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Did you know that a software framework or application can be implemented without requiring any coding knowledge? In 2024, it’s possible to create a digital workplace, applications for internal management within an organization, or simply develop applications for fun, all without any coding knowledge. 

Thanks to technology, these no-code app builders allow users to easily and quickly create applications. We’ve compiled the 7 best no-code app builders of 2024 for you, where you can build your applications or even set up a digital shop. Here they are:

1. Jotform Apps

Jotform’s app builder, one of its significant products alongside its form builder, tables, report builder, and PDF editor, enables users to create applications effortlessly without requiring coding knowledge. With its diverse integrations and a wide array of ready-made templates, this app builder offers convenience for various purposes within the Jotform ecosystem.

Users can easily create a company portal or store internal documents for easy access using Jotform’s user-friendly drag-and-drop design interface, and effectively monitor data using its complementary tools like spreadsheets and streamlined collaboration through approval workflows. Additionally, users can download their apps on any smartphone, computer, or tablet and quickly share them via links, emails, or QR codes.

Moreover, through the app builder, users can create digital store apps with various payment integrations, enabling them to transition their businesses into the digital business environment.

Image source: www.jotform.com

Features

• Customize your app with drag-and-drop forms and elements.
• Choose from over 600 app templates to kickstart your app creation process.
• Access various payment processing options across devices.
• Easily share your app by generating a QR code.
• Access your app from any device.
• Customize CSS to tailor the appearance of your forms.
• Integrate with CRM systems for streamlined data management.
• Efficiently manage form submissions.

Pricing

Jotform’s pricing depends on the expected usage of your forms. All plans provide access to every feature except HIPAA friendly features. With yearly subscriptions, users receive a 20% discount. These subscriptions comprise of four distinct plans:

Starter Plan: Free, with a monthly limit of 100 submissions.

Bronze Plan: $34 monthly, allowing up to 1,000 submissions per month.

Silver Plan: $39 monthly, providing a monthly submission limit of 2,500.

Gold Plan: $99 monthly, offering a generous monthly submission cap of 10,000.

Moreover, there’s an Enterprise Plan with exclusive features and terms. It’s important to note that Jotform extends a 50% discount to educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

2. Softr 

Softr is differentiated from other builders by its functionality on client portals and internal tools. This platform connects complex data management systems like Airtable or Google Sheets with user-friendly, customizable applications, allowing users to create fully functional apps without any coding skills. Softr also comes with various integrations, like Stripe for payments and Mailchimp for email marketing.

Although Softr originally focused on assisting entrepreneurs in launching new apps and SaaS businesses—a capability it still excels at—the company has recently shifted its attention to aiding medium to large corporations in constructing internal tools for their operations. It’s worth noting that Softr is not classified as a full-fledged no-code web app builder due to its lack of a built-in database. In addition to accommodating this usage scenario, Softr offers robust SEO support, enhancing the discoverability of Softr-built applications.

Image source: www.softr.io

Features

• Efficiently manage memberships.
• Handle payments smoothly.
• SEO for visibility.
• Customize interfaces effortlessly.
• Access various data sources.
• Automate workflows seamlessly.
• Manage users and permissions.

Pricing

Softr has five different plans for different purposes. These are annually billed prices:

Free Plan: Free for individuals building passion projects and 100 external app users limit.

Basic Plan: $49 monthly, allowing up to 1000 external app users.

Professional Plan: $139 monthly, allowing up to 5000 external app users.

Business Plan: $269 monthly, allowing up to 10000 external app users.

Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger companies that want extra volume, security, and support.

Softr has 2 month-free campaign for annual plans and special plans for non-profits and educational organizations.

3. Thunkable

Whether you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative app idea or an educator seeking to engage students with interactive projects, Thunkable has you covered. Its user-friendly interface simplifies app development through drag-and-drop components, offering a diverse range from buttons to maps. Thunkable stands out for its ability to generate apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously, reaching a broader audience with a single design. With an extensive library of pre-built templates and components, you have plenty of options for customization, allowing you to bring your unique app ideas to life. 

Thunkable seamlessly integrates with various APIs and services, enabling the addition of advanced features like real-time data storage with Firebase or machine learning capabilities. Thunkable, designed specifically for native mobile app creation, offers in-depth logic capabilities for building complex and feature-rich apps. While these components may require additional setup, they significantly enhance app functionality.

Image source: www.thunkable.com

Features

• Utilize drag-and-drop elements for easy app creation.
• Develop apps for device-native experiences.
• Publish directly without intermediaries.
• Employ advanced logic blocks for intricate functionalities.
• Integrate with various services and APIs for expanded capabilities.

Pricing

Thunkable’s pricing policy is simpler compared to other app builders. With three main tiers, Thunkable offers users a yearly subscription option with two months of free usage.

Free Plan: No subscription fee, and ideal for beginners just getting started.

Starter Plan: $13 monthly billed annually, and ideal for growing your initial idea.

Pro Plan: $38 monthly billed annually, and perfect for building and launching your app.

4. Bubble

Bubble is a comprehensive no-code web app builder renowned for its extensive functionality and adaptability, complemented by a vast ecosystem of third-party plugins, tutorials, and expert guidance. It specializes in developing web applications and, with the assistance of third-party plugins, can also create PWAs.

Bubble stands out for its ability to construct virtually any type of application without the need for coding. However, it’s important to note that the learning curve is steeper compared to platforms like Softr, and Bubble apps may not offer the highest level of performance. Bubble is best suited for individuals willing to invest time in mastering its learning curve and aspire to create apps or SaaS products with complex functionality.

The plugin marketplace within Bubble is an invaluable resource, offering pre-built features for a wide range of use cases. While gaining proficiency in app development principles is advisable, leveraging plugins allows users to assemble approximately 80% of their app through drag-and-drop functionality.

For those concerned about the longevity of no-code tools, it’s worth mentioning that Bubble has been in the sector for nearly 12 years and has continued to provide app development for over a decade.

Image source: www.bubble.io

Features

• Responsive design for mobile devices and dynamic content.
• Unlimited scalability for users, traffic, and data storage.
• Password protection or OAuth 2.0 authentication.
• Integration with email, SEO, analytics, and other services.
• Enhanced user interaction with dynamic and static content elements.

Pricing

Bubble has different plans that are billed at annual prices.

Free Plan: Free, with a limit of 50k workload units/mo, and best for learning how to use Bubble.

Starter Plan: $29 monthly, with a limit of 175k workload units/mo, and best for launching your app and testing.

Growth Plan: $119 monthly, with a limit of 50k workload units/mo, and best for growing your user base.

Team Plan: $349 monthly, with a limit of 500k workload units/mo, and best for scaling your team and business.

Enterprise Plan: Best for maximum security and scale with custom pricing options.

Bubble provides discounts for both students and nonprofit organizations to support education and social impact initiatives.

5. Backendless

Backendless is another top no-code platform for developing apps, providing a strong visual programming interface and dependable hosting services. It caters to various app types, including web apps, native mobile apps, and PWAs, though some coding skills may be required for mobile projects. It’s popular for enterprise-level applications, but users need some technical knowledge to use it effectively. One noteworthy aspect of Backendless is its use of a visual programming language originally developed by MIT for teaching children programming. While more sophisticated, it remains accessible compared to traditional coding methods.

Backendless is suitable for individuals familiar with technology and corporate decision-makers seeking efficient app development solutions. It offers a user-friendly interface and various features for creating apps effortlessly. Additionally, it provides flexible deployment options to meet diverse needs without compromising quality or reliability.

Image source: www.backendless.com

Features

• Backendless Core supports authentication, data storage, messaging, and custom logic.
• Manages data with a graphical browser, SQL search, and relations.
• Caching features optimize backend performance with efficient, in-memory data caching.
• Cloud Code customizes applications with API services and event handlers.

