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The best GIFs: 6 places to find the GIFs that keep on giffing

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Our view at Stack - Typeform is our go-to software if we need to ask a set of structured questions of a group of customers, prospects or leads. In summary, Typeform combines aesthetics, functionality, and flexibility. User-friendly form builder with interactive design, versatile question types, real-time data collection, 500+ integrations, and diverse templates. Ideal for engaging surveys and lead generation.

GIFS have evolved from their humble beginnings back in 1987 as an internet oddity into everyone’s favorite photo format (yes, it’s a photo format!). They’re the perfect solution for communicating an emotion or the feeling of the moment. And for those with the GIF obsession, having the right GIFs on hand for the perfect response comes down to knowing where to find the best GIFs.

Here are 6 places to find the best GIFs on the Internet. No amateur web designs or blogs that haven’t been updated since 2006. These are the best GIFs that keep on giving (and better yet, they’re free and unblocked).

Rather learn to make your own GIFs? Watch the video below on different GIF types, or head to our step-by-step guide on how to make a GIF.

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It’s the obvious choice, and it’s easy to see why. GIPHY came onto the scene in 2013 with an exceedingly clear and simple mission: to be the “Google for GIFs”. It’s fair to say there’s no better place to start your GIF search—they serve up over 10 billion GIFs daily. And it gets better. GIPHY is great for integrating with all the big messaging apps, so rest assured you can insert the exact perfect GIF into any conversation with colleagues, family, or that one group chat that just won’t fizzle out.

But there’s more to finding GIFs than flicking through GIPHY, right?

Best GIFs

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you had a GIF keyboard, Tenor is here for you. Originally called, “Riffsy”, Tenor is now GIPHY’s biggest competitor. Honestly, they’re quite similar—their search functions work the same, and their layouts are almost identical.

But there is one key difference—the GIFs. Just try it out and you’ll see. Type the same word into GIPHY and Tenor, then hit those search buttons. The results are surprisingly diverse.

Here’s an example:

Look at all those pugs staring at you in unison. Chilling yet effective. Now let’s move on.

Subreddits like /gifs and /reactiongifs are the place to find a response to anything. Yes, anything. Plus, it’s the go-to resource for discovering new and trending GIFs. You’ll find funny, informative, and wildly creative GIFs.

With Imgur you can grab your GIFs straight from the source. They’re like a GIF library, where other sites borrow from their database. Anyone can upload, and there are some genuine gems you won’t find anywhere else. Be prepared to do some digging, though. But one thing to note, it’s not a dedicated GIF site, so you’ll need to add “GIF” to your search inquiry. And, the thumbnails don’t move, but we can get over it.

It’s sort of a given that Google is where folks go to search for an image. But did you know you can search for a GIF, too? Simply select the “animated” filter and you’ll be scrolling GIFs from all corners of the web.

If you’re surprised to see Pinterest in this round-up, you aren’t alone. While we lean on Pinterest for ideas for dinner and home decor, GIFs are a surprising revelation. Search for any reaction or occasion and add “GIF” to find one that suits the mood. One small drawback—the thumbnails in search results don’t move.

True, there’s a ton of other GIF websites around. But they’re not as user-friendly.

So if you can’t find the GIF you’re looking for with the suggestions above, chances are you’ll have to make it yourself.

best-gifs

If Typeform is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

How AI-powered data analytics tools are enhancing data management

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Our view at Stack - Simplify web development with Webflow, reduce costs, and deliver professional results. No-code, responsive, and SEO-friendly. Explore your creative potential!

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AI is pushing data analysis into new territories.

AI excels at digesting and extracting critical insights from massive datasets. Pre-AI, data professionals performed this work, spending immense amounts of time collecting, refining, and interpreting information. But with AI’s advancing capabilities, you can automate data analysis processes that would require dozens or hundreds of hours to complete manually. 

That’s what makes AI and data analytics such a potent combination. AI helps analysts bypass tedious data collection and interpretation, skipping directly to managing, validating, and using data to craft accurate reports for businesses.

An overview of AI in data analytics

Applying AI to data analysis is a powerful way to quickly and accurately sift through massive datasets. This approach leans into what AI does best: detecting patterns and using them to predict outcomes.

AI-powered analytics tools combine machine learning (ML) and data analytics for faster processing than humans can perform. They excel at drawing straightforward connections and interesting conclusions humans might miss, such as trends with unintuitive correlations or extremely long-term cycles. And they can even help write SEO content that drives more traffic to your website.

When you pair an AI learning algorithm with your data analysis efforts, you can expect the following benefits.

Speed and efficiency

Analysts can feed an AI analysis system their data and turn to other tasks while it processes. This efficiency offers new freedom to data professionals — it assumes tedious tasks and lets employees focus on more meaningful work: interpreting data to discover insights.

Validation

Data validation is critical to finalizing an analysis, and AI supports this crucial step. After discovering a combination of data points to include in a report, analysts can use AI to instantly call up those points for review. This automation dramatically reduces the time it takes to write SQL queries and search through reports.

Ease of use

Most AI analysis tools offer natural language processing (NLP), which lets analysts use natural language to interact with their data. For example, you might write, “Search this dataset for the five most purchased products,” or “How have in-person and online sales changed over the last two years?”

This simplicity offers your team more freedom in how you interact with your database. It also lowers the barrier to entry for new analysts by fast-tracking much of the learning curve.

3 types of AI used in data analytics

You can distinguish different AI types by their relative complexity. The more sophisticated an AI tool is, the more capable it is of finding subtle correlations. 

Here are three types of AI commonly used in data analysis.

1. Machine learning

ML algorithms are trained, meaning developers feed them vast amounts of data and instruct them to extract conclusions. From this process, the algorithms “learn” what to look for in new datasets. 

When you feed information to a trained ML algorithm, you don’t need to provide it with any instruction. The algorithm uses what it’s learned to search your data and create conclusions. Along the way, it continues to refine that knowledge base for improved data analysis capabilities.

2. Neural networks

More advanced than ML’s system of overlapping processes, neural networks aim to simulate the human brain. They do so using interconnected processes representing nodes that pass information back and forth for analysis. This process enables them to discover connections an ML algorithm’s more straightforward process might miss.

3. Deep learning

The most advanced of these AI types, deep learning involves training a neural network with a massive dataset, teaching it to recognize things and interpret patterns. This technology is what self-driving cars use to identify other vehicles on the road and evaluate changing conditions. It’s equally effective at discovering patterns in data that a human might overlook.

How AI can improve your data analytics process

AI makes handling and interpreting data easier than ever because it seamlessly fits into many analytics processes. Here are a few suggestions for where to integrate AI into business data strategies.

Data cleaning

The first step in analyzing a database is checking it for errors. Analysts spend significant time scanning through hundreds of lines in a spreadsheet or writing detailed SQL queries to surface such mistakes. Thankfully, AI can perform this task much faster. You simply feed the AI your database and use NLP to form a query, such as “Check this database for missing information and errors.”

Data analysis

AI eases the burden of analysis for data professionals without replacing the need for a human eye. You can use AI to search the data, but it’s up to you to determine what’s important. For example, if you feed your data to a deep learning algorithm, it’ll churn out dozens of trends, predictions, and correlations you might never have found. But it’s up to you to sift through these results and surface the most relevant, informative bits for your business.

Data visualization

Another common task is creating visuals for the information you analyze. You might use tools like Zoho and Tableau to do this, which increasingly feature AI-generated visualizations to quicken the process. For example, Tableau Pulse uses AI to generate customizable data visualizations based on predefined KPIs.

Predictive analysis

AI excels at discovering intricate trends in data and mapping them out over a timeline — which requires simple math to plot hundreds or thousands of points over time. AI can process these trends significantly faster than a human can, and it can identify correlations to generate intricate forecasts. 

One example of AI predictive analysis is Life2Vec, a powerful tool that uses basic information about your age, weight, and exercise habits to predict your potential lifespan.

Industry use cases of AI data analytics

AI has quickly permeated every industry thanks to its uniquely versatile capabilities. Here are some examples of how AI supports industry processes, from basic data collection to complex analysis.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry generates enormous datasets every day, from X-ray and MRI images to BMI and blood test measurements. AI algorithms consume this data to find connections between data points sooner than a medical professional might. These advancements help with early detection of cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s, improving healthcare outcomes and potentially saving lives.

Finance

With its convoluted regulations and mind-boggling complexity, the financial industry benefits from any advancement in AI technology that simplifies data analysis. AI is an incredible tool financiers can use to advance their portfolios through speculating on stock prices and analyzing economic conditions. For example, the financial platform OneStream uses ML to find signals in the economic landscape that indicate a financial strategy’s potential success or failure. 

Marketing and customer insights

Interpreting critical user data helps businesses optimize products, services, and marketing campaigns for certain goals, such as increasing conversions or driving engagement. AI tools that integrate with website platforms make this information significantly easier to access.

For example, Webflow supports a HubSpot integration that tracks website traffic. You can then use HubSpot’s AI-powered data analysis tools to extract actionable insights that’ll help you improve your site.

Upgrade your data analytics with Webflow

Webflow supports integrations and solutions that leverage AI to assist with analyzing data, writing content, and more. The platform has all the tools you need to create visually stunning, data-rich websites without writing a single line of code. 

Explore Webflow’s marketing automation and analytics integrations today and get the most from your AI tools.

If Webflow is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

The top 8 secure messaging apps for businesses

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Our view at Stack - Simplify web development with Webflow, reduce costs, and deliver professional results. No-code, responsive, and SEO-friendly. Explore your creative potential!

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Mitigate cyberthreats all while enjoying better-than-ever team communication with a secure messaging app.

The rapid flow of sensitive information is at an all-time high — especially in healthcare, finance, and law.

Most private chat apps require phone numbers and emails during registration, and users often overlook the terms and conditions. Using these conventional platforms puts your business’s privacy and security at risk by leaving room for potential breaches and legal ramifications.

But secure messaging applications provide robust encryption capabilities and other security features that safeguard your communication. Read on to discover eight of the best security-focused communication apps for businesses.

What are secure messaging applications?

A secure or encrypted messaging application is a communication tool that protects the confidentiality of messages and multimedia exchanged between users. These apps use verification techniques, like two-factor authentication (2FA), to ensure the rightful user accesses messages after providing proof of two or more identification forms.

Most importantly, they deploy end-to-end encryption, which ensures only the intended recipient receives the message. iMessage and Google Messages are popular apps that use end-to-end encryption, with secure browsers using HTTPS over HTTP for added safety.

How secure messaging apps work

Secure messaging apps combine advanced technology and stringent privacy protocols to ensure security. This includes:

  • Encryption. When a user sends a message, voice note, image, video, or document, the secure messaging app encrypts the content using cryptographic algorithms that transform it into an unreadable format called ciphertext. Even if a hacker intercepts a message in transit, encryption ensures it remains indecipherable to anyone without the corresponding decryption key.
  • Open-source code. Many secure messaging apps use open-source code, so their underlying source code is freely and publicly available. Open-source code encourages transparency and trust among users and allows independent developers and security experts to inspect apps and conduct audits to identify potential loopholes, flaws, or backdoors for intrusion.
  • Privacy policies. Secure messaging apps typically have clear and transparent privacy policies that outline data collection, storage, and processing methods. These policies outline steps taken to safeguard sensitive information.
  • Rich media support. Despite the name, secure private messaging apps support many multimedia types, including images and videos, voice messages, and files. Encryption and privacy protocols apply to each media type and ensure users can safely exchange content.

The importance of secure messaging apps

Secure messaging apps combine end-to-end encryption with open-source code, privacy measures, and multimedia support for these essential reasons:

  • Data protection and compliance. Industries like finance, legal, and healthcare must follow strict privacy regulations from governing bodies, like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and HIPAA in the U.S. Secure messaging apps comply with these regulations by ensuring sensitive data, like banking information and medical records, remain protected from unwanted access.
  • Cybersecurity risk mitigation. With looming online threats like phishing attacks, data breaches, and malware, it’s essential for secure messaging apps to prioritize cybersecurity. Adding an extra layer of protection through encryption and two-factor or multifactor authentication reduces security-related incidents and potential financial losses.
  • Secure collaboration. Secure business messaging apps allow team members, whether in-office or remote, to communicate safely. Employees with internet-enabled devices can share files, chat in groups, and make voice and video calls for meetings and training sessions.
  • Brand reputation. Data breaches and security incidents can damage a company’s reputation and undermine customer trust. By securing messaging apps, you demonstrate your commitment to protecting user data, enhancing your credibility as a trustworthy and reliable organization.

8 secure and encrypted messaging apps for your business

Choose a secure messaging app that best aligns with your organization’s needs while ensuring confidentiality. Here are eight encrypted messaging applications with diverse feature sets to suit different businesses.

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp boasts end-to-end encryption for messages, calls, and multimedia. It also has 2FA with passkeys for further protection.

The Meta-owned messaging app is ideal for individuals and businesses who want a widely known and user-friendly encrypted platform with messaging, calling, and file-sharing capabilities. But it’s worth noting that, as a Meta-owned application, WhatsApp’s encryption doesn’t extend to metadata — which may raise privacy concerns for some users.

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and web browsers

2. Telegram

Telegram offers secure messaging with optional end-to-end encryption through Secret Chats — a feature where specific chats have a lock icon that only the recipient can access. Secret Chats also self-destruct and don’t support message forwarding.

With a group chat capacity of up to 200,000 members, Telegram suits large organizations seeking a feature-rich platform with file-sharing, channel, and voice call functionalities.

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and web browsers

3. Signal

Signal is well-known for its strong emphasis on privacy and security. The app offers end-to-end encryption for messages, calls, and video chats. Its open-source Signal Protocol also supports messaging for groups of up to 1,000 members, with secure file sharing and disappearing messages for added protection.

Typically favored by privacy advocates, journalists, and professionals requiring secure communication channels, Signal is ideal for companies dealing with sensitive or large datasets.

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux

4. Threema

Threema offers standard features like text messaging, voice calling, and polls. But what separates Threema’s privacy-preserving protocol from the rest is that it doesn’t ask for a phone number or email during registration, providing increased user anonymity.

The company also favors local information storage over server-based data management. If you have capable local storage and work in healthcare, finance, and legal services, Threema is a great fit.

Price: Varies for individuals and businesses

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and web browsers

5. Wire

Wire fully complies with GDPR and only requires an email address to sign up. It also works on Signal’s robust security protocol. Since its inception, Wire has maintained an open-source philosophy, claiming that the company has no intention of selling user data to third parties.

With its always-on encryption, Wire keeps group conversations and file sharing reliably under lock. It also offers collaborative features like guest rooms and screen sharing, making it suitable for anyone in remote teams, creative fields, or large organizations looking for secure communication channels.

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux

6. Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat’s open-source functionality has the backing of thousands of GitHub members to ensure its security stays up to date. Its on-premises hosting lets you keep all data in-house to reduce online threats while providing full ownership over messaging infrastructure.

This is the best secure messaging app for government, financial, and legal sectors. It’s especially valuable to technically experienced users looking for a customizable messaging solution with third-party app integration.

Price: Free for small teams of up to 25 members, with custom quotes for enterprises

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux

7. Troop Messenger

Like Rocket.Chat, Troop Messenger is an end-to-end encryption app that supports on-premises server hosting for complete control over in-house data. With productivity features like file and screen sharing, this platform is often touted as a more security-oriented Slack (which doesn’t have end-to-end encryption).

Troop Messenger targets businesses and enterprises seeking a secure, collaborative messaging platform with total autonomy. It focuses on productivity and communication, and it’s suitable for teams of all sizes.

Price: Varies depending on the nature of the business and industry

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux

8. NetSfere

NetSfere is a secure, enterprise-level communication platform designed to meet the regulatory compliance requirements of the healthcare, government, and finance industries. It focuses on four pillars: security, control, compliance, and collaboration.

With end-to-end, 256-bit encryption (a significantly robust cipher with a 256-bit key, superior to 128-bit and 192-bit keys), NetSfere is best for large organizations operating in highly regulated sectors.

Price: Free for the Professional plan and $7 per user for the Enterprise plan, with custom quotes for the Enterprise Plus plan

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and web browsers

Enhance your site security with Webflow

Secure messaging apps protect sensitive information, minimize enterprise cybersecurity risks, and foster trust among employees and customers. By integrating secure applications with a high-quality web platform, you can ensure safety for all your website users.

Whether you’re scaling a startup or running a thriving business, learn how Webflow builds security into your website. Create powerful platforms using Webflow Enterprise, secure them with our all-in-one security checklist, and explore our resources to learn how to scale your online presence.

If Webflow is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Email marketingMailchimp review: We surveyed 112 of their ex-customers about what they loved (and didn’t love) about the email marketing platformIn this Mailchimp review, you’ll hear from 112 former Mailchimp customers about Mailchimp’s pros and cons, and why many made the switch to Podia Email.

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Our view at Stack - Podia shines with its all-in-one platform for digital commerce, offering zero transaction fees, email marketing, affiliate marketing, and live chat support. It’s known for unlimited courses and products, embeddable checkouts, and a community feature to engage users. It now has blog functionality also.

In this Mailchimp review, you’ll hear from 112 former Mailchimp customers about Mailchimp’s pros and cons, and why many made the switch to Podia Email.

If you’re looking for an email marketing tool, chances are you’ve come across Mailchimp. Mailchimp is one of the most well-known and widely-used email service providers on the market, and they’ve been a big name in the industry since they set up shop back in 2001.

