If you have an idea for an app, let us know and we will show you how an AI powered app can do wonders in the market.

Call us today at 408.621.8481 or you can also mail us at team@sdi.la and we will assist you in creating a world-class app.

Artificial Intelligence has been playing a tangible role in our daily lives be it commuting, shopping, or browsing the web. As technology improves more and more AI designs are expected, changing the ways we live and interact with the world. This technology has streamlined and improved many day-to-day processes allowing us to accomplish more than we ever have before. What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence essentially enables a machine to perform tasks commonly associated with human beings. Particular algorithms assist the AI to function in a range of activities based on the codes. This technology…

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How Businesses Are Winning

While covid has affected several companies in a bad way, there are businesses which have not only survived but are also witnessing significant growth.

These businesses have adapted themselves to the changed circumstances and are offering services which are uniquely suited to the present situation. These include not only large businesses but also startups and small businesses.

A few of them are:

1. Fresh produce suppliers

Farmbox Direct is a subscription service which delivers fresh produce both fruits and vegetables. With customers increasingly preferring home-cooked food. Services such as Farmbox are seeing a huge boom in sales. Also, small businesses are the preferred choice since consumers are more comfortable dealing with them.

Being an online service has helped Farmbox to grow by leaps and bounds. Everyone staying at home and wanting their groceries delivered also helped with their increased success as well.

2. Garden Suppliers

People have started growing their own fruits and vegetables not only for health reasons but also for food security. Web-based companies such as Hudson Valley Seed Company have seen their business increase five-fold. According to the company, the demand has mainly come from new customers who have started gardening.

3. Coffee Subscription Companies

Companies that offer home delivery are seeing a serious increase in demand. Online subscription companies such as Yes Plz Coffee and Mistobox which offer beans monthly or weekly have seen increased sales. It’s not only roasted beans but pre-packaged cold brew is also becoming more popular amongst consumers.

If you’re considering a website or wanting to make changes to an existing one to help increase profits, you should get in touch with a reliable development company like SDI. SDI can develop a website within a couple of weeks that will allow you to sell more and in turn earn more profits.

4. Wineries

Along with coffee, online sales have increased for wineries too. For e.g. L. Mawby Winery, which sells wine online has seen its sales increase by 300%. The company has also got an online wine club which helps them create a solid customer base to get regular orders.

5. Internet Service Providers

Small ZIP-code based internet service providers have also seen a spike in business. More and more people started using the internet during quarantine, as most of them are working from home. Several providers had to recruit more people to meet the demand.

6. Team-building Companies

Teambuilding is a company that supports corporate team building activities. Their sales went down drastically due to the lockdown and other restrictions. To survive they started offering virtual team building activities. This helped not only to run the business but they started making huge profits. Going virtual helped them to tap markets all over the country. Another advantage of going remote is that it helped them recruit people from nonurban areas too.

7. Mental Health Providers

This year has been challenging for most of us. Incidents of depression and anxiety are unfortunately on the rise. This has increasingly led people to access the services of online health providers. Virtual therapy apps have become incredibly popular as they offer more comfort, privacy and are flexible. An app like TalkSpace has seen its sales increase by nearly 65%.

Digitalization and innovation have enabled these businesses to not only survive but also thrive. Businesses which have not opted to go online have found themselves unprepared and have suffered serious losses.

If you’re a small business owner, this is the perfect time to invest in technology. Many interactions that used to take place in-person will predominantly occur in a digital environment even after the pandemic is over. Having a robust digital presence is necessary to sell your services and products.

As local markets have shrunk, having a domain can showcase your products globally. Also, companies can reduce their overhead costs by operating virtually. Online sales also allow you to collect data and measure things like customer loyalty. Using this data you can fine-tune your marketing strategy and also improve your offerings.

We at SDI have created several interactive apps and attractive websites that have been quite successful in the market. Whether the business is small or big, our services have an excellent rating by our customers.

Whether you need an app or a website or both, now is the time to contact our experts who will guide you through the various services and options. We always create products with the highest quality and you can be confident of the best service at prices which fit into your budget. On average the cost for a custom website would be $3,000 to $5,000 and for a mobile app $6,000 to $8,000.

Helping businesses thrive has always been our passion. Why wait? Call us today at +1.408.621.8481 or email us at team@sdi.la to begin a new chapter in your business.

