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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Velocitize</title> <atom:link href="https://velocitize.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://velocitize.com</link> <description>Your fuel for digital success</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:06:36 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">221367025</site> <item> <title>Velocitize Talks: James Bavington of StrategiQ on WordPress, WooCommerce & WP Engine</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/29/velocitize-talks-james-bavington-of-strategiq/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/29/velocitize-talks-james-bavington-of-strategiq/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Eileen Smith]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:05:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Insights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Interview]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO & SEM]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[brands]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[content platforms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[conversions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[enterprise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google rankings]]></category> <category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[open source]]></category> <category><![CDATA[reuters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category> <category><![CDATA[velocitize talks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[woocommerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wordpress]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WP Engine]]></category> <category><![CDATA[wp engine enterprise]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=51996</guid> <description><![CDATA[Users would go to that site and you could noticeably see the delay as everything took time to load, and …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>Users would go to that site and you could noticeably see the delay as everything took time to load, and because of all the work to simplify everything, the site just felt as though it loaded instantly.</blockquote></figure> James Bavington is CTO of UK-based <a href="https://strategiq.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StrategiQ</a>, an award-winning strategy-first digital agency which helps ambitious brands outperform across all marketing channels including brand, video, web, design, UX, SEO, social, content, and more. They are the top WordPress agency in the UK and a WP Engine partner.  In this episode of <a href="https://velocitize.com/type/video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Velocitize Talks</a>, James Bavington shares his insights on open source, WooCommerce, and site consolidation. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe title="James Bavington of StrategiQ on WordPress, WooCommerce & WP Engine | Velocitize Talks" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rZEYuza9xUM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WordPress & Open Source</h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>It is that accessible open-source CMS that makes it the world’s best CMS today.</blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1100" height="579" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-52008" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-5.png 1100w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-5-400x211.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-5-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://wpengine.com/enterprise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WP Engine</a></figcaption></figure></div> StrategiQ is the largest WordPress agency in the UK, working with both small and large businesses to meet the needs of in-house marketing teams and content management. WordPress dominates the CMS landscape as the most widely used platform to date, powering over 40% of the web. Open source allows businesses to accelerate their website development and design and make timely adjustments. “WordPress gives businesses a platform to do really simple things that historically could be unavailable to them and to their teams,” Bavington says. An increasing number of enterprises and large corporations are <a href="https://velocitize.com/2021/08/20/the-wp-enterprise-why-your-enterprise-needs-wordpress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turning to WordPress</a> for their website and content needs. WordPress has also grown exponentially in terms of market share and built-in scalability, and boasts a large collaborative community. “We’re seeing a whole spectrum of clients from small businesses that we work with right the way up to large enterprise business because it is a content-first accessible platform,” Bavington says. “It’s not all about having to be able to write code to make a page work a certain way.” Although proprietary solutions were more traditionally used by the enterprise, an open-source solution lends itself more to longevity since it can easily adapt to website changes and revisions over the years. “If you utilize WordPress in the right way, content editors can really produce anything from changing small things on the website to creating new pages, creating great looking content, but even setting out and launching campaigns without fear of breaking anything,” Bavington says. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">E-Commerce & WooCommerce </h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>WooCommerce for me is a great platform. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks solution for certain clients if they’re looking for the flexibility and simplicity that it can bring.</blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1100" height="575" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-6-1100x575.png" alt="" class="wp-image-52010" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-6-1100x575.png 1100w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-6-400x209.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-6-768x401.png 768w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-6.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /></figure></div> Bavington says that WordPress and WooCommerce continue to be a great fit for StrategiQ’s e-commerce clients in the face of an economic downturn. <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/woocommerce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WooCommerce</a> is one of the most popular hubs for e-commerce due to its proficiency in managing sales and in marketing to a growing number of customers. Traffic is obviously a major consideration for any e-commerce solution. However, StrategiQ is careful to place a greater emphasis on existing site traffic rather than focusing on driving more traffic. To increase conversions, e-commerce businesses need to prioritize a seamless customer experience that can facilitate an effective promotional cycle as well as a distraction-free checkout process with clear shipping options. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reuters & SEO</h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>Over the years, certain aspects of the global agency services had their products and services fragmented into a lot of different microsites.</blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1100" height="694" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-8-1100x694.png" alt="" class="wp-image-52012" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-8-1100x694.png 1100w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-8-400x252.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-8-768x485.png 768w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-8.png 1496w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://strategiq.co/client-stories/reuters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StrategiQ</a></figcaption></figure></div> StrategiQ worked with <a href="https://strategiq.co/client-stories/reuters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reuters</a> to consolidate its global content to a new platform, creating a central source of information to maintain traffic. The award-winning campaign saw an increase in traffic, boosted by a solid SEO strategy, by over 260%. StrategiQ was able to consolidate all of these microsites into one, vastly improving the customer experience. However, SEO wasn’t the primary driver for the Reuters project; instead, it was to enhance the user experience through the consolidation of their products. This involved merging the global editions of the website into one consistent source of information without impacting their search engine rankings and organic traffic. StrategiQ was awarded Best Large SEO Campaign at the UK Search Awards in 2021 for their work with Reuters. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Broke Backpacker & Web Vitals</h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>It was a little bit of a Frankenstein that needed simplification.</blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1100" height="733" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-9-1100x733.png" alt="" class="wp-image-52013" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-9-1100x733.png 1100w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-9-400x267.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-9-768x512.png 768w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-9.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://wpengine.com/more/broke-backpacker-core-web-vitals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WP Engine</a></figcaption></figure></div> StrategiQ partnered with WP Engine to refresh the website for The Broke Backpacker and create a better front-end experience to improve Google Core Web Vitals. Their work resulted in a much faster and functional website, and consequently higher web vitals scores. “They came to us with a very bulky website that had been worked on by dozens of developers over the years,” Bavington says. The agency conducted a complete rebuild of The Broke Backpacker’s WordPress website, including significantly reducing the number of plugins, which provided much-needed functionality coupled with a clean code base. This is James’s second time appearing on Velocitize Talks. His <a href="https://velocitize.com/2020/05/21/velocitize-talks-james-bavington-of-strategiq-on-digital-integration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first interview</a> was in 2020. Learn more about StrategiQ on their <a href="https://strategiq.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> and follow them on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategiq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/strategiq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/strategiq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> and on X/Twitter at @<a href="https://twitter.com/strategiq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategiq</a>. To keep up with James Bavington, follow him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbavington/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/29/velocitize-talks-james-bavington-of-strategiq/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">51996</post-id> </item> <item> <title>7 E-Commerce Metrics to Track</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/28/7-e-commerce-metrics-to-track/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/28/7-e-commerce-metrics-to-track/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 21:25:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[conversions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[customer data]]></category> <category><![CDATA[data]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce metrics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[metrics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[retention rate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[woocommerce]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=52021</guid> <description><![CDATA[An essential component of any e-commerce business is performance analysis. Knowing which metrics to track can help you identify weak …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ An essential component of any e-commerce business is performance analysis. Knowing which metrics to track can help you identify weak areas in your operations. With this data in hand, you can then make the necessary adjustments to boost your conversions.  In this post, we’ll take a closer look at e-commerce metrics and why you should track them. Then, we’ll list some of the most important data points, and show you how to calculate them. Let’s get started! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Are E-Commerce Metrics? (And Why You Should Track Them)</h2> When you launch an online store or business, you’ll want to start collecting data on its performance. These e-commerce metrics can shed light on your customers’ behavior, like what they’re buying, the size of their orders, and whether they come back for additional purchases. When you have access to this valuable data, you’ll be able to improve your website and optimize your marketing strategies. For instance, if you find that many shoppers are leaving items in their carts, you might need to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2022/04/18/5-ways-to-create-a-seamless-checkout-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">redesign your checkout page</a> so that it’s more user-friendly: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/dcqhz4wtDThgsQewyvh_Okyf1k8BaZgXWdVyuYQoxpb59DIdeH7lLtsy8jN-zbbSuCsi2MPKn67YyDQLaYtPAMnLSwEG_edneywH_LzhwQoc1qa20szR_XHXxb7XmrAjnw3npEtmliglUjF3qqAVxR0" alt="Screenshot of e-commerce checkout page."/></figure> Similarly, if only a few shoppers are returning to your store, you may need to create a marketing campaign to draw them back in. For example, you might create a discount or loyalty program. Additionally, these metrics can help your business create quantifiable <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/what-is-a-kpi-definition-examples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">key performance indicators (KPIs)</a>. With the data at your fingertips, you’ll be able to include tangible targets and goals, like reduced cart abandonment rates, increased average order values, and more. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7 E-Commerce Metrics to Track</h2> Now, let’s look at the most important e-commerce metrics for online stores and other e-commerce sites.  <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Conversion rate</h3> You may already be familiar with conversion rates. This metric measures the percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action, like making a purchase.  Calculating your conversion rate is quite simple. If you’re using WordPress and plugins <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/jetpack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">like Jetpack</a>, you should be able to see the number of visitors within your dashboard: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/811MqlSG95YSxs3_AmRjKch6sZAMPhnw2VAa4mE_ikLPH-sLLEUj42igKzA5dWymBlcKE2isNKFRKF9DsPxbGgzPUFF3NsTunWFu6RPSDCUoSUnSlLp8TkLauEzDyUwY5xGjiP3TSZAcsFkxae-cyN4" alt="Screenshot of Jetpack stats, a WordPress plugin tracking number of visitors and views."/></figure> Plus, if you have a WooCommerce store, you’ll get access to a variety of analytics, including the number of orders in a given period. To work out the conversion, you’ll need to divide the number of conversions (like orders) by the total number of visitors. Then, multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage.  So, if your website had 1,000 visitors in a month and 50 of them made a purchase within that period, the conversion rate would be 5%. In 2023, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1423823/online-shopping-conversion-rate-by-device/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the average conversion rate for e-commerce businesses</a> worldwide was 2.5%. If yours is a lot lower than this, it may be time to boost your marketing efforts. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Average Order Value</h3> As the name suggests, the average order value (AOV) refers to the amount of money spent at your store by each customer. For instance, on average, shoppers may spend $50 on each order.  To calculate your AOV, you’ll simply need to divide the total revenue by the number of orders. So, if last month you made $10,000 and you had 200 orders, the AOV would be $50.  If your AOV is less than ideal, you can implement incentives to encourage shoppers to spend more at your store. For example, they may be eligible for free shipping and discounts when they spend over a certain amount. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Customer Lifetime Value</h3> If you prioritize client retention or have a loyalty program, you’ll also want to track your customer lifetime value (CLV). This e-commerce metric refers to the predicted revenue that a customer will generate throughout their relationship with your business.  To calculate the CLV, you’ll first need to multiply the average order value by the average purchase frequency. The average purchase frequency is the number of purchases divided by the number of customers. The next step is to multiply the result by the customer lifespan. This lifespan is easier to determine if you have a loyalty program or <a href="https://velocitize.com/2024/02/22/can-you-start-a-subscription-based-e-commerce-business/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subscription service</a>. For example, on average customers might subscribe to your services for 12 months. So, if the average purchase value is $50, the average purchase frequency is 2 times per month, and the customer lifespan is 12 months, the CLV would be $1,200. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Customer Acquisition Cost</h3> The customer acquisition cost (CAC) shows you how much money you spend on gaining a new customer. This metric takes into account your marketing expenses and onboarding costs. The CAC is very important, as it indicates whether you’re making a profit. If the costs of acquiring a new customer are higher than the generated revenue per customer (the CLV), then you might be operating at a loss.  This metric can be calculated by dividing the total marketing and sales expenses by the number of new customers acquired in a specified time period. For instance, if you spent $10,000 on marketing efforts in a month and acquired 100 new customers, the CAC would be $100. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Retention Rate</h3> The retention rate measures the percentage of customers that make repeat purchases from your store. To work it out, you’ll first need to specify a period of time (i.e. one month). Then, find out the number of customers at the end of that period, and subtract the number of new customers within that same period. Next, divide the result by the number of customers you had at the start of the period, and multiply the result by 100. So, if you had 500 customers at the beginning of the month, obtained 100 new customers, and ended the month with 550 customers, the retention rate would be 90%. If the retention rate is lower than you’d hoped, you may need to step up your marketing game or <a href="https://velocitize.com/2024/02/27/4-tips-for-a-successful-e-commerce-loyalty-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">start a loyalty program</a>: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/_QgC8hR7o-MMWZcqAdzuXMOEPhXDCVVuoZLB6e4uX8wGyyOO5M99PUQiiFxEWXRIkLiwnIquhJtiZ7S88QMQUtzk6NWlB6gOih2kVh_epKEzy_cnOh8ugtgahJQ7QNx9peRA1cbY6HsX3BZopjHkKvs" alt="Screenshot of a customer loyalty program offering free gifts and exclusive discounts."/></figure> For instance, giving repeat customers free gifts or exclusive discounts can help you increase this rate. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. Churn Rate</h3> Churn rate is an e-commerce metric that you’ll want to keep as low as possible. It’s the percentage of customers who stop using your product or service within a given period. To find out your churn rate, deduct the number of customers lost during a specific period by the number of customers at the beginning of that period. Then, multiply the result by 100.  For example, if you started the month with 500 customers and lost 50 customers by the end of the month, the churn rate would be 10%. This metric is particularly important for subscription-based businesses. If you have a high churn rate, then many customers are losing interest in your service or product, or they no longer find it useful.  <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7. Cart Abandonment Rate</h3> Finally, let’s look at the cart abandonment rate. This is the percentage of people who <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/11/27/3-ways-to-reduce-shopping-cart-abandonment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leave items in their carts</a> and choose not proceed with a purchase. You can work this out by dividing the number of abandoned carts by the number of initiated checkouts. As always, you’ll need to multiply the result by 100.  For instance, if there were 200 initiated checkouts and 50 carts were abandoned, then the cart abandonment rate would be 25%. This metric can pinpoint areas of friction in the shopping process. For example, a high cart abandonment rate may indicate that there’s something wrong with the checkout page. Perhaps it’s too complicated or doesn’t <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/04/06/5-best-payment-gateways-for-e-commerce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offer a variety of payment methods</a>. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> Tracking important e-commerce metrics enables you to identify problems in your marketing strategies and website design. This way, you can more effectively <a href="https://velocitize.com/2024/03/06/5-tips-to-increase-conversions-with-effective-cta/">drive conversions</a>. For instance, you’ll want to make sure that the customer acquisition cost is lower than the customer lifetime value, and that the churn and abandonment rates are as low as possible.  Do you have any questions about the e-commerce metrics we discussed in this post? Let us know in the comments section below! Featured image: <a href="https://unsplash.com/@austindistel">Austin Distel</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/28/7-e-commerce-metrics-to-track/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">52021</post-id> </item> <item> <title>3 Best Link in Bio Tools for Instagram</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/27/3-best-link-in-bio-tools-for-instagram/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/27/3-best-link-in-bio-tools-for-instagram/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:43:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Social Media Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[brands]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[external links]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Instagram]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Instagram links]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Instagram profiles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[links]]></category> <category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[social]]></category> <category><![CDATA[social media]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=52005</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you’re using Instagram to grow your brand, you may be aware that the platform only lets you display one …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ If you’re using Instagram to grow your brand, you may be aware that the platform only lets you display one link in your bio. This means you’ll only get to choose one page where you want to lead your followers. Alternatively, you could use a link in bio tool to add more options. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of using link in bio tools for your Instagram page. Then, we’ll look at the top three options on the market. Let’s get started! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why You Might Want to Use Link in Bio Tools</h2> If you have an e-commerce site, Instagram can be a powerful platform for <a href="https://velocitize.com/2024/01/22/5-ways-to-use-instagram-to-grow-your-business/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">promoting your brand</a>. For example, you might <a href="https://velocitize.com/2021/08/23/top-5-tools-for-managing-social-media-ad-campaigns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pay for Instagram ads</a> to lead users to your profile, where they’ll find high-quality images of your products. Of course, you’ll want to include links to your website or other pages within your Instagram profile. This way, your followers can visit your site, view your complete catalog, learn more about a product or service, <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/06/06/how-to-create-a-successful-email-newsletter-for-your-business-4-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign up for your newsletter</a>, or convert in other ways. However, Instagram limits the number of links you can post on your page. You can share up to five links, but only one shows up in your bio.  Many businesses and influencers update this link periodically to point users to the latest content or product. Others use link in bio tools.  These tools enable you to create a page with a collection of links to other sites. You can then share a link to this directory on your Instagram profile: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/PzNzQrPhG1fXAW4nfYDutvf1RobPiuSdQt4DhlZ3EC8HjFXWo9x2bztLh_215jYLHABVEtV3mHagn3Gv68dbQm8EvgvNUrwY99GK0RthuZ1z6dBg_V7uU3Wgv_but2-1M-p1e0_jo-AKViFa6RqvObQ" alt="Screenshot of Mali Bakes Instagram profile with one link."/></figure> Using this kind of tool doesn’t violate Instagram’s terms of service in any way. Moreover, you won’t need to constantly update your Instagram bio to replace old links or try to decide which page you want to promote over the rest. Even better, a lot of these services are free. In the next section, we’ll explore our top picks. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Best Link in Bio Tools for Instagram</h2> Most link in bio tools offer very similar functionality and you can use them beyond Instagram, too. With that in mind, we’re focusing on three options that offer diverse features, so you can choose the tool that best suits your needs. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. <a href="https://linktr.ee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Linktree</a></h3> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3a9Ga4NXfwMWXM8jRtTc34WIosTSdsygBKmWPVE3-QYfNdrfCBjp0UEZTA4JRlXb7nwuSlBo14imSlqkzRwWsLoBDHA5E5WUfGzNi_8abmOCFlSzIcJWSaWqMwGFcZ1zSWMFKGuQvmB7x_SZirAvrTk" alt="Screenshot of Linktree, a tool that can help you create an additional website/link for your Instagram profile. "/></figure> You’ve probably seen Linktree links on other Instagram profiles. It’s one of the platform’s most popular link in bio tools as it’s very easy to use. To get started, you’ll need to choose a name for your Linktree page and claim it right from the homepage. Once you’ve completed the registration process, you can select a template for the page and start adding links manually: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/tkpAmYEaW4nDHGQIPjEL6AwXnUEEzN9246E2ck-4eCXGU9Au6U0ZhySxuWg4uNHGzwotqgdyZ0GTuto20FqxSSTjoUon_Ewsv1JRf9-aa3wtKPuWEVLG1xYW0JlGLjPJErf6mWRv9OebUl5hc8coQoU" alt="Screenshot of customized Linktree pages in profiles."/></figure> Linktree pages can include a mix of customizable buttons and icons. For example, you can use simple social media icons to link users to other profiles while reserving custom buttons for more unique links. The service offers <a href="https://linktr.ee/s/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple premium plans</a>, but the free option is enough for most users. With the free plan, you can include unlimited links on your page. You can also set up a tip jar, which is very useful for influencers who want to monetize their Instagram accounts or collect funds for specific causes. Meanwhile, premium plans offer the option of collecting emails, embedding tweets, and other advanced features for businesses. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. <a href="https://milkshake.app/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milkshake</a></h3> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/EmoR93V-rdgW_cyI4ory0PzQ5S6NCvre0712rrVHiLxQTDHFt5SsfhkSU9g2kzWcd0vighiBGRaUTUrCBvRPm7XZConbNUvE9aGqeTFDKLzQ32yu902f9NgrzJLg4jgCDYW82lVC_j4T5Of6mPJz4pE" alt="Screenshot of Milkshake, a tool similar to Linktree but with more advanced design options."/></figure> Milkshake is similar to Linktree in functionality, but it offers you a lot more options in terms of style. When you set up a personal website using Milkshake, you get to choose from a collection of modern design templates. These templates are a lot more design-forward than what most link in bio tools offer. Many of them include space for you to add a more detailed bio, and there are even designs for sales-focused landing pages: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/tvdHmYmrIFsR7PZUd1arOcx52W9fiO1nl_EjhP5CVX-P6fu3g3jj8Itc7QQr4lH4-k2rQlfytbXrLcyRg2rcWZycHQuKizN5u4LAsPIQNS1mn5UBQsE9qirY-Alg7TIniTUs_Kp4RzOOZnDkOGVaxYs" alt="Screenshot of Milkshake site, optimized for mobile devices."/></figure> The designs here are <a href="https://velocitize.com/2022/03/29/5-tips-for-optimizing-your-e-commerce-site-for-mobile-devices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">optimized for mobile devices</a> and swiping. Users will be able to swipe through sections of your Milkshake page. This keeps in line with the experience of swiping through images or stories on Instagram. Milkshake is completely free. This makes it an ideal option if you also need a simple one-page website for your brand. You can set up to five Milkshare websites for free with a single account. The service doesn’t restrict what kind of sites you create or where you share them, so you can design different pages for specific social media accounts. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. <a href="https://beacons.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beacons</a></h3> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/DSS0n9-yaAqmY5kGn8ZhGpQNWoWFvnA5ahyVPAZvIxuIRQ2_pMhGLMPaJG_AIFAf2af2Vh_zA3UfCGIbsNab2tqf2lJ7SiRLKdqCieSr4U-R55EaPVHVn196PV_t8ktN4RDqLRVk4DnXmSIph7rjfWw" alt="Screenshot of Beacons, a link in bio tool useful for product/service sales."/></figure> If you’re trying to boost online sales, Beacons might be the right link in bio tool for you. It enables you to display products from your Instagram shop on a personalized website and also import items from other storefronts like Amazon. This means you can use it to sell your own products as well as affiliate goods. Beacons lets you include as many links as you need and you can choose from several templates for your page. The designs are a lot more minimalistic than what you’d get with Linktree or Milkshake pages: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/nTnoukXpW9bBTcqLD-emSFjMjQO6TIL1uLZkCcwaHjHN-qvbAY6I1CBYThXlCBeDzRUWHoo59ff6FQxSUeNJYgHB35pId7sOiNkz-NR939iD21jj1Dp7iSo1LK8iuhq-FX5VG25-QbDTA2DAyssgoL8" alt="Screenshot of Beacons link in bio tool for Instagram profile."/></figure> Beacons pages also support subscriptions. Your followers can sign up to receive notifications or newsletters. In terms of price, Beacons offers a <a href="https://beacons.ai/i/plans" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free tier</a> and two paid options. The free plan includes all of the features mentioned above, but Beacons collects transaction fees from sales that originate from the website. If you want to pay zero transaction fees and remove the Beacons branding, you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> Instagram can be a great platform for promoting your brand, but it limits the number of links you can display in your profile. Tools like Linktree, Milkshake, and Beacons enable you to create a page with multiple links and link to it from your Instagram bio. This way, you can direct followers to multiple pages and optimize conversions.  Do you have any questions about how to use link in bio tools for Instagram? Let us know in the comments section below! Featured Image: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-person-using-iphone-x-1542252/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pexels</a> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/27/3-best-link-in-bio-tools-for-instagram/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">52005</post-id> </item> <item> <title>How Real Brands Are Using AI Tools in 2024</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/25/how-real-brands-are-using-ai-tools-in-2024/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/25/how-real-brands-are-using-ai-tools-in-2024/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2024 21:56:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Analytics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[AI tools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[brands]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chatbots]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chatGPT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[netflix]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Search]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=52004</guid> <description><![CDATA[Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days. A lot of companies are using it to optimize their operations and boost …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days. A lot of companies are using it to optimize their operations and boost productivity. If you’re not sure how you can use AI to improve your workflow, you’ll need to take a look at what other businesses are doing. In this article, we’ll look at some brands that are using AI in 2024. We’ll explain how they’re leveraging the technology and how you can put these examples into action. Let’s get to it! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Most Common Use Cases for AI</h2> You may already be familiar with AI tools such as ChatGPT. These Large Language Models (LLMs) can help you brainstorm ideas and <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/07/24/5-best-ai-content-generators-for-your-wordpress-site/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">generate content</a>. They can also answer questions on a variety of topics: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/2AP-uJpeJloiB51bKy3rfP5JT3SU8lhoFQOZwR6Hw5Kdjr_-VGJGZtJEvRVsjrEdX0rUH96fgKotM-BUfmRVZR_l4uyGj5MjG7vEgMExTnRPvBdfeK4pCBnvsD1BfNPCZbIKqsnw4UPt2gZ8bxljIWY" alt="Screenshot of ChatGPT query."/></figure> You can even use AI tools to produce images and videos, although you’ll typically get better results with generated text than you do with media. Depending on what service you use, you might also be able to employ AI for more complex tasks, such as creating presentations. To give you an example, we used a ChatGPT plugin that connects with a third-party service, Canva, and asked it to give us some presentation templates for a specific project: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/RK8uoQlDQumSwBIoD7EgFjVHF_tzeoX4qfv85afMuM5k43nL8GMsOTtClY-aAjzsefc8YOlOixlF_Zoi-bPBD_wF4eRcm34vo_YhgmnlAuuKUqKPt7tFKSiLUUmMm57V8R8ZeYWGOqw-Exe2KIwd1mM" alt="Screenshot of ChatGPT plugin connected with a third-party service."/></figure> Using AI can be very helpful if you’re stuck for ideas, or you don’t have anyone to assist you with a project. You might even use it for data analysis, or to break complex information into more digestible chunks.  Overall, AI has a lot of fascinating use cases for regular users. However, many businesses are doing more exciting things with AI, and they typically don’t rely on the same public interfaces available to regular users. Instead, they connect to services such as ChatGPT via their APIs for managing more complex requests. In the next section, we’ll go over some of the most interesting ways in which brands are using AI. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How Real Brands Are Using AI</h2> You might think that AI is only good for basic tasks, such as creating outlines and fixing spelling mistakes. However, some brands are using AI in truly creative ways. Understanding the potential of this technology can help you do the same.   So, let’s look at some real use cases of AI. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Moz</h3> If you’ve been working on <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/11/14/how-to-improve-wordpress-seo-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your site’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</a>, then you’re probably familiar with Moz.  This platform offers a variety of services and tools for SEO analysis. You can use it to determine what keywords to focus on, how your competitor sites are doing, and track your Domain Authority (DA), among other things: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Lfo8lxoaKh5QhFyIYhwxhukHbcFZE4lo7n1J-yWAj3ueTKmGHl0D-GPbTIAUuEnOhkxVUrA2OgeFQnLUL1R7_B-iDihNn_6oRaS1-jfw5yrmcZLXgqxn4FUoCJVaA2_F_CLK9z_3aBQxQ3ErVDjnH7k" alt="Screenshot of website SEO template using Moz."/></figure> While there’s debate concerning <a href="https://searchengineland.com/moz-domain-authority-case-against-431732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whether DA correlates to rankings</a>, many website owners still pay attention to this metric. It helps them determine the authority of their site in a specific niche. What you might not know is that Moz uses AI to calculate this score. More specifically, it uses a neural network that considers multiple proprietary criteria. The exact formula is not available to the public, but it’s all calculated according to an algorithm.  The algorithm itself changes constantly as new data points become available, but it’s all done by machines. In theory, the neural network can improve the method it uses to calculate DA scores by making automatic changes to the algorithm. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zapier</h3> Zapier is a popular service among online businesses. It helps you connect and integrate third-party platforms, specifically for <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/04/19/unlock-the-power-of-ai-and-marketing-automation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marketing automation</a> purposes: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/EScVqjhnPEsuF1T0bp2YeW-xuBuAHzx2ohE03qlswZMaqT0Lm2YmDRqKRVkDiAe8mS8_d6-DJ_wQGTjCKEeRUPCEw0cAOPogIwvvMjkzIahF1l1nOFZFTyIOzMLIcBV0iNoPBWxxkANsU76kcs6xsME" alt="Screenshot of Zapier, which connects to third-party platforms mostly for marketing purposes."