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Most people love the idea of financial independence and retiring early, but these possibilities can seem remote on the standard path of saving and investing 10% of one’s paycheck. At the same time, though the FIRE movement offers proven approaches for early financial independence, it often comes with hefty sacrifice, and few people want to ... Read moreView the full article

The average organization uses 106 SaaS apps, meaning work is disjointed by default. Every workflow needs to push data and work items from tool to tool to tool. This can create devastating misunderstandings and push projects past their deadlines. That’s why SaaS integration platforms are so essential. What are SaaS integration platforms? SaaS (software as a service) apps are delivered over the internet, meaning you don’t need to install them locally. SaaS integration platforms are tools that are both delivered over the internet and integrate SaaS apps. That means you can bridge the gap between the SaaS tools you rely on for day-to-day work with a similar platform. The actual functionality of SaaS integration platforms can vary widely, with the following options being the most common: Two-way sync: These platforms sync changes back and forth between the apps they integrate. One-way automation: These tools push updates and work items in one direction, from one app to another. Native integrations: These integrations are built into other SaaS tools, allowing you to integrate them without using third-party services. Best SaaS integration platforms: Summary table SaaS integration platformStarting priceIntegration typeNumber of connectorsBest forUnito$49/monthTwo-way, real-time60+Two-way syncingZapierFree plan, with paid plans starting at $19.99 a monthOne-way automation7,000+Simple automationsWorkato$10,000 a yearTrigger-action automation1,000+Enterprise automationMakeFree plan, with paid plans starting at $10.59 a monthOne-way automationThousandsComplex, data-intensive workflowsTray.aiCustom, usage-based pricingLow-code and API management600+Customized workflowsBoomiCustom, per-connector pricingHybrid300,000+Enterprise integrationMulesoft$27,000/year for Composer, custom pricing for AnypointNo-code integration and API managementHundredsSalesforce integration The 7 best SaaS integration platforms Unito: Best two-way SaaS integration platform Many SaaS integration platforms use one-way automations to push data from one tool to another. With the right technical knowledge, you can even chain multiple automations together to create robust integrations across your workflows. But this doesn’t compare to a true two-way sync. Unito is a two-way sync SaaS integration platform with some of the deepest integrations for tools like ServiceNow, Salesforce, Jira, Asana, and more. With a Unito integration, nearly every field in your tools can be automatically updated as you work, keeping everyone in sync as they collaborate across tools. Strengths Real-time, bidirectional sync 60+ pre-built connectors Deep field mapping and rules No-code visual interface SOC 2 Type II security certification Main limitation While Unito has over 60 integrations, that’s less than other integration platforms. Customer rating G2: 4.5/5 Capterra: 4.5/5 Zapier: Best for one-way automations Zapier is one of the most popular SaaS integration tools out there, largely due to its support for thousands of connectors. With simple, trigger-based automations, Zapier allows just about anyone to start building their first integration, no matter their background. Strengths 7000+ connectors Visual automation builder Prebuild templates for quick setup Webhook support Main limitation Zapier’s automations have less depth than other integration solutions. Customer rating G2: 4.5/5 Capterra 4.7/5 Workato: Best for AI-powered workflow automation Workato is a leading platform for workflow automation, meaning it’s also a solid option for SaaS integration. With built-in AI machine learning and other proprietary features, the platform is supposed to help you create automations 10 times faster than other tools. Strengths 1000+ enterprise connectors Advanced conditional logic and branching Embedded integration options Workbot for pushing updates to Slack and Teams Enterprise-grade data security Main limitation Workato integrations are some of the more complex to set up. Customer rating G2: 4.7/5 Capterra 4.6/5 Make: Best for no-code automations Make’s drag-and-drop interface allows any user to automate entire workflows by integrating all the SaaS apps you rely on. Workflows can run on a schedule or in real-time, customized to your needs. Strengths 3,000+ pre-built apps Agentic AI allows you to build and scale AI copilot assists you in building integrations with natural language Drag-and-drop visual interface Custom app support for any SaaS platform with an API Main limitation Make doesn’t support syncing historical data, subtasks, or attachments. Customer rating G2: 4.6/5 Capterra 4.8/5 Tray.ai: Best low-code SaaS integration platform Tray.ai is a low-code SaaS integration platform that supports hundreds of apps. Its visual workflow builder lets you map out your integrations before you build them. API support means you can also build your own integrations as needed. Strengths Visual workflow builder made stronger with coding knowledge 600+ connectors Custom API development tools Advanced data transformation AI agent builder Main limitation Since Tray.ai is a low-code tool, you’ll need some technical knowledge to get the most out of it. Customer rating G2: 4.5/5 Capterra 4.9 /5 Boomi: Best for hybrid SaaS integration Boomi’s interface allows users of all skill levels to build integrations for SaaS apps, though it’s most effective if you have some coding knowledge. Built-in AI agents streamline some of this process, as do Boomi’s API management features. Strengths Cloud and on-premise deployment 300,000+ possible integrations Visual integration builder Legacy-to-cloud migration Main limitation Boomi is best for enterprise organizations, due to its complex setup and steep learning curve. Customer rating G2: 4.4/5 Capterra 4.4/5 Mulesoft: Best for Salesforce users Mulesoft is an integration platform with a variety of services for all sorts of business needs. The Anypoint platform is built specifically with IT in mind, allowing them to build and deploy custom integrations, while pre-built Salesforce connectors allow Salesforce users to use a low-code platform for their integration needs. Strengths No-code integration for Salesforce users API development and management Cloud, hybrid, and on-premise deployment Templates and pre-built connectors Main limitation More suitable for large organizations. Customer rating G2: 4.4/5 Capterra 4.5/5 Ready to try the best SaaS integration platform? Unito is the only two-way sync SaaS integration platform with deep integrations for tools like ServiceNow, Jira, Asana, Smartsheet, and more. Get deep two-way integrations Meet with our team to see what Unito can do for your workflows. Talk with sales FAQ: SaaS integration platforms What’s the difference between SaaS integration platforms and other integrations? A SaaS integration platform is an integration solution that is hosted and delivered over the internet. That means you can access everything you need to use it on a web browser. This is different from integration platforms that are either built into other SaaS tools or installed on premise, meaning they’re hosted on your servers. Can SaaS integration platforms handle real-time data sync? Some SaaS integration platforms, like Unito, can sync data in real-time, back-and-forth, between platforms. Others may only handle data on a schedule, anywhere from five minutes to once a day. Do you need technical resources to use SaaS integration platforms? It depends on the platform you’re using. Some can be set up with minimal technical knowledge, since they’re no-code and use a drag-and-drop interface. Others require coding experience, or may even need to be deployed by dedicated IT teams. View the full article

