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Unique Corporate Gift Ideas That Will Impress Your Clients and Partners

October 4th, 2023 No comments

Corporate gifting is a powerful tool that has gained significant importance in the business world. It involves the practice of giving thoughtful and carefully chosen gifts to employees, clients, partners, or other stakeholders in a professional setting to improve, strengthen, boost, or create a positive business relationship.

Corporate gifting is important for: 

1. Relationship Building: Corporate gifting is an effective means of fostering and strengthening relationships. Whether it’s with clients, employees, suppliers, or business partners, giving thoughtful gifts can create a sense of goodwill and appreciation. This, in turn, can lead to improved cooperation, trust, and loyalty.

2. Expressing Gratitude: Corporate gifting allows organizations to express gratitude and appreciation for the contributions of their stakeholders. It sends a message that their efforts are recognized and valued, which can boost morale and motivation among employees and encourage repeat business from clients.

3. Enhancing Brand Image: Thoughtful corporate gifts can help enhance a company’s brand image. When recipients associate positive experiences and sentiments with a brand, it can lead to increased brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing.

4. Celebrating Milestones: Corporate gifting can be a way to celebrate important milestones, such as anniversaries, achievements, or successful partnerships. Recognizing these occasions with a meaningful gift can leave a lasting impression and reinforce the significance of these milestones.

Benefits of Corporate Gifting include:

1. Strengthening Business Relationships: Corporate gifting helps build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and employees. This can lead to increased collaboration, trust, and a better working environment.

2. Boosting Employee Morale: Recognizing and rewarding employees through gifts can boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and improve employee retention rates. It shows that the organization values its workforce.

3. Marketing and Branding Opportunities: Corporate gifts often carry the company’s logo or branding, serving as a subtle but effective marketing tool. When recipients use or display these items, they inadvertently promote the company to a wider audience.

4. Differentiation and Competitive Edge: Thoughtful corporate gifting can set a company apart from its competitors. It can be a way to stand out in a crowded marketplace and create a positive impression.

Understanding Your Clients and Partners:

Understanding your clients and partners, researching their preferences and interests, and considering their business needs and values is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it enables you to build trust and rapport by demonstrating that you genuinely care about their individuality and success. This personalized approach fosters stronger, more enduring relationships.

Secondly, by aligning your products, services, and communications with their preferences and values, you increase the likelihood of meeting their specific needs and expectations. This leads to higher customer and partner satisfaction, potentially resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.

Furthermore, understanding their business needs and values helps you identify opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth. It allows you to tailor your offerings to provide tangible solutions, making you a more valuable and strategic partner.

In today’s competitive landscape, where customer and partner choices abound, this understanding sets you apart and positions you as a trusted ally. Ultimately, it enhances the likelihood of successful, long-term partnerships and contributes to the overall success of your business.

Creative and Personalized Gift Ideas:

Certainly, personalized and creative gifts can leave a lasting impression on clients, partners, and employees. Here are more ideas to consider:

1. Customized Gift Baskets: Create themed gift baskets tailored to individual preferences. For instance, a “Coffee Lover’s Basket” could include gourmet coffee, a personalized mug, and artisanal snacks.

2. Name Engraved Tech Accessories: Items like phone cases, laptop sleeves, or wireless chargers engraved with the recipient’s name or initials add a personal touch and are practical for everyday use.

3. Personalized Books: Consider gifting a book that aligns with the recipient’s interests or career aspirations. Include a handwritten note inside to make it even more special.

4. Customized Apparel: Design custom clothing items such as t-shirts, hoodies, or jackets with the recipient’s name or a witty slogan that reflects their personality.

5. Subscription Services: Gift subscriptions to services like streaming platforms, book clubs, or gourmet food deliveries, based on the recipient’s preferences.

6. Artisanal Food and Beverage: Personalize a selection of gourmet chocolates, wines, or craft beers with custom labels or packaging.

NOTE: the key to successful personalized gifts is genuine thought and consideration. Tailor each gift to the recipient’s unique tastes and preferences, and you’ll create a memorable and cherished gesture of appreciation.

High-Quality and Practical Gifts:

1. Premium Office Accessories or Tech Gadgets:

   – Leather-bound notebooks or portfolios.

   – High-end noise-canceling headphones.

   – Top-tier ergonomic office chairs or standing desks.

   – A smartwatch or fitness tracker for health and productivity.

   – Quality desk lamps with adjustable lighting.

2. Executive-Style Stationery or Desk Organizers:

   – Monogrammed leather desk sets.

   – Luxury fountain pens or designer writing instruments.

   – Handcrafted wooden desk organizers.

   – High-quality, personalized business cards.

   – Customized leather mouse pads.

3. Useful Items for Professional Networking or Travel:

   – A premium leather travel wallet or passport holder.

   – Business card holders made from fine materials.

   – High-quality leather or vegan leather laptop bags.

   – A portable power bank with fast charging capabilities.

   – Noise-canceling travel headphones for long flights.

Gourmet and Luxury Gifts:

1. Artisanal Food and Beverage Selections:

   – A gourmet cheese and charcuterie board.

   – A subscription to a high-end coffee or tea service.

   – Truffle-infused olive oil or other specialty oils.

   – Handcrafted chocolates or truffles.

   – A collection of exotic spices and seasonings.

2. Fine Wines, Spirits, or Gourmet Gift Baskets:

   – A bottle of rare vintage wine or champagne.

   – A whiskey or scotch tasting set with premium selections.

   – A curated gourmet gift basket with a selection of fine cheeses, crackers, and preserves.

   – A personalized wine or whiskey decanter set.

   – A premium cocktail mixing kit with artisanal ingredients.

3. High-End Personalized Gift Sets:

   – Custom-made luxury leather goods like wallets or belts.

   – Monogrammed or engraved crystal glassware.

   – Personalized jewelry made from precious metals.

   – A bespoke suit or tailored clothing.

   – Custom fragrances created by a perfumer to suit their preferences.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gifts:

1. Environmentally Conscious Products and Packaging:

   – Reusable stainless steel or glass water bottles.

   – Eco-friendly reusable shopping bags made from recycled materials.

   – Solar-powered gadgets or chargers.

   – Sustainable clothing or accessories made from organic or recycled fabrics.

   – Beeswax wraps as an alternative to plastic wrap.

2. Eco-Friendly Office Supplies or Reusable Items:

   – Recycled paper notebooks and stationery.

   – Bamboo or recycled plastic desk organizers.

   – Reusable bamboo or stainless steel straws.

   – Energy-efficient LED desk lamps.

   – Eco-friendly lunch containers and utensil sets.

3. Donations to Charitable Organizations on Behalf of Recipients:

   – Make a donation to a charity or environmental organization that aligns with the recipient’s values and interests.

   – Provide a certificate or acknowledgment of the donation as a gift.

Budget-Friendly Gift Ideas:

1. Thoughtful Gifts That Don’t Break the Bank:

   – Personalized photo albums or framed pictures.

   – A potted plant or succulent.

   – A book by the recipient’s favorite author.

   – Handwritten letters or a heartfelt poem.

   – A mixtape or playlist of favorite songs.

2. DIY or Handmade Items with a Personal Touch:

   – Hand-knit scarves, hats, or mittens.

   – Homemade candles or bath salts.

   – Create custom artwork or crafts.

   – Bake cookies, brownies, or other treats.

   – Compile a scrapbook of memories together.

3. Creative and Cost-Effective Alternatives:

   – Host a movie night or game night at home.

   – Offer to help with chores or tasks for a day.

   – Create a coupon book with special favors or experiences.

   – Plan a picnic or outdoor adventure.

   – Share a digital photo album or slideshow.

Packaging and Presentation:

1. Attention to Detail in Gift Wrapping and Packaging:

   – Use recycled or reusable gift-wrapping materials.

   – Incorporate natural elements like twine, leaves, or pinecones.

   – Wrap gifts in fabric or scarves that can be reused.

   – Choose eco-friendly wrapping paper with plant-based inks.

2. Including Personalized Messages or Notes:

   – Write a heartfelt message or letter to accompany the gift.

   – Share a meaningful quote or inside joke.

   – Express your gratitude and appreciation in words.

3. Enhancing the Overall Presentation for a Wow Factor:

   – Add a small bouquet of fresh flowers.

   – Include a small, thoughtful accessory or token.

   – Arrange the gifts aesthetically in a gift basket or box.

   – Tie a decorative ribbon or bow around the package.

These sustainable, budget-friendly, and creatively presented gifts can be just as meaningful and memorable as more expensive options, showcasing your thoughtfulness and care for the recipient.

Importance of Timing and Delivery:

1. Considerations for Appropriate Timing of Gift-Giving:

   – Timing can greatly impact the effectiveness and thoughtfulness of a gift. Consider giving gifts on special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or work anniversaries.

