Solving the Inventory Management Dilemma of A Home Business

Assessing your inventory storage needs

So you are the owner/operator of a home business that is getting started. Since your business sells physical products, inventory storage is a growing concern. Initially, you may have stored inventory in your garage, basement, or even a spare bedroom. But fortunately, your business is growing, and storing inventory at home is no longer an option. So, what are you to do? Paying for more storage will present a hardship on finances. Now is an excellent time to assess your storage needs. What are the breakeven points of profit versus storage costs?

 In the beginning, there were so many details to traverse you took the most straightforward route to store your inventory. But now, your storage needs have outgrown your home, and it is time for a more comprehensive plan. Here are some thoughts to consider:

- You can't afford much, but you need something. Self-storage may be the best first step.- How long will the answer be if you choose self-storage as a first step? This is an excellent time to do some calculations and develop a progressive plan for storage.- What level of sales will take you to the limits of this first-step storage solution?- Will this level of sales afford a move to an adequate storage solution as a second step? A solution that will enable you to grow for a sufficient time?  - It would be wise to calculate the sales thresholds that push you to move to the next phase of storage capacity. Don't wait until you are at the limit of your current storage capacity.

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Inventory Management Software

To help protect and manage this growth plan, you need a good Inventory Management App (IMA). An IMA will help to determine the growth and storage thresholds.  

Before listing Inventory Management Apps, I want to emphasize that I am writing with a home business in mind. These are small businesses, and most, if not all, will have limited budgets. Each, however, has the wish to become larger. For the small business that sells physical products, storage is necessary that . . .

- . . . is within the limited budget - . . . will allow for significant growth before upsizing

To consider Warehouse Management Apps (WMA) would be overkill for the small business. The cost for WMAs would eat up the budget for storage, leaving nothing for storage facilities. Plus, warehouse management involves so much more than your inventory. What the small business owner needs to know is:

- What length of time can I go before having to restock products?- How much of each product should I have on hand for this period? - How much space will be adequate to store this much product?

An Inventory Management App can handle this information at a much lower cost. 

When considering an Inventory  Management App, I point to Adam Uzialko's article in the Business News Daily. He says, "most experts recommend cloud-based apps that do not require you to maintain servers or an IT staff . . . Instead, cloud-based software is managed by the software company." 

The following table lists Inventory Management Apps and compares features and costs.  

Comparison of Inventory Management Apps

The following table lists Inventory Management Apps and compares features and costs.  Click on the table image for a better view. You can also use this link to download a PDF of the table. below - (Download PDF of Inventory Management Apps)

Here are the links for each of the apps:

- Katana- Shipstation- Zoho- Boxstorm- Salesbinder

It is difficult to make an item-by-item comparison with these apps. There are too many variations with each. Consider the table a starting point for your research. It gives five affordable apps for small business and an overview to help kick-start your research.

In my next article, we will consider storage alternatives.

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https://digitalchowder.com/solving-the-inventory-management-dilemma-of-a-home-business/

My Top Five Favorite Apps for Maximum Productivity

These are my personal best productivity apps. Although they might What is a productivity app or software? A common understanding of productivity software assigns them to tasks such as producing documents, worksheets, and similar tasks. Not all the apps I am discussing fit that definition. Regardless, they all contribute to my personal productivity. Though the tasks I undertake vary, each app contributes to my productivity.

My five best productivity apps:

Ditto Clipboard

Ditto Clipboard is a Windows clipboard manager with advantages over Windows Clipboard. A key difference is an ability to store copied or cut content, saving as many items as you wish. You can then paste any copied content wherever you want at any point in the future. If you do many copy-and-paste functions, you will recognize how this can speed up your work.

A small example of this functionality gain is logging onto an online account. Using Windows Clipboard, you copy the username and then switch to the webpage to paste it. Next, you copy the password and then change to the webpage to paste the password. Using Ditto, you can complete this task in one step. Copy both username and password, then switch to the webpage and paste both to log in.

But another feature of Ditto speeds up my work even more. Have you ever pasted content into a document and had a big reformatting job? What a huge loss of time! With Ditto, there is little, if any, needed reformatting.

The best part yet maybe that Ditto is a free app.  While Ditto is a Windows app, Mac has a similar app called Clipmenu. You can use the buttons below to check them out.

Ditto Download for WindowsClipmenu Download for Mac

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Evernote

Evernote describes itself as a way to: "Tame your work, organize your life." Note-taking is fundamental to what Evernote is about. You can install the app on any of your devices, and it will sync with all your other devices. This is helpful for me when doing a presentation. I can write the presentation notes in Evernote using my computer. When I give the presentation I can view the notes on my tablet.

So far, I could also say that I have described any number of apps. But the feature I like best with Evernote is one I know of no other app that provides. Using the Evernote browser plugin, I can capture the content of any web page I wish to save.

