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Welcome to the second part of the guide to typography in fintech. In Part 1, we reviewed the key points to consider when choosing typefaces:

• What is the content of your product? What type of data do you mainly work with?
• Who is your common user, and in which circumstances do they use the product?
• What are the specific points you need to keep in mind? For example, what language support is planned for the future? Or, maybe you need to use some specific glyphs (math or rare currency symbols) in your product.

We also reviewed all font parameters and started investigating how they affect readability and legibility. Now, let’s discuss how to apply them to your designs.

Adjust Texts And Tables

Point Size

When choosing a point size, we need to consider the body text first. Body text is the most massive part of your content, and its style determines design and visual appearance. It’s also essential to remember that x-height might vary slightly from type to type. Therefore, not all typefaces will look the same in the same size, and you will probably need to adjust it.

The general rule is that the size of the screen body text should be 12-16px. But this measurement may change depending on your needs. When you work with investment apps, users should be able to see a large amount of information on a single screen. An appropriate solution here might be to reduce the body text size to 10px but pay attention to legibility. In addition, traders usually want to see big amounts of data on a single screen, without scrolling anything, as it might affect the speed of reaction. We had such a case when a client asked us to make all the body text smaller to fit the screen.

Secondly, consider headings. Try to build a clear content hierarchy that will help users to work with the content. Figure out how many levels of headings you need. Don’t use too many, aiming for three to five levels.

Try to avoid using uppercase capitalization. But if you capitalize headings in uppercase, make them short.

When set in uppercase, the text is less legible. The lowercase text has different shapes, ascenders, and descenders. They help us intuitively recognize letters in context without spending time deciphering them when reading. Uppercase text reduces this recognition because capital letters generally have square shapes. So, the more capitalized text you have in a row, the more time a user needs to read it.

Another tip is to avoid italics, underlining, and other ways to differentiate headings visually unless you’re working on a small visual material and have a strong reason for such expressive typography. If it’s a must, choose a bold font for visual contrast and accents, but use it sparingly.

Text Column

When working with texts, you must determine a suitable length of text lines. Overly long text lines are hard to follow. Generally, the average size is 55-60 characters per line. Following these values will help you keep the text readable.

Line Spacing

The next step is to choose an appropriate line spacing (or leading) for your text. This measurement determines the distance from the baseline to the baseline in a text paragraph. Usually, optimal line spacing equals 120% of body text size, e.g., 12×1,2=14.4 for 12px text. But depending on the circumstances, you can vary this setting between 120% and 145%.

Besides the point size, the width of the column is an important aspect that affects line spacing. Generally, the rule is the wider the text column, the more spacing between lines you need (see the illustration above). For narrow columns, quite tight spacing works well, as you don’t need to follow the long way from the beginning to the end of the line. Also, consider the space between columns: line spacing should not be larger but noticeably smaller, as it will cause confusion and mess. Users should be able to distinguish text blocks from one another easily.

Letterspace And Tracking

In high-quality typefaces, type designers carefully adjust letter spacing so you can use them by default. However, there are several cases when additional settings are required.

First, when setting text in small point size (10px or less), e.g., for captions or tooltips, add some small positive tracking — 1–2% is enough. It helps make the text more legible.

Positive tracking is also needed in lines set in capital letters. Uppercase characters (and their sidebearings) are designed to come before lowercase at the beginning of a word. For this reason, the All Caps setting is usually too tight and requires additional spacing.

Tips:

• Think twice when setting text in uppercase, and don’t do this without a strong reason because it affects legibility.
• Avoid more than three to five words in uppercase.
• For a larger amount of text, choose a typeface with small caps.
• Don’t try to imitate small caps by using capitals in smaller sizes.

Negative tracking might be applied when you use a type in an extremely large point size.

Design The Spreadsheets

A spreadsheet is a complex form of data representation that should have a high level of legibility. Setting up a spreadsheet can be tricky because, in digital products, we work with dynamic data, and therefore, we can only sometimes predict their behavior.

A good practice is to consider all possible corner cases. What if a number has ten digits in the fractional part? Do we really need to show the whole number, or can we shorten it? What if cells contain data of very different lengths? Ask your analyst to consider all possible situations to avoid unpleasant surprises after release.

Here are several core rules to improve your spreadsheet:

Use Monospace (Or Tabular) Digits

Monospace digits are a set of digits with equal space width and central position within them, unlike default ones. It’s the most convenient way to align data precisely, allowing you to place digits in a column one below another. Tabular digits are especially useful in compound products like traders’ watchlists and spreadsheets. They help to keep the layout while values change in real time.

The Open Type format supports this feature and can be enabled in the Type Settings menu > Details in Figma.

Align Numbers By The Right Side Or By A Decimal Separator

Depending on using integers or fractionals, choose the appropriate alignment. The aim is to place digits with the same meaning one below another in a column.

Right alignment allows you to align digits according to their position in the numeral system. It works well if you work with integers.

If you work with fractionals, align by a decimal separator.

Alternatively, fill empty spaces with zero symbols. In this case, columns will align by separator automatically.

When adding additional symbols after values, such as currency or footnote, do it with an overhang.

Choose a suitable alignment for the column’s headings. Usually, the heading is aligned on the same side as the column’s content, and this is the most convenient and fast path for developers when working with dynamic data.

Typesetting numeral data in monospaced figures and suitable alignment provides clear data representation and improves legibility.

Use Appropriate Separation Marks

Consider applying different rules to the sign of the decimal separator. Depending on localization, it might be a comma or period: use periods for the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada, and choose a comma if your audience is from European countries, like France, Germany, and so on.

Thousands of separators vary between space, comma, apostrophe, and period, depending on the region. Find out which sign is used in your case and apply your approach consistently.

Pay Attention To Currency Symbols

Note that the appropriate place for currency symbols also varies. The dollar sign and most signs of European currencies usually stand before the value. If you work with a specific symbol, ensure you know the usage rules.

The placement of the euro sign is determined by language. According to the EU Interinstitutional style guide (page 114), the character is placed before value in English-speaking countries, as well as in Dutch, Irish, and Maltese. In all other European languages, the order is reversed.

There are also rare cases when symbols are placed in the decimal separator position, for example, Cape Verdean escudo.

Make sure to place currency codes after value. It is a rule.

Avoid Unnecessary Graphics

Striped backgrounds, lines, and borders are instruments of cell connection that help users follow the line in the spreadsheet. Repetitive striped backgrounds and lines often create visual noise and disturb attention. Make sure you have a solid reason to use it and apply sparingly.

Avoid using bright colors and patterned lines (dashed, dotted, and so on). Lines and borders should be solid and thin, as they are supporting elements that shouldn’t distract from data.

A neat layout is the best way to connect elements (cells) into a solid unit (row). Use the Proximity principle to show a relation between objects.

Making horizontal space between columns tighter than vertical space between rows will help you connect elements intuitively without additional graphic details.

Try it before using any extra elements.

Master Accessibility

If you’re a designer, you probably use high-quality screens to see a wide color range. In this situation, it is very tempting to use subtle color shades, pale shadows, and other details to make your product look visually sophisticated.

In real life, the average trading platform user may work in various conditions: on an old computer, on a low-quality screen, or simply in bright sunlight. Do not forget about people with special needs: low vision, color blindness, and so on. It is essential to remember that 90% of your audience will barely notice delicate color schemes and nuances. And this is a reason to take care of the contrast ratio.

Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio is a numeral value in format X:1 where X may vary from 1 (weakest contrast) to 21 (maximum). 1:1 means comparing colors with no contrast, and 21:1 is obtainable by comparing black and white.

When checking your contrast ratio, you will meet such labels as AA and AAA. These are levels of accessibility, from lower to higher, based on WCAG accessibility standards. According to several factors, such as how broad your audience is, which is the average age of the user, and which possible use circumstances you can predict, you should meet at least AA.

There are different criteria for text and graphic elements for each standard. Each level requires a specific contrast ratio:

• AA: at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for bold or large text,
• AAA: 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for bold or large text.

How do you check if your product meets these criteria? You can use one of many online tools, for example, Web AIM contrast checker. There are also plenty of plugins in Figma that you can try.

At Devexperts, we usually create products with dark themes as it gives us more freedom in color choice. Due to our specialization, we often need many colors to highlight various values and functions. It’s easier to pick a color with enough contrast to the dark background and make our products accessible to as many people as possible.

Find That One Typeface

So, knowing these simple steps to consider, it’s time to choose a font for your fintech product. There are plenty of marketplaces where you can purchase licensed typefaces. Check myfonts.com first, as it is the biggest player in this field. Many type foundries and independent designers sell their fonts on this platform.

You can also buy a font directly from the type foundry’s website. This is probably the best idea, as you (or the type designer) will not pay an additional fee to the platform. You can also explore all typefaces by this type foundry and find some more fonts you like for future projects. Here is a list of foundries to check out.

Commercial Type

Commercial Type’s library includes a wide range of typefaces of exceptional quality.

The founders of Commercial Type are Paul Barnes and Christian Schwartz, designers who are well-known for their typeface Guardian Egyptian, created for The Guardian in 2004–05.

Type.Today

Type.Today is a store with an inspiring collection of modern, high-quality typefaces. The project was founded by Ilya Ruderman and Yuri Ostromensky, who are also co-founders of CSTM fonts type foundry.

You might also want to check the other part of the project: Type.Tomorrow, which presents more experimental and crazy typefaces.

Typotheque

Typotheque is a Netherlands-based type design company founded by Peter Bilak in 1999. It has a massive library of retail fonts that may serve any designer’s need. They have plenty of great type-related products in their shop.

Klim

Founded by Kris Sowersby in 2005, Klim type foundry creates custom and retail typefaces. Their work combines deep historical knowledge with a contemporary approach to graphics. Check their blog — it has lots of exciting reading.

Colophon Foundry

Colophon Foundry is a London-based type agency that offers an impressive choice of modern, perfectly executed typefaces. Don’t forget to check trials as well.

I Love Typography

ILT is not only a shop with an impressive collection of accurately-picked typefaces. It is also a blog with lots of great type-related materials on a wide range of topics. Highly recommended!

Grilli Type

Grilli Type is a foundry that offers types with a very modern feeling. Their library is not that wide in amount of typefaces, but each has a vast number of styles. They also provide trial versions for all their faces.

TypeTogether

Established in 2006 by two graduates from Reading University, TypeTogether foundry is concentrated on text typefaces for editorial purposes. Except for that, they have plenty of display retail fonts in their catalog.

If you’re a student looking for a typeface for non-commercial use, check student license support on the website. Sometimes, foundries give scholars good discounts or even offer some fonts for free. There are also trial versions provided, so you can check if the typeface works well for your project before purchasing.

Also, you can try Fontstand. It is a great platform where you can try and rent fonts for a couple of dollars and use them for commercial projects.