While covid has affected several companies in a bad way, there are businesses which have not only survived but are also witnessing significant growth. These businesses have adapted themselves to the changed circumstances and are offering services which are uniquely suited to the present situation. These include not only large businesses but also startups and small businesses. A few of them are: 1. Fresh produce suppliers Farmbox Direct is a subscription service which delivers fresh produce both fruits and vegetables. With customers increasingly preferring home-cooked food. Services such as Farmbox are seeing a huge boom…

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How Individuals Can Become Super Successful

Often we hear or come across individuals who are doing very well in business. Of course, many successful businesses started with one person, a person with vision and determination which later on became huge corporations. Here we are specifically talking about businesses that are owned and operated by one person.

Running a business alone is challenging but is also quite rewarding. In case you’re about to start a business you may find the below statistics inspiring.

There are nearly 25 million single owner businesses in the USA and they are making more money now than ever before. The number has been increasing steadily. More than 36,000 are earning seven figures.

All successful businesses are faced with challenges but they overcome those obstacles showing that despite all the issues you may face, that shouldn’t prevent or scare you from starting a business of your own.

SDI has been helping owners start successful businesses for nearly two decades now. No one understands market conditions better than us and we know what it takes to thrive.

Now let’s run through the various advantages of starting a single owner business and also the strategies necessary to succeed.

Advantages:

1. Easy to start

There is no need to set an elaborate structure with a board of directors and their meetings. You can keep the complexities pretty low and start a business with very few legal formalities. Start-up costs also remain low when you go this route.

2. Control

You have total control to make the decisions you want to make without the hassle of setting up a meeting to discuss with a board room full of people. Even if it’s 1 or 2 other people it can sometimes be time-consuming to have to check-in and get their opinions on everything.

3. Profits

Here again, you do not need to share the profits with anyone. The income generated from the business is yours alone. Yes, there is the risk of losses too, but through proper planning and work ethics, this can be avoided. At the end of the day, this is the best part. All your hard work is worth it when you keep 100% of your company profits.

4. Privacy

All the important facts and ideas about the business will be known only to you. There is no threat of confidential information being leaked from other partners. While this does happen in business there are also times where individuals delve out information they think isn’t important in a casual conversation which later turns out to be used by someone else. Although frustrating, it’s definitely easier when it’s just you that has all the details.

The following are some of the strategies that will help you start and run a million-dollar business successfully.

Choosing the Right Business

It is very important that you decide on a business that is not only right for you but right for the market. It could be something which you are passionate about or one you feel will be very successful. Start a business after proper research. Figure out what is trending and what is lacking to help fill that void. The target audience should also be clearly identified.

Have a Business Plan

It is very important to define your goals and the plans necessary to achieve them. This will save you a lot of time and money later on. It will also help you to overcome obstacles as and when they occur.

A good idea is to contact our startup experts, who will then guide you in preparing a detailed business plan.

Business Website

It is essential to have a website that presents the right professional image for your brand. It will help you to interact with customers, sell your products to a wide market, and decrease some of the common overhead costs. It’s also very difficult for a single owner business to survive without a website.

It’s important that you get web services from an experienced web development company like SDI. Websites are designed based on your business and needs, with attractive features that attract visitors who could then turn into potential customers.

Mobile Apps

Another way to tap into technology is by developing an app for your business. An app can help your customers access your services while on the go. Research suggests that a lot of searches/sales are made from mobile apps. A highly interactive app helps your business stand out and give you an edge. The whole world ends up becoming your customer base.

Developing highly successful apps and websites for all kinds of businesses big or small is another important facet of SDI.

You may have a lot of questions about how to build a website and/or app into your business. Not to worry. Call 408.621.8481 or email us at team@sdi.la and we will answer all of them and help you start your million dollar business.

Often we hear or come across individuals who are doing very well in business. Of course, many successful businesses started with one person, a person with vision and determination which later on became huge corporations. Here we are specifically talking about businesses that are owned and operated by one person. Running a business alone is challenging but is also quite rewarding. In case you’re about to start a business you may find the below statistics inspiring. There are nearly 25 million single owner businesses in the USA and they are making more money now than…

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Be Your Own Boss – Become A Successful Entrepreneur

We all know the economic devastation caused by covid is huge. Globally this has led to rampant job losses. Losing a job can be a very traumatic experience but this also creates an opportunity to start your own business. In fact, several Americans have succeeded in starting their own ventures and are doing very well.

Starting a business may seem like a very difficult task and in some ways it is. You have to be dedicated to what you want to do and what you want to build. If you’re only half in it won’t work. That being said as long as you are dedicated there is no reason you can’t become a successful entrepreneur. In terms of the type of business you should start well there are several options available and booming right now. Of course, it is always good to choose something based on your own expertise and interest.

