How to successfully start eCommerce business

Despite great depressions or recessions, it remains certain that there always is room for businesses created by innovators willing to continue dreaming. While different markets and industries decline over time, others rise to take their place. Commerce would always be vital in some form or another so long as humankind exists. 

Business persons are driven to continuously create, innovate and sell. Furthermore, as technology continues to shape behavior online, people are leaning towards eCommerce as their way to purchase. Applying specific attitudes and ingredients would make an eCommerce startup business successful. There are strategies to build a successful eCommerce startup business, which include the following:

1. Plan for the eCommerce business. Planning could include a company description, which is a high-level overview of the business, products or services, consumers and competitive advantages. There should also be a market analysis, a research on the industry and target market. An operational plan covers the daily business operations, from location, hours to accounting and inventory. An operation and management plan tells a person about the major players of the business, who owns it, manages it and more.

2. Prepare the budget for the startup. eCommerce startup businesses need an accurate budget to help balance the finances and create business goals. One could design a weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly budget. A startup should develop one general budget that will capture projected expenditures and sales revenues. Without a solid budget, a new business could spend more than it will earn and become insolvent. Avoid overspending by keeping aware of the money allocation but leave enough room for unexpected costs or income shortfalls.

3. Focus on services and quality. An eCommerce business should focus on creating a structured system that will define how every department of the startup, such as marketing, finance, HR, tech and more would be run at optimum output. To make the systems sensible and workable, there should also be the right tools to handle daily operations. Select a business model that works for the startup and determine who to market to, why they would want the product or service and how much they will pay for it.

4. Prepare marketing and strategy. There are plenty of ways to market a startup. The key to marketing successfully, however, heavily relies on the ability tell stories that the target audience could relate to. The following are strategies that offer substantial and measurable returns.

5. Strategic and collaboration partnerships. Align the online startup with companies that have already significant reach. Find opportunities with brands that will complement the product offering for unique value for customers.

6. Create relationships with influencers. Build real relationships with people who are influential in the industry. They could give the startup a push through endorsements, resources of publication in a high profile magazine and introductions to major decision makers.

7. Growth hacks and sharing incentives. Make sharing a crucial part of what makes the buying experience rewarding, fun, meaningful and exciting for customers. It is a strategy that works for a lot of successful companies such as DropBox that provide free use of their premium course work to capture attention and buy-in from users.

8. Put content on steroids. Assess what the competition in making and how they are performing. Pay attention to content that performs well and then go a step further to make something better.

Conclusion:
Business entrepreneurs always are driven to continuously innovate, create and sell. In addition, as technology continues to shape online behavior, more and more people are leaning towards eCommerce as a way of buying. Applying certain attitudes and ingredients will make an eCommerce startup business become successful, particularly in today's time.

Top 6 Tips for using Google Allo

Google Allo is in much buzz and is supposed to be the next big thing in the messaging app. The new smart app is much actually amazing if you have used its competitor’s app Whatsapp, Line, telegram and more.

You won’t have much trouble finding your way around Google Allo if you spend some time and know it, but here there are some tips and tricks that you have missed.

1. Editing your profile: For this moment, Google Allo profiles are not so appealing. Just it would enable to add your name and profile picture. It allows you to set up the profile when you are set up with the app. To edit your profile—either the picture or the name—tap the menu button in the upper left corner, go to the profile and tap the edit button in the upper right corner of your picture. Edit the photo and SAVE.

2. Search messages by keywords: The search thing in the Google Allo is quite amazing because it can dig into your message history to find the keywords. Tap the search icon to open the search bar; type the keyword you are looking for, and a result would come up automatically. On clicking the results would directly go to the message with the keyword in it. For now, the search bar currently appears in the Android version of the Google Allo app.

3. Set up custom notification sound: Custom notification is one of the handy features if you wish to prioritize some messages. To set a custom notification, open the chat window of that person. Open the profile by tapping on the top of the screen. It will enable to see the profile and also the current Notification Sound. Tap on it to get the list of sound and choose the appropriate one which you wish to play when that person sends a message to you.