Three formats are available for saving content from most web pages:

- Full page- Just the article displayed on the page- A simplified version of the article

Capturing the article will reduce the page to the article plus graphics. Choosing the simplified article option will reduce it to text only. I most often use either the second or third option.

This web-clipping feature is a huge time saver for research. I clip an article on a web page and choose within the browser plugin the folder to which I want to save it. When ready to compile the research findings, they are ready and waiting for me in the saved folder. I can access them on any of my devices. They will all be in editable Evernote pages with powerful editing tools at my fingertips.

Besides taking notes, Evernote will also allow audio recordings and hand sketches. Further options include tasks and calendar features.

The last feature I will highlight is one with which I only recently became acquainted. This feature allows me to connect Evernote with my WordPress website. Now I can write my posts in Evernote, which will appear in my WordPress posts.

Go to Evernote

Snagit

Number three among my five best productivity apps is Snagit from Techsmith. Snagit is a screen capture app that will do much more than screen captures. It will also do a video capture of my actions on the screen. This makes it an excellent tool for creating 'how-to' videos. I like to use this feature for help videos on websites. I have also used it as a support tool with clients. It will record my voice so I can include audio with these helpful videos.

Snagit has elementary video editing tools to use in cleaning up your videos. If you need a more robust video editor, TechSmith offers Camtasia.

Snagit has four selection options for screenshots:

- Full Screen- An open window- Drag over an area to select- Scrolling a document

A feature not to be overlooked is converting Captured graphics to animated GIFs.

Check Out Snagit

Todoists

Todoist is what the name implies – A To-Do List. I use Todoist to keep me organized. I recommend choosing an organizational app that will allow us to work most efficiently. Todoist is that tool for me. The screenshot below illustrates how it works. Notice the options in the left column. Select "Today" to view tasks for the current day. Select the "Upcoming" option to display the view to the right.

Using the "Upcoming" view, you can select a particular date and add tasks for completion. The default view is the current week, listing scheduled duties for each day that week. Do you have a project to manage with many tasks? Todoist can handle it. Todoist also allows the scheduling of recurring tasks.

Each day there will be a list of uncompleted tasks from previous days, which you can reschedule. Reschedule these to the next available date. You can schedule your tasks for a specific time of day and also assign them a priority.

As for any such app, it takes time to discover how it might work best for you or whether it will work at all. A free version is available to allow this experimentation before buying. Or, you can stay with the free version and work without the benefit of certain features.

Go to Todoist

Keeper Security

The last of my best productivity apps is Keeper Security - an app without which I cannot function. Not only does it manage my passwords, but also my:

- software keys- credit cards- driver's license- health insurance cards- and much more

Keeper Security is another app that crosses over to all my devices. So I can access passwords from any device. And, if I am on a computer that does not have the apps, I can always use the browser for access.

I need my passwords when online more than at any other time. So the browser plugin is my most used Keeper app. If I have stored the web page URL in Keeper and the password, Keeper will pop up, ready to do its thing. Entry of my credentials will be automatic when I give permission. But I can also choose to allow automatic entry, and the procedure happens without any further action on my part.

What about security? Keeper Security has a high level of encryption and security measures in place. As a user, though, I need to use good sense. To help with this, Keeper apps will all time out after a few minutes of inactivity. The use of the master password is then required to regain access. An exception to this will be the browser plugin. It is wise to close the browser when leaving the computer or other device.

I don't like creating passwords. So I am glad for Keeper to create a password when signing up for a new account online. I can set the parameters of the password to meet the need of any website.

Go to Keeper Security

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How to Clean Up Malware Infections in Your WordPress Website

Small business owners rely heavily on their websites for their online presence. Malicious activities or malware attacks on their website can damage their reputation and make their business untrustworthy. WordPress websites are especially vulnerable to such attacks, and knowing how to handle malware infections can be challenging. However, cleaning up malware infections is essential for maintaining the security of your website and keeping it functional. In this post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to clean up malware infections in your WordPress site.

Step 1: How to Detect Malware on Your WordPress Site

The first step to cleaning up malware infections on your WordPress site is to detect the presence of malware. There are several ways to detect malware on your site. One of the easiest ways is to use a malware scanner. A malware scanner will scan your site for malware and identify malicious files. There are several free and paid malware scanners available that you can use to scan your WordPress site. I will give more information on these below.

Another way to detect malware on your WordPress site is to look for unusual behavior. Malware can cause your site to behave unusually, such as redirecting visitors to other sites or displaying pop-up ads. If you notice any unusual behavior on your site, your site may have been infected with malware.

You can also check the access logs on your server to see if there have been any unusual requests to your site. Malware can cause your site to receive unusual requests from specific IP addresses. If you notice any unusual requests, your site may have been infected with malware.

Checking server logs may not be an option for you, but the security plugins we suggest later in this article offer activity logs you can view. The plugins will even alert you to unusual activity.