Some of the business ideas you can start now are:

1. Online Consultancy

This is the perfect time to go online and start a consultancy business. Fitness, music, cooking classes, etc. can all be offered online. If you are wondering how you can build a client base well, you can build on your former client base to start with and then expand your reach by using an online platform. People increasingly prefer to learn new skills from the comfort of their homes, especially now.

2. Online Classes

Demand for tutors is at an all-time high. It’s no shock that Covid 19 has changed education dramatically. Teaching is being done remotely and on digital platforms. Research also suggests that online learning takes less time which means that even after Covid these changes are more than likely to continue.

3. Online Delivery Services

Home delivery services such as food, cleaning, groceries are reaping the benefits of increased patronage due to covid and the resultant lockdown. Online ordering was already on the rise before this pandemic. Much like online classes, it’s not going to decrease even when Covid ends. People have gotten used to the comfort and benefits of ordering online and having it delivered right to their door.

How to Build Your Own Business

There are so many business opportunities out there. It’s about finding something you’re interested in and/or know very well. Once you’ve got that down the next step is putting it into action.

One of the prerequisites for starting a business is to have an app or a website. The business has increasingly moved online so you would not want to miss this opportunity. In fact, one might dare say this has become essential for a business to succeed. A great way to get started on this is by contacting a premier company like SDI who can build what you need and help you create your business step by step.

A lot of entrepreneurs are hesitant to invest in an app initially as they venture into starting a business. This is understandable considering the circumstances. Not to worry, there are various options based on your budget. Design can be kept simple which is less expensive but will still attract a lot of users. A simple app offers a hassle-free experience to the users. It also conveys a clear message. Design is also imperative to the success of any app or website. Your design team needs to be able to properly map out your user journey and what they want to see most.

If you prefer a website instead or in addition to, there are multiple options available. A customized website is the best way to go to attract and keep users. This type of website gives you that much-needed edge over your competitors.

With a website and/or app it’s all about setting up all the logistics which does take a bit of time and effort but it’s totally worth it in the end.

A journey from an employer to an entrepreneur may look daunting but isn’t if you know you want to succeed. Our team at SDI has decades of experience in making businesses succeed. We have worked with both big companies as well as startups delivering excellence consistently.

If you’re wondering about the cost of creating cutting-edge apps and websites well SDI knows how to keep it lower and adjust it based on your needs. On average the cost for a custom website would be $3,000 to $5,000 and for a mobile app $6,000 to $8,000.

Contact us at team@sdi.la or call 408.621.8481 and get started with your dream business.

We all know the economic devastation caused by covid is huge. Globally this has led to rampant job losses. Losing a job can be a very traumatic experience but this also creates an opportunity to start your own business. In fact, several Americans have succeeded in starting their own ventures and are doing very well. Starting a business may seem like a very difficult task and in some ways it is. You have to be dedicated to what you want to do and what you want to build. If you’re only half in it won’t…

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Create Quick Apps and Websites For Pet Facilities

The pet industry is seeing a huge boom in business globally. In the US revenue is expected to reach $99 billion this year. The pet business has long been recognized as resilient and immune to the recession. Pets bring a lot of relief and are considered part of the family by many people. They have brought hope and joy and helped people cope with the pandemic.

There is a lot of money to be made in the pet care industry. Online sales are quite high. Companies such as Chewy have seen their sales go up by 34.7% over last year.

If you are in the pet industry this is the right time to go online. Having a website and also an integrated pet care app opens your business to a much wider market and adds value to your brand. The online pet market has nearly quadrupled since 2013.

Pet store:

To be noticed by today’s consumers it is important to have an online presence. Customers prefer to have all the information from the comfort of their homes. To boost your sales it is necessary that you have an efficient and interactive app for your pet store which contains all the details, prices, and offers. Great apps lead to more confidence and greater engagement with customers.

Pet Hospitals and Veterinarians:

The majority of pet owners search for vets and hospitals online. A mobile app helps to retain clients as well as attract new ones. Online consultations have increased seven-fold as owners have taken to telemedicine for their pets.

To increase the attention your website should have the right design and optimization. For this, you may want to reach out to a highly reputed development company like SDI, which is very knowledgeable in pet app development.

Animal Product Stores:

Online shopping for pet food and other products is skyrocketing. Pet owners prefer ordering food, toys, and other items online. A significant percentage of pet owners are millennials who would rather not go to brick and mortar stores for making purchases. They would like to make their purchases online.