Today, Mailchimp is still a solid email marketing platform, and it probably wouldn’t get recommended so often if that weren’t the case.

But it’s not without criticism, so it’s worth taking a look at what former Mailchimp customers loved about the platform, and why they ultimately left.

At Podia, we periodically run surveys to make sure we’re building the best features for our customers. Around the time we launched
Podia Email
, we asked people to tell us about their experiences with other email tools.

One hundred and twelve people said they had used Mailchimp, and they shared some of the things they liked and disliked about it.

No platform will be perfect for everyone, Podia included, so we’re sharing the findings of these surveys to help you choose the best tool for you and your business.

Your email marketing is important. Your email list is important. When you set up these essential parts of your business with the right platform, you can avoid lots of legwork (and expensive, duct-taped-together software hacks) down the road.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • What Mailchimp does well, according to previous customers

  • What Mailchimp does NOT do well, according to previous customers

  • Why people switch from Mailchimp to Podia Email

Let’s find out what real customers had to say about Mailchimp.

TL;DR

  • People choose Mailchimp because they like the free plan, email templates, and analytics.
  • But their former customers told us they decided to look for a different email marketing platform because the free plan had too many limitations and the paid plans were expensive. Some also found it difficult and unintuitive to use.
  • 14% of previous Mailchimp users said they didn’t like anything about the platform at all.
  • Many people who previously used Mailchimp now use Podia because Podia is more affordable, easier to use, and all-in-one.

See why creators are switching from Mailchimp to Podia Email. Try Podia and you’ll get unlimited email sends with a platform that’s simple to use and already connected to everything else. It’s free for your first 100 subscribers, and you can set up automations and scheduled emails from day one.
Sign up for Podia
.

What does Mailchimp do well, according to customers?

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing software option for a good reason. Plenty of users are happy with the tool and have used it for a long time, and Mailchimp’s free plan makes it a good starting point for many creators.

First, here’s a high-level look at Mailchimp’s features:

  • Pricing: Mailchimp’s pricing is based on subscriber count and features. Select how many contacts you need and pick the plan that has the features you want. Prices go up as you add contacts or advance to higher-level plans.

  • Audience: Within your account, you can have different audiences, segmentation, contact profiles, and tags to manage your subscribers.

  • Design: Mailchimp comes with email templates and an email design studio. You can remove the Mailchimp branding on paid plans.

  • Marketing: Sending emails is Mailchimp’s bread and butter, but they also have email scheduling, landing pages, pop-up forms, and a social media posting feature.

  • Automation: Build single-step or multi-step automations. You can also make advanced automations with multiple starting points and branching points, as well as in-depth customer journeys.

  • Insights and reporting: Mailchimp has A/B testing, multivariate testing, and a subject line tool. Higher-tier plans also include features like send-time optimization and delivery by time zone.

  • Website: Mailchimp also includes a website with unlimited pages and a free Mailchimp domain. You can connect a custom domain on the $10/month website plan, purchased separately from email plans.

  • E-Commerce: Mailchimp doesn’t let you sell products directly, but you can integrate with +300 tools to get this functionality.

  • Support: Free users get email support for 30 days, and paid plans have email and live chat support. The highest-tier Premium plan also comes with phone support.

These features stood out most with the +100 previous Mailchimp users we talked to:

Mailchimp has a free plan

Of those surveyed, 10% said their favorite thing about using Mailchimp was the free plan.

Mailchimp’s free version lets you have up to 500 subscribers and send 1,000 emails per month with a maximum send limit of 500 emails in a day. The free plan also includes a landing page and website, and you get email support for the first 30 days.

When you’re first starting your online business, a free plan removes initial barriers to entry and makes the platform more accessible — that’s why we have a free plan at
Podia
, too!

Though Mailchimp did face criticism for recent changes to its free plan (the number of free subscribers dropped from 1,000 to 500), it’s still a good option if you’re building your business on a tighter budget.

Email templates and customizations

Another thing former customers like about Mailchimp is the customizable email templates. Based on the survey, 14% of previous users liked how you can customize your colors, fonts, text sizes, and other formatting options within your emails. There’s also a large library of templates to choose from if you need a place to start.

One respondent said that they loved “the easy and elegant design templates” and another said that there were “lots of flexible template options integrated right into the email creator.”

Because Mailchimp is a no-code email builder, you don’t need to know HTML or CSS to make your emails look nice.

Analytics and customer data

Also on the list of positives were Mailchimp’s analytics tools and customer tracking features. All plans have basic reporting, tags, segmentation, and a subject line helper. Higher-tier plans come with A/B testing and other content optimization tools.

As sewing instructor and previous Mailchimp user
Monika Potaszynska
puts it, “[Mailchimp’s] analytics were very detailed. I could segment my audience more quickly with pre-set options such as ‘opened/didn’t open last five campaigns.’”

Bottom line: Mailchimp gets good marks for the following:

That said, when asked what they liked about using Mailchimp, 14% of respondents said they didn’t like anything. Let’s dig into what people weren’t a fan of.

What does Mailchimp NOT do well, according to past customers?

No platform is perfect for everyone, even a platform as well-known as Mailchimp. In general, the previous users we heard from weren’t too keen on the cost, complexity, and limited free plan.

Mailchimp pricing gets expensive quickly

One big downside of Mailchimp according to past users? The price.

Just over 30% of survey respondents said their least favorite part was the expensive price tag and that they didn’t like how Mailchimp’s prices had gone up in recent years.

Mailchimp offers four different plans with increasingly advanced features, and they all go up in price as you add on more subscribers. The only exception is the free plan, which tops out at 500 subscribers and has limited features. We’ll cover that more in-depth later.

This means there are potentially hundreds of pricing combinations available, and it can be confusing to figure out what you need. Plus, a feature you want might be gated on a higher tier plan, meaning you’ll have to upgrade everything to use it.

Here’s how Mailchimp’s pricing plans work for the first few subscriber tiers.

As your list grows, your monthly price could also grow significantly, especially if you want more advanced features.

Another thing ex-users didn’t love about Mailchimp’s pricing was the overage fees. Mailchimp has email send limits, which means there’s a set number of messages you can send to your followers every month. This is true of all plans, even the top-tier ones.

For instance, you can only send 1,000 emails per month on the free plan. On the top-tier Premium plan, you can only send 15x the total number of subscribers you have (so you can send 15,000 total emails if your list has 1,000 subscribers).

Mailchimp will charge overages if you go over this amount, which can lead to an unpleasant surprise bill. This can be a big limitation for creators and small business owners because you may want to write an extra
newsletter
one month, run a flash sale, or simply send out a spontaneous update.

Instead of doing it when inspiration strikes, you’ll need to calculate if you have enough sends left for the month.

Some users found Mailchimp to be complicated

The previous Mailchimp users we surveyed are split on whether or not they found Mailchimp easy or difficult to use.

While 21% of respondents said that Mailchimp was easy to use, 33% said that it was complicated to figure out. People seemed pretty divided on this topic — some said it was a breeze and others said they could hardly get an email set up without headaches.

One user felt like the interface was “all over the place”, and another user pointed out that building emails in Mailchimp slowed down their computer so severely it was difficult to get anything done.

Limited free option

Mailchimp’s free plan gives you up to 500 subscribers, but the downside is that you’re limited to sending just 1,000 emails per month.

You also don’t get access to essential features like email scheduling or automation tools on the free plan, so you’ll have to keep track of all your messages manually.

On top of that, free Mailchimp users only get customer support for the first 30 days after signing up, which means you’re on your own if issues arise later.

At the end of the day, being able to use any tool for free is great, so you can’t knock the free plan too hard. But with many companies offering a free option and comparable feature set, you might find a better platform that suits your needs.

Which brings us to our next section:

Why are people switching from Mailchimp to Podia Email?

The main reasons people are leaving Mailchimp in favor of Podia Email are the cost, ease of use, and feature-rich free plan. People also love having the option to run their entire business under one roof.

Podia is less expensive than Mailchimp

For 16% of respondents,
Podia’s price tag
was the number one reason they switched away from Mailchimp. Across nearly all pricing tiers, Podia Email is less expensive than Mailchimp.

In general, Podia’s pricing is simpler since all email features are available on all plans. You only upgrade as your list grows, and when that time comes, Podia’s prices are some of the lowest in the industry.

Here’s how the pricing for Podia and Mailchimp compare:

In many cases, even Mailchimp’s lowest-tier plan is significantly more expensive than Podia. As your list grows, Mailchimp could be over twice as pricey for the same number of subscribers.

And unlike Mailchimp, all Podia Email plans come with full features and unlimited email sends.

Mailchimp is less expensive if you have 100–500 subscribers, but after that point, Podia Email could easily save you hundreds or thousands of dollars each year.

Podia has a simple and intuitive email interface

Hey, price isn’t everything.

Previous Mailchimp users also like how Podia is simple to use so you can quickly make whatever type of email you want. Podia Email has a library of
templates
to help you start building fast, and you can also use your previous emails as a starting point, so you don’t have to work from scratch.

If you do want to start from scratch, you can add sections and make style changes in the email builder with just a few clicks.

Podia’s simple email editor interface
and ease of use were the primary reasons for switching for 20% of survey respondents.

As Podia creator
Susanne Rudd
puts it,

“Mailchimp is quite complicated as the help guides are full of links to other parts (if you want to know x you need to know y first). I find I start with one issue and end up with lots more! It’s not at all straightforward to use. I love how clear and straightforward Podia is.”

And Liz Reitzig from
Nourishing Liberty
said,

“It (Mailchimp) was SUPER hard to use and too complicated and that made it difficult for me to learn. I’ve been using Podia email now for a few months and just not retaining (thankfully) habits from past platforms.”

If you’d like to see how easy Podia Email is, you can try it for yourself for free.
Create your free Podia account,
and click the “Email” tab to start building emails and campaigns.

Podia’s free plan has advanced email features (and more!)

Mailchimp may give users a higher number of subscribers on the free plan, but Podia has more features.

With Podia, you get a
website
,
community
,
landing pages
, and the ability to sell a
digital download
and
coaching product
. You also get full email features (including
marketing automations
, scheduling, campaigns, unlimited email sends, and all email templates) for up to 100 subscribers.

Mailchimp gates automations, advanced segmentation, and email scheduling on higher-tiered plans.

With Podia, you only pay more as your list grows, so someone with 20 subscribers has the same advanced features as someone with 20,000. List size doesn’t have to determine your marketing strategy, which is why Podia gives you all the tools of a premium platform from day one.

Plus, you can start making sales by offering a digital download, coaching product, or community, and you can even set up a lead magnet to drive traffic to your email list.

Unlike Mailchimp which limits support to the first 30 days, you will always have email support on Podia’s free plan. (If you’d like quicker chat support, that’s available on the
Starter plan
and above. Starter plans start at just $4/month when you pay annually.)

Podia is an all-in-one platform for running your online business

Perhaps the most important reason people switch from Mailchimp to Podia is that Mailchimp focuses mainly on email and Podia is an all-in-one platform for running your entire online business.

Podia Email is automatically connected to your products, website,
courses
, community, customers,
affiliates
, and any other data inside your Podia account. You don’t need to set up any integrations or mess with code to make your tools talk to each other — everything is ready to go from the minute you sign in.

It’s no wonder 61% of survey respondents mentioned having everything in one place as their reason for switching.

As compassionate time management coach
Anne Boccato
puts it,

“I had to begin using a paid service to create evergreen campaigns, and Podia came out with the revamped email tool right as I began looking for an affordable email service that did what I needed. It’s extra convenient to have it link to my courses, students, and products.”

Mom entrepreneur coach
Ami Youngs
said they switched because,

“I wanted everything in one place, and Podia email was easier to use even without all the functions that Mailchimp was capable of.”

And sewing instructor
Monika Potaszynska
mentioned that,

“It made sending emails to my customers easier. I want to start a membership, so having everything in one place was very important to me.”

And holistic aromatherapist
Erin Oberlander
said,

“I wanted a one-stop shop for everything in my business.”

Because everything is all in one place with Podia, it’s also easy to see your
analytics and email data
right in your dashboard, including how much income you’ve made off a particular email.

In just a few clicks, you can also send messages to specific subsets of your audience, like people who have signed up for your lead magnet but have not bought your paid course, people who haven’t clicked an email recently, or customers of a particular product.

Plus, an all-in-one platform means that your email is connected to your website builder and landing pages, all of which you can customize any way you want.

Build a beautiful website and set up as many landing pages for products and
email capture forms
as you need. You can use unlimited signup forms to funnel new members into different tags, so you always send the right message to the right people.

Podia’s email builder is user-friendly for beginners and experienced creators alike. You don’t need to learn a complicated third-party platform to get your business (and your products, and your email) up and running.

Simply put, if you want to run your business in one place with your email automatically connected to your products, website, and customers, Podia could be a good fit for you too.

Mailchimp Review: Is Mailchimp right for you?

Mailchimp works well as an email marketing tool and has lots of features. Mailchimp stands out because it has a free plan with a 500-subscriber limit and users generally like the easy-to-use templates and analytics.

Mailchimp also has automations, campaigns, and advanced optimization features available on higher-priced plans.

Podia Email, on the other hand, shines because it is already connected to your customers, courses, community, website, coaching, affiliate marketing, and other products, so you can have the simplicity of running everything in one place.

Podia’s pricing is lower than Mailchimp’s in most cases, and the free plan gives you way more advanced features. No one wants to spend hours connecting dozens of tools and complicated tech, so we made Podia simple and easy, with everything you need out of the box.

If you’re still on the fence about which platform is right for you, we’d love for you to give Podia a try. It’s free, and the free Podia Email plan comes with all email marketing features and room for 100 subscribers,
so take it for a spin today
.

It might just be the right Mailchimp alternative for you too.

Email Marketing FAQs

What is Mailchimp?

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing tool for businesses, individuals, startups, and creators. You can use Mailchimp to stay in touch with followers and subscribers through email, and some plans include digital marketing tools, advanced segmentation, and helpful automations.

What are some Mailchimp alternatives?

Unsurprisingly, our favorite Mailchimp alternative is
Podia Email
! You can also read about other email marketing tools similar to Mailchimp in these guides.

What are the disadvantages of Mailchimp?

The disadvantages of Mailchimp are the cost, complexity, and limited free plan. Mailchimp’s pricing and plans have changed recently, and people seemed split on whether or not they found Mailchimp very easy or very difficult to use. Plus, there are email send limits on all plans so you could be faced with overage charges if you send too many emails.

Is it good to use Mailchimp?

Mailchimp is a good choice if you’re looking for a basic email service tool with a free plan for up to 500 subscribers. They have a lot of users who like the service, but if it’s not for you, you can consider an alternative like Podia Email for lower prices.

Is Mailchimp actually free?

Yep! Mailchimp has a free plan that you can use if your contact list is under 500 subscribers. It includes 1,000 monthly email sends, tags, and basic segmentation. Keep in mind that if you go over the monthly email send limit, there may be overage charges, and you’ll need to pay extra for features like automations and email scheduling.

What is the best email marketing service?

We’re a little biased here, but we think Podia Email is the best email marketing service around. With Podia Email, you get a beautiful email builder, templates, and unlimited email sends on all plans. You can also make email marketing campaigns and see how much money you earn from each email. Podia Email is automatically connected to your website, landing pages, products, courses, customers, and everything else.

SIGN UP NOW

Get your free Podia account

Join the 150,000+ creators who use Podia to create websites, sell digital products, and build online communities.

Start free →

If Podia is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

How to Create a Paid Members-Only Real Estate Marketing Content Library

· ·

Our view at Stack - MemberSpace allows you to add membership functionality to any website. It offers customizable membership options, flexible payment gateways including Apple Pay and Google Pay, drip content, and tiered access. It provides bank-grade security, GDPR compliance, and easy member management with analytics and email campaigns.

Haiden Hibbert

Haiden Hibbert

I’m a Content Manager at MemberSpace helping entrepreneurs and creators sell digital products.

If you’re a pro at real estate marketing and social media, you can turn your skills into a profitable members-only content library for other realtors. By offering ready-to-use social media and marketing materials like templates, guides, and online courses, you can teach other real estate professionals how to market their businesses and earn recurring revenue while you’re at it. 

In this post, we’ll walk through each step of how to launch a real estate marketing content library, from figuring out your niche to deciding on content types to launching your membership.

Launch a real estate marketing content library!

The easiest way to accept membership payments or one-time charges for digital products like content libraries, online courses, communities, and more — all from your own website!




Start selling now

Get started for free! 5 minutes to set up.

Table of Contents

Figure out your target audience

Before you start creating your content library, it’s important to understand who your target audience is. Targeting all real estate agents is a bit too general, so think about what area of the industry you specialize in and what unique insights you can offer. Consider what your customers’ goals, challenges, and needs are, and what kind of content they’ll be willing to pay for. This will help you create a content library that really speaks to your target audience and provides them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in their marketing efforts.

Types of content to include

Your content library should have a variety of materials to cater to different needs, such as:

  • Templates for marketing listings (like flyers and brochures)
  • Social media templates and post ideas
  • Website templates
  • Stock photos
  • Online courses
  • Buyer and seller guides

✨ Content Tip: Start small! You don’t have to have hundreds of templates or a comprehensive online course to launch your content library. You can start with a few types of content and add more resources overtime. 