A client experience survey is a structured tool that helps you gather feedback from customers about their interactions with your business. It measures satisfaction through metrics like the Net Promoter Score and Customer Satisfaction Score, whereas additionally allowing for open-ended responses. Comprehending these surveys is vital, as they pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your services, guiding you to improve and align your strategies with customer expectations. So, how can you effectively implement these surveys for maximum benefit? Key Takeaways A client experience survey collects feedback on customer interactions to measure satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. It utilizes quantitative metrics like NPS and CSAT alongside qualitative open-ended questions for comprehensive insights. The survey findings help businesses tailor offerings and enhance customer loyalty by aligning strategies with client needs. Regular feedback encourages decision-making that optimizes customer engagement and reduces churn, ultimately driving brand loyalty. Effective survey design and distribution strategies increase participation rates, ensuring valid and actionable insights for enhancing the customer experience. Understanding Client Experience Surveys When you think about improving your business, client experience surveys play a fundamental role in grasping how customers perceive your brand. A client experience survey is a structured questionnaire designed to gather feedback on customer interactions with your business. These surveys help measure customer satisfaction by evaluating feelings and perceptions at various touchpoints in the customer experience. To comprehend how do you measure customer experience effectively, it’s critical to include both quantitative metrics—like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)—and qualitative open-ended questions for deeper insights. By identifying trends in strengths and weaknesses, client experience surveys reveal customer expectations and how well those expectations are being met. Utilizing feedback from these surveys enables you to implement targeted improvements, eventually enhancing customer loyalty and retention rates. Grasping these elements is crucial for crafting a successful strategy that aligns with your customers’ needs. Importance of Client Experience Surveys Client experience surveys serve as a crucial tool for businesses aiming to understand and improve customer satisfaction. These surveys provide a thorough measurement of how customers feel about your services, revealing strengths and weaknesses in service delivery. Research shows that 52% of consumers stop using a brand because of a negative experience, highlighting the need for capturing feedback to prevent churn. By leveraging these surveys, you can uncover specific customer expectations and identify fulfillment gaps, enabling you to implement targeted strategies. Here’s a quick overview of the importance of client experience surveys: Benefit Impact Identifies improvement areas Boosts customer satisfaction Reduces churn Increases brand loyalty Informs decision-making Optimizes loyalty program outcomes Ultimately, effective client experience surveys can guide your business decisions, ensuring you stay aligned with evolving customer expectations. Key Objectives of Client Experience Surveys Comprehending client preferences and enhancing service quality are key objectives of client experience surveys. By gathering insights directly from customers, you can identify what they value most and where your services may fall short. This feedback not only aids you in tailoring your offerings to meet client needs but additionally drives improvements that can lead to higher satisfaction and loyalty. Understand Client Preferences How can businesses effectively tap into client preferences to improve their services? Client experience surveys play a vital role in this process. By gathering insights from various touchpoints, these surveys help you understand customer sentiments and augment satisfaction levels. They reveal trends that highlight your strengths and weaknesses, allowing for targeted improvements. When you understand client preferences, you can align your offerings with their expectations, which boosts loyalty and retention rates. Utilizing quantitative metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), and Customer Effort Score (CES) provides valuable data on satisfaction levels and identifies areas needing attention. In the end, the insights from these surveys inform strategic decisions that cultivate better customer engagement and drive business growth. Enhance Service Quality To improve service quality, businesses rely on client experience surveys as a key tool for gathering actionable feedback. These surveys help you identify gaps in service quality by capturing insights on specific interactions, allowing you to pinpoint areas needing improvement. Implementing changes based on survey insights can considerably boost customer satisfaction; organizations prioritizing service quality often see a 20% increase in retention rates. Regular assessments through surveys enable you to adapt to evolving customer expectations, which 70% of executives admit are outpacing their organizations’ responses. Identifying Your Target Audience When you think about gathering valuable feedback through a client experience survey, who exactly should you reach out to? Identifying your target audience is crucial for collecting relevant insights. Start by considering factors like purchase history, demographics, and location. This will help you tailor your survey to specific customer segments that align with your goals. Using pre-screening questions can filter respondents, ensuring that those who meet certain criteria participate, which reduces survey fatigue and increases the chances of obtaining actionable insights. It’s often more effective to survey a representative sample rather than all customers, as this minimizes the risk of overwhelming individuals with frequent feedback requests. Crafting Effective Survey Questions What makes a survey question effective? To start, effective questions incorporate a mix of metrics-based inquiries, like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), and Customer Effort Score (CES). This approach guarantees a thorough assessment of customer experience. Utilizing a Likert scale allows you to capture degrees of agreement, providing nuanced insights. It’s also advantageous to include both multiple-choice and open-text questions. Whereas multiple-choice yields quantitative data, open-text responses offer richer qualitative feedback that can inform actionable improvements. Moreover, clarity is key. Questions should be direct and focused on one topic at a time to reduce confusion and improve accuracy. Avoiding bias and distractions in your survey design is vital, as this enables respondents to provide honest and reflective feedback. Designing an Engaging Survey When designing an engaging survey, you’ll want to start by crafting compelling questions that are clear and focused, ensuring respondents can easily understand them. Enhancing the visual design of your survey with elements like progress bars or personalized touches can likewise boost engagement and completion rates. Crafting Compelling Questions How can you design survey questions that truly resonate with your customers? Start by including quantitative metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES, which offer actionable insights into satisfaction and loyalty. Use clear and direct language to minimize confusion, enhancing the chances of obtaining meaningful feedback. Incorporate a mix of question formats, such as multiple-choice and open-ended questions, to gain a thorough comprehension of customer sentiments. Tailor your questions to your target audience to guarantee relevance and engagement, which encourages thoughtful responses. In addition, limit your survey to 10-15 questions. This keeps completion rates high by reducing fatigue and allows you to focus on the most critical aspects of the customer experience, leading to valuable insights. Enhancing Visual Design To create an engaging survey that captures your customers’ attention, it’s essential to improve its visual design. Start by ensuring the design reflects your brand identity through consistent colors, fonts, and logos. This boosts recognition and trust among respondents. Incorporate visual elements like images and micro-videos; they can humanize surveys and motivate thoughtful responses. To improve user experience, organize questions logically and begin with easier ones, leading to higher completion rates. Finally, utilize white space effectively to reduce cognitive overload and enhance navigation. Don’t forget mobile optimization; surveys designed for mobile devices can greatly increase participation rates by accommodating on-the-go feedback. Reflect brand identity Use engaging visual elements Organize questions logically Optimize for mobile devices Utilizing Survey Logic for Better Responses Utilizing survey logic improves the efficiency and relevance of client experience surveys, ensuring respondents engage with questions customized to their specific situations. By incorporating conditional questions, you can maintain participant interest, as they’ll only answer questions relevant to their experiences. This customized approach not only improves engagement but also leads to more meaningful insights. Implementing page-jumping features allows respondents to skip sections that don’t apply to them, creating a smoother survey experience and reducing fatigue. In addition, randomizing questions and answer options minimizes bias, resulting in more accurate data collection. With strategic survey logic, you create a personalized feedback process that encourages higher completion rates and richer qualitative insights for analysis. Eventually, thoughtful survey design using logic can transform how you gather client feedback, making it more efficient and effective while ensuring that the data collected is relevant and actionable. Validating and Testing Your Survey Validating and testing your survey is vital for ensuring it functions as intended and meets your design specifications. To achieve this, follow these important steps: Conduct thorough reviews: Involve colleagues and stakeholders to identify potential issues early in the design process, enhancing reliability and user experience. Check for compatibility: Test your survey on various devices, ensuring it’s optimized for mobile use, which can notably increase completion rates. Utilize A/B testing: Experiment with different survey formats to analyze response rates and effectiveness, allowing for continuous improvement based on user feedback. Iterate regularly: Continuously refine your survey design based on collected data and insights, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in capturing valuable customer feedback. Timing and Distribution Channels When you consider the timing and distribution channels for your client experience survey, keep in mind that these factors play a significant role in response rates and overall engagement. Timing is vital; surveys sent on weekdays, especially in the mornings or late afternoons, typically yield better responses than those sent on weekends. Avoid distributing surveys during holidays or busy seasons, as this can lead to lower engagement. Utilizing omnichannel survey software allows you to reach clients through various platforms like email, mobile apps, social media, and SMS, catering to their preferences. A strategic approach to survey timing and frequency is important to prevent survey fatigue, keeping clients engaged and more likely to provide thoughtful feedback. Testing different days and times for distribution can help you identify the best timing that resonates with your audience, ultimately enhancing your overall response rates. Crafting Compelling Subject Lines How can you guarantee your survey gets noticed in a crowded inbox? Crafting compelling subject lines is essential for grabbing attention and improving open rates. Here are some effective strategies to reflect on: Keep it concise: Aim for 6-10 words to make sure your subject line is quickly digestible. Use action-oriented language: Phrases like “Share your thoughts” or “We want your feedback” can prompt immediate engagement. Personalize your message: Including the recipient’s name or referencing past interactions makes the email feel more relevant. Test different options: Experimenting with various subject lines can highlight what resonates best with your audience, leading to higher response rates. Incentives for Participation Why should you consider offering incentives for survey participation? Providing incentives, like gift cards or discounts, can greatly boost your response rates. Studies show that about 70% of consumers are more inclined to complete a survey when offered a reward. This strategy not just improves engagement but also builds trust, as it demonstrates that you value their time and opinions. Higher participation often leads to better quality feedback, giving you genuine insights into customer experiences. Although some might worry that incentives could skew results, research indicates they typically don’t affect the honesty of responses. Instead, they can help you achieve a more thorough comprehension of customer satisfaction and pinpoint areas needing improvement. Implementing a well-structured incentive program can finally drive better business outcomes, making it a worthwhile investment in your client experience strategy. Analyzing Survey Results Analyzing survey results is a critical step in comprehending customer feedback and improving overall client experience. To effectively derive insights, you should consider the following: Data Cleaning: Remove unengaged responses to guarantee the feedback you analyze is valid and reliable. Data Processing: Utilize methods like crosstab analysis and graphical representation to identify trends and patterns within the feedback efficiently. Statistical Analysis: Apply statistical tests and predictive analytics to uncover significant correlations and forecast customer behavior accurately. Actionable Insights: Transform your findings into practical improvements for customer experience by focusing on identified strengths and weaknesses. Regularly analyzing survey results not just helps you stay aligned with customer expectations but likewise allows you to refine your strategies based on real-time insights. This process is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and enhancing the overall client experience. Continuous Improvement Based on Feedback Continuous improvement based on customer feedback is vital for businesses aiming to improve their client experience and maintain competitiveness. With 52% of consumers abandoning a brand after a bad experience, comprehension and addressing customer sentiments is imperative. By implementing a robust feedback loop, you can act on suggestions and complaints, creating a culture where customer insights drive strategic changes. Regularly analyzing survey results helps you identify trends and areas needing improvement; 84% of executives report increasing spending on customer loyalty initiatives in response to feedback. Closing the feedback loop boosts trust and engagement, as 88% of customers lose trust after a poor experience. This reinforces the need to act on customer input. Continuous adaptation not only increases satisfaction but additionally aligns with evolving expectations, which 70% of executives recognize as outpacing their organizations’ ability to respond. Frequently Asked Questions Why Is Customer Experience Survey Important? Customer experience surveys are crucial as they provide valuable insights into how customers feel about your products and services. By identifying areas for improvement, you can address issues that lead to disengagement. These surveys reveal trends, helping you adapt to evolving customer expectations. Implementing feedback can boost retention rates, as many customers lose trust after a negative experience. What Is the Purpose of a Client Survey? A client survey aims to gather valuable feedback about your interactions with a brand. It helps identify strengths and weaknesses in service delivery, revealing areas needing improvement. By measuring client satisfaction and expectations, you can track loyalty trends and adjust strategies accordingly. Incorporating metrics like NPS and CSAT allows you to gauge performance accurately. In the end, these surveys are crucial for enhancing client satisfaction, nurturing trust, and improving retention rates in your business. Why Is Client Experience Important? Client experience is important since it directly influences customer loyalty and retention. When you provide positive interactions, you’re more likely to keep customers engaged. Poor experiences can lead to trust issues, with many consumers abandoning brands after a single bad encounter. Furthermore, as customer expectations evolve, staying attuned to their needs becomes necessary. Companies that prioritize client experience often see improved business outcomes, making it critical for long-term success. What Is the Purpose of CSAT Survey? The purpose of a CSAT survey is to measure your satisfaction with a product or service immediately after an interaction. Using a simple rating scale, it helps you express your experience. High scores indicate you’re satisfied, whereas low scores highlight potential issues. By analyzing these results over time, businesses can identify trends and make improvements, eventually enhancing your experience and increasing revenue. This feedback loop is essential for ensuring services meet your needs effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, client experience surveys are crucial tools for gathering valuable feedback from customers. By comprehending their needs and preferences, businesses can identify strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback not merely improves customer satisfaction but additionally nurtures loyalty and drives growth. To maximize the benefits, focus on effective question design, target audience selection, and thorough analysis of results. In the end, continuous improvement based on these insights will help align your strategies with customer expectations. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is a Client Experience Survey and Why Does It Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A client experience survey is a structured tool that helps you gather feedback from customers about their interactions with your business. It measures satisfaction through metrics like the Net Promoter Score and Customer Satisfaction Score, whereas additionally allowing for open-ended responses. Comprehending these surveys is vital, as they pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your services, guiding you to improve and align your strategies with customer expectations. So, how can you effectively implement these surveys for maximum benefit? Key Takeaways A client experience survey collects feedback on customer interactions to measure satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. It utilizes quantitative metrics like NPS and CSAT alongside qualitative open-ended questions for comprehensive insights. The survey findings help businesses tailor offerings and enhance customer loyalty by aligning strategies with client needs. Regular feedback encourages decision-making that optimizes customer engagement and reduces churn, ultimately driving brand loyalty. Effective survey design and distribution strategies increase participation rates, ensuring valid and actionable insights for enhancing the customer experience. Understanding Client Experience Surveys When you think about improving your business, client experience surveys play a fundamental role in grasping how customers perceive your brand. A client experience survey is a structured questionnaire designed to gather feedback on customer interactions with your business. These surveys help measure customer satisfaction by evaluating feelings and perceptions at various touchpoints in the customer experience. To comprehend how do you measure customer experience effectively, it’s critical to include both quantitative metrics—like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)—and qualitative open-ended questions for deeper insights. By identifying trends in strengths and weaknesses, client experience surveys reveal customer expectations and how well those expectations are being met. Utilizing feedback from these surveys enables you to implement targeted improvements, eventually enhancing customer loyalty and retention rates. Grasping these elements is crucial for crafting a successful strategy that aligns with your customers’ needs. Importance of Client Experience Surveys Client experience surveys serve as a crucial tool for businesses aiming to understand and improve customer satisfaction. These surveys provide a thorough measurement of how customers feel about your services, revealing strengths and weaknesses in service delivery. Research shows that 52% of consumers stop using a brand because of a negative experience, highlighting the need for capturing feedback to prevent churn. By leveraging these surveys, you can uncover specific customer expectations and identify fulfillment gaps, enabling you to implement targeted strategies. Here’s a quick overview of the importance of client experience surveys: Benefit Impact Identifies improvement areas Boosts customer satisfaction Reduces churn Increases brand loyalty Informs decision-making Optimizes loyalty program outcomes Ultimately, effective client experience surveys can guide your business decisions, ensuring you stay aligned with evolving customer expectations. Key Objectives of Client Experience Surveys Comprehending client preferences and enhancing service quality are key objectives of client experience surveys. By gathering insights directly from customers, you can identify what they value most and where your services may fall short. This feedback not only aids you in tailoring your offerings to meet client needs but additionally drives improvements that can lead to higher satisfaction and loyalty. Understand Client Preferences How can businesses effectively tap into client preferences to improve their services? Client experience surveys play a vital role in this process. By gathering insights from various touchpoints, these surveys help you understand customer sentiments and augment satisfaction levels. They reveal trends that highlight your strengths and weaknesses, allowing for targeted improvements. When you understand client preferences, you can align your offerings with their expectations, which boosts loyalty and retention rates. Utilizing quantitative metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), and Customer Effort Score (CES) provides valuable data on satisfaction levels and identifies areas needing attention. In the end, the insights from these surveys inform strategic decisions that cultivate better customer engagement and drive business growth. Enhance Service Quality To improve service quality, businesses rely on client experience surveys as a key tool for gathering actionable feedback. These surveys help you identify gaps in service quality by capturing insights on specific interactions, allowing you to pinpoint areas needing improvement. Implementing changes based on survey insights can considerably boost customer satisfaction; organizations prioritizing service quality often see a 20% increase in retention rates. Regular assessments through surveys enable you to adapt to evolving customer expectations, which 70% of executives admit are outpacing their organizations’ responses. Identifying Your Target Audience When you think about gathering valuable feedback through a client experience survey, who exactly should you reach out to? Identifying your target audience is crucial for collecting relevant insights. Start by considering factors like purchase history, demographics, and location. This will help you tailor your survey to specific customer segments that align with your goals. Using pre-screening questions can filter respondents, ensuring that those who meet certain criteria participate, which reduces survey fatigue and increases the chances of obtaining actionable insights. It’s often more effective to survey a representative sample rather than all customers, as this minimizes the risk of overwhelming individuals with frequent feedback requests. Crafting Effective Survey Questions What makes a survey question effective? To start, effective questions incorporate a mix of metrics-based inquiries, like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), and Customer Effort Score (CES). This approach guarantees a thorough assessment of customer experience. Utilizing a Likert scale allows you to capture degrees of agreement, providing nuanced insights. It’s also advantageous to include both multiple-choice and open-text questions. Whereas multiple-choice yields quantitative data, open-text responses offer richer qualitative feedback that can inform actionable improvements. Moreover, clarity is key. Questions should be direct and focused on one topic at a time to reduce confusion and improve accuracy. Avoiding bias and distractions in your survey design is vital, as this enables respondents to provide honest and reflective feedback. Designing an Engaging Survey When designing an engaging survey, you’ll want to start by crafting compelling questions that are clear and focused, ensuring respondents can easily understand them. Enhancing the visual design of your survey with elements like progress bars or personalized touches can likewise boost engagement and completion rates. Crafting Compelling Questions How can you design survey questions that truly resonate with your customers? Start by including quantitative metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES, which offer actionable insights into satisfaction and loyalty. Use clear and direct language to minimize confusion, enhancing the chances of obtaining meaningful feedback. Incorporate a mix of question formats, such as multiple-choice and open-ended questions, to gain a thorough comprehension of customer sentiments. Tailor your questions to your target audience to guarantee relevance and engagement, which encourages thoughtful responses. In addition, limit your survey to 10-15 questions. This keeps completion rates high by reducing fatigue and allows you to focus on the most critical aspects of the customer experience, leading to valuable insights. Enhancing Visual Design To create an engaging survey that captures your customers’ attention, it’s essential to improve its visual design. Start by ensuring the design reflects your brand identity through consistent colors, fonts, and logos. This boosts recognition and trust among respondents. Incorporate visual elements like images and micro-videos; they can humanize surveys and motivate thoughtful responses. To improve user experience, organize questions logically and begin with easier ones, leading to higher completion rates. Finally, utilize white space effectively to reduce cognitive overload and enhance navigation. Don’t forget mobile optimization; surveys designed for mobile devices can greatly increase participation rates by accommodating on-the-go feedback. Reflect brand identity Use engaging visual elements Organize questions logically Optimize for mobile devices Utilizing Survey Logic for Better Responses Utilizing survey logic improves the efficiency and relevance of client experience surveys, ensuring respondents engage with questions customized to their specific situations. By incorporating conditional questions, you can maintain participant interest, as they’ll only answer questions relevant to their experiences. This customized approach not only improves engagement but also leads to more meaningful insights. Implementing page-jumping features allows respondents to skip sections that don’t apply to them, creating a smoother survey experience and reducing fatigue. In addition, randomizing questions and answer options minimizes bias, resulting in more accurate data collection. With strategic survey logic, you create a personalized feedback process that encourages higher completion rates and richer qualitative insights for analysis. Eventually, thoughtful survey design using logic can transform how you gather client feedback, making it more efficient and effective while ensuring that the data collected is relevant and actionable. Validating and Testing Your Survey Validating and testing your survey is vital for ensuring it functions as intended and meets your design specifications. To achieve this, follow these important steps: Conduct thorough reviews: Involve colleagues and stakeholders to identify potential issues early in the design process, enhancing reliability and user experience. Check for compatibility: Test your survey on various devices, ensuring it’s optimized for mobile use, which can notably increase completion rates. Utilize A/B testing: Experiment with different survey formats to analyze response rates and effectiveness, allowing for continuous improvement based on user feedback. Iterate regularly: Continuously refine your survey design based on collected data and insights, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in capturing valuable customer feedback. Timing and Distribution Channels When you consider the timing and distribution channels for your client experience survey, keep in mind that these factors play a significant role in response rates and overall engagement. Timing is vital; surveys sent on weekdays, especially in the mornings or late afternoons, typically yield better responses than those sent on weekends. Avoid distributing surveys during holidays or busy seasons, as this can lead to lower engagement. Utilizing omnichannel survey software allows you to reach clients through various platforms like email, mobile apps, social media, and SMS, catering to their preferences. A strategic approach to survey timing and frequency is important to prevent survey fatigue, keeping clients engaged and more likely to provide thoughtful feedback. Testing different days and times for distribution can help you identify the best timing that resonates with your audience, ultimately enhancing your overall response rates. Crafting Compelling Subject Lines How can you guarantee your survey gets noticed in a crowded inbox? Crafting compelling subject lines is essential for grabbing attention and improving open rates. Here are some effective strategies to reflect on: Keep it concise: Aim for 6-10 words to make sure your subject line is quickly digestible. Use action-oriented language: Phrases like “Share your thoughts” or “We want your feedback” can prompt immediate engagement. Personalize your message: Including the recipient’s name or referencing past interactions makes the email feel more relevant. Test different options: Experimenting with various subject lines can highlight what resonates best with your audience, leading to higher response rates. Incentives for Participation Why should you consider offering incentives for survey participation? Providing incentives, like gift cards or discounts, can greatly boost your response rates. Studies show that about 70% of consumers are more inclined to complete a survey when offered a reward. This strategy not just improves engagement but also builds trust, as it demonstrates that you value their time and opinions. Higher participation often leads to better quality feedback, giving you genuine insights into customer experiences. Although some might worry that incentives could skew results, research indicates they typically don’t affect the honesty of responses. Instead, they can help you achieve a more thorough comprehension of customer satisfaction and pinpoint areas needing improvement. Implementing a well-structured incentive program can finally drive better business outcomes, making it a worthwhile investment in your client experience strategy. Analyzing Survey Results Analyzing survey results is a critical step in comprehending customer feedback and improving overall client experience. To effectively derive insights, you should consider the following: Data Cleaning: Remove unengaged responses to guarantee the feedback you analyze is valid and reliable. Data Processing: Utilize methods like crosstab analysis and graphical representation to identify trends and patterns within the feedback efficiently. Statistical Analysis: Apply statistical tests and predictive analytics to uncover significant correlations and forecast customer behavior accurately. Actionable Insights: Transform your findings into practical improvements for customer experience by focusing on identified strengths and weaknesses. Regularly analyzing survey results not just helps you stay aligned with customer expectations but likewise allows you to refine your strategies based on real-time insights. This process is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and enhancing the overall client experience. Continuous Improvement Based on Feedback Continuous improvement based on customer feedback is vital for businesses aiming to improve their client experience and maintain competitiveness. With 52% of consumers abandoning a brand after a bad experience, comprehension and addressing customer sentiments is imperative. By implementing a robust feedback loop, you can act on suggestions and complaints, creating a culture where customer insights drive strategic changes. Regularly analyzing survey results helps you identify trends and areas needing improvement; 84% of executives report increasing spending on customer loyalty initiatives in response to feedback. Closing the feedback loop boosts trust and engagement, as 88% of customers lose trust after a poor experience. This reinforces the need to act on customer input. Continuous adaptation not only increases satisfaction but additionally aligns with evolving expectations, which 70% of executives recognize as outpacing their organizations’ ability to respond. Frequently Asked Questions Why Is Customer Experience Survey Important? Customer experience surveys are crucial as they provide valuable insights into how customers feel about your products and services. By identifying areas for improvement, you can address issues that lead to disengagement. These surveys reveal trends, helping you adapt to evolving customer expectations. Implementing feedback can boost retention rates, as many customers lose trust after a negative experience. What Is the Purpose of a Client Survey? A client survey aims to gather valuable feedback about your interactions with a brand. It helps identify strengths and weaknesses in service delivery, revealing areas needing improvement. By measuring client satisfaction and expectations, you can track loyalty trends and adjust strategies accordingly. Incorporating metrics like NPS and CSAT allows you to gauge performance accurately. In the end, these surveys are crucial for enhancing client satisfaction, nurturing trust, and improving retention rates in your business. Why Is Client Experience Important? Client experience is important since it directly influences customer loyalty and retention. When you provide positive interactions, you’re more likely to keep customers engaged. Poor experiences can lead to trust issues, with many consumers abandoning brands after a single bad encounter. Furthermore, as customer expectations evolve, staying attuned to their needs becomes necessary. Companies that prioritize client experience often see improved business outcomes, making it critical for long-term success. What Is the Purpose of CSAT Survey? The purpose of a CSAT survey is to measure your satisfaction with a product or service immediately after an interaction. Using a simple rating scale, it helps you express your experience. High scores indicate you’re satisfied, whereas low scores highlight potential issues. By analyzing these results over time, businesses can identify trends and make improvements, eventually enhancing your experience and increasing revenue. This feedback loop is essential for ensuring services meet your needs effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, client experience surveys are crucial tools for gathering valuable feedback from customers. By comprehending their needs and preferences, businesses can identify strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback not merely improves customer satisfaction but additionally nurtures loyalty and drives growth. To maximize the benefits, focus on effective question design, target audience selection, and thorough analysis of results. In the end, continuous improvement based on these insights will help align your strategies with customer expectations. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is a Client Experience Survey and Why Does It Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch, by Melinda Taub. In this amusing retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Lydia is a witch, Kitty is a cat (although thanks to a spell, everyone but Lydia believes she’s another Bennet sister), and Mr. Wickham is a literal demon. (Amazon, Bookshop) Please enjoy this painting of Laurie by extremely talented reader Istra, inspired by this ridiculous photo! Here are more. * I earn a commission if you use those links. The post weekend open thread – January 24-25, 2026 appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Japanese currency rises most since August after New York Fed queries market participants on price levels View the full article