Grooming and pet boarding facilities:

There is a huge demand for pet grooming and also boarding facilities. Clients are willing to pay if the facilities and services are good. You can build an app to allow pet owners to schedule appointments, check the timing, or even check the videos and images of their pets.

Apps for pets to play

Playing helps reduce the anxiety of pets be they cats or dogs especially when you are not available. Studies say that it has a lot of benefits for the physical and mental health of pets. Pet owners are increasingly on the lookout for such apps. You can always develop an app for these flurry and thumbless consumers. This is a new field and developing field.

Pet Matching/Dating App

You can even start a dating app for dog lovers. This is the latest and growing trend in the pet industry.

Social media app for pet owners

A platform can be provided for the pet owners to get in touch with one another. There is a huge space for such an app in the market now. Who doesn’t love talking to other people about their pets? Let’s face it we are all taking more pet photos than ever before and people want to share those with others who are interested.

Virtual pet apps

Having a live pet may not always be possible due to various reasons such as lack of space or allergies. This creates a lot of space for virtual apps. People would love the idea of taking care of and playing with pets without physically owning one. It is a good idea to develop a virtual pet app as the market conditions are quite favorable.

Investing in an app or a website is the best way to help your pet business grow. An effective app will give you the necessary edge over others.

We at SDI have created successful apps that have helped businesses to thrive. Our commitment and expertise have led to repeat orders and long term relationships with our clients.

Our team can create an app or a website for your business in a very short time based on your needs. Projects like this can be completed in about 4 to 6 weeks for under $8,000 depending on all the features you wish to include. We will create the best app and website which will help you join the pet industry boom. Call us at +1.408.621.8481 or email team@sdi.la today to get started.

The pet industry is seeing a huge boom in business globally. In the US revenue is expected to reach $99 billion this year. The pet business has long been recognized as resilient and immune to the recession. Pets bring a lot of relief and are considered part of the family by many people. They have brought hope and joy and helped people cope with the pandemic. There is a lot of money to be made in the pet care industry. Online sales are quite high. Companies such as Chewy have seen their sales go up…

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How to Build a Food Delivery App?

Currently, the online food delivery industry has immense potential. People have become comfortable with the idea of ordering food at home instead of going to stores, restaurants, and cafés. People are enjoying rapid food delivery services and taking full advantage of it. One of the common questions asked is ‘How do I Build a Food Delivery App.’ So, let’s dig deep into the process of developing a restaurant mobile application, similar to that of UberEats.

There are a number of effective ways to develop a food delivery app. One of the ways is using the existing APIs that fastens the food delivery app development and, at the same time, reduces the cost. Known APIs provide the much-needed building blocks to create your own delivery app.

All those mobile apps developers are required to do is to assemble the blocks that build a functioning app. Optimizing the app takes added time and cost.

How Does a Mobile App for a Restaurant Work?

    • The platform charges a fixed sum of money from the owners to list their restaurants on it.

    • The customers get a chance to browse through and order food online using the app.

    • Once the customer places an order, the restaurant receives a notification. The online food ordering system gives the restaurants an option to either accept or reject the order.

    • A notification is sent by the system to a delivery person, notifying them about the order. The delivery person can either accept or reject it.

    • If the delivery person accepts the order, the customers can track the order by using the app.

Revenue Model of an Online Food Delivery App

Three revenue models that are commonly used:

    1. Subscriptions

    Generally, the platform charges a fixed sum of money from the restaurant owners to list their restaurant on that platform.

    2. Advertisements

    If the online food delivery app is gaining traction and increasing its user base, it can start earning through advertisements. Various restaurants or brands can get a space to list their banner on the platform. These listings are known as premium listings. Depending on the size and duration of the banner, the charges are fixed.

    3. Commission

    On every order, the platform has its cut that it takes from the restaurant. The commission ranges between 10-20% of the order value.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build a Food Delivery App

Step 1. Look out for the hot trends in the food delivery industry.

To be one step ahead of the competitors, you need to know the latest trends in the industry.

Step 2. Food Delivery Model

There are multiple food delivery model options available. You need to choose one, keeping in mind the model that will work best for your business. In the food delivery market, the two main models available are:

    Order-Only Model: In this case, the companies are responsible for ordering and managing the orders. The platforms charge a commission of 10-20% of the order value. This model helps in avoiding the hassle of restaurants managing the cooking and delivering.