Pricing

Backendless offers three distinct pricing models. You can begin with a free Backendless Cloud plan that adjusts according to your needs as you expand, or opt for additional assistance and features through Backendless Pro and Managed Backendless.

• Backendless Cloud

Starter Plan: No subscription fee and designed for exploring and learning the platform.

Scale Plan: $15 monthly subscription fee and designed for developing your application, publishing it, and managing it.

• Backendless Pro

Single Server: $10k per year plan includes on-premise or virtual machine deployment (Ubuntu required), offering all Backendless features in the Limitless Edition, with regular updates and priority support, plus an additional 20% for support.

Clustered: $50k per year plan includes everything in the Single Server plan, with added features such as high availability mode to eliminate single points of failure, available for on-premise or virtual machine deployment with a minimum of 3 nodes, plus an additional 20% for support.

• Managed Backendless

Managed Backendless: Custom pricing plan with offering a fully managed, completely isolated cluster with 24×7 monitoring, ensuring smooth and reliable operation with no functional limits for your app’s growth. It combines the limitless features of Backendless Pro with the convenience of Backendless Cloud, providing guaranteed uptime, dedicated installation, and dedicated support for seamless migration and optimal user experience.

6. Bravo Studio

Next on our list is Bravo Studio, a unique no-code mobile app builder that seamlessly transforms Figma designs into functional iOS and Android apps. Its standout feature lies in giving designers full control over their app’s design, enabling them to leverage a familiar tool like Figma while incorporating pre-built components or external backends. This makes it an ideal choice for designers seeking flexibility in app creation or looking to connect their front-end designs with existing backends.

The platform offers personalized user onboarding assistance, catering to users unfamiliar with the interface. Additionally, Bravo Studio supports a range of native phone features, including camera usage and GPS tracking, enhancing the app development experience. With its intuitive integration with Figma and support for native app capabilities, Bravo Studio simplifies the process of bringing app ideas to life, making it a valuable choice in the no-code app development landscape. 

Image source: www.bravostudio.app

Features

• User-friendly login with Firebase.
• Payment features for convenience.
• Push notifications for engagement.
• Customize loading pages easily.
• Search and filter options.
• Direct publishing to App Store and Google Play.
• Collaborate with Figma for design integration.

Pricing

Bravo Studio offers separate pricing plans for individuals and businesses, each with different subscription options. Additionally, there is no charge for two months on annual subscriptions. For a more detailed comparison of pricing and features, we recommend checking out Bravo Studio’s pricing page.

• Individuals

Starter Plan: Designed for exploration and learning the platform, with no subscription fee.

Solo Plan: $18 per month, billed annually, and unlock additional features, including app store publishing.

Solo + Advanced Plan: $97 per month, billed annually, plus $80 per app, Solo offers an excellent option to expand your app and understand user behavior.

Solo + Business Plan: $195 per month, billed annually, plus $178 per app, Solo is ideal for high-volume businesses creating robust, monetizable apps.

• Teams

Starter Plan: Designed for exploration and learning the platform, with no subscription fee.

Teams: $37 per month per seat, billed annually with a minimum of 10 seats, this plan offers advanced collaboration features for teams along with premium support and additional benefits.

Teams + Advanced: $45 per month per team member, billed annually, plus $9 per app, this plan is ideal for scaling your app and gaining insights into user behavior.

Teams + Business: $55 per month per team member, billed annually, plus $19 per app, this plan is best suited for high-volume businesses creating robust and monetizable apps.

7. Glide

Our last app builder on the list is Glide. Glide is a no-code mobile app builder aimed at businesses, featuring advanced AI capabilities, sleek default designs, and a top-notch PWA experience. It specializes in PWAs and web apps, standing out for its visually appealing default designs and seamless integration of AI functionalities. Ideal for medium to large businesses, Glide’s standout feature is its AI capabilities, enabling tasks like text extraction from images and transcription of audio recordings within apps. 

What distinguishes Glide is its focus on accessibility and simplicity. With just a Google account, anyone can start building and sharing apps effortlessly. Additionally, Glide enables users to publish their apps directly to app stores or share them as web apps.

Glide’s user-friendly approach to app development, caters to a diverse range of applications such as internal business tools, client portals, and event management systems. Its vibrant community provides invaluable resources and support, facilitating users throughout the codeless app creation journey.

Image source: www.glideapps.com

Features

• Establish portals, dashboards, and directories.
• Synchronize and structure data effectively.
• Create personalized workflows.
• Automate tasks seamlessly.
• Integrate with various platforms and services.

Pricing

Glide Apps divides its payment plans into two main groups: “for makers” and “for companies,” and offers a flexible pricing policy. Users can enjoy up to a twenty percent discount with annual subscriptions, and Glide Apps provides convenience through its price calculator application. Here are the fees for each concept:

• For Makers 

Free Plan: No subscription fee with usage limits of 10 personal users, 2 editors, and 1 app.

Maker Plan: $49 per month billed yearly, better for creating apps for your idea or community.

• For Community

Team Plan: $99 per month billed yearly, better for turning your spreadsheets into tools.

Business Plan: $249 per month billed yearly, better for turning your databases into software.

Enterprise Plan: $1,000 per month billed yearly, special for deploying powerful software at scale.

Conclusion

New trending no-code app builders have changed how mobile apps are made. They are letting anyone create them even without coding skills. Remarkable platforms like Jotform Apps or other options like Softr, Thunkable, Bubble, Backendless, Bravo Studio, and Glide offer various features and prices to suit the different needs of users. Whether you’re a designer, business owner, teacher, or big company, there’s a no-code app builder for you. We compiled a list of mobile app developers that are most suitable for you, without requiring any coding knowledge.

The post Best No Code App Builders of 2024 appeared first on noupe.

Most people are visual creatures. That’s why when many of us see an aesthetically pleasing product, we have to buy it.

What do you think makes up a product’s visual appeal? A lot of it has to do with color.

The same is true for web design. Marketers use color psychology to attract their audiences’ attention and stand out among the sea of noise.

We’re going to explore the benefits of using color in web design and uncover a few tips and tricks for using color psychology to drive conversions and sales.

What Is Color Psychology?

Color psychology is the process of using colors to incite action or emotion. Often, visual stimuli influence how we feel and perceive things.

How is this possible? Well, without getting too scientific, there’s a pretty intricate connection between the visual cortex and the limbic system, which regulates emotions in the brain.

That’s why many people can have a strong emotional response just by looking at something, including colors. These include warm colors, cool colors, and neutral colors.

Different colors evoke different human emotions.

Red

We tend to associate red with energy, passion, and excitement. So, red has the power to stimulate the senses and convey feelings of urgency. It’s a dominant color. 

Orange

Orange is also a vibrant and energetic color. It can evoke feelings of warmth and creativity. Orange is a popular choice for grabbing attention, perfect for times when red’s intensity can be too strong.

Yellow

Yellow represents happiness, sunshine, and optimism. When people see the color yellow, they may feel joy and excitement.

Green

People tend to link green to nature, growth, and harmony. It’s a calming color that symbolizes freshness and balance.

Blue

Blue can evoke feelings of peace, trust, and reliability. Like green, blue also has a calmness about it. Companies often use blue in their digital branding to convey professionalism and dependability.

Purple

Purple is a versatile color. It can either be calming or stimulating, depending on the shade. Purple often adds a sense of elegance to a design.

Pink

Pink is a soft color. For that reason, it often instills feelings of love, nurturing, and compassion.

Brown

Brown conveys a sense of groundedness and authenticity. People tend to feel warmth, security, and comfort when they see the color brown.

White and black aren’t technically colors. But they still play a key role in color psychology.

The presence of all colors in the light spectrum, white symbolizes purity, cleanliness, simplicity, and innocence. In design, people associate white with minimalism and airiness.

On the other hand, black, the absence of light and color, absorbs all colors on the spectrum. It represents mystery, power, sophistication, and seriousness.

Why Is Color Psychology Important in Web Design?

