Category: Content

What is Augmented Reality (AR)?

Augmented reality has accelerated the marketing game for brands like never before. When the pandemic hit, brands became even more conscious and inclined to use augmented reality to provide their customers with an experience like never. When social distancing and a lack of real-time emotions are the new standards, brands can use this technological innovation to provide a customer experience like never. 

The use of augmented and virtual reality is revolutionizing how brands market their position in the industry. We are not going to lie; we are also fascinated with the way the market has emerged. The possibilities are endless, and brands have turned every stone so far to prove they are in the game for the long run. Over the past few years, artificial intelligence and machine learning have helped multiple industries evolve from their traditional marketing methods. 

The Benefits of Using Augmented Reality

Augmented reality offers endless solutions and creativity. Brands can communicate with their audiences now regarding a specific offering they have launched, or they can raise awareness impactfully, successfully leaving their competition behind. The sky is the limit! 

The part about augmented reality that tops everything off is that you do not need expensive equipment to be part of the AR world. Just a smartphone is enough for you to be able to jump on the bandwagon. Augmented reality uses presentations, sales pitches, and even the travel industry to help customers experience a full-blown trip from the comfort of their couches!

Augment reality has also transformed the retail sector by allowing customers to indulge in the look and feel of the product before making their purchase. IKEA has launched an AR app where you can try different pieces of furniture for a specific spot in your house by drawing up a 3D rendition of the merchandise on your phone’s screen. Pretty cool, right? 

The gaming industry has also yet to hold back when using augmented reality. Remember Pokémon Go? The game manufacturers carefully transformed our beloved cartoon into a real-time adventure thanks to advances in technology leading to the invention of AR. 

Additionally, mobile applications like City Guide Tour offer an in-house experience for travelers exploring countries beyond closed borders. You can learn about famous landmarks such as libraries, parks, and galleries. You can benefit from advanced features and take photos like a tourist physically present in different countries worldwide. 

AR is slowly moving from being a luxury feature for brands and big companies to a necessary aspect of business marketing. AR has evolved rapidly since its introduction to the masses not too long ago. Immersive technology envelops its consumers, making them part of the whole experience. It is also a great customer touchpoint that can earn brands brownie points when consumers contact augmented reality-amplified content. 

Using Augmented Reality in Content Marketing

Brands like Google, Snapchat, IKEA, Disney, and so many others have used the benefits of augmented reality to create a two-way communication path for brands with their customers. Marketeers leave the room with the content they put out to be completed by the brand’s consumers. In essence, they are accommodating the creativity of their audiences, trying to reach them beyond logos, filters, and static content. 

USA Today uses in-app features that help consumers interact with immersive news and articles. Publishers can now articulate their content with visuals, which ought to come in handy when working with less-exciting news and topics.

Is Augmented Reality Flawless?

As all things work, augmented reality is not flawless, and neither is its use. Users need to have smartphones to make use of the technology entirely. Additionally, because AR is still growing daily, it is not unusual to find any glitches with the system, such as the screen freezing or the app crashing at times. However, manufacturers and technicians are still working to provide fewer faulty solutions. 

AR apps also need access to user’s private information with all smartphone and regular application users. AR has raised some concerns with the audience. App manufacturers have also addressed it using encryption and other security measures. If you are privacy-conscious, you should review the privacy policy apps before using them. 

With the industry’s burst of technology and innovation, brands constantly push boundaries and think outside the box to provide their audiences with solutions. Using augmented reality has helped brands connect with their consumers and understand their level of creativity by giving them a chance to tell their stories. Given the scale of global changes and their rapid pace, brands must constantly keep working to enhance customer experience by reaching new heights regarding creativity and innovation. 

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The decision between buying a house or renting an apartment is one of individuals’ most critical choices, often leading to common financial pitfalls, especially among middle-class Americans. This blog aims to raise awareness and provide a stark realization of the potential financial risks associated with this decision. Join us in exploring the nuances and making informed choices for a secure financial future.

Deciding between purchasing a house or renting accommodations holds significant consequences. Thorough research is imperative to unravel the optimal choice tailored to your needs. Let’s explore to determine which option aligns best with your requirements.

Is it Always Better to Buy a Home? When is it Better to Rent?

Fundamentally, buying or renting a house will depend on the costs. Within them, we will differentiate the initials when carrying out the purchase or rental operation and the totals considering the long-term horizon.