    Order and Delivery Model: In this case, the companies are responsible for managing the orders and delivering them. Many businesses use this model tie-up with courier services to deliver the orders. A commission of 10-20% of the order value gets charged from the restaurants and a delivery fee. The delivery fee can get charged based on the distance between the restaurant and the final delivery destination.

Step 3. Research of the Target Market

To develop a unique food delivery app, it is essential to know and understand the target audience. Once the businesses realize who will use their service, it solves 50% of the problem and helps to meet the target audience’s needs faster.

The Cost

The app development cost with companies like SDI ranges anywhere between $6,000 to $12,000. You shouldn’t wait too long to create your restaurant delivery services as a food delivery business is gaining popularity. It takes on average 2 to 4 weeks to develop this kind of app but keep in mind that it does fluctuate based on the number of features you choose to have.

Once you have all the primary steps completed, SDI can help you determine the technology stack that will be used for developing your food delivery app. Tech stacks also include the payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, Square API, etc. If you are on the verge of building a food delivery app, then make sure to connect with us at team@sdi.la or call us at 408.621.8481.

Currently, the online food delivery industry has immense potential. People have become comfortable with the idea of ordering food at home instead of going to stores, restaurants, and cafés. People are enjoying rapid food delivery services and taking full advantage of it. One of the common questions asked is ‘How do I Build a Food Delivery App.’ So, let’s dig deep into the process of developing a restaurant mobile application, similar to that of UberEats. There are a number of effective ways to develop a food delivery app. One of the ways is using the…

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Become A Digital Influencer: Interior Designers

The ability to create the right home decor, for the right family, lies somewhere between art and inborn talent. The art is obvious: choosing harmonious colors, buying the perfect furniture, and so on come together to create a tableau that is undeniably artistic. But to those of us who lack the eye for home decor, it seems more like a talent with which people are born.

But, as with any enterprise, getting your voice heard can be difficult, especially in a field like Interior Design, where the competition is stiff. However, the age of the internet provides unique tools to help grow brands and businesses, to become a Digital Influencer. Even better, promoting your brand online can be done with minimal tech support.

Now, for the rest of this blog, we will cover what it takes to make a killer website or app that truly grows Home Decor and Interior Design businesses. The usefulness of tech in promoting offline businesses is well documented and recommended for anyone looking to promote their image. If you would like to learn more, feel free to peruse our earlier post on becoming a fitness expert.

An App for Designers

As already mentioned, Interior Design is an exceptionally visual medium. This makes it perfect for apps and websites. Good Interior Design can be conveyed through images much more effectively than say, a perfectly made cheesecake. With food, a viewer knows that food looks good. There may be some nostalgic drooling over past cheesecakes.

But really, the cake could taste like cardboard. Home Decor, however, is always visual. Whether you’re seeing the design in person or experiencing over an app or website, the entire experience is visual or spatial and can be processed as such. Arguably, the biggest difference in processing Interior Design over the internet viruses in person is the scale (i.e. a photo only shows part of a home).

Don’t worry: this is a hurdle easily overcome with the right experience and expertise. SDI has designed numerous apps in three different industries that can help rectify problems such as the one discussed above – and bigger ones. The first field is obvious – apps we’ve built for Interior Design. But two other areas are Real Estate and general design.

When it comes to Real Estate, its applicability is again clear. Real Estate is also all about showing off a home, and many agents show a house already furnished. From our work in this industry, we’ve come to realize that the self-guided 360 tour is often more effective than a video tour. This is for a few reasons:

    1. Video tours are directed by the recorder. But when examining the design, people generally prefer to control the experience themselves. For the most part, people enjoy the ability to hang out an in a room, look around it, and even go back to another room.

    2. When you do a recording, you need some audio. This can be done with elevator music, or a real song, or conversation, or…you get the point. No matter what, a video means some audio, or weird empty silence.

    3. Cost-effectiveness is always of paramount concern to most of us, but especially those trying to get their SMB off the ground. The simple truth is that the production costs between a video and a guided tour are significant. Not just that, but the hosting costs are also noticeably higher for a video. Not only does a webmaster need to prevent lag within the video itself, but something as a small 3-second slowdown for page load time results in a significant dropoff in user traffic.

When we reference “general design apps” we are specifically speaking of our projects working for several Floristry businesses, including eCommerce types and schools that specifically on teaching floristry design. Floristry is specifically very useful because it gave our designers and developers experienced in composing tableaus, playing with striking elements (from colors to placement), and the opportunity to play around in another largely visual environment.