So, what does this all mean? Why do colors matter so much in web design? Can’t you just choose a nice-looking color scheme and call it a day?

Sure, you can. But you could be missing out on a big opportunity, especially if you’re trying to achieve a certain look or convey a particular message.

Nearly 40% of consumers focus on color schemes when visiting a website. So, when potential customers land on your website, they’ll typically form their first impression of your business based on what they see.

Do the colors go well together? What human emotions do the colors evoke? These are some of the questions marketers and web designers ask when they consider color psychology.

Let’s look at an example.

Adidas heavily uses black and white in its branding. Black helps communicate the brand’s commitment to timeless style and premium quality.

White gives Adidas’ branding and web design a modern look and feel, whether it’s through white space or a hero image.

This sense of timelessness, luxury, and exclusivity is what draws customers to Adidas.

Take a look at the brand’s webpage. Notice how it doesn’t fully rely on black and white to evoke strong emotion. Adidas still incorporates color to bring balance and avoid appearing sterile and cold.

How to Use Color in Web Design

Now, let’s talk about some strategies to use color in web design to ease navigation, create a connection, drive conversions, and improve the overall user experience (UX).

Choose Colors That Reflect Your Brand Personality and Values

Branding can increase a website’s conversion rate by 33%. In a study on logo recognition, 78% of participants were able to recall a logo’s primary color, while only 43% could remember the company’s name.

The moral of the story? Choose colors that make your brand memorable and stand out. And use those colors throughout your marketing materials and strategies, including your website.

It’s okay to vary your colors to keep things interesting and prevent your branding from becoming two-dimensional, but try to keep a general color scheme.

Creating a color palette can help you choose colors that allow you to have creative freedom and set standards at the same time.

The different types of color palettes are:

• Analogous: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel and complement each other well (aka complementary colors).
• Contemporary: A mix of bold, vibrant hues and light/muted tones to create contrast.
• Monochromatic: Consists of different shades, tints, and tones of a single color.

Tip: Combine primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors to give your website a dynamic look and feel.

Orange, for example, symbolizes enthusiasm and optimism, which could be perfect for a nutrition program that seeks to inspire optimism in patients.

However, you can always combine colors. Let’s say this nutrition program wants to create a page dedicated to the weight loss medication Zepbound. They can combine both orange and blue for a better impact.

Consider Your Industry

Because different colors can communicate varying messages and evoke certain emotions, your industry matters.

For example, since blue creates a feeling of trust, a law firm might use this color in its branding and website design.

This divorce mediation firm, specializing in a wide range of areas, such as medication, child custody, and child support, uses blue to demonstrate reliability and trustworthiness.

In this type of industry, this is key because clients put their future (and their kids’ future) in the hands of lawyers. And to do that, they need to trust them.

Looking at another example, let’s say a bride-to-be is looking for the perfect wedding bouquet.

What colors do you think the businesses that offer wedding flowers would use? You guessed it: soft, feminine colors like pink or purple.

Here are some other examples of different industries and colors that evoke the desired emotion:

• Red: Fashion, cosmetics, cuisine, relationships, gaming, merchandise, automotive
• Orange: Drinks, retail, fitness
• Yellow: Automotive, retail, food, construction
• Blue: Medicine, science, utilities, government, technology, dental, corporate, construction 
• Green: Medicine, science, government, human resources, finance, sustainability, tourism
• Purple: Yoga, education, marketing
• Pink: Cosmetics, food, retail
• Brown: Natural and organic products, outdoor creation, coffee and drinks, real estate
• Gray: Automotive, software and programming, entertainment, construction
• White: Fashion, restaurants
• Black: Nightlife, entertainment, technology, fashion

Use Color to Evoke Emotion in Your Target Audience

As you saw in the section above, the colors you incorporate into your website design will depend on the message you want to convey, which strongly relates to your industry.

Now, we can get a little more granular with it by using colors to meet a certain goal or evoke a certain emotion. 

For example, if you run an online cosmetics store, pink is one of your brand’s colors. You also incorporate the feminine color on your e-commerce website to attract women, your primary target audience.

But let’s say you want to build trust because you know that a lot of consumers are hesitant to enter their card information online. So, you decide to incorporate the color blue somewhere. This could be a call to action (CTA) button or a trust badge.

Or, if you want to promote a time-sensitive sale, you might use yellow to draw attention and create a sense of urgency.

Use Color to Influence Conversions

When designing for conversions, color can be a powerful tool to guide user attention and influence their actions. 

Warm hues like red and orange often evoke a sense of urgency, prompting users to take immediate action, such as clicking a call-to-action button. In contrast, cool colors like blue and green can convey a sense of trustworthiness, which is crucial for building user confidence and encouraging conversions.

Take the example of Dyte, a react video SDK platform. Dyte’s website prominently features a clean, white background that creates a minimalist, modern aesthetic. 

The primary call-to-action buttons are styled in a vibrant blue, aligning with the brand’s color palette and helping these important elements stand out and capture the user’s attention. 

This strategic use of color helps to highlight Dyte’s key offerings and drive users towards desired conversion actions, such as signing up for the platform.

Conduct A/B Tests for Colors

You can make an educated guess about the colors that might resonate with your target audience. 

But there’s a way to make you feel more certain about your color choices, and that’s by conducting A/B tests.

Just choose a specific website element you want to test. That could be your CTA, headline, background color, or any other essential element you believe color could impact.

Then, create different variations of the element. Each should have a different color scheme to see which one gets the best response from your audience.

Split your website traffic so that some of your site visitors will see one color scheme (the control group) and the rest will see another (the experimental group). Evaluate the performance of each variation.

If one variation significantly outperforms the other, consider using it permanently on your website.

Select the Right Color Combos to Improve Site Navigation

Use colors to create visual hierarchies and guide users through your website. Implement bright hues and contrasting shades to draw the eye to important elements and drive action.

Notice how Shopify uses white text against a dark background overlay to draw users’ attention to its marketing message. This is a wonderful use of a monochromatic color scheme. 

You can also see that the menu options and the CTA buttons are white so that potential customers know exactly what to click to reach the desired page.

Conclusion

Colors are everywhere. They’re in the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the places we go, and the products we buy.

They’re also on the websites we visit. These hues, shades, and tones influence how we feel, how we act, and what we see.

Are you using accent colors in web design to serve a certain purpose or incite emotion? If so, then you’re already taking the first step to using color psychology in marketing and design.

What color combinations will you use on your next web project?

Featured image by Mario Gogh on Unsplash

The post How to Use Color Psychology in Web Design for Marketing appeared first on noupe.

Customer relations remain one of the most important facets of running a hotel business in 2024. Since more than 60% of all bookings happen online, establishments need to make this process more comfortable for clients without overworking employees or spending too much on client service. This is where conversational AI solutions come into play.

Over 700,000 hotels worldwide already use them to handle various mundane processes. The hospitality industry’s increased interest in these products will contribute to growing the conversational AI market, which is expected to reach $73,05 billion in 2033. Our article covers the main use cases, benefits, and examples of these products.

What Is Conversational AI?

This is an umbrella term for software solutions capable of having conversations with users. They can be used for research and entertainment purposes and, in a business environment, fill some of the roles that were typically for employees only. These products use natural language processing and machine learning technologies to work with text and speech input. 

Large language models such as Llama and GPT are another important component of such tools as they provide the knowledge base for conversational tools. In many cases, LLMs use data scraped off the internet to answer various questions. AI software engineers can narrow down their knowledge and tailor the products for specific businesses and industries.

What makes AI-based products particularly helpful for commercial use is their capacity to self-learn. They handle themselves better the more they talk to people, and have vast databases of similar scenarios to draw from. These tools have long become a part of organizations working in healthcare, education, and finance.

How Hotels Use Conversational AI Products

Chatbots and other types of conversational tools have long been used as an alternative to managing large customer support teams. In the hospitality industry, organizations use them in several different areas of business, resulting in higher efficiency and profits.