Initial Costs  

The initial costs and the rent are more affordable. There are usually only costs such as liability insurance or the guarantee, compared to the high initial costs involved in the purchase: notary, registry, VAT, appraisal, etc. For this reason, rent is an excellent option to access the first home.

Total Long-term Costs

As for the total long-term costs, they can become factors that make it more convenient for us to decide on rent or purchase. We can add the mortgage installments with your initial expenses and other expenses and compare them with the cost of a lifetime rental. But this is not the fundamental factor.

The Level of Interest Rates

In the situation that has occurred historically in Spain, the purchase was more profitable than rent because although the investment entails more expenses (higher monthly payments, the share of the community of owners, taxes, maintenance), the high annual rates of house price growth made the brick property the best investment. Therefore, the key to deciding whether to rent or buy a home would be to know the performance of existing investment opportunities and the cost of loans, i.e., the interest rates.

Example of Whether it is Better to Rent a Home or Buy it

For instance, if I rent a house for $200 / month for 30 years, I will have paid $72,000.

Depending on the rate of growth of the price of the houses, my estate within 30 years, if you buy the home, will be higher or lower than if you had rented.

It is an extreme case, but it serves to understand that if the interests of the market (investments and loans) are more significant than the rate of growth of housing prices, what we do year after year is to lose money since what we pay in interest for housing and what we stop receiving in investments far exceed the increase in the value of housing.

Even so, there are cases where the rent could be more convenient for other reasons. As we said before, the initial payment is more affordable: bond and insurance against the notary, registration, etc. Also, the rent favors mobility, and we can live closer to work, saving on transportation and gaining in quality of life (in areas where, for example, we cannot buy for the high price). 

And the monthly costs are also lower:

• They tend to be lower than the purchase.
• We do not pay the community fee or the annual tax.
• We do not commit so much to our future income, as the rent is usually in the short and medium term.

It is faster to find a rental house than one to buy. And there are also a series of incentives and state subsidies to access a rental.

Conclusion

In short, buying a home is better than renting it when the rate of growth of house prices is higher than the return we can get with other investments and more significant than the interest costs we pay for the mortgage. However, the most common situation is the opposite: the interest on the loans and the returns from other investments did not reach the levels of growth in the price of housing, so buying was a better option from that point of economic view.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Before extending credit to a business, banks consider all the company’s significant financial statements. The bank reviews the balance sheet, cash flow statement, income statement, and statement of owner’s equity to judge the company’s financial health and then decide whether to extend credit. Extensions help them analyze the company’s plans and understand if the company will repay the credit. The bank will refuse to extend credit if it expects the business to go bankrupt in the coming years, making it extremely difficult to honor the payments.

Income Statement

The income statement, also called the idea of revenue and expense, showcases a company’s revenue over a long period, excluding the expenses. In other words, it shows the company’s financial performance over the period. It also tells the bank whether the company is making a profit or loss, taxes, and net profit over a specific accounting period. Financial experts review the statement to determine whether the company is investing in premium products with low volume or indulging in high-volume sales at discounted prices. Discounts help them decide if the business will be sustainable in the coming years and influence their decision to extend credit.

Cash Flow Statement 

A cash flow statement displays the amount of cash that moves in and out of business over some time. The bank analyzes a company’s cash flow statement to understand better how it used its monetary resources in the past and how well it manages its cash position. It will help them know if the company will repay their loan promptly. Banks want to ensure you have enough cash resources to run your business and pay off the loan simultaneously. 

Balance Sheet

A balance sheet offers a detailed description of a company’s assets and liabilities at a specific point in time. The assets include cash, land, equipment, office, etc., whereas penalties include previous loans that need to be paid, debts to suppliers, and upcoming tax payments. The balance sheets also contain details regarding stakeholders and equity, and banks go through these details before extending credit. The purpose of this is to be aware of these details in the case of a non-payment (the profit fails to supply enough cash to pay the loan), in which case, the bank will sell the business’s assets to make up for the credit extended.

Debt to Income Ratio

The debt-to-income ratio is the percentage of a company’s monthly income that makes monthly debt payments. This ratio can be calculated by dividing the total monthly obligations of a business by the total monthly income generated by the company. The lower the ratio, the better it increases the likelihood of a bank extending credit to them. A high debt-to-income ratio demonstrates a higher risk of forfeiting payments, and a low debt-to-income ratio shows a good balance between debt and income. Banks use this ratio to determine a company’s borrowing risk, and they will not extend credit to a business with a high DTI ratio but will lean toward a business with a low DTI ratio.

