Immaculately Clean SEO Strategy: Sustainability Is the Key

Organic traffic is equally important as paid advertising for every successful marketing strategy. Putting a lot of effort into organic SEO will improve your ranking in the long run, and consequently, drive more traffic to your website. Besides basic SEO stuff, such as keyword research, there are many other aspects and factors necessary to develop a sustainable SEO strategy. In this article, we will talk about those that are the most critical.

High-quality content

You probably heard thousands of times that “content is king”. Even though it is a common phrase, it is very accurate. The quality of your content and creativity is the essence of a successful SEO strategy. Both users and Google want to see high-quality content, and it is the primary thing that affects your ranking. If your content is not exciting, original, and thorough, you won’t rank well.

Nowadays, Google knows everything about your visitors, and also, how much time they spent browsing your website. Therefore, it is essential to know your audience well and provide creative content that your visitors will like. Analyse what type of content your visitors want the most and focus on creating more articles and pages based on their interests and affinities.

Website speed

The loading speed of your pages, especially on mobile devices, is one of the crucial ranking factors. Nowadays, mobile traffic is the leader of entire internet traffic, and such a trend will continue to rise. Hence, fast mobile loading time is a must. Even the page with the most exciting content won’t be able to rank adequately if the website is super slow.

Besides image optimization (we’ll talk about it soon), there are two more crucial ways to improve the loading speed of your website. First, avoid using too many WordPress plug-ins, especially those that are the most energy-intensive. And second, use the browser caching whenever it is necessary to maintain the fast loading speed.

Image optimization

As we mentioned, image optimization has a massive impact on the loading time. Images are heavy to load, and you should care that they don’t exceed more than 250kb. However, it is not a strict rule that you should always apply. Of course that a huge brand image with high resolution should be on your home page. But, other photos, especially those that you use on product or service pages, should be much lower. The weight of your images affects both loading time and user experience, and therefore, it impacts your SEO massively. So the best thing you can do is to take care of the size of your photos right from the start of doing your business.

Link building

Link building is one of the most common and well-known SEO areas. The most common misconception that people out of the industry tend to believe is that you need a lot of links leading to your site. Having a lot of external links is excellent only if those links are trustworthy and authoritative. Hence, the quality of links is ALWAYS more important than quantity.

To be able to create an excellent link building network, you have to be an expert in this field. If you are not one yourself, don’t hesitate to turn to seasoned professionals who know what white-label SEO is all about and start executing a truly effective strategy that will stand the test of time.

Forums and discussion boards

Getting noticed by bloggers, influencers, and other famous people from your industry is crucial for growing your audience and traffic to your website. One of the simplest, but at the same time, the most effective tactics is to follow specific topics related to your brand on sites such as Quora or Reddit. The goal is to notice the right conversation at the right time and leave a valuable comment that answers a lot of readers’ questions.

Your desired audience will see such a well-timed and thoughtful comment, and repeating this process several times will improve your traffic. Also, people that noticed your comment might start following you on social media channels, which is also a relevant component of the off-page SEO.

Responsive social media presence

People expect fast answers nowadays, especially when they experience an issue. Besides calling you or sending an email, a massive group of your audience will, most likely, try to contact you via social media messages and comments. Therefore, you have to answer their questions as fast as possible, and also, to be pleasant and use the right tone. By continually providing responsiveness and genuine interaction on your social media, you will create a trustworthy relationship with your audience, and your reputation will be impeccable.

Increasing your organic traffic and growing your customer base is impossible without a sustainable SEO strategy. Even if you provide the most exceptional products, people won’t buy from you if your site is super slow or if you don’t respond to their comments. Hence, don’t underestimate any aspect of a sustainable SEO strategy and work on it every day.

Understanding the Importance of Ethics in Digital Marketing

More and more people are starting to realize how important doing business ethically is and it looks like this is spreading to the marketing domain as well. This means that the approach people take in digital marketing has changed a lot since companies first started promoting their brands on the web. But how important is ethics when it comes to digital marketing? Read on to find out.