But why an app? Well, apps are better. Look, we love websites. They have their place and can truly be an exceptional tour – in the right arena. That arena is not Interior Design. One of the best ways to become a digital influencer is to get people to follow you – which requires offering something.

It’s probably fair to say that many people visiting the digital home of a Designer aren’t looking to hire said Designer (that’s okay, there are many paths to Monetization). What they are looking for is an inspiration or a reminder. Where is this most often done? That’s right – at the store. Moreover, the significant investment in tech has moved away from desktops and laptops and towards mobile devices. It’s always a good strategy to build for the future and not for the present!

Want to learn more? Give us a call at +1.408.805.0495 / +1.408.621.8481 – or click to contact us!

The ability to create the right home decor, for the right family, lies somewhere between art and inborn talent. The art is obvious: choosing harmonious colors, buying the perfect furniture, and so on come together to create a tableau that is undeniably artistic. But to those of us who lack the eye for home decor, it seems more like a talent with which people are born. But, as with any enterprise, getting your voice heard can be difficult, especially in a field like Interior Design, where the competition is stiff. However, the age of the…

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Become A Digital Influencer: Beauty Advisors

Once upon a time, Beauty Advice was provided only at stores like Macy’s, and from dolled up little ladies in pink cadillacs. Today, the delivery capabilities of this thriving industry have vastly improved. With a few taps and clicks, anyone can start advising billions of people on Beauty tips, products, and anti-aging techniques.

Of course, no solution is simple – but neither is this one a Gordian’s Knot. There are a few simple tools needed to get a Beauty Advice launched. Today we will cover what it takes to launch a successful business as a Beauty Advisor using Social Media and the Internet. Some may wonder if that’s a sound financial decision. To those skeptics, we refer you to Zoe Sugg, who makes a whopping $300k per YouTube Video she makes.

But before we get into that, this is the third and final installment in a series on how to become a Digital Influencer within a specific field. Fitness Experts and Interior Designers, we recommend reading those prior posts. With that out of the way, let us proceed to the steps necessary to launch a Beauty Advising business.

How to Launch a Successful Beauty Advising Business

The rest of this post will cover is some detail the steps needed to get this enterprise off the ground. The first step is painfully obvious, but we should at least mention it: Some sort of internet capable device is necessary. This can be a laptop with a camera and microphone, or just a standard SmartPhone.

Slightly less obvious, a YouTube Channel is needed. This means using a YouTube account (or creating one) and building a YouTube Page. Why is this so important? Well, the whole point to this is to build a reputation as a beauty advisor. The best way to show off skill in this arena is through a visual how-to guide – like a video.

And while a website is a great way to provide a medium to share videos (more on that later), it presents some problems, the first being that creating a website takes time and money. Most Beauty Advisors are attempting to launch their business on their precious free time, with the meager budget provided by a 9 to 5. A YouTube Channel provides a cost-effective (i.e. free) workaround.

But this doesn’t mean one should go set up their Channel and think that the work is all done. This is the platform by which an Advisor will reach their first followers and clients. This is the place where it will all get started; once the YouTube Channel gains traction, building a more vibrant Social Media presence becomes a cakewalk. What happens after that? The money comes rolling in.

In other words, it’s important to recognize that what a YouTube Channel page says and displays is essential to attracting the necessary followers. Figuring out what the right words is a combination of Keywords (for Search Engine Optimization – contact us for more on that) and using the language appropriate to your field. This is generally done by researching said experts, visiting their own pages and watching their videos to learn how to speak like an expert. This isn’t deception, merely learning the language.

Knowing the right words is yet another combination: personal knowledge and/or expertise and seeing what the leaders in the field are saying. But crafting the perfect YouTube Channel page can only be done with experience, where a user tests multiple combinations to see which setup works best (plus the videos help!). How does one know when they’ve hit the right combination? The followers begin to show up.

Once a YouTube Channel has been set up, it’s time to start building the other arms of a social media campaign. This means setting up Facebook pages and Twitter handles that accurately represent the Advisor’s brand; most importantly, this is where an Advisor really can promote YouTube videos. Additionally, Instagram is very important to visual mediums like beauty, as is (to a somewhat lesser extent) Pinterest.

A social media campaign is necessary to attract even more followers. Once a campaign truly gets going, the hard work will begin to pay dividends. This is how people in the fields make the most money; it’s not through events, or through selling video subscriptions, or even through selling merchandise. It happens when people with millions of followers recommend or promote products (whose owners pay them to do so).

