Best Video Conferencing Software

Disclosure: This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.

Video conferencing software has exploded in popularity over the last year. With people working from home and remote work becoming the new normal, businesses rely on video conferencing services to communicate.

But not all video conferencing software is the same.

The tools you use to video chat with your friends and family across the across aren’t necessarily the best business communication options.

Which video conferencing software is the best for you? I’ll break down my top picks in greater detail below.

The Top 6 Options For Video Conferencing Software

How to Choose the Best Video Conferencing For You

As you’re shopping around and evaluating different options, there are certain criteria that must be taken into consideration. Keep these factors in mind to ease the buying process and narrow down the best video conferencing software for your business.

Call Size

The first thing you need to consider is the call restriction limitations. How many people can be part of the video conference?

Entry-level plans might restrict you to 25 or 50 callers while the highest tiers can be 10,000+.

If you’re running a small business or just need to occasionally meet with a small team, you probably won’t run into problems with restrictions. But for those of you who plan to give presentations to your entire enterprise-size organization, a large call size capability will be a top priority.

Simultaneous Video Streams

Even if you get a plan with a large call size, it doesn’t mean that everyone on the call will be able to stream their webcam simultaneously.

Let’s say you have 500 people attending a video conference; there won’t be 500 videos on the screen. You might be limited to just 10 or 20 streamers. The rest will be view-only.

Video Quality

There’s nothing worse than being on a video conference with a poor stream. It can really distract from the purpose of the conference. Everyone is worried about disconnecting and then reconnecting, hoping that fixes the issue, which wastes valuable time.

Each participant’s individual Internet connection will obviously impact the quality as well. However, some software is definitely better than others in this category.

The best way to determine the video quality of the software is by experimenting with free trials and reading reviews from current customers.

Team Collaboration Features

If you’re using video conferencing software for work, it’s useful to have an all-in-one collaboration solution.

I tend to look for features like file sharing, cloud storage, screen sharing, presentation mode, and integrated live chat. You should also look for features that integrate with tools you’re already using for CRM, site analytics, or whatever else your team is working on.

Now everyone can collaborate from a single platform, instead of bouncing back and forth between different software while on a video conference call.

Industry and Specific Use Cases

What exactly do you need video conferencing software for?

There are plenty of general-purpose solutions out there. But in some instances, certain software is geared towards purposes like remote work or international calls. There are even industry-specific tools for healthcare or education.

So if you fall into one of those categories, make sure you choose a software that accommodates your unique needs.

The Different Types of Video Conferencing Software

As previously mentioned, not all video conferencing software is the same. I’ll quickly name and explain the most popular options, so you have a better understanding of what to expect as you’re shopping around.

Cloud Video Conferencing Software

Cloud software or browser-based video conferencing software is extremely flexible. Participants can join a call from anywhere, simply by logging in through a web browser.

This software is supported by open WebRTC (real-time communications) standards.

If you’re going to have conference calls with participants outside of your organization, then you’ll definitely want a cloud solution. Then you can invite people to join with a URL link, and they won’t have to download any software.

For example, let’s say you have a sales team that uses video conferencing to communicate with prospects. Forcing those potential customers to download software would add friction and confusion to the sales process.

Desktop Applications

Desktop apps are commonly used for in-house video conferencing. The best video conferencing software will support all major operating systems.

Call quality and features are usually enhanced with a desktop app. For example, you might not be able to share your screen on a cloud version of a software, but you’d access that feature by downloading the desktop app.

Mobile Video Conferencing

Mobile video conferencing is crucial for people who need to join calls on the go. Busy professionals can’t always be tied to a desktop or laptop computer. But this type of software allows people to participate from smartphones and tablets.

If you’re using cloud software, you can usually join from a web browser on your mobile device. However, the experience is definitely enhanced by downloading the mobile application from your video conferencing provider.

Nearly all of the best video conferencing software on the market today will have some mobile conferencing features.

Meeting Room Systems

Some businesses require a complete meeting room system for video conferences. These solutions require additional hardware, like external cameras, microphones, speakers, and more.

A meeting room system is typically designed for physical conference rooms. If you’re having a video conference call in an executive board room with a dozen people present, a laptop at the end of the table isn’t going to cut it.

These really aren’t necessary for home offices or remote work. They’re designed for large spaces and large groups in a single location.

#1 – BlueJeans — Best For Remote Work

BlueJeans has a wide range of video conferencing options for businesses of all sizes. It’s trusted by global brands like ADP, Facebook, Zillow, Intuit, and National Geographic.

For small and large businesses alike, BlueJeans can help your organization and employees communicate by providing them with the right tools for remote work.

Depending on your needs, there are actually four different BlueJeans video conferencing products for you to choose from. Here’s a quick explanation of each one:

BlueJeans Meetings — Video, audio, and web conferences from any device
BlueJeans Rooms — Single-touch audio and video conference rooms
BlueJeans Events — Host and stream interactive events for large audiences
BlueJeans Gateway — Access Microsoft Teams calls from any meeting room system

BlueJeans was recently acquired by Verizon, so the video call quality is exceptional. You’ll also benefit from features like enterprise-grade security, meeting transcriptions, automated alerts, meeting management tools, analytics, and more.

Pricing starts at $9.99 per host per month.

The entry-level plan comes with unlimited 1:1 meetings, unlimited group meetings, unlimited meeting lengths, and five hours of recording. You can host video conferences with up to 50 participants on this plan as well.

Try it free for 7 days.

#2 – Cisco Webex Review — Best For Healthcare

Cisco has been an industry leader in the telecommunications space for 35+ years. So it should come as no surprise to see Cisco Webex rank so high this list.

In addition to basic video conferencing, Cisco has tools for contact centers, online meetings, cloud calling, online training, team collaboration, and more. But what really stands out is the industry-specific solutions offered from Webex, including video conferencing for healthcare.

As more and more medical practices make the transition to telehealth, Cisco Webex has been growing in popularity. It’s a top solution for practices that need to meet with patients online, make administrative calls, collaborate with care teams, and healthcare IT teams.

From virtual consultations to training and security, Webex has everything healthcare organizations need for video conferencing.

Here are some of the highlights of using Cisco Webex:

End-to-end security with strong encryption
High-quality video and audio calling
Virtual training capabilities with recording and on-demand viewing
Share your entire screen or just share a single app or document
AI powered web assistant
Integrations with tools like Slack, G Suite, Salesforce, and more
Compatible on web, desktop, mobile, and video systems

For anyone that prioritizes quality and security, Cisco Webex will be a top choice for you to consider.

Plans start at $13.50 per host per month. Sign up for free to try it out; no credit card required.

#3 – Lifesize Review — The Best Zoom Alternative

Zoom has quickly become a household name over the past year or so. But it’s not for everyone, and lots of businesses are looking elsewhere for a video conferencing solution.

If you’re searching for a similar setup and feature list, Lifesize will be your best option.