Step 2: Understanding the Types of Malware Infections on WordPress Sites

Several types of malware infections can affect WordPress sites. The most common malware infections are backdoors, trojans, and phishing scams.

Backdoors are a type of malware that allows hackers to gain access to your site even after you have removed the malware. Backdoors can be challenging to detect because they are often hidden in legitimate files.

Trojans are malware that disguises itself as a legitimate program or file. Trojans can be used to steal sensitive information or gain site access.

Phishing scams are malware that tricks visitors into giving up sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords. Phishing scams can be disguised as legitimate login pages or forms.

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Step 3: Backup Your Website

Before proceeding to the cleaning process, you must back up your website to avoid any data loss. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus, VaultPress, or BackupBuddy to back up your website's content, theme files, and databases. These plugins offer automated backups, and you can back up your website content to the cloud or through a download link.

While backing up your website is vital in cleaning a malware infection, an even wiser practice is running regular backups before an infection occurs. Though a good backup app should check for malware, one might slip through and be included in the backup. Obviously, this would perpetuate the infection.

As a backup tip, a quick fix for a significant website malfunction can be to have two critical files downloaded to your computer for quick access. If you have FTP access to your WordPress installation, download the index.php and wp-config.php files to your computer from the installation's root directory. This can assure a fast recovery if your site goes down entirely due to an infection or other cause.

If you don't have FTP access or don't know how to work with FTP, the hosting panel of your website host may have a file manager. You should be able to find and download those files using the file manager. A third alternative to downloading the two files is to use the WordPress plugin "Filester - File Manager Pro."

As with many other insights, I learned this insight the hard way through personal experience. As a web developer/designer, I started my day not too long ago with a notice of unusual activity on one of the websites I manage. I went to the website and got nothing except an error message. The whole website was down.

Within a few minutes, I learned I had eight websites down. When a whole website is down, my mind goes to those two essential files: index.php and wp-config.php. Because I had backups of those two files for all my websites. I had all eight websites back up and running within a few minutes. This is not to suggest that every website crash is due to these files, but they are an excellent starting point. And often, as in my case, you will have to go no further to get your site operating again.

I still had an infection problem, but it isn't easy to do anything when you cannot even access the wp-admin dashboard. Once the sites were operational, I could take positive steps to eliminate the infections.

Step 4: Cleaning Up Malware Infections Step By Step

Now let's walk through a step-by-step process to clean up an infection:

1. Isolate affected files: Once you identify the problem, it is necessary to isolate or locate the affected files to prevent further damage. Two free website scanners are:

- Securi- Sitelock

In addition to these two tools, a WordPress plugin for scanning and security is MalCare WordPress Security Plugin. It is a Malware Scanner, Cleaner, and Security Firewall.

2, Remove malicious files: Once you have identified them, remove the malicious files from your site. You can do this manually by deleting the files or by using a plugin that will remove the files for you. The plugin MalCare will not only identify malware files but will also remove them.

Even after using a plugin to remove harmful files, a personal scan of your files is a good idea. You can do this using one of the three methods mentioned above to access your WordPress installation files. (FTP, dashboard file manager, or WordPress plugin Filester)

As you scan, you will be looking for anything that looks unusual. For instance, the recent infection I referred to above kept dumping files in the root directory of my WordPress installations that looked like this: aeda1d3cbabf291bbd35dd20106509d8. There was no file extension, just this long string of letters and numbers.

If you find an unusual file but aren't sure if you should remove it, rename it. For instance, with this file, you might rename it to "aeda1d3cbabf291bbd35dd20106509d8_ARC", showing it as an archive file. If you find issues with the website or admin panel after renaming the file, change it back to its original name. No harm, no foul.

When viewed, the files on my sites contained a URL designed to redirect visitors to a porn site. Of interest is that the redirection was only triggered when a visitor clicked on a URL for the website from a Google referrer. If the site URL was entered directly, no redirection took place.

3. Update your site: It's essential to update your site to the latest version of WordPress and all plugins and themes. This will ensure that any vulnerabilities exploited by the malware are patched.

4. Change your passwords: Change all passwords associated with your site, including your WordPress login, FTP, and database passwords. This will ensure that the hacker can't regain access to your site.

A word about changing the database password. This can be daunting for the novice user, but WP Reset, a WordPress plugin, will step even the novice through the process.

5. Check your site: After cleaning up the malware infection, it's essential to check your site to ensure everything is working correctly.

Step 5: Harden Your Website Security

Once your website is clean, you must harden your website's security to avoid future malware attacks and improve your website security. For this, I recommend the WPMU DEV packet of plugins. The packet has seven primary plugins, one of which is Defender Pro. Defender Pro monitors your WordPress site's vulnerabilities, detects any malware activity, and removes the villains.

By using all seven plugins, you cover most of your plugin needs while assuring they are compatible with one another and safe against vulnerabilities. And the cost of using all seven pro plugins is less than many individual plugins.