   – Timing can also be crucial in personal relationships. For example, giving a sympathy gift promptly after a loss shows care and support.

2. Choosing Reliable Delivery Methods:

   – Select a reputable and dependable delivery service to ensure your gift arrives on time and in good condition.

   – Tracking and providing the recipient with delivery updates can be helpful in managing expectations.

3. Ensuring Gifts Arrive in Excellent Condition:

   – Properly package delicate or fragile items to prevent damage during transit.

   – Include clear instructions for handling and unpacking if necessary.

Etiquette and Professionalism:

1. Understanding Cultural Norms and Customs:

   – Different cultures have unique customs and etiquette related to gift-giving. Research and respect the cultural norms of the recipient to avoid unintended offense.

   – Be aware of taboos or inappropriate gifts in the recipient’s culture.

2. Proper Gift-Giving Etiquette in Business Settings:

   – In business contexts, gifts should be thoughtful but not overly personal or extravagant.

   – Check a company’s policy on gift acceptance, as some organizations have strict rules regarding gifts to employees.

   – Avoid giving gifts that may create conflicts of interest or appear as bribery.

3. Building and Maintaining Professional Relationships:

   – Thoughtful gift-giving can strengthen professional relationships and foster goodwill.

   – Be mindful of the recipient’s preferences and interests to choose an appropriate gift.

   – Handwritten thank-you notes or follow-up messages after gift-giving can further enhance your professional image.

4. Avoiding Gift Expectations:

   – In some situations, it’s best to avoid gifts to prevent any perception of favoritism or obligation.

   – If you receive a gift, reciprocate appropriately and consider the nature of your relationship with the giver.

5. Giving and Receiving Gracefully:

   – When receiving a gift, express genuine gratitude and appreciation, regardless of the gift’s value.

   – When giving a gift, do so with sincerity and without expecting something in return.

In both personal and professional settings, timing, delivery, and etiquette play essential roles in successful gift-giving. Thoughtful consideration of these factors can lead to meaningful exchanges and the building of positive relationships.

Conclusion:

Unique corporate gifts that truly impress clients and partners are those that reflect genuine consideration and appreciation. Whether it’s the sustainability of your gift, the personal touch of a handwritten note, or the perfect timing of your gesture, these elements collectively convey your commitment to fostering meaningful relationships.

Selecting gifts that align with your recipient’s interests, preferences, and cultural norms is key to leaving a lasting impression. The art of gift-giving in the corporate world goes beyond monetary value; it’s about the sentiment, the message, and the goodwill you convey.

Remember, it’s not about the price tag but the thought and effort you invest in selecting, packaging, and delivering your gifts. A well-timed, well-chosen gift can help solidify partnerships, express gratitude, and create a positive image for your company.

So, as you embark on the journey of corporate gift-giving, consider the unique tastes and needs of your clients and partners, adhere to proper etiquette, and embrace the opportunity to strengthen and nurture professional relationships. These thoughtful gestures will undoubtedly make a lasting impression that extends far beyond the immediate exchange. Happy Gifting!!!

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The Problem With WordPress Is Positioning, Not Plugins

October 3rd, 2023 No comments

Ask just about any casual user to explain the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com, and you’re likely to get a shrug in response. I know this because it’s one of the first things I ask students in my WordPress development course each semester when introducing them to the content management system.

I love asking that question because it boggles my mind that a platform responsible for powering 43% of the internet can go largely unrecognized, the same sort way Taylor Swift can walk into a packed football stadium unnoticed.

But among the power users and developers among us, the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is not only apparent but a divide that draws a sacred but blurry line between the lively open-source community that WordPress is known for, and the commercial efforts of Automattic, the company that uses WordPress to power its hosted CMS platform.

The difference is a sacred line because crossing it tarnishes the open-source-ness of WordPress as a decentralized project maintained by a community of largely unpaid contributors.

Keeping special interests out of the mix is what keeps WordPress for the people, by the people.

That sacred line is also blurry, at best, and a great example of that popped up this past week when WordPress.com published a clone of the WordPress.org Plugin Directory to its own site. As is usually the case with WordPress #HotDrama, one or two developers take notice of a change, post a tweet about it, and Automattic founder Matt Mullenweg splashes a little kerosene on it. In this particular case, plugin pages on WordPress.com appeared to outrank plugin pages on WordPress.org in web searches.

This is yet another example of a situation that pits the open-source community against Automattic’s commercial interests. We’ve been here plenty of times in the 20-plus years that WordPress has been with us. The debates are nuanced, of course, but I’ll loosely characterize each side’s point in broad strokes:

  • WordPress.org: You are using the sweat equity of the open-source community to advance your own company.
  • WordPres.com: Hey, we’re merely distributing your work to a larger audience in a way we both benefit.

The problem is that this is where the debate often moves from being productive to getting downright dirty. No one benefits in these conditions.

It’s possible for both sides of the debate to be true, even if they do not agree. It would be just as disingenuous for plugin developers to claim no benefit from WordPress.com’s exposure as it is for Automattic to claim that developers gain as much in rewards as they spend writing code.

And therein lies the rub. When the discussion veers towards labor concerns and hurt feelings, we get away from the real issue at heart: WordPress has a positioning problem, not a plugin problem.

Sure, that makes for a spicy headline, but there’s real substance to it. How different would it be if the debate was between WordPress and Automattic rather than WordPress against WordPress? I imagine it would be quite different.

It is no longer an issue of search rankings and blocked accounts but one that is truly about distribution and labor in the open-source community.

When we draw sharper lines between business and community, we can have clearer discussions without the blurry divisions getting in the way and throwing the conversation off-topic.

This is the absolute perfect time to reposition WordPress. Five years after Matt’s famous advice to “Learn JavaScript deeply,” WordPress has transformed into an entirely visual editing experience that has radically transformed how we interact with it, both as users and developers. The “Gutenberg” project — and the full-site editing capabilities it brought — has ushered in a new era of WordPress where everyone’s relationship with it has changed. It’s time to change the general perception of WordPress as far as what it is and what it’s used for while we are at it.

It’s possible that a product becomes so successful or changes so drastically that it no longer fits under its own umbrella. Facebook becomes Meta. Google becomes Alphabet. Twitter has become whatever it is today. Products and companies evolve over time like people. This is what has happened with WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Each is vying for their own identity and winds up battling each other rather than buttressing one another. A cloned version of the WordPress.org Plugin Directory on WordPress.com exacerbates the issue rather than solving it. We’ve really reached the point of diminishing returns with the “WordPress” brand equity.

The only way this is fixed is by shedding the “WordPress” label from Automattic’s commercial efforts. Matt is not wrong when he claims that shared branding has made it difficult for services like Typepad to compete in the CMS space. That was true for a long time. But with a 43.1% market share today, is there really an existential threat to WordPress that requires co-branding two different flavors of WordPress? The current threat to WordPress’ market dominance has more to do with its future as a product and how it competes in a world of low-code and no-code platforms. There’s no amount of co-branding that is capable of solving what is, in essence, a user interface and experience challenge.

In that same tweet, Matt also asks us to imagine what WordPress would look like without co-branding, pointing to Joomla as a case in point. Again, co-branding may indeed have helped get WordPress to where it is today. But to say that it always has and always will is a large leap in logic on a false premise. Co-branding may not always be the best or only way to maintain market share or beat the competition. To think so is errant and myopic in a way that assumes no other possibilities, ever, as if past successes always lead to new ones. Myopia often sows the seeds of failure.

I believe we’ve reached the point where we ought to at least question co-branding as a strategy and consider whether there are happier paths to follow. If I have to imagine what WordPress looks like without co-branding today instead of in the past, I see the possibility of a clear separation of concerns between business and community interests because, at this point, there is little to no difference between running a WordPress site on WordPress.com’s servers on its Business Plan and self-hosting the site on a managed host like WP Engine. You get the same access to the same files for the same underlying software that is used to power WordPress.com, the same as it is used to power any other website that chooses to download and self-host WordPress.

That said, I am not totally against co-branding. The problem could be as much about not going far enough with co-branding as it is having too much of it. As it currently stands, the similarities between WordPress.com and WordPress.org are too indistinguishable at first glance that perhaps sharing the same top-level domain name only muddies the perceived similarities — or differences — even more. Perhaps there’s a happy path that gives credit to both perspectives in the debate with more explicit names, such as WordPress Platform and WordPress CMS. Those are terrible names, but hopefully, you get what I am aiming at.

The bottom line is this: We have danced around WordPress’ positioning problem way too long, hiding behind its past successes while tension between commercial and community interests continues to boil over. Rather than allowing this to continue by sitting somewhere in the middle with a shared brand name, maybe we’ll see a day where we go all-in on a direction either by renaming WordPress.com to allow WordPress.org to be WordPress or leaning deeper into effective co-branding that properly distinguishes the two properties while leveraging the “WordPress” brand.