1. Supported booking journeys. AI-based helpers offer comprehensive assistance during the reservation-making process. These tools suggest suitable accommodation options and offer discounts, and deals, making the experience more tailored.
2. Check-ins and check-outs. Kiosks that use artificial intelligence allow hotel customers to check in and out without waiting in lines. However, most establishments use mobile apps with conversational AI features to handle these operations and provide electronic receipts and room access codes.
3. Daily hotel operations. Conversational AI tools help businesses in the hospitality industry handle mundane tasks more efficiently. They help coordinate staff activities, manage maintenance requests, and manage inventory levels, ensuring timely restocking and reducing waste.
4. In-room services. At some hotels, guests use AI-based virtual concierges to get local information and order housekeeping or room services. These products also provide weather updates and news and answer frequently asked questions. In some cases, they even play music like Amazon Alexa.
5. Tailored promotional campaigns. Hospitality businesses that work with conversational customer helpers have more effective ad campaigns. They know when people usually book reservations, their accommodation preferences, and other details that are used in marketing campaigns.

Why Hotels Invest In AI Solutions?

Increasingly, hotels, hostels, and other businesses in this industry are using these solutions due to AI technology’s inherent self-learning ability, accuracy, and speed. These features make it easier for smaller establishments to function well without a large customer support force and improve several other areas of the client experience.

1. 24/7 service. Chatbots and other tools that work around the clock ensure that hotel clients get the necessary information whenever they please. They can be made available through mobile apps or website widgets, leading to a better experience at all stages of the stay.
2. Increased revenue. Utilizing chatbots and assistants improves hospitality establishments’ income. Their personal touch, recommendations, and upselling capabilities increase the chances of positive reviews and recurring customers.
3. Multilingual communications. Modern conversational AI tools help hotels engage with a global customer base as they can work with different languages. Solutions built using ChatGPT’s technology even converse with people in Arabic and Chinese.
4. Personalized experiences. The information gathered during their conversations with helpers and chatbots lets hotels provide a more unique experience without extensive additional research. Establishments that know what their customers love to eat or when they usually wake up have higher chances of forming long-time clients.
5. Up-sell and cross-sell opportunities. Chatbots and assistants learn about client preferences the more bookings they make. This knowledge allows them to effectively sell additional products, such as dinner reservations and airport pick-ups.

Best Examples Of Conversational Helpers In Hotels

The use of these AI-based tools doesn’t just bring theoretical benefits to members of the hospitality industry. Several hotel chains and brands already use these tools to their maximum effect in their daily work.

1. Accor Hotels

This chain has been using a conversational AI solution called ChatBotlr since 2017. The AI-based product helps customers during their stay at one of Accor’s 5,584 locations. This chatbot works on mobile devices, offers information about hotel amenities, and can be used to order services. People also rely on the product to find out about local places of interest, such as shops, cafes, and museums.

2. Caesars Entertainment

Since 2018, Caesars Entertainment hotels have been using its AI-based Ivy solution. The conversational helper makes the stay of the establishment’s clients more comfortable by assisting with restaurant reservations and booking rooms. It also helps out with ordering room service and making housekeeping requests.

3. Hilton Hotels & Resorts

The world-famous Hilton hotel chain uses several products powered by artificial intelligence in its daily operations. In 2016 it unveiled Connie, a robot concierge that’s built using IBM’s Watson technology. She provides information about dining options, hotel services, and local sights. Hilton clients also interact with a customer service chatbot on its website and app to get information about common problems and make reservations.

4. Marriott International

Chatbots and virtual assistants can be found on this chain’s website and mobile app. These solutions help Marriott clients to get answers to common questions and book their reservations at various hotels. Advanced AI algorithms allow the tools to offer personalized recommendations. The company is also working on an in-room voice assistant for its guests.

5. Wynn Las Vegas

This Nevadan hotel decided not to invent the wheel and simply added Alexa-powered Echo devices to its 4,748 guest rooms. Perhaps the hotel felt that it was cheaper to spend thousands of dollars on the upgrade instead of building a conversational tool from scratch. People who stay at the Wynn in Las Vegas use the products to play music, control room settings, and learn about hotel services.

What The Future Holds For the Use Of AI Solutions In Hospitality

In the past couple of years, conversational tools have been continuously improving in both their quality and functions. This happens thanks to advancements in large language models such as GPT, Claude, and LLama. These components make chatbots and assistants more accurate and capable of handling complex conversations.

For the hospitality industry, these advancements mean more than chatbots and assistants being able to provide more precise responses. The booming market for open-source LLMs also means cheaper and faster development. As the technology behind them becomes more widespread and available, more businesses will use it to gain a competitive advantage.

The upcoming years will also see products that offer an even higher level of personalization. As AI algorithms become more nuanced, they will be able to identify client behavior and preferences even better. Things like predictive services, anticipatory assistance, and tailored recommendations will become more unique per customer, leading to better satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Like many technologies, conversational AI has found its audience first among the giant chains that can afford its development and integration. However, the latest developments in this field demonstrate that products based on this technology will become a more common site worldwide, making the hospitality industry more automated and improving its figures.

Featured image by The Anam on Unsplash

The post Conversational AI And The Future Of The Hospitality Industry appeared first on noupe.

This article is a sponsored by Netlify

In the past, the web ecosystem moved at a very slow pace. Developers would go years without a new language feature or working around a weird browser quirk. This pushed our technical leaders to come up with creative solutions to circumvent the platform’s shortcomings. We invented bundling, polyfills, and transformation steps to make things work everywhere with less of a hassle.

Slowly, we moved towards some sort of consensus on what we need as an ecosystem. We now have TypeScript and Vite as clear preferences—pushing the needle of what it means to build consistent experiences for the web. Application frameworks have built whole ecosystems on top of them: SolidStart, Nuxt, Remix, and Analog are examples of incredible tools built with such primitives. We can say that Vite and TypeScript are tooling primitives that empower the creation of others in diverse ecosystems.

With bundling and transformation needs somewhat defined, it was only natural that framework authors would move their gaze to the next layer they needed to abstract: the server.

Server Primitives

The UnJS folks have been consistently building agnostic tooling that can be reused in different ecosystems. Thanks to them, we now have frameworks and libraries such as H3 (a minimal Node.js server framework built with TypeScript), which enables Nitro (a whole server runtime powered by Vite, and H3), that in its own turn enabled Vinxi (an application bundler and server runtime that abstracts Nitro and Vite).

Nitro is used already by three major frameworks: Nuxt, Analog, and SolidStart. While Vinxi is also used by SolidStart. This means that any platform which supports one of these, will definitely be able to support the others with zero additional effort.

This is not about taking a bigger slice of the cake. But making the cake bigger for everyone.

Frameworks, platforms, developers, and users benefit from it. We bet on our ecosystem together instead of working in silos with our monolithic solutions. Empowering our developer-users to gain transferable skills and truly choose the best tool for the job with less vendor lock-in than ever before.

Serverless Rejoins Conversation

Such initiatives have probably been noticed by serverless platforms like Netlify. With Platform Primitives, frameworks can leverage agnostic solutions for common necessities such as Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR), Image Optimization, and key/value (kv) storage.

As the name implies, Netlify Platform Primitives are a group of abstractions and helpers made available at a platform level for either frameworks or developers to leverage when using their applications. This brings additional functionality simultaneously to every framework. This is a big and powerful shift because, up until now, each framework would have to create its own solutions and backport such strategies to compatibility layers within each platform.

Moreover, developers would have to wait for a feature to first land on a framework and subsequently for support to arrive in their platform of choice. Now, as long as they’re using Netlify, those primitives are available directly without any effort and time put in by the framework authors. This empowers every ecosystem in a single measure.

Serverless means server infrastructure developers don’t need to handle. It’s not a misnomer, but a format of Infrastructure As A Service.