Suppose you choose to use a stand-alone plugin for security while using a variety of other plugins to cover the remaining tasks. This practice can increase your risk of vulnerability to infections.

Read my article, "Why Choose WPMU DEV for Your WordPress Projects?" for more about WPMU DEV plugins.

Additionally, you can implement best practices such as strong passwords, periodic backups, and limited login attempts.

Conclusion:

Cleaning up malware infections in your WordPress site is crucial for maintaining your website's security and functionality. You can follow the above steps to identify, remove, and prevent future malware attacks. Remember to back up your website before the cleaning process and update your website's core, theme, and plugins. Lastly, follow the best security practices and use security plugins to harden your website security. By doing so, you can keep your website safe and keep your small business running smoothly.

https://digitalchowder.com/how-to-clean-up-malware-infections-in-your-wordpress-website/

Choosing The Perfect Web Hosting Service for Your Business

Introduction

In my article, "6 Steps to Building A Website for Your Small Business," I gave six simple steps to launch your business's online presence. In that article, I touched on selecting a host for your website. In this article, I will go into more detail about Choosing The Perfect Web Hosting Service for Your Business.

Where Do I Start?

If you are new to website building and hosting, "where do I start?" may be your most daunting question. Where do you start? Do not start by researching web hosting services, what they charge, and what they have to offer. From this research, you will only learn what is available and what it will cost. You could then make the mistake of choosing a hosting service based only on cost.

So, where do you start? Start with your business.

- What is the nature of your business?- What do you want an online presence to do for your business?- Promote your business?- Capture a reasonable margin of the market share?- What will be your market reach (local, regional, national, global)?- Provide legitimacy for your business?- Sell products?- What will be the nature of the content for your website?- Information?- Blogs?- Media (images, videos, etc.)?- Data?- eCommerce?

There is more that could be listed here, but these questions will give a good start at identifying the requirements of a website for your business.

What Next

Based on your answers to the questions above, you will have vital information to use in selecting a web host. You can then identify which category you fall into below :

Less than average usage - The following website content will result in less than average bandwidth and storage:

- Basic information about the business- Informational blogs- Low to moderate traffic (less than 30,000 users per month)- Storage needs primarily consist of website images and a few files for download.- A low amount of file downloads or uploads

Average usage - The following content will have moderate bandwidth and storage usage:

- Medium to medium-high traffic (30,000 to 150,000 users per month) - 100Mbps is needed for every 1,000 users.- One or two of these activities in moderation:- Streaming music- Video conferencing - Large image files- A moderate amount of data- A moderate amount of one or two of these items:- Audio files- Video files- Image files- Databases- eCommerce

Higher than average usage - Increase everything under average use to high rather than moderate amounts. As traffic increases, bandwidth will increase regarding every activity on your website.

What Kind of Hosting Will I need?

Assuming you have worked through the questions above, you now have enough information to consider the hosting you need.

To address hosting options, I will draw on the help of the staff at digital.com, referencing their article, "How To Choose a Web Hosting Provider."

Using the information you have gleaned to this point, you have a general idea of your storage and bandwidth requirements. With this knowledge, consider the three hosting options: shared, virtual private, and dedicated, described in the digital.com article, "How To Choose a Web Hosting Provider."

Shared Hosting

With shared hosting, multiple sites use the same IP address and reside on the same server. This is the most economical form of web hosting, as the hosting company splits the cost of a physical server among multiple sites.

The main advantage of shared hosting is its price. However, you are also at the mercy of the bandwidth other sites on the same server use. If a large amount of traffic goes to another location on the same server, it slows your site considerably.

Also, if another site on the same server is engaging in nefarious behavior and has its IP blocked by spam filters, your site may be affected as well. Reliable hosting providers prevent this but you should take this possibility into account.

Virtual Private Server Hosting

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is the next step up in web hosting technology. While you still share the same physical server with other sites, you are set up with a unique virtual server and a unique IP address. This unique IP address keeps your site separate from other sites on the server.

If you choose VPS hosting you have the advantage of being able to manage more features on your server yourself and eliminate blacklisting risks like those with shared hosting. There are some limitations on how much traffic a VPS can handle, but most sites for individuals or small businesses will never come close to exceeding these limitations.

Dedicated Hosting

With dedicated hosting, your physical server or servers are for your website only. This is a more expensive type of hosting, but it is also the most reliable.

Large companies require the use of dedicated hosting services to guarantee uptime and to secure their site. This option is best for efficiency; but, again, it is far more expensive. There are options that help deflect the cost. Through Amazon Web Services (AWS), for example, where you can pay as you go to maintain better control over the costs.