How to create your real estate marketing content library

Once you’ve figured out your niche and the type of content you’ll create, it’s time to add your exclusive resources to your website! Here’s a simple, three-step process to launch your content library with MemberSpace.  

Step 1: Set Up Your Website Pages

Your content library website should have three main pages:

  1. A sales page that showcases what content you offer, prices, testimonials, and clear call-to-action buttons. This page is super important because it’s where you’ll convince potential members to sign up for your content library. Make sure to highlight the benefits of your membership and how it can help them improve their real estate marketing efforts.

Real Estate marketing content library
Use this example real estate marketing content library website as inspiration for your own!

2. A welcome page that your customers see first when they buy access to your membership, giving them a sneak peek of all the content they can use. This page should be engaging and exciting, making your new members feel like they’ve made a great decision by signing up.

A members-only welcome page serves as your members’ home base when they sign up or log in, making it easy to find and access all of your marketing resources.

3. Category pages that display all the products in each category, like templates or guides, with download buttons linking to Canva templates or other pages on your site that house your products. These pages should be easy to navigate and well-organized, so your members can quickly find the content they need.

Real estate social media templates
Organizing your content by category is another way to make your marketing content library easy to navigate.

To make launching your content library website easier, you can download our free content library template that includes pre-made category and sub-category pages, as well as individual product pages to help you organize your content. This template will save you time and ensure that your content library looks professional and is easy to navigate.

content library template
If you need some help creating your content library, use our free HTML template.

Also, make sure your content library pages have a clear and organized URL structure. For example:

  • www.yourwebsite.com/content-library
  • www.yourwebsite.com/content-library/welcome
  • www.yourwebsite.com/content-library/templates/template-1

Most website builders let you turn off things like pagination and recommended posts, so your content pages look clean and focused. This will make it easier for your members to find what they’re looking for and navigate your content library with ease.

Step 2: Install MemberSpace

MemberSpace is a powerful tool that helps you protect your exclusive marketing resources and accept payments easily on your website. 

To set it up:

  1. Create an account for free. 
  2. Add your content library to MemberSpace and protect your members-only pages. You’ll simply add the URLs for your marketing resources, and MemberSpace will restrict access to them so members have to sign up and pay to view them. 
  3.  Connect to Stripe to handle payments securely. If you don’t already have a Stripe account, it takes just a few minutes to set one up. 
  4. Set a price for your marketing content library. You can choose between one-time, recurring, or multiple payments, as well as free. (Recurring payment is the most popular option for content library memberships.) 
  5. Add the install code to your website to enable MemberSpace functionality (this also only takes a few minutes!).

And just like that, you’re ready to start selling your content library to real estate professionals!

Check out our video tutorial to see how this all works on a live website: 

Step 3: Promote your content library

Once your real estate marketing content library is ready to go, it’s time to let your target audience know about it. Here are a few ways you can promote your website:

  • Use your social media channels to showcase your content library and share snippets of what’s inside. This will give potential members a taste of what they can expect and encourage them to sign up.
  • Create blog content about real estate marketing tips and strategies. Then, add a call-to-action to sign up for your content library membership for more resources. 
  • Partner with other real estate professionals to cross-promote your resources. 
  • Offer limited-time discounts or free trials to bring in new members. This is a great way to get people in the door and show them the value of your content library.
  • Use email marketing to reach potential customers and highlight the benefits of your content library. Send out targeted emails to your list, showcasing specific pieces of content and explaining how they can help improve their real estate marketing efforts.
  • Host a webinar or live Q&A session to give potential members a behind-the-scenes look at your content library and answer any questions they may have.

Final Thoughts

Creating a members-only content library for real estate marketing is a great way to share your knowledge, help other realtors succeed, and make some passive income. By understanding your target audience, offering a range of valuable content, and using tools like MemberSpace to protect and sell your resources, you can build a successful content library that makes you a go-to expert in real estate marketing.

Remember, your content library is a living, breathing thing. Don’t be afraid to update and add to it regularly based on feedback from your members and changes in the industry. The more value you provide, the more loyal your members will be, and the more successful your content library will become. 

To get started, create a MemberSpace account for free and let us know if you have any questions!

Need help with your real estate marketing content library?

Connect with our friendly team, weekdays 10am – 6pm ET.

Let’s chat!

The post How to Create a Paid Members-Only Real Estate Marketing Content Library appeared first on .

If Memberspace is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

What product teams need to build the future

· ·

Our view at Stack - our team love using Miro as an online workspace for innovation, enabling distributed teams to dream, design, and build together. With a full set of collaboration capabilities, it simplifies cross-functional teamwork, meetings, and workshops. Create concepts, map user stories, and conduct roadmap planning in real-time.

image

The business world is full of contradictions. On one hand, everyone’s hungry for the next big thing. On the other, the thought of taking risks makes leaders sweat. Even though nearly all of them agree that companies have to innovate — 98%, to be exact — it’s not that simple. 

There’s no doubt about it: innovation and uncertainty go hand in hand. Teams take risks when pursuing new ideas. Leaders take risks when they give the green light. And companies take the risk that they’re bringing the right thing to market at the right time. But that’s also the beauty of it — and what makes the process so rewarding (and even fun). The key is to empower an organizational culture where everyone can weigh in to solve the problems at hand, minimize those risks where possible, and generate maximum impact. 

So how do we do that? At Miro, we want to help teams crack the code by showing them ways to work smarter, not harder. It’s about teamwork, making stuff that customers want, and cutting through the nonsense to get it done efficiently. We teamed up with AWS to put together a guide that lays out the moves for getting ahead, cutting through the noise, and setting new records in making cool things happen.

In this article, we’ll take insights from our latest Innovation in Product Development report and

break down product teams’ challenges, introduce solutions, share what successful teams do, and discuss the role of AI in innovation.

Collaboration (or lack thereof) is one of innovation’s greatest hurdles 

You can’t have innovation without collaboration. Collaboration may sound easy, but many (or even most) organizations struggle to get it right, both with their employees and their technology.

You need mutual understanding

Co-creating a new product requires a close partnership between specific functions. In organizations with collaborative cultures, teams work together by tapping into their unique skills and knowledge to create maximum overall impact. It isn’t just a creator and reviewer relationship, but one based on the understanding that each function is crucial to the project’s success. 

Transparency

For successful collaborations, all teams need to understand the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ of the project from the start — and this is an ongoing process, not a one and done. From kickoffs to updates and milestones throughout, transparency ensures that teams can stay focused, aligned, and on top of their game. This is key for both leaders and team members; the more inclusive the teams are, the better equipped they are to stay aligned on solving business problems. This also helps them stay open and flexible to any bumps in the road, rather than being overly prescriptive. 

Tools that help you work together, better

Now let’s turn to the tech side of collaboration. Growing organizations often need help bringing product design and engineering teams together, especially when using legacy tools not built for virtual collaboration — and this is even more challenging for distributed teams. 

Many business leaders we surveyed reported feeling that their companies are behind the times: 31% say technology is a barrier to innovation, and 40% say legacy tech stifles creativity and limits productivity. That’s why businesses need access to advanced diagramming tools and visual workspaces, which provide a shared space for laying out the big picture, and contextualizing data and processes. Showcasing complex systems in easy-to-understand formats, these tools can enhance understanding and promote agile decision-making across teams.

And what kind of Chief Product & Technology Officer would I be if I didn’t tell you that Miro has the best collaborative development tools on the market? Check us out if you aren’t already using us for work. If your company uses AWS, jump right in with our three month business plan trial.

To stay relevant, make AI work for you

AI has emerged as a powerful ally in product development, reshaping traditional methodologies and catapulting processes into new realms of efficiency and innovation. Today, 35% of product teams already harness AI to streamline their workflows, enhancing both the speed and quality of their outputs. 

Last year, Deepam Mishra, an AI expert and senior advisor to startups for AWS shared five key areas where AI and automation are making significant inroads: 

  • Fine-tuning product-market fit predictions through advanced data analytics
  • Accelerating the iteration cycle
  • Transforming customer feedback analysis
  • Expediting employee training
  • Fostering a culture of creativity by significantly reducing time spent on repetitive tasks

So, how can product developers and designers leverage AI for a competitive edge? Generative AI, in particular, is the most high-profile asset because of its ability to conduct thorough product analyses, offer ongoing usability enhancements, and refine the concept phase of product development. This is why tools like Miro Assist are so groundbreaking for helping teams and organizations become more efficient, productive, and innovative.

Put your people first 

To understand the future of innovation, we need to shift from a tools-first perspective to one that places teams at the center. While using the latest tools will certainly help support your innovation journey, it’s critical to remember that tools are only one piece of the puzzle. 

Timelines

Despite having the tools needed, our report found that 95% of product teams fail to ship new features on agreed-upon timelines due to organizational issues. If you’re facing this challenge, you don’t need to upgrade your systems, you need to rethink how your team is using them. 

The solution here is to adopt Agile project management best practices. When consistently implemented, they can improve operational processes and decision-making speed, and increase customer satisfaction and employee engagement. 

Data privacy

Product teams often need help maintaining data security and privacy while sharing workspaces across teams and stakeholders. That’s why trustworthy tools are essential throughout the development process. Enterprises need a solution that provides secure connections between multiple SaaS apps without coding, ensuring that customer data and proprietary information stay secure.

But tools are only part of the equation. In order to unlock innovation, teams must be able to work together freely without worrying about what information should be kept private. To facilitate this, organizations should empower teams to share openly and transparently — and give the peace of mind that there’s little risk in doing so.

Searchability

How long does it take you and others on your team to find data and project resources? Too long, according to our latest survey. 

Less than a third of leaders say they know exactly how and where to find the data to support their work. And get this: A quarter of product professionals told us it takes up to three hours to find what they’re looking for. That’s not okay. It’s time for shared, searchable knowledge hubs that integrate with data sources. This approach facilitates accurate decision-making based on up-to-date information necessary for building products.

What the future holds for product development

The future of product development will be shaped by an evolving work landscape, moving decisively toward distributed teams with hybrid and remote environments as the new norm. This transition necessitates an increased focus on cultivating a remote-friendly culture and enhancing collaboration by strategically deploying tools to keep everyone in sync. 

To meet the needs of increasingly dispersed teams, it’s more important than ever to use adaptable, flexible project management frameworks that can keep everyone aligned on goals, processes, and big-picture thinking. Collaboration is critical to success and AI will support us on this journey — and, while today’s cutting-edge tools support innovation in new ways, always remember that great work comes down to the people doing it.

Check out the full report for more insights on efficiency, privacy, customer feedback, and other top-of-mind topics for product leaders and teams.

If Miro is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

New Templates in Miroverse

· ·

Our view at Stack - our team love using Miro as an online workspace for innovation, enabling distributed teams to dream, design, and build together. With a full set of collaboration capabilities, it simplifies cross-functional teamwork, meetings, and workshops. Create concepts, map user stories, and conduct roadmap planning in real-time.

For some, March is known for its madness — for the Miroverse community, March has been a month full of innovation and creativity. Featuring everything from productivity powerhouses to mood-boosting marvels, this roundup is your ticket to exploring the best templates of the month. 

Let’s show these creators some love for their brilliant contributions to Miroverse in March! 💛

Do you have a Miro board that would make a good template? Submit it now! 

Curious about submitting your first template? Join us for our next How to Become a Creator training on April 30. You’ll learn about the submission process and what makes a good template, and get a Q&A with the submission review team. You can also visit the Creator Toolbox for information and resources to get published on Miroverse.

Jahvani Shah | Most Copied Miroverse Creator 🚀

Shoutout to Jahvani Shah — Product Manager extraordinaire! Jahvani launched her product management career while she was earning her Master’s in Engineering Management from Cornell. She has also built a large following creating content around all things product.

When she was in college, people always asked her how she balanced classes, assignments, work, and content creation simultaneously. 📚To our great benefit, Jahvani has shared her best study practices in a Miroverse template, and it’s already been copied over 200 times in March alone! 

Ready to conquer your workload like Jahvani? Check out her Student Study Guide Template here. Dive in, plan your schedule, and stick to it like a pro. Big thanks, Jahvani, for sharing your wisdom!

Anil Jaising | Most Liked Miroverse Creator 🚀

Let’s give a virtual high-five to Anil Jaising, the Agile Training and Coaching wizard at Concepts & Beyond Inc.! Anil, your Scrum Simulation: Write a Fictional Novel template has spread joy in the community, generating 55 likes in March. Bravo! 

Looking to teach Scrum in your organization in a fun and easy way? Anil’s template allows you to unleash your writing creativity while learning Scrum in just hours. Thanks, Anil, for making Scrum easier to understand and enjoy! 

Andreas Lindenberg | Most Viewed Miroverse Creator 🚀

A big shoutout to Andreas Lindenberg for making waves with his Beach Life – Icebreaker Moodchecker, which has garnered nearly 600 views this month. Andreas’s mood-checking tool makes it easy to get more out of your collaborative work by taking the temperature of the group to approach a meeting with empathy. We appreciate Andreas’s dedication to bringing more warmth and positivity to our work lives.

David Pereira | Professional Spotlight 🚀

Let’s give a shoutout to David Pereira. A product leadership expert with over 15 years of experience, David shares valuable insights on Agile product management worldwide.

Thanks to David’s Product Vision & Differentiation Strategy template, crafting a compelling product narrative just got easier. Dive in, align your vision, and watch your product reach new heights. Thanks, David, for sharing your expertise with us!

Fink Content | Staff Picks 🚀

A round of applause for Fink Content, a team of brand, content, and design specialists. They’ve generously transformed their ebook, Visual Alchemy, into a dynamic template called Colour Scheme for Brands. With this template, you can easily plan and document your brand or product’s visual identity. Thanks, Fink Content, for making such a complex task easy to manage.

Jamie Birt, a Miroverse submission reviewer, said, “I review dozens of templates every day, and I haven’t seen anything like this before!” You can now find Color Scheme for Brands in our new Miroverse collection, Staff Picks, along with many other community templates hand-picked by Mironeers.

Explore thousands of templates created by and for the Miro community in Miroverse. Discover a new template you loved? Share what you’ve found in the thread below. 👇If you can’t find the template you’re looking for, submit it in Template Requests.

Feeling inspired? Join our community of creators and share your ideas with the world.

If Miro is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Email Etiquette: 12 Rules and Useful Tips

· ·

Our view at Stack - TechSmith provides market leading content creation software. Standout features include enhanced recording and screen capture capabilities, a replacability feature for efficient editing workflow, and a more organized library with media bins. It also offers 4K webcam recording, media replacement options, and media sorting for streamlined video creation

Learn how to write workplace communication emails by following professional email etiquette, plus tips and tricks!

The post Email Etiquette: 12 Rules and Useful Tips appeared first on The TechSmith Blog.

If Techsmith is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Unlocking Innovation: Embracing the No-Code Movement for B2B Success in 2024

· ·

Our view at Stack - You definitely can't pigeon-hole SmartSuite as it does so much! It's a collaborative work management platform that enables teams to plan, track, and manage workflows, projects, and everyday tasks. With features like automations, integrations, and AI capabilities, it streamlines work processes and empowers teams to achieve their goals. It's also available in 15 languages.

In an era where agility and efficiency are not just desired but required for success, businesses across the globe are seeking innovative ways to streamline operations and foster creativity. Enter the no-code movement—a paradigm shift fundamentally altering how companies approach software development, workflow automation, and digital transformation. For B2B organizations in 2024, embracing no-code platforms is not just a trend but a strategic imperative to stay competitive and innovative.

What is No-Code?

No-code refers to tools and platforms that enable individuals to create software applications, automate workflows, and build digital solutions without writing code. Using a visual development environment, no-code platforms allow users to drag and drop components, use pre-built templates, and configure logic through graphical user interfaces. This democratizes the software creation process, making it accessible to non-technical users, such as business analysts, project managers, and entrepreneurs, thereby bridging the gap between ideas and implementation.

Examples of How to Use No-Code

  1. Application Development: Without extensive coding knowledge, businesses can rapidly develop and deploy customer relationship management (CRM) systems, internal tools, or customer-facing apps.
  2. Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and processes, such as email notifications, data entry, and task assignments, to improve efficiency and reduce the risk of human error.
  3. Data Integration and Analysis: No-code platforms can integrate disparate data sources, providing a unified view of business analytics that aids decision-making without complex database queries.
  4. Website and E-commerce Platform Building: Companies can design, launch, and manage websites and e-commerce platforms with advanced features, including payment processing and inventory management, without deep web development expertise.

Top Ways Teams are Becoming More Efficient by Leveraging No-Code

Rapid Prototyping and Deployment

No-code platforms significantly reduce the time from concept to deployment. B2B companies can quickly prototype applications, gather user feedback, and iterate on their products without being bogged down by traditional development cycles. This agility enables businesses to more effectively respond to market demands and technological changes.

Cost Reduction

By minimizing dependency on specialized software developers for every project, companies can significantly reduce development costs. No-code platforms empower existing staff to contribute to digital projects, optimizing resource allocation and reducing the need for expensive technical hires.

Enhanced Collaboration

No-code platforms foster a collaborative environment where business and technical teams can collaborate seamlessly. By breaking down the barriers of technical jargon and complex coding tasks, teams can focus on the functional and user experience aspects of projects, leading to better outcomes.