Customers demanding more

Not so long ago, “profit at all costs” was the way things were being done in the business world. Fast-forward to 2020 and we have businesses with completely different mindsets. They now care more about what their brand represents and what they can do for the community. Just take a look at Uber and how their former CEO Travis Kalanick was forced to resignbecause of the company’s unethical culture. This just shows how things have changed and customers now demand more from companies they buy from.

Things are the same when it comes to marketing and consumers prefer buying from companies that don’t just promote their product but are also ethical about their marketing efforts. This has resulted in companies who create false scarcity just to bolster their sales to do much worse than in the past. Moreover, they have to be honest when it comes to testimonials and avoid fake ones which have been quite popular in the past.

Being transparent about data

Of course, even in this day and age, no company is forced to share all their data with the public. However, taking a different approach and being transparent about it is something that has helped a number of companies reach new heights. Any data you can collect about your performance and share it with your customers can do wonders for your company.

The technology has advanced a lot over the last few decades and data collecting is now easier than ever. There are tools you can use to make sure you gain access to all the data you need and choose to share it with customers. For example,using a digital marketing dashboard allows you to collect the data you need and lets you focus on your core operations. The dashboard can do all the heavy lifting and help you connect with customers on a deeper level.

Protecting customers’ privacy

Promoting on the web creates a lot of exposure for brands and is the most popular way of marketing at the moment. However, this marketing channel also comes with a lot of responsibilities.

The biggest problem all companies face is hackers who’re ready to do everything it takes to get their hands on customers’ sensitive data. Businesses are responsible for investing in security and protecting every piece of information they collect from their customers. When that data is stolen, the company is supposed to take full responsibility for it. Throughout the last decade, we saw the reputation of some companies be ruined completely because they failed to protect their customers’ data.

Another thing businesses have to be extremely careful about is the way they use their customers’ data. Quite recently, the world was shaken by the way Facebook shared its users’ data with Cambridge Analytica. The social media giant, although still extremely popular, was fined $5 billion and users started questioning the company’s ethics.

Ethics and social media marketing

One of the places online where companies can promote their products and services is social media. Companies in all industries are already on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Not only that they use these platforms for promotion but that’s also where they communicate with customers directly. Although this comes with benefits of its own, there are also things businesses have to be careful about.

It’s common for social media users to discuss topics such as religion, ethnicities, and political views and they often do it on promotional posts made by companies. If your business is on social media, chances are you’ve already seen discussions like this take place on your posts. In those situations, it’s the company’s responsibility to try to de-escalate arguments and avoid insulting anyone along the way. Being on social media requires you to be polite even when the other party isn’t. The same goes for discussions you have through direct messages as everyone can now screenshot your conversation and share it publicly.

The bottom line

To some, things discussed in this post may seem like common sense. Unfortunately, not all businesses see it that way and there has been a lot of cases of this throughout history. However, as the entire business world is moving towards protecting customers, we see more and more businesses caring about being ethical in their operations, including digital marketing. The web is constantly evolving and it looks like we’ll see some new tools and strategies be designed specifically to encourage being ethical in digital marketing. 

Stepping into a Better Future with Sustainable Product Design

If you’ve been paying attention, you probably know just how big of a problem pollution is at the moment. Poisoning the air, water, and soil we rely on to survive is definitely not a good idea and we’re all supposed to come up with ways to contribute to saving the planet. One of the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint is to have businesses that create greener products. But how exactly can we step into a better future with sustainable product design? Read on to find out.

Optimizing the Product Lifecycle

One of the best ways to make a product green is to optimize its lifecycle when designing it. There are four stages in every product’s lifecycle – manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal. No matter in which of these four stages you manage to identify opportunities for minimizing waste or saving energy, taking them is a must. Reflect on each stage of your product’s lifecycle and work on improving the biggest negatives you recognize. In case you get stuck, just start asking yourself questions such as – “How much energy does the product consume?” or “Will it biodegrade quickly?”

