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Do ugly websites really cost you money?

eCommerce websites take longer to create than regular websites. That’s because finding the right plugins and fine-tuning other components such as the blog page takes a lot of time. Only when you’re certain that everything’s in place should you go live with your website.

The post Do ugly websites really cost you money? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

05 May, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in category
Do ugly websites really cost you money?

eCommerce websites take longer to create than regular websites. That’s because finding the right plugins and fine-tuning other components such as the blog page takes a lot of time. Only when you’re certain that everything’s in place should you go live with your website. Until then, take the time to double-check everything; the last thing you want is a messy website riddled with errors. Ensure customers have a positive first impression with these key indicators:

A variety of clean photos
Always take photos under professional lighting to really get the best images of your products. When customers are browsing, it’s normal for them to want to see as much detail as possible, so try to include as many photos, from as many angles your prospects might want.

Clear descriptions
The last thing you want to do is to confuse your customers. That’s why it’s important to include all of your products’ technical information and dimensions before creating simple and straightforward product descriptions.

Establish policies
Returns and refunds are an inevitable part of online shopping. In fact, a large percentage of online shoppers make purchase decisions based solely on how streamlined the returns policy is. Make sure to establish clear policies for returning and refunding items that are easy to find for customers.

About page
Customers unfamiliar with your brand need a story they can relate to on your website. In your About Us page, include information on who you are and what you do that sets you apart from the competition. Whatever you write, make it accessible from any page on your site.

Navigation
Fix broken links, make navigation straightforward, and remove outdated pages. You can’t sell 404 pages to customers, and if your site doesn’t make it easy to find what they’re looking for, game over.

Design
Not everyone is a web design expert, luckily you can always hire one. If your budget is tight, there are DIY site builders specifically geared toward small businesses. Or with a relatively low monthly expenditure, you can hire a managed website provider.

With more revenue originating online, small- and medium-sized-business owners can’t afford to overlook the importance of creating a fully functional eCommerce website. Prior to going live, it’s essential to go through your entire site and resolve any mistakes before consumers see them. For further information on completing eCommerce websites, feel free to call us today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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3 Reasons why security is better in the cloud

If small- and medium-sized businesses think cyber security is impossible to manage now, just think about what it was like before the internet provided a way to receive IT support remotely. In today’s business landscape, enterprise-level solutions and security can be delivered from almost anywhere in the world.

The post 3 Reasons why security is better in the cloud appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

04 May, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Security category
3 Reasons why security is better in the cloud

If small- and medium-sized businesses think cyber security is impossible to manage now, just think about what it was like before the internet provided a way to receive IT support remotely. In today’s business landscape, enterprise-level solutions and security can be delivered from almost anywhere in the world. Read on to find out why that’s even safer than you realize.

Hands-on management

Unless you have an overinflated budget, relying on local copies of data and software means IT staff are forced to spread themselves across a bevy of different technologies. For example, one or two in-house tech support employees can’t become experts in one service or solution without sacrificing others. If they focus on just cybersecurity, the quality of hardware maintenance and helpdesk service are going to take a nosedive.

However, Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) benefit from economies of scale. CSPs maintain tens, sometimes thousands, of servers and can hire technicians who specialize in every subset of cloud technology.

Fewer vulnerabilities

Cloud security isn’t superior just because more technicians are watching over servers. When all the facets of your business’s IT are in one place, the vulnerabilities associated with each technology get mixed together to drastically increase your risk exposure.

For example, a server sitting on the same network as workstations could be compromised by an employee downloading malware. And this exposure extends to physical security as well. The more employees you have who aren’t trained in cyber security, the more likely it is that one of them will leave a server room unlocked or unsecured.

CSPs exist solely to provide their clients with cloud services. There are no untrained employees and there are significantly fewer access points to the network.

Business continuity

The same technology that allows you to access data from anywhere in the world also allows you to erect a wall between your local network and your data backups. Most modern iterations of malware are programmed to aggressively replicate themselves, and the best way to combat this is by quarantining your backups in the cloud. This is commonly referred to as data redundancy in the cybersecurity world, and nowhere is it as easy to achieve as in the cloud.

The cloud doesn’t only keep your data safe from the spread of malware, it also keeps data safe from natural and manmade disasters. When data is stored in the cloud, employees will still have access to it in the event that your local workstations or servers go down.

The cloud has come a long way over the years. It’s not just the security that has gotten better; customized software, platforms and half a dozen other services can be delivered via the cloud. Whatever it is you need, we can secure and manage it for you. Call us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Tips on prolonging laptop battery life

Certain laptop brands have longer battery lives than others. But, there are power-saving techniques that help preserve battery power regardless of brand. Laptops are most useful to businesses with remote work policies, and if you spend the majority of your working hours on one, these tips on prolonging your its battery life will come in handy.