Scalability and Flexibility

As businesses grow, their needs evolve. No-code solutions offer the scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing requirements without extensive redevelopment. Whether it’s updating a workflow, adding new features to an application, or integrating with new services, no-code platforms make these transitions smoother and less disruptive.

Democratization of Innovation

Perhaps the most transformative aspect of no-code is its ability to democratize innovation within organizations. By enabling individuals with domain knowledge but no programming skills to contribute to digital initiatives, no-code platforms unleash a wave of creativity and innovation, leading to novel solutions and improvements in processes that might not have been possible before.

Conclusion

The no-code movement is not just a passing trend but a significant evolution in how businesses approach technology and digital transformation. For B2B companies in 2024, leveraging no-code platforms is a strategic decision that can lead to increased efficiency, cost savings, and a competitive edge in a rapidly changing digital landscape. By embracing no-code, organizations can empower their teams, streamline operations, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.

If Smartsuite is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

How to Onboard Users in SmartSuite with Teams

· ·

Our view at Stack - You definitely can't pigeon-hole SmartSuite as it does so much! It's a collaborative work management platform that enables teams to plan, track, and manage workflows, projects, and everyday tasks. With features like automations, integrations, and AI capabilities, it streamlines work processes and empowers teams to achieve their goals. It's also available in 15 languages.

Are you juggling the task of adding new members to your thriving team and wondering how you can make the onboarding process smooth and selective using SmartSuite? Worry not because SmartSuite’s user permissions and teams feature are a game-changer when it comes to controlled, yet straightforward user onboarding. And that’s exactly what we’ll be diving into today.

[embedded content]

‍SmartSuite: A Favorite No-Code Tool

For those new to the world of SmartSuite, it’s a versatile no-code platform that’s equally adept at building robust backend databases as it is at crafting intuitive front-end interfaces and automation schemes. And for anyone with a hunger for mastering no-code automation

Starting with Admin Permissions

Okay, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to the crux of user onboarding in SmartSuite. Naturally, this guide is for those with admin-level permissions. If that’s you, or if you’re about to hop on the SmartSuite bandwagon, let’s proceed.

Managing Teams in SmartSuite

As an admin, your journey begins at the ‘Workspace Administration’. Here you’ve got the power to manage teams. It’s critical that you’ve already structured your teams within SmartSuite, whether it’s Finance, Operations, Sales, or anything in between. With a simple click, you can add new team members or adjust team ownership—these settings help keep the administrative backend neat and tidy.

Onboarding New Team Members

Now for the juicy part: as you welcome new members aboard, it’s a breeze to assign them to the correct team. Simply identify the team they belong to and slide their names over; for our example, we’ll add them to the Automations team. Always remember to hit update to save these changes.

Granular Permissions for Collaborative Growth

Let’s get granular with permissions. After all, SmartSuite shines with its collaborative tools—so let’s make full use of them. Taking our example forward, let’s say you’ve got a shiny new ‘Client Engagements’ solution. By default, it’s locked down to your eyes only. But here comes the magic: you can decide which teams get the VIP all-access pass and which are on the more restrictive guest list.

Advanced Permissions: Sales vs. Finance

The Sales team might need editing rights to tinker with data, while Finance may just need to peek at the numbers without leaving fingerprints. With advanced permissions, you can fine-tune access down to viewer, commenter, or editor privileges. Tailoring permissions to fit the exact needs of each team keeps the gears of your organization running smoothly.

Add Teams: Sales (Editor Access), Finance (Commenter Access)

Remember, these settings are solution-specific. Your teams can have different permissions across various solutions within SmartSuite, which is the savvy way to protect and streamline your operations.

Adding New Members Made Simple

After you’ve sorted out team assignments and fine-tuned permissions across your solutions, onboarding new members is a cakewalk. Hop back to ‘Manage Members’ where you can gracefully invite fresh faces to join. Assign them to a team, and like clockwork, their access permissions are automatically configured.

‍Existing Members? No Problem!

What about the crew that’s been sailing with you for a while? Reorganizing is just as easy. Adjust their team affiliations as necessary to reflect their evolving roles or responsibilities within your digital domain.

Optimistic Permissions and Beyond

Let’s address a crucial concept—optimistic permissions. Simply put, in a scenario where conflicting permissions are at play, SmartSuite favors the more permissive setting. So, double-check those permission levels!

Moreover, don’t forget that permissions in SmartSuite can get granular, and we’ve just scratched the surface today. You can dictate access at the table or even field level for ultimate control.

To experience the future of work management firsthand, start your free SmartSuite trial today!

If Smartsuite is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Creating an HTML Email: The Design Guide You Need [+ Free Templates]

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Our view at Stack - Simplify growth with an all-in-one platform. Powerful marketing, sales, and support automation. Integrated CMS. Scalable software. Crafted for customer experience.

When you create an email using a drag-and-drop or module-based tool, you’re actually generating an HTML email.

As a marketer, you’ve probably compared HTML emails versus plain text emails and realized that each type has different benefits.

HTML emails aren’t inherently better than plain text emails, and in different situations, both types can be part of a successful email marketing program.

Get Started with HubSpot's Email Builder for Free

In this article, we’ll cover how you can get started creating HTML emails, regardless of your experience level and comfort with coding, and share some free templates you can use. Let’s dive in.

  • Plain Text vs. HTML Emails
  • How to Create an HTML Email
  • HTML Email Best Practices
  • Simple and Free HTML Email Templates

Plain Text vs. HTML Emails

There are two main types of email you can send and receive: plain text emails (these are exactly what they sound like — any email that contains just plain old text with no formatting) and HTML emails, which are formatted and styled using HTML and inline CSS.

HTML emails are easy to spot — most of the styled, multimedia marketing emails in your inbox are HTML emails.

Here’s what an HTML looks like on the front end. Click on the HTML button to see the code behind it.

See the Pen HTML Email Template from HubSpot by Christina Perricone (@hubspot) on CodePen.

How to Create an HTML Email

Good news: You actually don’t need to know how to code to create an HTML email.

Most tools that create and send email (like HubSpot) will offer pre-formatted, ready-to-go HTML templates that enable you to design emails without ever needing to access the actual code on the back end.

As you make changes in the email editor, those changes will be automatically coded into the final product.

Email-building tools like this are an ideal option if you don’t have an email designer on your team, but you still want to send professional-looking marketing emails.

Pro tip: Need help with the content of your email? HubSpot’s Campaign Assistant can create a customized first draft in just a few clicks— so you can get back to the fun part.

Still want to create an HTML email from scratch?

If you’re comfortable with HTML and want more direct control over the code of your emails, most email tools will allow you to import HTML files directly for use as custom email templates.

There are a wide variety of free HTML email templates available on the web (some of which we’ll share below), and if you know your way around an HTML file, it’s usually quite straightforward to adapt the template to the email-building tool of your choice.

If you want to learn how to create an HTML email template completely from scratch, you’ll need to have an advanced knowledge of HTML (or work with a developer who does).

This guide offers a solid overview of coding a basic HTML email.

Because the process of creating an HTML email from scratch can be quite involved, we recommend working with a developer or using a pre-made HTML email template instead.

Developing an HTML email specifically for HubSpot?

If you want to know how to create an HTML email template specifically for use in HubSpot, you’ll want to make sure you include the required HubL tokens (these ensure your emails can be customized and are compliant with CAN-SPAM laws).

You can find a complete guide to coding HubSpot-specific HTML email templates here. Or alternatively, just use our simple what-you-see-is-what-you-get email editor.

Now that you understand the basics of what goes into developing an HTML email, let’s go over a few important best practices you should keep in mind.

No matter what method you plan to use to learn how to create an HTML email template, these best practices will help improve the design, user experience, and deliverability of your emails.

1. Make sure your HTML email is responsive for different screen sizes and devices.

The way your email looks in a user’s inbox depends on a wide variety of factors.

One of the biggest and most obvious factors is the screen size of the device it’s being viewed on.

An email that looks amazing and well-formatted on a desktop can easily devolve into a tangle of illegible, overlapping text and images when viewed on a smartphone screen.

To ensure your HTML emails look the way you intended across a wide spectrum of screen sizes, the best thing you can do is keep your layout simple and straightforward.

When you start adding more complex elements like multiple columns and floated images, it becomes more difficult to translate the format of your email for different screen sizes.

If you decide to develop a more complex layout, make sure you’re actively solving how the elements will be rearranged to suit different screen sizes.

For example, if your email displays as multi-column on desktop, that same structure won’t fly on mobile — you’ll need to use media queries to define how elements will be displayed on different screen sizes.

how to create an html email template, make sure your design is responsive

Let’s look at this template from HubSpot. You can see how the image and the copy have switched layouts when it’s on different screens.

What I like about this is its ability to look at the template through a user’s lens to identify what piques their interest to click or subscribe.

Remember, developing truly responsive HTML emails goes beyond the structure and format of your message. Think about how the overall user experience of your email will be perceived on different devices.

Make sure your font choices are just as legible on mobile as they are on desktop, and use mobile-friendly buttons or calls-to-action (CTAs) in place of hyperlinked text (have you ever tried to tap a little line of hyperlinked text on mobile? It’s not very easy).

You can find our more in-depth guide to mobile email best practices right here.

2. Make sure your styling works for different email clients.

Another big factor that heavily impacts the way your HTML emails appear in your subscribers’ inboxes is the email client they’re using to open the message.

Every email client loads emails slightly differently, so an email that looks a certain way in Gmail will likely look different in Outlook.

Luckily, if you know how most popular email clients load particular HTML and CSS elements, you can create a pretty consistent experience across different users’ inboxes.

It’s all about knowing which unsupported tags to avoid and adapting accordingly.

This comprehensive guide explains how the most popular email clients (including Gmail and multiple versions of Outlook) support and render different styling elements.

If you’re wondering how it’ll look, HubSpot actually works with multiple email clients to make sure you’re aware of your email preview.

designing html emails, check style on different email clients

You can also check out an article we wrote on optimizing emails for different email clients.

3. Be conscious of how long your HTML emails take to load.

How long your email takes to load could very well be the difference between gaining a new customer and losing a frustrated subscriber.

While it can be tempting to take advantage of all the different styling options and opportunities to incorporate visuals that HTML emails offer, none of that matters if your email takes too long to load.

As you design your HTML email, remain conscious of how long your email will take to load — especially if someone is, say, opening your message on their morning subway commute with a weak data connection.

Here are a few little steps you can take that will go a long way toward improving load time.

Use images sparingly.

That way, you’ll bolster the message you want to get across to subscribers. Always use an image compressor (like Compressor.io) to reduce the file size as much as possible.

Most image compressors can significantly reduce the file size of an image without compromising on quality, so taking this extra step won’t hurt the visual integrity of your email.

Use standard web fonts.

Custom fonts are great for spicing up a landing page, but they can add an extraneous layer of complexity when added to an email.

As we talked about above, all email clients handle style elements differently, and this especially extends to fonts.

To be safe, use standard web fonts and check to make sure the email client most of your subscribers use supports a particular font.

Try an HTML minifier.

An HTML minifier (like minifycode.com and smallseotools.com) automatically removes code that isn’t needed in an HTML file.

Repetitive, extra elements will be stripped out, but the actual rendering of your email should remain the same (always test it out!).

Each line of code impacts how long an email takes to load, so taking the time to remove junk code can have a positive effect on load time.

Here’s the code I used to make my email template. look how much junk code Smallseotools removed:

how to create an html email, html email code in Smallseotools

And look how much junk code Smallseotools removed. This not only saved me from importing unnecessary lines of code, but it also improved overall email loading time.

how to create an html email, use an html minifier

Keep your message focused on a single objective.

The best way to reduce email load time is to reduce how much content you add to each of your email sends. It might seem obvious, but too many marketers try to stuff too much content into their emails.

Not only does that lead to an off-putting user experience (nobody wants to read a novel in email form), but it can send your load time off the charts and cause users to abandon your email. Keep it simple, and your users will thank you.

4. Plan (as much as you can) for end-user inconsistencies.

The screen size and email client aren’t the only factors that can alter the way your HTML email renders in your subscribers’ inboxes.

Elements like the version of their email client, their operating system, their unique user settings, their security software, and whether or not they’re automatically loading images can all impact how your email loads.

As you can probably guess by that hefty list of factors, trying to solve for all of them (every single time you send an email) would probably be enough to make you throw your computer across the room.

But you don’t have to be completely helpless in the face of these variables — you just have to do a little pre-planning.

Consider creating a webpage version of your email.

This is kind of like giving your email a fail-safe button.

If for some reason — due to one of the many factors discussed above — your lovingly designed email renders like an absolute mess when a subscriber opens it, they will at least have the option to click “view as web page” and see the email as you intended it to be.

Since style elements render much more consistently across web browsers versus email clients, you’ll be able to have way more control over the web page version of your message.

In HubSpot, there’s an option you can turn on that will generate a web page version automatically.

Create a plain text version of your email.

A plain text version is exactly what it sounds like — an alternative version of your HTML email that renders in completely plain text.

Adding a plain text version of your HTML email is important because some email clients and user settings can’t (or choose not to) load HTML.

If this is the case, the client will look for a plain text alternative version of your HTML email to load for the user. If one doesn’t exist, it could signal to the recipient’s email server that your message is spam — or potentially dangerous.

Most email tools like HubSpot will automatically provide a plain text version that displays if a recipient’s email server requires it. Here’s an example of what it looks like on desktop:

how to create an html email, plain text version of html email

But if you’re coding an HTML email from scratch, you’ll need to create something called a multipart MIME message.

A multipart MIME message is an email that contains both a plain text and HTML version of the same email. The plain text version will be displayed if a recipient’s email client or security system doesn’t allow HTML email.

This is a process that requires an advanced knowledge of coding, so we recommend working with a developer.

Make sure your email still makes sense if the images don’t load.

Some users have automatic image-loading turned off, which means they’ll see your email without images when they open it.

For this reason, don’t rely entirely on images to get the meaning of your message across, and always add alt-text to the images you do include.

Alt-text will load even when images don’t, so your subscribers can get the general idea of what the visuals include.

5. Conduct thorough testing.

Finally, you’ll need to test your HTML email at every stage of development to ensure it works across different email clients, operating systems, and device types.

Don’t wait until the very end of the process to test out your email — testing as you work is the best way to spot inconsistencies between different email clients and ensure you’re creating the most consistent experience possible for your recipients.

Some email tools (like HubSpot) offer in-app testing within their email builders to make the process easier.

If you’re working from scratch, you can use a tool like HTML Email Check or PreviewMyEmail to get a better idea of how your email will look in different email clients and devices.

See below:

how to create an html email, viewing email on mobile

Using the same code from before, I reviewed the email’s display/appearance across different devices. This gave me a better idea of what my subscribers are looking at, plus I didn’t even have to upgrade to the paid version.

how to create an html email, viewing email on desktop

Simple and Free HTML Email Templates

There are an overwhelming amount of HTML email templates available on the web as you can see below, and they vary in quality, responsiveness, and price.

HubSpot’s guide to designing html emails

We’ve pulled together a selection of free HTML email templates that provide a responsive user experience. Be sure to read the terms and conditions on each individual template before use.

1. Product Promotion HTML Email Template by HubSpot

how to create an html email, product promotion html email example

Whether you’re launching a new product or simply advertising your existing offerings, this email template is a great place to start.

Included in the free version of Marketing Hub’s email tool, this template offers plenty of room for customization. You can easily add images, text, and buttons in an intuitive drag-and-drop editor.

You can also be confident that the templates you design will be fully responsive on any device.

The main benefit of using this template is that it’s bundled with all other Marketing Hub tools. Plus, you have other templates to choose from — you don’t have to stay confined to this option.

The drag-and-drop email editor is another fantastic plus.

Pro tip: Fortunately, HubSpot offers pre-made email designs that you can copy and paste right into your template.

However, if you want to delve deeper into HTML coding, there are plenty of videos and tutorials that walk you through the fundamentals of designing HTML emails, like the one below:

2. Company News HTML Email Template by Campaign Monitor

how to create an html email, company new html email template

If you’re planning to send company news to your customers, this is a great template to use. It’s image-heavy, making it a great fit for fashion or contemporary brands.

Plus, it’s linked to Campaign Monitor’s email tool, which starts at $11 per month with other paid plans you can explore (there’s a free trial, too).

I personally love that this modern template is so sophisticated and minimal.

The subtle color palette and simple design make it a versatile option for many industries and purposes, and it’s been tested on different email clients and devices to ensure a consistent user experience across platforms.

Pro tip: I realized that using a template alone isn’t enough; you’ll also have to customize it for your subscribers. My personal favorite hack is adding a company URL to the Campaign Monitor tool so that it produces a brand template.

3. Welcome HTML Email Template by Unlayer

how to create an html email, welcome html email example

Unlayer is an email marketing tool that primarily focuses on email design. Its drag-and-drop editor makes editing its templates a breeze. I love the template above because of its structure and customizability.

Though this template was designed for a fitness company, you can easily adapt it for your own use.

This clean, muted template is a great way to display the content your team has created and connect subscribers with your most recent products or blog posts.

The design features two fully responsive columns with multiple color scheme options and room at the top to highlight a CTA.

Pro tip: Unlayer integrates with many email marketing platforms, such as MailChimp and HubSpot. This means that once you’re done designing HTML emails, you can easily export your template.

4. Minimalist Welcome HTML Email Template by MailBakery

creating an html email, minimalist html email template

Proof that sometimes less really is more, this easy, fully responsive design makes the most of whitespace and keeps the focus firmly on your words and visual elements.