Lifesize is a cloud video conferencing solution and team collaboration platform that’s compatible with any device. You can use the software to meet with co-workers, clients, employees, and anyone else, from anywhere.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits and highlights of Lifesize:

Ultra-high definition and 4k screen sharing
Unlimited guest invitations to meetings
Large meetings with up to 500 participants
Broadcast live events with up to 10,000 viewers
Manage users and room settings from a web-based admin console
High encryption standards for robust security
Interoperability with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and more

For those of you who need a complete meeting room system, Lifesize has all-in-one conferencing solutions with hardware as well.

Lifesize is free for up to 10 participants with unlimited meetings. The entry-level plan starts at $12.50 per host per month. This plan comes with SSO support and allows you to host meetings with up to 100 participants.

#4 – Whereby Review — The Best Simple Video Conferencing Software

Whereby is arguably the simplest video conferencing solution on the market today. There’s no app installation required. Just choose a personalized meeting URL, and participants can access the same link every time.

The software was actually built in Norway, and it’s a popular choice for Europeans. So it’s GDPR compliant and follows some of the strictest data protection and privacy laws globally.

Here’s a quick overview of the features and benefits you’ll get by using Whereby for video conferencing:

Live chat and reactions during video calls without interrupting the speaker
Rooms are locked by default, so admins can choose who to let in
Fit up to 50 participants in a room at the same time
Host has control to mute members and end the meeting for everyone
Participants can open other tabs and explore websites during a meeting
Add company branding and logos to your meeting rooms
Integrations with Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar
Record meetings that you can download and share
YouTube integration for watching videos during a meeting
Screen sharing, Google Docs integration, and mobile support

Again, even with all of these great features, Whereby is as simple as it gets. It’s easy for anyone to use and figure out, regardless of their technical skill level.

There’s a free forever plan for personal use that can host small meetings with up to four participants. Paid plans start at just $9.99 per month.

#5 – RingCentral Review — Best All-in-One Communication Suite

If your business needs more than just video conferencing, look no further than RingCentral. Unlike other software options that accommodate personal use, RingCentral is built specifically for businesses.

They offer an all-in-one communication suite for integrated video meetings, phone calls, team messaging, file sharing, and task management.

The software is trusted by 400,000+ organizations across the globe, making it one of the most popular video conferencing solutions on the market today.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the features, benefits, and highlights of RingCentral:

Enterprise-grade security and a 99.999% uptime SLA
Easy to set up, deploy, add new users, and manage teams
Works from any device
Solutions for small businesses, enterprises, and everything in between
Tools for remote work and remote customer service
Cloud phone systems and contact centers
Solutions for managed service providers

RingCentral even has industry-specific solutions in categories like education, healthcare, retail, financial services, high tech, contact tracing, and more.

Plans start at $19.99 per user per month. You can try RingCentral for free with a 15-day trial.

#6 – GlobalMeet by PGI Review — Best For International Video Conferencing

GlobalMeet is another popular business communications platform. As the name implies, the software is built to accommodate international calls.

They have 160+ points of presence in over 60 different countries. This allows for exceptional call quality, even with participants streaming video calls from different continents.

Here are some other top reasons why I like and recommend GlobalMeet:

They offer hardware solutions for complete video room integrations
Join calls on the go through the mobile app
Record your meetings and play them any time with cloud recording capability
Single-click to join video calls from an intuitive user interface
High definition video with simultaneous screen sharing functionality
24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email in 12 languages

For organizations with an international presence, whether it be internally or with clients, GlobalMeet by PGI is the clear winner.

There’s a free plan for basic use, and paid plans start at $12 per user per month.

Summary

What’s the best video conferencing software?

With so many options to consider, naming just one as my top pick isn’t very practical. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

Regardless of your business size, industry, or video conferencing needs, you can find what you’re looking for using my methodology and recommendations listed in this guide.

The post Best Video Conferencing Software appeared first on Neil Patel.

Get a Credit Line for Your Business During a Business Contraction

So, you’re finally doing it. You took the plunge and you started your own small business. But there is so much you need! Whether it is renovations for your location or payroll or the ramp-up costs for getting manufacturing started, all of those things need money. You need to get a credit line for your business, even though we’re in the midst of a business contraction.

Because you are not made of money.

But your business is new, so its credit score is not so hot. As a result, you are probably wondering how to finance a business with bad credit.

But let’s step back a little, because you should also be thinking about where to establish business credit.

Fight the Business Contraction and Get a Credit Line For Your Business

Recession Period Financing

The number of United States banks as well as thrifts has been decreasing progressively for a quarter of a century. This is coming from consolidation in the market along with deregulation in the 1990s, lowering obstacles to interstate banking. See: https://www.fundera.com/blog/happened-americas-small-businesses-financial-crisis-six-years-start-crisis-look-back-10-charts

Assets focused in ever‐larger banks is problematic for local business owners. Big banks are much less likely to make small loans. Economic downturns indicate banks end up being a lot more mindful with financing. Luckily, business credit does not depend on banks. And it doesn’t matter what happens with COVID-19.

Get a Credit Line for Your Business: What a Credit Line Is

A credit line, or line of credit (LOC), is an arrangement between a borrower and a financial institution or private investor which sets a maximum loan balance that a borrower can access.

A borrower can access funds from their line of credit anytime, so long as they don’t go over the maximum set in the agreement, and as long as they meet any other requirements of the financial institution or investor for example, making on time payments. This is the same whether the economy is going through a business contraction or not.

The Advantages

Credit lines offer many unique benefits to borrowers including convenience. Borrowers can use their line of credit and only pay interest on what they use, unlike loans where they pay interest on the total amount borrowed. Credit lines can be reused, so as you acquire a balance and pay that balance off, you can use that accessible credit again, and again.

Details

Credit lines are revolving accounts similar to credit cards, and compare to other kinds of financing such as installment loans. In many cases, lines of credit are not secured, much the same as credit cards are. There are some credit lines which are secured, and thus easier to qualify for.

Credit lines are the most routinely requested loan type in the business world even though they are preferred, true credit lines are uncommon, and hard to find. Many are also very hard to qualify for, requiring good credit, good time in business, and good financials. But there are other credit cards and lines that few people know about that are available for start-ups, poor credit, as well as if you have absolutely no financials.

Try the SBA During a Business Contraction

A lot of credit line types that most business owners imagine come from conventional banks and traditional banks use SBA loans as their prime loan product for small business owners. This is because SBA guarantees as much as 90% of the loan in the event of a default. These credit lines are the most difficult to qualify for because you must qualify with SBA and the bank.

Get a Credit Line for Your Business with SBA Loans and CAPLines, Even During a Business Contraction

There are two fundamental sorts of SBA loans you can normally get. One form is CAPLines. There are actually 4 types of CAPLines that can work for your small business.

You can also get a lower loan amount more rapidly using the SBA Express program. A lot of these programs offer BOTH loans and revolving lines of credit.

From the SBA … “CAPLines is the umbrella program under which SBA helps business owners meet short-term and cyclical working capital needs”. Loan amounts are offered up to and including $5 million. Loan qualification prerequisites are the same as with other SBA programs.