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03 May, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Hardware, Tips category
Tips on prolonging laptop battery life

Certain laptop brands have longer battery lives than others. But, there are power-saving techniques that help preserve battery power regardless of brand. Laptops are most useful to businesses with remote work policies, and if you spend the majority of your working hours on one, these tips on prolonging your its battery life will come in handy.

Manage your laptop’s power settings

Computer manufacturers are aware that battery life is an important consideration for most users, which is why many Windows and Apple computers have settings that help reduce battery consumption. Windows laptops have a Power Plan setting that lets you choose either a standard setting or a customized power plan; Energy Saver under MacOS’ ‘System Preferences’ offers a setting that allows you to adjust display and sleep controls.

Adjust display and system settings

You can also make adjustments to your laptop’s display and system settings to reduce brightness, turn off screensaver, disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (when they’re not used), and trigger the system to hibernate instead of sleep. A “sleeping” laptop consumes a little energy, but a “hibernating” laptop consumes absolutely none.

Use a battery monitor and other maintenance tools

If you think your laptop battery drains unusually fast, access your system’s battery maintenance tool to check its status. If your laptop doesn’t have one, you can download an application that creates a battery health report. That report will include charge cycle count, which determines the number of charge cycles your laptop has; and battery life estimate, which states how much longer the battery will provide power based on its current settings.

Keep your laptop operating efficiently

One way to accomplish this is by managing your web browser usage. Having many tabs opened on your browser drains your battery’s power and reduces your productivity. If you really must have a handful of tabs opened, consider switching to power-saving browsers such as Windows Edge or Opera. When multitasking, close unused apps and programs -- especially those that download files or play media, as they consume the most power. This not only helps reduce battery consumption, but also helps the user stay focused on the task at hand.

Handle your laptop with care

Laptops are delicate and require safe handling and a cool temperature. With the exception of a few models (e.g., Apple’s MacBook Air), many devices are designed with a cooling system that keeps its CPU, graphics processor, and other components from overheating; and not to mention, its battery from depleting fast.

For that reason, handling your laptop with great care ensures longer battery life and better overall performance. When using your laptop on-the-go, make sure you don’t block its vents from circulating air, which means you should never put it on a surface such as a bed or similar soft surface that could prevent its cooling fans from working. And while it may seem harmless -- and appropriate -- putting your laptop on your lap is actually unsafe.

For businesses with remote workers and/or bring your own device (BYOD) policies, a laptop that lasts all day allows employees to be more productive and saves your company from having to spend on new laptops or replace batteries as a result of neglect. For cost-effective strategies on business technology, call us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Dropbox doc scanner comes to Android

Back in the day, you needed bulky scanners to digitize paper documents. But now, Android users will have an easier alternative. Last month, Dropbox announced that they would bring their doc scanner feature to Android devices. If you’re looking to conduct business on the go, this feature will be a useful addition to your smartphone.

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02 May, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in category
Dropbox doc scanner comes to Android

Back in the day, you needed bulky scanners to digitize paper documents. But now, Android users will have an easier alternative. Last month, Dropbox announced that they would bring their doc scanner feature to Android devices. If you’re looking to conduct business on the go, this feature will be a useful addition to your smartphone. Here’s what you need to know.

Doc scanner
The new doc scanner feature is fairly straightforward. Simply open the Dropbox on your Android device, tap the “+” button, and select Scan Document. Then, take a snapshot of any printed or handwritten documents within Dropbox, and the app will quickly convert the image into PDF format. To maximize capture accuracy, make sure your document is not crumpled, minimize glare on your photo, and hold your Android directly above the document.

Once you’ve captured the document, you can go to the Edit options. From there, you can crop, rotate, or adjust the contrast of your scans. Under the Arrange menu, you can even group multiple scans to create a single PDF. After you’re satisfied with the changes, the document will then be uploaded to your cloud storage, ready for you to access anytime, anywhere.

Dropbox also announced that if you are on a Dropbox Business Team, you can search for keywords inside any of your scans. Unfortunately, there are still no features that allow you to edit the text within a scanned document directly.

For many Android users, this update has been a long time coming. iOS versions of Dropbox have had this feature for almost a year, but we guess it’s better late than ever.

Bonus feature: Paper update
On top of the scanner update, Dropbox Paper -- a shared platform where employees can collaborate on files and communicate -- is getting an offline mode. This feature allows you to continue working on any documents you’ve stored in Dropbox while you’re offline, and immediately sync any edits or changes once you find an internet connection.

Although the changes may seem small compared to other feature releases, both the doc scanner and Dropbox Paper update are welcome additions for Android users who want to work on the go.

If you’re looking for more apps and updates that will make your Android device even better, call us today. We can provide cloud productivity apps that will empower your increasingly mobile workforce.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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