Without design distractions, your content can really shine — on any device.

This template is available on the MailBakery email template store. I love it because you can simply download it and upload it to your preferred tool, whereas other templates require you to use their software to access their templates.

I would recommend it if you’re comfortable handling HTML files and if you’re familiar with the upload process for your tool.

Pro tip: With any email template from MailBakery, you can be sure that it will appear flawlessly on various platforms, having been tested on 40 email clients.

Your message will still be effective whether your subscriber uses Outlook, Gmail, or any other email provider.

5. Free HTML Email Templates from Bee Free

creating an html email, Bee Free html email templates

I couldn’t decide on a template to feature from the Bee Free marketplace, so I’ve decided to recommend its entire library instead. This collection of free, open-source templates is completely responsive and tested across popular email clients.

You can edit and build on them on the Bee Free platform, then export the HTML file to your local drive and upload it to your preferred email marketing tool.

These are an ideal option if you want a more styled, polished starting place, but you still want to be able to customize the design to fit your company’s needs.

Each template is available in multiple formats for different marketing purposes, like transactional emails, NPS collection, and email subscriber re-engagement.

Pro tip: If you’re using the pro version of BeeFree, you can export directly to your email marketing program, which is less of a hassle.

6. Store Sale HTML Email Template by Campaign Monitor

designing html emails, store sale html email example

This sleek, responsive design from Campaign Monitor would be perfect for sending out a discount code — but it could also serve as a stylish way to showcase your latest products to email subscribers.

I like its clear and attention-grabbing CTA, as well as its space to include more information.

This template is free to use, so long as you sign up on the Campaign Monitor platform. It’s also worth checking out Campaign Monitor’s full library of responsive email templates.

Pro tip: If you need special code, you can learn how to create a template in your favorite HTML editor and import it to Campaign Monitor.

Using their template language, you can design a template with changeable sections and then pick and edit it for an email.

7. Stylish HTML Email Template by ActiveCampaigndesigning html emails, stylish html email template

This email template from ActiveCampaign is modern and optimized — perfect for introducing your company or your products.

Its hero section includes ample space for an image and a CTA, and further down, you can prompt your readers to check out more products, giving you a second chance at converting them.

To use this free HTML email template, you’ll need to sign up for an ActiveCampaign free trial. Its email tool starts at $49 per month and includes three seats, making this template a great fit if your email marketing team includes several people.

Pro tip: Want your clients to view real-time content that is updated every few minutes? You can actually add a code that is supplied to you by third-party tools into your ActiveCampaign HTML email template for their online HTML code editor.

8. Apology HTML Email Template by Stripo Email

designing html emails, apology html email template

It’s never fun to fail to meet a customer’s expectation, but it’s even less fun to leave them in the dark. This free HTML email template from Stripo, an email tool, allows you to succinctly apologize.

The cute cartoon is a plus, but you can always replace the image.

I especially like that this template allows you to ask for feedback right in the email. That makes it easy and simple for the recipient to tell you how they feel about their interaction with your company thus far.

To use this template, you only need to sign up on Stripo’s free tier, which allows you four email exports.

Pro tip: You can also use the generated templates to develop Brand Guidelines kits, which will help you write emails consistent with your brand more quickly for your campaigns.

These kits come with all desktop and mobile email layouts and allow you to save all the required design elements and settings in one easy-to-use form.

9. Hero Image Free HTML Email Template by ZURB

hari

ZURB is an email template provider that has created a series of free email templates for anyone to download. This one includes a clear heading, a hero image, and a CTA highlighted in blue.

I love that it has a sidebar to include additional links. This is a good fit for newsletter-dependent brands.

You’ll want to heavily customize this template with your brand colors and fonts to make it feel more like “you.” Otherwise, it’s a fantastic tool-agnostic option. Simply download the template and upload it into your preferred email marketing software.

Pro tip: Remember that every CSS element must be inline for HTML emails. ZURB keeps the CSS separate to make editing easier. When sending your email, you should use a CSS tool, such as Premailer or MailChimp, to name a couple.

10. Password Reset HTML Email Template by Foundation Framework

designing html emails, password reset email template

A password reset email doesn’t need to be elaborate, and this HTML email template from Foundation Framework (also known as ZURB) checks all the boxes.

It leaves a space for you to either include your logo or a cute graphic, as well as placeholder text that you can leave as is if you’d like.

I especially like this template because it already looks so good without customizing it. All you need is to change the button’s color to one of your brand colors, and you’ll be all set. Plus, you can use it with any tool.

Pro tip: You can try making some changes to the templates, or download them and preview them to see how the features were implemented by looking at the source.

You’ll see that the Foundation for Emails style tag is included at the top of each template, indicating where the template is from.

Create HTML Emails to Increase Your Subscriber Count

HTML emails are an engaging way to share what’s happening in your business and keep subscribers coming back for more.

With the tips and templates we’ve shared, you’re well on your way to creating beautiful and functional HTML emails without writing a single line of code.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

drag drop email

If Hubspot is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Is TikTok Becoming the Next QVC? All About TikTok Live Shopping

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Our view at Stack - Simplify growth with an all-in-one platform. Powerful marketing, sales, and support automation. Integrated CMS. Scalable software. Crafted for customer experience.

When I was growing up, QVC was the channel my mother would watch to discover new products and deals. From hair straighteners to trendy blouses to jewelry, QVC would display everything during its 24/7 live broadcast.

Fast-forward to 2024, and I thought the live QVC era was long gone, thanks to the rise of online shopping. However, it looks like it is making a comeback via TikTok Live Shopping.

I can’t scroll for more than a minute without coming across a TikTok Live event showcasing products and services that viewers can purchase directly from the live broadcast.

So what is TikTok Live Shopping, and is it the new QVC? More importantly, should your brand give it a try? Here‘s what I’ve found:

What is TikTok Live Shopping

Why should brands experiment with TikTok Live Shopping?

TikTok Live Stream Shopping vs. QVC

Free Ebook: The Marketer's Guide to TikTok for Business [Download Now]

What is TikTok Live Shopping?

TikTok live shopping allows brands to showcase and sell products in real time during live streams on the platform. The experience enables TikTok users to purchase products without leaving the app.

Viewers can also wait until after the live stream to browse all the items mentioned during the event. This is done by tapping the shopping cart icon in the bottom left corner and selecting the items they want to buy.

Moreover, it allows customers and businesses to interact with each other during the process, fostering a connection between consumer and brand.

For example, I was scrolling through TikTok Live and came across a company called Wicked Misfit Shop, selling quirky handbags and purses.

Viewers commented on the live feed and asked the hosts to pick up different bags displayed in the background to explain to the audience.

The hosts answered questions, told viewers how to style the items, and gave vital information such as the items’ materials, features, and uses.

Why should brands experiment with TikTok Live Shopping?

The better question would be, “Why not?” There are so many benefits to selling products during a TikTok Livestream, so I can‘t see why a brand shouldn’t give it a try. Hosting a TikTok live shopping event can:

Expand your audience.

Many TikTok creators suggest going live at least a few times a week to boost reach and increase follower counts.

TikTok content creator Coach.Stone says going live on TikTok between 3-5 times a week is an underrated technique to expand your audience.

“I recommend going live about an hour after you post a video so that when that video is pushed out to people’s For You Pages, they see that you’re live,” he says. “If they’re interested in your video, they’ll want to learn more about you, pick your brain, and they’ll join your live.”

If your live stream is engaging and entertaining, viewers will want to follow your account to tune in for more. Ensuring your livestream offers your audience some value is critical to making it enjoyable.

In the case of live shopping, the value is your product and how well you showcase it. For example, I often see live shopping events from wig companies like the one below.

Hosts of the streams will typically try on the wig themselves, show how to style it, and discuss the kinds of outfits or events in which the wig would shine best.

And each time a wig is purchased during the stream, hosts often ring a bell or shout out the buyer by thanking them live.

They also answer questions from viewers in the comments.

All of this keeps your audience entertained and will attract followers.

Increase sales.

Most TikTok users are Gen Z, making up 44.7% of the platform’s users. Moreover, 46% of Gen Z consumers in the U.S. have participated in live shopping events.

And finally, 47% of Gen Z consumers in both the US and UK have made a purchase from a live stream. So, what does this all mean?

Well, it means livestream shopping can increase the sales and purchase potential of your products or services, especially since Gen Z’s buying power is growing yearly.

And let’s not forget about us millennials, who make up 33.7% of TikTok’s users. I admit I’ve been influenced quite a few times by social media when purchasing a product.

I bought my favorite skirt from Midnight Hour after seeing it pop up on my Instagram several times, and I’ve made a note to buy this adorable pink clock purse after seeing it promoted in a TikTok Live shopping event.

And I’m not the only millennial influenced. 38% of millennials in the UK and US have purchased via a social media platform.

TikTok Live Stream Shopping vs. QVC

Of course, it’s time to answer the leading question — is TikTok live shopping becoming the next QVC? To answer that, I need to do some comparing and contrasting.

Where They Compare

Both QVC and TikTok live shopping involve showcasing a product during a live broadcast. On both platforms, viewers can purchase the item immediately via the broadcast.

Perhaps the most crucial similarity is that QVC and TikTok Live Shopping feature genuine, conversational approaches to e-commerce. Look at the clip below of a classic QVC moment.

Host and stylist Nick Chavez speaks to a caller about his product, answers her questions, and even laughs off a live tumble.

Conversations and unscripted, authentic moments like the one above made QVC popular among consumers for decades.

And the same can be said about TikTok Live Shopping. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any funny video compilations to share in this post, but believe me when I say TikTok Live can be hilarious, random, and unhinged.

I always wonder what I’m going to see during a live broadcast. Will the host say something wild? Will they accidentally drop a product? Or, will a viewer join the live and completely change the atmosphere?

That’s the beauty of any live broadcast and what makes live shopping all the more fun.

Where They Contrast

Historically, viewers would have to call QVC viewers must call a number on display during the live event to make a purchase or ask the hosts questions. On TikTok, viewers can tap the item on their screen to buy it directly via the TikTok app.

TikTok viewers can join the live by requesting to do so, or they can interact with the hosts via the comments section.

Another difference is the quality of products and sellers between QVC and TikTok. Remember when I said some of my favorite clothing came from shopping on platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Well, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.

To be a QVC vendor, a businesse must submit an application and meet specific requirements. The opposite is true for TikTok Live Shopping.

TikTok‘s business account and live shopping features are much more accessible and require no proof of the product’s quality.

This means shoppers have to take extra precautions when buying from a business on TikTok because there’s a chance the items may not be as advertised or could be of shoddy quality.

A fashion content creator who goes by Yves Saint Laurel voiced her concern in a recent TikTok.

“I know [live shopping streams] can be weirdly hypnotizing, and I even find myself watching them sometimes,” she says, “but most, if not all, of the brands I’ve seen doing this, are low-quality drop shippers that prey on your impulsiveness and manufacture a false sense of urgency.”

So, if you go the TikTok Live Shopping route, make sure to stand out amongst the scammers and the frauds by being honest about your products, their quality, and what buyers can expect.

OK, enough stalling, so is TikTok becoming the next QVC? In my opinion — yes!

Whether you‘re scrolling through TikTok Live, your For You page, the Shop tab, or the Following tab, you’ll come across someone selling you something, and you’ll have the opportunity to buy directly from within the app.

Social media e-commerce is a growing industry and will likely continue to grow as more consumers use social media on the buyer’s journey. TikTok is revolutionizing e-commerce with TikTok Live Shopping, or the QVC-ification of TikTok.

So, if you‘re a brand looking to expand your audience, boost sales, and further streamline your consumers’ buying experience — consider leveraging TikTok Live Shopping.

Blog - Content Mapping Template

If Hubspot is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

47 B2B Marketing Stats to Know This Year [+HubSpot Data]

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Our view at Stack - Simplify growth with an all-in-one platform. Powerful marketing, sales, and support automation. Integrated CMS. Scalable software. Crafted for customer experience.

Remember the story about Plato’s cave? Here’s a refresher. One group of people lives in a cave only sees shadows; the philosopher who escapes can see things for what they are.

That’s somewhat how it feels when making conclusions about B2B marketing without the right stats.

You simply have no ground to stand on, no lifeline to grab, before the naysayers and doubters sway your decision-making and alter the success of your strategies.

With data, you’re able to see the big picture. Buckle up, leave your preconceived notions about B2B marketing at the entrance, and let’s get into the nitty-gritty. All of the stats below come from HubSpot’s original research.

Download Now: Free State of Marketing Report [Updated for 2024]

B2B Marketing Strategy Stats

  • 66% of B2B leaders and 62% of B2C leaders say their companies have leveraged AI tools, while only 57% of sales leaders responded positively to the same question. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • 74% of B2B leaders and 68% of sales leaders deem AI/automation tools important to their overall business strategy. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • 69% of B2B leaders say they have the necessary data to reach their audience effectively, 19% are unsure, and 12% say that’s not the case. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • A noticeably smaller 68% of sales leaders think they have all the data necessary for reaching target audiences in an effective way. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 68% of B2B marketers say they possess high-quality data on their target audience, while 32% disagree or are unsure. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 74% of them can turn that data into meaningful insights, while 26% can’t or can’t tell with certainty. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 73% of B2B marketers understand the customer journey their leads take, while 27% either don’t or are still on the fence. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • Even though a whopping 76% of B2C marketers say their niche changed more in the past three than in the past 50 years. Only 68% of B2B marketers agree. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 15% of B2B marketers highlighted aligning sales and marketing (smarketing) as their biggest issue, with keeping up with trends, generating traffic and leads, and lack of high-quality data coming in at a close second at 14% each. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 27% of B2B marketers singled out planning ahead in case pivots are necessary, which is the biggest way that the industry has changed. That involves changing plans for major events like recessions, pandemics, and political turmoil. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)

b2b marketing stats

What This Shows

What’s immediately apparent from these strategy-related B2B marketing stats is that B2B leaders have to think ahead. That includes planning for changes in an uncertain market and adapting to new technology like AI.

However, what’s paramount for any AI-powered B2B marketing strategy to work is data.

Although it’s become the new gold, a whopping third of B2B marketers don’t have data that’s good enough, while a fourth has the data but doesn’t know how to turn it into something usable.

So, in 2024, data makes all the difference. That’s especially true when B2B marketing stats keep showcasing the changing nature of the industry. So, marketers should learn how to use that data quickly.

B2B Lead Generation Stats

  • 16% of B2B marketers say that lead generation is the primary marketing goal for 2024. (HubSpot)
  • Lead generation is considered the most important metric for measuring the effectiveness of content strategies, according to 29% of B2B marketers. (HubSpot)
  • 44% of marketers most commonly try to generate leads with landing pages — followed by customers or direct purchases at 34%. (HubSpot)
  • 51% of marketers use social media promotion to drive traffic to landing pages — followed by 44% who use email promotion, 36% who use SEO practices, and 33% who use paid advertising. (HubSpot)
  • According to 39% of marketers, videos on landing pages positively impact conversion rates. (HubSpot)
  • Lead generation is the most important metric for measuring the effectiveness of content marketing strategies, according to 29% of marketers. (HubSpot)
  • AI saves about 2 hours and 16 minutes for manual tasks. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)

b2b marketing stats

What This Shows

Surprise, surprise, another year, another survey where the importance of lead generation is reinforced.

Despite the AI fanfare, the staples are still there — good, fleshed-out landing pages with the occasional video and sufficient social media promotion, of course.

B2B Marketing Team Stats

  • 50% of all B2B marketers deem sharing data with other teams an easy affair.
  • The goodwill works both ways, with 52% of marketers saying getting that same data is easy. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • Even though 56% of marketers said their teams have become more aligned with sales, 31% stated the relationship hasn’t changed. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • At the same time, the importance of alignment has changed according to 53% of marketers, while 33% consider the alignment to be status quo. More alarmingly, 14% state the importance of that alignment has further decreased in 2023. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • Why is this alignment important? 29% of marketers said it benefits lead quality, while 26% each have selected customer experience and strategy execution as one of their biggest benefits of sales-marketing alignment. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • If the machine isn’t well-oiled, calamity ensues. 39% say the biggest damage comes in the form of lost revenue, while 38% believe the poor impression it leaves is crucial. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • But then again, it’s also the area of alignment that’s important. Sharing customer data and overall strategy led the way by being picked by 39% of marketers each, while content creation was the choice of 37% of them. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • Despite all the benefits, 32% of surveyed marketers say that a lack of communication was their biggest obstacle on the road to team alignment. Different tools and the lack of alignment on goals are other culprits, according to 29% of marketers. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)

What This Shows

Contrary to popular belief, Skynet hasn’t subjugated us all, and jobs haven’t been replaced by AI.

It’s the exact opposite, really, with interaction between teams becoming an even bigger factor in the successful implementation of automation-aided strategies. We have more time now, right?

Yes, but almost a third of B2B marketers have stated that their teams haven’t become more aligned with sales teams.

In an environment where production is ramping up, this might present itself as an issue that might manifest in lost revenue and a deteriorating brand image.

Once again, we circle back to the issue of sharing and giving data. Whether it’s due to the creation of data silos, a lack of communication, or simply incompatible software, the gap is still a wide one.

Fortunately, the influx of various AI solutions, as well as open-source LLMs, provides hope that marketing and sales teams will be able to coexist on a single platform, without a hitch in communication.