Donald The President called plan to transfer sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius an ‘act of great stupidity’View the full article

Since the The President administration deployed 2,000 immigration officers to Minneapolis a few weeks ago, childcare workers have been on high alert. Immigration officers have shown up at childcare centers across Minnesota, leaving many childcare workers scared to show up for work. Childcare providers, who have long faced funding challenges and staffing shortages, are now being forced to figure out how to protect their workers while continuing to provide an essential service to families. Today, many of these centers—at least 50 providers, according to the childcare coalition Kids Count on Us—have shut their doors to participate in an economic blackout across the state that is being called the Day of Truth and Freedom. The collective action is intended to protest ICE’s presence in the state, by halting all economic activity for the day. For childcare workers, there is a lot on the line: A viral YouTube video that made the rounds in December put a target on their backs, alleging that Somali-run daycares were committing fraud and misusing public funding. The video has since been debunked, but the damage was done: The The President administration issued a freeze on $10 billion in federal funding for childcare and social services in Minnesota, along with four other states. (A federal judge has temporarily blocked the freeze for the time being, and the states in question have brought a lawsuit against the The President administration.) “From the beginning, childcare and the ICE operation were very closely tied,” says Meredith Loomis Quinlan, the director of childcare at advocacy group Community Change. “There’s threats of these frozen funds, and at the same time their colleagues are getting targeted by ICE. These childcare providers have really stood together—and the childcare movement of parents and providers are a really core [part] of what’s happening right now in Minnesota.” Many of them feel it is essential that they fight back against both ICE and the looming threat of a funding freeze. That’s why Kayley Spencer and Megan Schmitz, directors at a childcare center in northern Michigan, decided to close their daycare for the day. “We have connections all around the state, [and] other providers and families are experiencing this very real heaviness around being scared to go to school, being scared to go to work, and being scared to leave their houses,” Schmitz says. “We needed to show solidarity, and that we won’t stand for our neighbors and families and other providers being targeted in that way.” While their staff has not been directly targeted thus far, they have fielded questions about how the center would navigate any encounters with ICE and introduced protocols accordingly. “That is something as a childcare provider that I never thought I’d have to come across,” Schmitz says. “What if they do show up now? So having those protocols in place was really important for us, to make our staff feel secure in coming to work.” This day of action is also intended to call attention to the federal funding freeze, which could leave many childcare providers struggling to keep their doors open. “We’re operating on razor thin margins,” Spencer says, noting that their center has six families who rely on childcare assistance from the state. “If you lose those six families—even one—you’re at risk of permanent closure.” Access to childcare allows countless parents to stay in the workforce, and closing for the day is not a decision that providers take lightly. Spencer and Schmitz were candid about why they felt it was important to participate and why collection action was critical at this moment. “We’re very transparent with our families about how this is not just an isolated incident,” Schmitz says. “We are in the collapse of childcare if we do nothing—and we’re already at severe risk of that every single day, and this is just another way to not give childcare [providers] the funding and the resources that they so badly deserve and need.” Spencer and Schmitz say they had the support and understanding of many families they serve—and a number of them who are small business owners closed shop for the day in solidarity, as well. “[As] providers, our only goal is to provide safe spaces for these children—and now they’re being targeted, and it’s not okay,” Schmitz says. “This is such a small way of us showing support, but we knew we had to do it.” These actions have also extended beyond Minnesota, as childcare workers around the country are finding ways to show their support. Community Change works with grassroots organizations in many states that are hosting events or taking other actions—from protesting ICE facilities to closing their centers in solidarity—to draw attention to what is happening in Minnesota. Meanwhile, childcare providers and advocates in Minnesota are continuing to put pressure on Republican lawmakers to preserve the federal funding that is so crucial for centers to keep serving families. “People might feel hopeless or afraid right now, but there are so many ways to show up for our neighbors and for each other,” Loomis Quinlan says. “So we’re just trying to encourage more people to join our movement.” View the full article