/></figure> The company behind this service <a href="https://zapier.com/blog/how-zapier-uses-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uses AI</a> for a variety of processes. Here are some of the tasks that are automated through this technology: <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>An AI gathers information on clients before scheduling <a href="https://velocitize.com/2024/02/13/are-chatbots-and-ai-assistants-a-replacement-for-human-customer-service/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">customer support</a> calls. This can help reduce the time agents have to spend researching the company. </li> <li>The HR department uses AI to evaluate employee onboarding forms and determine how they feel about different topics.</li> <li>They integrate ChatGPT with their internal Slack channels. Employees can automatically submit ticket information to ChatGPT, which provides troubleshooting ideas.</li> <li>The content team uses AI for everything from generating articles and meta descriptions to summarizing posts.</li> <li>Their engineers use Slack integrations with ChatGPT to summarize tickets and get an overview of what tasks need to be tackled.</li> </ul> As you can see, Zapier has incorporated AI into various day-to-day operations. By their own account, these integrations save them time and enable them to get more work done. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Netflix</h3> If you use Netflix, you’ve probably noticed that it constantly displays recommendations on your account.  The company uses machine learning to analyze what kind of content you watch and determine what else you might like: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/oghCIDaxb4mZ5Vq4j4zYfu5D1vvt1dOqSffvyvT4q5OrIIUu56ROJ0rOIWmELEHT_vauKAROcjwO7ptbI8Rbr3SEUg1_fq-92FGar38NfQcfspX3VE2eAV39dIXSn6Bi23h7CqqjUPmCFigbph3ZaA4" alt="Screenshot of Netflix recommendations based on your viewing behavior, powered by AI."/></figure> That’s oversimplifying the process, of course. Although only Netflix knows what criteria they use for recommendations, what we do know is that they’re powered by AI.  The service doesn’t only use machine learning to determine what to recommend but also how to do it. One interesting way in which it does this is by displaying recommendations with different thumbnails, depending on what their algorithm considers you might be more likely to click on. In the future, this technology will probably become more accessible to regular website owners. If you use WordPress, for example, you might be able to use AI-powered “related post” plugins that can determine what content to show users without relying solely on category or tag information. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> There’s a significant difference in how regular people use AI tools and how businesses do it. Big brands like Zapier and Netflix are leveraging AI alongside their massive caches of data to improve workflows, provide better recommendations, and analyze their performance.  Do you have any questions about how to use AI for your online business? Let us know in the comments section below! Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@popcornmatch?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marques Kaspbrak</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/black-flat-screen-tv-turned-on-displaying-man-in-black-suit-5wThjqG6HBU?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unsplash</a> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/25/how-real-brands-are-using-ai-tools-in-2024/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">52004</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Can You Use Custom ChatGPTs to Improve Your Website?</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/21/can-you-use-custom-chatgpts-to-improve-your-website/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/21/can-you-use-custom-chatgpts-to-improve-your-website/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2024 17:56:28 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chatGPT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[custom chatGPTs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[custom gpts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=52002</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you’ve tried using ChatGPT, you know it can help you solve problems, come up with ideas, and even perform …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ If you’ve tried using <a href="https://chat.openai.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ChatGPT</a>, you know it can help you solve problems, come up with ideas, and even perform simple work tasks. However, it can be hard to “teach” the model to return the types of responses you want. Custom ChatGPTs simplify this by providing a process for training new models on the specific tasks you need. In this article, we’ll talk about how custom GPTs work. Then we’ll discuss how you can use them to improve your website. Let’s get to it! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Are Custom ChatGPTs? (And How Do They Work?)</h2> If you use the premium version of ChatGPT, the service gives you the option to set up <a href="https://openai.com/blog/introducing-gpts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">custom GPTs</a>. These are customized versions of the LLM into which you can feed data and provide specific instructions: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/MMBIpHROpvIgdljdZ--RTN0ARKP0U13NpnjxhHN2CTzer86bnzTAiI_9VRHNbCnBcbpitBlcG0lErx-JypQAY3f9N1PMa2jJpmQwPA4gzKEeYKc8js48SDJfOnkoFnO3iprZxJBdyV1EeEHi37Vdwjo" alt="Screenshot of premium ChatGPT that offers customized versions."/></figure> To some extent, you can already do this using the base version of ChatGPT. However, the option to create custom GPTs gives you a lot more control over this training process, instead of requiring you to experiment with complex prompts. When you create a custom GPT, the service uses a chatbot interface to help you put together a solution that fits your needs. You can explain to ChatGPT what you need the custom GPT to do, and it’ll generate a solution for that use case: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/o_LvTUFKmu3OUJSXH2iNZLETKiu-CdT29OvdCxc73WGEq4BE3IHyELx0gMpxeaAnlzjNuLp_HEaigoHKHzhMhiTObDPWlHpBIfvPdW5IJU0-MXxj2IM0PYUnrfIGZIIexSgf6uFVjSpenh4eup73PMA" alt="Screenshot of GPT Builder, a custom GPT that uses a chatbot interface to generate solutions."/></figure> To give you an idea of how the process works, let’s ask the custom GPT builder to help us generate a model that will take code and explain it: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/NDhxhHIPijSWKd1V8Dih49qUw3t2PPSygkcLShh8i_mTtr8ifWmHnDMAZtJ2279CFnvgByksRumKsT2IFU6M4Df7HTvDOVxH21DTnfnIkaWR4lwFjc14tR21irlTZ4oldLITyaMtovRaeN3JZ7stK8k" alt="Screenshot of a custom ChatGPT builder that can explain code."/></figure> The builder will take your input and generate a preview of the custom GPT to the right of the screen. You can use this preview for testing, and the setup enables you to make adjustments to the instructions on the fly. <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/DoSZaxswqcIrXxg8kzKFCWksg-J0qegZhq4iatEH6EzxPW_dSb_zAX683bYZ_aYE1ttgr6LOfDHwJm5nrb2PFGZMKuz8X2ETL1llzY0eAB7JYOouqwIjACAba34vantqOnTzQg4pY6jp-60E4H3c4mg" alt="Screenshot of a preview generated by the custom GPT."/></figure> Once you’re happy with the results of the custom GPT, you can access it from the My GPTs tab in the ChatPGT dashboard. You can create as many custom GPTs as you like. With enough information about what you need, custom GPTs can provide responses that are better tailored. If you use ChatGPT when working on your website, custom GPTs can help you do that more efficiently. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How To Use Custom ChatGPTs To Improve Your Website (2 Ways)</h2> There are hundreds of ways to use <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/07/18/3-best-chatgpt-alternatives-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">services like ChatGPT</a> to improve your website. This includes everything from coming up with ideas to actually creating content. If anything, this new tool offers even more options. To provide you with a starting point, let’s go over two of the ways custom GPTs can do the job better than the base version of the service. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Come Up With Large Numbers of Topic Ideas</h3> One of the best ways to use the standard ChatGPT software is to brainstorm ideas. You can give it context about what you need. Then, you can ask it to provide dozens or even hundreds of potential ideas for blog posts, videos, and other types of content for your website: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/D8a9UaMbeuG9NOIj4_nJvit53nRm6VbTyPxsxU_S3OajMAQDpJtVMZfbTkN8Y8B1BKZV08fxON13lrv_2gl45RXV1C-CGYa6pvmgpRC-AVmWseGEhINfCPDstgdIvuAtgfkScLn8ihX5BOe1q2dqCZk" alt="Screenshot of an Idea Generator inside a standard ChatGPT."/></figure> However, a lot of these ideas might not work, because it’s hard to provide ChatGPT with enough information. Even if you use the version of the software that can browse the web, it may stumble when you ask it to analyze your content library and return similar ideas. Custom GPTs enable you to give the model much more information, and ensure that it will keep that data in mind when returning answers. That means its suggestions should fit your website’s tone and style much better: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/rmr-wHN17W4vj1K2A3imeogHJhYcvyUVZQBvU0xftTPGGxuXzpWmRXQSbm_TzY0C_In0SR5Kwjg7o-rgnPYaWW1Ry5wERit5ARkOImSLUsVCepPWpBfpDJ6aQrCV3K8oDchXzpKpe4L8SCfQJm9Injc" alt="Screenshot of a custom GPT, that can generate more information and fit your website style."/></figure> It’s important to note that, even if you’re using a custom GPT, you should always vet the information or ideas it returns. In our experience, a lot of the topic ideas that ChatGPT will give you are easy pickings, and they might not fit well with <a href="https://velocitize.com/2021/07/20/how-to-use-keyword-research-in-ad-campaigns-4-easy-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your keyword strategy</a>. The upside of this approach is that a custom GPT can return so many ideas that plenty of them are bound to be viable. You can also take ideas and refine them to better suit your website, and this all takes a lot less time than brainstorming hundreds of new topics on your own. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Generate Content for Your Website</h3> Now, let’s discuss generating content using custom ChatGPTs. Whether this approach works or not will largely depend on what type of content your website needs. You can use ChatGPT to generate text <a href="https://openai.com/blog/dall-e-3-is-now-available-in-chatgpt-plus-and-enterprise" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and images</a>, which makes it an ideal tool for blogs and other sites that publish regular posts or articles. However, it can also assist with everything from product descriptions to author bios. It can even help you write scripts for videos. As a result, you’ll hopefully be able to create more content that engages your audience. If you run an online business, this can free up your time to focus on other revenue building strategies. However, keep in mind that ChatGPT may struggle <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/08/14/are-ai-content-creators-good-enough-to-use-in-marketing-campaigns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to generate long-form content</a>. The default version of the software also has problems emulating specific styles or returning responses that don’t seem like they were written by software. Custom GPTs can help mitigate all of these downsides. You can provide ChatGPT with an in-depth style guide, and use the custom GPT builder to tell it exactly what kind of content you need: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/6CdiVCrDRTPyMcUJ8HNvzjxeRWebPbKfFtKbMhdb2eOkqpFTN2d8rUncNnhkyw_r1OSS2bbjNag8EImkeEYBPe4FZIFFYGHtfdGSXdtvauv50Bq5MZSCcTXUuA8jX303PRQxP-2AkkZ9M_xyh1htqos" alt="Custom GPTs can provide more in-depth style and content than standard GPTs."/></figure> The more detailed the instructions you provide are, the better the results you should see from using custom GPTs. A properly trained custom GPT should outperform the base models in helping you create content that adheres to specific guidelines. Still, it’s important to note that you’ll want to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/08/08/how-to-edit-ai-generated-content-4-tips/">involve humans when editing content</a> generated by custom GPTs. While it’s good enough at what it does, ChatGPT can make mistakes and it might not consistently produce content that visitors find engaging. With that being said, using a custom GPT will make this process a lot easier and more reliable. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> While the standard ChatGPT is powerful software, it will typically provide you with generic and unimaginative answers. While you can’t avoid this entirely, you can train a custom GPT to get better results for your specific needs. You can then use your custom ChatGPTs to come up with new topics for your blog, generate content for your site, and so on. How do you plan to use custom GPTs on your website? Let’s talk in the comments section below! Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@emilianovittoriosi?