B2B Social Media Strategy Stats

  • Facebook and Instagram seem to be the best social media channels in terms of ROI — 29% of B2B marketers saw the greatest returns there. YouTube comes in third place with 26%, while TikTok was the most profitable avenue for 24% of B2B marketers. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • TikTok and Discord are the channels that will see the most increases in activity from marketing teams. 53% and 46% of B2B marketers plan to increase budgets for these platforms, with LinkedIn following closely at 45%. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 16% of B2B marketers plan to start leveraging YouTube for the first time in 2024 — slightly ahead of TikTok and Twitter/X at 15%. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • LinkedIn is the hotspot of B2B marketing — 17% of B2B marketers plan to invest the most in this platform, followed by TikTok and Instagram at 13%. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 97% of B2B marketers consider generative AI tools either effective or somewhat effective. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • However, this doesn’t mean that human oversight is unnecessary. When using AI to write copy, 52% of marketers make minor edits to the text — while 41% make significant changes, with an additional 7% changing it completely. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • Surprisingly, a slight minority of companies work with influencers — with only 46% of polled marketers saying that their company worked with creators or influencers in 2023. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • In terms of audience size, micro-influencers (with 10,000 to 100,000 followers) were the most utilized, with 61% of marketers collaborating with this category. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • Micro-influencers were also the most successful category, with 48% of marketers being satisfied with the provided results. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 50% of all B2B marketers deem sharing data with other teams an easy affair.

b2b marketing stats

What This Shows

Meta retains its dominant position as a social media channel for marketing. Although Facebook and Instagram drive the biggest returns, those markets are mature and saturated.

Newcomers in the space like Discord and TikTok are the new frontiers where businesses will vie for visibility.

The rise of TikTok is even more notable. The platform barely lags behind YouTube in terms of popularity. It will also receive plenty of new attention from marketers in the coming year.

To supplement this, it is also the platform that will derive the biggest investments from marketers after LinkedIn.

YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter/X surprisingly seem to be underutilized — with double digits of respondents saying that they will leverage these platforms for the first time this year.

Two more broad insights can be derived from the showcased data. Generative AI tools are broadly accepted as effective, although human oversight and editing are obviously still necessary.

In terms of influencer marketing, micro-influencers, the hot topic of yesteryear, seem to have paid off.

The smaller communities associated with them, such as meme pages, provide better results compared to online presences with larger reaches, like celebrities.

B2B SEO Stats

  • Website and blog SEO is the second-most leveraged marketing strategy in the B2B space, with 32% of marketers reporting having used it. It is only slightly surpassed by physical events and tradeshows at 33%. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • In tandem with this, updating SEO strategies to prepare for generative AI in search (like Google Search’s Generative experience) will cause 40% of B2B marketers to increase their budgets. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • 50% of B2B marketers plan to increase SEO budgets in 2024. An additional 43% plan on investing the same amount as they did before. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • With regard to content marketing, improving SEO performance is a big priority — 11% of B2B marketers singled it out as their biggest challenge. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 39% of B2B marketers consider sales the most important metric for measuring the success of content marketing strategies — 30% consider web traffic more important, and 20% consider conversion rate the most important metric. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 46% of polled marketers believe that the advent of generative AI will make SEO more effective. 39% think it won’t have much of an impact on SEO, while just 15% think it will have negative impacts on SEO. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • Updating SEO strategies for Google’s algorithm changes is being undertaken by 22% of marketers, while updating strategies for generative AI is being leveraged by 21% of marketers. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • This isn’t just being forward-thinking. For 6% of B2B marketers, keeping up with Google’s algorithm resulted in the biggest ROI in 2023. Updating SEO strategies for generative AI was the biggest driver of growth for 8% of marketers. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • 12% of B2B marketers believe that AI-driven SEO optimization tools would help their business the most out of all AI tools. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • Among bloggers and SEOs who use AI tools, automating time-consuming tasks such as meta tags, alt text, and link descriptions is the most common use case, along with analyzing website data. Both uses account for 42% of our polled sample. (HubSpot’s State of AI Report)
  • 80% of polled bloggers and SEOs that already use tools agree that these tools will be able to do most SEO-related tasks completely independently by the end of the year. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • There are also worries in the air — 78% of bloggers and SEOs who use automation tools are concerned that these instruments will eventually make SEO obsolete. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)
  • 69% of bloggers and SEOs who use AI agree that automation tools can optimize a website for SEO better than a human can. (HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report)

What This Shows

SEO is still one of the most dominant approaches to marketing in the B2B space, and updating SEO strategies to better fit search engine changes is a widespread priority.

In terms of AI use, the automation of time-consuming manual tasks and the analysis of large quantities of data are the most prevalent use cases.

Data shows that we’ll see budget increases industry-wide. Metrics that relate to SEO, like traffic and conversions, are notable priorities for B2B professionals.

Making the Most of Data

The B2B industry has undergone a massive change since the pandemic and the advent of AI. AI is seeing widespread adoption.

While it might be a bitter pill to swallow, this is the new normal, and the Luddites among us, like their namesakes, will unfortunately be left behind.

Adapting to these new realities isn’t a matter of optimization or peak performance anymore — it’s a question of being able to just stay in business. Marketers are in broad agreement here.

Learning how to effectively utilize these tools is do or die in terms of staying competitive as a business and retaining employment as a professional.

We’re on the cusp of a significant transformation, and keeping up is essential.

state-of-marketing-2024

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Credit: Original article published here.

How To Reduce Video File Size

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Ecommerce Website Development: The Ultimate Guide

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Our view at Stack - Semrush is a power-packed toolkit for digital marketing. Covers SEO, digital ads, market research, content, and social media. Keyword intel, real-time data, and 500+ integrations.

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Podia updatesPeople are moving their blogs to Podia: 38 customers share why they’re going with “the Goldilocks platform”Podia blogging is here! See what 38 creators had to say about why they started blogging with Podia, why they switched from another platform, and why Podia’s blog feature might be the right fit for you.

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Our view at Stack - Podia shines with its all-in-one platform for digital commerce, offering zero transaction fees, email marketing, affiliate marketing, and live chat support. It’s known for unlimited courses and products, embeddable checkouts, and a community feature to engage users. It now has blog functionality also.

Thirty-eight creators share why they started blogging with Podia, why they switched from another platform, and why Podia’s blog feature might be the right fit for you too.

Starting today, anyone can build their blog on Podia for free.

When Podia launched in 2014, it was primarily an online course platform. Over the years, we added more product types, like digital downloads, webinars, and coaching. You can now build a full, beautiful website on Podia, with more and more customization options coming out this year. Just a few months ago, Podia introduced an advanced email marketing tool. 

And now, you can build a beautiful blog on Podia too. 

It doesn’t make sense to have separate websites for your blog and your digital products (not to mention a separate email tool), but until now your options have been limited — it’s been either “use 2 or more tools” or “wrestle with plugins and code until you get something that kind of works.” 

Now you have a third option, and I think you’ll find (like many of our early blogging beta testers did) that it might make sense to bring your entire online home over from WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or another website builder. 

To help you decide if
Podia blogging
is right for you, we’re sharing honest feedback and reviews from 38 of our blogging beta testers. 

Some of these customers moved existing blogs from other platforms onto Podia and some started blogging with Podia for the first time – and all 38 of these people posted reviews of Podia Blogging on their own blogs, for their own audiences. 

(We encouraged users to share their thoughts, but we didn’t edit their content or do any type of pre-approval because we wanted you to hear exactly what they had to say.)

So here’s what 38 creative entrepreneurs had to say about why they started blogging with Podia, why they switched from another platform, and why Podia’s blog feature might be the right fit for your business too.

Find out why creators call Podia blogging “the Apple of website platforms” and “a Goldilocks platform.” ✨ With Podia, your blog is free and it’s already connected to everything else.

Get your free account

Creators started blogging with Podia to get more customers and followers 

Starting a blog for the first time can feel daunting. But Podia’s blogging feature is so straightforward that many creators decided it was time to start. And it only took a few posts for them to see how blogging could help their businesses.  

Guelda Redman
and
Lionel Renier
started blogging with Podia to share their expertise and passions. 

Guelda says, “Blogging is an important tool that you can use to expand your reach and become known as an authority in your field. Do you have to be an expert in all areas? No. Each of us has something to share that someone else needs to hear.”

Raúl T. Pereyra
and
Sorrel Pindar
started their blogs to build connections with their audience, and Podia allowed them to do that without headaches. 

Raúl says, “By sharing personal anecdotes, witty insights, and creative approaches to leadership challenges, I can connect with mission-driven leaders on a deeper level.”

Claudia Tudor
was previously relying on just social media to grow an audience, but she wanted more space to elaborate on her thoughts. When she gave Podia blogging a try, she was pleased to see her network grow. 

“Although I am at the very beginning, I see that some of my likes or comments come from people I don’t know. My network seems to increase and I certainly feel confident my net is growing in the near future.”

Kirstie from Learn with Pickles
and
Elisa Kuusela
also found that blogging offered a way to share ideas away from the noise and challenges of social media. 

Other creators started blogging with Podia to improve their rankings in search engines.  

According to Podia Pro
Glen Long
, “Publishing content regularly via a blog is a great way to create awareness for your site (and your project or business) and gives you a constant stream of things to talk about on social media. Fresh content is also a major signal to search engines like Google and Bing that your site is one to watch (and hopefully feature in their results pages).”

Whatever your reason for adding a blog to your business, Podia makes it easy and fun to get started.

Creators left other blogging platforms for Podia because it’s easier to have everything in one place 

Have you ever had to switch cell phone providers? Or switch your utilities when you move into a new flat? Or, gulp, change your address with the DMV?

Switching platforms is notoriously un-fun, but when blogging became available on Podia, many users who had blogs on other platforms switched to Podia and didn’t look back. 

(Don’t worry,
Podia’s blog post importer makes switching a breeze
!)

Abby Turner from
Yoga Traveler Online
started blogging with WordPress in 2020, but didn’t like dealing with technical issues. 

She recalls, “I kept getting errors that pages were not working and I did not know how to fix them.  I did not know how to link my two sites together so my blog in WordPress was not helping me to grow my business.” 

She loved using Podia for her products and email, so when the blogging feature was released, switching was a no-brainer.

“The idea of having everything “in-house” became extremely important. I already had my website, product pages, and emailing service all in Podia. I quickly learned that I wanted my blog on my Podia site as well. No more pesky error messages, no more maintaining four different URLs. Everything streamlined on one site.”

Joseph D’Amico
also left WordPress for the simplicity of Podia. “Podia’s simplicity and all-inclusive design remind me of what I like about Apple,” he says. “In short, everything you really need is included and it just works. This has been very different compared to my experience with WordPress, which at times was frustrating and needlessly complicated.” 

When
Gail from Growth Capacity Resources
switched from WordPress to Podia, it became easier to update posts and publish more consistently.

“WordPress has always felt overly complicated, time-consuming, and not fun. It took days to set up my site, and I never really understood how it all worked. This means that my website existed so people could find me, but I didn’t update it or post new articles as much as I wanted to.”

Technical difficulties with MailerLite’s blogging feature also prevented
Sabrina Koncaba
from publishing as much as she wanted. 

Sabrina writes, “My transition to Podia was motivated by a desire for seamless branding and a frustration with technical issues on other platforms. MailerLite, while offering plenty of customization options, was marred by technical difficulties that hindered my ability to consistently post content to my blog.”

Even creators with long histories on other platforms were excited to make a change. 

Jon Sabillon
left Squarespace after 8 years so that he could build a blog on Podia because he wanted “an all-in-one space where my music, courses, coaching, and blog could coexist seamlessly, instead of being scattered across different platforms.”

Aimee from
Becoming your own Best Friend
switched from Blogger after 16 years on the platform, and
Pedro Branco
left Shopify for Podia because it was easier to run everything in one place.

Randal Gilmore
switched from Squarespace to Podia because they found Squarespace’s design outdated and wanted a fresh start with a platform that felt more like home. 

“I am moving into my new blog home here at Podia.com,” Randal writes.

“My old blog house on Squarespace was just so 1990s and desperately in need of updating. But when I thought about the resources and effort that would require, I started looking around for a new home, one that already had the latest blog features built into it, one I could move into right away, a home designed to make my friends feel comfortable coming over and enjoying a stimulating conversation.”

Users on other platforms also switched to Podia for a more friendly feel.
Jennifer Ann Falandys
usually shares her writing on Medium but is eager to switch to Podia to give her blog a more personal touch.

“There is nothing like having a native blog platform to share things in a more personal way with my readers,” she shares. “Sometimes I feel like there is a lot of pressure to get everything right before I hit publish on Medium. Here, on Podia, is where I want to create my home.”

Moving a blog to a new platform can feel like a complicated task, but many Podia users said it was worth it to have everything in one place on a tool that’s easier to manage. Plus, Podia’s blog post importer makes switching much faster and headache-free.

No trip to the DMV required. 

Is Podia blogging right for you too?

Starting a blog or moving an existing one is a big task, and you deserve to have as much information as possible to make that decision. Here’s why new and experienced bloggers alike enjoy Podia blogging – according to the posts they published on their own blogs. 

Blogging on Podia is free

Everyone should be able to start a blog without a huge upfront expense, so Podia blogging is available on the free plan. 

You get a free Podia subdomain and you can add unlimited articles, images, and anything else you want without running into random limits. Podia handles hosting and all the tech behind the scenes so you can have your blog up and running without spending a dime. 

Howard Cain
was already using Podia for his digital products, and he liked how “there are no additional costs to set up or integrate your new blog.”

Lori Battaglia
also appreciated that a free platform meant less pressure on her new design business. She says, “Podia offered a worry-free opportunity to create the brand I wanted to share for FREE while I was building. This took the pressure off and provided a time for me to think through what the content to offer my readers in my blog.” 

Your Podia blog is already connected to the rest of your business 

When everything is connected, you can spend less time making tools talk to each other and more time working on your passions.

Creators who blog and sell digital products like
Mike Spadier
don’t have to worry about clunky integrations or things breaking. 

As
Aneatra Dorsey
puts it,

“I found the Goldilocks platform with ALL the things at a super affordable price! It’s a fantabulous resource for selling various types of digital products! Podia serves as an all-in-one platform, streamlining the entire process. It offers features for creating, hosting, and selling your digital products, all within one user-friendly interface. This means less time managing different tools and more time focusing on your business.”

And
Lane Johnson
agrees, saying, “Previous blogging tools I used were quite capable of creating very professional-looking blog posts and had all the features you would need to manage your posts. But the user experience, for me, was fairly clunky, and they weren’t integrated with the website and other important tools like email, e-commerce, digital sales, etc., without a lot of clunky plugins. Integration is one of the key benefits of the Podia platform. Everything is all there in the same application.”


“Podia is the Apple of website builders. It just works…and it leaves WordPress in the dust.”

Joseph D’Amico, Flex Lessons

Podia blogging is simple and easy to use

Another standout feature of Podia blogging is that it’s easy to use. To share an article, all you need to do is open up a new post and start typing. (Or, as
Ksenia Semirova
puts it,  “Write, post, and enjoy.”)

Hon Dr Joseph Randolph Bowers
,
Mariah Odegaard
,
Olivier de SO ikigai
and many other creators wrote about how Podia lets you make your blog look exactly how you like without getting bogged down in code or complicated add-ons. 

Maureen Beaucond
says, “I love to write and I write something almost every morning with my cuppa coffee. But I have always hated the strung-out boring tasks of posting a blog! Since I moved all of my digital business to PODIA, I have enjoyed the simplicity of not messing with the tech part of anything! ANYTHING!!”

Sundar Kadayam
also had an easy experience creating new blog posts, noting that, “writing rich text posts with formatting is simple with the recently revamped text editor that is at the heart of writing blog posts on Podia.”

Ease of use meant time saved for
J.D. Hyter
: 

“My blog was up and running in 30 minutes flat. They take all the headaches out of building a blog. The designer is beginner-friendly. You can add text, images, and videos at the snap of a finger.”

Gurpreet Singh
had a similar experience with getting his blog set up fast: “From not having a blog to being able to publish my first post took me less than 30 minutes! This included watching a 6-minute video tutorial made by the Podia Team.”

Not wanting to waste time learning complicated new software,
Alison Smith
says “Podia gives me that middle ground that enables me to quickly produce a professional-looking blog post with minimal learning.” 

And
Caitlin Fisher
wrote, “No widgets or formatted blocks – it’s just a simple word processor and basic embeds available when you type a slash (/). I love the simplicity of it.”

Podia is so simple that you can manage it yourself, without needing to hire a developer or pay for an expensive custom website. 

According to
Podia Pro Brittany Hardy
, “it’s so important for business owners to have something that they can manage themselves (and Podia is that platform!).”

Your Podia blog automatically comes with features to make running a business easier 

Podia blogging is free, already connected to everything else you do, and simple and easy to use. It also has helpful features to keep your business running smoothly. Unlike other blogging platforms – they don’t come with a higher price tag.

Daniele Catalanotto
liked how Podia has native blog post scheduling for future dates.

“I have the possibility to schedule articles in the future; that’s a welcome feature for my productivity as I could write blog articles in batches and release them over time.”

No need for fancy plugins – Podia also has SEO features right out of the box.