4. Find your personal photo with the Google Assistant: Google Assistant is just not a chat tool but also a personal assistant connected to your Google account. This would enable you to ask the assistant to search your personal information. For instance the recent news, yesterday’s e-mails, upcoming flights and display them in the chat box. To do this, open up the Google Assistant chat and type “what’re my flights” to know the upcoming travel plans.

5. Disconnect your Google Account: Google Allo connects automatically to the Google account but you can easily disconnect this account or move to the account.

6. Events, Reminders, and Alarm: Google Assistant can add events to your calendar, set up reminders and set your phone’s alarm. To add an event you need to open up the chat and move to “add to calendar”. The assistant will help you by adding your event name and date.

Google is working on a MacBook killer with a special breed of Android

Google has recently started the campaign where the pixels of the smartphones can be seen. But Google is not planning to announce in the early phase of the October. The vital thing that the company undertakes is Andromeda operating system, a merger between Android and Chrome OS. 

Andromeda is not a proper name, but rather one can say it is an internal codename for initial process, which would represent the major shift in the Android strategy. Google will be able to make out the best from both the worlds and release other types of Android devices, which also incorporates better laptops and tablets. The news was revealed that the first laptop running Andromeda will come out the next summer.

As per the report, it was said that the Android Police will release the Pixel3 laptop and is set to arrive in the third quarter of 2017. Internally the project is called as Bison and laptop would be the first showcase on the Android Google.

Android Police quotes that, “Bison then would be a culmination of years work by Google’s Pixel team and Google’s Android and Chrome OS teams”.

For now, the specifications of Bison includes a 12.3-inch display with the touch support, Intel m3 or i5 Core processors, 32GB to 128GB storage, 8GB to 16GB RAM, finger print scanner, USB C-connectivity, 3.5mm headphone jack, stylus support, stereo speakers, quad microphones, backlit keyboards and more. It also has 10mm thickness which made it a 12-inch MacBook.

The most important thing about the Bison is that, it sell for just $799, according to the information available to the Android Police a time. The scenario would be different after some years and there are the chances that Google could even cancel the product. But this MacBook seems to be quite interesting.

Google launches “Google Trip”: Personalized travel planner

Recently, Google launched a new mobile application developed with a sole goal to develop a better plan for your holidays and other trips so – called Google Trips. Built-in iOS and Android, the app pulls off the combination of data from the Google Maps and other travelers to offer the personalized travel guide which would help in tracking the day trips, reservations, interests, restaurants and more.

It was much-rumored news that Google was working on travel application, within Google’s Local Guides community. Local Guides aids in improving the Google Maps and business data by writing a review, correcting listings and taking photos. In return, they gain exclusive access to try our new Google products and features such as Google Trips. The app looks today much like it did then.

The home screen is integrated with the search box flashing with the message “Where do you want to go?” for planning new trips and other cards which enable to track your current and upcoming vacations and plans.

The most helpful thing about this application is that each city you plan to visit during one of your trips can each have its own tab within a larger trip section and toggle buttons to download the information about the destination with offline access.

Meanwhile, on each city’s screen, different color cards enables you to jump into various interfaces like “Saved places”, “Day plans”, “Food and Drink” and more.

App also makes the suggestions for the information collected. Google also revealed that Trips can show you the most popular day plans and itineraries for the 200 cities worldwide. This information is actually based on historic visit data from other travelers which Google has used and infuses the important sights and attractions.

The interesting thing to note is that how this crowded information is mapped with the information pulled from Google Maps which aid you in finding things of your planned sightseeing destinations. 

You can add the destinations to your plans and you can also tell the app if you have only morning or noon available to go out. The app is able to show you the different spots in your convenient time. The app can also show some attractions of the original place so that you do not need to travel far.

Additionally, there is some automation involved in the app, you can pin the spots you want to visit, and Google will automatically fill the rest of the day in the itinerary. Magic Wand button is available, which you can automatically tap for nearby insights and will automate customize the itinerary for you. 

Though the new app is useful for the travelers it will also serve as the other means of collecting data for Google itself which will be able to bear the business listing of data in the Google maps with the information collected by the app and its user.

Google Trip is live on Android and iOS!