Other Considerations

Although the details mentioned above will tell the bank plenty about the business, there are still some details the bank cannot know by only reading the financial statements. For example, any legal proceeding against the company, which might lead to a hefty settlement, will not be mentioned in the financial statements. The bank will conduct extensive research about the business and its operations to gain access to such details. You might include:

• Gaining access to legal records and company filings with local and federal courts.
• An in-depth search of all news coverage about the business on national television and social media outlets.
• Conducting interviews of the company employees and executives’ owners.

Conclusion

In the intricate process of extending credit to a business, banks meticulously scrutinize various financial statements to gauge the company’s financial health and assess the risks associated with lending. The income statement offers a comprehensive view of the company’s financial performance, while the cash flow statement provides insights into its cash management practices. The balance sheet lays bare the company’s assets, liabilities, and equity, aiding banks in understanding the potential collateral in case of non-payment.

The debt-to-income ratio emerges as a pivotal metric influencing the likelihood of credit extension. A lower ratio signifies a healthier balance between income and debt, enhancing the business’s creditworthiness. Conversely, a high debt-to-income ratio raises concerns about repayment capacity, potentially impacting the bank’s decision.

Beyond these financial indicators, banks recognize the limitations of financial statements and delve into additional considerations. Thorough research, including legal records, court filings, news coverage, and interviews with company stakeholders, provides a comprehensive understanding of the business and any potential risks. This multifaceted evaluation ensures that banks make informed decisions, balancing the need for credit with the imperative of mitigating risks associated with lending to businesses.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

When a business is on the level of success in the local market, it is common for entrepreneurs to expand abroad to gain a new audience and potential customers. There are various advantages of converting your business into a global market, containing new chances for sales and growth and the opportunity to make your business market competitive.

Expanding into other nations or internationally does not just occur; it comes with multiple risks and challenges. While there are many factors to consider before determining if your process is ready to go worldwide, these best steps will assist you in navigating this change.

Assess Your Capital

 To be economically successful internationally, you need a long-term economic plan. If you do not have much capital for the initial investment, consider getting the money. Remember that increasing is not something you could expect to profit from right away. It would help if you were into it for the long run.

Leverage Influencer Relationships in Foreign Markets

Search for an influencer in the markets you are interested in and grow your relationship with them well before you start expansion. Do not think small once searching for these influencers. “Search near you and everywhere,” Ted Rollins, an Inc. 500 entrepreneur.” Ensure creating your network and utilizing it to grow your ideas or source ideas.”

As this relationship increases, consider whether they will make a good option for your expansion. I suppose they will help more as mentors, assisting you in learning how to do business internationally. In that case, these connections will be significant when you make the final jump.

Understand Cultural and Language Barriers

Coming to foreign markets shows many difficulties, with cultural barriers being among the most challenging. You may have to adjust your branding and marketing to meet customers’ demands in various regions, but if you are opening workplaces, you must consider office culture. For instance, life and work balance in other areas and countries differs significantly from the U.S. Personal and professional lives often cross in the U.S., and some other world zones are kept entirely different.

Additionally, cultural and language barriers can make communication difficult while efficiently positioning yourself as a market leader. Learning different languages is the primary way to overcome this difficulty. As a leader, this shows that you have courtesy for other languages and cultures and a drive to keep rising; it also shows that you place worth on meaningful relationships.

Use the interactive languages map to determine which language is most spoken in the area you are focusing on. How much time will it take you to learn it? For instance, Italian is the most common language spoken in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Austria. It takes a maximum of four months to learn when studying four to five days a week. Decide to learn the language as early as possible so you are ready when a business starts moving forward.

Hire Market Research Firm

When considering which market to enter, the initial step is recruiting a reputable and experienced market research firm. Only because an international industry may be hot might it be home to the clients you want to reach.

With the market research firm, you can decide whether your business will be well received in that zone or area or if there is a market for your products and services.

The firm will also help you control how your brand will convert into a foreign culture and discover current market demands and competition. This type of research is challenging and often ignored by many business leaders, so it is wise to hire experts.