At Future Fonts, you can find a great variety of typefaces in progress available for purchase with a good discount. You will also receive all updates for the purchased typeface, which sounds like a great investment!

And finally, if you don’t have a budget at all, there are still some options. For example, Google Fonts have a number of good typefaces which you can use for free for any kind of project. Take a look at IBM Type Family, Open Sans, PT Sans, Inter, or Roboto. These are widely used fonts we all know and meet in various products. For sure, you will find something suitable there.

In any case, do not forget to read the license carefully, and feel free to ask the vendor/type foundry if you have questions.

Conclusion

Finding the right typeface is tricky as a whole. Dividing the process into steps and having the right information at hand will make this journey a design adventure full of surprises. To avoid sinking into unnecessary details, use this guide as a map for your path, and you will never get lost.

That’s it! Hopefully, you’ve found this article helpful for improving your workflow. Explore typefaces, as this is a great and powerful instrument for designers, and stay in touch!

Further Reading On SmashingMag

• “Free Fonts For Interface Designers,” Cosima Mielke
• “How To Use Face Motion To Interact With Typography,” Edoardo Cavazza
• “Micro-Typography: How To Space And Kern Punctuation Marks And Other Symbols,” Thomas Bohm
• “7 Gorgeous Free And Open-Source Typefaces And When To Use Them,” Noemi Stauffer

In the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary business, characterized by cutthroat competition and fleeting consumer attention spans, the role of a catalogue design agency has emerged as a linchpin for brand success. As the digital revolution continues to reshape market dynamics, the importance of a catalogue that seamlessly blends aesthetic allure with strategic prowess cannot be overstated. In this comprehensive exploration, we embark on a profound journey into the realm of catalogue design agencies, unraveling the intricacies that distinguish the exceptional from the commonplace.

Unleashing Creative Brilliance: Going Beyond Conventions

Central to every awe-inspiring catalogue is the unfettered eruption of creativity that entices, captivates, and compels engagement. The hallmark of top-tier catalogue design agency lies in their ability to transcend the confines of conventional norms, boldly venturing into innovative dimensions that harmonize effortlessly with their clients’ unique brand identities. Acknowledging that a catalogue transcends mere product presentation, these visionary agencies wield design as a vehicle for weaving compelling narratives that resonate with the deepest chords of the audience’s psyche.

Immersive Brand Assimilation: Capturing Essence

A catalogue is not a mere compilation of products; it is an encapsulation of a brand’s very essence. Preeminent catalogue design agencies embark on an immersive expedition into the intricate layers of a brand’s ethos, values, and aesthetic tenets. Every design facet – from the nuanced selection of color palettes to the deliberate choice of typography – resonates harmoniously with the core identity of the brand. These exceptional agencies orchestrate each page to be more than a vessel for product display; they meticulously engineer an intricate symphony that echoes the distinctive voice and resonates with the brand’s soul.

Strategic Blueprint and User-Centric Ingenuity

A defining characteristic that sets top catalogue design agencies apart is their unwavering dedication to user-centric design. These agencies orchestrate layouts with meticulous precision, artfully guiding the reader’s gaze from one section to another in an intuitive flow that orchestrates an effortless and immersive browsing experience. By strategically placing products, seamlessly integrating whitespace, and ensuring textual legibility, these agencies masterfully navigate the thin line between engagement and overwhelming information overload, inviting readers to embark on a seamless journey of exploration.

Fusion of Visual Panache and Informative Precision

A masterful balance between aesthetic allure and informative precision is an intricate art, meticulously perfected by top catalogue design agencies. While captivating visuals serve as the cornerstone, a truly effective catalogue seamlessly imparts vital product information without inundating the reader. These discerning agencies possess the acumen to distill complex data into a visually captivating symphony, presenting information in an organized and engaging manner that enhances the reader’s experience while ensuring clarity of information.

Pioneering Adaptability: Embracing Trends

In a design landscape that evolves at a relentless pace, remaining at the forefront of emerging trends is paramount. Distinguishing top catalogue design agencies is their proactive approach to embracing evolving design trends while retaining an evergreen appeal. Whether it entails seamlessly integrating interactive elements, experimenting with augmented reality to create immersive experiences, or seamlessly amalgamating digital and print design realms, these agencies exemplify their commitment to creating catalogues that are both visually captivating and intrinsically contemporary.

Crafting for Print Perfection: Precision in Production

Elevating a catalogue’s design to a state of tangible allure requires a partnership between creativity and production expertise. Premier catalogue design agencies seamlessly collaborate with seasoned printers and production virtuosos, ensuring that the final printed iteration faithfully embodies the essence and eminence of the initial digital design. Acknowledging the pivotal role of factors such as paper quality, tactile finishes, and meticulous printing techniques, these agencies ensure that design transcends the digital realm to manifest as a tangible masterpiece.

Client-Centric Symphony: Communication and Collaboration

At the heart of top catalogue design agencies lies an ethos of transparent communication and unwavering client-centricity. These agencies invest time to truly listen to the client’s aspirations, requirements, and strategic objectives, transforming these inputs into tangible design marvels. Regular updates, candid dialogues, and a receptive stance towards client feedback form the bedrock of these agencies’ design journey, ensuring that the ultimate output is an eloquent manifestation of the client’s vision.

Showcasing Proficiency: A Proven Portfolio

The potency of a top catalogue design agency is vividly evident in the curated tapestry of their portfolio. These agencies proudly present their array of prior accomplishments, casting a spotlight on their versatility, innovative prowess, and their ability to cater to an eclectic array of industries. Their track record of crafting impactful catalogues for diverse clients stands as an unequivocal testament to their consummate professionalism and unrivaled capabilities.

Ardent Embrace of Minutiae: Attention to Detail

In the realm of catalogue design, it is the minutiae that converges to create magnificence. Top agencies understand this quintessential truth, leaving no design element unexamined or unpolished. From the meticulous alignment of textual content to the artful curation of visual imagery, every facet is subjected to relentless scrutiny to ensure a seamless harmony of precision and cohesion. This ardent attention to detail is the hallmark that differentiates top-tier agencies from their counterparts.

Propelled by Outcomes: Results-Driven Philosophy

Ultimately, the triumph of a catalogue is gauged by its tangible impact on a business’s bottom line. Premier catalogue design agencies adopt an outcomes-driven philosophy, imbuing their designs with strategic calls-to-action, trackable QR codes, and other innovative mechanisms to gauge the catalogue’s efficacy in driving conversions and sales. Their design transcends the aesthetic to metamorphose into a powerful driver of measurable success.

Marrying Innovation and Tradition: Timelessness

Top catalogue design agencies navigate the intricate interplay between innovation and timelessness with grace and finesse. While they embrace the latest design trends, they eschew fleeting fads, meticulously curating designs that possess an enduring appeal. This seamless marriage of innovation with timeless elegance positions them as custodians of design longevity.

Conclusion

In an era inundated by a torrent of information and visual stimuli, a meticulously designed catalogue assumes the role of a potent instrument to seize attention, convey messages, and carve indelible imprints on the audience’s consciousness. A premier catalogue design agency embodies a rare fusion of creativity, strategic acumen, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to their clients’ aspirations. Beyond the realms of mere aesthetics, they harness the power of design to craft catalogues that resonate with brand identity, creating immersive journeys that captivate on profound levels. Thus, as you set out to procure the services of a catalogue design agency, remember that their distinction lies in their resolute dedication to transforming conceptual visions into tangible catalogues that encapsulate brilliance and galvanize success.

FAQs: What Sets Apart a Top Catalogue Design Agency from Others?

What exactly does a catalogue design agency do?

A catalogue design agency specializes in creating visually appealing and strategically designed catalogues for businesses. They merge artistic creativity with branding strategies to craft catalogues that effectively showcase products or services and engage the target audience.

Why is a well-designed catalogue important for businesses?

A well-designed catalogue serves as a powerful marketing tool that can capture attention, convey brand messages, and drive sales. It creates a lasting impression on potential customers and helps businesses stand out in a competitive market.

How do top catalogue design agencies stand out from others?

Top catalogue design agencies distinguish themselves through their innovative creativity, meticulous attention to brand identity, strategic layout planning, seamless fusion of visuals and information, and an adaptive approach to design trends. They also have a proven track record of delivering impactful results.

What role does user-centric design play in catalogue creation?

User-centric design focuses on creating a catalogue layout that guides the reader’s eye naturally, providing an enjoyable browsing experience. It helps to keep readers engaged, making it easier for them to find relevant information and products.

How do these agencies balance aesthetics with information?

Top agencies strike a delicate balance between captivating visuals and essential product information. They present data in an organized and visually appealing manner, ensuring that the catalogue is both engaging and informative.

What is the significance of adapting to design trends?

Adapting to design trends keeps catalogues relevant and appealing to modern audiences. Top agencies stay updated with the latest trends, incorporating innovative elements such as interactive features, augmented reality, and digital/print integration to create compelling catalogues.

How important is the print quality of a catalogue?

Print quality is crucial in bringing the digital design to life. Top agencies collaborate with skilled printers to ensure that the printed catalogue matches the digital design’s standards in terms of paper quality, finishes, and overall production excellence.

How do top agencies maintain a client-centric approach?

Client-centricity involves open communication, understanding the client’s vision, and integrating their feedback throughout the design process. Top agencies prioritize regular updates, transparent discussions, and client input to ensure the final catalogue aligns with the client’s expectations.

Can you measure the effectiveness of a catalogue’s design?

Yes, top agencies incorporate measurable elements into the catalogue design, such as trackable QR codes, strategic calls-to-action, and engagement metrics. This allows businesses to assess the catalogue’s impact on conversions, sales, and overall engagement.

How do top agencies ensure the longevity of their designs?

Top agencies marry innovation with timelessness, embracing contemporary trends while avoiding transient fads. This ensures that their designs remain relevant and visually appealing even as design trends evolve over time.

The post What Sets Apart a Top Catalogue Design Agency from Others? appeared first on noupe.

In the dynamic digital marketplace, online startups are flourishing, transforming traditional business norms and practices. Amidst navigating this exciting growth, these startups often overlook the intricacies of optimizing payroll processes. Efficient payroll systems are not just administrative tools—they’re essential for regulatory compliance, employee satisfaction, and the overall health of your business. This guide is an invaluable resource for online startups aiming to streamline their payroll processing.

Understanding the Stakes

Payroll isn’t just about cutting checks. It encompasses statutory compliance, meticulous record-keeping, and timely tax submissions. Mistakes are not just inconvenient—they can lead to severe penalties, disgruntled employees, and a damaged reputation. For online startups, where resources are precious and scalability is key, effective payroll processing is non-negotiable.

1. Embrace Digital Solutions

In our tech-driven world, automation is not a luxury but a necessity. Automated payroll systems eradicate the errors that plague manual calculations. They handle complex computations, tax deductions, and even the generation of comprehensive paystubs, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Paystubs services offer intuitive solutions that empower businesses to generate accurate paycheck stubs effortlessly, contributing to seamless payroll management.