Seasonal Line

This one advances against expected inventory and accounts receivables. It was developed in order to help seasonal businesses. Loan or revolving are available.

Contract Line

This one finances the direct labor and material costs of executing assignable contracts. Loan or revolving types are offered.

Builders Line

This one was made for general contractors or builders constructing or renovating commercial or residential buildings. This line is for finance direct labor-and material costs, where the building project serves as the collateral. Loan or revolving kinds are available.

Working Capital

Borrowers must use the loan proceeds for short term working capital/operating needs. If the proceeds are used to acquire fixed assets, lender must refinance the portion of the line used to acquire the fixed asset into an appropriate term facility no later than 90 days after lender discovers the line was used to finance a fixed asset.

SBA Express

You can get approval for as much as $350,000. Interest rates differ, with SBA enabling banks to charge as high as 6.5% over their base rate. Loans above $25,000 will need collateral.

Approval Details

To get approval you’ll need good personal and business credit. Plus the SBA states you should not have any blemishes on your report. An acceptable bank score requires you have at least $10,000 in your account over the very last 90 days.

You’ll likewise need a resume showing you have industry experience and a well put together business plan. You will need three years of business and personal tax returns, and your business returns should show a profit. And, you’ll need a recent balance sheet and income statement, therefore showing you have the cash to repay the loan.

Collateral

To get approval you’ll need account receivables, but only if you have them. As for the collateral to counterbalance the risk, usually all business assets will function as collateral, and some personal assets including your home. It’s not unusual to need collateral equivalent to 50% or more of the loan amount. You also need articles of incorporation, business licenses, and contracts with all third parties, and your lease.

Get a Credit Line for Your Business from Private Investors and Alternative Lenders During a Business Contraction

Private investors and alternative lenders also grant credit lines. These are a lot easier to qualify for than conventional SBA loans. They also call for much less documentation for approval. These alternative SBA credit lines ordinarily demand good personal credit for approval.

Unlike with SBA, many of them don’t demand good bank or business credit approval. Almost all of these types of programs call for two years’ of tax returns. Tax returns have to show a profit. Rates can vary from 7% or greater and loan amounts range from $25,000 into the millions. Loan amounts are generally based upon the revenues and/or profits on tax returns. At times lenders may ask for other financials including a profit and loss statement, balance sheets, and income statements.

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards and lines, even during a recession.

Merchant Cash Advances in a Business Contraction

Merchant cash advances have quickly become the most popular way to get financing, in large part because of the effortless qualification process. Businesses with $10,000 in profits can get approval, with the business owner having scores as low as 500.

Some sources have now even begun to offer credit lines that accompany their loans. You must have at least $10,000 in revenue for approval. You ought to be in business for at minimum one year, however three years is better. Lenders commonly want to see a credit score of 650 or higher for approval.

Loan amounts are ordinarily around $20,000. Lenders frequently do pull your business credit, so you must have some credit already and sometimes lenders will want to see tax returns.

Rates vary, due to the risk for this program, and there aren’t a lot of funding sources who offer it.

Securities as Collateral for Financing

You can get financing regardless of personal credit if you have some type of stocks or bonds. You can also get approval if you have someone wishing to use their stocks or bonds as collateral for financing.

Personal credit quality doesn’t matter as there are no consumer credit criteria for approval. You can get approval for as much as 90% of the value of your stocks or bonds. Rates are commonly below 2%, making this one of the lowest rate credit lines you’ll ever see. You can still earn interest as you typically do on your stocks and bonds.

Credit Cards and Lines are Very Similar

Credit cards often offer 0% intro rates for up to two years. This is also extremely valuable for startups in particular. And credit lines let you take out more cash at a much cheaper rate than do cards. These are the main two differences that will affect you between credit cards and credit line.

Investopedia even says that “lines of credit are potentially useful hybrids of credit cards.”

Both cards and lines are revolving credit. Credit lines are harder to qualify for as card approvals are generally very quick, many times automated, while line require an in-depth underwriting review. Lines usually offer lower rates, per Bankrate card rates average 13% while lines average 4%.

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards and lines, even during a recession.

Unsecured Business Credit Cards During a Business Contraction

A lot of these cards report to the consumer credit reporting agencies. They all call for a personal guarantee from you. You can get approval typically for one card max as they discontinue approving you when you have two or more inquiries on your report.

Most credit card companies furnish business credit cards including Capital One, Chase, and American Express. These have rates similar to consumer rates and limits are also similar.

Some of them report to the consumer reporting agencies, some report to the business bureaus. Approval requirements resemble consumer credit card accounts.

Inquiries

Typically, when you apply for a credit card you put an inquiry on your consumer report. When other lenders see these, they will not approve you for more credit since they have no idea how much other new credit you have recently obtained.

So they’ll only approve you if you have no more than two inquiries on your report within the most recent six months. Any more will get you declined.

Grab Our Hybrid Credit Line During a Business Contraction

Check out our credit line hybrid. It’s available for all business owners. Get the benefit of 0% rates cards offer, and the cash out capability of a credit line. Get approvals to $150,000. Pay 0% rates for 6 – 18 months, with normal card rates afterwards. No documentation, no tax returns or bank statements are necessary. This program is ideal for startups, high-risk industries, and those who desire low payments. It also works if you don’t want to supply financials.

Our credit line hybrid is a superb choice during this time of economic uncertainty.

With this form of business financing, you work with a lender who concentrates on securing business credit cards. This is a very unusual, very few know about program which few lending sources offer. They can in most cases get you three to five times the approvals that you can get on your own.

This is because they are familiar with the sources to apply for, the order to apply, and can time their applications so the card issuers won’t decline you for the other card inquiries. Individual approvals frequently range from $2,000 – 50,000.

The end result of their services is that you frequently get up to five cards that simulate the credit limits of your highest limit accounts now. Multiple cards create competition, and this means they will raise your limits, generally within 6 months or less of first approval.

Approvals

Approvals can go up to $150,000 per entity such as a corporation. They actually get you three to five business credit cards that report solely to the business credit reporting agencies. This is huge, something most lenders don’t offer or advertise. Not only will you get cash, but you build your business credit as well so in three to four months, you can then use your new company credit to get even more money.

Details

You get credit with no security, assets, or collateral. Lender has no collateral to collect in case of default. Because there is no collateral, and they don’t look or care about your cash flow, the only thing that matters is your personal credit.

With a 650 you will get just personal cards. But with a 680 credit score, you will get both company and personal cards.

Rates

The lender can also get you low introductory rates, usually 0% for 6-18 months. You’ll then pay normal rates after that, typically 5-21% APR with 20-25% APR for cash advances. And they’ll also get you the best cards for points. So this means you get the best rewards.

Like with anything, there are substantial benefits in working with a source who specializes in this area. The results will be far better than if you try to go at it on your own.

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards and lines, even during a recession.

Qualifications

You need to have excellent personal credit now, ideally 685 or better scores, the same as with all business credit cards. You shouldn’t have any negative credit on your report to get approval. And you must also have open revolving credit on your consumer reports right now.