Get Employees on Board

To successfully expand your business internationally, present workers must be on board; you must train new workers and build out the new procedures. Get them on the board by asking about their customer acquisition, ideas for communication, marketing, and many more. These people are the pillars of your organization, and a massive part of why it is successful enough to increase, so keeping them in the loop will go a long way.

Bottom Line

These are only some steps you must take when growing your business internationally. If you go to development with the right boxes checked, you will be more successful in the long haul.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Saving is essential to have peace of mind in our lives and to meet short- and long-term goals, whether from a trip or acquiring wealth, to save and achieve a decent retirement when the time approaches. But if we know that saving can help us and give us the financial peace of mind we aspire to, why don’t we save for that purpose?

Saving is a habit achieved with discipline; you must learn and practice it daily, knowing how to choose in which situations to buy and in which it is better to save that money.

Consider that saving is not always easy and involves allocating the money you have today for “your future self.” Conservation discipline is essential to acquiring healthy personal finances that help us live better and be prepared for emergencies.

However, even though most people know the importance of saving, 40% of the population still needs to save in America. Although the data is less than the population that does, the reality is that many (43.7%) use informal mechanisms such as family loans.

But nowadays, the banking process is more straightforward than ever, and there are different mechanisms and companies to save formally and not “under the mattress,” which implies that we can have safe money, with returns or profit, and make better use of it through the different investment products. Making sound financial decisions is relatively easy. Here are some recommendations.

Use Formal Saving Mechanisms

Suppose you already have the habit of saving. In that case, even if it is already a significant step by informal mechanisms, we must consider that the storage under the mattress and the batch are high-risk mechanisms. Nobody guarantees that our money is safe in them.

If you are from this group, consider formal financial institutions that can protect your savings as banks or fund managers. Some institutions do not charge you a commission for opening your account or setting up account management—research which financial institution best suits your needs.

Difference Between Savings and Investment

Keep in mind that saving does not maintain the current value of money, and there are external factors such as inflation, which can make that, over time, the money you had reserved not reach you the same as before.

Therefore, choosing between alternatives that make your money grow and work is the best option. Investment funds help your cash grow according to the investor profile. Whether conservative or aggressive, your money will be working.

The Importance of Investing Your Money

Investing can be a good option if you allocate a fixed monthly amount to your savings. It will help you acquire a faster estate for the generated interest, ensure your children’s education, or improve your lifestyle at retirement.

Investment funds today are a saving tool. Invest in financial instruments of various kinds with products oriented to national or international investment, in fixed or variable income (shares), whether you select a bank, a brokerage house, or a financial group.

Where to Invest?

Advice is your best ally; nobody is an expert in everything, and when it comes to caring for and maximizing your money, you must go with a specialized financial advisor who guides you in what is best for you and your lifestyle if you have children or not, if they are small. You will have to pay tuition fees if you have a home or are looking for one.

Counseling is vital so your savings can be invested wisely and diversify into products that help you achieve those financial goals and give you liquidity when needed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, saving is a cornerstone for achieving financial peace of mind and realizing both short- and long-term goals. Despite the clear benefits, a substantial portion of the American population still struggles to cultivate a savings habit. The key lies in adopting disciplined saving practices and making thoughtful financial decisions.

Formal saving mechanisms, such as banks or fund managers, provide a secure and regulated avenue for safeguarding your savings. It’s crucial to move beyond informal methods like storing money under the mattress and explore options that offer protection and potential returns.

Distinguishing between savings and investment is essential. While traditional savings may not shield your money from the impact of inflation, investing allows your wealth to grow and work for you. Tailored to various risk profiles, investment funds can enhance your financial standing, whether for your children’s education or a comfortable retirement.

Choosing where to invest requires careful consideration and, in many cases, seeking advice from a specialized financial advisor. Their expertise can guide you in making informed decisions, ensuring your savings are invested wisely, diversified across suitable products, and aligned with your financial goals. By embracing these principles, individuals can journey toward financial security and prosperity.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

There comes a time when they retire from their jobs, or they don’t have enough strength to continue their jobs anymore for every individual. The person must invest his money or keep on saving it to prepare for this moment. It would help if you learned several measures to protect finance professionally. Not everyone can master this technique, as many find it problematic to save extra money instead of having a good time outside the home.

At schools and colleges, many of us learn multiple ways to save money when it is needed. However, there is a big difference between saving a few bucks and life savings. It would be best if savings equipped you with how to save enough money to live an extraordinary after-retirement life. Sometimes, you are left with no money or need urgent finances to fulfill some needs. This saving will come in handy to achieve that purpose. There are several ways of saving money for a rainy day or a better future.