Once the money starts rolling in, we recommend that a companion website or app is launched. This should be an extension of the existing brand, with similar design elements to keep everything wrapped up in a nice little package. A website or app will also be a place to launch other videos, as well as a blogging page. Finally (and most importantly) this is where a Beauty advisor can sell their own merchandise. While the videos make more, extra income is generally preferred!

Want to learn more? Give us a call at 408.805.0495/408.621.8481 – or click to contact us!

Once upon a time, Beauty Advice was provided only at stores like Macy’s, and from dolled up little ladies in pink cadillacs. Today, the delivery capabilities of this thriving industry have vastly improved. With a few taps and clicks, anyone can start advising billions of people on Beauty tips, products, and anti-aging techniques. Of course, no solution is simple – but neither is this one a Gordian’s Knot. There are a few simple tools needed to get a Beauty Advice launched. Today we will cover what it takes to launch a successful business as a…

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Become A Digital Influencer: Fitness Gurus

Turning your passion into a business can be a trial. Most of us have a hard time even seeing a way to make our passion financially viable, much less a business empire. But the good news is that the internet provides tools to help turn passions into money making machines. And why shouldn’t you make a little money. After all, most people dedicate a good amount of their lives to master a hobby. This makes you an expert, with marketable skills to other enthusiasts.

Today, we will discuss in detail on one passion: Fitness. This will be the first in a series of three articles, each with an emphasis on a particular offline business. Check back later this week to read our next topics, on Home Improvement/Interior Design, and Beauty.

For the rest of this article, we will talk about how fitness enthusiasts can become digital powerhouses. We will discuss how to A) create a digital brand, B) how to attract followers, and 3) (most importantly) how to turn it all into cash money.

Also key, this will focus on fitness, so we will provide references in each category that we believe truly exemplify the subject.

How to Create a Digital Brand

Like it or not, a digital brand is a business necessity these days. But the good news is that we are here to help. The first key element to building a digital brand is creating a platform to reach the billions of people who browse the internet. There are two ways to accomplish this:

A website is the more traditional method and is still the way through which most people interact with the web. It’s a cost effective way to reach potential users and provides a large platform from which you can reach users. However websites can suffer from engagement as compared to an app. Plus apps are on the rise. Either way, Mobile First is a requirement.

An app is slightly more expensive than your basic website, but provides ways to push continual engagement. In terms of fitness, an app maybe necessary. Look at Fitness Internet legend Kayla Itsines. She uses her branded app to keep people engaged with their meal plans and workout regimens. Plus, the modern trend for users (especially those in developing nations) is for mobile device usage solely.

How to Attract Followers

So you’ve got a beautiful website or app. But it just sits there and languishes in the dark corners of the interwebs, going unnoticed. Now, you’ve got to attract the followers. If you look back as Ms. Itsines, she uses her website to provide some examples of her work (before and after) as well as different subscription tiers for those ready to go.

Joe Wicks, The Body Coach takes a different take, prominently displaying his endorsements from any number of notable institutions (and his notable locks of full bodied hair). Michelle Lewin takes a bit more…let’s call it revealing approach that shows off the effectiveness of her program through a frank display.

None of the above examples are a silver bullet. There are really only three secrets to attracting followers:

    1. Creating a platform to get your voice out there;

    2. Demonstrating the value of your service; and

    3. Keeping Users engaged and entertained until they become devoted followers.

The rest is more about determining your personal style. Don’t try to force it – people can usually smell a fake and it will only hurt you in the long run.

How to Turn it into Cash Money

So now comes the part we’ve all been waiting for: how does all of this translate into greenbacks? The good news is that you’ve already done much of the hard work – the key to getting paid is having people willing to pay you (duh). Plus, having a program with demonstrated value means you will continually attract more users.

All of the references today approach monetization in a two major ways: Social Media and the actual service itself. They all offer different tiers of service, whether it’s differing workout plans or special meal plans (or a combination of the two). But the key is in the followers, and not just in getting them to sign up for the various services.

See, the thing about the internet is that when you develop a large following, you become very attractive to a certain segment of the business world – Advertisers. Having people who hang on your every word means that when you endorse a product, people listen and often buy said product.

For the modern digital influencer, leveraging Social Media is the best way to attract money from advertisers. Or, to put it another way, Kayla Itsines makes $75 grand an Instagram post.