Apple is expanding ads in App Store search results, giving advertisers more opportunities to reach users at the moment they’re looking to download apps. Starting March 3rd, Apple Ads will begin showing additional ads per search query in the UK, followed by Japan. The expansion is expected to roll out to all Apple Ads markets by the end of March. Why we care. More ad slots in App Store search results mean more chances to win installs—but also more competition for the same high-intent queries, which could push up costs. With no ability to choose placements, performance may vary by position, making creative relevance, keyword strategy, and conversion tracking more important than ever. What’s changing. Until now, Apple Ads search results featured a single sponsored placement at the top of the page. Beginning in March, multiple ad positions may appear for a single search query, including the existing top slot and new placements further down the results. The new placements will be supported on devices running iOS and iPadOS 26.2 and later. How eligibility works. Advertisers don’t need to make any changes to access the new inventory. Any existing search results campaign will automatically be eligible to appear in all available positions. However, advertisers can’t choose or bid for specific placements. Apple will decide where an ad appears within search results. Ad formats and pricing stay the same. Ads will look the same regardless of placement, using either a default product page or a custom product page. Optional deep links can send users directly to a specific in-app destination. Billing remains unchanged, with advertisers paying on a cost-per-tap or cost-per-install basis. How ads are matched to searches. Search results ads continue to rely on keywords, either selected by advertisers or suggested by Apple. Apple says its relevance-based matching delivers more than a 60% average conversion rate for top-of-search ads. Placement is determined by a combination of relevance and bid, but relevance is non-negotiable. Apple says ads won’t enter auctions if they aren’t a strong match for the user’s query — regardless of bid size. What advertisers should watch. More ad slots mean more opportunities — but also more competition within the same search results page. Advertisers may need to closely monitor performance by query, creative alignment, and conversion rates as the rollout expands globally. What’s next. The phased rollout will continue through March, bringing additional App Store search ads to all Apple Ads markets. For app marketers, it marks a meaningful shift in how search visibility — and competition — will work inside the App Store. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. 360-degree cameras like the GoPro Max2 are designed for creators who want to capture more than what a single-lens camera, like the GoPro Hero series, can handle. Right now, the GoPro Max2 action camera is down from $499 to $399 on Amazon, marking its lowest price ever. GoPro Max2 Action Camera $399.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $399.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $100.00 Compared to the Max1, the Max2 has a higher 8K resolution and 29MP stills, resulting in sharper, more detailed footage and photos, while 10-bit color, GP-Log, and up to 14FPS Raw capture with 3D Tracking focus make it appealing for pros or anyone who wants more flexibility in post-production. It shoots 360-degree spherical video, unlike the single-lens action cams like the Hero, earning it an Editors' Choice Award from PCMag. This lets you record everything in your vicinity and reframe at any level, allowing for even more creative possibilities when editing. With a magnesium chassis and weather protection, it's built for adventures and high-impact environments, with waterproofing up to 5 meters, a compact build, easy-to-replace lenses, and a variety of mounting options. As part of the GoPro ecosystem, it works seamlessly with the GoPro Quik video editing app for edits and reframing, while Bluetooth mic support and voice control make it even more versatile. Still, compared to the Hero series and its sensor design, low-light performance may be weaker, and battery life varies depending on whether you’re shooting with both lenses, the resolution, and the frame rate. Long 8K sessions will be more demanding, during which heat buildup can also happen. Slow motion also maxes out at 100 fps, and editing isn’t as slick or built for social shares as platforms like Insta360. If your priority is immersive storytelling, post-shoot reframing, and more creative freedom, the GoPro Max2 action camera is a strong choice for pros and casual users at $100 off, and a major upgrade over the original. But if you mainly want traditional action footage, often shoot in low-light conditions, and want longer battery life, the less-niche Hero line may suffice. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $148.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $399.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Silver) — $159.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Last month, Google told online publishers that it had started testing AI-generated headlines in Google Discover, replacing stories' carefully handcrafted titles with truncated alternatives made up by Gemini. Some journalists were predictably unhappy, but now, the company says that the AI headlines are no longer an experiment—they're a "feature." Back when the testing began, the results ranged from poorly worded to straight up misinformation. For instance, one AI-generated headline promised "Steam Machine price revealed," when the original article made no such claim. Another said "BG3 players exploit children," which sounds serious, until you click through to the article and see that it's about a clever way to recruit invincible party members in Baldur's Gate 3 (which, to be fair, does involve turning child NPCs into sheep at one point). At the time, Google said that the test was a "small UI experiment for a subset of Discover users," and simply rearranged how users saw AI previews, which were introduced in October of last year and feature short AI summaries of articles, including an occasional AI headline. However, while that AI headline was previously hidden below the original, authored headline, the test put it up top, while getting rid of the authored headline entirely. For a while, it seemed like Google might have been willing to back away from the AI headlines, but now the company says it's doubling down. In a statement to The Verge, Google said that its AI headlines are no longer in testing, but are now a full-fledged feature. The company didn't elaborate on why, but did say that the update "performs well for user satisfaction." When 9to5Google then reached out for more detail, the publication was told, "The overview headline reflects information across a range of sites, and is not a rewrite of an individual article headline." Well, that hasn't quite been the case for me: When I first wrote about this "experiment," I actually had yet to run into one of the AI headlines. But perusing my Google Discover feed today (to see yours, swipe right from the home screen on an Android phone, or scroll down in the Google app), I've finally seen some first hand. To Google's credit, these AI previews do seem to synthesize several sources as claimed—you can see them above the linked story. However, they still call out one article in particular, linking to it and using its header photo. That can easily lead users to think the AI generated headline was written by the linked publication. That can have consequences for the publication or writer if the AI gets something wrong, which a disclaimer at the bottom of these AI previews admits can happen. For instance, The Verge said it saw an AI Discover headline on a story from Lifehacker's sister site PCMag that said, "US reverses foreign drone ban," even though the linked story goes out of its way to say headlines that claim this are "misleading." Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt The AI headlines I've seen personally haven't been quite that bad, but as someone with a more than decade-long career in journalism, I do question their helpfulness. For instance, "Starfleet Academy full of Trek Nods" is much less informative than the original, "One of TNG's Strangest Species Is Getting a Second Life In Modern Star Trek." I guess "Star Trek show has Star Trek things" is apparently clickier or more useful to the reader than just saying what the specific Star Trek thing is? Another example: "Anbernic unveils RG G01 Controller." I hope you know what those letters and numbers mean, because this AI headline completely buries the context in the original headline, "Anbernic's New Controller Has a Screen and Built-In Heartbeat Sensor, for Some Reason." I guess this is a future that I'll have to get used to though. That I'm starting to see these headlines myself, despite not being part of the initial experiment, does suggest we can expect them to stick around, and to roll out to more people. If you see something that seems questionable while scrolling Google Discover, the feature has probably rolled out to you now too. How to check if a Google Discover headline was written by AITo check whether that suspicious headline was written by a human or not, try clicking the "See more" button at the bottom of the article's description and looking for a "Generated with AI" disclaimer. On the plus side, only about half of the articles in my Google Discover are currently using AI headlines, so not every piece of "content" is being affected. But for journalists, the move still comes at a tough time: According to Reuters, Google traffic from organic search was down by 38% on test sites in the United Stated between November 2024 and November 2025, and while Google Discover isn't Search, editors write headlines the way they do for a reason. Using a robot to overwrites those decisions probably isn't the best way to tackle eroding trust in media. I've reached out to Google for comment on its AI headlines and will provide an update when I hear back. View the full article

For the first time in Dr Pepper’s 140-year history, the brand is the second-most-popular soda in America. Now it has a shiny new jingle to match. In late December, TikTok creator Romeo Bingham, 25, posted a jingle she had made up for Dr Pepper. “Dr Pepper baby. It’s good and nice. Doo. Doo. Doo,” the tune went. In her caption she tagged the company and noted, “please get back to me with a proposition we can make thousands together.” The original post has garnered almost 54 million views, 6.4 million likes and almost 500,000 bookmarks, at the time of writing. One month later, Bingham’s dreams were realised. Dr. Pepper licensed the song and folded it into an NCAA football commercial. TikTok creators capitalizing on viral moments is not unusual. Influencers have long been tagging brands in content in the hopes of landing freebies or a lucrative brand deal, as the booming influencer-marketing industry becomes ever-more saturated. Here, the success of Bingham’s overt brand baiting may signal a subtle shift in power dynamics, as creators compete for brand’s attention and marketing budgets. Once the jingle became viral, Bingham’s comments section was inundated with brands. “Me next bb i beg,” wrote Denny’s Diner. “Yea imma need one of these theme songs right now,” added Buffalo Wild Wings. “GET HER ON THE PHONE NOW!!” Popeyes chimed in. “Not to be pick me but US NEXT,” commented Welch’s Fruit Snacks. Bingham has since gone on to make jingles for Hyundai and Vita Coca, fully realising the new American dream of overnight viral success. Brands showing up in the comments sections on TikTok and Instagram, whether the post is about them or not, isn’t new. The top comments on a trending TikTok video often garner hundreds of thousands of likes, gaining brands the type of attention they could only dream of on their own channels. But overnight, a new batch of of “POV: trying to make a jingle so I can quit my job,” type videos have been cropping up across social media platforms, some of the most popular of which have brands meeting the creators in the comments section hoping to capitalise on some of Dr Pepper’s hype. With these public auditions in pursuit of 10 seconds of fame, brands might appear like the real winners, receiving massive amounts of unpaid creative labor, sometimes even full commercials, complete with engagement metrics and audience-testing in real time. “If brands reward the noisiest creators with paid partnerships, this could lead to creators shilling spec work ads as a new content pillar,” Dayna Castillo, founder of the digital culture newsletter Silence, Brand! told Fast Company. And yet, “brand baiting is normalizing unpaid promotional labor from creators and long term, this practice risks burning out both audiences, brands, and creators.” As she noted in a recent Substack post: “We no longer skip the ads. We consume the ads our peers made in hopes The Capitalism will notice.” The warp speed with which the internet moves means replicating another’s recipe for viral success is unlikely to ever deliver the same results. As the saying goes, lightning never strikes twice. Instead, all that’s left to gain is further muddying the shared waters of the internet with sub-par unpaid spon-con (Bingham’s jingle was at least catchy). View the full article

The President, during his return from Davos, signaled reluctance to allow 401(k) withdrawals for home down payments, but other tax-advantaged options remain on table. View the full article

A growing number of wealthy UK residents are investing in country establishmentsView the full article

Wall Street executive’s remuneration jumps 21% from the previous year and was roughly in line with bank’s profits View the full article

Share prices and profits have soared under lenient policies but presidential broadsides always lurk View the full article

Nothing lasts forever, and technology is no exception. As shiny and new as your computer was when you first bought it, eventually, developers will drop support for it. There's no telling when exactly, but at some point, you'll open an app to find a message that reads something like: "This device does not support the latest version of this app. Please update your hardware." That goes for Macs, as well. You might forget that fact, since Apple's computers tend to stick around for a long time. But inevitably, the shadow of end-of-life policies comes for them, too. If you're still rocking an older Mac, I have some bad news, specifically if you use Chrome: Google is officially planning its last supported version of the browser. Google Chrome is dropping support for macOS Monterey Google quietly announced the news in a post on the Chrome Platform Status site. The company confirmed that Chrome 150 will be the last version of the browser to support macOS 12, otherwise known as macOS Monterey. Once Google eventually releases Chrome 151, users on macOS 12 will not be able to install it, and will forever be stuck on Chrome 150. Google hasn't said when Chrome 150 will actually drop (we're currently on Chrome 143), but MacRumors estimates it'll be sometime in mid-2026, based on past releases. Before you panic, know there are a couple caveats here. First, Chrome will not stop working on macOS 12 once version 151 drops. You'll still be able to use Chrome as you always have. In fact, you might not even notice the difference, minus any new features and changes that Google rolls out in future software versions. You will see an alert that your browser is out of date, but it'll still get you to YouTube, Gmail, and Lifehacker. This version of macOS is also fairly outdated. Google isn't just picking last year's macOS version, or the one before that. We're currently on macOS 26, which for these purposes, could be read as macOS 16. It's the fourth version of macOS since Monterey, meaning unless you know your Mac is running macOS 12, there's a good chance you're running something that Chrome still supports. If you aren't sure, click the Apple in the top-left corner, then choose "About This Mac." Here, you'll find the macOS version next to "macOS." Security concerns with using Chrome on macOS 12Let's say your Mac is running macOS 12. If so, you really should stop using Chrome once version 151 drops. That's because you'll no longer receive Google's latest security updates for the browser, which puts your machine (and its data) at risk. Once Chrome 150 drops, bad actors will look for security vulnerabilities in the code to exploit. Google will do the same, and will patch any it or any third-party researchers find. Once 151 comes out, it'll include those patches, but Chrome 150 users will be left behind. The risk only grows as new vulnerabilities are discovered, and new versions of Chrome come out. As such, you have a couple of options if you're running macOS 12. The first is to update your OS, if you have that choice. If your Mac does support macOS 13 or newer, updating will open you up to new versions of Chrome. Of course, perhaps the reason you're running macOS 12 is because you cannot update. While that largely affects Macs that are at least 10 years old, there are still plenty of these machines out there. There are alternative ways to update your older Mac, even if Apple won't let you, such as with OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but that might be too technical a route for some. The other option here is to stop using Chrome, and switch to a browser that does support macOS 12. Firefox, for example, supports macOS 10.15 or later, and Microsoft Edge fully supports macOS 12 and later. (Safari itself hasn't been updated on macOS 12 since July 2024.) It isn't fun watching your tech grow old, but you don't need to chuck your Mac just because Chrome will end support this year—even if the newest ones are really good. View the full article

On episode 338 of PPC Live The Podcast, I speak to Nick Handley Paid Media Lead at Impression, about one of the most formative mistakes of his career — and why those early errors often shape the strongest marketers. The podcast series focuses on PPC professionals’ biggest “F-ups,” but never without exploring how they recovered, who helped them, and what lasting lessons came out the other side. Nick’s story is a textbook example of how a single mistake can permanently change how you work — for the better. The Black Friday mistake that took everything down Nick takes listeners back nearly ten years, to the very start of his career at Tyres on the Drive (now owned by Halfords). With only around seven months of PPC experience, he was left managing campaigns during the Black Friday period while a senior colleague was on holiday. The task sounded simple: update URLs across multiple campaigns using Google Ads Editor. The execution, however, went very wrong. Nick mistyped part of the landing page URL — a small error with massive consequences. Once uploaded, ads across the account were disapproved, effectively taking paid search offline during one of the most important trading periods of the year. At the time, PPC accounted for around 70% of the company’s conversions. “It was full panic,” Nick admits. “I genuinely thought I was going to lose my job.” Panic makes problems worse What made the situation harder wasn’t just the typo — it was what came next. In a stressed state, Nick tried to fix the issue without properly re-syncing Google Ads Editor with the live account. Changes didn’t apply, errors stacked up, and confusion grew. The turning point came when Max Hopkinson, a senior colleague, stepped in. Instead of blaming or escalating, Max calmly walked Nick through the fix: re-sync the account, undo the changes properly, re-upload, and get campaigns live again. The downtime was resolved in about an hour, and the team worked strategically to recover performance by increasing spend later in the day. The Black Friday period ultimately performed well — but the emotional impact of the mistake stuck. The real lesson: de-escalate yourself first One of the biggest takeaways from Nick’s experience isn’t technical — it’s psychological. When things go wrong, panic actively makes solutions harder to see. Nick stresses the importance of stepping away, calming yourself down, and then methodically identifying the issue. Five minutes away from the screen can prevent five hours of damage. This mindset now underpins how he works — and how he manages others. From junior panic to leadership principles As a leader today, Nick is intentional about building systems that reduce risk and pressure. At Impression, large changes go through a buddy-based QA system, where someone outside the immediate account team sense-checks major updates before they go live. The goal isn’t mistrust — it’s safety. Fresh eyes catch errors tired ones miss, especially when working at speed. Nick is clear that this approach isn’t just for agencies. In-house teams, freelancers, and solo marketers can adapt it using automation, AI checks, or structured workflows to ensure nothing slips through. AI is helpful — but only if you know the basics Nick also warns against leaning too heavily on AI without understanding fundamentals first. While automation and AI can help sense-check work, speed up QA, or manage budgets, they can’t replace foundational knowledge. “If you don’t know what ‘right’ looks like,” he explains, “you won’t know when AI is wrong.” This applies to everything from ad copy and keyword research to budget pacing and performance analysis. AI should amplify expertise — not replace it. Accountability beats perfection Perhaps the most important message from the episode is that mistakes are inevitable — but hiding them is optional. Nick emphasizes accountability over blame. When errors happen, the best response is to clearly explain what went wrong, what the impact was, and how it’s being fixed. Most clients and managers are far more understanding than people expect, especially when transparency comes early. This culture of openness not only protects performance — it protects mental health. Why sharing mistakes makes better marketers Nick believes leaders should openly share their failures, not just their wins. Digital marketing already carries intense pressure, constant change, and unrealistic expectations of perfection. Hearing that respected experts still make mistakes — and survive them — normalizes the learning curve. “We’re not robots,” he says. “We’re people doing complex work in fast-moving systems.” The big takeaway Nick’s early-career mistake didn’t derail his career — it defined it. It shaped how he approaches QA, leadership, automation, and stress. More importantly, it reinforced a truth many PPC professionals need to hear: Mistakes don’t end careers. Panic, silence, and lack of accountability do. View the full article

This week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rescinded its guidance on workplace harassment, in a move that could significantly undermine protections for all workers, but especially those who identify as LGBTQ+. The agency, which plays a crucial role as the federal watchdog that enforces anti-discrimination laws governing the workplace, voted on Thursday to strike down guidance that had been codified in 2024, during the Biden administration. Across nearly 200 pages, the document offered an important update to the EEOC’s language on harassment—which had not been updated in over two decades—and also incorporated a key Supreme Court ruling in 2020 that extended anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ workers. The guidance included over 70 examples of workplace discrimination that employees might encounter, with a section dedicated to sexual orientation and gender identity. Before releasing the final version back in 2024, there was a customary notice and comment process on the proposed document, during which the agency fielded over 38,000 comments from the public. All that guidance has now been scrapped, with no room for public comment on the decision. (The harassment document has since been taken down and is no longer accessible to the public.) EEOC chair Andrea Lucas suggested that this would not change how the agency approached harassment claims. “Let me be perfectly clear: The EEOC will not tolerate unlawful harassment, as was the case before the guidance document was issued and will remain so even after the guidance document is rescinded,” she said during an open meeting on Thursday. Still, this reversal is a big loss for workers, who remain protected by federal anti-discrimination laws but rely heavily on the agency when they encounter harassment in the workplace. People who experience workplace discrimination typically have to file a complaint with the agency before taking any kind of legal action. By rescinding this guidance, the EEOC has stripped away an important resource for workers (and employers) who are trying to understand what constitutes workplace harassment—and what they can do about it. This decision also cements a seismic shift in the agency’s priorities since Lucas took the helm. Under the The President administration, the EEOC has undergone changes that experts believe have compromised its mission to protect workers’ rights. After assuming office, The President immediately fired two EEOC commissioners—Jocelyn Samuels and Charlotte Burrows—before their term limits were up, breaking with precedent and eliminating the Democratic majority. (Commissioners of federal agencies are usually allowed to serve out their terms, regardless of political affiliation.) He later nominated Brittany Panuccio to join the commission; her confirmation in October secured a Republican majority and restored the three-person quorum required for the agency to revise guidance or pursue certain types of litigation. Over the last year, the The President administration’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace have reshaped the agency’s priorities. Lucas has explicitly stated that the agency would focus on “rooting out unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination” in accordance with The President’s executive orders targeting DEI programs. Back in December, Lucas even put out a call for white men to report workplace discrimination and potentially recover damages. (This took the form of a video on X, in which Lucas asked: “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?”) Revoking the harassment guidance, however, seems to align with a broader agenda to curtail protections for LGBTQ+ and trans workers. A federal ruling last year struck down the section of the EEOC’s harassment document that applied to transgender and gender-nonconforming workers, claiming the agency did not have the authority to impose those guidelines on employers; the section stated, for example, that misgendering employees or denying them access to bathrooms in line with their gender identity qualified as workplace harassment. Last year, the EEOC also dropped six cases that involved allegations of discrimination from trans or gender-nonconforming workers. Even prior to the The President administration’s directives, however, Lucas was a dissenting voice on the commission. When the harassment guidance was finalized in 2024, Lucas had taken issue with the section that outlined protections for trans and gender-nonconforming workers and ultimately voted against it, under the guise of protecting women’s rights in the workplace. Lucas echoed anti-trans sentiment by noting “biological sex is real” and “binary,” suggesting that women would be harmed by the updated guidance. “Women’s sex-based rights in the workplace are under attack—and from the EEOC, the very federal agency charged with protecting women from sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination at work,” she wrote in a statement at the time. “Women in the workplace will pay the price for the Commission’s egregious error.” By rescinding the harassment guidance outright, however, Lucas has effectively weakened anti-discrimination protections for all kinds of workers—women included. View the full article

Some Google Ads advertisers are seeing a bug that causes the option to add notes to disappear from the account change popup, making it harder to document optimizations and performance shifts. The issue was flagged by paid search consultant Odi Caspi, who says the problem has appeared intermittently over the past couple of weeks. What advertisers should be seeing: Caspi shares his view below: Why we care. Account notes are a key workflow tool for agencies and in-house teams tracking changes over time. Losing easy access to notes makes troubleshooting performance swings harder and weakens institutional memory across teams. What users are seeing. In affected accounts, the “Add note” option no longer appears in the standard popup where advertisers typically annotate changes. The issue appears to be sporadic, working normally at times and disappearing at others. Workarounds, for now. Caspi says one workaround is clicking on an existing note, which then reveals the option to add a new one. The downside: this only works if a note exists in the current date range. Another option, shared by Paid Media Specialist, Dids Reeve, is to open the Notes panel from the “More” (burger) menu, where the add-note function may still be accessible. What’s next. Google has not publicly acknowledged the bug or shared a timeline for a fix. Until then, advertisers relying on notes may need to use alternative entry points — and double-check that important changes are being properly documented. First seen. This error was first spotted by Caspi who shared his view of camapign reports on LinkedIn View the full article

In today’s competitive market, customer loyalty is vital for small businesses to thrive. Implementing a loyalty card program can greatly improve customer retention and increase repeat purchases. Various software solutions cater to different needs, from customizable digital cards to automated rewards tracking. Comprehending these options can help you choose the right fit for your business. Let’s explore some of the top loyalty card software solutions available, starting with Loyally.ai and Square Loyalty. Key Takeaways Loyally.ai offers customizable digital loyalty cards with plans ranging from $12 to $78 monthly, suitable for various business sizes. Square Loyalty automates rewards tracking and starts at $25 per location, ensuring a user-friendly experience for managing customer engagement. Smile.io provides a free plan with essential features and paid tiers, known for boosting customer retention and satisfaction ratings above 4.6 on G2. Stamp Me features digital stamp cards priced between $29 and $119, simplifying customer activity monitoring with its straightforward system. Loyalzoo charges $0.15 per customer monthly, capped at $99, offering flexible pricing that adapts to business growth and needs. Why Loyalty Matters for Small Businesses Loyalty matters for small businesses since retaining existing customers isn’t only beneficial; it’s vital for long-term success. Studies show that it’s five to seven times cheaper to keep a current customer than to acquire a new one. Loyal customers tend to spend 67% more than newcomers, but a mere 5% increase in retention can lead to a remarkable 25% rise in profits. Over half of your revenue likely comes from repeat customers, making loyalty programs fundamental for driving frequent purchases. Implementing loyalty card software can help streamline this process, allowing you to track customer engagement and reward their loyalty effectively. Furthermore, satisfied loyal customers often share their experiences, enhancing your brand’s reputation and attracting new clientele. Key Loyalty Program Features to Look For When choosing loyalty card software, you should prioritize features like personalization and segmentation to better meet your customers’ needs. These tools enable you to tailor marketing efforts and rewards based on individual behaviors, increasing engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, verify the software supports omnichannel engagement, allowing customers to interact with your loyalty program seamlessly across different platforms. Personalization and Segmentation Effective personalization and segmentation are vital components of any successful loyalty program, as they directly impact customer engagement and retention. With 64% of consumers stating that customized offers influence their shopping decisions, utilizing advanced loyalty card software free can greatly improve your program. AI-driven analytics allow you to create personalized experiences based on customer behavior, leading to increased engagement and repeat purchases. By segmenting customers according to their purchasing patterns, you can send targeted communications, potentially boosting customer lifetime value by 48%. Flexibility in reward structures is also important; offering points for non-purchase actions accommodates varied customer preferences. Real-time analytics provide valuable insights, enabling you to dynamically adjust your loyalty strategies for enhanced effectiveness. Omnichannel Engagement Support To create a seamless customer experience across various touchpoints, omnichannel engagement support is crucial for any loyalty program. This feature guarantees that your loyalty card application works across web, mobile, and in-store interactions, providing customers with a unified experience. Effective loyalty software integrates with existing CRM and POS systems, allowing real-time data sharing, which is fundamental for grasping customer interactions. Moreover, features like digital card integration and customer data management improve personalized marketing efforts, boosting engagement across channels. Advanced analytics capabilities provide insights into customer behavior, enabling you to tailor loyalty strategies based on preferences. Incorporating gamification elements, such as challenges and milestones, can further drive participation and strengthen brand loyalty through interactive experiences. Top Loyalty Card Software for Small Businesses When selecting loyalty card software for your small business, you’ll want to evaluate both affordability and ease of use. Many options, like Loyally.ai and Square Loyalty, provide budget-friendly pricing and user-friendly interfaces that make implementation straightforward. Affordable Pricing Options Finding affordable loyalty card software is crucial for small businesses looking to improve customer engagement without straining their budgets. Loyally.ai offers customizable digital loyalty cards with plans ranging from $12 to $78 monthly, fitting various business needs. If you already use Square POS, Square Loyalty starts at $25 per location per month, automating customer rewards tracking. For online stores, Smile.io has a free plan with limited features and paid options like Starter, Growth, and Unlimited. Stamp Me provides digital stamp cards with pricing between $29 and $119, along with a free 30-day trial. Finally, Loyalzoo charges $0.15 per customer monthly, capped at $99, and offers a 7-day free trial with no long-term commitment. User-Friendly Interface After exploring affordable pricing options, the focus shifts to the importance of a user-friendly interface in loyalty card software, especially for small businesses. A well-designed interface allows you to easily customize digital loyalty cards and manage customer interactions without extensive training. For instance, Loyally.ai and Square Loyalty integrate seamlessly with existing systems, enabling you to track rewards and view analytics effortlessly. Moreover, Smile.io offers an intuitive setup for e-commerce brands, allowing quick implementation of loyalty programs. Stamp Me simplifies customer activity monitoring through its straightforward digital stamp card system. Finally, platforms like Yotpo improve user experience with customizable loyalty levels, making navigation easy for both you and your customers, especially when exploring digital loyalty card free options. Deep Dive Into Loyally.Ai Loyally.ai stands out in the competitive environment of loyalty card software solutions, as it offers businesses customizable digital loyalty cards aimed to improve customer retention. This platform is particularly beneficial for salons looking for a salon loyalty app, as it improves customer engagement through flexible loyalty options. With a built-in CRM, Loyally.ai allows you to manage customer data effectively, enabling personalized marketing and automated notifications that keep customers informed. Their pricing ranges from $12 to $78 per month, making it accessible for various business sizes and budgets. Furthermore, Loyally.ai features location marketing tools that help you target customers based on their geographic area, driving foot traffic to your business. The automated referral sharing feature encourages users to promote your services through word-of-mouth marketing, further boosting customer acquisition and loyalty, making it an all-encompassing solution for any business aiming to improve customer relationships. Deep Dive Into Square Loyalty Square Loyalty offers a robust solution for businesses looking to improve customer retention through an integrated loyalty program. This software seamlessly integrates with Square’s point-of-sale (POS) system, allowing you to automatically track customer rewards and engagement without any additional setup. With monthly pricing starting at $25 per location, it remains an affordable option for small businesses enthusiastic to implement a loyalty program. Square Loyalty provides various reward types, such as points for purchases and discounts, giving you flexibility in incentivizing customer loyalty. You can likewise take advantage of a 30-day free trial, enabling you to test the software’s features and effectiveness before committing to a subscription. By leveraging automatic tracking of rewards and personalized engagement strategies, businesses using Square Loyalty can improve customer retention and cultivate lasting relationships with their clientele. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking effective free loyalty program software. Deep Dive Into Smile.Io In regards to enhancing customer loyalty, Smile.io stands out as a specialized platform customized for e-commerce brands. It integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento, allowing you to create personalized loyalty programs that boost customer retention. With Smile.io, you can reward customers for various actions, such as purchases, social sharing, and account creation, which encourages deeper engagement and loyalty. Users report experiencing a 2× higher purchase frequency and a 48% increase in customer lifetime value (CLV) thanks to its effective strategies. The platform offers a free plan with basic features, alongside paid options categorized as Starter, Growth, and Unlimited, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. Smile.io likewise enjoys a high customer satisfaction rating of 4.6+ on G2, with over 314 positive reviews, emphasizing its impact on driving customer loyalty through features like a virtual loyalty card. Loyalty Software Comparison When evaluating loyalty software solutions, it’s important to recognize the diverse features and capabilities available to enterprises. Different solutions offer various functionalities, including digital card integration, customer data management, and automated engagement tools. Pricing is another key factor; although some loyalty software can start as low as $12 per month for small businesses, custom pricing is common for larger enterprises. If you’re just starting out, consider platforms like Smile.io or Yotpo, which provide free loyalty card app options with limited features. This can be an excellent way to establish your loyalty program without a significant financial investment. Additionally, integration capabilities play an essential role in your selection process. Solutions like Talon.One and Annex Cloud offer robust API options for seamless connectivity with existing systems, ensuring that you can maximize the effectiveness of your loyalty initiatives. Always look for user-friendly setups and customizable branding to improve your return on investment. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Does Loyalty Card Software Typically Cost? Loyalty card software typically ranges from $20 to $500 per month, depending on features and scale. Basic plans offer crucial functionalities, whereas advanced options provide analytics, customer segmentation, and integration capabilities. Some providers charge a one-time setup fee, whereas others may include it in the monthly cost. You might likewise encounter transaction fees or additional charges for extra features, so it’s important to evaluate your business needs before making a decision. Can I Customize the Rewards Structure Easily? Yes, you can typically customize the rewards structure easily. Most loyalty card software allows you to set different reward tiers, points systems, or redemption options based on your business needs. You’ll usually find user-friendly interfaces that let you adjust these settings without extensive technical knowledge. Furthermore, many platforms offer templates or predefined structures that you can modify, ensuring flexibility as you align your rewards program with your marketing strategy and customer preferences. Is Customer Data Secure With These Solutions? In terms of customer data security, you should prioritize solutions that implement robust encryption methods and comply with industry standards, such as GDPR or CCPA. These solutions often utilize secure servers, regular security audits, and access controls to safeguard sensitive information. It’s crucial to review their privacy policies and data handling practices, ensuring they take necessary precautions to protect your customers’ data from breaches and unauthorized access. Always stay informed about their security measures. How Do I Integrate Loyalty Software With My Existing Systems? To integrate loyalty software with your existing systems, start by evaluating compatibility. Review APIs or connectors that facilitate communication between platforms. Next, consult your IT team to determine necessary adjustments or customizations. After that, conduct thorough testing to guarantee seamless operation. Finally, train your staff on the new system, making sure everyone understands how to utilize it effectively. This approach will help you leverage your loyalty program during the maintenance of your current infrastructure. What Kind of Customer Support Is Available for Users? When considering customer support options, you’ll typically find various resources available. Most systems offer online help centers and FAQs, allowing you to troubleshoot common issues. Many likewise provide email support, where you can submit inquiries and expect responses within a specified timeframe. Furthermore, some platforms include live chat services for real-time assistance. Phone support might be available, depending on your subscription level. Always check the specific support features offered by your chosen provider. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right loyalty card software can greatly improve your customer retention efforts. Each solution, from Loyally.ai’s customizable cards to Square Loyalty’s automated tracking, offers unique features suited to various business needs. By evaluating the key functionalities of each platform, you can find a loyalty program that aligns with your goals and boosts customer engagement. In the end, investing in a robust loyalty system can lead to increased sales and a more loyal customer base for your small business. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Top Loyalty Card Software Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s competitive market, customer loyalty is vital for small businesses to thrive. Implementing a loyalty card program can greatly improve customer retention and increase repeat purchases. Various software solutions cater to different needs, from customizable digital cards to automated rewards tracking. Comprehending these options can help you choose the right fit for your business. Let’s explore some of the top loyalty card software solutions available, starting with Loyally.ai and Square Loyalty. Key Takeaways Loyally.ai offers customizable digital loyalty cards with plans ranging from $12 to $78 monthly, suitable for various business sizes. Square Loyalty automates rewards tracking and starts at $25 per location, ensuring a user-friendly experience for managing customer engagement. Smile.io provides a free plan with essential features and paid tiers, known for boosting customer retention and satisfaction ratings above 4.6 on G2. Stamp Me features digital stamp cards priced between $29 and $119, simplifying customer activity monitoring with its straightforward system. Loyalzoo charges $0.15 per customer monthly, capped at $99, offering flexible pricing that adapts to business growth and needs. Why Loyalty Matters for Small Businesses Loyalty matters for small businesses since retaining existing customers isn’t only beneficial; it’s vital for long-term success. Studies show that it’s five to seven times cheaper to keep a current customer than to acquire a new one. Loyal customers tend to spend 67% more than newcomers, but a mere 5% increase in retention can lead to a remarkable 25% rise in profits. Over half of your revenue likely comes from repeat customers, making loyalty programs fundamental for driving frequent purchases. Implementing loyalty card software can help streamline this process, allowing you to track customer engagement and reward their loyalty effectively. Furthermore, satisfied loyal customers often share their experiences, enhancing your brand’s reputation and attracting new clientele. Key Loyalty Program Features to Look For When choosing loyalty card software, you should prioritize features like personalization and segmentation to better meet your customers’ needs. These tools enable you to tailor marketing efforts and rewards based on individual behaviors, increasing engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, verify the software supports omnichannel engagement, allowing customers to interact with your loyalty program seamlessly across different platforms. Personalization and Segmentation Effective personalization and segmentation are vital components of any successful loyalty program, as they directly impact customer engagement and retention. With 64% of consumers stating that customized offers influence their shopping decisions, utilizing advanced loyalty card software free can greatly improve your program. AI-driven analytics allow you to create personalized experiences based on customer behavior, leading to increased engagement and repeat purchases. By segmenting customers according to their purchasing patterns, you can send targeted communications, potentially boosting customer lifetime value by 48%. Flexibility in reward structures is also important; offering points for non-purchase actions accommodates varied customer preferences. Real-time analytics provide valuable insights, enabling you to dynamically adjust your loyalty strategies for enhanced effectiveness. Omnichannel Engagement Support To create a seamless customer experience across various touchpoints, omnichannel engagement support is crucial for any loyalty program. This feature guarantees that your loyalty card application works across web, mobile, and in-store interactions, providing customers with a unified experience. Effective loyalty software integrates with existing CRM and POS systems, allowing real-time data sharing, which is fundamental for grasping customer interactions. Moreover, features like digital card integration and customer data management improve personalized marketing efforts, boosting engagement across channels. Advanced analytics capabilities provide insights into customer behavior, enabling you to tailor loyalty strategies based on preferences. Incorporating gamification elements, such as challenges and milestones, can further drive participation and strengthen brand loyalty through interactive experiences. Top Loyalty Card Software for Small Businesses When selecting loyalty card software for your small business, you’ll want to evaluate both affordability and ease of use. Many options, like Loyally.ai and Square Loyalty, provide budget-friendly pricing and user-friendly interfaces that make implementation straightforward. Affordable Pricing Options Finding affordable loyalty card software is crucial for small businesses looking to improve customer engagement without straining their budgets. Loyally.ai offers customizable digital loyalty cards with plans ranging from $12 to $78 monthly, fitting various business needs. If you already use Square POS, Square Loyalty starts at $25 per location per month, automating customer rewards tracking. For online stores, Smile.io has a free plan with limited features and paid options like Starter, Growth, and Unlimited. Stamp Me provides digital stamp cards with pricing between $29 and $119, along with a free 30-day trial. Finally, Loyalzoo charges $0.15 per customer monthly, capped at $99, and offers a 7-day free trial with no long-term commitment. User-Friendly Interface After exploring affordable pricing options, the focus shifts to the importance of a user-friendly interface in loyalty card software, especially for small businesses. A well-designed interface allows you to easily customize digital loyalty cards and manage customer interactions without extensive training. For instance, Loyally.ai and Square Loyalty integrate seamlessly with existing systems, enabling you to track rewards and view analytics effortlessly. Moreover, Smile.io offers an intuitive setup for e-commerce brands, allowing quick implementation of loyalty programs. Stamp Me simplifies customer activity monitoring through its straightforward digital stamp card system. Finally, platforms like Yotpo improve user experience with customizable loyalty levels, making navigation easy for both you and your customers, especially when exploring digital loyalty card free options. Deep Dive Into Loyally.Ai Loyally.ai stands out in the competitive environment of loyalty card software solutions, as it offers businesses customizable digital loyalty cards aimed to improve customer retention. This platform is particularly beneficial for salons looking for a salon loyalty app, as it improves customer engagement through flexible loyalty options. With a built-in CRM, Loyally.ai allows you to manage customer data effectively, enabling personalized marketing and automated notifications that keep customers informed. Their pricing ranges from $12 to $78 per month, making it accessible for various business sizes and budgets. Furthermore, Loyally.ai features location marketing tools that help you target customers based on their geographic area, driving foot traffic to your business. The automated referral sharing feature encourages users to promote your services through word-of-mouth marketing, further boosting customer acquisition and loyalty, making it an all-encompassing solution for any business aiming to improve customer relationships. Deep Dive Into Square Loyalty Square Loyalty offers a robust solution for businesses looking to improve customer retention through an integrated loyalty program. This software seamlessly integrates with Square’s point-of-sale (POS) system, allowing you to automatically track customer rewards and engagement without any additional setup. With monthly pricing starting at $25 per location, it remains an affordable option for small businesses enthusiastic to implement a loyalty program. Square Loyalty provides various reward types, such as points for purchases and discounts, giving you flexibility in incentivizing customer loyalty. You can likewise take advantage of a 30-day free trial, enabling you to test the software’s features and effectiveness before committing to a subscription. By leveraging automatic tracking of rewards and personalized engagement strategies, businesses using Square Loyalty can improve customer retention and cultivate lasting relationships with their clientele. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking effective free loyalty program software. Deep Dive Into Smile.Io In regards to enhancing customer loyalty, Smile.io stands out as a specialized platform customized for e-commerce brands. It integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento, allowing you to create personalized loyalty programs that boost customer retention. With Smile.io, you can reward customers for various actions, such as purchases, social sharing, and account creation, which encourages deeper engagement and loyalty. Users report experiencing a 2× higher purchase frequency and a 48% increase in customer lifetime value (CLV) thanks to its effective strategies. The platform offers a free plan with basic features, alongside paid options categorized as Starter, Growth, and Unlimited, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. Smile.io likewise enjoys a high customer satisfaction rating of 4.6+ on G2, with over 314 positive reviews, emphasizing its impact on driving customer loyalty through features like a virtual loyalty card. Loyalty Software Comparison When evaluating loyalty software solutions, it’s important to recognize the diverse features and capabilities available to enterprises. Different solutions offer various functionalities, including digital card integration, customer data management, and automated engagement tools. Pricing is another key factor; although some loyalty software can start as low as $12 per month for small businesses, custom pricing is common for larger enterprises. If you’re just starting out, consider platforms like Smile.io or Yotpo, which provide free loyalty card app options with limited features. This can be an excellent way to establish your loyalty program without a significant financial investment. Additionally, integration capabilities play an essential role in your selection process. Solutions like Talon.One and Annex Cloud offer robust API options for seamless connectivity with existing systems, ensuring that you can maximize the effectiveness of your loyalty initiatives. Always look for user-friendly setups and customizable branding to improve your return on investment. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Does Loyalty Card Software Typically Cost? Loyalty card software typically ranges from $20 to $500 per month, depending on features and scale. Basic plans offer crucial functionalities, whereas advanced options provide analytics, customer segmentation, and integration capabilities. Some providers charge a one-time setup fee, whereas others may include it in the monthly cost. You might likewise encounter transaction fees or additional charges for extra features, so it’s important to evaluate your business needs before making a decision. Can I Customize the Rewards Structure Easily? Yes, you can typically customize the rewards structure easily. Most loyalty card software allows you to set different reward tiers, points systems, or redemption options based on your business needs. You’ll usually find user-friendly interfaces that let you adjust these settings without extensive technical knowledge. Furthermore, many platforms offer templates or predefined structures that you can modify, ensuring flexibility as you align your rewards program with your marketing strategy and customer preferences. Is Customer Data Secure With These Solutions? In terms of customer data security, you should prioritize solutions that implement robust encryption methods and comply with industry standards, such as GDPR or CCPA. These solutions often utilize secure servers, regular security audits, and access controls to safeguard sensitive information. It’s crucial to review their privacy policies and data handling practices, ensuring they take necessary precautions to protect your customers’ data from breaches and unauthorized access. Always stay informed about their security measures. How Do I Integrate Loyalty Software With My Existing Systems? To integrate loyalty software with your existing systems, start by evaluating compatibility. Review APIs or connectors that facilitate communication between platforms. Next, consult your IT team to determine necessary adjustments or customizations. After that, conduct thorough testing to guarantee seamless operation. Finally, train your staff on the new system, making sure everyone understands how to utilize it effectively. This approach will help you leverage your loyalty program during the maintenance of your current infrastructure. What Kind of Customer Support Is Available for Users? When considering customer support options, you’ll typically find various resources available. Most systems offer online help centers and FAQs, allowing you to troubleshoot common issues. Many likewise provide email support, where you can submit inquiries and expect responses within a specified timeframe. Furthermore, some platforms include live chat services for real-time assistance. Phone support might be available, depending on your subscription level. Always check the specific support features offered by your chosen provider. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right loyalty card software can greatly improve your customer retention efforts. Each solution, from Loyally.ai’s customizable cards to Square Loyalty’s automated tracking, offers unique features suited to various business needs. By evaluating the key functionalities of each platform, you can find a loyalty program that aligns with your goals and boosts customer engagement. In the end, investing in a robust loyalty system can lead to increased sales and a more loyal customer base for your small business. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Top Loyalty Card Software Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

An Instagram calendar is a crucial tool for planning and scheduling your posts in advance. It helps you organize content around important dates and themes, ensuring you maintain a consistent posting routine. By strategically aligning your posts with your marketing goals, you can improve content quality and variety, which can lead to increased engagement rates. Comprehending how to effectively create and manage your calendar can greatly impact your brand’s success on the platform. Key Takeaways An Instagram calendar organizes content posting schedules, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment with marketing goals. It reduces last-minute posting stress, allowing for higher quality content creation and improved engagement. By incorporating diverse content types, it encourages interaction rates and broadens audience reach. Scheduling posts during peak engagement times maximizes visibility and interaction with followers. Regular review of analytics through the calendar helps refine strategies, enhancing overall performance and engagement. Understanding the Instagram Calendar When you start to develop an Instagram calendar, you create a structured approach to managing your content, ensuring that you post consistently and strategically. An Instagram calendar is crucial for outlining when and what to post, helping you maintain a regular schedule aligned with your marketing goals. By visualizing upcoming posts, you reduce last-minute content creation, which can lead to missed opportunities. You can categorize content types, ensuring a balanced mix of promotional, educational, and engaging posts. Additionally, using insights from analytics, you can determine peak engagement times, allowing you to schedule posts on Instagram effectively. This organized method not only aids in planning but also helps you track performance metrics, refining your strategy based on engagement data. Benefits of Using an Instagram Calendar Using an Instagram calendar offers numerous benefits that can greatly improve your social media strategy. It helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, keeping your followers engaged and boosting brand visibility. By planning posts around key events and themes, you can align content with marketing goals, improving campaign effectiveness. A content calendar likewise cuts down last-minute posting stress, allowing you to focus on creating high-quality content. Furthermore, it encourages a diverse mix of content types, leading to higher audience interaction. Regularly reviewing the calendar based on analytics helps identify successful strategies, optimizing engagement and follower growth. Benefit Description Impact Consistent Posting Maintains a regular schedule Increases engagement Strategic Planning Aligns content with marketing goals Improves effectiveness Diverse Content Types Encourages various formats like stories and posts Boosts interaction rates Key Components of an Effective Instagram Calendar An effective Instagram calendar contains several key components that secure your content strategy remains organized and targeted. First, establish a clearly defined posting schedule, ideally aiming for three to five feed posts per week to maintain audience engagement. Incorporate diverse content types, such as high-resolution images, reels, and user-generated content, to cater to varied preferences. Utilize insights from Instagram Analytics to strategically schedule posts during peak engagement times based on audience activity data. Outline key dates and themes in your calendar to plan around holidays and events that resonate with your target audience. Finally, regularly track performance metrics against your goals, allowing for continuous optimization of your content strategy to guarantee alignment with overall marketing objectives. Steps to Create Your Instagram Calendar Creating your Instagram calendar starts with a solid comprehension of your audience demographics and preferences, which you can gather using insights and analytics tools. Follow these steps to establish an effective calendar: Conduct an audit of your existing Instagram profile to evaluate post types, engagement levels, and overall performance. Outline specific goals for your Instagram presence, ensuring they align with your broader marketing objectives for focused content creation. Establish ideal posting times based on analytics data to maximize engagement and reach your audience when they’re most active. Utilize a content calendar tool to visually organize and plan your posts, allowing for a balanced mix of content types and the flexibility to schedule evergreen content. Implementing these steps will help you craft a strategic Instagram calendar. How an Instagram Calendar Enhances Engagement Using an Instagram calendar helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, which is essential for keeping your audience engaged. By planning targeted content around key dates and trends, you can better capture your followers’ interest and increase interactions. Moreover, leveraging audience engagement insights allows you to optimize your strategy, ensuring your posts reach followers when they’re most active. Consistent Posting Schedule Though maintaining a consistent posting schedule might seem like a simple task, it plays a crucial role in enhancing engagement on Instagram. Here’s how utilizing an Instagram calendar can help: Visibility: Regularly posting three to five times per week keeps your brand top-of-mind for your audience. Strategic Timing: Schedule posts during peak engagement times identified through analytics to maximize reach. Diverse Content: A balanced mix of promotional, educational, and entertaining content maintains audience interest and engagement. Continuous Improvement: Regularly update your calendar based on performance metrics, allowing you to adapt and optimize your strategy over time. Targeted Content Strategy A targeted content strategy is vital for enhancing engagement on Instagram, as it allows you to tailor your posts to the specific interests and preferences of your audience. An Instagram content calendar streamlines your planning process, helping you maintain a consistent posting schedule, which is critical for keeping followers engaged. By categorizing content types, you can guarantee a balanced mix of promotional, educational, and entertaining posts, leading to higher engagement rates. Scheduling posts during peak times identified through Instagram Insights maximizes your reach and interaction. Furthermore, a well-structured calendar enables you to plan around holidays and events, making certain your content remains timely and relevant. Regularly analyzing performance metrics further refines your strategy, aligning future posts with audience preferences. Audience Engagement Insights An Instagram content calendar serves as a potent tool for improving audience engagement by enabling strategic planning that aligns with follower interests and peak activity times. By using a calendar, you can: Schedule posts in advance, ensuring consistent posting frequency, which is essential for maintaining audience interest. Analyze audience behavior to tailor content types, like stories or reels, that resonate better with your followers. Allocate time for community interaction, nurturing connection and encouraging user-generated content. Regularly review performance metrics of scheduled posts, allowing for data-driven adjustments to boost engagement. Tools for Managing Your Instagram Calendar Managing your Instagram calendar effectively can greatly improve your social media strategy, especially when you utilize specialized tools designed for this purpose. Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer enable you to schedule posts in advance, ensuring consistent content delivery during peak activity times. They often include analytics features that offer insights on post performance, helping you refine your content strategies based on audience behavior. Kontentino streamlines collaboration among team members, allowing easy sharing of ideas as you keep your content calendar organized. Moreover, many tools provide hashtag suggestions and ideal posting time recommendations, enhancing your chances of reaching a broader audience. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Instagram Calendar? An Instagram calendar is a planning tool that helps you organize and schedule your posts in advance. It allows you to visualize upcoming content, ensuring you maintain consistency in your posting. By using this calendar, you can align your posts with marketing campaigns and key events, like holidays or product launches. This strategic approach not just streamlines your content creation but likewise improves collaboration among team members, improving overall quality and engagement. How Can I Increase Engagement on Instagram? To increase engagement on Instagram, focus on consistency by posting regularly. Analyze your audience’s peak activity times using Instagram Insights to schedule posts for maximum visibility. Diversify your content with formats like reels and stories to cater to different preferences. Engage actively with your followers by responding quickly to comments and messages. Finally, utilize analytics to refine your strategy based on performance data, adapting your content to meet your audience’s interests. Why Is a Design Calendar Crucial for Your Instagram Presence? A design calendar‘s essential for your Instagram presence since it helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule. By planning your content, you align with marketing goals and improve engagement. It streamlines your content creation, reducing last-minute rushes, and guarantees high-quality visuals. Incorporating various formats like reels and stories keeps your feed dynamic. Regular performance analysis of scheduled posts lets you refine strategies, guaranteeing continuous improvement in your engagement metrics over time. How to Make an Instagram Calendar? To create an Instagram calendar, start by defining your goals and objectives, ensuring they align with your overall marketing strategy. Next, analyze your audience using Instagram Insights to understand their preferences. Plan a mix of content types, including images, videos, and stories, and schedule posts during peak engagement times. Finally, regularly review your calendar’s performance metrics, adjusting your strategy based on engagement rates and follower growth to optimize your content effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, an Instagram calendar is a valuable tool for planning and scheduling your content effectively. By organizing posts around themes and key dates, you can guarantee consistency and relevance, which are essential for audience engagement. Implementing this strategy helps you maintain a steady flow of diverse content, eventually leading to higher interaction rates. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can improve your Instagram presence and connect more meaningfully with your followers. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is an Instagram Calendar and How Can It Boost Engagement?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

An Instagram calendar is a crucial tool for planning and scheduling your posts in advance. It helps you organize content around important dates and themes, ensuring you maintain a consistent posting routine. By strategically aligning your posts with your marketing goals, you can improve content quality and variety, which can lead to increased engagement rates. Comprehending how to effectively create and manage your calendar can greatly impact your brand’s success on the platform. Key Takeaways An Instagram calendar organizes content posting schedules, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment with marketing goals. It reduces last-minute posting stress, allowing for higher quality content creation and improved engagement. By incorporating diverse content types, it encourages interaction rates and broadens audience reach. Scheduling posts during peak engagement times maximizes visibility and interaction with followers. Regular review of analytics through the calendar helps refine strategies, enhancing overall performance and engagement. Understanding the Instagram Calendar When you start to develop an Instagram calendar, you create a structured approach to managing your content, ensuring that you post consistently and strategically. An Instagram calendar is crucial for outlining when and what to post, helping you maintain a regular schedule aligned with your marketing goals. By visualizing upcoming posts, you reduce last-minute content creation, which can lead to missed opportunities. You can categorize content types, ensuring a balanced mix of promotional, educational, and engaging posts. Additionally, using insights from analytics, you can determine peak engagement times, allowing you to schedule posts on Instagram effectively. This organized method not only aids in planning but also helps you track performance metrics, refining your strategy based on engagement data. Benefits of Using an Instagram Calendar Using an Instagram calendar offers numerous benefits that can greatly improve your social media strategy. It helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, keeping your followers engaged and boosting brand visibility. By planning posts around key events and themes, you can align content with marketing goals, improving campaign effectiveness. A content calendar likewise cuts down last-minute posting stress, allowing you to focus on creating high-quality content. Furthermore, it encourages a diverse mix of content types, leading to higher audience interaction. Regularly reviewing the calendar based on analytics helps identify successful strategies, optimizing engagement and follower growth. Benefit Description Impact Consistent Posting Maintains a regular schedule Increases engagement Strategic Planning Aligns content with marketing goals Improves effectiveness Diverse Content Types Encourages various formats like stories and posts Boosts interaction rates Key Components of an Effective Instagram Calendar An effective Instagram calendar contains several key components that secure your content strategy remains organized and targeted. First, establish a clearly defined posting schedule, ideally aiming for three to five feed posts per week to maintain audience engagement. Incorporate diverse content types, such as high-resolution images, reels, and user-generated content, to cater to varied preferences. Utilize insights from Instagram Analytics to strategically schedule posts during peak engagement times based on audience activity data. Outline key dates and themes in your calendar to plan around holidays and events that resonate with your target audience. Finally, regularly track performance metrics against your goals, allowing for continuous optimization of your content strategy to guarantee alignment with overall marketing objectives. Steps to Create Your Instagram Calendar Creating your Instagram calendar starts with a solid comprehension of your audience demographics and preferences, which you can gather using insights and analytics tools. Follow these steps to establish an effective calendar: Conduct an audit of your existing Instagram profile to evaluate post types, engagement levels, and overall performance. Outline specific goals for your Instagram presence, ensuring they align with your broader marketing objectives for focused content creation. Establish ideal posting times based on analytics data to maximize engagement and reach your audience when they’re most active. Utilize a content calendar tool to visually organize and plan your posts, allowing for a balanced mix of content types and the flexibility to schedule evergreen content. Implementing these steps will help you craft a strategic Instagram calendar. How an Instagram Calendar Enhances Engagement Using an Instagram calendar helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, which is essential for keeping your audience engaged. By planning targeted content around key dates and trends, you can better capture your followers’ interest and increase interactions. Moreover, leveraging audience engagement insights allows you to optimize your strategy, ensuring your posts reach followers when they’re most active. Consistent Posting Schedule Though maintaining a consistent posting schedule might seem like a simple task, it plays a crucial role in enhancing engagement on Instagram. Here’s how utilizing an Instagram calendar can help: Visibility: Regularly posting three to five times per week keeps your brand top-of-mind for your audience. Strategic Timing: Schedule posts during peak engagement times identified through analytics to maximize reach. Diverse Content: A balanced mix of promotional, educational, and entertaining content maintains audience interest and engagement. Continuous Improvement: Regularly update your calendar based on performance metrics, allowing you to adapt and optimize your strategy over time. Targeted Content Strategy A targeted content strategy is vital for enhancing engagement on Instagram, as it allows you to tailor your posts to the specific interests and preferences of your audience. An Instagram content calendar streamlines your planning process, helping you maintain a consistent posting schedule, which is critical for keeping followers engaged. By categorizing content types, you can guarantee a balanced mix of promotional, educational, and entertaining posts, leading to higher engagement rates. Scheduling posts during peak times identified through Instagram Insights maximizes your reach and interaction. Furthermore, a well-structured calendar enables you to plan around holidays and events, making certain your content remains timely and relevant. Regularly analyzing performance metrics further refines your strategy, aligning future posts with audience preferences. Audience Engagement Insights An Instagram content calendar serves as a potent tool for improving audience engagement by enabling strategic planning that aligns with follower interests and peak activity times. By using a calendar, you can: Schedule posts in advance, ensuring consistent posting frequency, which is essential for maintaining audience interest. Analyze audience behavior to tailor content types, like stories or reels, that resonate better with your followers. Allocate time for community interaction, nurturing connection and encouraging user-generated content. Regularly review performance metrics of scheduled posts, allowing for data-driven adjustments to boost engagement. Tools for Managing Your Instagram Calendar Managing your Instagram calendar effectively can greatly improve your social media strategy, especially when you utilize specialized tools designed for this purpose. Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer enable you to schedule posts in advance, ensuring consistent content delivery during peak activity times. They often include analytics features that offer insights on post performance, helping you refine your content strategies based on audience behavior. Kontentino streamlines collaboration among team members, allowing easy sharing of ideas as you keep your content calendar organized. Moreover, many tools provide hashtag suggestions and ideal posting time recommendations, enhancing your chances of reaching a broader audience. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Instagram Calendar? An Instagram calendar is a planning tool that helps you organize and schedule your posts in advance. It allows you to visualize upcoming content, ensuring you maintain consistency in your posting. By using this calendar, you can align your posts with marketing campaigns and key events, like holidays or product launches. This strategic approach not just streamlines your content creation but likewise improves collaboration among team members, improving overall quality and engagement. How Can I Increase Engagement on Instagram? To increase engagement on Instagram, focus on consistency by posting regularly. Analyze your audience’s peak activity times using Instagram Insights to schedule posts for maximum visibility. Diversify your content with formats like reels and stories to cater to different preferences. Engage actively with your followers by responding quickly to comments and messages. Finally, utilize analytics to refine your strategy based on performance data, adapting your content to meet your audience’s interests. Why Is a Design Calendar Crucial for Your Instagram Presence? A design calendar‘s essential for your Instagram presence since it helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule. By planning your content, you align with marketing goals and improve engagement. It streamlines your content creation, reducing last-minute rushes, and guarantees high-quality visuals. Incorporating various formats like reels and stories keeps your feed dynamic. Regular performance analysis of scheduled posts lets you refine strategies, guaranteeing continuous improvement in your engagement metrics over time. How to Make an Instagram Calendar? To create an Instagram calendar, start by defining your goals and objectives, ensuring they align with your overall marketing strategy. Next, analyze your audience using Instagram Insights to understand their preferences. Plan a mix of content types, including images, videos, and stories, and schedule posts during peak engagement times. Finally, regularly review your calendar’s performance metrics, adjusting your strategy based on engagement rates and follower growth to optimize your content effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, an Instagram calendar is a valuable tool for planning and scheduling your content effectively. By organizing posts around themes and key dates, you can guarantee consistency and relevance, which are essential for audience engagement. Implementing this strategy helps you maintain a steady flow of diverse content, eventually leading to higher interaction rates. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can improve your Instagram presence and connect more meaningfully with your followers. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is an Instagram Calendar and How Can It Boost Engagement?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

With a historically bad winter storm expected to bring snow, ice, and sub-zero wind chills to many parts of the United States this weekend, it's a good time to make sure you're prepared for a potentially life-threatening disaster. While winter storms are generally less deadly than hurricanes and heat waves, they can be extremely dangerous, particularly when extremely cold, wind, and ice storms cause power outages. But with a little preparation and common sense, you should be all right when it gets extra snowy and cold. Here are some tips and instructions for blizzard and winter storm survival. Who is the winter storm likely to affect? Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The map above, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Prediction Center shows the predicted course of the storm through Jan. 26. You can click the link to dig into predicted snow amounts, ice accumulation, and more, but the overall picture is a huge storm that is likely to affect more than 172 million people in the U.S. and bring record low temperatures. If you're anywhere in the affected area, take time to plan for a potential snow-and-cold disaster before it happens. Make a blizzard emergency kit For a winter storm, you want to prepare for a few cold days without power. You should have a basic survival bag tucked away in an easy-to-access spot in your house for any disaster. According to the government, a boilerplate emergency kit will contain: Water and non-perishable food for several days Extra cell phone battery or charger Battery-powered or hand crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Whistle to signal for help Dust mask to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation Non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Can opener (if your kit contains canned food) Local maps Extra clothing and blankets (although I bet you already know where these are in your home) For winter storm saftey, I'd add a carbon monoxide detector, just to be as safe as possible when shut up inside your house. Here’s a handy shopping list you can take to the supermarket, complete with “extra credit” items like prescriptions medicine and games to keep you busy. Stay homeIf you only follow one rule for blizzard survival, make it this one: Do not be outside during a winter storm. If you’re home, you probably won’t be snowbound for more than a week (and even that is unlikely), and you’ll be much warmer than if you were outside. If you are home during a blizzard or winter storm (and you should be) take the following steps: Stay inside. Don’t forget your pets. Bring them inside, too. Be able to access multiple sources of information about the weather, from the internet, to television, to radio, and make sure you can get updates even if the power goes out. If you have electric heat, crank it up as the storm approaches in case you lose power. Stay in a small, insulated area: To conserve heat, stay in one room as much as possible. Stuff towels and rags under doors to conserve heat. Be careful with alternative heaters like kerosene. They can start a fire, and if not properly ventilated, you can die from carbon monoxide poisoning. Wear layers of light clothing. Cover windows at night but uncover them during day to catch any heat from sunlight. Save batteries: Use your phone to check in on friends, family and neighbors by or to call authorities only. Know the difference between “advisories,” “watches,” and “warnings”As cold weather approaches, you may hear difference kinds of buzzwords for approaching storms on your NOAA weather radio and from other sources. Here’s a crash course on the relevant winter weather warnings from the National Weather Service, and what they mean, with the most severe listed first. WarningsA warning indicates an 80% or greater probability of conditions that pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible. In other words: “This storm is serious business.” Blizzard Warning: A blizzard warning means that the following conditions are occurring or expected within the next 12 to 18 hours: Snow and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less for three hours or longer, and sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater. Winter Storm Warning: A winter storm warning is issued when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent. That means five inches or more of snow/sleet within a 12-hour period or seven inches or more of snow/sleet within a 24-hour period, and/or enough ice accumulation to cause damage to trees or power lines. It also can mean a life-threatening or damaging combination of snow and/or ice accumulation with wind. WatchesWatches are intended to provide enough lead time so you can make plans to stay safe. They are usually issued a day or so before the predicted event when there’s a greater than 50% chance of it happening. Winter Storm Watch: A winter storm watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. This doesn’t mean that significant and hazardous winter weather will occur—it only means it is possible. Blizzard Watch: This means conditions are favorable for a blizzard event—low visibility with winds of at least 35 mph. AdvisoriesWinter storm advisories indicate that less serious (but still concerning) weather conditions are possible. Remember, though, a storm can change from one condition to another, so keep checking back. Go to the National Weather Service’s site for more in-depth weather-warning information. What to do if you are caught in your car during a blizzard or snowstormBeing trapped in your car during a snow-mergency is bad, but not necessarily deadly. Here’s a detailed trapped-in-your-car survival guide, but here are the main points: Don’t panic: As survival scenarios go, being trapped in a car in a snowstorm is not that bad. It definitely beats being trapped in a snowstorm without a car. Make sure your tailpipe is not clogged: When you first realize you are trapped, check the exhaust pipe to make sure it’s clear. You don’t want to die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Indicate you are in distress to the outside world: Call 911 if you can. Tie a brightly colored cloth or ribbon to your antenna or door. If the snow stops, raise your hood. Stay in your vehicle: A car is an excellent survival shelter—a guy in Sweden survived in his car for two months, and he didn’t even seem to have had food or water. It is a bad idea to go walking around in a blizzard. You will get lost, cold, wet, and maybe even hit by another driver. Bundle up: Wear as many layers as you can with the extra clothing you packed. Create as small a space as possible: If you have blankets or jackets, create a little “fort” for yourself. A smaller space is easier to heat. You could try lining the windows with newspaper or those discarded fast food bags you never cleaned up. Run your car for 10 minutes an hour: Experts recommend starting your car and running the heater, hazard lights, and dome light for about 10 minutes per hour. Roll down the window a crack while the engine is running to avoid the possibility of inhaling carbon monoxide. Other than cold, carbon monoxide is your biggest danger. Don’t play on your phone: I know it’s boring to sit in the car for so long, but only use your cell to call emergency numbers. Don’t be surprised if the authorities tell you to “sit tight,” though. If you run out of water, drink melted snow: You can get a little moisture into your body by drinking melted snow. What to do if you are caught outside during a blizzardSo you didn’t listen when I said to stay home, huh? Now you’re stumbling blindly through a snowstorm and freezing to death. I won’t sugar coat it: things are bad for you, and your survival depends on the severity of the storm. But here’s what to do: Find shelter: Get out of the wind and snow. Don’t try to make it home or wherever else you’re going if there’s somewhere safe you can wait things out. Cover up your exposed flesh: I imagine this would occur to you anyway, but just in case it doesn’t, cover up as much as possible to stay warm and avoid frostbite. Build a shelter: The National Weather Service recommends the following if you can’t find a shelter: “Build a lean-to, windbreak, or snow cave for protection from the wind. Build a fire for heat and to attract attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat.” I think they’re being very optimistic. During a serious blizzard, like Minnesota’s “Children’s Blizzard” of 1888, people died yards from their houses because they got disoriented and snow-blind, so you’re probably not going to have time to build an igloo or whatever in a real blizzard. But learn wilderness survival tactics if you are likely to be at risk. Melt snow for water: Melting snow for water is OK, but don’t eat it frozen—that will lower your body temperature. View the full article