References And Resources

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Mastering Responsive Web Design: Techniques and Best Practices for Cross-Device Compatibility

October 3rd, 2023 No comments

Need to create a website, landing page, or blog that can deliver a pristine customer experience across a range of devices? 

Look no further than responsive web design, a strategy that focuses on creating a fluid layout to create congruent interfaces for desktop and mobile users.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what responsive design really means, three ways to create it, and two examples of optimal websites with flexible designs. We’ve also included a bonus checklist for you to help you refine your layout before going live.

Ready to learn more?

Let’s get started.

What is responsive website design? 

Coined by Ethan Marcotte, otherwise known as “The Godfather of RWD”, responsive web or website design means creating a website that looks clean, intuitive, and functions well, regardless of the device type it’s viewed on.

According to Ethan, having a “device-agnostic layout” is key. This can be accomplished using flexible images, media queries, and fluid gridsthe three pillars of a responsive design.

In his original article on the subject, Ethan referenced the following quote which perfectly depicts the power of responsive web design (RWD).

“The control which designers know in the print medium, and often desire in the web medium, is simply a function of the limitation of the printed page. We should embrace the fact that the web doesn’t have the same constraints and design for this flexibility. But first, we must accept the ebb and flow of things.” — John Allsopp, A Dao of Web Design

2 examples of optimal websites with cross-device compatibility 

In today’s digital era, a website’s cross-device compatibility has become paramount for delivering a seamless and engaging user experience. 

Ensuring that blog posts, landing pages, and other content have comprehensive navigation and are visually appealing across a variety of devices is crucial for capturing and retaining user attention.

Two notable examples of well-optimized websites include the Hers blog and Clean Origin’s diamond stud-earring collection page. 

Let’s explore how these exemplify the significance of cross-device compatibility.

The Hers blog 

For Hers, a well-optimized blog means that users can easily access insightful information about topics like the effects of Adderall on mental health and other wellness resources from any device. 

Whether on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, Hers’ content retains a responsive layout without sacrificing design quality. Here’s the desktop version: 

Desktop version of a website for hers.

(Image Source)

And here’s the mobile version:

Mobile version of a website for hers.

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This cross-device compatibility empowers users to educate themselves and make informed decisions regardless of their location or preferred viewing device. What’s more, the smooth user experience provided by the responsive design can help enhance user satisfaction and foster trust in the brand’s expertise and credibility.

Clean Origin’s diamond stud-earring collection page

Clean Origin’s well-optimized landing page for its diamond stud-earring collection offers stunning visuals that are equally captivating on both desktop and mobile screens.

Here’s a peek at how it looks on a desktop:

Desktop version of a website for Clean Origin.

(Image Source)

And this is how it looks on a mobile device:

Clean Origin mobile version of a website.

(Image Source)

This cross-device compatibility ensures that users can enjoy browsing through the exquisite earring designs and easily select their favorite from any location or device. The seamless transition from one device to another facilitates a seamless shopping experience, maximizing customer engagement and increasing the likelihood of conversions.

But the advantages of cross-device compatibility extend beyond user satisfaction. 

Cross-device compatibility can also positively impact search engine rankings, as major search engines prioritize mobile-friendly websites, considering them more relevant and user-oriented.

Websites that cater to various devices can receive higher visibility and reach broader audiences, ultimately leading to increased organic traffic and inspiring business growth.

3 ways to create cross-device compatibility 

Now that you’re clear on the basics, let’s take a look at three ultra-simple ways you can master responsive web design when working on your next design project.

1. Use a grid system

If you’re a coding enthusiast who loves having control over every stage of development, responsive grid systems, like Flexbox Grid, Zimit Framework, or Bootstrap, might just be your thing. 

Grid system example.

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Grid systems provide all of the necessary building blocks you’ll need to create responsive web design, including containers, columns, rows, and classes for organizing and nesting elements. 

With media queries and popular breakpoints, these systems smoothly adapt to different screen sizes.

When it comes to responsive grid systems, there’s a wide variety to choose from. Some are simple and straightforward, while others are more comprehensive and feature-rich. Jot down your top priorities before shopping for grid system software.

2. Use a responsive website builder

If you’re looking for an easy and flexible way to create a responsive website, website builders have got you covered! 

Whether you’re a tech guru or a beginner, these user-friendly platforms provide features you can use to build your website without needing to touch a single line of code. Features may include browser-based drag-and-drop editors, advanced customization options, and hundreds of stylish blocks.

Grid system example.

(Image Source)

Some responsive website builders focus on responsive behavior, while others prioritize mobile-friendliness, offering tools to optimize your site for different devices.

Hiring React JS developers with expertise in building responsive web applications can also be a great option to ensure your website meets your specific requirements.

If you’re interested in using a responsive website builder, check out options like SpringBuilder, Designmodo Startup, and Visual Composer.

3. Use a CMS

Another simple way to create cross-device compatibility is by using a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress or Shopify. Hint: If you need an easy way to create a responsive blog or ecommerce store, this option may be your best bet! 

These user-friendly platforms are designed to cater to both tech-savvy individuals and those new to web development

Although CMS platforms may not initially provide responsive behavior, the good news is that many theme developers have recognized the importance of mobile optimization. With this in mind, they’ve created a plethora of responsive templates that seamlessly adapt to different screen sizes, guaranteeing a smooth browsing experience on mobile and desktop devices.

Example of Shopify templates.

(Image Source)

Whichever method you choose, don’t go live until testing your website on a variety of devices. Head to the checklist in the next section for additional support.

Cross-device compatibility checklist

Here’s the bonus checklist we promised you. ??

Before going live, make sure your new web page can pass the following cross-device compatibility checklist: 

Does my website, landing page, or blog:

  • uncheckedFeel and look intuitive on larger screens and smaller screens?
  • uncheckedHave plenty of white space to decrease overwhelm and promote readability? 
  • uncheckedLook beautiful and professional on mobile and desktop browsers?
  • uncheckedFunction correctly across desktop and mobile versions? 
  • uncheckedHave responsive images and correct image sizes?

Wrap up 

And there you have it. 

Today we discussed what responsive web design is, some simple techniques to help you master it, and two examples of optimal websites with cross-device compatibility. 

If you’re ready to get started on your next project, don’t forget to bookmark this article and share it with your web development team. 

And if you’re looking for even more insightful advice you can apply to your business, check out our online magazine for additional guides and resources.

Here’s to your success!

Featured image by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

The post Mastering Responsive Web Design: Techniques and Best Practices for Cross-Device Compatibility appeared first on noupe.

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5 Top Benefits of Conversational Marketing for Your Business

October 3rd, 2023 No comments

Sending targeted marketing messages is a great way to build brand awareness, boost sales, and generate leads. However, this one-way interaction may not be enough to reach customers wanting to engage with their favorite brands.

Nearly 70% of customers prefer to use conversational marketing chatbots because of how quickly they can initiate a conversation with a business on their own time.

A conversational marketing strategy can help you provide customers with the immediacy they crave.

What Is Conversational Marketing? 

Conversational marketing is just what the name suggests. It’s a form of marketing that focuses on interacting with potential customers through two-way communications (either in real-time conversations or client-time conversations) — more on that in a bit.  

If you’ve ever shopped online, there’s a strong chance that you’ve engaged in conversational marketing before. 

You might see a chat icon with a message pop-up when you visit a website. It might say something like “Hi, welcome to….How can I help you today?” or something more specific that ties to that product or service offering.

For example, Carmax features a chatbot that caters to a wide range of car buyer needs, from setting appointments to finding more information about financing.

Carmax chatbot
Image Source

This scenario is conversational marketing in action. The goal is to engage website visitors and convert them into leads through conversation, often through automation or artificial intelligence tools. 

Customers’ actions will trigger a chatbot, like when they spend a lot of time looking at a product page. The chatbot may ask if the customer wants to learn more about the product. 

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Conversational marketing can take many other forms. Examples include lead-generation chatbots (like the example above), social media chatbots, live chat, voice assistants, and email. 

How Conversational Marketing Works

In an ideal conversational marketing strategy, conversation happens in “customer time.” In other words, conversations take place whenever the customer wants. 

It doesn’t have to be in real-time. It can be whatever time is most convenient for the customer. So, conversational marketing should focus on the needs of the customer. 

Conversational marketing meets customers where they are. So, for example, imagine that your customer base spends a lot of time on Facebook. 

It may be best to set up a chatbot within Facebook Messenger to answer questions and boost the chances of converting these customers. Why?

Because your customers already use Facebook multiple times per week, it’d be much easier for them to send a message on the app than perform a Google search for your company’s number or email address. 