Investing in digital solutions goes beyond choosing software; it’s about creating an ecosystem that supports your business’s operational needs. For instance, services that expedite the creation of essential documents like paystubs not only save time but also ensure precision, a crucial aspect considering the legal implications of payroll documentation. By utilizing comprehensive online resources, startups can avoid common pitfalls associated with manual payroll processing, thereby focusing their valuable time on strategic growth initiatives.

Furthermore, embracing digital solutions means keeping an eye on emerging technological trends. Blockchain, for instance, is paving new paths in secure, transparent transaction logging, which could revolutionize traditional payroll systems. Staying ahead of such trends could give startups a competitive edge.

Tip: Opt for a solution that scales with your business, accommodating its evolving needs without compromising on security or functionality.

2. Comprehend Your Legal Obligations

Compliance is non-negotiable. Online startups must stay informed about their tax obligations, minimum wage laws, overtime compensations, and other payroll-related regulations. Ignorance isn’t just risky—it’s a potential legal quagmire.

The realm of compliance is often a complex labyrinth, especially for new entrants in the business world. It’s not just about understanding current obligations but also about staying proactive with upcoming legislative changes that could impact payroll processing. This vigilance includes keeping an eye on varying tax rates, reporting requirements, and employment laws. Startups must cultivate a culture of compliance to mitigate risks associated with legal non-conformance, which could potentially lead to business disruptions or financial setbacks.

Moreover, international startups need to be particularly cautious. Hiring remote workers from different countries means navigating multiple tax jurisdictions and employment laws. It’s advisable to seek expertise in international employment law and possibly engage professional employer organizations (PEOs) to handle complex multi-national payroll processes.

Tip: Regular consultations with HR or legal professionals ensure you’re always ahead of the curve regarding local and international payroll laws.

3. Continuous Training and Updates

The landscape of payroll management is ever-changing. Regular training sessions ensure your team is up-to-date with the latest regulations, software enhancements, and efficient practices. A well-informed team is your first line of defense against compliance breaches and inefficiencies.

In addition to formal training, creating a culture of learning within your organization can be incredibly beneficial. Encourage team members to subscribe to relevant publications, participate in industry forums, and share insights with colleagues. This proactive approach to learning can help your business adapt quickly to new x technologies and regulations, reducing the risk of costly errors or oversights.

Tip: Leverage online resources, workshops, and webinars. They are cost-effective methods for staying current with industry and legal updates.

4. System Integration is Key

Efficiency is the lifeblood of startups. Integrating your payroll system with other business management software ensures consistency and avoids data replication errors. This synergy not only enhances accuracy but also significantly improves operational efficiency.

An integrated system provides a holistic view of business operations, improving strategic decision-making. For instance, integrating payroll with accounting systems helps in better budgeting and financial planning, while its integration with HR systems can provide insights into staffing costs and help manage employee benefits more effectively.

Tip: Integration-ready software with robust API support makes this transition smooth, reducing the chances of data mishaps.

5. Clear Payroll Policies: A Must-Have

A comprehensive payroll policy is your blueprint for success. It should clearly define payment schedules, benefit deductions, leave policies, and the like. This clarity ensures employees are well-informed and payroll administrators have concrete guidelines to follow.

Consistency in policy application is crucial to prevent any perception of bias or unfair practices within your team. Ensure that your payroll policies are not just clear but also consistently applied across all departments and teams. Regular feedback sessions with employees can also help identify any issues or areas for improvement.

Tip: A well-documented policy should be easily accessible to all employees, ensuring complete transparency and minimizing potential conflicts.

6. Regular Audits: Your Safety Net

Consistent audits are crucial. They help catch discrepancies before they become monumental problems, ensuring compliance and accuracy. For fast-paced online startups, these regular check-ins are critical for maintaining financial health.

Audits also provide an opportunity for process improvement. By identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies, startups can refine their payroll processes, potentially saving time and resources in the long run. It’s also beneficial to use audits as a way to reassess the overall payroll strategy regularly.

Tip: External auditors can provide unbiased insights. Schedule regular reviews to keep your processes on track.

7. Security Cannot Be Overlooked

Cybersecurity is paramount for online startups. Payroll systems are treasure troves of sensitive personal and financial data. Ensuring this information is secure is not just ethical—it’s good business.

In an era where data breaches are increasingly common, startups must employ advanced security measures. This necessity involves conducting regular security assessments, establishing secure access protocols, and educating employees about cybersecurity best practices. Safeguarding sensitive payroll information is paramount, as data breaches can have far-reaching consequences, from financial losses to irreversible damage to the business’s reputation.

Data security also extends to the physical realm. Ensure that any physical records are stored in secure, access-controlled environments and that policies are in place for the secure disposal of any sensitive information.

Tip: Invest in systems that offer end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and frequent security updates.

Conclusion

Streamlining payroll processes requires diligence, adaptability, and a solid grasp of legal responsibilities. By harnessing sophisticated technology, keeping your team informed, and prioritizing data security, online startups can master this complex field. Efficient payroll processing not only simplifies administrative tasks but also fosters a transparent and trusting work environment, propelling your startup toward sustainable growth and success.

As online startups continue to shape the future of commerce, their approach to internal processes like payroll must evolve. The journey toward complete optimization is ongoing, with new technologies and regulations.

Featured image by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

The post How to Optimize Payroll Processing for Online Startups appeared first on noupe.

According to Gartner, global end-user spending on SaaS is projected to expand at an astounding rate of 17.9%  to a total of 197 Billion USD by the end of 2023. Thus, we can agree that the margin of opportunity for SaaS companies is huge, but so is the competition.

To capitalize on this growth opportunity, you must invest in building the best product possible as well as high-value financial and operational activities. Any time your employees spend on tasks that could be automated is time they are not spending on what is genuinely important.

Your tech stack can assist you in automating many daily processes, and for SaaS subscription firms, SaaS billing software (for successful SaaS subscription billing) may be the most important part of the tech stack.

In this article, we break down what SaaS subscription billing is, what your company stands to gain from its functionality, and how to choose the right software to meet your specific business needs.

Billing Under the SaaS Subscription Model – A Brief Introduction

Software as a service (SaaS) has gained widespread acceptance in practically every industry. This is due to the fact that SaaS enables organizations to become more nimble; by transferring on-premises software solutions to the cloud, businesses can avoid the fees and obligations involved with managing and maintaining pricey in-house servers. At the same time, they can keep up with new patches and features more easily, accelerate their own software deployments and configurations, reduce their reliance on additional IT staff, and free up in-house professionals to focus on more strategic concerns (rather than having to devote their time to managing the software in question).

Subscription pricing is a logical fit for this software strategy. SaaS companies can sell limited-duration subscriptions instead of perpetual licenses, which require consumers to pay a one-time cost for ongoing access to a software product. These sellers retain complete ownership of the software in question, offering access to it rather than the product itself. In exchange, these vendors often agree to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, support, and upgrades, which are all included in the subscription price. The vendor also retains the right to modify the software and user access at any time, with the terms explicitly described in the end user license agreement (EULA).

The Benefits of SaaS Subscription Solutions

Using the subscription billing model with the right SaaS subscription solutions has the potential to help your business greatly. In this section, we’ll be taking a look at some of the advantages of this approach, which include:

Simplified Expenses

Subscription SaaS methods are significantly less expensive than traditional pricing choices. Rather than budgeting and accounting for a major, one-time purchase, prices can be spread out into smaller, predictable charges, making it easier to prepare for and account for in yearly taxes. This makes predicting revenue easier as well, with cloud-based billing solutions keeping track of your invoices and providing insightful analytics to help you strategize better.

Transparency in Pricing

As SaaS subscription expenses are ongoing and itemized, organizations can quickly and accurately forecast what their SaaS expenses will be for a specific time period. So, you can plan for expansion by projecting future expenses based on present prices easily and simply using SaaS payment processing.

Cutting-Edge Security

Cybersecurity is one of the greatest challenges of the modern business sphere with the threats being dynamic and ever-changing. In the face of this, businesses require dynamic software security to defend themselves.

The capacity of subscription SaaS companies to stay one step ahead of the different threat vectors that target their clients is critical to their survival. This includes not just releasing fixes and solutions to newly disclosed vulnerabilities, but also proactively and tirelessly seeking for any uncovered holes so that they can be closed before they are exploited.

Most of the time, these updates are deployed automatically, with no downtime. Effective SaaS subscription solutions also ensure that your data is always secure and unified across your entire tech stack.

User Autonomy

Organizations must be able to pivot swiftly in order to capitalize on new possibilities or respond to unforeseen crises in today’s business climate. Subscription SaaS allows them to experiment with new ideas, install new services, and even trial alternative providers to discover the best solutions for specific needs.

If these trials do not produce beneficial outcomes, organizations can simply revert to their former memberships when their current subscription expires. This freedom from vendor and tool lock-in is a significant advantage that distinguishes subscription SaaS from traditional perpetual licensing.

Dependable Assistance

There is always a very real risk that a client organization will opt to cut relations and switch to another vendor for subscription SaaS providers. To avoid this, vendors must be capable and ready to provide the finest assistance available.

This also applies to the service; if it is not user-friendly, intuitive, and powerful, people will cancel their subscriptions and go on. This means that subscription SaaS vendors are in fierce competition to create a pleasant customer experience.

Scalability Without Limits

When organizations expand or contract to meet demand, their IT resources must also expand or contract. Subscription SaaS allows for this flexibility; organizations may quickly modify their subscription agreements to adjust for increasing or decreased data consumption. This ensures that companies have the right quantity of software resources when they need them.

Choosing the Best SaaS Subscription Billing Software

Choosing the right SaaS billing software is crucial for the success of your subscription-based business. Here are some steps to help you make an informed decision:

1. Understand Your Needs

Identify your business model, subscription types, and billing requirements and determine if you need complex pricing structures, tiered plans, usage-based billing, trials, etc.

2. Features and Functionality

Make a list of essential features like subscription management, automated invoicing, revenue recognition, analytics, and integration capabilities. And prioritize features based on your business needs.

3. Scalability

Ensure the software can handle your current customer base and growth projections. Check if it can accommodate increased transaction volumes without performance issues.

4. Ease of Use

The software should have an intuitive user interface for both administrators and customers.A steep learning curve could hinder adoption and efficiency.

5. Integration Options

Determine if the software integrates with your existing tools like CRM, accounting software, analytics platforms, etc. Integration reduces manual data entry and improves workflow efficiency.

6. Customization

Look for flexibility in setting up pricing plans, discounts, and promotions. The ability to customize invoices and communication templates is also important.

7. Security and Compliance

Check the security measures in place to protect customer data and payment information. Ensure the software complies with relevant data protection and financial regulations.

8. Billing Models

Confirm that the software supports the billing models you intend to offer (e.g., monthly, annual, usage-based). Check if it can handle proration for mid-cycle changes.