The Top Web Hosting Providers

In addition to the information about types of hosting, from "How To Choose a Web Hosting Provider," digital.com offers their three picks for top web hosting providers:

Bluehost

Best Overall Hosting

For individuals or companies who decide that shared hosting fits their needs, you can’t get a better deal than Bluehost. It provides one of the least expensive starting packages for web hosting and includes a full 50GB of storage space at its lowest level plans. It also boasts an impressive 99.99% uptime. We found that its rates and support are among the best in the business for first-time users.

SiteGround

Best Hosting for Customer Support

Siteground provides a suite of excellent services, including reliable web hosting and fully managed WordPress hosting. Their hosting also comes with useful addons for e-commerce, including WooCommerce.

While SiteGround tends to be slightly more expensive than some of its competitors, it consistently provides some of the best service and fastest speeds available on the internet. It is ideal for beginners (it has several easy-to-use drag and drop tools), and established companies. They are a solid choice for a web host.

Hostinger

Best Budget Hosting

Hostinger stands out as an especially good option for hosting users who are on a tight budget. While Hostinger’s plans are exceptionally affordable it doesn’t mean they’re missing any key features. It provides a wide range of services that will satisfy most small businesses. Its entry-level packages are very affordable and can scale up to meet the needs of more demanding sites. Even the lowest-level shared hosting plan includes SSD storage, a free SSL certificate, and managed auto-updates for WordPress.

More on Hosting

Have your questions on hosting not yet been answered? You can take a deeper dive by checking out these other articles at Digital:

- https://digital.com/web-hosting/- https://digital.com/web-hosting/what-is-web-hosting/- https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/how-to-host-a-website/- https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/how-much-does-it-cost-to-host-a-website/

Other Considerations

Once you have settled on a hosting plan, it is time to consider additional features you will need for your website. These include Email, SSL security, and web builders.

Email Accounts - You will likely want multiple email accounts based on your business domain. For instance, sales@mybusiness.com. You will want to be sure the service you select includes email accounts in your hosting package.

SSL Security - SSL security assures that data transferred to and from your website is safe. Having this safeguard has become a must on today's internet. Most browsers will either warn you or block you when you are about to enter a website that does not have SSL. Receiving an unsafe warning in your browser about the website you are about to visit does not engender confidence in the business that operates the website.

Whether or not a hosting service includes SSL in its hosting package, you can purchase and install a certificate yourself. But it is a nice perk if included in the package, saving you approximately $50 annually.

Web Builders - You will need an application to build your business website. What does the hosting service you are considering offer? Many include a website builder app with drag-and-drop features. These can be relatively simple to learn to use, but will they offer you the flexibility you need?

Apart from a web builder app included in a hosting service package, there are two main options: build an HTML website or use a CMS app such as WordPress. A significant percentage of websites on the internet are run on WordPress sites.

A WordPress website can offer greater flexibility than drag-and-drop builders, especially when using a custom theme. It is helpful to use a professional designer to get the most out of a WordPress site. I recommend Elite Web Presence services for a custom WordPress or HTML site.

Should you choose WordPress to power your website, consider selecting a hosting service that specializes in hosting WordPress sites. Such hosting services will usually offer additional tools to enhance your WordPress-powered site.

Conclusion

It can be challenging to decide on a web hosting provider with all the available options. To help you narrow down your choices, we've put together a list of factors to keep in mind and some top providers. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!

Is there a topic you would like me to address? Please let us know in the comments below or on our contact form.

Clockify: The Time Tracking Tool For Increased Productivity

If you are a home or small business owner needing to track billable hours, Clockify might be your answer. Clockify is an online time-tracking tool that lets you track your work hours and monitor your productivity. You can use it to track your time, no matter the activity or the project you’re working on. Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote worker, or manage a team, Clockify will help you stay focused and achieve your goals.

To help you decide which time-tracking tool best suits you, we will quickly compare Clockify with two other tools, pointing out the pros and cons. Then I will do a short video demonstration of Clockify so you can see it yourself.

My viewpoint is that of a home business owner needing to track billable hours for website development. If this is your perspective, I think you will lean toward Clockify, as do I. However, if you work with a team and need to track more than billable hours, such as more complex project management, you may find yourself drawn to one of the other tools.

First, here is a comparison of Clockify with Toggl and Harvest.

Toggl

Clockify and Toggl are both popular time-tracking tools. While both tools share some similarities, they also have some differences that set them apart.

Interface

Regarding user interface and ease of use, both Clockify and Toggl have their strengths. Clockify has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it an excellent option for beginners or those who prefer a more streamlined experience. Toggl, on the other hand, has a more complex interface with more advanced features, which may take some time to learn but can be more powerful in the long run.

Integrations with Other Tools and Platforms.

Clockify and Toggl offer integrations with various other tools and platforms, making it easy to streamline your workflow and save time. Clockify integrates with popular project management tools such as Asana, Trello, and Basecamp and accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero. Toggl, on the other hand, offers integrations with a broader range of tools, including CRM software like Salesforce, communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, and even social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. When choosing between the two, consider which integrations are most important to your workflow and which tools you already use.