Start with Goals

It is the most crucial part where you list down all your goals related to financing. You must note down both the short-term and long-term goals. The short-term goals will include the purposes related to day-to-day life, while the long-term goals will include buying a house or a car soon. Make a list of all the goals that you have. It will be a form of budgeting where you will list all the expenses you will incur.

Creating a Plan

It includes formulating a plan or creating a budget to control the daily expenses. The funding will help you carry out your daily activities while knowing that you are saving money at the end of the day. This plan will ensure that you are not wasting money out of the limit that you have specified. It will also help you to recognize the unnecessary expenses and eliminate them.

Spending Less Than You Earn 

The policy of spending less money than you earn applies here. Although budgeting will help you, cut out all the unnecessary expenses from your list. Make changes and find cheap alternatives to the things you spend your money on.

Investment

Finding a specific section to invest your money in with all the scams can be difficult. However, many programs require you to invest a minimal amount of money and give you a regular return. Such an investment will help you save money for the future.

Pay All Taxes and Debts

People need debts to meet their requirements and pay different taxes as natives. You will be in a more peaceful zone.

Maintaining a Good Credit Score

This method will help you borrow a lot of money from financial institutions. Your credit scores are a list of your credit history and how long it took you to repay it. They will help you in the future. New lenders check your score to determine how much money you can borrow and how much interest rate should be imposed on you. There are several other benefits attached to maintaining a good credit score.

Keep Check and Balance on Your Expenditures

Check your daily expenditures to see how you are spending and saving. Track all your bills and their increasing and decreasing levels. Then, it will be your responsibility to keep control of such increases. Be an on-time taxpayer so that you can apply for any loan.

Conclusion

These ways are highly effective if you decide to save money for your future. There are several more. However, maintaining a routine is effective, and creating a budget is the first step towards saving money. Not everyone can master this technique, as many find it problematic to save extra money instead of having a good time outside the home. Therefore, make sure you can control your desires.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Elevating your business revenue involves strategic approaches that go beyond conventional sales tactics. This discussion explores five effective methods to enhance income in each sale, catering to diverse business models. From advocating higher-range or superior-quality products to suggesting complementary services and creating enticing packages, these techniques meet customer needs and foster increased sales.

Furthermore, incorporating incentives provides customers with an extra layer of motivation, culminating in a win-win scenario. As we delve into these strategies, remember that the key lies in presenting offerings appealingly and engagingly tailored to your unique business landscape.

High Range or Higher Quality

Sell a product or service of higher range and quality. In short, propose something better to the client than what they are looking for. Offering a superior product or service will increase sales revenue.

Do not lose sight of the fact that what you offer must cover the client’s needs and adapt to their tastes and preferences for this type of sale to work.

Let’s see an example. Let’s imagine that you sell sports equipment and gear. A potential client accesses your store and asks you about specific running sports costing $70. You could show them to them and, while they are being tested, ask them about their needs: what terrain they will run, how many times they will practice running a week, what kind of cushioning they are looking for, their footfall, etc. Considering their answers, show them some sneakers from a top line that fit your needs. If you sell the most expensive sports, you will get $100 (to say something) instead of $70, achieving higher income.

Complementary Products or Services

It offers complementary products or services to which the customer has purchased or intends to buy. Suppose you are a web designer. Someone who will start a business calls you and asks you to set up their page. In addition to web development and design, you can propose managing and purchasing the domain and accommodation.

Another example: you have a shoe store, and a customer buys some brown leather shoes. You can offer different color cleansers, insoles, or laces to change and combine depending on your clothes.

Offers Packs

We get to the third way to get a higher income in each sale you make offers packs. If you have a cosmetics store, you can create a package to sell lipstick, rouge, and nail polish. In this way, the customer will perceive a more excellent value for said purchase than if he acquired the products individually.

The same thing happens with services. If you have an aesthetic center, you can create a pack that offers manicures and pedicures. Or, if you dedicate yourself to graphic design, you can make a “pack-start” to provide the plan for the logo, business cards, and brochures for those companies that start their business adventure.

It involves packing two or more items and charging a price slightly lower than their cost separately. If you give it a couple of laps, you will develop great ideas for implementing them in your business.