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emiliano Vittoriosi</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-laptop-computer-sitting-on-top-of-a-wooden-table-kdNhf7vJSik?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unsplash</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/21/can-you-use-custom-chatgpts-to-improve-your-website/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">52002</post-id> </item> <item> <title>The Impact of AI on Content Creation</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/18/the-impact-of-ai-on-content-creation/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/18/the-impact-of-ai-on-content-creation/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:25:02 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chatGPT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[content]]></category> <category><![CDATA[content creation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=52000</guid> <description><![CDATA[With the advancement of AI technology, many industries have witnessed major transformations. And while there are plenty of advantages to …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ With the advancement of AI technology, many industries have witnessed major transformations. And while there are plenty of advantages to be seen, you might be wondering about the lasting impact of AI on content creation. In this post, we’ll take a look at AI content creation. Then, we’ll discuss how AI tools are being used today, and evaluate whether the technology is capable of replacing human creators. Let’s get started! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">An Introduction to AI and Its Role in Content Creation</h2> <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/12/13/how-ai-has-impacted-the-digital-marketing-industry-our-agency-and-our-clients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artificial intelligence (AI)</a> has revolutionized many industries. And, with advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, one of the main ways that AI is being used is for content creation. Launched in 2022, <a href="https://openai.com/chatgpt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ChatGPT</a> is an open-source AI system that can be used to suggest ideas, write blog posts, and carry out a range of other communication-based tasks: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/7MfMTTGWSg4NLpZSSa-8-lHpBNjFqCaxYd5WNWYP0A16Vc7BDBUMEXzOlyRQKxCQwLbPxne0MUGSr4vZpnQYPQPyQHBHkfzFaKMr_tBDMwOCvTUrRlZpk6kaJsJkwo1bElAPj5h72XQxpye2J3OxRug" alt="Screenshot of ChatGPT, a popular AI content generator. "/></figure> This has led to the emergence of other <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/06/13/the-state-of-wordpress-ai-plugins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WordPress AI plugins</a> that go beyond <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/07/24/5-best-ai-content-generators-for-your-wordpress-site/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">content generators</a>. For instance, here are the main ways that AI is being used across the content creation industry: <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Efficiency: AI can automate repetitive tasks like content ideation, creation, and publication, which enables you to save time. In fact, according to U.S. marketers, this is the <a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/5017/ai-use-in-marketing/#dossier-chapter1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leading AI benefit</a>.</li> <li>Personalization: <a href="https://velocitize.com/2024/01/02/should-you-use-ai-tools-for-sales-emails/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI tools</a> can analyze large amounts of data to provide tailored recommendations at scale.</li> <li>Analytics: AI algorithms can analyze and interpret data from a wide range of sources to provide valuable insights to improve campaigns. </li> <li>E-commerce: <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/08/01/how-to-use-ai-to-power-up-your-e-commerce-site-5-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI in e-commerce</a> can improve search functionality, optimize product prices, and enhance customer service. </li> </ul> On the whole, AI tools are great for streamlining your workflows, managing repetitive tasks, and making more informed decisions.  <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How AI Tools Are Being Used Today</h2> Now that you know a bit more about AI content creation, let’s take a look at some of the main ways that AI tools are being used today. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. SEO Planning and Keyword Research</h3> Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies enable you to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/11/14/how-to-improve-wordpress-seo-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gain higher search rankings</a>, and drive more traffic to your website as a result. However, SEO can be time-consuming to do manually. So, you might prefer to use SEO AI tools (like <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/surferseo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surfer</a>) to identify relevant keywords and phrases for your content: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/oOc3CrPa3Znqxjr52wO9rjIaK3n0XrTtSF1czn1RD_IG-Yxf-jptBuTAlWngl9LsbxrM5Gfhm8u7k2xpqrOcTvV7ZW4_HPSqIeFkFdrfbYrCnNTx1blDuYWodNn2eJqoxLkMyuS1Pnv8fywlIIG1Y6c" alt="Screenshot of Surfer, an SEO AI tool that identifies keywords for your content."/></figure> These tools can analyze vast amounts of data very quickly, like search trends, user behavior, and competitor activity. In this scenario, AI speeds up the process and can help you find more effective terms for your campaigns. It’s important to note that there’s recently been a shift from keywords to semantic searches. This encompasses the meaning behind a search query to help you match the exact user intent. So, you should be able to create content that’s highly relevant to your target audience. This aligns closely with <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2023/02/google-search-and-ai-content" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google’s guidance</a> about AI-generated content, which focuses on rewarding high-quality content (no matter how it’s produced). <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Automated Writing</h3> As we’ve discussed, you can <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/08/28/how-to-write-a-blog-post-with-chatgpt-in-5-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">use AI to write blog posts</a>, news articles, product descriptions, and more. Therefore, AI is changing the way content is produced, distributed, and consumed. In fact, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1398138/top-tasks-executed-with-ai-marketers-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">54% of global marketers</a> reported using AI to create first drafts. Meanwhile, 42% of respondents used the technology for spelling and grammar purposes. There are plenty of benefits to using AI for the sake of creating online content. In particular, it can be useful for news stories, since you can access and analyze lots of data to deliver breaking news articles, or uncover trends and insights.  It’s also great if you lack a natural flair for writing, or you’re worried about making spelling and grammar errors. But, it’s important to be aware of the drawbacks of using AI content in your campaigns. Primarily, AI content creation may display biases since AI systems are trained on data that’s usually produced by human writers. For example, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-generative-ai-bias/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg found</a> that AI images associated with higher-paying job titles featured people with lighter skin tones, and that most of the professional roles were male-donimated. Additionally, <a href="https://restofworld.org/2023/ai-image-stereotypes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rest of the World</a> conducted an analysis of text-to-image AI generators and found a tendency towards stereotypes and reductionism. Although this is hugely problematic in itself, there’s also the compounding issue that people might wrongly assume that AI content is more objective. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. AI for Social Media</h3> As we look into the impact of AI on content creation, we can’t ignore the effect on social media. Although some marketing materials may require more nuance and creativity, AI tools are great at generating text that fulfills specific goals. With the rising popularity of prompt-based AI systems, you can automatically create content designed for specific audiences, platforms, industries, and objectives. For example, you may want to create a LinkedIn post to encourage people to subscribe to your mailing list: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/OdLNPwIryHO4W4wYwbSuxS7n969fR8Yl77uIz6jFE3tcAUK5wnVYzdH10pKId2Ar2oN0lt1WEnpwTB-dkvKr4MuzIAu_G5XRQSyoZdieiqP62xG0GqnRVO0k1wCztu5PPNUsANRLdylvkthfhWcS4wo" alt="Screenshot of ChatGPT creating specific content for a LinkedIn post."/></figure> Or, you can transform an existing caption into a new Instagram post to build brand awareness. In fact, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1398138/top-tasks-executed-with-ai-marketers-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">30% of global marketers</a> admitted to using AI to repurpose content so that it can be used across different platforms. And, since some AI systems enable you to define a brand voice and writing tone, you can even use AI to handle social messages. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Video and Audio Content</h3> There have been several advancements in AI technology that are changing how audio and video content is produced and consumed. So, besides speeding up certain tasks, it’s also opening up new creative possibilities. AI can make platforms more accessible to those that lack technical skills. For example, it’s had a significant impact on post-production software (like <a href="https://www.descript.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Descript</a>), with its ability to analyze footage, identify best shots, and improve overall quality: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/kHDe_YlSNEDZhVtMhpAXecmRGC3rqS9mzDMJCwSfogWUqzEoXtw9iS6GQNlISetWTjND4mE-SGInuDGggvdXU6fHsPnfx5Aud_hXodWqyG0kcIWS6lLA3WCIXRmjoWJ7ENnKzQIjLlJYUV7bkCF_kc8" alt="Screenshot of Descript, a post-production software which can analyze video and podcast footage. "/></figure> Additionally, AI can be used to enhance visual and audio elements. You might use it to remove noise from videos, heighten color contrasts, and stabilize shaky footage. Additionally, you can even use AI-powered tools to generate synthetic voices that mimic your own. In terms of video and audio consumption, AI is also taking effect with personalized content recommendations that are tailored to a user’s preferences. This can help increase engagement, build brand loyalty, and generate revenue streams through targeted advertising.  <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will AI Replace Human Content Creators?</h2> There is evidence to suggest that our reliance on AI will increase beyond the point we’re at now. For example, a <a href="https://www.europol.europa.eu/cms/sites/default/files/documents/Europol_Innovation_Lab_Facing_Reality_Law_Enforcement_And_The_Challenge_Of_Deepfakes.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new report from Europol</a> revealed that generative AI experts estimate that up to 90% of online content may be synthetically generated by 2026. Naturally, this would have significant implications for human content creators. In fact, a <a href="https://www.key4biz.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Global-Economics-Analyst_-The-Potentially-Large-Effects-of-Artificial-Intelligence-on-Economic-Growth-Briggs_Kodnani.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report from Goldman Sachs</a> estimates that AI could do a quarter of the work currently done by humans, and that 300 million jobs could be lost to the technology. Of course, there are many drawbacks to relying solely on AI content. As we’ve discussed, it’s difficult to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/07/27/were-only-human-taking-on-ai-bias/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remove prejudice and bias from AI</a> content because of the data it’s trained on. As such, it increases the likelihood of algorithmic discrimination. What’s more, Authority Hacker states that <a href="https://www.authorityhacker.com/ai-survey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">63% of marketers</a> that use AI tools worry about inaccuracies. Again, because of the data it’s trained on, AI can make mistakes and false claims, which is why it’s so important to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/08/08/how-to-edit-ai-generated-content-4-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">edit AI content</a> before it’s distributed. Therefore, despite some extreme predictions, the general consensus is that <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/06/21/can-you-use-ai-content-creators-for-your-wordpress-website/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI content creators</a> should not be relied on exclusively. In terms of content creation, it’s best to use AI as a way to draft content or provide content outlines/briefs. Then, a human writer can correct mistakes and add nuances that synthetic generators aren’t capable of. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> In recent years, AI has made massive strides from basic automation to a range of complex tasks. For instance, in terms of SEO, it’s shifted the focus from keywords to a more semantic search. Plus, it has enabled sophisticated video editing software, enhanced social media messaging, and optimized content workflows. Do you have any questions about the impact of AI on content creation? Ask us in the comments below! Image credit: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/person-using-macbook-pro-on-brown-wooden-table--PUJMwxPp8I" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unsplash</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/18/the-impact-of-ai-on-content-creation/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">52000</post-id> </item> <item> <title>How to Promote Your Most Successful Blog Content (3 Ways)</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/11/how-to-promote-your-most-successful-blog-content-3-ways/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/11/how-to-promote-your-most-successful-blog-content-3-ways/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:50:58 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Social Media Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[blog content]]></category> <category><![CDATA[blog posts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[email]]></category> <category><![CDATA[infographic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[social media]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=51970</guid> <description><![CDATA[Not every blog post you publish will have the same level of success. Some articles may far outshine the rest. …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ Not every blog post you publish will have the same level of success. Some articles may far outshine the rest. These posts are likely your most important content, and if you’re not promoting them, you may miss out on a lot of additional traffic. As such, you’ll want to take extra steps to market them, like incorporating them into your email campaigns or social media posts. In this article, we’ll go over three ways to promote your pre-existing, high-performing blog content. Let’s get to it! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Share Your Blog Posts in Email Campaigns</h2> If you’re a blogger, you can likely <a href="https://velocitize.com/2021/12/10/email-marketing-and-promoting-your-brand/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benefit from running an email campaign</a> to market your content. This is especially true if you have a sizable email list.  You can reach out to this list when you want to promote new content and drive traffic back to the blog. What’s more, keeping in touch with subscribers is a great way to keep readers engaged. On top of that, you can use these email campaigns to share your best-performing blog posts. Some blogs do this with regular emails highlighting popular content readers might have missed.  The goal here is to reach any of your loyal readers who may have overlooked a high-performing post by accident. While you’re at it, you can ask subscribers to share the content on social media. If your blog has social sharing functionality, this should be as easy as clicking on a button. If you don’t have an email list, it’s a good idea to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2020/09/14/9-strategies-to-build-your-email-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">start building one</a>. Fortunately, <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/01/31/how-to-get-started-with-email-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">getting started with email marketing</a> is pretty straightforward.  <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Create Social Media Videos</h2> Another way you can further promote a successful blog post is by creating a complementary <a href="https://velocitize.com/2020/06/29/slow-the-scroll-get-some-social-love-with-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media video</a> for it. This approach aims to get your content in front of users who tend to <a href="https://www.statista.com/markets/424/topic/542/online-video-entertainment/#overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prefer visual media</a>, but may be persuaded to read your full article after seeing a teaser reel.  This can be as easy as recording yourself talking about the blog post, and summarizing its main points. Of course, you might not want to reveal the full contents of the post, otherwise viewers may be less inclined to read it.  For instance, you could withhold some of the most valuable lessons or details, and prompt people to click on your article to get the full story. Alternatively, if you’re camera-shy, you can offer up a slightly more produced video: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ldAC8LWS_wyDNT_G9TLKyJm50FOnLdJvvpjyVWGhO6-g6VzlBWLlan21DmVs5mCJQNQ_4ypp8hz8nkohb-SbNcpAE2lBZhjR1Juq6fS8UDfe-QELm2robcJmRZh72QUO8uMknMv_n7kJPOKBDERtm-I" alt="Screenshot of social media posts promoting successful blog content."/></figure> To do this, you’ll want to use tools such as Canva or Animoto, which offer free plans and enable you to create videos using social media templates.  You can use relevant images or source video snippets, then pair them with simple voiceovers to share condensed versions of your blog posts. If you don’t like using your own voice, there are even workarounds for that. TikTok, for example, includes the option to use robot voiceovers for any text you provide during video creation. When creating this type of video for social media, make sure to always point your viewer in the direction of your full blog post. You can include a shortened link in a post’s description or redirect them to your bio for a link tree that includes it. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Design Infographics Summarizing Your Article</h2> If video isn’t for you, there are other ways to promote blog content on social media. One of our favorite approaches is using infographics, which can help you break down the core message of a blog post: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3bPdrNjcq5G7spu3bRSCv-MZ6fyKpk9n02zaPTjvRhgm9KbFodgU6GHEhDXJgQNM7l53XnCsaVgxQI2yoUioz71kc3KveURGtQoIAedA-ciIkUjrn3ueWo4vUa064wXdehtDTjqpdZdJBNmt3Fxyp1g" alt="Screenshot of blog promotion through infographics & messaging."/></figure> In this way, you can condense complex topics into simplified visuals, appealing to users who might not be convinced to read a full post otherwise. Of course, it’s important to note that this approach doesn’t work for every scenario, because not all article topics lend themselves well to an infographic. Moreover, creating an infographic takes time, whether you’re an experienced designer or you’re using a beginner-friendly tool that helps you create these visuals.   If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to creating an infographic, check out this list of <a href="https://buffer.com/library/infographic-makers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">graphic design tools</a> you can use (even without any design experience). All of them include templates for infographics, which you can easily customize with visual editors.  As with all the other strategies on this list, you’ll want to make sure to link to the original article in this promotional post.  <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> From time to time, you’ll publish a blog article that outperforms the rest of your content. When that happens, it’s smart to try and drive as much attention to it as possible, as viral posts can help take your blog to the next level. There are a lot of ways to do this, including using email campaigns, social media videos, and infographics.  Do you have any questions about how to promote your successful blog content? Let’s talk about them in the comments section below! Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/pixelcreatures-127599/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=265132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Werner Moser</a> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/11/how-to-promote-your-most-successful-blog-content-3-ways/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">51970</post-id> </item> <item> <title>5 Tips to Increase Conversions With an Effective CTA</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/06/5-tips-to-increase-conversions-with-effective-cta/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/06/5-tips-to-increase-conversions-with-effective-cta/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:43:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[E-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[buttons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[calls to action]]></category> <category><![CDATA[conversions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CTA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[customer trust]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=51969</guid> <description><![CDATA[Calls to Action (CTAs) are among the most important elements on any website. Blogs, online stores, portfolios, you name it. …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ Calls to Action (CTAs) are among the most important elements on any website. Blogs, online stores, portfolios, you name it. They all benefit from giving visitors clear next steps. Plus, the quality of your CTAs can have an enormous impact on conversions. That means it’s vital to follow best practices like using eye-catching buttons, low-risk ‘asks’, and proper placement. In this article, we’ll go over five tips to increase conversions using CTAs. Let’s get to it! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Use Action Verbs and Buttons</h2> First of all, a strong CTA should catch a website visitor’s attention right away. Using a brightly colored button is a good start. The color will pop on the page, and the button will make it very easy for the visitor to take the action you’re suggesting. Additionally, to create an effective CTA, you’ll want to use an ‘action’ verb. This includes terms like “buy,” “sign up,” or even “download”: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Pt293942PjH0xKHj4g6Do2Ca_Z8nbZ6KC4chNYLHfeyyLtHAqQt92robr_NxdsFMcbFvePKMyQ3_VJjtzE2zoV17E3Gtspmw38dzuPDCewZgIIUqsB1dWMPaG1fd7Lw7Znp9G1jQIJk2ZWUKKa_dtGM" alt="Screenshot of Nintendo website download demo button for Mario vs. Donkey Kong."/></figure> For example, the Nintendo website pictured above uses an on-brand red button that draws the eye. Plus, it invites users to Download Now when advertising its new Mario vs. Donkey Kong game, which couldn’t be a clearer request. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Create a Sense of Urgency</h2> You’ll also want to ensure that your CTAs create a sense of urgency. This is a time-tested approach to <a href="https://velocitize.com/2022/04/04/5-website-tweaks-to-boost-blog-engagement-conversions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasing conversions</a>, and involves using language that lets visitors know that an offer is only available for a brief period of time. Some examples of CTAs that create a sense of urgency include “Act now,” “Don’t miss out,” and “Shop sale:” <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/zJSyifh06Qh0HNzQC9DT-ZBO1Zu8wQTfSP3kzRJuGz4qdfeR5VMSKms3kKzN07zErVwAOTjgDiAtWgQr2_czGWP3DF8i9Tt8eMUTKtE3lJD7NwNA_L05v_HMXZxN-WQEtGVKLhxcTFYKutwNbPXkAPQ" alt="Screenshot illustrating CTA creating a sense of urgency with "Shop sale" button."/></figure> While this approach can be effective, it should always be honest (and not used in excess). After all, you don’t want to fall into <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/06/24/how-to-draw-the-line-on-unethical-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unethical marketing</a> by accident.  For example, if you’re always advertising a “limited time deal” that you keep renewing, this may damage <a href="https://velocitize.com/2021/04/06/3-ways-to-build-lasting-customer-trust-in-your-online-store/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">customer trust</a>. On the other hand, running time-sensitive holiday sales with strong CTAs can be an excellent strategy: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/nBUzWF8sMQfROGnOelfWOLr1QHbLeSdX7mxwzVf1ZSIa8Ym2tA3mOpRuUn959i7np67o0yoJsS0XAr7DgYc1sgCqdiGRQ5TbgdaLHgiq528QVpfI2QF8mkzhkWxbfxAhSiH-h7gtZYqOa-fVMXqQB0U" alt="Screenshot of mattress store featuring time-sensitive holiday sales CTA."/></figure> You can even couple your sales with a countdown timer to further create that sense of urgency. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Place CTAs in Key Locations</h2> If you want to create an effective CTA, proper placement is also crucial. You’ll want to ensure that visitors don’t overlook your invitations to act. The Netflix homepage offers a simple example of a strong CTA with excellent placement. Here we see the main CTA, the “Get Started” button, at the top of the page where you can’t miss it: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Lv_tE5HG_EmWrz1pPu_4an6UHsZqMQPsEGYbSBcohReRNPhzcBqikInSvOtYamiT-oCmMnsAS5CCamc7Cmqk6EogfDv5eOn1CtloVtqkHliAZ-5JENcj_uCKt0rYfdCQIln3_pWN99f2-wCHpVuRX1I" alt="Screenshot of Netflix "Get Started" button with excellent placement."/></figure> This is a great way to catch users who are ready to convert. Another smart approach is to use multiple CTAs. You can have an above-the-fold button and another CTA further down the page, after you present the details of your offer: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/7kFWiydFzy5Mpg7VGxs8HremLYUyE_7Pjb13pvSMrSr9GicDmjYg-X6_glOHni86vLk6G-5Tsj2RVI3FxlisObigRmaEk_0tATg-Tvk1HFGH5JXEeOvH-dhtGbiyvRGXvc3hnko2QZOHsouVa_egdts" alt="Screenshot of Netflix FAQ with "Get Started" button in an example of multiple CTAs."/></figure> Ultimately, when it comes to CTAs, the key to placement is to consider the user journey. CTAs are at their most effective when they appear just as a user decides they want to convert. If the user has to spend time looking around for a Buy Now or Sign Up button, you’re giving them more chances to change their mind. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Minimize the Risk to Users</h2> Conversion always presents some potential risk to your audience, whether they are signing up for a newsletter or a free trial subscription. As an example, if they give their email address to the wrong site, they might end up receiving spam. Alternatively, if they sign up for a poor service or buy a subpar product, they might not be able to get their money back. Those are all fears that users might have when they’re considering signing up for your service. An effective CTA will encourage them to make a decision, while also easing their concerns about the potential risks: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/g5ria6ruZHG3XdaxlIW7BKMOsyzjs5Q3dt1Pj4K7BU3Vx1Z_VCFTsWPa-4phXgeY7RgrMucL5VYNayZtS8n2zvPMBHaAjEjFnf5fZnwafPnDcKVcNadWg9tQbNZTnOBG6gQkAZz1N2wb7gDrgupMfGE" alt="Screenshot example of offering a low-risk free trial signup. "/></figure> In the above example, the CTA is to sign up for a free trial, which is very low risk already. To make it more effective, you can accompany it with a promise like “no credit card required” (as long as you’re willing to follow through). In general, whenever you make an offer on your site, it’s important to consider it from the users’ perspective. That means thinking about what concerns they might have and what message you can share that will alleviate those worries. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Test CTA Variations</h2> If you’re not sure what type of CTA might work best for your website, you can always test multiple variations. In fact, this is the best possible approach if you’re not sure what your audience will respond to. What you’ll want to do is <a href="https://wpengine.com/resources/a-b-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">run multivariate tests</a> (also called A/B tests). These are tests where different sets of users see unique versions of a page with different CTAs and/or copy. The goal is to identify which version users respond better to. The downside of this approach is that it requires two factors: significant amounts of traffic and time. To run a test that gives definitive results, you’ll need at least a few hundred users and visits worth of data points. Without that, the data you get will not be trustworthy, and you might end up using a CTA that doesn’t work as well as you think. It may also take a while to gather enough data to make an informed decision. If you have a very popular website, this can be as little as a few days. If you don’t get a lot of traffic, running A/B or multivariate tests will take a while. Still, the results can provide valuable insights into what CTAs your specific audience responds to. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> A strong CTA can significantly <a href="https://velocitize.com/2022/10/11/5-things-to-consider-when-creating-a-conversion-page-on-your-website/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increase conversions</a> and help your online business succeed. However, you’ll need to find the right combination of active copy, eye-catching buttons, and proper placement if you want your CTAs to be effective. It’s also vital to reduce the risk for users, create a sense of urgency, and test your CTAs thoroughly. Do you have any questions about what makes for an effective CTA? Let’s talk about them in the comments section below! Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/hutchrock-2563315/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2900303" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hannes Edinger</a> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/06/5-tips-to-increase-conversions-with-effective-cta/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">51969</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Velocitize Talks: Carmen Domínguez of Hallam on SEO, AI & Conversions</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/04/velocitize-talks-carmen-dominguez-of-hallam-on-seo-ai-conversions/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/04/velocitize-talks-carmen-dominguez-of-hallam-on-seo-ai-conversions/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Eileen Smith]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:53:17 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Insights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Interview]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO & SEM]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[chatGPT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[conversions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[core web vitals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[design]]></category> <category><![CDATA[digital marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Google search]]></category> <category><![CDATA[KPIs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[local search]]></category> <category><![CDATA[machine learning]]></category> <category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[natural language processing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NLP]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Search]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SEO strategy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[traffic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[user experience]]></category> <category><![CDATA[velocitize talks]]></category> <category><![CDATA[websites]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WP Engine]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=51971</guid> <description><![CDATA[If you are a good digital marketer, you don’t target Google. You target users. Carmen Domínguez is Head of Organic …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>If you are a good digital marketer, you don’t target Google. You target users.</blockquote></figure> Carmen Domínguez is Head of Organic at UK-based <a href="https://www.hallaminternet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hallam</a>, the award-winning integrated digital marketing agency with a strategic focus. Hallam is one of the UK’s most recommended SEO agencies. In this episode of <a href="https://velocitize.com/type/video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Velocitize Talks</a>, Carmen Domínguez shares her thoughts on SEO, Google, and Natural Language Processing. She is also a guest lecturer at Instituto Superior de Estudios Lingüísticos y Traducción, or ISTRAD.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <iframe title="Carmen Domínguez of Hallam on SEO, Google & AI | Velocitize Talks" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fj8du8-L-7c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEO: Search Me</h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>Can Google find it? Because if Google cannot find it, absolutely no user is going to find it. </blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1100" height="668" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1100x668.png" alt="Bar chart on most effective SEO strategies for high rankings: 39% is optimizing on-page content around target keywords. (Source: HubSpot)" class="wp-image-51977" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1100x668.png 1100w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-400x243.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-768x466.png 768w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image.png 1378w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/seo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HubSpot Research</a></figcaption></figure></div> Given that roughly 80% of web traffic begins with a <a href="https://velocitize.com/2022/05/17/search-history-the-google-knowledge-graph-and-knowledge-panel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">simple search query</a>, today’s SEO requires a much more intensive strategy than just the use of keywords and backlinks. In order to gain higher visibility in search results, businesses need to prioritize Google rankings and metrics, content analysis, and brand performance. “Keep an eye on user trends because whatever user trends you see more than likely are going to be replicated any moment in Google,” Domínguez says. For example, one of the more recent changes to the Google ranking algorithm was the page experience update, which places greater emphasis on the user experience. When creating a comprehensive SEO plan, Domínguez considers whether the client’s website and usability is technically sound and, most importantly, whether it’s discoverable by Google. “Can people reach me? Am I a brand that shows that it can be trusted, showcases that it has authority in a field and is known in the right places by the right people?” asks Domínguez. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Language of AI</h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>The truth is AI has been around a long time. It’s nothing new.</blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1.png" alt="Chart on NLP applications including: online searches; document analysis; predictive text; chatbots; sentiment analysis & social media monitoring. (Source: Data Science Dojo)" class="wp-image-51979" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1.png 1080w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1-400x400.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1-150x150.png 150w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1-768x768.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://datasciencedojo.com/blog/natural-language-processing-applications/#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Data Science Dojo</a></figcaption></figure></div> AI relies on Natural Language Processing (NLP) to help computers process language and mimic real human conversations, which is being implemented industry-wide with platforms like ChatGPT. For example, ChatGPT is popular because it offers speed, efficiency, and volume. However, at this point, copying and pasting whatever ChatGPT churns out will not provide content that is truly unique, and easily discoverable. An estimated 85% of marketers report using AI in some capacity for content. Although AI can help streamline SEO processes, <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/08/08/how-to-edit-ai-generated-content-4-tips/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI-generated content</a> still requires human input and editing to achieve higher rankings and conversions. Using AI-powered recommendation engines to suggest products based on a user’s browsing history can vastly improve the user experience “Google is going to consider whatever you search for in your Gmail, whatever you search for in your IP, whatever you search for previously, anything that it has access to,” Domínguez says. “All this information is going to be stored and it will use all of that with machine learning and AI to provide the right search for you.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conversion Rates</h2> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>The closer you think of Google as a potential user, as a person, the more chances you have to actually rank or make a conversion, which is ultimately what you want. </blockquote></figure> Optimum search functionality can increase the number of qualified leads and conversions, and increasing traffic is just one of the important KPIs. In order to create a proper organic strategy that keeps users on your site and takes them through the sales funnel, you first need to understand who they are. Although organic conversions tend to be difficult to track, it helps to define what a conversion means to your business. “Organic traffic is the most important because you’re making sure that people are coming to your site,” Domínguez says. “Then you need to start focusing on the user journey, the touchpoints that that user has with your content and different parts of the websites. You need to make sure that product goes in the end to the cart and then they buy it.