9. Support and Training

Evaluate the availability and quality of customer support. Look for resources like documentation, tutorials, and training to help your team get up to speed.

10. Trial Period

If possible, start with a trial period to assess how well the software aligns with your needs. Use this time to test the user experience and the software’s capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Thus, SaaS subscription billing is the billing model of the future which can help your company cut down on expenses and tedious manual tasks while keeping your data secure. However, before selecting a SaaS subscription software, it is absolutely crucial to keep your specific business needs in mind.

The post Demystifying SaaS Subscription Billing: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on noupe.

We’ve all felt it—browsing our favorite social media platform and stumbling upon a product that catches our eye. E-commerce and social media are becoming increasingly intertwined, changing the way we discover, shop, and connect with brands. This evolution isn’t just another fleeting digital trend; it’s redefining the very core of how businesses operate. In today’s fast-paced world, brands aren’t only trying to keep up—they’re striving to lead. Central to this is the idea of ‘seamless integration.’ Imagine smoothly transitioning from a product tweet or an Instagram post straight to the checkout page. This seamless experience is what customers have come to expect. And that’s where Adobe Commerce shines. It’s not just another tool; it’s a pathway for businesses to truly embrace the future of shopping and stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital arena.

Adobe Commerce: A Brief Overview

In the expansive world of e-commerce platforms, Adobe Commerce, previously known as Magento, stands distinct. Born from the desire to offer businesses an edge in the digital marketplace, it has matured into a platform revered for its adaptability and breadth of features. With a rich history and continued evolution, Adobe Commerce has proven its mettle in supporting businesses, from ambitious startups to established global giants. At its core, it’s more than just a tool—it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed for digital growth. Its offerings, ranging from customizable design capabilities to an extensive plugin marketplace, are a testament to its commitment to versatility. Diving into its functionalities, one quickly understands why it’s the choice for many businesses aiming to capture the essence of modern-day e-commerce.

The Advantages of Using Adobe Commerce for E-commerce

Navigating the crowded corridors of e-commerce platforms can be daunting. However, Adobe Commerce rises above the fray with its tangible benefits:

• Scalability: Whether you’re a startup or a multinational entity, Adobe Commerce scales to meet your unique needs. Growth is inevitable, and this platform ensures you’re ready.
• Customization: With an abundant marketplace for plugins and native customization tools, brands can craft unique digital experiences for their audience.
• SEO and Analytics: Built-in SEO tools ensure your business doesn’t get lost in the vastness of the web. Coupled with in-depth analytics, decision-making becomes data-driven and effective.
• Flexibility: Not just in design, but in operations too. From inventory management to order processing, flexibility is at its core.

Understanding these advantages is fundamental. In an era where differentiation is key, Adobe Commerce offers the tools, insights, and adaptability that can set a business apart in the digital realm.

Why Social Media Integration Matters in E-commerce

The digital age has transformed the way we perceive shopping. No longer confined to physical aisles or pages of catalogs, consumers now engage with brands in dynamic, interactive ways, primarily through social media. Social platforms, once mere communication channels, have become potent marketplaces, blurring the lines between networking and shopping. Integration of e-commerce with social media isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. It aids in capturing targeted audiences, driving them directly to products they’ve shown interest in, and subsequently boosting conversion rates. Moreover, it fosters brand loyalty, turning occasional shoppers into brand advocates. In this milieu, user-generated content amplifies the brand’s authenticity, allowing consumers to resonate with real experiences rather than polished advertisements. In essence, social media integration in e-commerce is the bridge that connects brands with the evolving expectations of modern consumers.

Adobe Commerce’s Unique Social Media Integration Tools

In the nexus of e-commerce and social media, Adobe Commerce has carved a niche with its forward-thinking integration capabilities. Some of its standout features include:

• Direct Purchase Options: Enabling users to buy directly from their preferred social platforms, reducing friction in the shopping journey.
• Social Media Login Capabilities: Streamlining the checkout process by allowing users to log in using their social media accounts, enhancing user convenience.
• Advanced Analytics: Offering deep insights into sales and engagements originating from social media, enabling brands to finetune their marketing strategies.
• User-Generated Content Integration: Seamlessly integrating reviews, photos, and testimonials shared on social platforms, enriching product pages with authentic content.

These tools not only simplify operations for businesses but also offer a holistic, unified shopping experience for consumers. Adobe Commerce, in its essence, bridges the traditional gaps in the e-commerce-social media continuum.

Overcoming Common Challenges with Adobe Commerce

In the fast-evolving world of digital commerce, challenges are aplenty. Brands often grapple with the speed at which social media trends shift, requiring constant adaptability. Adobe Commerce, however, offers a respite from these concerns. It has built-in tools that ensure operations across multiple platforms remain streamlined, preventing any potential hiccups that could disrupt the customer experience. Equally critical is the security of user data. With increasing concerns about privacy breaches, Adobe Commerce prioritizes robust security measures, ensuring that data remains uncompromised. Nevertheless, even with the most advanced tools, some challenges may require expert guidance. If the intricacies of integration feel overwhelming, brands can always turn to a trusted e-commerce integration agency, ensuring that their operations remain smooth and their customers are satisfied.

The Future of E-commerce and Social Media Convergence

As we gaze into the horizon of the digital age, the convergence of e-commerce and social media promises intriguing evolutions. While today we marvel at seamless shopping experiences on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, tomorrow might bring even deeper integrations, possibly with emerging social platforms or entirely new digital spaces. Technologies like augmented reality could redefine the way we ‘try’ products online, merging the tactile with the digital. Adobe Commerce, with its history of adaptation, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in this future landscape. There’s also an underlying anticipation of how AI and machine learning will further personalize the online shopping journey, making product suggestions and user experiences more intuitive than ever. Businesses, whether fledgling or established, must remain nimble, always ready to adapt to the next wave of innovation. The key will be to anticipate change, harness emerging technologies, and ensure that the digital shopping experience remains not just transactional, but transformational.

Conclusion

In the vast, interconnected world of digital commerce, standing out is both an art and a science. Leveraging platforms like Adobe Commerce becomes not just an operational decision but a strategic one. Through its multifaceted tools and capabilities, it bridges the chasm between e-commerce and social media, creating a harmonious user journey from discovery to purchase. But beyond the technicalities lies a bigger narrative: the evolving dynamics of how we shop and engage. Adobe Commerce is more than a platform; it’s a testament to the future of digital commerce—a future where shopping experiences are seamless, personalized, and deeply integrated with our social interactions. For businesses keen on thriving in this digital age, embracing such integrations and keeping pace with technological advancements isn’t just advisable; it’s imperative. The convergence of e-commerce and social media is here to stay, and those who navigate it wisely will lead the way.

Featured image by Bench Accounting on Unsplash

The post Seamless Integration: Leveraging Adobe Commerce for Seamless E-commerce and Social Media Integration appeared first on noupe.

Remember the screech of dial-up internet? Hold fond memories of arcade machines? In this list, we’re condensing down 30 pieces of revolutionary technology that have long past their sell-by-date.

In today’s Smashing Podcast episode, we’re talking about Tech Unions. What part can unions play in a modern tech workplace? Drew McLellan talks to Ethan Marcotte to find out.

Note: Listeners can save 15% off Ethan’s book, “You Deserve A Tech Union,” by using the code SMASHING15. Happy reading!

Show Notes

• Ethan Marcotte’s website.
• Books written by Ethan Marcotte
• Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn

Weekly Update

• The Problem With WordPress Is Positioning, Not Plugins written by Geoff Graham
• Gatsby Headaches: Working With Media written by Juan Diego Rodríguez
• A High-Level Overview Of Large Language Model Concepts, Use Cases, And Tools written by Joas Pambou
• Everything I Know About UX Research I First Learned From Lt. Columbo written by Slava Shestopalov
• How To Choose Typefaces For Fintech Products: Our Best Practices Guide written by Daria Karpenko

Transcript

Drew McLellan: He’s a designer and author who over the last two decades has focused on designing and building beautiful accessible web experiences and on helping organizations create more effective design systems. He’s worked for clients such as New York Magazine, the Sundance Film Festival, and Google. And in 2010 coined the term “Responsive web design,” which these days we simply call web design. He also writes and speaks about digital design, technology, and justice. And his latest book You Deserve A Tech Union has just been released by A Book Apart. So we know he’s an industry shaping designer and innovator, but did you know if he was British, he’d already have a knighthood. My Smashing Friends, please welcome Sir Ethan Marcotte. Ethan, my friend. How are you?

Ethan Marcotte: After that introduction, Drew, I’m smashing.

Drew: That’s good to know. So welcome to the show. I think people who might’ve heard you talk on a podcast before, might be used to hearing you talk about responsive design or design systems or maybe some of the work you’ve done with very notable clients over the years. And just as the casual observer thinks they’ve got Ethan Marcotte all figured out, here comes a book about unions. To me actually, it doesn’t feel like a big departure because your work’s always appeared to be guided by a sort of strong conviction of fairness and inclusivity and accessibility. And I think you’ve always been in the most positive sense of the word, like an activist, someone who sees something they feel is wrong in the world and then actually takes steps to do something about it.

Drew: And I’m thinking back to 20 years ago when we were both working with the Web Standards project and lobbying browser makers to follow standards and then through to making mobile sites first class citizens, making websites first class citizens on mobile devices, with the whole responsive design movement, which has literally changed the way the industry built websites. So Ethan Marcotte, web activist, is that a fair characterization?

Ethan: I’ll slap that on my homepage and see how that feels. But you just said a bunch of really kind things. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Drew: In that context, a book about unions actually seems to be very on-brand for you. Do you feel that way?

Ethan: I do. It does feel like a different thing for me. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t, but I’m glad you mentioned responsive design because I do think that it really does feel a little bit similar to me in that I feel like I was looking at where the industry was going back in 2009, 2010, and just recommending a different approach. The web was becoming progressively more mobile-focused back then, and I’d been really passionate about designing with inclusivity and access for so long. It felt like around that time we were seeing two kind of inflection points happening, that we were moving beyond the desktop, but we also had all these great design tools to leverage the web’s inherent flexibility. So all I was proposing was, hey, what if we did that? And I provided a name for this thing, but I didn’t invent responsive design so much as just bring some existing tools closer to mainstream notice.

Ethan: The union’s book, I really feel is really shaped by what’s already happening in the industry. I think for the longest time I grew up in a tech industry that felt like it didn’t need unions or it didn’t need worker protections, that it was somehow different and better than every industry that had come before it. And the one thing that has happened over the last few years is that workers are unionizing. They’re unionizing at companies like Alphabet, at Apple, they’re at civic tech agencies like Code for America, at Kickstarter.

Ethan: So this is something that’s already happening in the industry and the book is really shaped by talking to people who are doing the work right now and trying to understand why they’re doing it, how they approached the work, the challenges they face. And the book is really just to try to make that topic more accessible to more people, that this is something that is available to them right now if they’d like to take advantage of it.