 

Incentives

Finally, you can offer different incentives so that the same customer spends more on the same purchase.

For example, if you have a clothing store, you can give a gift shirt for purchases over $60 or deliver a $10 gift card to customers who spend over $90 for future purchases.

Another example: a shop could offer the assembly free to a client who makes an order of more than $4,000. Or an online toy store can send the order for free if it exceeds $100.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, strive to provide added incentives for customers purchasing above a specific value, a practice that can significantly enhance your income per transaction. These five strategies emphasize the importance of adeptly asking, showcasing, and offering products or services in a compelling, attractive, and engaging manner tailored to your business type.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Unsurprisingly, every year the products increase in price, the salary reaches us less and less. Many people do not know what is mainly due to inflation. But to fight it, one must understand what it is and how it works.

Over the past two years, the American government has spent trillions of dollars on the economy while lowering interest rates. Daily, the fear of the inflation process is increasing and becoming more and more imminent. Our economic system occurs with a fundamental concept of supply and requirement. With companies, the US government is taking every possible step to raise their economy back on its feet as each financially savvy individual takes steps to secure themselves from the possibilities of inflation and hyperinflation.

There are multiple ways by which you can manage your financial plans well. Don’t let yourself be a victim of reduced buying power through your portfolios.

What is Inflation?

Inflation signifies a broad uptick in the prices of goods and services tied to a nation’s currency. It stems from a disparity in product supply and demand, leading to a devaluation of money over time. What you purchase with 10 dollars today won’t hold the same value a year hence. Think of it as a gradual loss in purchasing power. To illustrate, with a 7% inflation rate, something that cost 100 dollars a year ago would now require 107 dollars.

Why Should You Pay Attention to Inflation?

All people who receive income should know that salaries increase yearly and try to adjust to rising prices and inflation. All prices are related to each other. If the price of gasoline increases, the cost of transport also increases, without realizing the prices of things going up, some may be raw materials or finished products.

How to Fight it

The most obvious way is to get a salary increase that goes hand in hand with the rise in inflation. The problem is that although the salary increases, sometimes it is not enough. Take unsuspecting inflation, or instead prevent yourself. You can start by making a list of your expenses.

Make sure that what you spend is less than what you enter. Accommodate your financial priorities. If you have found that you are spending more, when inflation rises, you will see many economic problems, even to cover basic expenses. Debts could become unmanageable.

Save Whenever You Can

If you receive a raise, paid vacation, bonuses, or extra money, take advantage of saving it. In the best case, could you take advantage of it to invest it? If you support it, it will start working for you. Most business owners or high earners have huge expenses and can’t save money as they should.

Live Within Your Means

The financial problem begins when we pursue a more precious life than our income. We consume expensive products and services, and we even get into debt. Just spend what you can and make intelligent purchases. Instead of spending all the time, even the money you have left over, do it sporadically. Again, save and invest that money.

Look for More Money

For this, you can find a part-time job with a full-time one or demand a salary raise at your company. Needs change at every stage of life, and your finances must be ready. If you have the best job with a good salary, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try other sources of income. If you notice, you often see that many successful businesspeople have multiple side businesses.

Here, they have two options or two purposes for being a timeless, successful person. Perhaps they are doing that business because they are passionate about that, or they use its income as a backup for any loss in the future. Maybe they want to remain rich in the market and provide more facilities to make their famous store a stop shop.

Keep your finances in order so that any financial crisis that may come does not give you headaches from the rise in inflation, a national or global financial crisis, or even just a level of over-indebtedness.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

However, despite being a common problem, the lack of capital should not be an obstacle to starting a business. If our savings are insufficient, there will always be several ways to get the money we need.

Let’s know some of the main ways to finance the creation of a business.

Own Capital

The most common way to finance the creation of a business is to use your capital, that is, make use of the money we can obtain, either from our savings or from any other personal source, such as the use of credit cards or credit cards for the sale of personal assets.

Using your capital (since we are not obliged to pay interest or return the money) is always advisable, at least at the creation stage. Later, when the business starts to grow, start looking for external sources of financing.

Relatives

If we need more capital, the first alternative is to borrow money from relatives, who are very likely to accept lending us the money if they know our capacity and responsibility.

The advantage of this type of financing is that we are not usually obliged to pay interest (although as soon as the business begins to generate profits, on our account, we could choose to financially reward our family members for the trust placed in us), or return the money so soon and in a deadline, which allows us to work quietly in the creation of our business, without being so pressured by having to return the money.