Balance/Limit Ratios

They consider your balance/limit ratios on existing revolving accounts. The lower the ratio, the higher the amount of approval. A 30% ratio is a requirement. This looks at overall percentage, and individual percentage on each account.

Credit inquiries are a big factor tying into approval. More than six inquires in six months will be too much. Lenders do not want to see the person is applying for new credit, especially no other revolving accounts.

Guarantors Welcome

Use a guarantor or a credit partner to boost the numbers. Generally these people want a piece of the business in trade for their help. Creditors want to know you’ll pay them back. Most sources will charge 9 to 12% success-based fees. Only pay the fee off what you secure.

Fees

All lenders in this space charge a 9-15% success based fee and you only pay the cost off of what you secure. Bear in mind, you get a number of additional benefits and about three to five times more cash using this program than you can get on your own, which is why there’s a fee, the same as all other lending programs.

You can get approval using a guarantor and you can even use a number of guarantors to get even more money. There are also other cards you can get making use of this very same program but these cards only report to the consumer reporting agencies, not the business reporting agencies. They are consumer credit cards versus business credit cards.

Benefits

They furnish similar benefits including 0% intro annual percentage rates and five times the amount of approval of a single card but they’re a lot easier to qualify for.

You can get approval with a 650 score and seven inquiries (or fewer) in the most recent six months and you can have a bankruptcy on your credit and other derogatory items. These are a lot easier to get approval for than company credit cards.

With all preceding cards above, you must have good consumer credit in order to get approval but what if your personal credit is not good, and you don’t have a guarantor?

This is when building company credit makes a ton of sense even when you have good personal credit, setting up your company credit helps you get even more money, and in the absence of a personal guarantee.

Establishing Company Credit During a Business Contraction

Business credit is credit in a business name, in association with the business’s EIN number, and not the owner’s Social Security Number. When carried out properly, you can obtain company credit without any personal credit check and no personal guarantee. This is a thing all other cards above can’t provide.

You can get three types of business credit cards. First is vendor credit, which offers net 30 terms to launch a business credit profile. Then is retail credit, where you will get credit cards with high limits at most shops.

Next is fleet credit. It’s credit to fuel, service, and maintain business vehicles. And then there’s cash credit, which includes Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards that you can use anywhere. You can obtain these without any credit check or guarantee. Limits are regularly $5,000 – $10,000 to begin, and can exceed $50,000.

Credit Lines in a Business Contraction: Takeaways

You can get a credit line for your business, if you know where to look. Learn more here and get started toward building company credit, even during a business contraction. The COVID-19 situation will not last forever.

The post Get a Credit Line for Your Business During a Business Contraction appeared first on Credit Suite.

Empower Your Business with 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession

Get Epic 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession

Do you know how to get 0 interest business credit cards in a recession? We break down the many choices out there to show you the best corporate credit cards with 0% interest.

Even during the time of the novel coronavirus, it’s still possible to get good business credit cards. You do not have to settle!

Per the SBA, corporate credit card limits are often 10 – 100 times that of personal cards! This means you can get a lot more cash with business credit.

And this also means you can have personal credit cards at retail stores, and now have a second card at the same shops for your company. And you will not need collateral, cash flow, or financials to get small business credit.

0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Benefits

Features vary, so make certain to pick the perk you prefer from this selection of possibilities.

0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession – Pay Nothing!

Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Check out the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. It has no yearly fee. There is a 0% introductory APR for the initial one year. After that, the APR is a variable 14.74 – 20.74%.

Get double Membership Rewards® points on day to day business purchases like office supplies or client dinners for the first $50,000 spent each year. Get 1 point per dollar afterwards.

You will need great to excellent credit scores to qualify.

Find it here: https://creditcard.americanexpress.com/d/bluebusinessplus-credit-card/

American Express® Blue Business Cash Card

Also have a look at the American Express® Blue Business Cash Card. Note: the American Express® Blue Business Cash Card is identical to the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. But its rewards are in cash as opposed to points.

Get 2% cash back on all qualified purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year. Then get 1%.

It has no annual fee. There is a 0% introductory APR for the initial one year. Afterwards, the APR is a variable 14.74 – 20.74%.

You will need great to superb credit to qualify.

Find it here: https://creditcard.americanexpress.com/d/business-bluecash-credit-card/

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Outstanding Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

No Yearly Fee/Flat Rate Cash Back

Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card

Take a look at the Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card. Beyond no yearly fee, get an introductory 0% APR for the first twelve months. After that, the APR is a variable 14.74 – 20.74%.

You can earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your small business. And get $500 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in the initial three months from account opening. You can redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more via Chase Ultimate Rewards®. You will need exceptional credit to get approval for this card.

Find it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards/ink/unlimited

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards, even during a recession.

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Dependable Credit Cards for Fair to Poor Credit, Not Calling for a Personal Guarantee

Brex Card for Startups

Look into the Brex Card for Startups. It has no yearly fee.

You will not need to supply your Social Security number to apply. And you will not need to supply a personal guarantee. They will take your EIN.

However, they do not accept every industry.

Likewise, there are some industries they will not work with, and others where they want more paperwork. For a list, go here: https://brex.com/legal/prohibited_activities/.

To determine creditworthiness, Brex checks a company’s cash balance, spending patterns, and investors.

You can get 7x points on rideshare. Get 4x on Brex Travel. Also, get triple points on restaurants. And get double points on recurring software payments. Get 1x points on everything else.

You can have poor credit (even a 300 FICO) to qualify.

Find it here: https://brex.com/lp/startups-higher-limits/

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards, even during a recession.

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Irresistible Cards for Jackpot Rewards That Never Expire

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business

Check out the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business. It has no annual fee. You can get 1.5% cash back on every purchase. There is no limit on the cash back you can get. Also earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases in the initial three months. Rewards never expire.

Pay a 0% introductory APR for 9 months. Then pay 14.49% – 22.49% variable APR after that.

You will need great to superb credit to qualify.

Find it here: https://www.capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/spark-cash-select/

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Terrific Cards for Cash Back

Flat-Rate Rewards

Capital One ® Spark® Cash for Business

Check out the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business. It has an introductory $0 yearly fee for the first year. After that, this card costs $95 annually. There is no introductory APR deal. The regular APR is a variable 18.49%.

You can get a $500 one-time cash bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. Get unlimited 2% cash back. Redeem at any time without minimums.

You will need great to excellent credit to qualify.

Find it here: https://www.capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/spark-cash/

Flat-Rate Rewards and No Yearly Fee

Discover it® Business Card

Have a look at the Discover it® Business Card. It has no yearly fee. There is an introductory APR of 0% on purchases for year. After that the regular APR is a variable 14.49 – 22.49%.

Get unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no category restrictions or bonuses. They double the 1.5% Cashback Match™ at the end of the first year. There is no minimal spend requirement.