Time Tracking Features and Functionality.

Clockify and Toggl offer a range of time-tracking features and functionality to help you manage your time more effectively. Clockify allows you to track time by project, task, or client and offers a range of reporting options to help you analyze your data. Toggl, on the other hand, offers more advanced features such as billable rates, team management, and project budgets.

Pricing and Plans.

Regarding pricing, Clockify says it “is the only time tracker free for teams of all sizes. You and your team can use Clockify without ever paying a cent, even if you have hundreds of users! Use it as much as you want, for as long as you want, and we won’t charge a cent.” Toggl also offers free plans for up to 5 users. From there, with an annual plan, Clockify starts at $3.99 per user per month. Toggl starts at $9 per user per month.

Harvest

Clockify and Harvest also have similar features, but some key differences exist. One key difference is pricing. Whereas Clockify and Toggl have free plans, Harvest offers a 30-day free trial. Following the Harvest trial, the cost is $12 per month per user if paid monthly and $10.80 per month per user if paid annually.

If you are a solopreneur, as I am, this pricing difference might make the difference without reading further. As solopreneurs, we are not looking for additional user availability and probably do not need more advanced features. However, there could be a functionality difference that could make the cost difference worth it. So keep reading.

Features and functionalities of Clockify.

Some of the key features of Clockify include time tracking, project management, reporting, and integrations with other tools. With Clockify, users can track time for multiple projects and clients, set hourly rates, and generate reports to analyze their productivity. Clockify offers integrations with popular tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack, making tracking time across different platforms easy.

Features and functionalities of Harvest.

Some of the critical features of Harvest include time tracking, invoicing, project management, and reporting. With Harvest, users can track time for multiple projects and clients, set hourly rates, and generate invoices to bill clients for their work. Clockify offers invoicing, but not in the free version.

Harvest also offers integrations with popular tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack, making tracking time across different platforms easy.

Pros and Cons Of Each Tool

To summarize, we will consider the pros and cons of each time tracking tool.

ClockifyPros:- Clockify is free for teams of any size, making it an ideal solution for small businesses or freelancers with a limited budget.- Clockify offers valuable features like time tracking, task management, invoicing, and reporting. These features make it a versatile tool that can help you streamline multiple processes at once.- Clockify is user-friendly and has a clean interface, making it easy for beginners.- Clockify offers a mobile app that makes tracking time on the go easy.- Clockify supports integrations with tools like Trello, Asana, and Jira.Cons:- Clockify’s free plan has some limitations, which might require upgrading to a free plan.TogglPros:- Toggl offers simple and intuitive time-tracking features, making it an excellent tool for freelancers or individuals seeking an easy-to-use time-tracking solution.- Toggl offers a mobile app, making tracking time on the go easy.- Toggl provides a dashboard and reports that give a detailed overview of the time spent on different projects and tasks.- Toggl supports integrations with popular tools such as Asana, Trello, and Google Calendar.Cons:- Toggl’s pricing plans can be expensive, especially for larger teams or businesses.- Toggl’s reporting feature may not be as detailed as needed for some users.- Toggl doesn’t have a task management feature, which limits its functionality.

Harvest:

Pros:

- Harvest offers comprehensive features, including time-tracking, invoicing, and project management.- It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.- The tool integrates with various third-party applications, such as Trello and Asana.- Harvest provides robust reporting and insight tools that allow users to track their team’s productivity and monitor their progress easily.

Cons:

- Harvest can be more expensive than other time-tracking tools, particularly for larger teams.- The interface is more customizable than some users would like, which can be limiting for those who want to track specific information.

Video Overview of Clockify

Here is a short video overview of Clockify. Get an introduction without having to register for an account.

Ready to take the next step? Sign up for Clockify:

(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)

Conclusion

Overall, Clockify, Toggl, and Harvest are great tools to consider if you need help tracking time. Each tool has advantages and drawbacks when deciding which is right for your business needs. Whether it's free pricing plans or detailed reporting options, there's something out there to fit everyone’s requirements. With the right research and analysis, we're sure you'll find the perfect time-tracking solution for your team!

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3 Simple Steps to Secure Your Home Business Online

No matter the size of your home business, you are always at risk of a cyber-attack. By taking some simple steps to secure your business online, you can protect yourself and your customers from the devastating effects of a cyber breach. As a home business owner, you are likely always looking for ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. When it comes to cybersecurity, though, skimping on protection can cost you a lot more in the long run. A cyber attack can disrupt your business operations and lead to the loss of sensitive customer data. To protect your home business from the growing threat of cybercrime, follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Use Strong Passwords

As more and more people work from home, home businesses are becoming increasingly common. While there are many advantages to running a home business, there are some security risks to consider as well. One of the most important things you can do to protect your home business is to use strong passwords.