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SEO Audit: Jimmy Fairly </h2> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1100" height="445" src="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1100x445.png" alt="Screenshot of Jimmy Fairly website showing eyeglasses." class="wp-image-51980" srcset="https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1100x445.png 1100w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-400x162.png 400w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-768x311.png 768w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-1536x622.png 1536w, https://velocitize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-2-2048x829.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: <a href="https://jimmyfairly.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Fairly</a></figcaption></figure></div> Hallam worked with leading eyeware brand <a href="https://www.hallaminternet.com/case-studies/jimmy-fairly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Fairly</a>, which was new to the UK market, to conduct an in-depth SEO audit in order to grow visibility and revenue in the UK while increasing organic e-commerce revenue and in-store eye exams. The audit became the basis of its SEO strategy, which included local SEO, on-page optimization, internal link improvements, and magnifying page speed and Core Web Vitals. The strategy was then implemented into boosting the conversion rate. Hallam ultimately increased Jimmy Fairly’s organic e-commerce revenue by 47% YoY. To learn more about Hallam, visit their <a href="https://www.hallaminternet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> and follow them on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/hallam/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HallamAgency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hallamagency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> and on Twitter at @<a href="https://twitter.com/HallamAgency" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HallamAgency</a>. To keep up with Carmen Domínguez, follow her on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-dominguez-rodriguez/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/03/04/velocitize-talks-carmen-dominguez-of-hallam-on-seo-ai-conversions/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">51971</post-id> </item> <item> <title>4 Tips for a Successful E-Commerce Loyalty Program</title> <link>https://velocitize.com/2024/02/27/4-tips-for-a-successful-e-commerce-loyalty-program/</link> <comments>https://velocitize.com/2024/02/27/4-tips-for-a-successful-e-commerce-loyalty-program/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Hughes]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:57:29 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Digital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[E-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Website]]></category> <category><![CDATA[customer experience]]></category> <category><![CDATA[e-commerce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gamification]]></category> <category><![CDATA[loyalty program]]></category> <category><![CDATA[points]]></category> <category><![CDATA[website]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://velocitize.com/?p=51968</guid> <description><![CDATA[In the past, we’ve talked about how to create a loyalty program for your online store. However, that’s just the …]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ In the past, we’ve talked about <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/12/20/the-5-best-loyalty-program-plugins-for-woocommerce-sites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how to create a loyalty program</a> for your online store. However, that’s just the first step. If you want the program to be successful, you’ll need to make it fun and user-friendly. You’ll also want to offer truly valuable rewards. This way, you can increase returning customer rates. In this article, we’ll go over four strategies you can use to improve your loyalty program and boost lifetime revenue per user. Let’s get to it! <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Make It Easy for Customers To Access Rewards</h2> First and foremost, when it comes to a loyalty program, you’ll need to make it easy for customers to access rewards. By “easy,” we don’t mean giving points or rewards away like candy.  Customers should be able to accumulate rewards at a reasonable pace. That is to say, they shouldn’t need to spend thousands of dollars on your store before they see any perks. <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/GLIAMvWGbVAI9lS05jRZG-MEd-ZOYwrfFAInxDEIHgrHXi8e2jnbzNzjnrz5OIF3QUe6BFtyohW1CVQ1ZxIfEIohN52wSVoC7kJFxBMnW7EdJ_-4h3JmS1koIwwnBwCMnY4DbDEh64JiiotiEZb7P2s" alt="Screenshot of an example of a customer loyalty program. "/></figure> Once customers accumulate enough points, it should also be easy for them to identify and unlock the rewards they want. If the option to redeem rewards is hard to find, users will likely find that frustrating. This may even dissuade them from continuing to shop at your store. Ideally, users should be able to see how many points they have at any time, and how many they need in order to unlock the rewards they want. Furthermore, once they claim their rewards, getting them should be almost instantaneous (unless we’re talking about items you need to ship). Overall, it’s best to think about a loyalty program as a contract between users and your store. Customers get to feel valued and receive real benefits for their continued support. Meanwhile, you spend a little money on perks or rewards, and in exchange, you get customers who keep coming back to your store. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Look for Ways To Implement Gamification</h2> You’ve probably <a href="https://velocitize.com/2021/03/15/how-to-use-gamification-to-take-your-marketing-to-the-next-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heard about gamification</a> before. In the context of an online store, it means to make using your website feel a bit like a game. Prizes are at the core of gamification, which makes it perfect for a loyalty program. Some online stores offer occasional perks for repeat customers. For example, they might send the occasional email thanking you for your patronage, and <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/01/23/5-ways-to-use-coupon-marketing-to-boost-sales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">include a discount coupon code</a>. That can be a great way to get users to return to your store. However, unless you’re sending frequent discount codes, it doesn’t encourage consistent loyalty. Programs that give users points and enable them to see how many they’ve accumulated are more likely to keep customers interested. It gives people a sense of progression, and can entice them to make bigger purchases or complete tasks to get more points. What’s more, a more traditional loyalty program might only offer points for purchases. But with gamification, you can also ask customers to complete tasks that will benefit your business in other ways. For example, you might give customers points for taking an easy online quiz, sharing their birthday details, or following your company’s social media accounts: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ojSzLyH4KdZxjZqfMIvhODtbe89jSCXHUieQriByDKGFoV3oCImsAkjp625h04yQHlECMv4bXTZSj8804H5-lwCm07JKXX3o29tTeuCrj_jALiD0N6MBIt2vvXobAZnUAFhyFDI4w3F6tz4DWqcw8tg" alt="Example of gamification such as an online quiz as part of a customer loyalty program. "/></figure> Another smart way to implement gamification with a loyalty program is to offer different rewards tiers: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/wRrb_BDV9alBUtlCuVTK-kt2OD2t7X5CiYkwz4rMEEsiseMlM8C9A9fsPw2yIMA9e06JgFPESgoUuZM5ApumVBEbrmSoHQ2cMeMuydqCCjeEjYOryyo3KjNSaP4QhUsvwHx6zaVIecXnc6BiCj9KhC4" alt="Example of using reward tiers as a part of gamification in a loyalty program. "/></figure> When customers earn a certain amount of points and reach a specific tier, it’s like progressing to the next level in a game. For instance, you might allow customers to advance depending on how much money they spend, with higher levels offering bigger discounts (you could also make this a <a href="https://velocitize.com/2020/11/30/paid-loyalty-program-is-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paid loyalty program</a>). Alternatively, you can reward users with badges that give them specific benefits, like free shipping or early access to products. Or you could simply present them with a prize wheel every time they make a purchase. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Offer Rewards That Customers Actually Want</h2> Since the draw of a loyalty program is the rewards, you’ll want to be sure you’re offering benefits and perks that customers actually want. If you don’t, they’ll be unlikely to participate.  Moreover, poor rewards might even frustrate shoppers. For instance, if you’re providing random knick knacks as rewards in deliveries, customers might actually find that a nuisance. If you’ve been running your store for a while, you should have a solid grasp of what customers want. To make your loyalty program a success, use that information when deciding what rewards to offer. <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/W5suPqW4WHZzdwi4tMDXRW9euBOMVBOCOUZKarIs4A4gEqoFplhbEpl8br9B54E8J9_uJITHMEFnGW2N4_SoprlOvQc_9x_416xTiSddpoaaGn_VF9QknRdUamnKeS2Oi2hxL5NBbhL-f5hErJldtUE" alt="Chart displaying perks of being in a loyalty program such as limited edition launches and special sweepstakes. "/></figure> If your store is newer or you’re not sure what customers might want, discounts are always a strong option. You can offer flat-fee or percentage-based discount codes that users can unlock by accumulating points. However, keep in mind that depending on how big the purchase is, percentage-based discounts can be expensive for your business. If you want to offer them as an option (because they are enticing), we recommend putting a cap on the discount. Remember that you’re free to experiment with different types of rewards too. If your loyalty program is lagging, we recommend testing different strategies for a period of time and seeing what works and what doesn’t. After all, <a href="https://wpengine.com/resources/a-b-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A/B testing</a> isn’t just useful for content marketing. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Remind Users of Their Progress</h2> One of the primary goals behind a loyalty program is to keep users coming back to the store. This is important because at any given time, you’re competing with hundreds of other websites for a user’s attention. Having a loyalty program is a great start, but if you don’t remind users about it, a lot of them might forget about it. That applies even if they’re a point away from unlocking a reward. One simple way to combat this issue is to send users periodic reminders about their standing in the loyalty program. If you use a points system, you can <a href="https://velocitize.com/2023/01/31/how-to-get-started-with-email-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">send an email</a> that includes their current total, ways to earn more points, and the closest reward they can unlock: <figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/NADSlAEu0Sq0x6XjgvVR6DOhQ-xMHHYvq0bnrAVh8mEWCqETbu9WC1LLJNzrN7o1o8yDC_xq9AqZhQcMouNJVcAbdUXyp3T2OoYX2exvoTLpmOblZWxihh5RGu-ELrApNL8JvHB5FSFFC_F46mHmN8s" alt="A points reminder email for a loyalty program."/></figure> Some users might ignore these emails, but the people who care about your products will be reminded to make another purchase in your store. Simple weekly or monthly emails can make a big difference. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2> An e-commerce loyalty program can help you get a regular influx of returning customers. In order to be successful, though, you’ll need to create an appealing rewards system using gamification and a straightforward model for redeeming points or prizes. Offering genuinely valuable benefits will also go a long way towards ensuring participation. Do you have any questions about how to run a successful e-commerce loyalty program? Let’s talk about them in the comments section below! Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/openclipart-vectors-30363/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1293881" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenClipart-Vectors</a> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://velocitize.com/2024/02/27/4-tips-for-a-successful-e-commerce-loyalty-program/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">51968</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>