You can download transactions| easily to Quicken, QuickBooks, and Excel. Keep in mind: you will need good to exceptional credit to get this card.

https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/business/

Bonus Categories

Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

Take a look at the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card. It has no annual fee. There is a 0% introductory APR for the first one year. Afterwards, the APR is a variable 14.74 – 20.74%. You can get a $500 one-time cash bonus after spending $3,000 in the initial 3 months from account opening.

You can earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on net, cable and phone services each account anniversary year.

Get 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gasoline stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no limitation to the amount you can get.

You will need superb credit to receive this card.

Find it here: https://creditcards.chase.com/business-credit-cards/ink/cash?iCELL=61GF

Boosted Cash Back Categories

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards MasterCard® credit card

Take a look at the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards MasterCard® credit card. Get an 0% introductory APR for the initial 9 billing cycles of the account. After that, the APR is 13.74% – 23.74% variable. There is no yearly fee. You can get a $300 statement credit offer.

Get 3% cash back in the category of your choice. So these are gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services. Get 2% cash back on dining. So this is for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year. After that get 1% after, with no limits.

You will need excellent credit scores to qualify.

Find it here: https://promo.bankofamerica.com/smallbusinesscards2/

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Flexible Financing Credit Cards

The Plum Card® from American Express

Check out the Plum Card® from American Express. It has an introductory yearly fee of $0 for the first year. Afterwards, pay $250 annually.

Get a 1.5% early pay discount cash back bonus when you pay within 10 days. You can take up to 60 days to pay without interest when you pay the minimum due by the payment due date.

You will need excellent to superb credit to qualify.

Find it here: https://creditcard.americanexpress.com/d/the-plum-card-business-charge-card/

Check out how our reliable process will help your business get the best business credit cards, even during a recession.

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Secure Business Credit Cards for Fair Credit

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

Take a look at the Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business. It has no annual fee. There is no introductory APR offer. The regular APR is a variable 24.49%. You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase for your company, without any minimum to redeem.

While this card is within reach if you have average credit, beware of the APR. Yet if you can pay on time, and completely, then it’s a good deal.

Find it here: https://www.capitalone.com/small-business/credit-cards/spark-classic/

Alternatives to 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession: Company Credit Cards for Extravagant Travel Points

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World MasterCard® credit card

For no yearly fee while still getting travel rewards, take a look at this card from Bank of America. It has no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR for purchases during the first 9 billing cycles. Afterwards, its regular APR is 13.74 – 23.74% variable.

You can earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases. So this is within 90 days of your account opening. You can redeem these points for a $300 statement credit towards travel purchases.

Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases, everywhere, every time. And this is regardless of how much you spend.

Likewise earn 3 points per every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center. There is no limit to the number of points you can get and points do not expire.

You will need superb credit to get this one (as in, 700s or better).

Find it here: https://www.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/credit-cards/products/travel-rewards-business-credit-card/

Your Best 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession and More

Your absolute best 0 interest business credit cards in a recession will hinge upon your credit history and scores. Just you can determine which features you want and need, so make sure to do your research. And, as always, make certain to build business credit in the recommended order for the best, fastest benefits.

The post Empower Your Business with 0 Interest Business Credit Cards in a Recession appeared first on Credit Suite.

New comment by desaiguddu in "Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (September 2020)"

SEEKING WORK | REMOTE

Agency: Yes

Skills:

  - Frontend: ReactJS, Angular 8+, VueJS, Gatsby/ Next, Bootstrap, Backbone.js
  - Backend: Nodejs, Laravel, PHP, Firebase
  - Mobile Native: Swift, Objective-C, Java & Kotlin 
  - Mobile Cross Platform: Flutter, React Native
  - Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL
  - Cloud:  Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud
  - Frameworks: Stripe, Mailchimp

Recent Work:

* Subscription eCommerce for Art Supplies – Shopify, ChargeBee

* SportsTech Solutions in Athlete Development, Video Analysis, Scouting etc.

* Newsroom in the Cloud – Collaboration & Communication for Newsroom in the Cloud (AngularJS, PostgreSQL, AWS)

Key Industries: SportsTech, Health & Wellness, eCommerce, FinTech

Agency Profile: https://bit.ly/mf-profile-w, https://bit.ly/mf-ecom

Website & Work: https://bit.ly/mobilefirsthn

Contact: arpan@mobilefirst.in

The post New comment by desaiguddu in “Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (September 2020)” appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

New comment by ohanar in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (September 2020)"

ESI Group | Software development engineer | San Diego, CA | Full-time | Onsite preferred post-Covid ESI Group is currently seeking a software development engineer to work in our San Diego office. We are a small team with diverse backgrounds focused on developing desktop software applications in the field of vibro-acoustics simulation. Our clients include …

The post New comment by ohanar in “Ask HN: Who is hiring? (September 2020)” first appeared on Online Web Store Site.

Metafrax, Controlled by Seyfeddin Roustamov, Strengthens its…

Metafrax, Controlled by Seyfeddin Roustamov, Strengthens its Positions on the market of East Asia Trading business need to enhance physical existence of Metafrax Group of Companies in East Asia, particularly in Korea.Newly produced trading business will certainly do initial distributions to Korea in April. We think that for PJSC Metafrax this joint endeavor is a …

The post Metafrax, Controlled by Seyfeddin Roustamov, Strengthens its… first appeared on Online Web Store Site.

The post Metafrax, Controlled by Seyfeddin Roustamov, Strengthens its… appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

New comment by joshchandl3r in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (September 2020)"

Want to work for the Federal Reserve? The Dallas District is hiring a full-time Software Engineer!

https://frb.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=265211…

E-mail josh.chandler@dal.frb.org if you have any questions.

Note – Must have Angular + JAVA experience

How to Choose The Right Digital Strategy Agency

According to a recent survey from the DMEXCO, 70 percent of executives worldwide expect the pandemic to accelerate the pace of digital strategy. In the past, businesses had more time to plan and prepare.

That’s no longer the case.

Today, businesses are expected to outline, plan, implement the digital strategy in a matter of days or weeks. The market is moving at an accelerated pace; many businesses find they’re unable to keep up. If you can’t keep up, does that mean you’ll be left behind?

Not if you have the right digital strategy agency.

With the right agency, you’ll be able to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and events. Here are some steps you can take to find and vet the right agency.

Know your goals and desired outcomes

Identifying your digital strategy is the key to long-term growth.

Your digital strategy is about setting goals and objectives. It’s a high-level overview that defines where you are now, outlines where you’d like to go (as an organization), and how you’ll get there. It’s a long(er) term plan that sets a course or destination for you to follow before starting your journey.

You’re going to need a list of:

Goals, KPIs, and objectives: For example, you could focus your attention on generating a specific number of leads, customers, or revenue. You’re running a SaaS business, focus your attention on reducing churn and increasing MRR.
Target audience members: It would be best if you had a clear idea of the specific customer segments you’re looking to target. Your agency should help you with the demographics, psychographics, and ethnographics if you need help clarifying your audience.
Customer hangouts: You’ll want to identify your customer hangouts and the places online where your customers spend their time. This will help you identify potential partners, advertising opportunities, and strategic alliances you can use to grow.
Obstacles and challenges: You’ll want to outline the list of barriers and challenges that may prevent you from achieving the goals and objectives you’ve listed above.
Competitors and key players: You’ll want to identify your competitors and their strengths and weaknesses. This reduces direct competition, making it easier for you to attract customers based on your strengths and the areas you perform best.
Strengths and weaknesses: Point out the areas where you have an advantage in your market or where you’re most vulnerable. Your agency should be able to provide you with options to address each of these, so you’re able to outperform your competitors.