As mentioned before, Netlify Platform Primitives are three different features:

1. Image CDN
   A content delivery network for images. It can handle format transformation and size optimization via URL query strings.
2. Caching
   Basic primitives for their server runtime that help manage the caching directives for browser, server, and CDN runtimes smoothly.
3. Blobs
   A key/value (KV) storage option is automatically available to your project through their SDK.

Let’s take a quick dive into each of these features and explore how they can increase our productivity with a serverless fullstack experience.

Image CDN

Every image in a /public can be served through a Netlify function. This means it’s possible to access it through a /.netlify/images path. So, without adding sharp or any image optimization package to your stack, deploying to Netlify allows us to serve our users with a better format without transforming assets at build-time. In a SolidStart, in a few lines of code, we could have an Image component that transforms other formats to .webp.

import { type JSX } from "solid-js";

const SITE_URL = "https://example.com";

interface Props extends JSX.ImgHTMLAttributes<HTMLImageElement> {
  format?: "webp" | "jpeg" | "png" | "avif" | "preserve";
  quality?: number | "preserve";
}

const getQuality = (quality: Props["quality"]) => {
  if (quality === "preserve") return"";
  return &q=${quality || "75"};
};

function getFormat(format: Props["format"]) {
  switch (format) {
    case "preserve":
      return"  ";
    case "jpeg":
      return &fm=jpeg;
    case "png":
      return &fm=png;
    case "avif":
      return &fm=avif;
    case "webp":
    default:
      return &fm=webp;
  }
}

export function Image(props: Props) {
  return (
    <img
      {...props}
      src={${SITE_URL}/.netlify/images?url=/${props.src}${getFormat(
        props.format
      )}${getQuality(props.quality)}}
    />
  );
}

Notice the above component is even slightly more complex than bare essentials because we’re enforcing some default optimizations. Our getFormat method transforms images to .webp by default. It’s a broadly supported format that’s significantly smaller than the most common and without any loss in quality. Our get quality function reduces the image quality to 75% by default; as a rule of thumb, there isn’t any perceivable loss in quality for large images while still providing a significant size optimization.

• Check our little component at play.
• Source code: SolidStart and Netlify Primitives.

Caching

By default, Netlify caching is quite extensive for your regular artifacts – unless there’s a new deployment or the cache is flushed manually, resources will last for 365 days. However, because server/edge functions are dynamic in nature, there’s no default caching to prevent serving stale content to end-users. This means that if you have one of these functions in production, chances are there’s some caching to be leveraged to reduce processing time (and expenses).

By adding a cache-control header, you already have done 80% of the work in optimizing your resources for best serving users. Some commonly used cache control directives:

{
  "cache-control": "public, max-age=0, stale-while-revalidate=86400"

}

• public: Store in a shared cache.
• max-age=0: resource is immediately stale.
• stale-while-revalidate=86400: if the cache is stale for less than 1 day, return the cached value and revalidate it in the background.

{
  "cache-control": "public, max-age=86400, must-revalidate"

}

• public: Store in a shared cache.
• max-age=86400: resource is fresh for one day.
• must-revalidate: if a request arrives when the resource is already stale, the cache must be revalidated before a response is sent to the user.

Note: For more extensive information about possible compositions of Cache-Control directives, check the mdn entry on Cache-Control.

The cache is a type of key/value storage. So, once our responses are set with proper cache control, platforms have some heuristics to define what the key will be for our resource within the cache storage. The Web Platform has a second very powerful header that can dictate how our cache behaves.

The Vary response header is composed of a list of headers that will affect the validity of the resource (method and the endpoint URL are always considered; no need to add them). This header allows platforms to define other headers defined by location, language, and other patterns that will define for how long a response can be considered fresh.

The Vary response header is a foundational piece of a special header in Netlify Caching Primitive. The Netlify-Vary will take a set of instructions on which parts of the request a key should be based. It is possible to tune a response key not only by the header but also by the value of the header.

• query: vary by the value of some or all request query parameters.
• header: vary by the value of one or more request headers.
• language: vary by the languages from the Accept-Language header.
• country: vary by the country inferred from a GeoIP lookup on the request IP address.
• cookie: vary by the value of one or more request cookie keys.

This header offers strong fine-control over how your resources are cached. Allowing for some creative strategies to optimize how your app will perform for specific users.

Blob Storage

This is a highly-available key/value store, it’s ideal for frequent reads and infrequent writes. They’re automatically available and provisioned for any Netlify Project.

It’s possible to write on a blob from your runtime or push data for a deployment-specific store. For example, this is how an Action Function would register a number of likes in store with SolidStart.

import { getStore } from "@netlify/blobs";
import { action } from "@solidjs/router";

export const upVote = action(async (formData: FormData) => {
  "use server";

  const postId = formData.get("id");
  const postVotes = formData.get("votes");

  if (typeof postId !== "string" || typeof postVotes !== "string") return;

  const store = getStore("posts");
  const voteSum = Number(postVotes) + 1)

  await store.set(postId, String(voteSum);

  console.log("done");
  return voteSum

});

• Check @netlify/blobs API documentation for more examples and use-cases.

Final Thoughts

With high-quality primitives, we can enable library and framework creators to create thin integration layers and adapters. This way, instead of focusing on how any specific platform operates, it will be possible to focus on the actual user experience and practical use-cases for such features. Monoliths and deeply integrated tooling make sense to build platforms fast with strong vendor lock-in, but that’s not what the community needs. Betting on the web platform is a more sensible and future-friendly way.

Let me know in the comments what your take is about unbiased tooling versus opinionated setups!

Summer is off to a fun start with some highly dramatic website design trends showing up in projects. Let’s dive in!

The web is no stranger to taking HTML elements and transforming them to look, act, and feel like something completely different. A common example of this is the switch, or toggle, component. We would hide a checkbox beneath several layers of styles, define the ARIA role as “switch,” and then ship. However, this approach posed certain usability issues around indeterminate states and always felt rather icky. After all, as the saying goes, the best ARIA is no ARIA.

Well, there is new hope for a native HTML switch to catch on.

Safari Technology Preview (TP) 185 and Safari 17.4 released with an under-the-radar feature, a native HTML switch control. It evolves from the hidden-checkbox approach and aims to make the accessibility and usability of the control more consistent.

<!-- This will render a native checkbox --//>
<input type="checkbox" />

<!-- Add the switch attribute to render a switch element --//>
<input type="checkbox" switch />
<input type="checkbox" checked switch />

Communication is one aspect of the control’s accessibility. Earlier in 2024, there were issues where the switch would not adjust to page zoom levels properly, leading to poor or broken visibility of the control. However, at the time I am writing this, Safari looks to have resolved these issues. Zooming retains the visual cohesion of the switch.

The switch attribute seems to take accessibility needs into consideration. However, this doesn’t prevent us from using it in inaccessible and unusable ways. As mentioned, mixing the required and indeterminate properties between switches and checkboxes can cause unexpected behavior for people trying to navigate the controls. Once again, Adrian sums things up nicely:

“The switch role does not allow mixed states. Ensure your switch never gets set to a mixed state; otherwise, well, problems.”

— Adrian Roselli

Internationalization (I18N): Which Way Is On?

Beyond the accessibility of the switch control, what happens when the switch interacts with different writing modes?

When creating the switch, we had to ensure the use of logical CSS to support different writing modes and directions. This is because a switch being in its right-most position (or inline ending edge) doesn’t mean “on” in some environments. In some languages — e.g., those that are written right-to-left — the left-most position (or inline starting edge) on the switch would likely imply the “on” state.

While we should be writing logical CSS by default now, the new switch control removes that need. This is because the control will adapt to its nearest writing-mode and direction properties. This means that in left-to-right environments, the switch’s right-most position will be its “on” state, and in right-to-left environments, its left-most position will be the “on” state.

See the Pen Safari Switch Control – Styling [forked] by @DanielYuschick.