Samantha Ludwitzke
mentioned that “SEO is a huge part of running an online shop, and Podia’s developers were smart to make it a priority when they created the platform’s design. Simply click on the SEO tab, and fill out the different fields. No more guessing where to link everything.”

Creators can also use Podia’s embed feature to add other types of media from around the web into articles.
Eli Natoli
likes how Podia has “integrated features such as adding YouTube videos, podcast episodes, social posts, and offering downloads to build your audience.” 

This means creators like
Nicky Raby
can use their Podia blog to share YouTube videos and get more reach,
Hon Dr Joseph Randolph Bowers
can embed a presentation replay, and
Juriste Pedagogue
can feature courses and ebooks at the end of each blog post.

Get your free Podia account

Join the 150,000+ creators who use Podia to create websites, sell digital products, and build online communities.

Sign up free

If you’re looking for a blogging tool that automatically connects with the rest of your business, is easy to use, has all the features you need, and is free, Podia blogging is the right fit for you. 

If you’ve never blogged before, now is the perfect time to start. As fellow Podia blog users mentioned, a blog can help you bond with your audience and get discovered by new people. 

If you’ve got some blogging experience under your belt, you’ll love how much easier Podia is than other tools out there. Switching to Podia is simple, and you’ll be able to run all aspects of your business under one roof. 

Our users don’t call us a “Goldilocks platform” and the “Apple of blogging platforms” for nothing,
so create your free account today to try Podia blogging for yourself
. 

We can’t wait to see what you create.

If Podia is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Three-day guide to creating and publishing your course with AI

· ·

Our view at Stack - Teachable’s is an online training platform and it's key features include an intuitive course builder, rich multimedia lectures, and powerful sales and marketing tools. It offers flexible pricing options, advanced analytics, and student management capabilities. Additionally, it provides great customer support and mobile accessibility

You’ve spent years honing your skills, creating valuable content, and building a loyal following. Whether you’re a YouTuber, blogger, or industry expert, you have a wealth of knowledge that others are eager to learn from. But how do you package that knowledge into a profitable online course that’s immune to algorithm changes—and do so without spending months on creation and development?

Enter Teachable’s AI-powered course creation tools. With our intuitive platform, you can transform your existing content and knowledge into a polished online course in just three days. No more procrastinating or an overwhelming course creation process. Just a straight-forward, achievable plan to help you monetize your skills and reach a wider audience.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of:

1. Harnessing AI to quickly generate a course outline and structure

2. Refining your content to create an engaging learning experience

3. Launching your course with confidence and promoting it to your target audience

If you prefer a more visual learning experience, be sure to check out our step-by-step video tutorial on YouTube. 

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Whether you choose to follow the written guide or the video tutorial, you’ll have all the tools and knowledge you need to create and launch a successful online course. 

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Day 1: Sign up for Teachable and use AI to create your course draft (for free)

Today, we’ll be focusing on setting up a strong foundation for your online course using Teachable’s AI course curriculum generator. By the end of day one, you’ll have a well-structured course outline and a clear roadmap for the content you’ll be creating.

The most important thing about starting an online course is to organize it in a way that’s easily digestible and engaging for your students.

As you work through today’s steps, keep your target audience in mind. 

  • What are their pain points? 
  • What knowledge and skills do they need to succeed? 
  • What supplemental materials might they need?

By keeping your students at the forefront, you’ll be able to create a course that not only delivers value but also resonates with their needs and preferences.

Remember, today is all about laying the groundwork. Don’t get caught up in perfecting every detail or creating all your content just yet. Trust the process and let our AI tools guide you in creating a solid structure for your course.

After completing these initial steps, you’ll be well on your way to turning your knowledge into a marketable online course. Here are your action steps:

Step 1: Sign up for a free Teachable plan

To get started, sign up for a free Teachable plan. This will give you access to all the tools you need to create your course.

Step 2: Name your course

Don’t overthink this step. You can always change it later.

Step 3: Use the AI Curriculum Generator 

The AI Curriculum Generator uses artificial intelligence to help jump-start your course outline and content based on your topic and target audience.

Example AI Prompts

Prompt Template

 I want to create a course titled “___” about [subject] for a [beginner/intermediate/advanced] audience of [profession/hobby/etc.] that will help them [action] in [time frame]

Example I

I want to create a course titled “Mastering the Art of Short Story Writing” about the craft of writing compelling short stories for an intermediate audience of aspiring fiction writers that will help them develop a polished short story collection in 90 days.

Example II

I want to create a course titled “From Debt to Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide” about managing personal finances and getting out of debt for a beginner audience of young professionals that will help them achieve financial independence in 12 months.

What’s Next?

  1. The AI generates a suggested course outline and content
  2. You will customize and edit the outline to fit your specific goals 

Now you should have a solid course draft, complete with an outline and content, created using Teachable’s AI tools.

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Day 2: Edit Your Course Draft Using Existing Expertise and Content

Now that you have a course draft generated, it’s time to refine it and make it truly your own. This is where your expertise and existing content come into play.

Step 1: Review and refine your AI-generated course outline

Now that you have a solid foundation for your course, it’s time to take a closer look at the outline generated by Teachable’s AI tools. During this step, you’ll review the structure and content of your course, ensuring that it aligns with your goals and your students’ needs. Make any necessary adjustments to create a clear, logical flow that will keep your learners engaged and on track.

Consider the following:

  1. Does the outline cover all the key topics you want to address?
  2. Is the content organized in a logical, easy-to-follow manner?
  3. Are there any gaps or redundancies in the content? 

Step 2: Incorporate your existing content

One of the advantages of using AI-generated course drafts is that you don’t have to start from scratch. However, it’s essential to infuse your unique perspective and knowledge into the course. 

Here’s how:

  • Identify relevant blog posts, videos, podcasts, or other content you’ve created that can be repurposed for the course
  • Look for opportunities to add personal anecdotes, case studies, or examples that illustrate key concepts
  • Include any proprietary frameworks, strategies, or techniques that set your course apart

By incorporating your existing expertise and content, you’ll create a more engaging and impactful student experience.

Step 3: Create additional content as needed

While repurposing existing content is a great way to streamline your course creation process, there may be gaps that require the development of new material. During this step, you’ll assess your course outline and existing content to determine what additional resources are needed to fully support your students’ learning objectives. 

This may include:

  • Recording video lectures or demonstrations
  • Designing worksheets, checklists, or other downloadable resources
  • Developing assignments or projects for students to apply their learning

Step 4: Polish your course content

Before moving on to the launch phase, it’s essential to ensure that your course content is polished, professional, and error-free. In this step, you’ll review your course materials with a critical eye, checking for clarity, consistency, and accuracy. You’ll also take the time to:

  • Proofread your content
  • Test any multimedia elements and links
  • Ensure that all resources are properly organized and easy to access

Now you should have a well-refined course draft that reflects your unique expertise and incorporates your best content.

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Day 3: Launch Your Course and Start Promoting

Congratulations on making it to Day 3! Your course is now ready to be shared with the world. Here’s how to launch your course and start attracting students.

Step 1: Set up your course landing page

Your course landing page is the first thing potential students will see, so it’s crucial to make a great first impression. Teachable offers customizable landing page templates that make it easy to create a professional, engaging page. When setting up your landing page, be sure to:

  • Write a compelling headline that communicates the key benefit of your course
  • Include a detailed course description highlighting the main topics and learning outcomes
  • Use visuals, such as images or videos, to break up text and make the page more engaging
  • Incorporate testimonials or social proof if available
  • Make the “Enroll Now” button prominent and easy to find

Step 2: Determine your pricing and enrollment strategy

Before launching your course, decide on your pricing and enrollment strategy. Consider factors such as:

  • The value your course provides to students
  • Your target audience and their ability and willingness to pay
  • Your overall business goals and revenue targets

You may choose to offer your course at a one-time price, create a payment plan, or use a membership model. Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for your audience.

Step 3: Promote your course launch

Now it’s time to spread the word about your new course! Use a variety of marketing channels to reach your target audience, such as:

  • Email marketing: Announce your course launch to your email list and share the benefits of enrolling
  • Social media: Promote your course on your social media profiles and relevant groups or communities
  • Blogging: Write blog posts related to your course topic and include a call-to-action to enroll
  • Partnerships: Reach out to influencers, bloggers, or other course creators in your niche for potential collaborations or cross-promotions
  • Paid advertising: Consider using paid ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google to reach a wider audience

Step 4: Engage with your students and gather feedback

As students start enrolling in your course, make sure to engage with them and provide support. Respond to questions, participate in discussion forums, and offer guidance as needed. 

Additionally, gather feedback from your students to help improve your course over time. Use surveys, course evaluations, or one-on-one conversations to learn what’s working well and what could be enhanced.

Your course should now be live and actively promoted to your target audience. Remember, launching your course is just the beginning – continue to monitor your progress, engage with students, and make improvements based on feedback.

Congratulations on completing the 3-day course creation challenge!

Let’s recap what you’ve accomplished

  • Day 1: You signed up for a free Teachable plan and used AI-powered tools to generate a course draft
  • Day 2: You refined your course content using your existing expertise and resources
  • Day 3: You launched your course and started promoting it to your target audience

You  laid a solid foundation for your online course business. However, your journey doesn’t end here. To continue growing and succeeding in the world of online courses, consider these next steps:

  1. Continuously improve your course: Gather feedback from students and use it to enhance your course content, structure, and delivery. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to ensure your course remains relevant and valuable.
  2. Expand your course offerings: Once you’ve found success with your first course, consider creating additional courses on related topics. This will help you build a strong brand, attract new students, and increase your revenue potential.
  3. Build a community around your courses: Foster a sense of community among your students by creating a private Facebook group, hosting live Q&A sessions, or offering group coaching. Engaged students are more likely to complete your courses and recommend them to others.
  4. Explore advanced marketing strategies: As you grow your online course business, invest in more advanced marketing techniques, such as webinars, affiliate partnerships, or digital advertising. Continuously test and refine your marketing efforts to maximize your reach and enrollment.
  5. Use Teachable’s features and resources: Take full advantage of Teachable’s powerful features, such as course certificates, student progress tracking, and advanced pricing options. Stay informed about new features and updates that can help you streamline your course creation and management processes.

By implementing these strategies and staying committed to your online course journey, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving e-learning business. Remember, success as a creator educator world takes time, effort, and continuous learning. Embrace the challenges, celebrate your victories, and never stop growing.

Start your next course creation project today, and watch your impact and income grow. The world is waiting for your expertise – share it with confidence!

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FAQs

What if I don’t have any existing content to work with? Can I still create a course in 3 days? 

Absolutely! While having existing content can certainly speed up the process, it’s not a requirement. If you don’t have any existing content, focus on creating a clear outline and script for your course on Day 1. Then, on Day 2, you can create new content from scratch using Teachable’s course authoring tools. The key is to break down the process into manageable steps and stay focused on delivering value to your students.

Do I need to be an expert in my topic to create a successful course? 

Not necessarily. While it certainly helps to have expertise in your course topic, the most important thing is that you have valuable knowledge and insights to share with your students. Focus on teaching what you know and providing practical, actionable advice that helps your students achieve their goals. Remember, your course doesn’t need to be comprehensive or perfect – it just needs to deliver real value to your students.

How much should I charge for my course? 

Pricing your course can be tricky, but there are a few key factors to consider. First, think about the value your course provides to your students. How much time and money will they save by taking your course? What results or transformations will they achieve? Use this to inform your pricing strategy. Additionally, consider your target audience and what they’re willing and able to pay. You may want to start with a lower price point to attract more students and then gradually increase your prices as you build your reputation and audience.

What if I’m not happy with my course after the 3-day challenge? Can I make changes and improvements? 

Of course! The 3-day challenge is designed to help you create a solid foundation for your course, but it’s just the beginning. Once you launch your course and start getting feedback from students, you can absolutely make changes and improvements over time. In fact, the most successful course creators are constantly iterating and updating their courses based on student feedback and changing industry trends. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try new things, and continue refining your course over time. The beauty of online courses is that they’re always a work in progress!

‍

If Teachable is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Typeform vs. Outgrow: Which is better? [2024]

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Our view at Stack - Typeform is our go-to software if we need to ask a set of structured questions of a group of customers, prospects or leads. In summary, Typeform combines aesthetics, functionality, and flexibility. User-friendly form builder with interactive design, versatile question types, real-time data collection, 500+ integrations, and diverse templates. Ideal for engaging surveys and lead generation.

With all the survey-building tools out there, it’s important to choose the right one. How can you know what the right choice will be? Looking at Typeform vs. Outgrow, both tools can create forms, surveys, polls, and more for a variety of use cases. 

If you need a high level of interactivity, Outgrow might be a better choice because you can create a chatbot. However, Outgrow has a lot of restrictions on the types of questions and projects you can create based on your plan.

If you want more flexibility in what you create and how you design it, then Typeform has what you’re looking for. Unlike Outgrow, you can completely customize your layout and use templates, even with our free plan. There are also no restrictions on the type of project you can create, so you can let your creativity run wild.

Hang around to see how these two tools compare, covering the differences between their design, data, features, integrations, support, and overall value.

Typeform vs. Outgrow comparison

Outgrow allows you to gather more responses with its starter plan, but there’s no free trial. You’ll also need multiple account upgrades to access most of the advanced features and create more projects. While there’s a seven-day free trial, there’s no free plan on Outgrow.

Typeform limits responses depending on your plan, but you can create unlimited projects. You can also access nearly all the features and design capabilities of the tool on any Typeform plan. Even on Typeform’s free plan, you can create personalized experiences to help your business thrive.

Let’s dive deeper into how these tools perform.

Typeform vs. Outgrow

*Available for paid plans only

  Typeform Outgrow
Design
Image layout customization ✔ ✔
Designable and customizable welcome screen and thank you pages ✔ ✔
Mobile responsiveness ✔ ✔
Integrated professional photo, video, and icon libraries ✔ ✔ Unsplash library
Add icons from Noun Project, videos from Pexels, photos from Unsplash ✔ ✔ Unsplash library
Features
Custom subdomains ✔ X
Compliant with PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, and WCAG 2.1 ✔* ✔ Not PCI-compliant
Ability to sync data with other forms ✔ ✔
Data Analysis
Question-by-question drop-off analysis ✔* X
API and webhooks ✔ ✔
Ability to generate a report on surveys/forms ✔ ✔

Captivating design

Screenshot of Typeform's captivating forms

Do you want surveys that look like you spent tens of hours crafting the perfect design assets? A variety of icons, photos, and videos create dynamic visual effects and a better respondent journey that makes filling out your survey a joy. 

Although Outgrow has similar design capabilities to Typeform, many are limited based on your plan. For example, there are no custom layout options, and only Business plans can access Outgrow’s layouts and templates. It also only has an integrated Unsplash library, limiting what you can create without external design resources.

Typeform has integrated photo, video, and icon libraries that maximize your survey’s potential and help you achieve a higher level of engagement in less time. Both tools are no-code survey creators, but Typeform allows unparalleled flexibility and design options without CSS. With Typeform, you can collect 3.5x more data, easily.* 

Digestible data

Screenshot of Typeform's data analysis report

Outgrow might be a better choice if you’re looking to integrate your survey with custom calculators and chatbots for advanced data collection. However, this makes Outgrow a more complicated tool to use, which isn’t ideal if you need to launch a survey with a deadline or you don’t have the time to learn how to use Outgrow.

Typeforms are easy to create quickly and adaptable to many different use cases while boosting completion rates by up to 34%.*. Our automatic reporting covers important data at a glance, like drop-off analysis, survey response rates, completion rates, and more. Use our integrations to help create extensive reports and start getting more out of your data. 

Valuable features

Screenshot showing of the different features you can include in a Typeform form.

Outgrow offers eight total content types, depending on your plan. If you need to create or use a chatbot, Outgrow can help with an Essentials or Business plan. While Outgrow offers more features at a glance, many features are restricted based on the plan you choose, including essentials like:

  • Designable welcome pages

  • HTML and CSS editing

  • Unlimited projects

  • Unlimited access to templates 

  • Unlimited control over layout

  • Logic jump and conditional messaging

Typeform is easy to learn without sacrificing the valuable features you need to create a successful project. That’s why 85% of customers trust Typeform to collect business-critical data.* With just one tool, you can create surveys, forms, quizzes, and even product prototypes.

Sync data from other forms and create advanced surveys that recall previous responses or even calculate quotes for respondents on the spot. You can put as much or as little effort into your Typeform as you’d like—whether you create a completely customized layout, use one of our templates, or let AI lead the way to suggest improvements—no matter your Typeform plan.

Worthwhile integrations

Screenshot of the different integrations Typeform offers.

Outgrow provides access to thousands of integrations, but you can only use one for standard accounts. You can add on to Agency, Enterprise, and Custom plans as needed. If you need a particular integration for your project that doesn’t connect with Typeform, then it could be worth going with Outgrow. 

Otherwise, Typeform offers more flexibility because you can use multiple integrations for each project without upgrading your plan each time you need another. Though Typeform has fewer integrations overall, it has some key integrations you won’t find on Outgrow, including:

  • DocuSign

  • Adobe Sign

  • Dropbox

  • Canva

  • Notion

  • monday.com

  Typeform Outgrow
Google Sheets ✔ ✔
Mailchimp ✔ ✔
Zapier ✔ ✔
Slack ✔ ✔
Salesforce ✔ ✔
Hubspot ✔ ✔
Zoom ✔ ✔
DocuSign ✔ X
Adobe Sign ✔ X
Dropbox ✔ X
Canva ✔ X
Notion ✔ X
monday.com ✔ X

Knowledgeable support

Screenshot of Typeform's support page.