Drew: It’s a good point because when I think about unions, I think about growing up in the 1980s where TV news here in the UK was often dominated by images of workers from traditional industries like coal mining and steel production, forming donkey-jacketed picket lines, undernourished men stood around burning oil barrels and that sort of thing. But then more recently we see industrial action strikes by postal workers, by trained drivers, heartbreakingly, by doctors and nurses, who they might’ve swapped Their donkey jackets for something from the North Face, but they’re on strike to campaign for better conditions, for more fair pay deals or what have you. Has the role of unions really changed that much between the shutting down of the steel industries in the last millennium to now, or are they functionally the same even though the industries might be very different?

Ethan: That’s a great question, Drew. I say this in the book, but I think a union means the same thing pretty much everywhere, but in a lot of cases it means something different in every country as well, because it operates in a legal context. I’m writing from the United States, the book has a very US-based focus in terms of how unions operate. But I think at the end of the day, the definition that I tried to put forth in the book is something around the fact that a union is basically a group of workers who are trying to fight for a better life in the workplace through collective action and organization.

Ethan: And I think that’s broadly pretty universal, that when you’re trying to institute some sort of change in your work, whether that’s better wages, better hiring practices, trying to have clearer paths to promotion, the math changes pretty quickly because as an individual you probably have pretty limited influence in trying to instrument some changes at work, but that changes pretty quickly when you’ve got two workers together asking for those changes or 20 workers or 400. It’s really about understanding that when workers in any industry are working together to instrument change, there’s really nothing they can’t do.

Drew: And we’re seeing this to bring it right up to date. Where are we? August 2023. We’re seeing this in Hollywood at the moment, aren’t we?

Ethan: Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. Honestly, I wish the dues had slowed down a little bit while I was writing the book because I snuck that, because one of the reasons that Hollywood unions are striking, this isn’t the only reason, but one of the reasons is because of the rise of generative AI in the tech industry. There’s all this hype in the tech industry about large language models and ChatGPT, and all the software that takes seconds to produce text or code or imagery that it would take humans hours or days to produce. And so for folks who write and film for a living, there’s an incredible amount of concern about what that means for the value of their work. So it’s been weird writing about the need for unions in the tech industry while Hollywood unions are quite literally shutting down an industry over something the tech industry produced.

Drew: I think when we think about all these different industries that very publicly unionized, I think sometimes the common factor between them all is they work in jobs where there are fewer options in terms of employment. If you’re a train driver here in the UK, we have multiple train operators that you could work for, but by and large, you actually practically need to work for the one that covers the area in which you live. Otherwise you have to relocate. You don’t practically have a lot of choice. And when workers are being treated unfairly, they need to campaign for changes in those jobs because they don’t have the options.

Drew: When I think about tech traditionally, it doesn’t feel to me immediately and first thought, it’s the same situation. As a software engineer, it appears that there’s a worldwide market that I could work for, plenty of opportunities to explore. If a job wasn’t working at how I expected, I could maybe go and find something else. But I also know personally, if I can’t see what the problem is, it’s likely because I’m carrying some sort of privilege that makes me blind to it. What is the need for unions in tech?

Ethan: Yeah, man, we only have an hour Drew. I’m not sure that’s enough time. I guess the way that I like to think about it is, I ask two questions in the book which is, asking folks what they like about their job and then asking them what they would change about their job if they could. And then working through those questions, the question is, okay, for the things you like about your job, how can you actually ensure that they’re not going to change in the future? And then for the things you don’t like, how would you go about changing them? And I think that working through some of those questions, that’s where you can see how a union could actually be helpful to again, change some of that math, to help folks get more leverage at work, to negotiate for better contracts, to actually band together and address some of those issues.

Ethan: But the book was really informed by interviews with a lot of workers who have gone through some of those questions and tried to ask themselves, “All right, how can I make some of these changes?” And by and large, most tech workers felt before they started thinking about unionizing, was that their only option was to leave, to find something else. And there’s no guarantee that the next job’s going to be better at the end of the day. That a lot of the privilege that we may enjoy or the protections we may enjoy at work are really based on social capital or how well the company’s doing at any one point. And obviously in the last year, we’ve seen literally hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs based on arbitrary economic variables, let’s say. So I think it’s been an incredibly challenging time and it’s also helped a lot of folks realize that there is a lot of precarity in tech work. That there aren’t a lot of guarantees, and we do need something that’s a little more stable.

Drew: And it also seems to me to be the case that lots of tech companies operate under, I previously worked for a tech company that was based in San Francisco, which is, I think you call it, is it “At-will employer?” Is that right?

Ethan: At-will. Yeah.

Drew: Is that the right terminology?

Ethan: Yeah.

Drew: Where as a worker you have… It’s almost at whim. You’re at the whim of your employer, where you have very few protections. And so is a trade union another form of protection in that respect?

Ethan: Yeah, that’s a great question. Yeah, it is. And we’ve actually literally seen that here in the United States. I mentioned Kickstarter at the start of the call, and they’re one of the first tech unions that we’ve gotten in the modern era. It’s been pretty amazing to watch their journey, and they just formalized their first contract and they actually managed to enshrine some protections against at-will employment so that you can’t be fired without cause, which is vanishingly rare in a United States based tech company. But I talk about this in terms of power and workers having more say over the conditions that they work in.

Ethan: And in the United States, one of the incredibly powerful tools that a union provides, is the path to something called collective bargaining. Where folks can actually sit down with management and literally define the terms of their employment. And again, that could be related to wages or benefits or working conditions. It’s really driven by the workers who are banding together in unionizing. So absolutely, I think that’s what makes the need for tech unions so urgent, is that it provides that level of democracy in an environment that’s anti-democratic in a lot of ways.

Drew: I guess it’s often easy to think about, when you think about contract law and those sorts of things, is to think about you as an individual and your employer, but I guess a crucial part of a union is standing in unison with colleagues to protect their interests and not just your own. Would you agree?

Ethan: That’s a fantastic point. I would thoroughly agree with that, Drew, that’s beautifully put. I think there’s a preconception, I think, that tech workers by and large are very well paid and that we’re very privileged. And I think in certain cases that’s very true. But one of the things that I heard time and again from folks that I spoke with, is that that privilege and that power is pretty unevenly distributed across different kinds of tech workers. Folks who might look like you and I, who might be fairly senior, who might be engineers are probably doing pretty well. But if you talk to somebody who’s in content moderation or trust and safety or certain kinds of designers, things might be much more precarious.

Ethan: So yeah, asking questions of your coworkers just to be like, “Hey, are you satisfied working here? What kind of kinds of things would you change?” pretty quickly opens your eyes up to the fact that there’s a real opportunity here to think more broadly about this. I talked to several folks who were union members at the New York Times Tech Guild, and they basically did a salary sharing exercise where they collected a spreadsheet and everyone could basically share the amount of money that they’re making. And it was pretty eyeopening for them because they pretty quickly realized that there’s some pretty wide pay disparities. And they also found that it was helpful because it actually helped them realize that this isn’t any individual worker’s fault. This is just a very haphazardly designed and unfair system that they’re all trying to work in. And again, it’s an opportunity to, like you said, to band together and try to figure out, okay, how can we as a union change that?

Drew: And do tech unions exist already? Are they a thing? I know longer standing industries have very specific unions. I remember my parents, both teachers, they were part of a teacher’s union. We talked about some of those more traditional industries. Are there tech unions in existence?

Ethan: Yes. That’s a great question. Again, that varies pretty quickly, country-to-country. I know in the UK, like Prospect I think, and UTAW, I think are organizing pretty actively in the tech industry. In the United States, if you’re looking to unionize, it’s best to find a union that’s doing work in your industry. And there are two that are pretty active up as of the time we’re talking right now. CWA is the biggest union in the States, Communication Workers of America, and they’ve been doing a lot of work organizing different unions. And then there’s another one, OPEIU, which basically spun up like an industry specific branch union to help with that organizing effort. But I think there’s a high level of interest in the tech industry because it’s historically been so difficult to unionize, to get workers to actually understand that they are workers, and to see the benefits of a union. But there’s been so much movement in the last few years that I think there’s going to be a lot more activity in the next.

Drew: And you mentioned Kickstarter a couple of times. Have they formed their own union from scratch and is it specific to the employees of Kickstarter?

Ethan: It is. It is. US labor law is so weird, man. I’ve learned entirely too much about it, but it was described to me by a couple of different folks separately, as a little bit like a nesting doll. Because there are national unions in the United States, and then there were specific branches that are geographically distributed. And then you as a worker have to work with your fellow workers to form a union at your company, which is then affiliated with a branch that then bubbles up to the national union. So they’ve formed Kickstarter United, that is a union specific to Kickstarter, but that is affiliated through I think OPEIU, that national union that I mentioned before. And again, it’s a bit of a nesting doll, but it’s been amazing to see this happening.

Drew: So practically speaking, what does a union look like? We have the workers who join a union. Are there people who work full-time in that or how does it work? And what sort of roles are covered within that?

Ethan: Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Drew. Again, some of that’s going to vary country-by-country, but in the United States, unions do have staff, the administrators, lawyers, full-time organizers, who are basically paid by the union to help their affiliated companies, but also to do outreach and organizing efforts. So for Kickstarter’s example, the workers at the company are all part of Kickstarter United, and those could be tech workers, those could be designers, engineers, product owners. It’s basically anybody who’s not a supervisor for the most part, who’s a full-time employee of the company.

Ethan: But yeah, from there basically, the union operates like a little democratic body. They have bylaws, they can vote on contract proposals. So when I mentioned that Kickstarter actually just ratified its first contract, they hammered out the language, they established a first draft of this proposal with management, and then they circulated it to everybody in the union to ask them to vote on it, to prove it, basically. And so they had to have it ratified by majority vote, and once they did, they actually had a contract in place that’s binding, that defines the terms of their employment

Drew: As generally speaking, as a member of a union, if you’re then encountering problems, say you’ve had a run in with a manager, there’s a back signal you can throw up, so then somebody comes to your aid?

Ethan: Exactly. Yep, yep. They wear a cape and a helmet. No. Yeah. No, that’s how I want unions to work. But watching too many Marvel movies, I suppose. But yeah, so a union representative will basically be an advocate for you. That’s one of the other things that unionizing unlocks here in the United States. It unlocks a set of rights where if you’re called into a meeting with a supervisor, for example, that could be potentially disciplinary, you get to have a union representative actually attend that meeting to act as an advocate and as a witness. And I believe there’s a similar role of a union rep in the UK, I believe. So if you happen to work at a company where there’s union representation already, you might actually see if there’s a union rep on staff already to talk to you with your questions. But yeah, there’s a bad signal.

Drew: I think it’s part of UK law that the union rep has to be the grumpiest person on staff. I think traditionally that’s how we do things here. Yeah.