For example, if a potential customer is looking for linen suits for men, and there’s an option to message the brand directly in the app about sizing and turnaround times, it creates a seamless shopping experience.

Example of StudioSuits Facebook Messanger chat.
Image Source

And if there’s an indicator that the brand responds quickly (in this case, instantly), then it’s an even better solution. A customer can get real-time answers for all of their shopping-related questions. The result? Lower bounce rates. And higher conversions. What’s not to love?

Keep in mind that your conversational marketing efforts should be easily scalable. The last thing you want is for your business to get left behind because you don’t have the staffing or budget to serve your customers. Enter chatbots. 

Bots are valuable in a conversational marketing strategy because they already have answers prepared for the most common questions based on data that already exists. That takes the burden off your customer support team. And chatbots can work 24/7 a day (no beauty rest required).

That’s not to say that chatbots should replace humans. But bots are useful when a customer needs a quick answer to a simple question. If the bot can’t help with a particular inquiry, it should provide quick access to a live rep.

With a detailed sales playbook in hand, your sales reps can follow all the correct steps during the sales process to overcome common sales objections and close the deal. Think of it as a foolproof guide to engaging with customers throughout the sales cycle.

AI-powered chatbots and the human touch are a dynamic duo for turning prospects into customers. Align them together and watch your sales soar.  

Industries Using Conversational Marketing

There are a few industries that are frontrunners for harnessing the power of conversational marketing. So, if you need inspiration, take a peek at these two examples.  

Healthcare

Healthcare is a major industry that requires human interaction. A healthcare brand like Henry Meds can benefit from using conversational marketing to help patients quickly get the information they need about Henry Meds’ products, services, or health-related concerns. 

But that’s not all. Through conversational marketing, Henry Meds can provide personalized treatment plans in three simple steps.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Complete a simple online form with your health history.
  2. Schedule a telehealth consultation at your convenience.
  3. Receive your medication delivered to your doorstep.
Telehealth example of conversational marketing.
Image Source

Henry Meds adds conversation and convenience to a traditionally cumbersome process. It’s one of the many drivers behind telehealth’s impressive growth rates over the past few years. 

Local Businesses

Businesses that provide local services can also leverage conversational marketing to engage with their customers and reduce friction throughout the buying process. 

For example, Watermill Flowers, a florist in Fort Lauderdale, uses real-time order assistance to guide customers through the ordering process, help them choose the right floral arrangements, and address any concerns.

Watermill Flowers uses a chatbot on Facebook Messenger to answer customer questions and take orders.

Watermill Flowers Facebook Messenger chatbot
Image Source

This local business showcases another great example of where instant responses can boost consumer trust in a brand. Why? Customers can get their questions answered (at their beck and call) before deciding on a purchase.

And if that purchase doesn’t happen with your brand, they’ll run into the open arms of the next local business that appears on the search engine results page (SERP). 

5 Benefits of Conversational Marketing

1. Get to Know Your Customers

When you set up a chatbot, it automatically collects key information about your site visitors. 

During a conversation, your buyer’s responses can give you valuable insights into:

  • Why did they come to your site
  • Their biggest pain points
  • What product features do they care about

By the end of the conversation, you’ll qualify them and understand whether a lead fits your ideal customer profile.

2. Create a Positive Customer Experience

Because conversational marketing helps you learn more about your customers’ needs and pain points, you can create personalized experiences.

For example, you can adjust your conversations and recommend certain products or services based on customer interests and where they fall in the customer journey.

3. Build Customer Loyalty

Conversational marketing allows you to respond quickly to customer support issues. Or help customers make a purchase decision by providing key information. 

These gestures create a positive feeling, build trust, and increase customer loyalty. Customers are more likely to make a purchase with a brand they trust and keep coming back for a positive buying experience, boosting your conversation rates.

4. Create a More Human Touch 

Today’s customers want to feel connected to the brands they interact with. 

So, use customer data wisely to tailor conversations. Address users by name, remember past interactions, and offer relevant recommendations.

Make chatbots feel more human by giving them names, personalities, and avatars. Program them to understand context and emotions, and occasionally use informal language or emojis, where appropriate.

And if a chatbot can’t answer a query, ensure a smooth transition to a human representative.

5. Provide Real-time Feedback and Answers

Customers usually browse through a product catalog or list of services before they make a buying decision.

If they need further information, they may engage with someone from the sales team or a customer service rep over the phone. But this often requires waiting, which can hurt sales in the age of instant gratification. 

No one wants to spend minutes or hours waiting on hold for a customer service rep to answer their call. Or wait days for an email response. That’s the quickest way to frustrate customers and lose them to a competitor that provides faster support.

Chatbots can help you give your customers the immediacy they’re looking for when it comes to answering their questions or problems.

Plus, customers may prefer to interact with a chatbot over an actual human, especially if they just need a quick answer to a question. For instance, Albert, a personal finance and mobile banking app, uses a chatbot to answer financial questions on the spot. 

Albert Genius chatbot
Image Source

In short, a chatbot can meet your customer’s needs by giving customers answers in real-time or when they need them most. 

Move More Leads Down the Sales Funnel With Conversational Marketing

Conversational marketing is about understanding and meeting our customers in their comfort zone. It’s like having a genuine chat with a friend, offering assistance right when they need it. 

This strategic approach builds trust and guides potential customers smoothly through the sales journey.

So, as you plan your next marketing move, consider integrating conversational tactics. It’s time to truly connect with your audience. Your customers will be grateful, and your profits will show it.

Featured image by Freepik

The post 5 Top Benefits of Conversational Marketing for Your Business appeared first on noupe.

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WaterBear: Building A Free Platform For Impactful Documentaries (Part 2)

October 2nd, 2023 No comments

In my previous article, I talked about Waterbear, a significant project I worked on as a newly-appointed lead developer, and the lessons I learned leading a team for the first time. In this second article, I’ll go over some key technical highlights from the project. Before we start, let’s quickly remind ourselves what WaterBear is all about and what makes it so interesting.

WaterBear is a free platform bringing together inspiration and action with award-winning high-production environmental documentaries covering various topics, from animals and climate change to people and communities. The WaterBear team produces their own original films and documentaries and hosts curated films and content from various high-profile partners, including award-winning filmmakers, large brands, and significant non-governmental organizations (NGOs), like Greenpeace, WWF, The Jane Goodall Institute, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Nikon, and many others.

For context, I am currently working at a software development company called Q Agency based in Zagreb, Croatia. We collaborated with WaterBear and its partner companies to build a revamped and redesigned version of WaterBear’s web and mobile app from the ground up using modern front-end technologies.

In the first article, I briefly discussed the technical stack that includes a React-based front-end framework, Next.js for the web app, Sanity CMS, Firebase Auth, and Firestore database. Definitely read up on the strategy and reasoning behind this stack in the first article if you missed it.

Now, let’s dive into the technical features and best practices that my team adopted in the process of building the WaterBear web app. I plan on sharing specifically what I learned from performance and accessibility practices as a first-time lead developer of a team, as well as what I wish I had known before we started.

Image Optimization

Images are pieces of content in many contexts, and they are a very important and prominent part of the WaterBear app’s experience, from video posters and category banners to partner logos and campaign image assets.

I think that if you are reading this article, you likely know the tightrope walk between striking, immersive imagery and performant user experiences we do as front-enders. Some of you may have even grimaced at the heavy use of images in that last screenshot. My team measured the impact, noting that on the first load, this video category page serves up as many as 14 images. Digging a little deeper, we saw those images account for approximately 85% of the total page size.

That’s not insignificant and demands attention. WaterBear’s product is visual in nature, so it’s understandable that images are going to play a large role in its web app experience. Even so, 85% of the experience feels heavy-handed.

So, my team knew early on that we would be leveraging as many image optimization techniques as we could that would help improve how quickly the page loads. If you want to know everything there is to optimize images, I wholeheartedly recommend Addy Osami’s Image Optimization for a treasure trove of insightful advice, tips, and best practices that helped us improve WaterBear’s performance.

Here is how we tackled the challenge.

Using CDN For Caching And WebP For Lighter File Sizes

As I mentioned a little earlier, our stack includes Sanity’s CMS. It offers a robust content delivery network (CDN) out of the box, which serves two purposes: (1) optimizing image assets and (2) caching them. Members of the WaterBear team are able to upload unoptimized high-quality image assets to Sanity, which ports them to the CDN, and from there, we instruct the CDN to run appropriate optimizations on those images — things like compressing the files to their smallest size without impacting the visual experience, then caching them so that a user doesn’t have to download the image all over again on subsequent views.