If you have clear answers to these questions, it’s easier for your agency to supply you with the strategy you need to be effective.

3 Characteristics That Make a Great Agency

Great agencies have a few characteristics in common. They’re able to focus their attention on the details that matter to your company and your customers.

1. They ask probing questions

Your agency can’t create the right digital strategy for your company if they don’t have the answers they need. A great agency asks probing questions that may seem simple, dumb, or unimportant at first. You want your agency to ask these questions because these questions help them to develop an in-depth understanding of your business.

Here are a few examples.

What are your current benchmarks?
What are your goals and objectives for your business overall? For each segment?
Which KPIs or metrics are you using to measure performance?
What do customers expect from your business?
Where do your customers spend their time online?
Which marketing channels work best to attract customers?
What tactics should we use to achieve our goals and objectives?

Questions form the basis of your digital strategy; your digital strategy shows you where you are now, tells you where you’re going, and how to get there. Good digital marketing agencies should be asking these questions at the beginning of the engagement process.

2. Ask your agency to give their strategy away

Your agency should be willing to share bits and pieces, showing you what a cohesive strategy could look like for you. This is important because it gives you several data points you can use to evaluate their work. This doesn’t mean that you should expect your agency to work for free; it just means they’re willing to demonstrate their skills.

Your agency can share this with you in several ways, over the phone, in your proposal or quote, or a case study. You’re looking for them to share pieces of their proposed digital strategy or examples from previous campaigns they’ve implemented for other clients.

Request performance data from your agency
Use performance data to evaluate their performance
Pay attention to the campaign elements they prioritize consistently
Look for knowledge gaps, holes in their strategy, or weak points
Discuss the details you’ve noticed with them during the interview process

Another option would be to pick one part of your business (e.g., content or advertising) and ask your agency how they’d build a strategy to accommodate one specific goal (i.e., how would you increase sales for my worst performing products using content marketing?).

3. Your agency knows how to implement

Digital strategy is important, but it’s not as important as the ability to execute that strategy. A great strategy isn’t enough. Your agency should have the experience, skill sets, and team you need to implement your digital strategy and produce the results you need to grow.

You’re looking for three things.

An agency that can create a comprehensive digital strategy that works with your existing marketing plan
An agency that knows how to implement your digital strategy successfully
A proven track record showing that they’ve achieved this for other clients in the past

Your agency should provide you all three of these, and they should be able to provide you with evidence showing that they offered other clients these as well.

How to Work with a Digital Strategy Agency

As you’d expect with any other agency, you’ll want to see a list of samples, references, case studies, and reviews showing that they’re legitimate and competent.

Ask your clients to provide you with a list of milestones and campaign deliverables. You’re looking for a clear timeline that projects how long everything will take to implement, and when they anticipate, you’ll begin seeing results. Your plan should include details on:

Media advertising: This includes commercials on tv or streaming services, as well as app, radio, podcasting, and sponsorship spots. This won’t be relevant for some, but it’s still something your agency should be able to support if you need it.
Public relations: What will your agency do to generate press for your business? What strategies will they use to increase visibility and publicity for your business?
Digital marketing: This encompasses everything from local search, organic search engine optimization, content marketing, advertising,
Direct response: This can include tactics like geofencing or hyperlocal print advertising; it’s a direct response option that’s designed to integrate with your overall strategy. This is especially important for local businesses that operate in a specific market.
Partnerships: These partnerships can include tactics like JV partnerships, strategic alliances, or channel partnerships. These pieces are essential and should be an important part of your digital strategy.

Your agency should be able to show you how they plan on approaching your campaign or project. Ask them to break down the approach that goes into their strategy documents; this document should clarify how they’ll approach your campaign, what you should expect, what their goals are, and more.

You’ll want to provide your agency with the following:

Agreements. It’s common sense, but it’s also something many clients ignore. Take some time to look over their agreement; look for red flags and trouble spots with legal before you sign.
Brand content. Gather all of your content, brochures, flyers, guides, promos, images, logos, style guides, and marketing materials for your agency.
Photos. Give your agency access to all relevant photography — company photos, portraits/photos of key people, office space, location, general and event photos, etc.).
Accolades. Make a list of the social proof your company has — awards, recognition, testimonials, praise, positive reviews, or feedback you’ve received. Give your agency with the assets and resources needed if they ask.

The digital strategy company you choose will provide you with a list of items they need and the options you need to implement their plan successfully.

How to Find the Right Digital Strategy Agency For You

You can use directories like Clutch.co, HubSpot Agency Directory, or Sortlist to find the right digital strategy agency that’s best for you. Here’s a list of some of the best in the industry. You can go through the traditional RFP process or you can simply request a quote.

The 6 Top Digital Strategy Agencies

Here’s a list of six of the top digital strategy agencies online.

1. Neil Patel Digital — Best For Content Marketing & Digital Strategy

I’ve created more than 4,294 blog posts in 10 years. I’ve written millions of words, and I’ve used content marketing to build three companies of my own generating 195,013 visitors a month. I did the same things for large fortune 500 clients; now I can do that for your business too.

2. REQ – Best for Enterprise Business Strategy

REQ is an award-winning agency with enterprise-level expertise. They’re industry veterans with some of the best talents in the business. They’re part of the Inc.500 and Deloitte Fast 500 lists – they’re one of the fastest-growing companies in America.

3. Usman Group – Best for Mid-market Business Strategy

With 80% of its clients in the mid-market range, earning between 10M – 1B, the Usman Group, specializes in digital strategy and market research. Their agency is oriented around design thinking; they produce projects that are evidence-driven, practical, and focused on research.

4. DeSantis Breindel – Best for Branding Strategy

DeSantis Breindel is a digital strategy company that specializes in end-to-end branding strategy. They’re focused on all things branding — they serve businesses via brand differentiation, brand valuation, brand launches, and employee engagement and more.

If your company relies on image and brand reputation, DeSantis may be a good fit.

5. Mabbly – Best for Data Analysis, Channel Strategy

As a digital strategy firm, Mabbly emphasizes market research and data analytics. They specialize in converting large and complex problems into growth opportunities for established and up and coming brands. Their starting price is slightly higher but worth the investment if you’re looking for a data-driven approach.

6. Ironpaper – Best for Small Business

Ironpaper bills itself as a B2B growth agency. As a digital strategy firm, their conversion growth strategy focuses on gaining traction with growth up to 1 percent. The growth phase starts at 1 to 3 percent, with anything above 3 percent listed as scaling.