Ethan: No, that’s good. That’s good. That’s good. That seems like somebody you’d want in your corner when things go wrong.

Drew: We talk about a little bit when things go wrong, but are there other sort of peace time functions that a union undertakes for its members?

Ethan: Yeah, that’s a great question. The contract, so I mentioned the contract as being like the path to power for workers. They can redefine. They can redefine the terms of their employment collectively, but a contract needs to be enforced and it needs to be governed. And that’s a big part of what the union does. Because once the contract gets approved, it’s not indefinite. It has an end date, and it’s over the course of however many years that it’s enacted, it just has to be ensured that both sides of the agreement are actually for to the agreement. That’s another big part of the union as well. Things can break down, obviously, as we’re seeing in Hollywood right now, because the union also is responsible for negotiating the next contract. And basically the union provides, I think, a voice for advocating for workers on a daily basis, ensuring that things remain bare and that they’re as protected as possible.

Drew: Would a union get involved in things like hiring practices so they don’t directly impact union members and the people being hired into roles might not be union members? Would a union get involved in that sort of thing?

Ethan: Yeah, I think so. I think that kind of comes back to what I mentioned about collective bargaining, because here in the United States, for example, that could absolutely be one of the things that workers decide to organize around. That hiring practices are unclear or they tend to enforce different kinds of bias. So for example, if they require undergraduate degrees that certain members of the population don’t have access to, that’s obviously going to change who’s actually applying to some of these companies. That’s absolutely something that a union could be advocating for and fighting for a contract. Yeah, absolutely, I think that’s something that could be an area of focus for that as well.

Drew: We talked a little bit about AI. Obviously it’s growing rapidly and possibly threatening many of the roles that exist today. I guess one job of a union then can be to protect the viability of its very industry.

Ethan: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And again, we’re seeing that happening right now in Hollywood with folks who are concerned about what happens when studios decide to bring in something like ChatGPT to write treatments for scripts or to do editing work. What is that going to change? How is that going to change the work that human writers are going to be paid to do? Are they going to be relegated to lower cost AI cleanup tasks? What is that going to do to their wages? I think that, yeah, absolutely. This is one of those things that keeps me up at night. Because really it’s like what does it mean to be a designer or an engineer or any kind of person who produces work in the tech industry when you could fire up Midjourney and play around with some prompts to get something that’s visually rather striking.

Ethan: But yeah, I get into this in the book a lot, but I think one of the things that’s so deeply weird about our insistence on calling it Artificial Intelligence is that it conceals the extent to which this technology is deeply reliant on human labor. And that could be whether it’s these large language models that are ingesting content, that have been produced by humans, written by humans, or coded by humans or designed by humans, and trying to analyze them for future output. But there’s also a considerable amount of content moderation work that goes into this AI software as well, where underpaid contractors in various countries, are paid dollars on the day, to basically clean up their output, and they’re being asked to sift through just terrible, traumatizing stuff to make sure you and I can enjoy fun ChatGPT games on a daily basis. There’s a lot of challenges with AI.

Ethan: But to your question, labor unions have a very long history of actually enshrining labor protections in contracts to protect workers from automate. I get in a couple examples in the book, but this is another one of those things that labor unions are keenly focused on, because it has a direct impact on wages, on working conditions and the value of the work that we do. So yeah, it’s a key area of focus.

Drew: The whole area of AI, for me, it raises the whole question of what is creative work? What do we mean by creative work? Is something actually creative if it’s been created by AI or if it’s just regurgitating what it’s ingested, there comes a point where there are maybe no new ideas. It just raises so many questions.

Ethan: I want to be excited about generative AI or whatever the term is, because they can be, I think, useful inputs for the creative process. I don’t think that I would never use them as a writing tool, but I do see folks do some really fun experimentations with them, like some of the graphical tools like Midjourney or Dolly, but they exist in an economy and in a broader social context where folks, like we’re seeing in Hollywood, really powerful, very rich studios, are looking to displace workers by using this software. And I think we can’t really talk about them purely in an exciting standpoint because again, there’s some real harms to creativity and to our ability to do more.

Drew: When it comes to the impact of AI on the tech industry and jobs within the tech industry, it sometimes feels like everyone is in favor of progress until it makes them obsolete. We’re an industry that loves to disrupt things. Should we really be surprised if we get disrupted?

Ethan: Yeah, maybe we asked for it. Is that the question behind the question?

Drew: Maybe we should just accept it.

Ethan: Yeah. Yeah, that’s a great, yeah, I do wonder about that. Yeah, maybe it’s just time to put all the computers in a lake and shut off the lights and go get jobs working in the trees or something. I don’t know. But yeah, I do wonder if my opinion of all the software would be different if I’d encountered it in my twenties, because I’ve grown up in this industry and I’ve watched it kind of cycle through movements like this, and I do want to be able to keep working in this industry. And I do feel like there’s a real movement right now, both in terms of the amount of investment going into this technology, but also in terms of the amount that it’s being sold as something that can cheapen labor. That you don’t need to have a team of 50 engineers anymore when you have something like just for an example, Copilot or something like that.

Ethan: And I think that by and large, when folks think about automation, they tend to think of jobs disappearing overnight, but it’s a much longer, slower process. It starts with something called de-skilling, which is where basically technology is seen as something that can do roughly decent work for a fraction of the cost. And so what that does is that, yeah, it does obviously impact jobs, but it also reduces wages because why would I pay a human engineer or a human designer or a human writer what they were getting paid, when I can do something that’s roughly good enough for, again, pennies on the dollar. So that’s the process that I think we’re starting to see the beginning of right now, and I think that’s why we need a number of responses to AI from a regulation standpoint, but also I think from a labor organization standpoint as well.

Drew: Is the only safe job in tech being an AI engineer?

Ethan: Right now, I don’t know. We’ll give it six months and we’ll see what happens.

Drew: More seriously, I know that for many folk when applying for jobs, many of us have concerns that whether it’s legal or not, that our gender or ethnicity or religion or sexuality or accent or appearance or any number of factors might bias employers against us. Is it a reasonable fear that being an existing member of a union could reduce the number of opportunities that are available to you?

Ethan: That’s a good question. I’ll be honest, not to center myself in your question, but I definitely did agonize a little bit over writing this book, because at least in the United States union’s a bit of a four letter word. We’re not very good at spelling over here, I guess.

Drew: Lots of letters out, so it probably is.

Ethan: You all keep the U’s, we get rid of them. It’s weird. But yeah, I mean, I do think that there’s … One of the biggest sections that I tried to stress in the book is that when you’re trying to organize a workplace, especially here in the United States, it’s important to be safe. And that means having conversations about organizing outside of company Slack, maybe taking things to Signal, talking first with folks you trust and then doing planned outreach beyond that. Because there are some risks involved with unions, again, maybe more in countries like the United States where labor law is just such a mess. But I think above and beyond all else, it’s important for workers to feel safe in what they’re doing. And I think that you should only start this process if you feel like that’s something you can’t. But it is a real opportunity to leave your job better than you found it, which is something I heard time and again from everyone I interviewed, that it’s an incredible amount of work, especially in some countries like the US, but it’s also incredibly rewarding as well.

Drew: And ultimately, the best place to start is by being informed and there’s masses to think about, and I wholeheartedly recommend that listeners pick up a copy of You Deserve a Tech Union. For what could be quite a dry subject, Ethan, your quality of writing, as ever, shines through. I don’t want to say it’s an easy read because the subject’s challenging, but in all other respects, it’s an easy read, as always. Was there anything else you think we should be concerned about or be thinking about when it comes to tech unions?

Ethan: That’s a great question. I will say, maybe this is just because you asked a question about privilege, but one of the things that I heard from organizers was that there’s a real opportunity to do good work closing up some of those privilege gaps in the workplace by organizing equitably. Because the folks, especially in the United States where organizing has to happen after hours or on weekends, that kind of privileges who’s able to participate in the process. It’s much harder to do that kind of work if you have kids or if you work a second job. So there are opportunities in thinking about organizing, where you can approach it more equitably by writing a newsletter for your coworkers who can’t be as involved, or trying to over-communicate to folks who may want to participate but just can’t for whatever reason.

Ethan: And I think, at least for me, that was a recurring theme in a lot of the conversations I had, which is these are people who are trying to leave their companies as better than they found them. And it’s incredibly inspiring to watch, and I think there’s a real opportunity to do good work in the industry by forming or joining a union.

Drew: So I’ve been learning all about tech unions today. What have you been learning about lately, Ethan?

Ethan: Oh, that is a great question. I have been learning how to live with two, three-year-old cats. And every day is an adventure. And these two are pretty much, they’ve been keeping me going last few years, but they’re still turning everything upside down at least twice a day. So I’m learning a lot about myself.

Drew: Full of energy.

Ethan: Yeah, full of energy, exactly.

Drew: If you, dear listener, would like to hear more from Ethan, you’re spoilt for choice. You can find his personal website at ethanmarcotte.com, where you’ll find links to his journal and social media. The book, You Deserve a Tech Union is available now from A Book Apart and you’ll be able to easily locate it at abookapart.com. Thank you for joining us today, Ethan. Did you have any parting words?

Ethan: It’s just great to see you again, Drew. Thank you so much for having me.

As long as content remains the core of digital marketing, storytelling will always be needed. Storytelling involves using engaging narratives to communicate a brand message.

However, because the world has evolved to embrace more visual content, storytelling has also grown. It has become more visual. 

Through pictures, videos, designs, and other visual elements, brands can communicate their message to their target audience. 

One primary way of doing so is through their websites. Your website is your opportunity to grab your visitor’s attention and get them to connect with your brand’s story. 

As a web designer, compelling visual storytelling is the secret ingredient you need to make this happen. It is all about engaging your visitors through design elements. 

In this article, I will show you the critical storytelling principles you need to know as a designer and how to engage your audience through visual storytelling.  

What is Visual Storytelling?

Visual storytelling uses images, videos, and design elements to convey narratives, ideas, or messages. It leverages the power of visuals to engage, inspire, and connect with your audience.

People are moved by what they see. In fact, sight is the fastest way to grab a user’s attention. No one wants to read long, boring texts just to get engaged. 

You can instantly communicate complex ideas, emotions, and messages with visual storytelling. Visual storytelling shows information rather than tells it. 

Customers want to be engaged immediately. When they come to your website or landing page, 73% of them skim through, and if they aren’t captivated within seconds, they will leave immediately. 

Hence, you need effective visual storytelling to transform your website into a compelling and immersive experience, leaving a lasting impact on your visitors.

Importance of Storytelling in Web Design

Storytelling is now a vital component of web design. 

1. Enhanced User Engagement and Experience

Visual storytelling is no longer just about aesthetics but about enhancing user engagement and optimizing search engine performance.

Your website should be user-friendly and intuitive. 

A well-structured narrative guides users through your site, helping them find helpful information effortlessly.