Requesting the optimized version of the images in Sanity boils down to adding query variables to image links like this:

https://cdn.sanity.io/.../image.jpg?w=1280&q=70&auto=format

Let’s break down the query variables:

  • w sets the width of the image. In the example above, we have set the width to 1280px in the query.
  • q sets the compression quality of the image. We landed on 70% to balance the need for visual quality with the need for optimized file sizes.
  • format sets the image format, which is set to auto, allowing Sanity to determine the best type of image format to use based on the user’s browser capabilities.

Notice how all of that comes from a URL that is mapped to the CDN to fetch a JPG file. It’s pretty magical how a completely unoptimized image file can be transformed into a fully optimized version that serves as a completely different file with the use of a few parameters.

In many cases, the format will be returned as a WebP file. We made sure to use WebP because it yields significant savings in terms of file size. Remember that unoptimized 1.2 MB image from earlier? It’s a mere 146 KB after the optimizations.

And all 14 image requests are smaller than that one unoptimized image!

The fact that images still account for 85% of the page weight is a testament to just how heavy of a page we are talking about.

Another thing we have to consider when talking about modern image formats is browser support. Although WebP is widely supported and has been a staple for some time now, my team decided to provide an optimized fallback JPG just in case. And again, Sanity automatically detects the user’s browser capabilities. This way, we serve the WebP version only if Sanity knows the browser supports it and only provide the optimized fallback file if WebP support isn’t there. It’s great that we don’t have to make that decision ourselves!

Have you heard of AVIF? It’s another modern image format that promises potential savings even greater than WebP. If I’m being honest, I would have preferred to use it in this project, but Sanity unfortunately does not support it, at least at the time of this article. There’s a long-running ticket to add support, and I’m holding hope we get it.

Would we have gone a different route had we known about the lack of AVIF support earlier? Cloudinary supports it, for example. I don’t think so. Sanity’s tightly coupled CDN integration is too great of a developer benefit, and as I said, I’m hopeful Sanity will give us that support in the future. But that is certainly the sort of consideration I wish I would have had early on, and now I have that in my back pocket for future projects.

Tackling The Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

LCP is the biggest element on the page that a user sees on the initial load. You want to optimize it because it’s the first impression a user has with the page. It ought to load as soon as possible while everything under it can wait a moment.

For us, images are most definitely part of the LCP. By giving more consideration to the banner images we load at the top of the page, we can serve that component a little faster for a better experience. There are a couple of modern image attributes that can help here: loading and fetchpriority.

We used an eager loading strategy paired with a high fetchpriority on the images. This provides the browser with a couple of hints that this image is super important and that we want it early in the loading process.

<!-- Above-the-fold Large Contentful Paint image -->
<img
  loading="eager"
  fetchpriority="high"
  alt="..."
  src="..."
  width="1280"
  height="720"
  class="..."
/>

We also made use of preloading in the document , indicating to the browser that we want to preload images during page load, again, with high priority, using Next.js image preload options.

<head>
  <link
    rel="preload"
    as="image"
    href="..."
    fetchpriority="high"
  />
</head>

Images that are “below the fold” can be de-prioritized and downloaded only when the user actually needs it. Lazy loading is a common technique that instructs the browser to load particular images once they enter the viewport. It’s only fairly recently that it’s become a feature baked directly into HTML with the loading attribute:

<!-- Below-the-fold, low-priority image -->
<img
  decoding="async"
  loading="lazy"
  src="..."
  alt="..."
  width="250"
  height="350"
/>

This cocktail of strategies made a noticeable difference in how quickly the page loads. On those image-heavy video category pages alone, it helped us reduce the image download size and number of image requests by almost 80% on the first load! Even though the page will grow in size as the user scrolls, that weight is only added if it passes through the browser viewport.

In Progress: Implementing srcset

My team is incredibly happy with how much performance savings we’ve made so far. But there’s no need to stop there! Every millisecond counts when it comes to page load, and we are still planning additional work to optimize images even further.

The task we’re currently planning will implement the srcset attribute on images. This is not a “new” technique by any means, but it is certainly a component of modern performance practices. It’s also a key component in responsive design, as it instructs browsers to use certain versions of an image at different viewport widths.

We’ve held off on this work only because, for us, the other strategies represented the lowest-hanging fruit with the most impact. Looking at an image element that uses srcset in the HTML shows it’s not the easiest thing to read. Using it requires a certain level of art direction because the dimensions of an image at one screen size may be completely different than those at another screen size. In other words, there are additional considerations that come with this strategy.

Here’s how we’re planning to approach it. We want to avoid loading high-resolution images on small screens like phones and tablets. With the srcset attribute, we can specify separate image sources depending on the device’s screen width. With the sizes attribute, we can instruct the browser which image to load depending on the media query.

In the end, our image markup should look something like this:

<img
  width="1280"
  height="720"
  srcset="
    https://cdn.sanity.io/.../image.jpg?w=568&...   568w,
    https://cdn.sanity.io/.../image.jpg?w=768&...   768w,
    https://cdn.sanity.io/.../image.jpg?w=1280&... 1280w
  "
  sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 1280px, 100vw"
  src="https://cdn.sanity.io/.../image.jpg?w=1280&..."
/>

In this example, we specify a set of three images:

  1. Small: 568px,
  2. Medium: 768px,
  3. Large: 1280px.

Inside the sizes attribute, we’re telling the browser to use the largest version of the image if the screen width is above 1024px wide. Otherwise, it should default to selecting an appropriate image out of the three available versions based on the full device viewport width (100vw) — and will do so without downloading the other versions. Providing different image files to the right devices ought to help enhance our performance a bit more than it already is.

Improving CMS Performance With TanStack Query

The majority of content on WaterBear comes from Sanity, the CMS behind the web app. This includes video categories, video archives, video pages, the partners’ page, and campaign landing pages, among others. Users will constantly navigate between these pages, frequently returning to the same category or landing page.

This provided my team with an opportunity to introduce query caching and avoid repeating the same request to the CMS and, as a result, optimize our page performance even more. We used TanStack Query (formerly known as react-query) for both fetching data and query caching.

const { isLoading, error, data } = useQuery( /* Options */ )

TanStack Query caches each request according to the query key we assign to it. The query key in TanStack Query is an array, where the first element is a query name and the second element is an object containing all values the query depends on, e.g., pagination, filters, query variables, and so on.

Let’s say we are fetching a list of videos depending on the video category page URL slug. We can filter those results by video duration. The query key might look something like this basic example:

const { isLoading, error, data } = useQuery(
  {
    queryKey: [
      'video-category-list',
      { slug: categorySlug, filterBy: activeFilter }
    ],
  queryFn: () => /* ... */
  }
)

These query keys might look confusing at first, but they’re similar to the dependency arrays for React’s useEffect hook. Instead of running a function when something in the dependency array changes, it runs a query with new parameters and returns a new state. TanStack Query comes with its dedicated DevTools package. It displays all sorts of useful information about the query that helps debug and optimize them without hassle.

Let’s see the query caching in action. In the following video, notice how data loads instantly on repeated page views and repeated filter changes. Compare that to the first load, where there is a slight delay and a loading state before data is shown.

We’re probably not even covering all of our bases! It’s so tough to tell without ample user testing. It’s a conflicting situation where you want to do everything you can while realistically completing the project with the resources you have and proceed with intention.

We made sure to include a label on interactive elements like buttons, especially ones where the icon is the only content. For that case, we added visually hidden text while allowing it to be read by assistive devices. We also made sure to hide the SVG icon from the assistive devices as SVG doesn’t add any additional context for assistive devices.

<!-- Icon button markup with descriptive text for assistive devices -->
<button type="button" class="...">
  <svg aria-hidden="true" xmlns="..." width="22" height="22" fill="none">...</svg
  ><span class="visually-hidden">Open filters</span>
</button>
.visually-hidden {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  white-space: nowrap;
  clip: rect(0 0 0 0);
  -webkit-clip-path: inset(50%);
  clip-path: inset(50%);
}

Supporting keyboard navigation was one of our accessibility priorities, and we had no trouble with it. We made sure to use proper HTML markup and avoid potential pitfalls like adding a click event to meaningless div elements, which is unfortunately so easy to do in React.

We did, however, hit an obstacle with modals as users were able to move focus outside the modal component and continue interacting with the main page while the modal was in its open state, which isn’t possible with the default pointer and touch interaction. For that, we implemented focus traps using the focus-trap-react library to keep the focus on modals while they’re opened, then restore focus back to an active element once the modal is closed.

Dynamic Sitemaps

Sitemaps tell search engines which pages to crawl. This is faster than just letting the crawler discover internal links on its own while crawling the pages.

The importance of sitemaps in the case of WaterBear is that the team regularly publishes new content — content we want to be indexed for crawlers as soon as possible by adding those new links to the top of the sitemap. We don’t want to rebuild and redeploy the project every time new content has been added to Sanity, so dynamic server-side sitemaps were our logical choice.