Friendships

An alternative to asking for money from our relatives is to ask our friends.

The usual in this case is that both the amount of the loan and the term for its return are lower than in the case of our relatives. Still, another significant disadvantage of this financing alternative is that we could deteriorate our friendship with our friends if we cannot return the money within the agreed period.

Banks

This type of financing is difficult to access since banks usually grant loans only to businesses that are underway and with specific experience in the market and not to those that have just started.

However, accessing a bank loan to start a new business is not impossible if we have a good credit reputation, good business references, and an attractive business idea with a solid business plan that supports it.

Engaging Angel Investor

You can still apply old rules while pitching an angel investor. You must avoid jargon and be succinct as you have an exit strategy. The game has become trickier due to the economic turmoil of the last few years. Let’s consider the following tricks to win over the interest of the angel investor. 

Experience 

The investor’s fear reduces as your management team deals with a tough economy. Highly experienced advisers add value to your credibility even if you are not paying them for this. 

Avoid being a fad-follower 

Companies start a business as they are genuinely passionate about your idea or wish to cash in on the latest trend. Angel investors don’t prefer companies significantly getting rich with fast and practical schemes. 

Know your work and purpose 

 If you expect to get anywhere with an angel investor, you must have a sales plan, competitive analysis, market assessments, and solid marketing. Young business owners need expert knowledge about the market and the discipline to implement their game plan. 

Keep in contact 

Maybe you aren’t interested in your business immediately, especially when you have no track record as a lucrative entrepreneur. Strive to fight for that, and for this, you can make a way to keep them in the loop on wide-ranging developments such as a major sale.  

Other Financial Entities

An alternative to requesting a loan from banks is to request a loan from other financial entities that are preferably oriented to small and medium enterprises, which are more accessible than banks, and in the case of banks, to access them. Upon loan, our business idea must be attractive and backed by a solid business plan.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Blog vs Website: Business Insights

Did you know that the choice between a blog and a website can redefine how your business appears online? Whether you need to demonstrate expertise, engage your audience, or generate sales, understanding the differences between blogs and websites is a key factor in achieving your goals.

Let me walk you through the core aspects of blogs and websites and their combined power so you can decide what’s best for scaling your business. Over the past two decades, I’ve had firsthand experience helping thousands of businesses build their financial structure, and I’ve seen this decision drive or derail online strategy. Let’s get it right.

What is a Blog?

Definition and purpose

A blog is a part of your website that thrives on fresh, timely content. Think of it this way: blogs are like conversations that keep evolving. You write about trends, success stories, or how-to pieces that provide immediate value to readers.

For example, if you’re a fitness coach, your blog could explore topics like post-workout nutrition, tips for staying motivated, or client transformation stories. The goal is simple: keep people engaged, learning, and coming back for more.

Benefits of blogging for business

• SEO Goldmine

This one is huge. Blogs serve as a powerful SEO tool because search engines prioritize fresh, keyword-rich content. Websites with active blogs have 434% more indexed pages and 97% more inbound links than websites without blogs, which means better rankings and visibility. Source: Indeed.com

• Builds Connections

Want your audience to feel like they know you? Blogging gives your business a voice. Readers can comment, ask questions, and share posts, creating a two-way connection. Blogs generate 55% more website visitors on average, which means you don’t just attract traffic—you build relationships. Source: HubSpot

• Authority Equals Trust

Sharing actionable insights through blogs proves your expertise. Write trustworthy content, and watch your business become the go-to authority in your space. One of my clients operates a pet store and regularly blogs about animal care tips, which has helped establish them as a trusted advisor in their community.

When blogging makes sense

If engagement, organic traffic, and thought leadership are your priorities, blogging is non-negotiable. For businesses that want to establish relationships or solve specific customer pain points, it’s a winning strategy. As someone who has built trust with countless clients by sharing financial advice through blogs, I can tell you this works.

What Is a Website?

Definition and purpose

A website is all about structure and clarity. It’s the professional suit and tie of your online presence—featuring your services, about page, contact form, and sometimes even a blog. Think of it as a centralized hub where customers come to understand who you are and the value you offer.

For instance, a law firm’s website might include practice areas, biographies of attorneys, and testimonials. Everything is carefully curated for quick navigation and presenting a polished image.