Conclusion

Businesses have less time to adjust; now, more than ever before, customers are expecting companies to meet their expectations and needs immediately. Digital strategies that played out over the course of one to three-year cycle now finish in a matter of days or weeks. Business is accelerating as customers move more of their business online.

Most companies will need help to keep up.

If you have the right digital strategy agency, you’ll have the support you need to adapt to a rapidly changing market and events. Use this guide to find and vet the right agency for your business.

The post How to Choose The Right Digital Strategy Agency appeared first on Neil Patel.

The 3 Best Analytics Companies of 2020

You likely already know how important creativity is when it comes to digital marketing.

However, coming up with great ideas – be that through content or ads – is only part of the story when it comes to driving results online.

Another significant factor that will amplify your marketing efforts is the collection and leveraging of data.

In other words, to truly succeed with your digital marketing campaigns, you must utilize the best of the machine and human worlds.

But perhaps you’re not a data kind of person, which is where hiring an analytics company comes into play – an option you may already be considering.

Before you make this important decision, equip yourself with the information we’ve outlined in this article so that you can make the best choice for your needs.

The 6 Characteristics That Make a Great Analytics Company

When choosing the right analytics company to work with, there are certain characteristics you need to take into consideration.

Not all agencies are built the same. It is safe to assume that most companies put their best foot forward for their clients, but there will always be variance in terms of what results you will get from each one.

Consider the following factors.

They offer a full suite of marketing services

You may already have your marketing strategy under control and may only need help to understand and leverage your data.

But how can a company help you leverage your data if they have no experience in what the data should be used for?

The point of data and analytics is to improve your decision making and inform your strategy. So, if you’re working with an agency to help you do so, they need to have some actual marketing chops.

Make sure that the agency you want to work with offers other services besides analytics. This is a good indicator that the insights they produce from your data will actually mean something.

They have a strong technology stack

It goes without saying, but if a company is promising to help you leverage data (technology), they will likely have the technology to do so.

At the very minimum, your analytics partner should have their own proprietary platform that will be used as the central point for your data.

But in the best case, the partners will leverage more advanced technologies, such as machine learning, that can help make better sense of the vast amount of data that you will have.

You will find that the best insights from your data come after the raw data is analyzed by a machine, and then made sense of by a human.

The quality of that initial analysis, however, will depend on the quality of the technology that your agency partner has built.

They have an all-star team

Making sense of your marketing data is no easy task. It requires breadth and depth of skills as well as experience, all working together in a harmonious way.

Make sure you check out the team on the about page and on LinkedIn, taking into consideration these factors:

Skills diversity – Making sense of data requires a symbiosis between the human and machine side of business. A good agency will have social scientists (or marketing experts), data scientists, and statisticians.
Years of experience – How long has the team been operating? What are their backgrounds? The more industries and businesses they’ve seen, the higher the chance their insights will be valuable.
Founders – The founders set the tone for the culture of the company. Try to find information on the background of the founder to get a better understanding of how they conduct their operations.

They have a strong roster of clients

One of the most objective ways to evaluate a company is to take a look at the clients they’ve worked with – and, most importantly, what results they’ve gotten for them.

Keep these things in mind:

Similar clients – If an agency mostly works with Fortune 100 clients and you’re a small startup, they probably won’t be a good fit. They likely will have their processes and expertise optimized for analyzing data at scale.
Transparent results – Can the analytics agency demonstrate the results they’ve gotten in the past?
Experience with your channels – It’s no use to you if the analytics company you want to work with specializes in advertising analytics and you have a content-focused strategy. Check to see if they have demonstratable results and insights into your specific channels.

They have a great communication style

If you’re a marketing leader or business owner, chances are you aren’t well trained in understanding and interpreting data.

In this case, the analytics company you work with has to be able to make sense of your data and also deliver it in a way that you can actually use.

To get an idea of this, take a look at how the company communicates with its audiences.

Blog posts – Is the agency creating content and educating their customers? Do they do so in a clear and simple, yet value-driven way?
Visualizations – Does the agency value data visualizations? Do they have any examples of how they visualize data in a user-friendly way?

They take a holistic approach to analytics

It is likely your business has a lot of data to work with. Oftentimes, insights come from unlikely places, such as comparisons between seemingly unrelated data sets.

To get the most out of your data, your analytics agency will need to map out and architect your entire data ecosystem.

They will need to consider aspects of your business such as:

Customer profiles – Your customers will have data points in common, such as demographic information, which can then be used to inform PPC targeting, for instance.
Marketing channels – Each marketing channel has its own set of data to be analyzed. Social media, for instance, has metrics such as engagement and likes, whereas email marketing focuses more on open rates and click-throughs.
Website analytics – Your website will have metrics that can inform on everything from design to marketing. Data points such as website dwell time, page conversions, and heat map analytics come into play here.

What To Expect From a Great Analytics Company

Each analytics company has their own unique process when working with clients.

The best analytics companies, however, will ensure their process is tailored to your specific needs.

They will also go to great lengths to ensure that you are kept in the loop as much as possible.

Here’s what you can expect when working with a great analytics company.

Onboarding and integration

At the beginning of your working relationship, your analytics partner should guide you through an onboarding process.

Great onboarding sets the stage for future success, as it creates a solid foundation for your working relationship.

Manage expectations – Both you and your analytics partner should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of your relationship at the offset. Make sure you flesh out all the details, such as communication hours.
Integrations and set up – Depending on your marketing channels, there may be different assets your analytics partner may need to access, such as your Facebook Pixel. You will also need to be onboarded to their analytics platform.
Goal setting – If you haven’t already, you should have a strategy call with your partner and decide on a strategy and timeline for results.

Auditing of processes and assets

Before you start moving forward, the first thing your analytics partner should do is conduct an audit of your existing processes and data assets.

Depending on your company stage, it is likely that you already have existing data that could serve as a starting point.

Existing data across all channels – Your analytics agency partner will consolidate all of your data across all channels, bringing them into a single platform.
Setting up tracking – In some instances, you may not have been tracking certain things. For instance, if you did not have Google Analytics installed on your site, your partner will help you set this up.
Problem solving – You may have attempted to leverage data and analytics before with limited effect. This could have occurred through your own means or another partner. A complete analysis of your previous attempts would need to be conducted to figure out what went wrong and how to get better results in the future.

Setting up marketing channels

The best analytics company will be able to offer you additional marketing services such as PPC, content and SEO.

The reason for this is simple: to better understand how to interpret the data and inform your strategy, your agency needs to have actual experience executing a marketing strategy.

Elements of your marketing strategy that your analytics partner should help on include:

PPC – Performance advertising, such as Google or Facebook ads, requires a combination of analytics and creativity. Your partner will help you come up with winning ad ideas that are rooted in data.
SEO – Analyzing the best keywords to target, as well as writing great pieces of content to rank in search engines, similarly reflects the importance of a holistic analytics partner.

Data management and reporting

Once your marketing campaigns are in full swing – and the appropriate tracking tools are in place – the fun part begins.

Now is the time to take a look at all the data you have been collecting.

If your agency partner is worth their salt, you should be looking at this data through their own proprietary software.