We used the next-sitemap plugin for Next.js, which has allowed us to easily configure the sitemap generation process for both static and dynamic pages. We used the plugin alongside custom Sanity queries that fetch the latest content from the CMS and quickly generate a fresh sitemap for each request. That way, we made sure that the latest videos get indexed as soon as possible.

Let’s say the WaterBear team publishes a page for a video named My Name is Salt. That gets added to a freshly generated XML sitemap:

Now, it’s indexed for search engines to scoop up and use in search results:

Until Next Time…

In this article, I shared some insights about WaterBear’s tech stack and some performance optimization techniques we applied while building it.

Images are used very prominently on many page types on WaterBear, so we used CDN with caching, loading strategies, preloading, and the WebP format to optimize image loading performance. We relied on Sanity for the majority of content management, and we expected repeating page views and queries on a single session, prompting us to implement query caching with TanStack Query.

We made sure to improve basic accessibility on the fly by styling focus states, enabling full keyboard navigation, assigning labels to icon buttons, providing alt text for images, and using focus traps on modal elements.

Finally, we covered how my team handled dynamic server-side rendered sitemaps using the next-sitemap plugin for Next.js.

Again, this was my first big project as lead developer of a team. There’s so much that comes with the territory. Not only are there internal processes and communication hurdles to establish a collaborative team environment, but there’s the technical side of things, too, that requires balancing priorities and making tough decisions. I hope my learning journey gives you something valuable to consider in your own work. I know that my team isn’t the only one with these sorts of challenges, and sharing the lessons I learned from this particular experience probably resonates with some of you reading this.

Please be sure to check out the full work we did on WaterBear. It’s available on the web, Android, and iOS. And, if you end up watching a documentary while you’re at it, let me know if it inspired you to take action on a cause!

References

Many thanks to WaterBear and Q Agency for helping out with this two-part article series and making it possible. I really would not have done this without their support. I would also like to commend everyone who worked on the project for their outstanding work! You have taught me so much so far, and I am grateful for it.

Categories: Others Tags:

Exciting New Tools for Designers, October 2023

October 2nd, 2023 No comments

Welcome to our all treats-no tricks, October tools collection.

Categories: Designing, Others Tags:

Dancing Leaves And Spooky Fellows (October 2023 Wallpapers Edition)

September 30th, 2023 No comments

The leaves are shining in the most beautiful colors and pumpkins are taking over the front porches. It’s time to welcome the spookiest of all months: October! To get your desktop ready for fall and the upcoming Halloween season, artists and designers from across the globe once again challenged their creative skills and designed inspiring wallpapers for you to indulge in.

The wallpapers in this post come in versions with and without a calendar for October 2023 and can be downloaded for free. And since so many beautiful and unique designs evolve around our little wallpapers challenge every month, we also dived into our archives to find some timeless October treasures from past years to add to the collection. Maybe you’ll rediscover one of your almost-forgotten favorites in this post, too? A huge thank you to everyone who shared their wallpaper with us this month! Happy October!

  • You can click on every image to see a larger preview,
  • We respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience through their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.
  • Submit a wallpaper!
    Did you know that you could get featured in our next wallpapers post, too? We are always looking for creative talent.

Autumn’s Splendor

“The transition to autumn brings forth a rich visual tapestry of warm colors and falling leaves, making it a natural choice for a wallpaper theme.” — Designed by Farhan Srambiyan from India.

Dancing Leaves Of October

“Before it becomes winter, we spend beautiful autumn days enjoying the beautiful colors and autumn moods. So I designed this wallpaper to remember the impressions and colors in the city park.” — Designed by Stephan Bender from Germany.

Embracing Autumn’s Beauty

“We were inspired by the breathtaking beauty of autumn, with its colorful foliage and the symbolic pumpkin, which epitomizes the season. Incorporating typography allows us to blend aesthetics and functionality, making the calendar not only visually appealing but also useful.” — Designed by WPclerks from India.

National Fossil Day

“Join us in commemorating National Fossil Day, a day dedicated to honoring the wonders of Earth’s prehistoric past. On this special day, we invite you to step back in time and explore the remarkable world of fossils. These ancient remnants of life on our planet offer a glimpse into the evolution of life, from the tiniest microorganisms to the towering giants that once roamed the Earth.” — Designed by Boris Rabasovic from Serbia.

The Crow And The Ghosts

“If my heart were a season, it would be autumn.” — Designed by Lívia Lénárt from Hungary.

Sleeping Beauty

“Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairy tale that has been adapted into various forms of literature, film, and other media over the years. The story typically revolves around a beautiful princess who is cursed to fall into a deep sleep for a specific period, often after pricking her finger on a spindle or needle. The curse is usually cast by an evil fairy or sorceress. In most versions of the story, the princess can only be awakened from her slumber by the kiss of a prince who truly loves her.” — Designed by Bhabna Basak from India.

Happy Halloween

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

A Walk Through Atoms

“We leave the madness of September to begin this October in a much more serene way. We are entering autumn, one of my favorite months, and we travel to Brussels to enjoy the city and be able to walk around while the temperatures allow.” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela Jimenez from Spain.

Lack Of Self-Reflection

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Oh!ctober

“I was influenced by the changing colors of nature. Fall is a busy period, so I wanted to make a messy drawing. There are things turning around, like a circle. It’s the link with the first letter of this month.” — Designed by Philippe Brouard from France.

Oldies But Goodies

Creepy Halloween fellows, a nice cup of tea on a rainy day, and magical fall forests — the October wallpapers that we rediscovered in our archives pay tribute to all those big and small October moments. Please note that these designs don’t come with a calendar.

The Night Drive

Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Georgia.

Magical October

“‘I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.’ (L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables)” — Designed by Lívi Lénárt from Hungary.

Dreamy Autumn Girl

“Our designers were inspired by the coziness of autumn and the mood that it evokes — the only desire that appears is to put on a warm cozy sweater, take a cup of warm tea, and just enjoy the view outside the window.” — Designed by MasterBundles from Ukraine.

Autumn Vibes

“Autumn has come, the time of long walks in the rain, weekends spent with loved ones, with hot drinks, and a lot of tenderness. Enjoy.” — Designed by LibraFire from Serbia.

Goddess Makosh

“At the end of the kolodar, as everything begins to ripen, the village sets out to harvesting. Together with the farmers goes Makosh, the Goddess of fields and crops, ensuring a prosperous harvest. What she gave her life and health all year round is now mature and rich, thus, as a sign of gratitude, the girls bring her bread and wine. The beautiful game of the goddess makes the hard harvest easier, while the song of the farmer permeates the field.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Bird Migration Portal

“October is a significant month for me because it is when my favorite type of bird travels south. For that reason I have chosen to write about the swallow. When I was young, I had a bird’s nest not so far from my room window. I watched the birds almost every day; because those swallows always left their nests in October. As a child, I dreamt that they all flew together to a nicer place, where they were not so cold.” — Designed by Eline Claeys from Belgium.

Game Night And Hot Chocolate

“To me, October is all about cozy evenings with hot chocolate, freshly baked cookies, and a game night with friends or family.” — Designed by Lieselot Geirnaert from Belgium.

First Scarf And The Beach

“When I was little, my parents always took me and my sister for a walk at the beach in Nieuwpoort, we didn’t really do those beach walks in the summer but always when the sky started to turn grey and the days became colder. My sister and I always took out our warmest scarfs and played in the sand while my parents walked behind us. I really loved those Saturday or Sunday mornings where we were all together. I think October (when it’s not raining) is the perfect month to go to the beach for ‘uitwaaien’ (to blow out), to walk in the wind and take a break and clear your head, relieve the stress or forget one’s problems.” — Designed by Gwen Bogaert from Belgium.

Haunted House

“Love all the Halloween costumes and decorations!” — Designed by Tazi from Australia.

Ghostbusters

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Spooky Town

Designed by Xenia Latii from Germany.

Hello Autumn

“Did you know that squirrels don’t just eat nuts? They really like to eat fruit, too. Since apples are the seasonal fruit of October, I decided to combine both things into a beautiful image.” — Designed by Erin Troch from Belgium.

Shades Of Gold

“We are about to experience the magical imagery of nature, with all the yellows, ochers, oranges, and reds coming our way this fall. With all the subtle sunrises and the burning sunsets before us, we feel so joyful that we are going to shout it out to the world from the top of the mountains.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

The Art Of History

“History has always fascinated me. I started looking for people who changed the world and history and who were born in October. I discovered different people like John Lennon, Picasso, Niels Bohr… In the end, it was Gandhi who gave me the most inspiration. It’s a work in which you see the variety of colors that are both a call against racism and inequality and also a wink to Picasso’s oeuvre.” — Designed by Johannes Hermans from Belgium.

Say Bye To Summer

“And hello to autumn! The summer heat and high season is over. It’s time to pack our backpacks and head for the mountains — there are many treasures waiting to be discovered!” Designed by Agnes Sobon from Poland.