Outgrow and Typeform offer different support options based on your plan. With Outgrow, Freelancer and Freelancer Pro plans only have access to live chat and self-help resources. Essential plans gain access to email support, and Business plans gain access to email and phone support.

With Typeform, all plans have access to email, learning forums, and self-help documents. Typeform’s Plus, Business, and Enterprise plans unlock live chat support, and email requests from Business and Enterprise plans get prioritized.

These two tools are similar in their overall offerings, though they offer different types of support to different account levels. If you prefer live chat support, then you might go with Outgrow. If you prefer email support where you can keep a thread going, then you might prefer Typeform.

Transparent value

Outgrow has a seven-day free trial before you can choose a plan, starting at $22 per month for its Freelancer plan. However, many features are restricted, and if you want full access to the tool, it’ll run you at least $600 per month with its Business plan. In addition to limited features, you can only create five projects with the Outgrow Freelancer plan.

Typeform has a free plan option. Paid plans start at $25 per month and are billed based on responses, so you can create as many projects as you’d like. Some features are limited to paid plans, like accepting payments or allowing respondents to upload documents. But even free plans can take advantage of all question types, templates, and Formless, our AI helper, to create a well-designed survey.

  Typeform Outgrow
Pricing
Free plan ✔ X
Paid plans Basic = $25/mo; unlimited forms, 100 responses

 Team plans start at $95 per month; individual plans start $22 per month
Unlimited # of forms with a paid plans ✔ ✔*Multi-user accounts only Accepts payments ✔ ✔ Currencies accepted for service subscriptions USD, EUR, GBP N/A Discounts for nonprofits ✔ ✔ Discounts for educational sectors ✔ X

Typeform: An easy-to-use Outgrow alternative

Creating beautiful and professional surveys should be simple. Typeform gives you freedom and flexibility—keep your survey simple and straightforward or flex your creative skills to create custom respondent conversations.

*This data comes from internal Typeform users polled.

If Typeform is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

21 best UI & UX design tools to try in 2024

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Our view at Stack - Simplify web development with Webflow, reduce costs, and deliver professional results. No-code, responsive, and SEO-friendly. Explore your creative potential!

Both UI, which focuses on design, and UX, which covers user experience, are essential to digital product success.

UI and UX are two facets of web design that work hand-in-hand. While UI focuses on the user interface design, UX covers the overall user experience as they interact with your product or service. In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what UX and UI are, as well as some of the best design tools to try, whether you’re looking to create wireframes or conduct user testing.

What is UI and UX?

User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are closely related, but they’re distinct concepts in the field of web design and development.

UI is the visual and interactive elements that allow a user to interact with a digital product or system — think graphical elements like buttons, menus, icons, typography, colors, and layout. In essence, UI refers to the tangible component that users see and interact with directly.

UX, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses the entire journey and interaction a user has with a product or service, including UI. UX design focuses on creating products that are easy to use, efficient, and delightful for users. It involves understanding user behavior, needs, and motivations, and designing solutions that meet those needs in an intuitive and satisfying way.

Types of UI and UX tools to use

Before we jump into the exact tools to try, it’s important to first identify what kinds of UI and UX design tools are useful in the design process.

Some common types of UX and UI tools to look out for are:

  • Prototyping tools — These tools allow designers to create interactive mockups and prototypes of their designs, enabling them to test and iterate on their ideas before implementation. Some prototyping tools include Figma, Adobe XD, InVision, and Marvel.
  • Wireframing tools — Wireframing tools help designers create low-fidelity mockups and blueprints of the user interface, focusing on the layout, structure, and information architecture. Popular options are Balsamiq, Lucidchart, and Miro.
  • UI design tools — These tools create high-fidelity prototypes, visual elements, and user interfaces. They often include libraries of pre-designed UI components and allow designers to create pixel-perfect mockups. Designers often use tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma for UI design. 
  • Collaboration and handoff tools — These tools facilitate seamless collaboration between designers and developers, enabling efficient handoff of design assets and specifications. Examples include InVision and Marvel.
  • User flow and journey mapping tools — These tools help designers visualize and map out the user’s journey through a product or service, identifying touchpoints, pain points, and opportunities for improvement. Popular options include Sketch and Adobe XD.

21 types of UX & UI design software tools

Let’s dive into each UX/UI tool and discover how you can craft beautiful projects.

1. Sketch

Best for easy handoff

Sketch homepage
Source: Sketch

If you have any UI design experience, you’ve heard of Sketch. There are quite a few reasons why it’s a revered design tool.

Being able to make universal changes — whether it’s through their library of symbols, layer styles, or text styles, or its smooth resizing and alignment features — saves designers time to deliver consistent prototypes and final products. It takes out what’s tedious and lets designers jump in and create. And with a multitude of third-party plugins and integrations, there’s no shortage of tools out there you can use with Sketch.

Related read: From Sketch to Webflow: how to turn mockups into live websites

2. InVision Studio

Best for creating interactive prototypes

InVision homepage
Source: InVision 

With a full suite of applications, InVision gives designers all of the UI design tools they need to create fully realized and functional prototypes with dynamic elements and animations.

Along with these easy-to-use UI design tools, they also make communication easy — with collaboration features that let developers share their work as they design it, receive feedback, and make documented changes at each step. Another useful aspect of InVision is the digital whiteboard that allows team members a place to start brainstorming, interact, and get important sign-offs before moving forward.

3. Axure

Best for realistic user experience

Axure homepage
Source: Axure

‍Axure functions in prototyping and keeping track of the workflow. This UI design software features a smooth interface to document as you go. High fidelity drives this app, resulting in prototypes full of details.

Axure offers many of the other features of popular prototyping and UI design tools. It allows for testing of functionality and puts everything together for an easy developer handoff. These features, combined with an emphasis on communication, ensures that everyone on a project stays up-to-date with progress and changes as they happen in real-time, making Axure a solid choice for streamlined UI design.

4. Craft

Best for placeholder content

Craft homepage
Source: Craft

‍Craft, a plugin from InVision, works right alongside what you might be doing in Photoshop or Sketch, with a sync function that updates what you’re working on. Along with this time-saving feature, Craft offers everything you need for prototyping and collaboration. Changes in styling, edits, and other tweaks are updated across the board so that everyone is referring to and working from the same version of a project.

Craft sets itself apart from other UI design tools with its placeholder content. You get access to both Getty and iStock photos, letting you fill your layout with better visuals. And if there’s data in your layout, you can use your own or bring it in from other sources. Not many UI design tools let you fill your mockups with more meaningful content. This special feature of Craft gives your mockups a more accurate representation of what a final design might look like.

Related read: The best Photoshop alternatives (free + paid)

5. Proto.io

Best for user testing

Proto.io homepage
Source: Proto.io

In their own words, Proto.io says using their UI design software results in “Prototypes that feel real.” And Proto.io delivers on this, giving you what you need to create, organize, integrate, and test accurate mockups. It also smooths out the collaboration process, fostering communication between team members through comments and video feedback, as well as integrating with some of the more well-known testing products, like Lookback, Userlytics, and Validately.

6. Adobe XD

Best for Adobe Creative Cloud users

Adobe XD homepage
Source: Adobe XD

It’s hard to knock Adobe off of their status as royalty in design software — their kingdom of design products reigns in the creative cloud. Adobe XD offers vector-based user interface tools for creating prototypes and mockups with an interface that’s familiar to anyone who has used other Adobe products. These tools, along with real-time collaboration, makes it a go-to for many UI designers.

Adobe XD has many sophisticated tools for design teams, but it is also stocked with what designers need to whip up interactions and other dynamic elements they can integrate into prototypes or mockups. It’s one of the rare design platforms that can combine different disciplines together, without anything lacking.

Related read: From Adobe XD to Webflow: how to turn your prototypes into live websites

7. Marvel

Best for small teams

Marvel homepage
Source: Marvel

Whether you’ve been a UI designer for a while or if you’re just stepping into the role, Marvel’s design platform makes things easy. With the ability to create both low fidelity and hi-fi wireframes, interactive prototypes, and do user testing, it gives a UI designer everything they need — in one intuitive interface. Marvel also has a feature called Handoff that gives developers all the HTML code and CSS styles they need to start building and tweaking product design.

8. Figma

Best for team collaboration

Figma homepage
Source: Figma

‍Figma lets designers build dynamic prototypes and mockups, test them for usability, and sync up all of the progress. Figma allows for a collaborative environment where multiple people can work on a project at the same time, much like Google Docs — letting you see who has it open for real-time collaboration. You’ll see who’s working and what they’re doing. It’s also browser-based, making it accessible to everyone in an instant. And as an added bonus, it’s free for individual use so you can check it out and get familiar with how it works.

Related read: From Figma to Webflow: turning your static designs into interactive websites

9. Origami Studio

Best for advanced prototyping

Origami homepage
Source: Origami Studio

With a Facebook pedigree (it was built by and for Facebook designers), Origami Studio packs in more complexity than something like InVison or Sketch — which are a bit easier for beginners in design. For those who need a more advanced prototyping tool as a part of their design system, Origami Studio has a lot to offer.

This platform has the tools you need to build complete prototypes that are powered by a sophisticated patch editor, giving designers the opportunity to integrate advanced functionality. Prototypes end up looking and working like a real app or webpage.

Origami Studio also integrates well with Sketch. If you’re working in parallel with Sketch, it lets you brings in layers and copy and paste them directly without any hang-ups.

10. Webflow

Best for all-in-one web design

Webflow homepage

Webflow gives you the power to design without knowing HTML or CSS. With drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive interface, Webflow gives you the creative freedom to build whatever you imagine. Using Webflow for building a prototype gives you an actual website, and generates accurate HTML and CSS code or JavaScript when implementing micro-interactions. Instead of taking a prototype and building a design from it, you already have what you need to give to a developer. You can also use a template if you don’t want to start from scratch.

Even Ryan Miyoshi, the lead designer at Webflow, decided to ditch prototyping tools and start designing and building straight in Webflow.

Webflow also offers a library of essential web design and development courses for both beginners and experts alike.

The modern web design process

Discover the processes and tools behind high-performing websites in this free ebook.

Download now

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The modern web design process

Discover the processes and tools behind high-performing websites in this free ebook.

Download now

↗

Download now

11. FlowMapp

Best for creating user flows

FlowMapp homepage
Source: FlowMapp

When developing a user experience strategy, designers need to pay attention to structure, flow, and corresponding sitemaps, which are all at the foundation of UX design.

While so many tools out there try to combine UI and UX together into one platform, FlowMapp dedicates itself to UX design. Building user flows and constructing visual sitemaps are indispensable for UX, and these are the pillars of FlowMapp’s UX design app.

12. Balsamiq

Best for low-fidelity wireframes

Balsamiq homepage
Source: Balsamiq

With a user-friendly interface, Balsamiq makes it easy to create low fidelity wireframes. Even people with zero experience in wireframing could jump in and put one together that looks good. Balsamiq encompasses both UI and UX, but really stands out with its low fidelity wireframes. Balsamiq’s nod to the physicality of whiteboarding makes the tool accessible to anyone, no matter their skill level.

13. VisualSitemaps

Best for visual sitemaps

VisualSitemaps homepage
Source: VisualSitemaps

‍VisualSitemaps specializes in generating, you guessed it, visual sitemaps. It’s nice to have a tool designed specifically for this purpose. This tool has complete automation, the capacity to go through password-protected websites that haven’t gone live yet, and the ability to import into Sketch. VisualSitemaps takes the process of creating visual sitemaps and supercharges it for UX designers, developers, and anyone else who needs to be involved with the process of creating them.

14. Treejack

Best for information architecture

Treejack homepage
Source: Treejack

The visual components of a design are important, but without great content, it’s just an empty vessel. Having quality content isn’t enough — it needs to be arranged in a flow and structure that maximizes its accessibility. This is where information architecture comes in.

Treejack specializes in information architecture. It lets you test the tree structure of a website with real users. It then generates the results that show a user’s path and navigation through the content, giving you valuable insights you can use to edit and tweak the content organization.

15. Wireframe.cc

Best for minimalist wireframing

Wireframe homepage
Source: Wireframe.cc

Wireframes don’t have to be complicated; keeping them simple lets them communicate in a straightforward way how to structure a design.

‍Wireframe.cc focuses on minimalism. Intentionally limiting the color palette and using simple rectangular elements — along with an uncomplicated interface — lets UX designers construct a low-fidelity wireframe in a snap. There’s even an in-browser demo you can use to see how it works.

16. Optimal Workshop

Best for automated user insights

Optimal Workshop homepage
Source: Optimal Workshop

As far as a UX design platform goes, Optimal Workshop has all you need to analyze usability, figure out information architecture, and test and evaluate a design.

Optimal Workshop distinguishes itself in giving insights and providing in-depth data about users and how they interact with a design. This carefully curated UX platform offers tree testing with Treejack, first-click testing with Chalkmark, online surveys, and Reframer for doing qualitative research. Having these bundled together makes for a package of tools that any UX designer would find useful.

17. UXCam

Best for session replays

UXCam homepage
Source: UXCam

‍UXCam is a user experience analytics and feedback tool that helps companies understand how users interact with their digital products.

One of the best aspects of working with UXCam is its “Session Replay” feature. UXCam records user sessions, capturing every tap, swipe, and gesture made by users within the app or website. This information gives developers and designers important insights into user research and behavior, navigation patterns, and potential pain points.

Plus, UXCam also has touch heatmaps that visually represent where users interact the most (or least) with the user interface. And as far as identifying errors goes, UXCam is a great tool, too: their crash reporting feature automatically detects and reports crashes, freezes, and other errors that users encounter, along with relevant diagnostic information.

18. UXPin

Best for accessible prototyping

UXPin homepage
Source: UXPin

‍UXPin is a collaborative design and prototyping tool you can use to create and iterate on user interfaces and experiences for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products.

The platform’s wide range of built-in UI elements, components, and libraries allows designers to create mockups and wireframes quickly. Plus, UXPin supports interactive prototyping and real-time collaboration with multiple team members for seamless workflow processes.

One of UXPin’s most unique features is its usability testing tools, like the Contrast Checker and Color Blindness Simulator, which ensure that your digital product is accessible to a wide audience.

19. Justinmind

Best for mobile app prototypes 

Justinmind homepage
Source: JustinMind

JustinMind provides a canvas for creating low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity user interface designs. It offers a wide range of built-in UI components, widgets, and libraries that designers can use to quickly create mockups and layouts.

Plus, JustinMind supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple team members to work on the same project simultaneously. It also provides some great collaboration tools for collecting feedback, comments, and annotations from stakeholders and users, as well as the ability to create your own UI kit within the platform.

For developers who are specifically looking to launch mobile apps, JustinMind is a great fit. The platform offers a suite of gestures that allow users to rotate, tap, swipe, scroll, and pinch their way through your mobile app prototype.

20. Lucidchart

Best for beginners

Lucidchart homepage
Source: Lucidchart

‍Lucidchart is a cloud-based software that allows users to create various types of diagrams, including user flows, wireframes, and journey maps. 

Designers love Lucidchart for several reasons, but especially for its versatility. The platform offers a wide range of shapes, templates, and customizable elements, so users can easily create anything from simple wireframes to complex user flows.

The platform is also fairly intuitive, which makes it easy for designers to create and edit diagrams without a steep learning curve. It’s beginner-friendly, yet powerful enough to meet the needs of professional designers.

21. Miro

Best for remote teams

Miro homepage
Source: Miro

‍Miro is another wireframing tool that lots of developers rely on.

The platform, while pretty robust in its features, also offers helpful resources like tools for conducting virtual workshops, design sprints, and ideation sessions. Designers can use templates and frameworks to structure their sessions, capture ideas, and prioritize features collaboratively.

Plus, Miro is cloud-based and accessible from any device with an internet connection. This accessibility makes it convenient for designers to work remotely and collaborate with team members across different time zones.

Nail your UI and UX design with Webflow

Both UI and UX design are fundamental pieces of the success of any digital product — whether it’s a mobile app or website. With great design, you can avoid clunkiness and user frustration and create a seamless digital experience for everyone.

With Webflow University, you can learn all the fundamentals of UI and UX design, as well as launch your own digital products with ease. From building a Saas website to launching an ecommerce shop, Webflow helps you do it all.

Unleash your creativity on the web

Use Webflow’s visual development platform to build completely custom, production-ready websites — or high-fidelity prototypes — without writing a line of code.

Get started for free

↗

Unleash your creativity on the web

Use Webflow’s visual development platform to build completely custom, production-ready websites — or high-fidelity prototypes — without writing a line of code.

Get started for free

↗

Get started for free

Last Updated

April 5, 2024

If Webflow is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Using Meta Business Suite: A Complete Guide For Businesses

· ·

Our view at Stack - Semrush is a power-packed toolkit for digital marketing. Covers SEO, digital ads, market research, content, and social media. Keyword intel, real-time data, and 500+ integrations.

Using Meta Business Suite: A Complete Guide For Businesses

How valuable would it be if you could get digital publishing, monetization, and analytics tools within a single platform?Meta Business Suite gathers all these functions and more under one roof. Intrigued? Keep reading.

If Semrush is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

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