How this data is organized, analyzed and communicated is where you will really begin to see the difference in quality between different analytic agencies.

Dashboard – When logging into your partner’s platform, you should be able to organize and navigate the different data sets for your marketing channels.
Analysis – Depending on the technology used, you may be able to get instant insight into what your data means, or even compare it to other data sets in your industry.
Visualization – A powerful way to understand data is when it is visualized. Charts, graphs and potentially even custom infographics should be provided by your partner.

Actionable Insights and Results

However, collecting raw data isn’t enough.

You need to make sense of that data so that it becomes useful.

Although your analytics partner may have sophisticated number-crunching technologies, there is still a need for a human to look over everything and create real insights.

At the end-stage of the process, your analytics partner will need to communicate to you the real meaning behind the numbers.

Storytelling – Together, you will need to figure out what the data is really telling you. It is easy to point out that one advert is performing better than the other, but why? How do you find the logic behind the data?
Strategy – Once you really understand the data, you will need to turn those insights into a strategy. You may realize, for instance, that your entire approach has been wrong, or that there is an opportunity for a new product offering.
Execution – Finally, you need to put your new data-driven strategy into action – either through your own team or with the help of your analytics partner.

The Top 3 Analytics Companies in The World

With so many service providers to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow them down and finally choose one to go with.

We’ve broken down the criteria that makes a great analytics company and combed through dozens of companies to find the best agencies today.

Each have their strengths and weaknesses, but regardless of whoever you choose to work with, you will be in good hands.

#1 NP Digital – The Best for Marketing Execution

NP Digital is a marketing and analytics company founded by Neil Patel, and it is arguably the most recognizable and influential figure in the digital marketing space.

The company was founded in 2017 and has over 44,000 followers on LinkedIn and over 100 employees. NP digital offers a full range of digital marketing services in addition to analytics.

Here’s what makes NP Digital one of the best analytic companies in 2020:

Founder expertise – Neil Patel is a rockstar in the digital marketing world, having started out in the space in 2001 as a teenager. The agency he founded has his fingerprints all over it, which means that you will be working with world class marketers and analysts.
Marketing execution – NP Digital doesn’t just help you make sense of your data. They offer a complete suite of marketing services, from PPC to SEO. As digital marketing is the foundation of their operations, you can expect great results when combined with their analytics services.
Great case studies – NP Digital often receives great reviews and has retained big clients as proof of their success. One client, for instance, has said that “NP Digital is one of the few consultant companies worth their fee”.
Press coverage – Neil Patel himself has been recognized by Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and the United Nations as one of the most influential marketers of our generation.
Education – NP Digital regularly produces educational content about all things digital marketing. This carries over to their customer relationships, where they position themselves as a teacher as opposed to just a partner.

Who should work with NP Digital?

If you need help with marketing execution in addition to data analytics, then you can’t go wrong with Neil Patel Digital.

The company was founded by one of the most reputable figures in the digital marketing world, so when you work with his agency, you’re tapping into his years of insight.

There is, of course, a cost to this, however, so Neil Patel Digital is best suited for clients with a larger marketing budget.

Some of their clients include companies such as Viacom, Facebook and even Google.

So, if you head up a marketing team at a large organization and need an end to end marketing and analytics partner, look into Neil Patel Digital.

#2 Artefact – The Best for Technology

Artefact describes themselves as “marketing engineers” and puts particular emphasis on the technology behind digital marketing.

In line with this identity, they have gone on to build a powerful suite of technologies, which they use to help their clients transform their data into business value.

Artefact’s works across the entire organization to leverage data, tapping into the entire value chain of operations, IT, and marketing.

Here’s what makes Artefact one of the best analytic companies in 2020:

Technology stack – Artefact utilizes some of the latest advances in AI and machine learning to create custom algorithms that help businesses accelerate data transformation and optimize their business processes. Known as their “AI Factory”, Artefact also works with cloud service providers like Azure to ensure they have a robust infrastructure.
Big, diverse team – Artefact lists over 1000 employees on LinkedIn, which are composed of data scientists, software engineers, and business consultants. This allows Artefact to solve a wide range of needs across different industries.
Solid case studies – Artefact has worked with clients such as FMCG to improve their digital processes. In this particular case, they received an “extremely positive response from [the] client, internal stakeholders, Amazon and even the industry and other vendors on Amazon NL”.

Who should work with Artefact:

If you are a part of a large organization that is undergoing a digital transformation, then you should strongly consider Artefact.

The approach and technologies that Artefact uses are also beneficial for organizations that have a lot of data that needs to be optimized across the board.

For instance, companies that need to optimize their manufacturing processes or who need to react to market information.

#3 Adverity – The Best for Small Businesses

In some cases, you may not want to work with an agency partner. Particularly for small businesses that don’t have large marketing budgets, analytics software can bridge the divide.

Adverity is a platform that allows you to collect all your marketing data into a single place. Their analytics tools allow you to break down silos in your organization and uncover new insights so that you can improve your decision making.

Although the Adverity team will help onboard you onto their platform, you won’t get the tailored and guided expertise that you would get from an agency such as NP Digital.

Here’s what makes Adverity one of the best analytic companies in 2020:

Cost – If you want to delve into the world of analytics but don’t have a significant budget, Adverity will have you covered (to an extent). Their pricing works on a custom quote which is influenced by your industry, the size of your business, and what data sources you want to tap into. Keep in mind however that you won’t be getting the expert guidance of an agency partner like NP Digital or Artefact.
Holistic data analysis – Adverity has one of the largest data connector libraries on the market. You will be able to connect all of your data sources including your CRM, backend database, website analytics, and advertising. They’re always adding new integrations, so if you have a specific need they may be able to customize that for you.
Great reviews – On the software review platform G2, Adverity currently has a 4.5/5 star rating, with over 100 reviews. The reviews reflect a variety of businesses and use cases – from marketing agencies to political scientists. One of the most common aspects that reviewers noted is how great the connectivity of the platform is.

Who should work with Adverity:

Adverity is best suited to small and medium-sized businesses who may not have the budget to work closely with an analytics partner.

Keep in mind that as you will not have expert guidance, your marketing team will have to figure out how to make sense of all of your data, which is no easy task.

Conclusion

If you leverage the research we’ve done for you in this article, you won’t have much trouble finding the right analytics company to work with.

Regardless of your choice, remember that the goal of analytics is to inform your marketing strategy.

But data alone won’t guarantee that your digital marketing strategy will be successful. It must always be paired with creative ideas and rigorous execution.

To ensure you can’t go wrong when picking an analytics partner, always keep the end goal of increasing conversions in mind.

The post The 3 Best Analytics Companies of 2020 appeared first on Neil Patel.

Company Plan Software

Service Plan Software Organization strategy software application is something that commonly obtains ignored and also isn’t thought about to be a requirement somehow. In my point of view, organization strategy software program is vital, it is not a deluxe. I am a substantial supporter of service preparation. If, when individuals ask me they require a …

The post Company Plan Software first appeared on Online Web Store Site.