Want to learn more about becoming a digital influencer? Give us a call at 408.805.0495/408.621.8481 – or click to contact us!

Turning your passion into a business can be a trial. Most of us have a hard time even seeing a way to make our passion financially viable, much less a business empire. But the good news is that the internet provides tools to help turn passions into money making machines. And why shouldn’t you make a little money. After all, most people dedicate a good amount of their lives to master a hobby. This makes you an expert, with marketable skills to other enthusiasts. Today, we will discuss in detail on one passion: Fitness. This…

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How to Build a Website for a Flower Shop or Gift Shop

Building a website is what we do. We do it day in and day out. So needless to say, we know what it takes to succeed. We know how to take an idea and turn it into online powerhouse, no matter the industry. Today, we want to talk about how to make a website for Flower and Gift Shops. Our decision to focus on this industry today is due to timing: not only are there big upcoming holidays (including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day) but now is the time to start getting ramped up for the big Holiday season (i.e. Thanksgiving and Christmas).

SDI has experience building apps and websites for this specific industry: we revolutionized Flowershop.com and built a DIY training app for Bloom, Australia’s leading Floristry College. This experience has led us to identify a few necessary elements to the success of the Gift-giving industry, including the standard eCommerce essentials and an increased emphasis on Design. Additionally, these businesses need to create a highly targeted marketing campaign, utilizing the best digital marketing tools available.

Basic eCommerce Necessities

eCommerce is a massive, thriving industry that represents hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Despite the plethora of eCommerce sites, most ventures with a clear business plan, sticking to a few basic rules, succeed. Most don’t experience Amazon-levels of success, but those who stick to it generally see a significant return on their investment.

There are many key elements that any eCommerce industry needs to become a big player in the market. That being said, we will only briefly touch on the biggest hurdle: Shopping Cart Abandonment.

Shopping Cart Abandonment represents one the biggest issues in eCommerce. Simply put, the vast majority of items put in a digital shopping cart remain there, languishing in eCommerce purgatory for all time. So how does a business owner avoid this? Well, you can’t. The truth is that this is likely to always be a problem. But there are tricks to mitigate this problem, to bring abandonment rates below the industry average of 75% or so.

What are those tricks? They include email campaigns and algorithms to entice return engagement. Want more details? Well, we can’t tip our hand that much – you’ll just have to contact us to learn more!

Design

While Gift Shops are essentially an eCommerce website, there are features that make this industry unique. Specifically, Design and Marketing are big elements to creating a successful online gift shop. While both are always important to the success of any business, it’s even more crucial in this industry.

Gift-giving is a highly visual medium, but needs to be combined with a personalization aspect. Let’s take ordering flowers as an example. Flower arrangements are great, but today people love the ability to create their own arrangements. So creating a module that allows people to actually create and see the arrangement they made is a feature that will add considerable value to your site.

A module like this will require robust coding, but also needs to have a clear design that’s easy to use. Otherwise, users will ignore it, and one of your best features will go unnoticed. But design is important throughout, and needs to not only follow industry standards (so people know how to use your site) but also indicates your expertise and your style. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Design is the epitome of science and art combined. Make sure you have the expertise needed!

Digital Marketing and Social Media

Social media is the single greatest resource for marketers today. Not only do the major networks represent a market numbering in the billions, many networks have easily identified target groups. This is important because it means marketers have readymade target populations who they know are interested in their service.

But social media marketing isn’t simple, and many inexperienced marketers waste time on social media networks that provide minimal return. A proper marketing strategy in the digital world starts with a plan to identify which markets will be the most useful to their organization. When it comes to our case industry, the best starting point is Pinterest, because it is a huge medium for people interested in design and art.

Importantly, this doesn’t mean that marketers for online gift/flower shops should ignore the big platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Both have access to markets that are enormous and are to be ignored at one’s own peril; but marketers for this industry should emphasize a strategy that places Pinterest and perhaps Instagram at the forefront.

Whether you are in the Floristry and Gift Giving game or not, SDI can help you build a website that will help your website grow a user base and improve revenue streams. We know our business – let us get to know yours.

Want to learn more? Give us a call at 408.805.0495/408.621.8481 – or click to contact us!

Building a website is what we do. We do it day in and day out. So needless to say, we know what it takes to succeed. We know how to take an idea and turn it into online powerhouse, no matter the industry. Today, we want to talk about how to make a website for Flower and Gift Shops. Our decision to focus on this industry today is due to timing: not only are there big upcoming holidays (including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day) but now is the time to start getting ramped up for…

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