Additionally, when you weave a compelling narrative into your website’s structure, content, and visuals, you create an exciting experience that keeps visitors engaged.

The more your visitors are engaged in your website, the longer they spend, thus reducing bounce rates. 

2. Improved Brand Storytelling and Awareness

Using visual storytelling in your web design allows you to effectively convey your brand’s identity, values, and personality. By scrolling through your website and seeing the artistic elements, they already know your business and can connect personally. 

Consumers are more likely to become loyal customers when they can connect with your brand personally. 

You can use artistic visual elements to share your brand story and increase awareness. For example, you can share some images and videos on your website via social media. This can reach more people and attract them to your website. 

Remember, it’s all about giving engaging narratives, not boring motion pictures. 

3. Search Engine Optimization

High-quality visual elements are critical to boosting website visibility. Search engines, like Google, favor websites that invest in good-quality images and videos. 

Additionally, visual storytelling enables you to structure your content coherently and engagingly, making it easier for search engines to understand and index.

For example, you can integrate keywords and key phrases in your image and video description. 

4. Lower Bounce Rates and Improved Dwell Time

Your website design holds about 94% of your first impressions. This means that people judge your website immediately from its design. Therefore, you need great storytelling in your web design. 

Compelling visual storytelling gets your visitors so connected that they spend longer on your website. The longer people spend on your website, the higher you rank on search engines. 

Also, the higher you are, the more clicks you get and the more authority you build. As your visitors spend more time on your website and are engaged in its content, they are most likely to engage. 

Critical Principles for Web Designers

Before incorporating visual storytelling into your web design, you need to understand the essential principles of web design. 

1. Know Your Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is the foundation of effective web design. Your website’s appeal, functionality, and content should align with the preferences and needs of your intended users. 

Different people have different tastes, and the same goes for your target audience. For example, you cannot design your website with baby colors or doodle drawings if your target audience are business executives and operational officers. It miscommunicates your branding. 

Knowing your target audience informs your design decisions, from color schemes and typography to content tone and navigation. 

A deep understanding of your audience ensures that your website not only attracts visitors but also engages and converts them into loyal customers or readers.

2. Apply Storytelling Principles

To use visual storytelling effectively, you need to understand storytelling principles and apply them. 

Applying storytelling principles means using narrative techniques to engage and guide your web visitors through their online experience.

Furthermore, you need to include the key elements of compelling storytelling. 

Narrative Structure

Your website should have a well-designed structure. It should have a beginning, middle, and end. 

The homepage serves as the introduction, presenting the main themes and objectives. The middle part is more like the body of the website. It contains all the critical information about the business and what it offers. 

The middle part of your website is so important because it consists of various pages or sections where the story (or content) unfolds. 

Finally, the end of the website can include a call to action that encourages the visitors to take the desired action. The desired action could be anything like 

Character Development

In web design, characters are not fictional people but rather the elements that make up your brand or organization. For example, the elements can be your products, services, team members, or even the brand itself.

Effective web design allows users to connect with these “characters emotionally.”You create a more engaging and memorable user experience by humanizing your brand and its offerings.

Conflict and Resolution

In the case of web design, conflict, and resolution involves addressing users’ pain points or challenges and showcasing how your business can solve them. 

By showing your business can solve your target audience’s problems, you create a compelling narrative that resonates with users. 

Consistent Themes

Just as a good story maintains consistent themes and characters, your website should maintain a consistent visual and narrative style. 

This consistency reinforces your brand identity and makes it easier for users to navigate and understand your site. A consistent branding theme helps in establishing trust and credibility with your audience. 

User Journeys

A well-crafted story has a defined path that the audience follows. In web design, this translates to designing user journeys or pathways through your website. 

Each page or section should logically lead users to the next step in their journey. These pathways should be intuitive and easy to follow. 

For example, visitors can explore more products, learn about your company’s history, or purchase. Your visitor’s journey should flow well to efficiently lead them to the final step where they can take the action you want. 

3. Use Visual Hierarchy

It’s crucial to prioritize content and elements based on their importance. Key information, such as headlines, calls to action, and essential visuals, should be prominent and easily noticeable. This is because these elements guide the visitor’s journey through your website. 

By establishing a clear visual hierarchy, you ensure that users can quickly identify and access the most critical content on your website.

Important Elements of Visual Storytelling In Web Design

Effective visual storytelling in web design depends on several crucial elements. These elements work together to engage, captivate, and resonate with your audience. Understanding the elements is very important to create a website that looks visually appealing and communicates your narrative effectively. 

User Experience (UX)

In digital marketing, the quality of your user experience is everything. People are most likely to never purchase from a brand if they have a terrible experience. 

Your user experience lies at the core of successful visual storytelling. It involves creating a seamless and intuitive journey for your site’s visitors. 

How do your visitors navigate your site? Is it easy to find information? How accessible are your visuals? These are all important questions to consider. 

A well-thought-out UX captivates your visitors such that they immerse themselves in your story and flow through your website without frustration. This leads to a longer time on your website and increased search engine ranking. 

Emotional Appeal

Storytelling is all about evoking strong emotions in your target audience. Emotions drive humans, and if you can tap into those deep emotions they feel, you will have them hooked. 

Visuals can evoke strong emotions like deep happiness, empathy, excitement, or nostalgia. When you incorporate emotional visuals into your web design, you can create a deeper connection with your audience. Fortunately, this can lead to more content shares and clicks, thus increasing your reach and boosting your SEO performance. 

Note: Your choice of colors can affect your visitors’ emotions. Emotionally appealing colors like red, green, purple, orange, etc can add to the emotional content of your website.

Interactivity

To get your visitors engaged, you need to interact with them. Interactivity enhances user engagement and allows visitors to participate in your narrative actively. Elements like interactive infographics, quizzes, and multimedia presentations can deepen your storytelling and make it more memorable. 

Additionally, search engines appreciate interactivity because it keeps users engaged on your site for longer, showing you have valuable content. 

Responsive Design

Your visual storytelling should adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and viewing devices. This means that your design should be as mobile-friendly as it is desktop-friendly. Mobile-friendly designs improve user experience and increase chances of higher search engine visibility. For example, Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in its search results. 

How To Engage Through Visual Storytelling

Using visual storytelling to improve engagement involves combining creativity and strategic implementation. 

1. Use Compelling Visuals that Tell a Story

Engaging in visual storytelling involves using compelling visuals effectively. These visuals can range from images and videos to infographics and illustrations. Choose high-quality visuals that resonate with your narrative. Whether it is product images, professional profile pictures, or video testimonials, ensure they are crisp, clear, and complement your story. 

Also, be consistent with the branding. For example, use cohesive colors, image styles, and video formats to create a unified and memorable brand identity. 

An essential visual to use in your web design is infographics. They are excellent for simplifying complex data and statistics. To improve understanding, you can break down information into smaller visual chunks using charts, graphs, and icons. 

2. Microinteractions

Microinteractions are small animations and interactive elements that can improve user engagement. They are so small that they are often unnoticed but add to your engagement. 

For example, subtle animations like fade-ins, transitions, or hover effects can draw users’ attention to specific elements on your website. Imagine scrolling down a page and seeing fade-ins of a call-to-action button. As you look at it, you feel encouraged to click the button and take the desired action. 

Furthermore, interactive elements like clickable icons, infographics, or storytelling features can transform a passive user into an active participant. 

Statistics show that 96% of your website visitors (first-timers) are not ready to purchase anything yet. But the more they engage with your content, the more active they become and more likely to convert to loyal customers. 

You can also use animations to highlight key data points, customer quotes, and before-and-after comparisons. 

3. Tell Stories that Align with the Brand

This is quite different from the first point. The first point was about using visuals that align with your narratives. Now, let’s look at telling narratives that align with your brand values and vision. Remember, consistency is vital. 

Your story should reinforce your brand identity. 

First, clearly define your brand’s identity, values, and unique selling points. What sets your brand apart, and what is it passionate about? Knowing this will set the foundation and guide you in your visual storytelling efforts. 

Also, ensure that your narratives’ visual elements, tone, and messaging are consistent with your brand’s established identity. This includes brand colors, fonts, and imagery that reflects your brand’s personality. 

Whatever you do, remember that your stories should reflect your brand’s values. Aside from entertainment and information, your stores should reflect your brand’s mission, vision, and core values.

For example, your stories can highlight your brand’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, or customer-centricity. Stories that align with your values resonate more deeply with your target audience.  However, ensure the stories are authentic. They shouldn’t feel forced. Your target audience can notice a forced story when they see one because it doesn’t blend with the brand or elements. 

4. Implement User-centric Storytelling

User-centric storytelling involves crafting your web design and narrative to align with your audience’s needs and preferences. It focuses on guiding users through a purposeful journey on your website. The goal of user-centric storytelling is to direct user flow. 

To do this, use user-centric visual cues. Visual cues, like arrows, CTA buttons, and animations, can be powerful tools for guiding user flow. They draw attention to essential elements and direct users toward specific actions and content sections. 

Also, adopt progressive disclosure. This involves revealing information sequentially; hence, users can explore deeper as they want to know more. Progressive disclosure encourages them to click, scroll, and interact further. 

One crucial factor you should always consider in user flow is the page-load times. Slow-loading websites can frustrate users and cause them to abandon the journey. You need to optimize your visuals and media to ensure quick loading times. 

5. Test and Gather Feedback

You only know you are getting it right when you get positive feedback. The goal of feedback is to seek continuous improvement. 

However, you must test all ideas to see which suits you best. You can conduct A/B tests on different visual elements of your website. Then, compare how these variations affect user engagement and conversion rates. With this, you can know which one works and which doesn’t. 

It is also important to get feedback from your website visitors. You can send out questionnaires or surveys. But make it as short and straightforward as possible so they don’t get bored and leave. 

Additionally, you can use web analytical tools to track user behavior on your site. Metrics like bounce rates, session durations, and conversion rates will help you know whether you are on the positive side. 

FAQs 

1. How do you use visual storytelling in design?

Visual storytelling involves using rich visual elements to tell deep stories. The elements include animated charts, images, videos, or graphic illustrations. You can use typography, colors, and motion graphics to communicate your message in design.

2. Why is storytelling important for web designers?

Storytelling creates a deeper emotional connection with website visitors. When users visit your website, compelling storytelling engages them and can turn them into active participants. It is also an excellent way to boost SEO. 

3. How do I tell a compelling visual story?

• Show your story, don’t tell
• Add some conflict
• Make your story relatable and relevant to your target audience
• Invest in high-quality visuals
• Use narrative structure — introduction, middle, conclusion
• Include emotional words in your stories

Conclusion

Visual storytelling should be a very vital component in your web design. It is more than just for aesthetics, as it is now a strategic tool for user engagement, connection, and experience. With great visual storytelling, you can transform your website into a captivating journey that guides users through your narrative and boosts their overall experience.