Benefits of having a website

• Builds Instant Credibility

Ever landed on a cluttered or unprofessional website and immediately lost trust? First impressions count, and a good website shows you mean business. Add in periodic updates for accurate financial statements, and that trust multiplies over time.

• Handles Critical Functions

Websites can handle e-commerce, appointment scheduling, or collecting client inquiries. This versatility is why it’s the go-to platform for key business functions.

• The Digital Anchor

If social media platforms and SEO campaigns are the many roads to your digital presence, your website is the city square where everything converges. Without it, you’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle.

When a website is essential

If your aim is to sell products, book services, or create a polished professional image, nothing beats a well-designed website. For example, we invested heavily in Complete Controller’s website to create a seamless experience where visitors can instantly understand our services while staying engaged with useful content like blogs.

Blog vs. Website: Break Down the Differences

Content: Static vs. dynamic

A website holds foundational, static content such as services offered or your company’s mission. Meanwhile, a blog thrives on dynamic content that is constantly changing—new posts, new insights, and new tools for engagement.

Niche engagement vs. broad overview

Blogs are fantastic for niche audiences. They allow you to drill down into one topic, like “Top Small Business Tax Deductions.” On the other hand, websites have a broader range that appeals to different users—customers, employees, vendors, and beyond.

Combining Blogs and Websites

The power integration

Here’s the secret sauce: a website without a blog is like a house without a kitchen. Sure, it’s functional, but it’s missing a key ingredient. Blogs drive 67% more monthly leads but perform at their peak when hosted on a structured, professional website. Source: HubSpot

Take Patagonia’s website as an example. Their blog dives deeply into sustainability topics, inspiring eco-conscious customers to engage with their brand mission, and it’s all seamlessly linked back to their online store. Source: Patagonia

Pro tips for blending them

• Keep Branding Consistent

Your blog should look like an extension of your website, not a side project. Seamless branding ensures your message sticks.

• Make Navigation Easy

Link to your blog prominently, either in your main menu or as a homepage feature. Don’t bury the gold.

• Stay Active

Nothing kills trust faster than an abandoned blog. Aim to write regularly—ideally at least once a week—and keep solving problems your audience cares about.

How to Choose: Blog, Website, or Both?

Start with your goals. Blogs are your go-to if your business needs to drive engagement and build expert-level credibility. If you need a professional digital foundation for customer interaction or e-commerce, a website is the way. Over time, layering both creates a platform that blends credibility with connection.

It’s important to know your audience, too. When targeting professionals looking for clear and concise information, the website does the heavy lifting. For casual readers eager to learn, blogs win hands down.

Final Thoughts

Deciding between a blog and a website isn’t just a technical question—it’s a strategic decision that can make or break your online presence. Blogs are your key to driving organic traffic, while websites establish your professional credibility. Together, they create a synergy that amplifies your brand and sales potential.

As someone who has built Complete Controller on the foundation of strong digital strategy and authentic engagement, I can tell you this: integrating the right tools into your business model is the game-changer you’ve been searching for.

Ready to take your online presence to the next level? Connect with the experts at Complete Controller today. Let’s grow your business together.

FAQ

What’s the main difference between a blog and a website?

A blog thrives on regular updates and engagement, while a website offers static, foundational business information.

Can blogs really improve SEO?

Absolutely. Blogs improve SEO through fresh, keyword-rich posts that help businesses rank higher in search results. Learn more about blog SEO best practices.

Should I invest in both?

Yes! Websites and blogs together provide the perfect mix of professionalism and connection.

How often should I blog?

To maintain engagement and relevancy, aim for at least one post per week.

How do I use my blog and website effectively?

Combine them seamlessly. Ensure consistent branding, make navigation intuitive, and align both with your content strategy.

Sources

• Indeed.com. “Blog vs. Website: Definitions and Key Differences.” 15 Aug. 2024, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/blog-vs-website.
• HubSpot. “Blogging Statistics — 31 Stats You Need to Know in 2024.” 28 Feb. 2015, https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/business-blogging-in-2015.
• Innovative Flare. “Blog Posts vs Regular Website Pages: How Are They Different?” 20 Feb. 2024, https://www.innovativeflare.com/blog-posts-vs-regular-website-pages-how-are-they-different/.
• Patagonia. “Patagonia Stories.” https://www.patagonia.com/stories/.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.