How does Enterprise Resource Planning software help a business or organization meets its strategic objective?

In all organizations, it is normal for managers to use a big part of their energy and time in dealing with a crisis. This is because someone from the staff is not doing the job in the way it should be done. There could be a lot of instances like tax payment which is not done accurately, a shipment to a customer not made on time, bills uncollected, and the production department unable to meet the deadlines and a whole lot more. This does not mean that all these would be handled by an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system the moment it is implemented. Naturally, people have to do all those things, but the advantage of the software is that it enables them to do all this in a planned, timely and process-driven manner.

Effective software frees up different management levels from a huge number of operational concerns. The managers would be able to get enough period to determine what is going on. For years, the system has been sold to CEOs on two major promises. One, it would help the company become an integrated whole, in contrast to being a collection of individual functions, locations or departments. Two, that the program would bring the best practices embedded in a way that it operates to the company and the practices would be the basis for future organization growth.

By definition, the system provides automation for all functions/departments of an enterprise. Therefore, sales and marketing could run their operations on the framework and so would finance and accounts, material managing, retail, and distribution, production and more. It is not as though the functions did not have any automation before the implementation of the framework, it is just that after implementing, they share similar data seamlessly, the flow of information across locations and functions is enabled and process driven. So it benefits businesses through enabling integration.

Moreover, it benefits the finance department by allowing them to have the information necessary to relate to cash flow administration. Moreover, the Chief Executive Officer has ready ability for figuring out what is happening exactly in all parts of the company. In general, app software includes an ERP. It may enforce an operation rule which says that purchases above $10,000 should be approved by two persons that include the senior manager. The program is forcing the best practices into the business. The best practices are part of the software. Moreover, adoption makes the firm more process oriented, stronger and in line with the best in the globe. Thus, it comes as no wonder that by the time a system is implemented, the whole organization benefits by being more streamlined and in tune with the best. An efficient program frees up different levels of management from a huge number of operational issues. 

A meticulously implemented software benefits a business on two fronts, operational and strategic. Enterprise Resource Planning apps streamline processes to boost a competitive edge. Other advantages of the framework include the following:

COST ADVANTAGE

One o f the many reasons why the applications are being implemented is to achieve savings on the expenses. Most savings are achieved through overall efficiencies put in place, reducing inventory levels, better resources management and via strategic alignment achieved by the inherent nature of the system. Some savings are hard to measure and intangible, but could play a major role to have a competitive edge. 

EMPOWERS USERS

It offers responsibility and accountability to users in ways that are not available before. With the data flow and integration, more info is available to end users. User screens could provide info that allows them to make informed decisions. 

STANDARDIZED PROCESSES

The applications, in general, are designed for the best business process applicable all over the world. When focusing on certain procedures to be streamlined by the program, the business is forced to assess its present methods and standardize as needed for all the points of implementing it. Re-engineering of procedures could be the result of the requirement to standardize. Standardization, as a result of packaged apps, offers the benefit that 'as the state of the art moves, the venture moves with it.

OPEN AND MODULAR

The systems are designed with an open architecture. Meaning that a module could be detached or interfaced as per requirement without affecting the performance of other modules. Moreover, they could support numerous hardware platforms for those firms that have a heterogeneous collection of systems. Moreover, it should support some third party add-ons.

INTERNAL MANAGEMENT

It could boost analytical and plan capacities for management through storing content in a consistent, common format that could be accessed rapidly. As a result of the process of implementation, a lot of organizations processes and data needs were standardized. This enables the ability to extract, manipulate and analyze info at a more extensive level. Governance is provided valuable information for making the right decisions. A word of caution however that if an aspect of the info value could be in danger if users are not trained properly in the procedure requirements are not explored thoroughly in the course of the implementation.

STRATEGIC PLACEMENT

Most businesses are moving toward intranet, the internet, and extranets. The software lays the back end groundwork for supporting venture on the web. This is most evident with the inventory/material procedures. A lot of firms are online with suppliers wherein the materials tracking becomes a vital procedure as items often are in 'virtual warehouses. The program provides the flow of content between the sales department, purchasing, inventory on to outside suppliers who have to know when to ship materials. Moreover, it also supports globalization and assists in transcending across language barriers or geographic hindrances.