Featured image by Melanie Deziel on Unsplash

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The integration of propelling innovation technology and computerized retail has changed the manner in which businesses work and individuals shop. And Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at its forefront. AI isn’t a trend but rather a shift that connects businesses to adapt, improve, and flourish in the marketplace. 

From customized shopping experiences to proficient stock management and responsive customer support, AI has changed the way eCommerce works. Further, it contributes to smoothing out processes, improving client experiences, and driving business growth.

Additionally, AI broadens its impact into the last mile of eCommerce business, guaranteeing convenient and proficient deliveries. Furthermore, innovations like the Shopify local delivery app have harnessed Artificial Intelligence to transform the online shopping experience.

As we’ve seen, AI has already revolutionized eCommerce operations. Now, it’s your chance to explore the limitless abilities of AI in online shopping. So, let’s get started.

The Evolution of eCommerce

The landscape of commerce has undergone a momentous change over the years, and the ascent of eCommerce has been the main impetus behind this change. From its modest starting points, eCommerce has expanded into a goliath industry, changing the manner in which we shop on a very basic level. Customary retail, once the primary avenue for consumer merchandise, presently ends up amidst a phenomenal shift.

Innovation has been the key part of this advancement. Since the coming of the internet, it has reliably played a critical role in reshaping online businesses. The ease of online transactions, the comfort of computerized retail stores, and the worldwide reach conceivable by innovation have propelled eCommerce to its current prominence.

At the core of this mechanical unrest lies artificial intelligence (AI), ready to reclassify online business operations in manners already impossible. In this blog, we will investigate how artificial intelligence is reshaping this landscape and how it affects the future of commerce.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the main thrust behind the change in eCommerce operations. It is the simulation of human intelligence in machines, empowering them to perform errands that normally require human mental capabilities. Artificial Intelligence envelops a wide range of innovations, from machine learning and natural language processing to computer vision. 

Its usage traverses across different ventures, however with regards to eCommerce, artificial intelligence assumes a critical part in changing the shopping experience. Through AI, online platforms can give customized product proposals, enhance pricing systems, and smooth out inventory management. 

Furthermore, AI-driven chatbots improve client service, and data analytics empower organizations to settle on data-driven choices. However, the implementation of AI comes with some challenges and considerations, let us learn them.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

In the era of AI-driven commerce, dealing with challenges and ethical considerations builds trust for both businesses and their customers. 

1. Data privacy and security

With the broad usage of artificial intelligence, the collection and analysis of client information are undeniable. This raises worries about the protection and security of their delicate information. Safeguarding client information against breaches and guaranteeing compliance with data security guidelines like GDPR is a first concern for organizations.

2. Customer trust and transparency

Keeping up with the trust of online customers is foremost. The obscurity of AI algorithms and decision-making processes can make clients uncomfortable. Laying transparency in how AI is involved and giving clear explanations to customized proposals is essential for cultivating trust and guaranteeing moral practices in eCommerce. 

Thus, Exploring the complexities inside the domain of AI-driven web-based business isn’t just a need yet in addition a pledge to cultivate a reliable and ethical shopping experience for all.

AI Applications in eCommerce Operations

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into e-commerce operations has paved the way for historic innovations that are reshaping the business. AI’s application spans across the whole range of online retail, touching each aspect of the client excursion and business processes.

1. Personalization

Artificial intelligence empowers organizations to offer customized shopping experiences by dissecting client conduct and inclinations. From item proposals to modified promoting messages, personalization improves client commitment and fulfillment.

2. Inventory management

Artificial intelligence-fueled demand forecasting and stock advancement algorithms assist organizations with keeping up with the right stock levels, diminishing expenses, and limiting out-of-stock circumstances.

3. Chatbots and customer support

AI-driven chatbots are upsetting client support in eCommerce. These virtual assistants provide immediate responses to client queries, improving response times and overall satisfaction. This upgrades client experiences as well as diminishes operational expenses.

4. Fraud detection and security

eCommerce platforms are the main targets for fraudsters, focusing on security. AI algorithms are capable of distinguishing and forestalling fake activities. They analyze transaction patterns, client conduct, and external information sources to signal dubious activities. 

5. Dynamic pricing

Dynamic pricing is a cutthroat strategy that changes item costs in view of different elements like interest, contender evaluation, and stock levels. AI algorithms succeed in this area by constantly breaking down market conditions and changing costs as needed.

Going ahead, let us learn about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in eCommerce. 

The Future of AI in eCommerce

As eCommerce keeps on developing, so do the latest technology innovations that support it, with Artificial intelligence assuming a focal part in molding the fate of online retail. A few arising AI advances are set to change the eCommerce landscape in the coming years:

1. Conversational AI

Chatbots and virtual assistants are turning out to be progressively modern, offering more natural and customized interaction with clients. This innovation will empower real-time support,  order tracking, and even item suggestions through messaging applications and voice assistants.

2. Visual search

Visual search innovation permits clients to track down items by uploading pictures or utilizing their gadget’s camera. AI algorithms break down the picture to recognize items, which smoothes out the shopping system and improves the client experience.

3. Predictive analytics

High-level AI algorithms are being utilized to foresee client conduct with more prominent precision. This incorporates forecasting demand, advancing stock, and customizing marketing campaigns in view of predictive insights.

4. Blockchain technology

Blockchain, frequently matched with computer-based intelligence, is being utilized to improve trust and transparency in online business transactions. It very well may be utilized for inventory network traceability, secure payment handling, and fighting fake items.

In the coming years, as these advances mature and turn out to be all the more broadly taken on. Furthermore, they will without a doubt shape the eventual fate of web-based shopping.

Conclusion

In this exploration of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping e-commerce operations, artificial intelligence isn’t simply a pattern but a fundamental device that engages organizations to upgrade client encounters, smooth out operations, and remain cutthroat. This innovation isn’t simply changing the way that we shop; it’s reclassifying the whole web-based business industry.

As we move forward, organizations should embrace artificial intelligence-driven solutions, for the fate of Online business is innately entwined with the abilities and advancements computer-based intelligence offers of real value. The excursion has recently started, and the potential for growth and advancement is boundless in this AI-fueled era of online businesses.

Featured image by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

The post How AI is Changing eCommerce Operations? appeared first on noupe.

Employee training has become an essential part of the success of an organization. The market trends are changing, and the technologies are evolving daily. Employees must continuously update their knowledge and skills to compete in a changing world. Employee training enhances their productivity and ensures they can adapt to the changing industry trends and stay competitive in the market. 

Learning approaches at work are also changing. Instead of long, boring training sessions, microlearning strategies are making waves. It’s shaking the old-school methods that companies used to use. 

With the ever-evolving necessity of upskilling and reskilling, microlearning has become an essential aspect of corporate training programs. This new way of learning changes how employees learn and remember important information. Here are a few reasons microlearning is becoming so popular and how it’s transforming corporate training programs. 

1. Effective Training Methods:

Time is crucial in a busy work environment. Sometimes, the usual training methods take a long time and can interrupt the regular work routines. But microlearning has a better way. It provides small lessons that can easily fit into an employee’s day. They can learn during short breaks while traveling or even in quick moments when they have free time. Instead of giving all the information simultaneously, microlearning breaks it down into small, easy-to-understand parts. This makes learning much more effective and saves a lot of time.

2. Reduces Cognitive Stress:

Traditional training approaches give employees too much information all at once. Microlearning breaks down complex topics into smaller and more manageable parts. This prevents employees from feeling overwhelmed and helps them remember things better. With microlearning, employees learn one thing well before moving to the next so that they understand the material better and can use it well in their jobs. 

3. Convenience and Accessibility:

Microlearning uses digital platforms. So it can be easily accessible through mobiles or computers to learners regardless of their location. Whether an employee is in the office, working remotely, or traveling, they can access the training material at their convenience. This way, learning is improved because it fits well with different kinds of work setups and also helps employees who need to move around for their jobs. 

4. Cost Effectiveness:

Traditional training methods usually cost a lot of money because companies have to pay for books, a place, and the trainer. But with microlearning, companies or employees can save a lot of money. The learning materials are usually digitally available, so employees can use them repeatedly without spending much. Additionally, employees don’t have to take as much time off for training, which means they get more work done, and the company saves money. 

5. Personalized Learning Experiences:

Every person learns in their own way. Some people like to learn fast, while others take time. Microlearning provides a unique learning plan that lets employees pick what they want to learn about and when they want to learn it. Also, microlearning platforms can track individual progress and adapt content accordingly. This means each employee gets a personalized learning experience that helps them learn better. 

6. Improved Engagement and Retention:

Microlearning is helpful because it makes learning exciting and more effortless. Our brains remember things better when we learn in small, easy-to-handle pieces. It’s easier to enjoy and digest, just like eating small, tasty bites instead of a huge meal. 

Studies have found that people remember more when they learn in small pieces at a time, regularly. This means they remember more than when they have to sit through a long, tiring session that can make them feel stressed and tired. 

7. Knowledge Application Right Away:

Microlearning often uses practical, real-world examples directly related to employees’ jobs. They can use their knowledge immediately in their everyday tasks. Instead of waiting for a comprehensive training session to finish, employees can start using what they learn right after each short learning session. This helps them learn and improve quickly. 

8. Feasible Learning Outcomes:

Microlearning platforms have special analytical tools that help keep track of learners’ progress. These tools show insights if the learners are resonating with the content, struggling, or finding some difficulty. This data is vital for companies as it helps them improve their training programs for more effective learning. 

9. Works for Modern Workforce Structure:

The modern workforce has many different types of people with different ages and ways of learning. Microlearning works well with all these different types of learners. It bridges the generational gap by providing a learning environment that resonates with tech-savvy millennial learners and seasoned professionals. It even fits with the digital age learning that is becoming increasingly important nowadays. 

10. Continuous Learning:

With a bite-sized learning approach, microlearning helps employees have a lifelong learning experience within the organization. When companies offer easily accessible and digestible training content, employees are likelier to take charge of their learning. This makes them feel responsible for growing their careers and improving.

Also, it fits well with the evolving nature of industries and encourages employees to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. This way, everyone keeps learning and adapting. It makes the company more flexible and able to handle different situations.  

Parting Thoughts:

Microlearning, with its small, easy-to-understand lessons, helps employees learn better at their jobs. Because of its quick, engaging, and personalized approach, it has effectively taught employees new skills. 

By using microlearning, companies use time wisely and ensure every employee learns at their own pace. Employees can learn from anywhere and use their learning at their jobs quickly whenever needed, unlike traditional learning, where they have to wait. 

Organizations that adopt microlearning not only in the present but also in the future. They ensure their employees keep developing their skills and feel empowered by the market trends. This shows that they care about their employees’ future and want them to grow and succeed in their careers. The parameters of corporate training have been evolving regularly.  Learning has become more than just a duty; it’s now necessary. It’s a big step forward in how companies train their employees.

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