Final Thoughts

As we continue to push the web forward, it’s natural for our tools to evolve alongside us. The switch control is a welcome addition to HTML for eliminating the checkbox hacks we’ve been resorting to for years.

That said, combining the checkbox and switch into a single input, while being convenient, does raise some concerns about potential markup combinations. Despite this, I believe this can ultimately be resolved with linters or by the browsers themselves under the hood.

Ultimately, having a native approach to switch components can make the accessibility and usability of the control far more consistent — assuming it’s ever supported and adopted for widespread use.

If you’re like a lot of small-business owners, you’re still recovering from the stress and chaos of tax season. If you gathered documents at the last minute or received a bigger bill than you expected, you were probably as much a victim of your lack of preparation as you were of the IRS.

There’s a better way to handle your small-business taxes. It involves a mix of common sense, solid year-round financial planning, professional tax prep, simple document tracking, and staying on top of the latest changes in the tax code. 

Here are eight easy tips for small businesses to navigate tax season with ease. 

1. Use a professional

Americans have a pretty pessimistic economic outlook in 2024, even though the economy is actually improving. As a result, many business owners are trying to pare back their expenses. One of the first services to go is often the tax accountant because many small-business owners think they can do their business taxes themselves. 

This might be true, but it doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. Having a professional handle your tax prep is actually one of the most valuable professional services that a small business can buy. A good tax pro will not only prepare your taxes at tax time, but he or she can also help you get your paperwork in order year-round and make sure you’re using proper accounting practices. 

Even if you have some kind of professional expertise that would enable you to handle your business taxes yourself, you need to consider if the time you’d spend on your taxes would be better spent on the core functions of your business. 

2. Don’t wait until the last minute

Doing your taxes isn’t something you do once a year. It’s a year-round concern. You should be tracking all your expenses, receipts, and financial documents throughout the year, as well as actively carrying out tax-planning strategies. Do this right, and you’ll be able to navigate tax season without all the stress. 

On the other hand, if you let bad spending habits from your personal life spill over into how you run your business, you’re setting yourself up for a rough tax season. Gathering and organizing all your invoices and receipts is a frustrating and time-consuming process, and it’s inevitable that you’re going to cost yourself money by losing out on key tax deductions. 

3. Use last year’s blueprint

If this is your first year as a small business, you’re going to essentially start from scratch at tax time. In subsequent years, though, you can use that strategy as a blueprint if it worked well. Get the same documents together, and then ask yourself — or your tax accountant — what’s changed and then go get those documents. Rather than starting at zero every year, this is an easy way to cover the basics and can save you a lot of hours. 

4. Keep your team in the loop

If you’re serious about tax planning, you should check in with your tax accountant once a quarter. This has a variety of benefits. One, it will force you to put together a preliminary financial statement that will include your profits and losses, as well as your main expenses. This gives you and your tax pro a snapshot of your business and is a great opportunity for course corrections. Some small businesses even prefer to handle their bookkeeping on a quarterly basis, so you’ll reconcile your books four times a year. 

Second, it gives your tax accountant a preview of what they’ll be handling at tax time. This is especially important if you’re expanding or if your major assets are changing. 

Third, it’s a chance to talk about your current tax strategies, such as the deductions you’re targeting and if they’re compatible with the trajectory of your business goals. Touching base throughout the year is the best way to avoid getting hit with unpleasant surprises at tax time.

5. Don’t overlook obscure credits and obligations

The tax code changes constantly, so make sure you and your tax pro are on top of the latest changes that affect your small business.

For example, you could be eligible for lucrative tax credits related to energy efficiency or hiring. Make sure you’re exploring these possibilities. 

Another area of recent change is the use of remote workers. If you have remote employees, you’ll need to make sure you’re in compliance with all the state and federal tax obligations related to them, which can often be counterintuitive. 

6. Send your invoices

Outstanding payments can be frustrating, especially if you get hit with a big tax bill. Try to collect your unpaid invoices ahead of tax time so you can wrap up all the loose ends from the previous tax year. Consider using accounting software that sends automatic payment requests so you don’t have to spend your time chasing down payments. 

7. Use separate accounts

Maintain strict separation between your business and personal accounts throughout the year. Put your business expenses on your dedicated business credit card or checking account only, and never use those accounts for your personal expenses. 

This will make your accounting much easier because your expenses will already be separated. It also sends the right message to the IRS, which might be assessing whether your business is run for profit or as a hobby — a distinction that can have profound implications on your business’ tax status.

8. Set aside a surplus or open a line of credit

Part of tax planning is planning how to pay your taxes. The reality is that no matter how carefully you conduct your bookkeeping, you could be in for a surprise at tax time. Experts suggest setting aside at least 10% more than you think you’ll need for taxes in case you’re hit with an unexpectedly high tax bill. 

If there’s any doubt about having sufficient cash on hand at tax time, open a business line of credit ahead of time. This way, your tax bill won’t adversely affect your cash flow, and you’ll have access to money that you can use to pay your taxes or for other business expenses. 

Featured Image by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The post How Small Businesses Can Navigate Tax Season With Ease appeared first on noupe.

Businesses today have so many ways to reach their audience. From viral social media ads and influencer partnerships, to good old-fashioned print ads, the possibilities are virtually endless.

The problem is, more marketing channels doesn’t necessarily equate to more customers. With so many ways to market, it’s all too easy for your efforts to become spread too thin, leading to your brand voice getting drowned out.

That‘s where full-funnel marketing comes in. It’s a marketing approach designed to cover every brand touch point in the customer journey, making sure nobody falls through the cracks.

What is Full-Funnel Marketing?

Full-funnel marketing involves creating content for every stage of the marketing funnel. 

It’s based on the understanding that the customer journey through a marketing funnel isn’t usually a straight line, but more like a maze of interconnected touch points across a variety of channels.

The aim of a full-funnel strategy is to connect these touch points, providing a clear path that leads potential customers to making a purchase with your brand, regardless of the journey they took along the way.

How is Full-Funnel Marketing Different to Other Marketing Strategies?

Full-funnel marketing is a comprehensive approach to marketing, focused on guiding potential customers through every stage of the buyer’s journey, rather than honing in at one particular stage. Here are a few of the key differences between a full-funnel approach and other marketing approaches.

Benefits of Full-Funnel Marketing

• The ability to reach a wider audience, increasing the likelihood of finding potential customers.

• More effective marketing materials and relevant calls-to-action that speak to customers at every stage of the buyer’s journey, boosting customer engagement and conversion rates.

• A consistently positive customer experience that boosts brand loyalty and advocacy.

• Increased momentum as customers journey through the sales funnel, reducing the likelihood of customer churn.

• Better ROI than other marketing approaches; studies show full-funnel marketing provides up to 45% higher ROI than single-funnel approaches.

Crucial Elements of A Full-Funnel Marketing Strategy

Customer Journey Mapping

Mapping the journey a customer takes through your sales funnel allows you to more accurately plan for how you’ll meet them at every stage. You’ll be able to better anticipate the questions or concerns prospects may have, and generate marketing materials that address them in advance.

Customer journey mapping will also identify key moments where a prospect is likely to commit to a purchase, or fall out of the sales funnel. This allows you to focus on these points when they arrive to maximize your chances of success. 

Audience Segmentation

Customer segmentation allows you to tailor messages specifically to the different groups, giving you a greater chance of success. Customers could be segmented based on:

• Demographics e.g. age, gender.
• Geographic location.
• Customer behavior, e.g. previous products viewed.
• Likelihood to convert.

Developing Buyer Personas

Once your audience is segmented, you should strive to develop buyer personas for each individual segment. This is a general overview of what the average customer in each segment looks like, including their behaviors, concerns, and needs.

Developing these personas gives you a snapshot into the psyche of each different type of prospect, allowing you to develop more personalized marketing materials that speak directly to them.

Multi-Channel Marketing

Modern customers are spread across a wide variety of channels. The more channels you utilize, the higher the chances you’ll meet your target customers. Marketing channels you could consider expanding into include:

• Email marketing.
• Print adverts, e.g. magazines, newspapers.
• Radio adverts.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
• Social media.
• Content marketing.
• Affiliate marketing.

Image Sourced from Gartner

Be sure to remember that marketing efforts should be customized for the channel they appear on, just as they should be customized for the buyer persona they’re targeted to. For example, social media adverts tend to be less formal than newspaper or magazine adverts.

Additionally, considering the significance of online presence, ensuring a user-friendly website through effective web design is paramount. A well-designed website not only enhances customer experience but also plays a crucial role in establishing credibility and trust with potential customers across all stages of the funnel.

How to Implement a Full-Funnel Marketing Strategy

Top of the Funnel

The main aim at the top of the funnel (TOFU) is to introduce your target audience to your products and services, ideally beginning to build the trust that will lead to a conversion further down the line.

One of the main ways this is achieved is by building brand awareness. There are a number of key ways you can achieve this: 

• Optimizing your content output to generate organic traffic to your website, (a SaaS content management provider or similar service may be able to help).
• Utilizing paid advertising through TV, radio, social media, and print.
• Developing a content marketing strategy that includes informative blog posts and articles.
• By building a social media presence through engaging content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.

Additionally, it’s important to actively promote your website across various channels to ensure maximum visibility and traffic generation.

The top of the funnel isn’t the place to push too hard for a sale; the aim is to inform, not persuade at this point. You can meet as many customers as possible by spreading your marketing materials to all the channels your target audience can be found, informed by your buyer personas.

Middle of the Funnel

The main aim in the middle of the funnel (MOFU) is to get your target audience to seriously consider you as a purchase option, partly by highlighting what sets you apart from your competitors.

It’s useful to establish yourself as an authoritative brand in your industry at this point; one who can be trusted and knows what they’re talking about. There are a few ways this can be achieved:

• Attending events and trade shows, which are a perfect place to meet your target customers and show off your products.
• Developing thought-leadership content for publication on relevant blogs and websites in your industry and beyond, showing that you’re at the cutting edge of your industry.
• Offering demos and product trials shows interested parties first-hand how they can benefit from your products and services.
• Promoting positive reviews and testimonials shows your audience how successful others in their position have been with your help.

The middle of the funnel is also the perfect place to position yourself as an industry leader, showing off what makes your business a cut above your competitors. There are a few ways to achieve this:

• Publishing comparison content that highlights the differences between your solutions and those of your competitors, without appearing too ‘salesy’.
• Hosting webinars allows you to give prospects an educational experience in a manner that’s convenient to them.
• Develop content that targets middle of the funnel keywords. This is useful for establishing better rankings on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) among an audience that’s still considering their options and looking to learn more, (look at some SaaS SEO studies for a look at how this can help).

Image Sourced from blog.hubspot.com

Bottom of the Funnel

Prospects who’ve reached the bottom of the funnel (BOFU) are close to closing a deal. Your aim now is to get them across that finish line.

You need to remove as many obstacles to purchase as possible at this point, employing marketing content that cements your brand as the perfect choice. You can achieve this by:

• Offering coupons and discounts in your email marketing for prospects who are teetering right on the dodge of making a purchase.
• Utilizing behaviorally-triggered content, such as cart abandonment emails offering free shipping, to prevent any prospects slipping through the net at the last moment.
• Using clear calls-to-action in your marketing materials, encouraging prospects to make a purchase, or directing them to a landing page designed to give them that final push.
• Create a customer portal to allow prospects to easily navigate through their purchase journey, access account information, and manage their transactions. 
• Focusing on personalized content that reinforces a positive relationship with your prospect and keeps them engaged right to the end.
• Crafting compelling landing page content that addresses any remaining concerns, showcases testimonials or success stories, and provides a seamless path to conversion.

Monitor Results

Of course, the process of full-funnel marketing continues even after the customer has made their way through the marketing funnel. It’s crucial to measure the performance of your efforts, so you can determine how successful they’ve been, and identify any potential improvements that could improve your chances of success next time.

Metrics to track include:

• At the top of the funnel – keyword rankings, website traffic, impressions.
• In the middle of the funnel – webinar attendance, content downloads, mailing list subscribers.
• At the bottom of the funnel – customer acquisition cost, conversion rate, custom retention.

Capture Every Conversion With Full-Funnel Marketing

Full-funnel marketing ensures that you’re speaking to your customers at every stage of their journey, making sure no lead slips through the cracks.

By prioritizing targeted messaging and an integrated approach to marketing, full-funnel marketing widens your audience reach, boosts engagement, and fosters lasting customer loyalty. All of this ultimately adds up to offering a superior return on investment. 

Implementing it successfully often involves meticulous planning, including customer journey mapping, audience segmentation, and personalized content creation, as well as monitoring crucial marketing metrics throughout.

The investment is well worth it, though, with full-funnel marketing offering a roadmap to success in a competitive business landscape.

Featured Image by Scott Graham on Unsplash

The post How to Turn Visitors Into Loyal Customers With Full-Funnel Marketing appeared first on noupe.

ChatGPT is a pretty impressive tool. Marketers use it in multiple ways, from writing blog posts to drawing meaningful insights from data with AI SEO tools.

Of course, when use ChatGPT to write for you, it might not use the tone and style that you use. Or, maybe the tone and style is fine, but ChatGPT misses to add important information that is needed to perform the task adequately. 

Thankfully, there are ways to train ChatGPT to use your writing style or data. On this page, we will cover the most accurate ChatGPT data training techniques.

The Role of Training Data

The training data forms the base for ChatGPT. It is crucial in fine-tuning the model and influencing how it responds.

By training ChatGPT with your specific data, you can customize the model to meet your needs and make sure it aligns with your target domain and produces responses that connect with your audience.

Although the training data shapes the model’s responses, the architecture of the model and its underlying algorithms are also key factors in how it behaves.

How to Train ChatGPT with Custom Data using OpenAI API & Python?

Follow the steps below to learn how to train an AI bot with a custom knowledge base using ChatGPT API. 

? Remember that this method requires knowledge and experience of coding, Python, and an OpenAI API key. 

Step 1: Install Python

Check if you have Python 3.0+ installed. If you don’t have Python on your device, download it.

Image Source

Step 2: Upgrade Pip

Pip is a Python package manager (a system that automates installing, configuring, upgrading, and removing computer programs). The new version of Python comes with pip pre-packaged. 

But, if you use the old version of Python, you can upgrade it to the latest version using a command.

pip3 install –upgrade –user

Step 3: Install required libraries

Run a series of commands in the Terminal application to install the required libraries.

First, install the OpenAI library.

PIP3 INSTALL OPENAI

And GPT Index (LlamaIndex)

PIP3 INSTALL GPT_INDEX

Then install PyPDF2, which will allow you to parse PDF files. 

PIP3 INSTALL PYPDF2

Finally, install Gradio, which will help you build a basic UI, allowing you to interact with ChatGPT.

??PIP3 INSTALL GRADIO

?Tip: You will need a code editor tool to edit and customize the code. You can use code editors like Notepad++ or Sublime Text according to your needs.

Step 4: Get your OpenAI API key

An OpenAI API key is a unique code that developers use to access OpenAI’s models via the API. This key helps confirm who is making the request and monitors their usage.

To get your OpenAI API key, log in to your OpenAI account & choose the API option.

From the left navigation menu, select API Keys.

Choose Create new secret key, which will generate a new API key for you. You should copy and paste it into a code editor. Note that after being generated, the secret API keys are not displayed.

Step 5: Prepare your custom data

Create a new directory named ‘docs’ in your system. Place TXT, CSV, or PDF files inside it.

Remember the token limit for free accounts in OpenAI, as more data will use more tokens.

You can add all the files you need to prepare your custom data in this directory.

Step 6: Create a script

Now, you will have to create a Python script to train ChatGPT using custom data. To create the script, use a text editor.

Write the necessary code and create a new page to enter the code. Add the OpenAI key to the code. Save the file in the same location that you have in your “docs” directory with the extension ‘app.py.’ 

Here is the code that you can copy and paste into your code editor.

from gpt_index import DirectoryReader, VectorIndex, LanguageModelPredictor, QueryHelper

from langchain.openai import LanguageModel

import gradio as gr

import os

# Set your OpenAI API key here to enable language model access

os.environ["OPENAI_API_KEY"] = 'your_openai_api_key'

def build_search_index(source_folder):

    input_limit = 2048

    response_length = 1024

    overlap_size = 30

    segment_limit = 500

    # Initialize helper to manage input and output configurations

    query_helper = QueryHelper(input_limit, response_length, overlap_size, segment_limit=segment_limit)

    # Set up the language model predictor with specified parameters

    model_predictor = LanguageModelPredictor(

        language_model=LanguageModel(temperature=0.7, model_name="text-davinci-003", max_tokens=response_length))

    # Load and process documents from the specified directory

    documents = DirectoryReader(source_folder).read_files()

    # Create an index with processed documents to facilitate search

    search_index = VectorIndex(documents, model_predictor=model_predictor, helper=query_helper)

    # Save the created index to the disk for later use

    search_index.persist('search_index.json')

    return search_index

def query_chatbot(user_input):

    # Load the pre-built index from the storage

    search_index = VectorIndex.load('search_index.json')

    # Generate a response based on the user input using the loaded index

    answer = search_index.search_query(user_input, mode="concise")

    return answer

# Setup the Gradio interface

interface = gr.Interface(

    fn=query_chatbot,

    inputs=gr.inputs.Textbox(lines=7, placeholder="Type your question here..."),

    outputs="text",

    title="Custom AI Assistant"

)

# Build index from the documents directory

index = build_search_index("path_to_documents")

# Launch the application with sharing options enabled

interface.launch(share=True)

Step 7: Run the Python script in the “Terminal”

Use the terminal to go to the directory where docs and app.py are located. Run the following command:

PYTHON3 APP.PY

Now, it will start to train your custom chatbot based on the data in your ‘docs’ folder. 

Depending on the amount of data you include, it might take some time. A local URL will be provided after training, where you can test the AI bot using a simple UI.

The AI bot will respond according to your added script when you ask questions.

Keep in mind that both training and asking questions will consume tokens.

All done now!

In Conclusion

Following the steps outlined in this article, you can start using your own data to control ChatGPT’s answers and create a unique conversational AI experience. 

Remember to get reliable data and successfully tweak your model. Always keep in mind the ethical factors when you train ChatGPT, and opt for a responsible attitude. 

There are enormous possibilities of combining ChatGPT and your own data, and you will see the innovative conversational AI chatbot you will create as a result.

Hope you start achieving your marketing goals by training ChatGPT on your own data!

Featured image by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

The post A Marketer’s Guide to Training ChatGPT appeared first on noupe.

Today’s workplace can often feel demanding. Technology has made life easier in many ways, but it’s also created greater and faster expectations, leading to an increase in workplace stress. That stress impacts everyone in the working world, including leaders and their teams. 

Unfortunately, stress can wreak havoc on a workplace environment and the overall well-being of employees. Finding ways to reduce stress at work will not only benefit your team’s mental and physical health, but it will also help to boost team morale, productivity, and overall success. 

When you focus on stress reduction, you’ll create a work environment that people actually enjoy. That can help with longevity, retention, and recruitment later on. 

Finding stress-reduction solutions for the workplace doesn’t have to be a stressor, itself. By prioritizing some tips, techniques, and changes, you can create a happier, healthier workplace while reaping the benefits as a business. 

Why Is Stress So High? 

There are plenty of factors that can contribute to stress in the workplace. Some are professional, some are personal. The reality is that you never really know what’s going on in someone’s personal life that could be causing them to feel overwhelmed or anxious. When they come into a workplace environment that is stressful, chaotic, or toxic, they could end up burning out quickly. 

Not sure what could be causing low morale within your business? Some of the common factors include: 

• Disconnection
• Micromanagement
• A lack of collaboration
• Exclusivity
• Lack of feedback

Employees who feel overworked and underappreciated are also more likely to be stressed. An overworked employee who isn’t being recognized is more likely to experience burnout. Unfortunately, that can create a sort of vicious cycle. The more burned out an employee feels, the less likely they are to feel passionate about their work. Productivity and morale will suffer, and so will your business.

Are you piling too much on your team? Are you looking over everyone’s shoulders more than you should? Take a look at your own potential stressor contributions to determine what should be changed first. 

How Stress Affects Your Business

Not only can the factors listed above create more stress, but they can end up causing low team morale. That leads to unhappy, unsatisfied employees, and a business that might end up struggling because no one is motivated to do their work. 

Too much stress in the workplace can also lead to human error. Mistakes and setbacks are bad for business, of course. But, more importantly, employees who are on the brink of burnout due to stress are more likely to make mistakes that could get them hurt. Stress management is essential for reducing the risk of workplace accidents. Too much stress can cause your team to become distracted, and it can lead to miscommunication and even increased absenteeism. The last thing you want is sick or injured employees because they’re under so much pressure.

Finally, you have to consider productivity. When you feel stressed, what do you accomplish? Probably not much. So, you can’t expect your team to meet deadlines or put out their best work when they’re feeling overwhelmed with stress. Pay attention to your employees and their workload and productivity. 

If you’re noticing things like a lack of energy or focus, constant worry, or reduced creativity, consider it a red flag. They might need less work, more flexibility, or different responsibilities. Keep in mind that stress from work could also be impacting their personal lives, creating negative changes to their personalities and disrupting their work-life balance. 

What Can You Do?

Recognizing that there’s a stress issue within your workplace is the first step toward making a cultural change within that environment. The next step is addressing the problems contributing to that stress. If you’re not sure how to address workplace stress, try implementing some of the following steps: 

1. Provide education on stress management to employees
2. Create and foster a supportive work environment
3. Encourage open communication
4. Promote a healthy work-life balance

Don’t hesitate to talk to your team about how they’re feeling and what their sources of stress might be. By making it a point to check in with everyone, individually, your employees are likely to feel more comfortable opening up. Not only will they share their struggles, but they might be able to give you actionable insight into what you can do to help. Some of the easiest ways to reduce stress in the workplace quickly include offering greater flexibility, promoting mental well-being, and providing workplace wellness programs. 

A wellness program can be very specific depending on the needs of your workplace. But, corporate wellness programs typically include things like fitness and health initiatives – including mental health. That might include insurance plans that cover therapy or counseling. You might even connect with local mental health organizations to provide resources to your employees when they’re needed. 

Again, consider asking your employees what would be most beneficial to their well-being. Some might suggest something as simple as more flexibility or more time off. Those are easy “fixes” that you can implement right away. While you might think more flexible schedules would lead to lower productivity, it’s usually the opposite that’s true. 

When your team is well-rested, happy, and they feel valued, they’re more likely to get more work done and take a lot of pride in what they’re doing. When you take those suggestions into account and actually include them as part of the program, your team will feel heard, understood, and appreciated. 

When you’re an advocate for a low-stress workplace, you will quickly gain a positive reputation in and out of the office for having a positive company culture. That can benefit your business and your bottom line more than you ever thought possible. A positive company culture can pave the way for increased job satisfaction, improved collaboration, a better company image, increased productivity, and, of course, reduced stress on employees. 

If you’re in a leadership role, consider it your responsibility to better understand the sources of stress in your workplace, so you can take quick and active steps toward reducing them. Your team will benefit, your business will benefit, and you’ll gain a positive reputation that can influence years of success and growth.

Featured image by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

The post Leading the Way to a Stress-Reduced Workplace appeared first on noupe.