While a weak password might be easy to remember, hackers can also easily guess. If a hacker gains access to your account, they could change your password, lock you out of your account, or even use your account to send spam. To avoid becoming the victim of a hacking attack, use a strong password.

A strong password should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. If you're not sure how to create a strong password, many online tools can help. A great tool I have used for years is Keeper Security. It will create passwords for new accounts, then store them for recall when you log back onto that account. You can permit it to automatically insert your username and password when you log in again.

(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)

Another safety measure is to change your passwords regularly and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

An added layer of security with online accounts is using two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) requires you to confirm your identity to gain access to an account or system. With 2FA enabled, you will need to enter both your password and a one-time code generated by an authentication app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Avoid Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are a common threat to home businesses. These attacks occur when a malicious individual sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or online service. The email may contain a link that leads to a fake website. On the website, the intent is for the user to enter sensitive information. This could be, for example, login credentials or a credit card number.

There are many different ways to mount a phishing attack. But home business owners can take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their businesses. First, be vigilant about checking any email or message sender before opening it. What should you do if the legitimacy of an email? Contact the supposed sender using a verification method other than email. Additionally, never click on links or attachments from unknown or untrusted sources.

Some red flags that an email or website may be part of a phishing scam include:

- The email or website has poor grammar or spelling errors- The URL is slightly different from the legitimate company's URL (e.g., "https://www.paypal.com" vs. " paypall")- You are asked to enter sensitive information on a website that does not have an "https://" in the URL- If you receive an email or see a website that seems suspicious, do not click on any links or enter any information. Instead, contact the company directly to confirm that the communication is legitimate.

Did you know that about 90% of successful data breaches start with a phishing attack? Training yourself to avoid these attacks can be the most effective step to ensure your cybersecurity.

Step 3: Keep your software up to date

Home businesses often rely on technology to help them run smoothly and efficiently. But if this technology is not kept up to date, it can quickly become outdated and ineffective. One of the essential pieces of technology for a home business is software. Software programs constantly make updates with new features and security patches. So, keeping your software up to date is necessary to get the most out of it. This will ensure that you have the latest features, but it will also help protect your business from security threats. You can configure most software programs to install updates automatically. 

Another simple step you can take to protect your home business from a cyber attack is the use of security software. There are many options available, and it is essential to choose the one that best fits your needs. You can install some security software on your computer, while others are available as Cloud-based services. There are also different levels of protection. So choose the level that best suits your home business. By using security software, you can help to protect your home business from viruses, malware, and hackers.  This protection comes in two forms:

- Preventing malware from being installed on your computer- Removing any existing malware that may have already made its way onto your system.

This can help to keep your business safe and secure and ensure that your customers can trust your home business.

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A suite of software I have used for years comes from IObit. IObit is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that helps to protect home businesses from a variety of threats. These threats include malware, phishing attacks, and more. Besides protecting you against malware attacks, IObit's software suite can:

- Keep your computer clean and- Keep software and drivers up to date.

The following apps from IObit will give you comprehensive protection:

- Advanced Systemcare - the ultimate PC tuneup- Uninstaller - Gives a cleaner PC with safer browsing- Smart Defrag - Faster file accessing- Driver Booster - Keeps your PC running smooth- Malware Fighter - Detects & removes threats and prevents unknown access to online privacy while also blocking ransomware attacks.- Software Updater - Automatically updates software.

Each of these comes with licenses for three computers.

Conclusion:

If you take these three simple steps to protect your home business, you'll be well on your way to fending off any potential cyber-attacks. Using strong passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and keeping your software updated is vital in protecting yourself online. So make sure to implement these tips today!

(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)

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LED Display - What It is, And How It Can Benefit The Home Business

Introduction

LED display is one of the newest and most innovative advertising methods. People quickly turn to outdoor LEDs for their advertisement needs because they use significantly less energy than traditional billboards. Also, the screens are large and bright, making them more difficult for people to miss.

In this blog, we will be looking at what LED display is, how you can use them for advertising, and how they could benefit the home business.

What is LED display Outdoor advertising?

LED advertising is a type of outdoor marketing that uses electronic displays to show static images, videos, and animation. These advertisements are displayed on high-definition screens, making them visible from far away. This digital advertising method is very versatile and suitable for placement almost anywhere.

Advantages of outdoor LED display advertisement

The outdoor LED display screen offers a lot of advantages for advertising. Of course, any business wants people to pay attention to their advertisements, so they notice and understand the material. As a result, advertisements seem more appealing to potential consumers. But that isn't all; several more benefits come from using outdoor LED displays for ads.

1. Eye-Catching Advertising 

As I already alluded to, using bright LED lights with color and motion, outdoor LED displays are attention-grabbing. When you add video or animation, they command even greater attention. In short, the possibilities of LED display advertising are limited only by the advertiser's creativity.

2. OOH Advertising Solution

According to the article, "LED Screen Advertising Benefits – 10 Reasons Why LED Technology Helps You Expand Your Business," by Daniel Reynolds (https://dynamo-led-displays.co.uk/led-advertising-screen-advantages/), "Using LED screen advertising as your Out Of Home (OOH) advertising solution means that your digital content can be published with high-quality outdoor LED screens and relayed to a far broader public audience. Depending on the footfall, traffic speed, and the frequency and duration of your message, you can get your ads in front of a broad cross-section of a local community, potentially generating new interest, widening your audience, and increasing inquiries."

3. Lower Cost Advertising

You might be shocked to learn that outdoor LED advertising displays are cost-effective. As a result, many clients want to invest in an outdoor LED display. When compared to traditional advertising boards, they are far more cost-efficient.

Unlike typical print ads, LED ads can easily be edited or updated without the additional costs of reprinting. The upfront costs can add up to considerable financial savings by eliminating the time and cost of editing and reprinting print ads.

4. Real-time updates and edits 

The cost savings of editing and updating LED advertisements over printed ones was just mentioned. Now I'd like to highlight the ability to real-time adjust and improve your targeting using LED advertising, which allows you to hone your targeting precision on a continuing basis. You may push your marketing efforts from anywhere in the world thanks to wireless technology and cloud-based computing, allowing you to manage them from anywhere. Various sophisticated software platforms enable you to make any desired changes immediately by working remotely.

5. Effective advertising

With outdoor LED displays, you control which ads to play and when. Furthermore, there's no limit to how many ads you can display or run at one time--you could even alternate between multiple ads.

6. Synchronous Digital Campaigns 

In real-time, DOOH provides for the opportunity to establish completely synchronous digital campaigns published and streamed across websites, mobile devices, applications, television, radio, and Digital Out of Home (DOOH) media. The cutting-edge technology and servers may be programed to deliver coordinated and highly targeted advertising with a level of control and accuracy previously unimagined.

How can LED display advertising benefit the home business?

Mockup image of billboard screen posters and led light box in the street for advertising

 

This article is titled "LED display advertising - what is it, and how can it benefit the home business." As I write, that is always my concern - to benefit the home business. So can LED display ads help the home business? The short answer is, "It all depends."

But before getting into what it might depend on, I want to highlight the vast array of new possibilities it offers. Having read this far, you know about some of its advantages and opportunities. It has all the capabilities and options of ads on the internet or television.

You can now move your advertising outdoors using the same design tools you have already been using. And your ads are displayed wherever you choose. They don't have to be in front of a computer or mobile device or at home watching their television. They might be driving across town or to another city. They might be at the mall or an athletic event.

Each setting catches the person in a different frame of mind and receptivity to your message. And, whatever the location, it segments your audience based on interest.

So with these thoughts in mind, allow your mind to run free as you consider the possibilities.

It all depends

Now to mention a couple of factors that can determine whether or not the home business might benefit from LED display ads.

- Advertising Budget - Your business's advertising budget will be a significant factor. I am not suggesting that LED display advertising is more expensive than other forms. But it could require more outlay to get the coverage you might get with other forms of advertising. Since LED display ads are stationary, multiple locations will be necessary to broaden your scope. On the other hand, in specific settings, it may grab attention better than the internet or social media ads which compete with many other diversions. - Geographical reach - Another significant factor that could impact the benefit of LED display advertising for your home business is the geographical reach of your product or service. In some cases, that reach will be local, whereas, in others, it will be state-wide, nationwide, or even global. If your business has a broad reach, you should not automatically eliminate the use of LED displays. Should you want to infuse a heightened awareness about your product or service in a specific market, LED displays might fit the bill.

Adcritter

As you think about using this form of advertisement in your home business, consider the operation of a company such as Adcritter. Adcritter (adcritter.com) bills itself as "The Small Business Ad Platform," targeting TV, Internet, and Billboards.

Adcritter offers subscriptions on its platform with a monthly fee of $149. You design and schedule your advertising yourself using templates they provide. Templates vary depending on the media you plan to use, whether TV, internet, or billboards.

When you have designed your ad campaign, you are ready to arrange with Adcritter the media, coverage, and desired schedule. You decide the ad budget right for your business, and Adcritter uses its buying power to get you the best possible prices.

Through this or similar ad agencies, the home business can coordinate its advertisements across social media, internet search ads, TV, and LED display billboards. And you have eliminated using an expensive ad agency in the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LED display advertising can be a great way to get your home business noticed. However, it is crucial to consider your advertising budget and geographical reach when deciding if this form of advertising is suitable for you. Additionally, an agency like Adcritter can help you coordinate your ad campaign across multiple platforms and save money.

Please share your thoughts or experiences concerning LED display advertising in the comments below. If you would be interested in receiving bi-weekly email notices of our blogs for home and small businesses, please sign up using the form below.

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