Tea And Cookies

“As it gets colder outside, all I want to do is stay inside with a big pot of tea, eat cookies and read or watch a movie, wrapped in a blanket. Is it just me?” — Designed by Miruna Sfia from Romania.

Flying Home For Halloween

“You can only fully master the sky wearing an aviator hat and goggles. Like this little bat, flying home to celebrate Halloween with his family and friends.” — Designed by Franke Margrete from the Netherlands.

Hanlu

“The term ‘Hanlu’ literally translates as ‘Cold Dew.’ The cold dew brings brisk mornings and evenings. Eventually the briskness will turn cold, as winter is coming soon. And chrysanthemum is the iconic flower of Cold Dew.” — Designed by Hong, ZI-Qing from Taiwan.

Autumn Deer

Designed by Amy Hamilton from Canada.

The Return

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Discovering The Universe!

“Autumn is the best moment for discovering the universe. I am looking for a new galaxy or maybe… a UFO!” — Designed by Verónica Valenzuela from Spain.

Trick Or Treat

“Have you ever wondered if all the little creatures of the animal kingdom celebrate Halloween as humans do? My answer is definitely ‘YES! They do!’ They use acorns as baskets to collect all the treats, pastry brushes as brooms for the spookiest witches and hats made from the tips set of your pastry bag. So, if you happen to miss something from your kitchen or from your tool box, it may be one of them, trying to get ready for All Hallows’ Eve.” — Designed by Carla Dipasquale from Italy.

Boo!

Designed by Mad Fish Digital from Portland, OR.

Autumn Gate

“The days are colder, but the colors are warmer, and with every step we go further, new earthly architecture reveals itself, making the best of winters’ dawn.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

King Of The Pirates

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Omnomnomtober

“I’m just a sucker for Halloween, candy, tiny witches, and giant kittens. And you can’t tell me that October is not Halloween, because I’ve waited the whole year for this. I thought that I would make illustration central to this calendar so I started with the idea of a tiny witch who’s stolen a ton of candy along with her cat — who’s gotten herself in trouble and can’t unstick the bubble gum from her giant teeth. A typical Halloween scene, right?” — Designed by Kalashniköv from Spain.

Smashing Halloween

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Categories: Others Tags:

Useful Techniques for Scaling Applications

September 29th, 2023 No comments

Imagine you’ve just launched a fantastic new app and then boom! Overnight, it’s a hit. Thousands, maybe even millions, flock to download it. You’re thrilled, but then reality sets in. Your servers start groaning under the pressure and the dreaded “Server Unavailable” messages start popping up. 

In the online world, patience is rare, and users will switch to a competitor at the slightest inconvenience.

The key to avoiding such pitfalls lies in one crucial concept – scalability. But scalability isn’t just about bracing for an avalanche of users. It’s about ensuring your application boasts quick page loads, zero downtime, and flawless user experience, no matter the number of users.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your app game, keep reading as we deep-dive into eight techniques so your application thrives as it grows. Let’s get started!

What is application scaling?

Think of scalability like a high-speed elevator in a skyscraper. It’s all about getting you from the ground floor (your app’s launch) to the penthouse suite (massive user growth) smoothly and efficiently. 

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This scalability is one reason why many businesses are migrating to web applications. In tech jargon, scalability is your system’s capacity to handle and expand in a way that accommodates growth.

If you’re wondering why scaling matters, it ensures that your application can seamlessly adapt to changing circumstances, such as increased demand, improved performance, cost-effectiveness, resilience, and future-proofing your business.

When it comes to constructing this high-speed elevator for your application, you generally have two paths:

  1. Vertical scaling: Akin to swapping out your current elevator with a more powerful one. You’re essentially enhancing the capabilities of your existing server, adding more speed, power, and capacity to the system you already have. It’s a quick fix but has limits – there’s only so much you can upgrade a single machine.
  2. Horizontal scaling: Imagine if, instead of upgrading your existing elevator, you decide to install multiple new ones. You’re essentially adding more servers to distribute the work. This approach is more flexible but requires strategic architecture to manage the increased complexity.

Remember, don’t start thinking about scalability when your elevator is already jam-packed. Plan for it right from the design phase. Ignoring scalability during these stages is like building a skyscraper on a shaky foundation. Sooner or later, it’ll crumble under the weight of its own success.

Finding slow points in your applications

Before you start tinkering with your application’s scalability, you should identify the bottlenecks slowing you down. Imagine your high-speed elevator is now experiencing delays – you wouldn’t just start replacing cables or motors without knowing what’s causing the slowdown, right?

Identifying bottlenecks is the diagnostic phase where you pinpoint the weaknesses that could hamper performance when you scale. Thankfully, various tools and methods can help:

  • Performance monitoring tools: Software like New Relic or Grafana provides real-time insights into your application’s performance, helping you identify slow database queries, memory leaks, or CPU limitations.
  • Message queuing: For applications that deal with real-time data processing, using a message broker like RabbitMQ helps isolate bottlenecks related to message handling.
  • Load testing: Use tools like Apache JMeter or LoadRunner to simulate high traffic and monitor how your application responds. This can expose weak points that may not be visible under normal conditions.
  • Code profiling: Tools like VisualVM for Java or Py-Spy for Python allow you to analyze the code execution, helping you find broken algorithms that could slow you down.

Understanding where the bottlenecks are is the first step toward effective scaling. Once you know what you’re up against, tailoring your scaling strategy to combat these issues is easy.

8 Must-know techniques to scale your web applications

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In web development – ensuring applications adapt to user demand is as crucial as a morning cup of coffee. To help lift your web app’s performance, here are eight techniques for you to consider:

1. Load balancing

Load balancing orchestrates the distribution of incoming network or application traffic across multiple servers, ensuring no single server gets overwhelmed. This is important for complex e-commerce platforms like Magento enterprise hosting, where high traffic volumes are the norm.

Load balancing allows for better resource utilization, maximizes throughput, and minimizes response time. Popular strategies include:

  • Round robin: Distributes requests sequentially to each server in the list.
  • Least connections: Routes new requests to the server with the fewest current connections.
  • IP Hash: Directs requests from the same IP address to the same server, ensuring session persistence.

By effectively distributing the traffic, load balancing enhances performance and makes your application more resilient.

2. Database sharding

Sharding your database is another effective technique for making your application scalable. In this approach, you distribute a single dataset across multiple databases. This means handling all read requests is divided among several databases called “shards” rather than overloading a single one.

Both horizontal and vertical scaling play a role. With horizontal scaling, you introduce new nodes to help distribute read operations. In contrast, vertical scaling involves beefing up a single database server by adding more CPUs or increasing the RAM and storage capacity.

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3. Caching

Caching is like keeping a notepad of your most frequently used calculations. Instead of re-doing the math every time, you can refer to your notepad for quick answers. In applications, caching stores copies of frequently accessed data in “high-speed” storage, allowing rapid data retrieval.

Types of caching include:

  • Data caching: Stores pieces of data to reduce redundant data operations.
  • Full-page caching: Stores the entire HTML of a page to avoid repetitive rendering.

Caching improves application performance by reducing the need to fetch data from the source repeatedly, thereby saving time and resources.

4. Microservice architecture

In a microservices architecture, each component focuses on a specific function and operates independently. This architectural approach boasts several benefits, such as easier debugging processes, the flexibility to use different technologies for different services, and increased resilience for your overall system.

5. Asynchronous processing

Asynchronous processing allows for the distribution of tasks to be handled independently of the main application thread. This means heavier tasks can be processed in the background, freeing up the application to handle other tasks in real-time.

For example, tasks like image uploads can consume vast resources and time if processed sequentially. By using asynchronous processes, tasks can be offloaded to background processes. Thereby improving the overall performance and efficiency of your application.

6. Autoscaling

Autoscaling is a technique that dynamically allocates resources according to the real-time needs of an application. This involves adjusting resources like CPU and RAM on the fly to meet demand.

Cloud platforms such as AWS Auto Scaling or Google Cloud’s Compute Engine offer easy-to-implement autoscaling solutions. These platforms allow you to set predefined policies to automatically scale resources up or down, ensuring your application performs optimally.

For more information, take a look at this article “What is Autoscaling: Why Do You Need It?” 

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7. Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A Content Delivery Network, or CDN, is a network of servers that communicate to deliver internet content more quickly. These servers store copies of your application’s resources and are located near end-users. This minimizes the distance the data travels – improving access times.

The use of a CDN is crucial for scalability. It shortens the load on your primary server by distributing traffic across multiple locations. Users experience quicker load times and reduced latency, which enhances their overall experience.

By effectively managing sudden traffic surges, a CDN ensures that your web application remains robust and scalable.