FINANCIAL DATA IN REAL TIME

The apps facilitate real-time movement of financial info throughout the enterprise. General ledger interfaces between procedures like payroll, accounts payable and purchases enable ease in monitoring and recording these transactions. Furthermore, the interfaces enable consistency of reporting when tracking back source data. 

All the above-mentioned items offer reasons why a business opts to move from traditional, segmented functions to the integrated systems of an Enterprise Resource Planning Software.

Google debuts interactive VR photography app “cardboard camera” on iOS

Recently, Google announced the launch of Cardboard Camera for iOS which enables the users to capture 3D 360 degree virtual reality photos without the need for a VR headset equipment. Pictures taken with this app are 3D panoramas in which users can tap and drag the camera in all directions, with the recording of the sound. Image plays back each time when the image is revisited.

Cardboard photography is quite similar to the style of panorama in the iOS camera app. Users have to hold on the camera button, keeping their iPhone vertical – tap the record button then rotate slowly in place to capture their surroundings. Users will also be able to share albums of virtual reality photos directly from the app by generating links to e-mail, text message or share on social media.

Whether you are hiking, cooking, and playing or attending cousin’s wedding go beyond the flat photos or selfie. With the cardboard camera, you will be able to capture 3D 360 degree virtual reality photos which are available on iOS as well as Android. Just like Google cardboard, it works with the phone you already have with you.

The company said that if any of the VR pics taken with the cardboard camera are viewed on Google Cardboard, anyone can cherish those moments as if they are already present on that spot. Previously, cardboard camera was only available for Android with more than 5 million photos captured on the platform.

Technology has made people's lives easier and faster to keep up with the lifestyle

For decades the word technology has been heard and today it has become a word that's not only spoken but practiced as well. The evolution of Information Technology has accompanied the evolution of societies, creating new ways to make people's lives easier and trying to keep up with the lifestyle. In a world where technological evolution is inevitable, the new generations are born with the thought that it is not possible to live without contemporary high-tech equipment. 

So, can we live without information technology or not?  First and foremost, it is important to remember that technology is a tool, something people use to make life easier. In the field of medicine, the IT evolution saves thousands of lives. In the social sphere, it enables people to keep in touch with friends all over the world easier and faster than before. However, it is important to realize that it reached a point where it controls people, making them depend on it and could not live without it. So, what could be done?

There has to be awareness of the extreme dependence on technology and social networks are the first step for a more balanced lifestyle when it comes to interaction. To be able to assess the importance as well as the limitations of IT, it is necessary to determine the signs that humans have become too dependent on IT. The signs include the following:

1. Work is over for the day if the internet is down. A lot of organizations today by mutual gesture cease work for the day because the internet is down. 

2. Buyer's remorse is becoming more common. Purchasing things online are convenient when the item is absolutely what one wants. If it's not, however, it could be all-consuming just trying to figure out how to get it back to where it came from. 

3. Nobody knows a phone number. If the cell phone is lost and all the contacts, it is very much possible that one has no idea on how to get in touch. Listing down important contact numbers on paper has plunged down in popularity with the evolution of technology. 

4. The dread of breaking up a relationship face-to-face. Many are considering doing and even doing this through text. While texting is convenient, but in terms of clearly getting a message across, a face-to-face talk is still the best way. 

5. No one lives in the moment. There are so many instances when one wants to capture moments on video only to realize that one is unable to experience the moment because the camcorder did not work or required a battery change. 

6. Brick and mortar stores are beginning to get extinct. This is because today, one could purchase and order almost anything and everything online, causing hundreds of physical stores to close. 

7. Without a mobile phone, one feels lost. Technology addiction is reality nowadays, with people checking text messages and emails as much as thirty to forty times every hour. 

Addiction to technology is no joke. It could be great, but too much of could leave one strung out and stressed. Studies revealed that smartphone use could lead to catastrophic scenarios like car accidents and the main cause of poor work-life balance. Guess the choice remains in every person's hands. The balance is in appreciating and using it the right way, but also awareness of when to turn it off to experience life to the fullest.