Designed for Disassembly

This one is pretty straightforward but it’s extremely important for businesses to acknowledge it. No matter what kind of products your company sells, it’s always a good idea to design a product that can easily be stripped of its components that’ll later be used elsewhere. Fail to do this and not a single part of your product will live that second or third life you’re aiming at. Of course, designing a product that can have its components removed and used elsewhere isn’t easy. Still, putting some extra effort into it is a great idea as it gives you a chance to contribute to saving the environment.

Green Marketing

Once your product is designed, it’s time to start promoting it. While you can’t do without marketing, there’s no reason to harm the planet while doing so. There are traditional marketing channels that still do the trick but have a negative impact on the planet and moving away from them is a must. For example, why print out flyers when you can create infographics, share them on your social media pages, and avoid harming a single tree in the process? It’s good to know that now there are plenty of design experts who can help you develop awesome infographics for your campaign.

Cradle to Cradle

Traditionally, products are designed to have a finite end to their life. This means most products end up in a landfill as soon as we no longer have any use of them. Reducing the number of garbage that ends up in a landfill is extremely important and taking the “Cradle to Cradle” approach is an effective way to do it. Basically, all you need to do is take some time when designing your product and think about how it can be reused when its original lifetime ends. If the product cannot be reused, there’s always a chance it can be used as “fuel” for producing something else. As a new bachelor of arts degree in product design teaches it students, the discipline of design can be defined as ‘pervasive intelligence’ inviting us to find new solutions and new meanings and educating people to generate value for the world around them.

Prioritizing Energy Efficiency

Sometimes, it’s not all about the design of your product but the way you bring it to life. It’s always recommended to look for ways to create your product using as little energy as possible. A foolproof way to do this is to invest in solar panels for your business. All you need to do is have these things installed on your roof and you can start collecting energy from the sun. Combine panels with a solar battery and you might even be able to create products with only energy harnessed from sunlight.

Lengthening the Product Lifespan

Designing a product that lasts is extremely underrated. It may take some extra time and effort to design a product that lasts longer but if you do it, not only will your customers have to spend less money long-term but you’ll also contribute to saving the planet. Unfortunately, some businesses see obsolescence as a great profit strategy as it makes their customers come back for more. It’s important to ditch this type of thinking and focus on what matters for our society – preserving the environment. With that said, make sure you keep looking for ways to design improved products that last longer.

As you can see, there are a number of ways companies can create products that have minimal impact on our planet. No matter what your business does, it’s important to have this in mind and constantly look for ways you can make the difference. The best part of it is that by doing so, not only do you help the environment but you also encourage other individuals and businesses to join the fight against pollution and global warming.

Top Countries around the Globe for Budding Expat Entrepreneurs

Globalization lets the bold entrepreneur start doing business anywhere around the world. You just have to assess your preferences and decide where you can make the most of your business concept and the local conditions. With this in mind, here are seven countries around the world that lend themselves to being ideal for foreign entrepreneurs.   

The Ease of Doing Business Rank

When you are planning to do business in a foreign environment, it might be worth considering how welcoming that environment is to foreign investors. The World Bank publishes a report each year on the ease of doing business around the world. They consider several factors, and then create an overall ranking based on all of them.

New Zealand

New Zealand ranks first for starting a business and getting credit, while it is also among the top of the crop regarding registering property and protecting minority investors. Locals are highly environmentally concerned and would go a great distance to preserve the natural beauty of their country, which makes it an ideal destination if your startup is based on social entrepreneurship, trying to give back to society and the environment.

For foreign investors, there is an external affairs help desk to support any foreign investment procedure. However, you should keep in mind that the local market is in fact quite small with only 4.7 million inhabitants on the 2 huge islands, while taxes are also high: corporate tax is 28%, while VAT is 13% in New Zealand.

Denmark

Denmark consistently ranks very high regarding most factors of easy business. The lowest indices are rank 45 for the ease of starting a business (which is still in the middle tier for European company formation), even though registration is fully electronic, and 48 for getting credit. While Denmark accommodates world-class companies in various industries, the country is most well-known for its cleantech companies, thanks to 40 years of working towards ambitions goals in sustainable energy generation and sustainable growth.

Other outstanding fields include biotech, life sciences, and the food industry, which are all characterized by constant innovation. Local talented professionals speak English well, which is a benefit for foreign company owners. While the Danish population is only 5.6 million people, a local company grants you access to the European market. Mind you, Danish corporate tax is 22%, while VAT is 25%.

Singapore

Singapore can be your strategic gateway to South East Asia if that is where you want to expand your business. However, it offers excellent connectivity to everywhere around the world thanks to its extensive sea and air connectivity. This way while the local population is only 5.6 million, you get access to a vast market through Singapore regardless of which industry you are active in. You will also find that local work force is productive and dedicated to work. While attractive tax frameworks and extensive trade agreements facilitate business and trading across borders, keep in mind that corporate tax is 17%, and GST (goods and services tax, the equivalent of VAT) is currently 7%, to be increased to 9% within a few years.  

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom was the leader of the industrial revolution, and it has been a leader in various industries ever since. Whichever industry you are interested in, you will find strong infrastructure with constant development, recently with increasing focus on sustainable growth. The population of 66 million brits offers not only a considerable market but also a vast pool of skilled employees.

And while Brexit currently underway might be a reason for some instability, making it not necessarily the best place for European company registration for now, Brexit also promises better positions to the UK with quicker reaction time to global events. The 20% corporate tax and the 20% VAT should also be kept in mind, together with the option for cheap online company setup that lets you start your operation pretty soon.

Hungary

Hungary is a stable member of the European Union since 2004, which grants access to the entire EU market besides the local 10 million population. It is located in the heart of the continent with excellent infrastructure and connections to every region of Europe.

The procedures for company formation and registration in Hungary make it a great choice when moving your business to Europe thanks to the 9% corporate tax which is the lowest in Europe (although VAT is among the highest with 27%) and the instant EU VAT number that lets you start international trading as soon as your bank account is set up (which lets Hungary rank first in the “trading across borders” category of the World Bank report).

USA

The United States, as the world’s biggest economy, may seem attractive to many investors. It ranks 6th in the overall Ease of Doing Business list of 2019. Many global corporations have their headquarters here, and it is indeed a paradise for free trade and innovation. Before starting a company in the US, however, you should seek detailed advice especially on taxation.

The US law is governed on federal, state and local levels, so the conditions for operating your US company will greatly depend on the state where you are registering it. Moreover, if you also gain US residency, keep in mind that residents of the US are subject to tax on their worldwide income, not only that generated in the USA.

Georgia

Georgia is located exactly between Europe and Asia, offers significant incentives for foreign investments and business operations in the country, which make it an ideal location for an ethical business. While the local population is only 3.7 million, Georgia is culturally similar and geographically close to Russia, which makes it an easy target country, even is there are some territorial disputes between the two.

The business-friendly community is recognized by various international rankings thanks to its reliable infrastructure, low taxes (5.75% corporate tax, 18%VAT), and high state credit ratings, although company formation is a bit slow, taking about 4 weeks. This is complemented by the Georgia Quick Start training program that supports the education of skilled workforce in fields required by specific companies creating new jobs.

Find Your Place in the World

Before you can decide where to expand your existing business or where to set up a new company as a foreigner, make sure you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and what are the main requirements of reaching that goal. This way you will surely find the best country for your expat enterprise.

Earth-Friendly Trends to Shape the Face of the Fashion Industry

The physical appearance is one of the pillars of modern society. So many people spend their money and time to dress in attractive clothes to look different or unique. Also, the boom of social media has accelerated the trends in the fashion industry. As a result, fast fashion has become even faster in the last decade or so.

But all these trends come at a price that doesn’t always mean a certain figure on a price tag. In other words, the fashion industry has become one of the leading pollutants in the business world. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published a report in which they analyze the adverse effects of this industry on the environment. According to this report, about 20% of all wastewater in the world is produced by fashion manufacturers. Also, it takes 2,000 gallons (7,500 liters) of water to produce only one pair of jeans.

Luckily, there are certain ways fashion businesses can make their operations greener. Here are the most important sustainability trends that can reshape the future of fashion for the better.

Insisting on quality to gain sustainability

We all know the old proverb “I’m not rich enough to buy cheap things”. It seems that this saying perfectly describes the current situation in the fashion industry. The general trend in the textile industry is producing more items of clothes at the cost of quality. The calculation is simple: making and selling ten T-shirts for $5 apiece will earn you more money than doing the same thing with one top-notch item that will cost $40.

While manufacturers stick to this formula to increase their profits, consumers should show more ecological awareness. Buying dozens of items of fast-fashion clothes every month adds to your personal carbon footprint. The Independent has recently published an analysis of the fashion habits of British consumers. In this study, they claim that 50% of Britons aren’t aware of the dangers that fast fashion can cause to the environment.

With that in mind, it’s important to raise people’s awareness regarding low-quality clothes. Instead of buying such items, we should opt for long-lasting clothes. Of course, some people might argue that these products cost more. While this is partly true, there are some workarounds, like buying on sales or ordering things online. Also, sometimes it’s possible to find high-quality, one-of-a-kind clothes in second-hand shops.

Turning to innovative materials

Cotton and wool have been with us for centuries. Polyester – their next of kin – has been used for almost a century. These three materials have played a significant role in the carbon footprint of the entire fast-fashion industry. Now it’s time to search for some alternative solutions that can reduce the harmful impact of the production process on nature. Some brands have started using recycled plastic to make clothes, to reduce the negative effects of plastic waste on the environment.

Furthermore, some fashion brands have been highlighting on their labels if their items have been made from recycled materials. What’s more, many brands have launched public campaigns in which they invite consumers to hand in their old clothes. In turn, they get vouchers or special discounts on products made by these brands. These eco-friendly initiatives and innovative approaches to design and manufacture can change the entire industry.

According to an innovative master’s program in fashion management, fashion managers need to take the plunge to develop alternative technologies and strategies for the future. In other words, the seamless education of designers, clothes producers, and buyers will contribute to establishing a new, more ecological order in the entire fashion industry. Alternative and recycled materials are only the beginning of sustainable development.

Making vintage fashionable

Buying used clothes is not an innovative approach to sustainability. Still, there are some new trends in this routine, as well. First and foremost, if you think that there are more second-hand stores than before, you’re probably right. As there are more and more clothes on the market from previous decades, the offer of such stores is on the rise. Apart from that, people can order various used clothes from different parts of the world and display them in their second-hand stores.

Speaking of the Internet, you can also buy some extraordinary pieces of used designer clothes online. The greatest advantage of this shopping channel is that you can find some unique items that no one else will have. By doing so, you’ll hit two birds with one stone. On the one hand, you’ll do your ecological duty and buy a second-hand item. On the other hand, you’ll please your fashionable self because you’ll get a one-of-a-kind item of clothes. In a nutshell, applying this buying tactic will turn vintage into fashionable.

Conclusion

We’ve come a long way from the Industrial Revolution in Manchester and Leeds that was based on the textile industry to the present time. Even though manufacturers and buyers have developed a certain level of ecological awareness, it’s still not enough. We still buy too many clothes which we throw away only to buy even more. What’s necessary is to think about clothes and fashion economically. This means that we should buy fewer clothing items and seek for some alternatives.

Together with further education of both consumers and manufacturers, we might find a way to reduce the impact of this industry on the environment. This is something our children will be grateful for.