8. Optimize code and queries

Optimizing your application’s code and database queries is crucial for optimal performance. As your application scales, inefficient code can quickly become a significant bottleneck. This leads to slow load times and poor user experience.

Various tools assist in identifying these inefficiencies. Query analyzers help locate slow database queries, while code profiling tools identify which parts of the code are resource-intensive.

Best practices for optimization include database indexes and caching frequently-used queries. These measures enhance your application’s performance and allow for more efficient use of server resources. In the long run, this makes your application far more scalable.

The benefits of application scalability

  • Improved performance: Handles increased traffic without slowing down, enhancing user experience. Faster load times significantly improve customer satisfaction and overall engagement.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Optimized server usage reduces operational costs as you only pay for the resources used. This leads to better financial efficiency, freeing up your budget for other business needs.
  • Resilience and high availability: Distributed resources across multiple servers improve system reliability and minimize downtime – ensuring your application remains accessible during peak usage or server failures.
  • Easier management and updates: Scalable architecture allows for easy deployment of updates and new features with minimal disruption. This flexibility simplifies ongoing maintenance and enhances the agility of your development team.
  • Future-proofing: A scalable system can grow and adapt, making it easier to meet evolving needs and market changes, thereby protecting your investment.

Your scaling journey begins here

So, let’s bring it back to that elevator, shall we? Just like a top-notch elevator must adapt to varying levels of demand, so must your scaling strategies. Remember, scaling isn’t a one-time event but rather a continuous journey. 

As your user base expands and technology evolves, your scaling strategies should adapt to meet new challenges. By staying committed to ongoing iteration and optimization, you’re ensuring that your application remains speedy, resilient, and cost-effective.

Featured image by Ilya Pavlov on Unsplash

The post Useful Techniques for Scaling Applications appeared first on noupe.

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Re-Creating The Pop-Out Hover Effect With Modern CSS (Part 1)

September 29th, 2023 No comments

In a previous article on CSS-Tricks, I demonstrated how to create a fancy hover effect where an avatar pops out of a circle on hover. The challenge was to make such an effect using only the tag.

I know it might seem like this shape requires advanced trickery. But if we break it down a bit, all we’re really talking about is a series of small circles around a much larger circle.

We are going to rely on radial-gradient and some math, specifically trigonometric functions. Bramus Van Damme provides an excellent primer on trigonometric functions over at web.dev. It’s very much worth your while to brush up on the concept with that article.

We are going to define two variables to control the flower shape. N represents the number of the small circles, and R is the diameter of the small circles (Illustrated by the black arrow in the figure above). If we have the diameter, then we can calculate the radius by dividing R by 2. This is everything we need to create the shape!

Here is what the code of a small circle looks like:

img {
  --r: 50px;
  mask:
    radial-gradient(#000 70%, #0000 72%) no-repeat
    {position} / var(--r) var(--r);
}

All of the small circles can use the same radial gradient. The only difference between them is the position. Here comes the math:

(50% + 50% * cos(360deg * i/N)) (50% + 50% * sin(360deg * i/N))

N is the number of circles, and i is the index of each circle. We could manually position each circle individually, but that’s a lot of work, and I believe in leveraging tools to help do some of the heavy lifting. So, I’m going to switch from CSS to Sass to use its ability to write loops and generate all of the circle positions in one fell swoop.

$n: 15; /* number of circles */

img {
  --r: 50px; /* control the small circles radius */
  $m: ();
  @for $i from 1 through ($n) {
    $m: append($m, 
         radial-gradient(#000 70%,#0000 72%) no-repeat
          calc(50% + 50% * cos(360deg * #{$i / $n})) 
          calc(50% + 50% * sin(360deg * #{$i / $n})) /
            var(--r) var(--r), 
        comma);
   }
  mask: $m;
}

We’re essentially looping through the number of circles ($n) to define each one by chaining the radial gradient for each one as comma-separated values on the mask ($m) that is applied to the image element.

We still need the large circle that the small circles are positioned around. So, in addition to the loop’s output via the $m variable, we chain the larger circle’s gradient on the same mask declaration:

img {
  /* etc */
  mask: $m, radial-gradient(#000 calc(72% - var(--r)/2),#0000 0);
}

Finally, we define the size of the image element itself using the same variables. Calculating the image’s width also requires the use of trigonometric functions. Then, rather than doing the same thing for the height, we can make use of the relatively new aspect-ratio property to get a nice 1:1 ratio:

img {
  /* etc */
  width: calc(var(--r) * (1 + 1/tan(180deg / #{$n})));
  aspect-ratio: 1;
}

Check it out. We have the shape we want and can easily control the size and number of circles with only two variables.

We’re basically reducing the distance of the small circles, making them closer to the center. Then, we reduce the size of the larger circle as well. This produces an effect that appears to change the roundness of the smaller circles on hover.

The final trick is to scale the entire image element to make sure the size of the hovered shape is the same as the non-hovered shape. Scaling the image means that the avatar will get bigger and will pop out from the frame that we made smaller.

$n: 15; /* number of circles */

@property --i {
  syntax: "<length>";
  initial-value: 0px;
  inherits: true;
}

img {
  /* CSS variables */
  --r: 50px; /* controls the small circle radius and initial size */
  --f: 1.7; /* controls the scale factor */
  --c: #E4844A; /* controls the main color */

  $m: ();
  /* Sass loop */
  @for $i from 1 through ($n) {
    $m: append($m, 
      radial-gradient(var(--c) 70%, #0000 72%) no-repeat
      calc(50% + (50% - var(--i, 0px)) * cos(360deg * #{$i/$n} + var(--a, 0deg))) 
      calc(50% + (50% - var(--i, 0px)) * sin(360deg * #{$i/$n} + var(--a, 0deg))) /
      var(--r) var(--r), 
    comma);
  }

  mask: 
    linear-gradient(#000 0 0) top/100% 50% no-repeat,
    radial-gradient(var(--c) calc(72% - var(--r)/2 - var(--i, 0px)), #0000 0),
    $m;
  background:
    radial-gradient(var(--c) calc(72% - var(--r)/2 - var(--i, 0px)), #0000 0),
    $m;
  transition: --i .4s, scale .4s;
}

img:hover {
  --i: calc(var(--r)/var(--f));
  scale: calc((1 + 1/tan(180deg/#{$n}))/(1 - 2/var(--f) + 1/tan(180deg/#{$n})));
}

Here’s what’s changed:

  • The Sass loop that defines the position of the circle uses an equation of 50% - var(--i, 0px) instead of a value of 50%.
  • The larger circle uses the same variable, --i, to set the color stop of the main color in the gradients that are applied to the mask and background properties.
  • The --i variable is updated from 0px to a positive value. This way, the small circles move position while the large circle becomes smaller in size.
  • The --i variable is registered as a custom @property that allows us to interpolate its values on hover.

You may have noticed that I didn’t mention anything about the --f variable that’s defined on the image element. Truthfully, there is no special logic to it. I could have defined any positive value for the variable --i on hover, but I wanted a value that depends on --r, so I came up with a formula (var(--r) / var(--f)), where --f allows controls the scale.

Does the equation on the scale property on hover give you a little bit of panic? It sure looks complex, but I promise you it’s not. We divide the size of the initial shape (which is also the size of the element) by the size of the new shape to get the scale factor.

  • The initial size: calc(var(--r)*(1 + 1 / tan(180deg / #{$n})))
  • The size of the new shape: calc(var(--r) * (1 + 1 / tan(180deg / #{$n})) - 2 * var(--r) / var(--f))

I am skipping a lot of math details to not make the article lengthy, but feel free to comment on the article if you want more detail on the formulas I am using.

That’s all! We have a nice “pop out” effect on hover:

See the Pen Fancy Pop Out hover effect! by Temani Afif.

Wrapping Up

Does all of this seem a bit much? I see that and know this is a lot to throw at anyone in a single article. We’re working with some pretty new CSS features, so there’s definitely a learning curve with new syntaxes, not to mention some brushing up on math functions you probably haven’t seen in years.

But we learned a lot of stuff! We used gradients with some math to create a fancy shape that we applied as a mask and background. We introduced @property to animate CSS variables and bring our shape to life. We also learned a nice trick using animation-composition to control the speed of the rotation.

We still have a second part of this article where we will reuse the same CSS techniques to create a fancier hover effect, so stay tuned!

I’ll leave you with one last demo as a sign-off.

See the Pen Pop out hover effect featuring Lea and Una by Temani Afif.

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The 10 Most Successful Rebrands of All Time – Ranked

September 28th, 2023 No comments

We’re all familiar with rebrands going wrong, but what happens when they go right? From McDonald’s health kick to Burberry’s iconic turnaround, hold on to your hats as we explore the ten most successful rebrands of all time.

Categories: Designing, Others Tags: