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If you’re looking to manage a project and facilitate better collaboration with your teams, chances are you’ve heard of and are thinking of trying Microsoft Project and Microsoft Planner. To help with that decision, we’ve set up a comparison with Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner. May the best app win. The stats when comparing Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner tell us that the former is a robust project management tool and the latter is more of a stripped-down version. MS Project integrates with MS products such as Office and has financial management tools and Gantt charts. However, it doesn’t have a mobile app and is expensive and complicated to use. Microsoft Planner also integrates with MS products and has kanban boards and other project views. It’s bundled in the business edition of Microsoft 365 and is good for single projects. However, it’s weak on integrations with competitor apps and is feature-light compared to Microsoft Projects. In the battle of Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner, the winner is an outsider: ProjectManager. This cloud-based tool can deliver the pros of both apps without the cons. It’s a great collaborative platform, with multiple project views, resource management and more, all delivered with real-time data. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart does more than either, linking all four task dependencies, filtering for the critical path and setting baselines to track project variance. They also have a mobile app, which Microsoft Project doesn’t, and you can seamlessly import and export Microsoft Project files. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Construction-Gantt-Costs-Resources-CTA-BUTTON-2.jpgLearn more Microsoft Planner vs. Project: Why Should You Choose MS Project? We’re getting ahead of ourselves. There are reasons to prefer ProjectManager in a Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner battle, but let’s provide some context first. To start, we’ll take a closer look at Microsoft Project, which is the big project management software in the room and deserves a fair shake. /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/microsoft.png What Is Microsoft Project? Microsoft Project is a project management software that has a suite of tools that are used by project managers to work more efficiently when managing projects and portfolios. It’s used in industries such as construction, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, government, retail, financial services and health care. Microsoft Project Pricing Planner Plan 1: $10.00 user/month, billed annually Planner and Project Plan 3: $30.00 user/month, billed annually Planner and Project Plan 5: $55.00 user/month, billed annually Project Standard 2024: $679.99, one-time license purchase Project Professional 2024: $1129.99, one-time license purchase Microsoft Project Reviews G2 review: 4 / 5 Capterra review: 4.4 / 5 Highlighted Positive User Reviews “The most helpful aspect of Microsoft Project & Portfolio Management (PPM) is its comprehensive project management capabilities, enabling organizations to efficiently plan, track, and manage projects from start to finish.” Tushar K – From Capterra “I really like the tie-in with every other Microsoft product we use in the office. It’s been very easy to collaborate with the other people on my team and keep everyone on track.” Jeb B – From Capterra “Most project managers across industries understand reports/project plans generated from MS Project, whether or not they have used the software before.” Alex N – From G2 Highlighted Negative User Reviews “The UI may look a bit complex to new users and the learning curve is steep as well. Also it is pricey if you are a small business.” Aviral G – from Capterra “There is a learning curve—especially for new users. It’s not as intuitive as some newer project management tools, and setting up complex projects can take some time.” Alicia B – From Capterra “The software is sophisticated and tough to master, with a steep learning curve, in my opinion. Others have pointed out restrictions in customizing possibilities and integration with other products.” Aamir A – from G2 What Is Microsoft Project Used For? Microsoft Project is used to help set realistic goals for project teams. It does this by creating project schedules, distributing resources and managing budgets. Microsoft Project users can create projects, track tasks, generate reports to monitor progress and manage resources and costs. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/microsoft-project-gantt-chart.webp Who Uses MS Project? As we’ve noted above, Microsoft Project is used across several industries. Anyone who’s tasked with delivering a project will find this software useful. Some companies that have used or are using Microsoft Project include Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin and Harris Corporation, all in the aerospace and defense sector. Deutsche Bahn, which is in the rail, bus, commuter and taxi sectors and many others. Notably, MS Project isn’t the choice of Mac users as it doesn’t work on Apple computers. Microsoft Project Key Features Microsoft Project has many use cases and it tends to be used by businesses that are managing one or many larger, more complex projects. Here are some key features that help with enterprise project management: Project and portfolio management tools such as Gantt charts Task and resource management tools such as roadmaps and resource allocation Collaboration and reporting tools that integrate with other MS products Related: Microsoft Project Online: Pros, Cons and Best Alternatives Microsoft Planner vs. Project: How Is Microsoft Project Better Than Planner? Now that we have the stats down, it’s time for Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner to get in the ring and see who comes out on top. When the bell rings, it looks as if Microsoft Project has a big advantage over Microsoft Planner. It’s more comprehensive and built to manage more complex projects with more complex tools that use time-phased scheduling for medium to large-sized teams. Microsoft Project creates more detailed project outlines and comprehensive project planning, with task structuring and timeline. It also consolidates project scheduling, resource allocation and budget management. Microsoft Planner vs. Project: How Is Microsoft Project Worse Than Planner? Microsoft Project is on the ropes when it comes to ease of use. Planner is far easier to use and is a superior tool for team planning when working with less complicated projects. It has fewer features, but that makes it more user-friendly, especially if you’re working on a project that doesn’t need those advanced features. Therefore, Microsoft Planner is going to be the choice for small teams and agile projects that prefer a lightweight and user-friendly tool that’s more focused on task management exclusively. Related: Best Microsoft Project Alternatives Microsoft Planner vs. Project: Why Should You Choose MS Planner? In the bout of Microsoft Project vs. Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project has come out strong and looks dominant. It’s more powerful, has more features and is the preferred project management software for very established companies that run big projects. But Microsoft Planner isn’t down for the count. There are many reasons why Microsoft Planner is the champion in this bout. But don’t take our word for it. Let’s look at what makes Microsoft Planner so good. /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Microsoft-Planner-logo.webp What Is Microsoft Planner? Microsoft Planner is a lightweight, mobile and cloud-based tool that’s included with some subscriptions to Office 365. Unlike Microsoft Project, Microsoft Planner can be used as a personal task management app. In fact, its main focus is task management, which is an integral part of project management and is an ideal tool for simple projects being managed by smaller teams. It’s a collaboration tool that can create plans and assign tasks. Microsoft Planner Pricing Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6.00 user/month, billed annually Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 user/month, billed annually Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00 user/month, billed annually Microsoft 365 Apps for business: $8.25 user/month, billed annually Microsoft Planner Reviews G2 review: 4.2 / 5 Capterra review: 4.3 / 5 Highlighted Positive User Reviews “Overall I really enjoy it. It is not as robust as Project of course, but for day to day projects and task assignment it is perfect.” Karen L – From Capterra “Overall this is an easy to use project planning tool with good integration with other Microsoft products including Microsoft To Do and email.” Kate M – From Capterra “Microsoft Planner makes task organization a breeze and effortless. The ability to create tasks, assign them to members, set deadlines and prioritize them all in one platform is a boon.” Naif H – From G2 Highlighted Negative User Reviews “Microsoft Planner serves as a rudimentary tool for project management, best suited for simple tasks. It falls short in providing the necessary tools for managing larger or more complex projects.” Michael D – From Capterra “Really more of a planning or task management tool than a full project management tool, as it does not include time or risk management nor does it have a dashboard to view multiple projects at the same time.” Samuel S – From Capterra “It doesn’t allow you to tag people in a comment, multiple coworkers have missed the updates on different tasks.” Deisy S – from G2 What Is Microsoft Planner Used For? Microsoft Planner is an app that helps teams create plans, assign tasks, chat about those tasks and track progress on their work. It’s used to give project team members better tools to manage their tasks, facilitate teamwork and give managers visibility into that work. It’s used by teams to collaborate on a visual interface that helps them organize their work and enables each team member to manage their tasks while fostering collaboration with the whole team. It’s used for lightweight projects. While it sounds like a project management tool, it’s more of a task management app that helps with projects through work management and team collaboration. Along these lines, it shows the tasks that are behind schedule, prioritizes tasks and shows how many tasks each team member has to complete and if they’re over-allocated. Therefore, it’s used for simple task management and can help with project management through time management. /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/microsoft-planner-screenshot.png Who Uses Microsoft Planner? Microsoft Planner is part of the suite of Microsoft tools for project managers and their teams. Therefore, one group of users are certainly project management professionals who want to add to their project management software by incorporating an app that helps them with task management and collaboration. It’s meant to be used by a group, however, because of the lightweight quality of the app, it’s also popular with the general public who wants help with managing their personal work. For example, it could be used by a family that wants to coordinate tasks among its members or if someone is planning a small event. Microsoft Planner Key Features There are many features that Microsoft Planner has to help project managers and their teams with task management and collaboration. Here are the main features: Visual status chart Kanban-style boards To-do lists Preview pictures to quickly identify tasks Calendar that can be used to schedule events Meeting notes that are great for collaboration Microsoft 365 integration as well as the full Office suite of products as well as Microsoft SharePoint for documents Related: How to Make a Gantt Chart with Microsoft Planner Data Microsoft Planner vs. Project: How Is Microsoft Planner Better Than Project? Microsoft Planner is better than Microsoft Project if you’re looking for a simpler, easier-to-use tool. It has kanban boards that can be quickly created, which has content-rich task cards and is more appropriate for ad-hoc teams. It excels at team collaboration and is simple to use, unlike Microsoft Project. Planner is preferred by smaller teams working on less complicated projects. Microsoft Planner vs. Project: How Is Microsoft Planner Worse Than Project? Microsoft Project is the preferred tool for larger teams who are working on longer, more complicated projects. Planner doesn’t offer a grid or timeline view. You can’t link dependent tasks, which can cause delays, and there’s no roadmap for managing multiple projects, such as programs and portfolios. Microsoft Planner also lacks advanced project management features, such as baselines, critical path, resource and risk management. Fortunately, there are a number of Planner alternatives, besides just Microsoft Project, to choose from for managing your work. Microsoft Planner vs. Project: Pricing Comparison Finally, let’s look at the bottom line: cost. More often than not, the price of subscribing to the app is going to be the determining factor in one’s decision-making. There are several plans offered by Microsoft 365, which features MS Planner. They are listed below. Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 user/month with an annual commitment Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 user/month with an annual commitment Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22 user/month with an annual commitment Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: $8.25 user/month with an annual commitment What does it cost to use Microsoft Project? Below are the three tiers of subscription. Project Plan 1: $10 user/month Project Plan 3: $30 user/month Business Plan: $55 user/month ProjectManager Is Better Than Microsoft Project and Planner If you’re thinking that it’d be great to have one software product that combined the advanced project management features of Microsoft Project with the more agile task management and collaborative tools of Microsoft Planner, good news: there is. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software that’s flexible enough for teams of any size who are working on projects big or small. Our software has features for portfolio management, risk management and is also a collaboration tool that makes it easy for teams working anywhere to work better together. You’ll find all the project management tools available on both Microsoft Project and Microsoft Planner, but they’re more accessible, less expensive and easier to use. Plus, we have a mobile app for Android and iOS so you can take the tool anywhere. Work With Better Resource Management Features Microsoft Planner has no resource management features and Microsoft Project has some, but it isn’t available for Mac users and is complicated and expensive for everyone else. Our resource management tools allow you to set the availability of your team, including vacation, PTO and global holidays, which makes it easier to assign tasks. Our color-coded workload chart allows you to see who is overallocated and then lets you reallocate resources right from that chart to quickly balance the workload so everyone is working at capacity. You can manage human and nonhuman resources on our Gantt chart, which by the way links all four task dependencies, filters for the critical path and can set a baseline to track project variance in real time. We also have secure timesheets to streamline payroll and manage labor costs. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tab-workload-1.jpg Track Progress With Real-Time Project Tracking and Reporting Once you’ve set a baseline for your project plan on the Gantt chart, you can monitor your progress and performance across our tool. You can get a high-level overview of the project with our real-time dashboard or portfolio dashboard, both of which automatically collect live project data and display it on easy-to-read graphs and charts. There you can see everything from time to tasks, costs to workload and more. Unlike Microsoft Planner and Project, there’s no complicated and lengthy setup required. It’s ready when you are. If you want more detail, use our customizable reporting features. You can quickly generate status and portfolio reports as well as reports on variance, timesheets, workload and more. Each report can be filtered to show only the data you want to see and then shared across multiple formats to keep stakeholders informed. /wp-content/uploads/2023/11/tab-dashboards.png In addition to these robust project management features, ProjecManager allows users to easily import Microsoft Project Plan files (MPP files), Excel files and CSV files so they can seamlessly switch from Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project. Related Microsoft Content If you’re still not convinced that ProjectManager puts both Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project to shame, then look over these related pieces that we’ve published on everything from Microsoft Project alternatives to Microsoft Project for Mac. These are just a few of the weekly blogs, tutorial videos and free templates you’ll find on our website, an online hub for everything related to project management and the industries that use it. Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: In-Depth Software Comparison ProjectManager vs Microsoft Project: Full Breakdown Best Microsoft Project Alternatives Best Microsoft Planner Alternatives Microsoft Project Viewer – How to View & Edit MPP Files Online MPP File Extension: What Is It & How to Open It Microsoft Project for Mac: How to Run MS Project Files on Your Mac How to Use Microsoft Project ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, out in the field or anywhere in between. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Microsoft Planner vs. Project: In-Depth Software Comparison appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

The "Sell America" trade that gripped markets this month has left a potentially lasting dent in investors' willingness to hold the US government's longest-maturity debt, a mainstay of its deficit-financing toolkit. View the full article

Many articles detail the top-level costs of SEO. While the fee you will pay an SEO consultant or agency is part of the cost to do SEO, getting results also requires a contribution in time and effort from the business. This article will look beyond the surface at the full spectrum of costs associated with doing SEO well, enabling you to approach 2025 well-prepared for SEO success. SEO costs: The basics If you are just looking for a straightforward overview of SEO costs, several studies have answered the question. Exact costs vary depending on factors such as business size, goals, industry, geographical location, and the overall complexity of the project, but as an average in 2025, we have: Hourly rates between $75 and $100. Project-based fees from $2,501 to $5,000. Monthly retainers ranging from $500 to $1,500. Local SEO ranges from $250 upwards, depending on competition and total locations. While some of these figures may seem high, most businesses are small, and their SEO costs are much lower. In the U.S., small businesses typically spend $500 or less per month on SEO, while in the UK, the average monthly spend is around £500. The problem with generic SEO costs Unfortunately, there is a problem with this pricing model as it relates to SEO. Improving your SEO is a more involved and complicated process than buying traffic. Generic, top-level figures assume that SEO is an entirely hands-off process. You pay a consultant or agency $$$ per month, and they wave their magic SEO wand and shout “Optimizara” and – Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! – you appear magically at the top of the search rankings. Unsurprisingly, that is not how things work in the real world, and effective SEO requires a synergy between the business and the SEO consultant. In 2025, SEO is hyper-competitive. Competition comes from search ads, AI Overviews, brands, and more aggressive and advanced competitors. SEO for 2025 should focus on improving visibility across these SERP features. Succeeding in this landscape requires sage SEO guidance, a strong SEO strategy, a clear SEO plan, and lots of hard work! You have to aim at what Google is aiming at. Fortunately, Google’s philosophy for SEO is articulated by E-E-A-T. The content Google wants to surface is based on experience and expertise from trusted authority figures in your industry. Your SEO is unlikely to be that authority in your business, so rather than someone who does it all for you, your SEO should be a guide who analyzes the current SEO situation and provides you with a map to better results. Your SEO should be a kind of SEO Obi-Wan Kenobi – a wise sage who will tutor you in the ways of the SEO force and guide you forward. Instead of viewing SEO as a one-time service you pay for and complete, it’s better to think of it within the framework of the 3Ms model: manpower, money, and minutes. Manpower is the time you provide. Money is how you pay for guidance and advice. Minutes is how long it will take to get results (a key SEO consideration). This will allow you to develop a more holistic and comprehensive idea of how much SEO will cost to develop results. Is SEO the right choice for now? On that note, you must consider whether SEO is the right fit for your immediate needs. SEO is powerful, but it often takes time, so if you need new business today, you may need to have an SEO or PPC conversation first. The key here is to consider your goals, often using a system like SEO SMART goals. Then, determine if SEO’s realities align with your overall marketing requirements. If you decide to integrate SEO into your broader marketing approach, be mindful of tracking your progress with KPIs. Dig deeper: When your business doesn’t need SEO The SEO outsourcing trap One final word of warning. SEO is not the same as PPC. Google wants to show the best sites at the top of the search engine. You can’t just pay to play with SEO. This thinking can cause you to fall into an SEO outsourcing trap. This is where you constantly seek the agency that knows the secret to SEO and will be able to succeed where many others have failed before them. Remember, no agency has a special relationship with Google, and there is no secret trick to get to the top of Google (for long, at least). Strategize. Plan. Do the work. The real costs of SEO Let’s dig a little deeper and look at how to understand the true costs of doing SEO well. SEO is not as simple as Google Ads. It is not a direct pay-to-win model or as straightforward as paying an agency and getting guaranteed results. Investing in organic search requires: Analysis. Insight. Strategy. Expert guidance. Tactical support. Technical updates. Creative effort. It works best when the SEO and the business work closely together, where the SEO often plays the role of researcher, strategist, and project manager to pull everything together. If I haven’t scared you off yet – and if you really want to improve your SEO, which you really should – then you must go into this with your eyes open and expect it to be difficult. You will need to sacrifice time and money on the altar of SEO success, but if your sacrifice is worthy, there will be a pile of gold at the end. Remember, the smartest SEO happens at the intersection of your business knowledge and the agency’s SEO expertise. Working together, you can achieve results far beyond what either could accomplish alone. At its heart, this is multi-format content marketing and SEO integrated and working together. Caveats aside, let’s break this down into a more comprehensive set of SEO costs: 1. SEO outsourcing costs Your first SEO cost is for professional advice from a credible, experienced expert. As detailed above, this will cost you anywhere from $100 per hour upwards, depending on competition, complexity, and scope. Be mindful that there are many types of SEO companies, all of which offer a range of services from analysis and strategy to technical SEO and content creation. As such, educate yourself on your situation and likely requirements. Be prepared to do an initial piece of work to: Understand your marketplace. Assess your current SEO situation. Develop a plan with clear timelines. Before you dive in, it’s crucial to become an educated buyer and understand the difference between SEO goals, strategy, and planning. With a solid plan in place, you can then determine who will handle what responsibilities on both the client and agency sides. The plan is crucial – don’t skip this step. Although it may seem like extra work, planning saves time and money while improving results. Choose wisely and plan effectively. This step determines whether you succeed or face slow, gradual, painful failure. 2. SEO internal resources costs As a business, there are many ways you can inform and assist the agency in developing your SEO, including: The marketing big picture: The agency needs to understand the overall marketing strategy and approach and where SEO fits into that bigger picture. Defining goals and objectives: Goals and objectives must be clear for the overall marketing and SEO within that larger framework. Content creation and approval: The agency may help, but often, this will depend upon specific industry knowledge that the business may need to provide. In many cases, the content may need to come from authentic individuals within the company to hit those E-E-A-T targets. Website support: Not all agencies provide website support, and many websites are complicated and require developer support to optimize the website design and SEO fully. Your website remains crucial and must be carefully planned to maximize SEO success. Reporting and feedback: SEO is often judged on several KPIs, but it can be helpful to close the loop here and reconcile conversions to actual leads and sales. This will help the agency understand the real-world impact rather than just the metrics and improve results. Training: Where the business will perform some of the more day-to-day SEO tasks, time may be assigned for training sessions. Day-to-day SEO tasks: Where the business is undertaking website updates or content creation, there are some SEO tasks here (all of which should be covered in the SEO training). Regular communication and meetings: SEO is an iterative process, and healthy engagement on the client side only helps ensure that opportunities are grasped and the SEO stays oriented toward the goal. Regular catch-ups, reviews, and communication help ensure hurdles are overcome and progress is consistent. This all takes time, but will improve results and keep you on track. The specifics here will always vary depending on the business and that all-important SEO plan. The key takeaway is that the best results will come when the business and agency work together toward agreed goals. Dig deeper: Where should you spend your SEO budget? 3. The cost of not doing SEO Not doing SEO also carries costs and impacts on the business. Reduced visibility: If your customers search, not being organically visible will lead to less visibility and fewer visitors. Reduced local or brand awareness: If customers can’t find you, this impacts direct business, referrals and recommendations. Credibility: There is a trust associated with organic rankings, and if you rely solely on ads or other means, then this will impact credibility and conversions. Impact on other channels: Should a prospect find you from other marketing, they may still search for you unless you consider how your business is presented in search results. Then, you could lose business for all the wrong reasons. Losing out to competitors: Each job you don’t win is what your competitors do. By not having a solid organic presence, you are slowly losing ground that will be harder to reclaim. Higher advertising costs: Organic, when well-established, tend to have higher engagement and lower costs for generating leads and sales than other channels. This pushes you to rely on more expensive channels and again seeds a competitive advantage to your competitors who are winning more work at lower costs. Ultimately, if your customers use search engines and you don’t do SEO, you are almost certainly losing out and handing opportunities to your competitors. 4. The cost of doing SEO badly There is the old saying that if you think it is expensive to use an expert, wait until you see how expensive it is to do the job cheaply with an amateur. That is SEO in a nutshell. There are SEO experts on Fiverr. There is always someone who will do the job for less. Many low-rent SEO tools and companies will make wondrous promises but deliver very little. The SEO AI tools are the latest addition of big promises and offer to pump out content daily to boost your SEO, but they will do little to help and could cost you dearly. Doing SEO badly will, at best, cost you time and money. Worse still, in the helpful content world, doing SEO badly could hurt your site’s ability to rank in the future. The key is to use a credible, experienced expert and to put a plan together. Don’t scrimp on SEO today; it is too expensive in the long run! 5. Costs for SEO software and tools Another SEO cost is the many tools available that aim to help you rank. These tools range from around $50 to $100 monthly for a single site. These tools certainly have their uses from a monitoring perspective, and they can also provide suggestions regarding tasks that may improve your SEO. The main problem with these tools is that they have to make recommendations, many of which will do nothing to improve your SEO whilst eating up a lot of your time. John Mueller addressed the output of SEO tools in a recent Reddit SEO thread. “Any SEO tool will spit out 10s or 100s of ‘recommendations,’ most of those are going to be irrelevant to your site’s visibility in search. Finding the items that make sense to work on takes to experience.” That is our experience, and whilst SEO tools can be helpful, they require an experienced eye to separate the wheat from the chaff. My take on whether you should use SEO tools is that it depends on your experience. If you are a novice SEO trying to use the tool to steer your efforts, you will likely eat up many hours, days and weeks following the advice of a tool that will do nothing to help your SEO. The real cost of SEO tools for most novice users is simply the lost time (which is the most precious resource of all). 6. Time to results An important note with SEO vs. other paid tactics is that it can take a while to benefit from improved visibility and traffic. Over time, you can often reduce SEO spend while seeing results stabilize and keep improving, but be prepared for the long game and don’t give up before you capture the hill! In the early stages, SEO often involves marketing spend aimed at progress toward a goal, but with little immediate tangible business result, so keep this in mind. Dig deeper: What percentage of your budget should go toward SEO? Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. SEO planning and accurate SEO costs The key to getting accurate SEO costs is to work on an SEO plan. The specifics here will vary, but at a high level, you will need to determine your: Situation: Where are you now? Objectives: Where do you want to get to? Strategy: What is the overarching strategy? Why should Google rank you? Tactics: What are the specifics of your approach? Action plan: Who will do what and when? Measurements: How will you measure progress and results? Once you understand all of the financial costs and internal resources and how long it will take to start seeing actual traffic, you can decide how to proceed. There is a wonderful little book called “The Art of War” by the military strategist Sun Tzu, written around 500 BCE. Much can be mined from this book for business and marketing strategy, and the following statement seems particularly apt for SEO: “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” A lot of SEO is tactics without strategy, citations, links, blog posts, etc. This never goes anywhere. Strategy is only useful if it is acted on through tactics. You need a well-researched and documented plan to understand the costs and timescales. Remember, professionals have plans; with modern SEO, this is the difference between success and failure. How much should you spend on SEO? This is a trickier question and depends on your business and situation. Small businesses should generally spend between 7% and 12% of their gross revenue on marketing. How much of that should be spent on SEO depends on: Your current rankings. How vital SEO is as a channel for customer acquisition. And myriad other factors. If you believe that 50% of customers will search and find you, investing 50% of your marketing budget on organic search and SEO may make sense. Or you could spend 25% on paid search and 25% on organic (depending on your short vs. long-term goals). It is impossible to answer this question without considering your current situation, so I recommend enlisting the help of an expert to help you develop a plan and move forward. The real cost of SEO My aim here is to give you a broader overview of everything required to do SEO well in 2025 and beyond. If you approach this thinking that you can get everything you need by spending just $500 a month, you will never compete with businesses that also invest their time and effort into building a long-term plan and vision for SEO. Even for smaller businesses and local firms, where the agency can handle most of the work, you will achieve far better results by collaborating closely on content. The win happens at the intersection of the business’s customer knowledge and the SEO’s knowledge of search. If you’ve read this far, take solace in the fact that most won’t – and likewise, most won’t put in the requisite effort to get real results. Most companies will either do the job badly or not at all. By being one of the few willing to put in the work to do it properly, you are already well ahead of the pack. Find an expert to guide you, work diligently to build a plan, and aim squarely at being the best — and letting the world know about it. This approach will embed SEO into your business in a way competitors can neither easily copy nor compete with. Good luck! Dig deeper: How to create and manage an SEO budget View the full article

Pivotal incentives, like cost segregation studies and energy credits, can revolutionize accounting firm service models. The Concierge CPA With Jackie Meyer For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

Pivotal incentives, like cost segregation studies and energy credits, can revolutionize accounting firm service models. The Concierge CPA With Jackie Meyer For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

We’ve all been there: the windowless conference room, the stale coffee, the flip charts, the obligatory icebreaker, followed by hours of sticky notes and talk of disruption that feels, ironically, deeply uninspired. This is the traditional corporate offsite: a manufactured attempt at connection and creativity staged inside four beige walls. But here’s the truth that most leaders won’t say out loud: If your strategy session could’ve been an email, your offsite isn’t working. In a world demanding fresh thinking, deep alignment, and courageous reinvention, we don’t need more sticky notes; we need more perspective, pause, and place. It’s time to rethink the offsite. It is not a retreat from work, but a return to what makes work matter. The traditional offsite is designed for control: a fixed agenda, predictable outputs, and highly curated team-building exercises. But innovation is inherently unpredictable. Creativity doesn’t follow a schedule, and a breakthrough doesn’t happen when people feel boxed in—literally or figuratively. A recent Steelcase study found that only 13% of employees strongly agree that their workplace helps them be creative. Imagine taking that same creative tension and relocating it to a stuffy hotel ballroom with bad lighting and bad air quality. It’s not just uninspiring, it’s counterproductive. The Power of Perspective, Pause, and Place If you want to unlock real innovation, you need to get out of the room—literally. I have taken executive teams hiking in the mountains, walking through sculpture parks, sketching beside rivers, and sharing stories under open skies. What happens in those moments isn’t just memorable; it’s transformative. Creativity doesn’t thrive in confinement; it thrives in movement, reflection, and meaningful environments. Here’s what shifts when you leave the room: Perspective expands: On a recent mountain trail, one of my clients looked out over the valley and said, “I finally see my business differently.” Nature helps leaders zoom out, see patterns, and reconnect to what really matters. Dialogue deepens: Walking side-by-side fosters vulnerability in a way boardroom chairs never will. One CFO told me after a trail walk, “That’s the first time I have really talked to my team, not just with them.” Energy resets: Changing physical environments resets our mental state. The body moves, the mind loosens, and new insights begin to emerge, often without even trying. Ask yourself: What would happen if your team had space to think, not just speak? To feel instead of just perform? Nature, Narrative, and Nonlinear Thinking Before you overhaul your next offsite, pause and consider what actually fuels creativity and connection in teams. It’s not tighter agendas or better breakout sessions. It’s the deeper human elements that corporate playbooks often overlook. It’s the environments that stir the senses, stories that build shared meaning, and a space that honors the messy, magical process of emergence. At the heart of powerful offsites are three essential elements most corporate agendas ignore: Nature. Nature doesn’t just reduce stress—it rewires our thinking. A Stanford study found that even a 90-minute walk in nature can reduce rumination and improve problem-solving. But beyond the science, nature reminds us: Not everything must be engineered. Some things must be experienced. What might your team discover if they swapped Wi-Fi for tree lines? Narrative. The best breakthroughs don’t start with strategy decks; they start with stories. When leaders share pivotal life moments or team origin stories, new insights emerge. The strategy becomes personal, and the mission gets real. Instead of starting with goals, ask each person to share a moment that shaped how they lead. Watch what opens up. Nonlinear Thinking. Great ideas don’t arrive on demand. They bubble up in white space (or maybe it should be called green space). That’s why I build in unstructured time during offsites, not as filler, but as fertile ground. One leader told me their breakthrough idea came during a quiet solo hour by the water. Innovation needs space to breathe. A New Offsite Design Philosophy Forget the PowerPoint marathons. The new offsite design should be immersive instead of performative, meaningful instead of efficient, and designed for discovery, not just alignment. Whether you are hiking a coastal trail or sitting around a campfire, the goal isn’t to force productivity. It’s to create the conditions where insight naturally emerges. I call this strategic restoration, a practice of slowing down, stepping back, and reconnecting with what matters most. You don’t need to summit a mountain. Just start here: Change the Environment. Ditch the hotel ballroom and book a retreat center near water, a creative space, or even a local museum. One client who held their offsite in a botanical garden said, “We got more creative in two hours than we usually do in two days.” Design for Emotion, Not Just Execution. Begin with personal storytelling. Build in moments of awe—sunrise meditations, guided journaling, even shared silence. What’s the emotional tone we want this offsite to create, and why does it matter? Include Movement and Mindfulness. Use walking meetings, breathing practices, or a simple quiet space. Movement regulates the nervous system, and stillness amplifies clarity. If you are feeling bold, schedule “unplugged” windows with no devices, just presence. Trust Emergence. Don’t overfill the schedule. Leave space for what you can’t plan. That’s where breakthroughs hide. In a world addicted to speed, the leaders who pause are the ones who leap forward. In a culture obsessed with performance, the companies that reconnect with purpose are the ones that endure. So no, your next innovation breakthrough probably won’t come from a hotel ballroom with cold sandwiches and tired team-building games. It might come from a hike or a story told around a fire. Because when you design for renewal, reflection, and reconnection, strategy becomes more than a plan. It becomes a shared vision that feels alive. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article

Months after enabling Deep Research in its expensive $200 ChatGPT Pro plan, OpenAI is now rolling out the feature to all users. Anyone can now access a lightweight version of Deep Research for free. This new version of Deep Research sits somewhere between a regular ChatGPT search and a ChatGPT Pro-style in-depth report. These searches usually take around five to ten minutes, and give you a report that's about a page or two long. In my experience, its reports are practical, to-the-point, and well-researched. How the new "lightweight" ChatGPT Deep Research worksDeep Research is different from a regular ChatGPT search. Here, ChatGPT will use all of its resources, like its reasoning model, its thinking capabilities, its online search integration, and bring it all together to generate a detailed response. Deep Research will first ask you some clarifying questions about your prompt, and then start its work. A single Deep Research query can take anywhere between 5–30 minutes, depending on how complex of a question you're asking. The full-version of the Deep Research tool can perform complex and detailed research for you on complicated science, and math problems. These queries usually take around 30 minutes, and then generated in-depth, multipage reports. The new lightweight version is more casual than that. You can use it to research a share that you want to invest in, products that you want to buy, or to understand a new topic. The results take about five to ten minutes, and the reports are shorter and to the point. But they'll still be heavily sourced, so you can check the links to confirm that ChatGPT isn't hallucinating. But despite technically being available to everyone, access to ChatGPT Deep Research is quite limited, and it's based on the plan that you're using. Free plan: You'll get five lightweight Deep Research queries per month. Plus and Team plans: The $20 per month plan gives you ten queries a month with the full-fledged Deep Research tool and an additional 15 using the lightweight version. Pro: The $200 per month plan comes with 125 full Deep Research queries per month, and an additional 125 using the lightweight version. All limits reset every 30 days, and the count starts the day you start using the Deep Research feature. How to use Deep Research in ChatGPTAfter opening the ChatGPT website, click the Deep Research button and enter your prompt. The more details that you can provide, the better off you'll be. To add more context, you can attach images, documents, or spreadsheets. Credit: Khamosh Pathak After you enter your prompt, ChatGPT will come back to you with clarifying questions. These questions are not compulsory to answer, but they will help specify your report. If you want a more general report, you can just say something like "I don't know, do your best", and ChatGPT will get started with what it thinks is the best way to go forward. Credit: Khamosh Pathak When the research starts, you'll see a progress bar in the chat itself. You are free to leave the chat and come back later, as this will take time. In my testing using the lightweight free version, queries still took between four to eight minutes, even for simple questions. You can click the progress bar to reveal a sidebar. This is where you'll see the steps that ChatGPT is going through to answer your query. Depending on your question, ChatGPT might look at scholarly articles, PDFs, websites, and then use its thinking model when all the information is collated. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Once the report is ready, you'll see it in its own specialized box. You can click the Share button to see a Preview window. Here, you can click on Share Link to generate a link to the report. Though, unlike Google Gemini, you can't export the report as a PDF (or other format). Credit: Khamosh Pathak How ChatGPT Deep Research can help youI ran a couple of tests with the Deep Research tool on the free plan, and I came away impressed. ChatGPT's reports are concise and direct. By comparison, Google Gemini's reports feel unnecessarily verbose. ChatGPT is also better at highlighting links right in the text, something that Gemini hides behind a menu. I asked ChatGPT to create a beginners guide to learning Handpan, and it did a good job of compiling YouTube videos, handpan sellers, and exercises, all on one page. Next, I asked it to research market sentiment for a specific share, and it included everything from recent earnings, to expert opinions, to share price targets. Credit: Khamosh Pathak I then used it for something that I standard Googling couldn't help me with, which was to find a part number for a spare wheel screw hook for my Volkswagen Polo. Not wanting to open the owner's manual or go to the dealership, I asked ChatGPT for help instead. First, I used the regular Search feature, and it just wouldn't give me a usable answer. The Deep Research feature, though, found the part number in a couple of minutes. But it couldn't find a website based in India (where I'm located) that sells this part (it did find many sellers in the US and Europe, though). To compare, I ran the query in Gemini. Gemini generated a really long report, most of which wasn't really useful. I had to scroll all the way to the bottom to find the spare part number. This being Google, though, it gave me a link to an Indian site that sells the part. Nice. Overall, I found that ChatGPT's Deep Research tool is comparable to the likes of Gemini and Perplexity, and goes beyond them when it comes to direct-language and sourcing. That said, the content is still generated using a Large Language Model, which has a tendency to hallucinate and make things up. It would be best to check the report's sources to confirm that what ChatGPT has generated is correct. View the full article

Key Takeaways Rewarding Business Opportunity: Starting a laundry business meets a consistent community need, driven by busy lifestyles and the ongoing demand for clean clothing. Business Models: Entrepreneurs can choose between self-service laundromats, requiring minimal staff, and full-service laundry options, catering to clients with a comprehensive washing and drying experience. Startup Costs: Low initial investment makes it accessible for budding entrepreneurs, allowing flexibility in financing options through loans or crowdfunding. Essential Equipment: Selecting the right washing machines, dryers, and folding stations is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Effective Marketing: Building a strong online presence and engaging in local advertising can significantly enhance customer acquisition and brand visibility. Anticipate Challenges: Be prepared for industry challenges, such as rising costs, labor shortages, and maintenance needs, to ensure long-term success in the laundry business. Starting a laundry business can be a rewarding venture that meets a vital need in your community. With busy lifestyles and the constant demand for clean clothes, there’s never been a better time to dive into this industry. Whether you’re considering a self-service laundromat or a full-service laundry, the opportunities are plentiful. You don’t need extensive experience to get started, just a solid plan and a passion for service. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your laundry business, from market research to choosing the right equipment. Get ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality and create a thriving business that keeps your customers coming back for more. Benefits Of Starting A Laundry Business Starting a laundry business offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs seeking to tap into a stable market. Understanding these benefits can motivate you to embark on this rewarding venture. Flexible Working Hours Flexible working hours allow you to tailor your schedule to fit personal commitments. You can choose to operate during peak times, accommodating busy customers, or establish hours that suit your lifestyle. This flexibility enhances work-life balance, making it easier for you to maintain other responsibilities or pursue additional interests. Low Startup Costs Low startup costs present an appealing entry point for aspiring business owners. Initial investments often include essential equipment, such as washers, dryers, and detergents. Depending on your business model, you can start as a small operation with minimal financing or explore funding options like crowdfunding or small business loans. A well-crafted business plan can further strengthen your position when seeking funding. With careful budgeting and market research, you establish a foundation for potential growth without overwhelming financial burdens. Types Of Laundry Businesses Understanding the different types of laundry businesses is essential for entrepreneurs exploring how to start a business in this industry. Each model comes with unique operational structures and opportunities for profitability. Self-Service Laundromats Self-service laundromats allow customers to wash and dry their laundry independently. These facilities require minimal staff, focusing primarily on maintenance and customer support. High-efficiency washers and dryers enhance performance while conserving water and energy. Typical features include vending machines for detergent and coin or card-operated payment systems, streamlining the user experience. Selecting the right location is critical for success. Aim for high-traffic areas, such as near apartment complexes, shopping centers, or universities. Consider local competition and accessibility to your target audience when conducting market research, as these factors significantly impact customer acquisition and revenue. Establishing a solid business plan that incorporates costs, such as equipment and leasing, lays the groundwork for a sustainable venture. Full-Service Laundry Full-service laundry businesses cater to customers by handling every aspect of the cleaning process. These services usually include washing, drying, folding, and often ironing garments. Employing skilled staff enhances customer satisfaction, making it crucial to focus on hiring and training. Full-service models may target specific niches, like high-end garments or commercial clients, which can influence your branding and marketing strategies. Leveraging digital marketing, including SEO and social media, strengthens your reach to potential customers. Establishing partnerships with local businesses can be advantageous, creating a steady stream of clients while enhancing your reputation. Setting the right legal structure for your full-service operation—whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation—ensures compliance with local regulations. Obtaining the necessary permits and licenses is a vital step in your startup journey. Focusing on customer service and quality can differentiate your business from competitors, fostering customer loyalty and repeat business. Exploring funding options, such as small business loans or crowdfunding, expands your ability to scale operations quickly. By understanding these core types of laundry businesses, you will cultivate a clear picture of your entrepreneurial path. Essential Equipment For Your Laundry Business Starting your laundry business requires the right equipment to serve your customers efficiently. Focusing on essential machinery boosts operational capacity and customer satisfaction. Washing Machines Commercial washing machines serve as the backbone of your laundry operation. Options range from compact 5kg machines to large 120kg units. Selecting the right type of washing machine is crucial. You can opt for: Top-loaders: Economical and user-friendly, they often consume more water. Front-loaders: More energy and water-efficient, though typically more expensive. High-Efficiency (HE) top-loaders: Use less water and energy, appealing to environmentally conscious customers. Assess your customer volume and tailor the number and capacity of machines accordingly. Investing in high-quality washing machines creates a reliable service, aiding customer retention and high satisfaction rates. Dryers Dryers complement washing machines, essential for fast and effective garment drying. Tumble dryers are the most common choice among laundry businesses due to their efficiency. You should consider: Stackable dryers: Ideal for space management while maximizing output. Commercial-grade dryers: Offer durability and quicker drying times. Choosing the right dryer type enhances your service’s competitiveness and accommodates high customer flow, impacting overall profitability. Folding Stations Folding stations streamline your workflow and improve the customer experience. You can implement: Dedicated folding tables: Ensure sufficient space for folding clothes efficiently. Signage: Provide clear instructions for customers to maintain organization and cleanliness. Incorporating these stations into your business layout aids in efficient closing operations, enhancing customer service. Investing in quality folding stations supports a smoother experience, promoting positive customer attitudes toward your brand. With these essential pieces of equipment, you can effectively set up your laundry business, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Marketing Strategies For Your Laundry Business Effective marketing strategies are crucial for your laundry business’s success. Implementing targeted tactics can improve customer acquisition and enhance brand visibility. Building An Online Presence Establish a strong online presence to connect with your target audience. Create a user-friendly website showcasing your services, pricing, and contact information. Optimize your site for search engines using SEO techniques to improve visibility. Utilize social media platforms to engage potential customers through compelling content and promotions. Consider email marketing campaigns to keep clients informed about new offers and loyalty programs. Investing in a digital marketing strategy enhances your online reach, attracting more customers. Local Advertising Leverage local advertising to promote your laundry business within your community. Utilize flyers, posters, and local newspapers to reach nearby residents. Participate in community events to network and increase brand awareness. Partner with local businesses for referral programs that incentivize shared customers. Offering discounts or free trials can encourage first-time visitors to try your services. Focus on building relationships within the community to foster loyalty and repeat business. Challenges In The Laundry Industry Understanding the challenges in the laundry industry helps you prepare for potential obstacles as you start a business. Key aspects include rising costs, environmental regulations, labor shortages, competition, and maintenance of equipment. Rising Costs Rising costs significantly impact laundry businesses. Labor expenses, energy bills, and supply prices all increase, affecting profitability. Staying competitive while ensuring high standards of cleanliness requires careful management of these expenses. Environmental Regulations Environmental regulations shape your laundry business operations. Compliance with laws concerning water consumption and wastewater management proves essential. Navigating these regulations can consume time and resources, but non-compliance can lead to fines and reputational damage. Labor Shortages Labor shortages present a challenge, especially in areas with low unemployment rates. Finding skilled workers costs more while impacting service consistency. Investing in training programs enhances your team’s skills and improves service quality. Competition Competition within the laundry industry is fierce. Numerous established businesses can make customer acquisition difficult. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify your target audience and refine your business model to stand out. Differentiating your services through exceptional customer care and effective branding strengthens your position. Maintenance Of Equipment Maintenance of equipment ensures efficiency in your laundry operations. Regular servicing of washers and dryers prevents costly breakdowns, which can disrupt business. Implementing a maintenance schedule allows you to manage expenses and extend equipment lifespan, contributing to improved profit margins. Conclusion Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and profitable journey. With the right planning and dedication you can tap into a steady demand for laundry services. Whether you choose a self-service model or a full-service operation your focus on quality and customer satisfaction will set you apart. Embrace flexibility in your schedule and take advantage of low startup costs. Remember that thorough market research and a solid business plan are your keys to success. As you navigate challenges like rising costs and competition keep your passion for service at the forefront. Now’s the time to turn your vision into reality and create a laundry business that meets the needs of your community. Frequently Asked Questions What are the key benefits of starting a laundry business? Starting a laundry business offers benefits such as flexible working hours, enabling a better work-life balance. The startup costs are relatively low, allowing entrepreneurs to begin with minimal financing. There’s also a consistent demand for laundry services, making it a stable and rewarding venture. Do I need extensive experience to start a laundry business? No, you don’t need extensive experience. While having knowledge of the industry helps, a solid business plan and a passion for service are more important. The article provides guidance on the steps to launch successfully. What types of laundry businesses can I start? There are various types of laundry businesses, including self-service laundromats and full-service operations. Self-service laundromats focus on customer independence, while full-service businesses handle all aspects of laundry care for customers, emphasizing satisfaction. How do I choose the right equipment for my laundry business? Selecting the right equipment is crucial. You should consider customer needs when choosing washers and dryers. Additionally, incorporating folding stations improves workflow and enhances the customer experience, making it easier for staff and clients alike. What marketing strategies are effective for a laundry business? Effective marketing strategies include establishing a strong online presence through a user-friendly website and social media. Utilizing SEO techniques, email marketing, and local advertising like flyers and community events can help attract and retain customers. What challenges can I face when starting a laundry business? Common challenges include rising costs, environmental regulations, and labor shortages. Regular equipment maintenance is essential for efficiency, and understanding local competition is crucial for differentiating your services and attracting customers. How can I finance my laundry business startup? You can start with minimal financing or explore funding options like small business loans and grants. A well-crafted business plan can help you secure the necessary funds, demonstrating your vision and potential profitability to investors or lenders. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide to Start a Laundry Business and Achieve Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Rewarding Business Opportunity: Starting a laundry business meets a consistent community need, driven by busy lifestyles and the ongoing demand for clean clothing. Business Models: Entrepreneurs can choose between self-service laundromats, requiring minimal staff, and full-service laundry options, catering to clients with a comprehensive washing and drying experience. Startup Costs: Low initial investment makes it accessible for budding entrepreneurs, allowing flexibility in financing options through loans or crowdfunding. Essential Equipment: Selecting the right washing machines, dryers, and folding stations is crucial for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Effective Marketing: Building a strong online presence and engaging in local advertising can significantly enhance customer acquisition and brand visibility. Anticipate Challenges: Be prepared for industry challenges, such as rising costs, labor shortages, and maintenance needs, to ensure long-term success in the laundry business. Starting a laundry business can be a rewarding venture that meets a vital need in your community. With busy lifestyles and the constant demand for clean clothes, there’s never been a better time to dive into this industry. Whether you’re considering a self-service laundromat or a full-service laundry, the opportunities are plentiful. You don’t need extensive experience to get started, just a solid plan and a passion for service. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your laundry business, from market research to choosing the right equipment. Get ready to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality and create a thriving business that keeps your customers coming back for more. Benefits Of Starting A Laundry Business Starting a laundry business offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs seeking to tap into a stable market. Understanding these benefits can motivate you to embark on this rewarding venture. Flexible Working Hours Flexible working hours allow you to tailor your schedule to fit personal commitments. You can choose to operate during peak times, accommodating busy customers, or establish hours that suit your lifestyle. This flexibility enhances work-life balance, making it easier for you to maintain other responsibilities or pursue additional interests. Low Startup Costs Low startup costs present an appealing entry point for aspiring business owners. Initial investments often include essential equipment, such as washers, dryers, and detergents. Depending on your business model, you can start as a small operation with minimal financing or explore funding options like crowdfunding or small business loans. A well-crafted business plan can further strengthen your position when seeking funding. With careful budgeting and market research, you establish a foundation for potential growth without overwhelming financial burdens. Types Of Laundry Businesses Understanding the different types of laundry businesses is essential for entrepreneurs exploring how to start a business in this industry. Each model comes with unique operational structures and opportunities for profitability. Self-Service Laundromats Self-service laundromats allow customers to wash and dry their laundry independently. These facilities require minimal staff, focusing primarily on maintenance and customer support. High-efficiency washers and dryers enhance performance while conserving water and energy. Typical features include vending machines for detergent and coin or card-operated payment systems, streamlining the user experience. Selecting the right location is critical for success. Aim for high-traffic areas, such as near apartment complexes, shopping centers, or universities. Consider local competition and accessibility to your target audience when conducting market research, as these factors significantly impact customer acquisition and revenue. Establishing a solid business plan that incorporates costs, such as equipment and leasing, lays the groundwork for a sustainable venture. Full-Service Laundry Full-service laundry businesses cater to customers by handling every aspect of the cleaning process. These services usually include washing, drying, folding, and often ironing garments. Employing skilled staff enhances customer satisfaction, making it crucial to focus on hiring and training. Full-service models may target specific niches, like high-end garments or commercial clients, which can influence your branding and marketing strategies. Leveraging digital marketing, including SEO and social media, strengthens your reach to potential customers. Establishing partnerships with local businesses can be advantageous, creating a steady stream of clients while enhancing your reputation. Setting the right legal structure for your full-service operation—whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation—ensures compliance with local regulations. Obtaining the necessary permits and licenses is a vital step in your startup journey. Focusing on customer service and quality can differentiate your business from competitors, fostering customer loyalty and repeat business. Exploring funding options, such as small business loans or crowdfunding, expands your ability to scale operations quickly. By understanding these core types of laundry businesses, you will cultivate a clear picture of your entrepreneurial path. Essential Equipment For Your Laundry Business Starting your laundry business requires the right equipment to serve your customers efficiently. Focusing on essential machinery boosts operational capacity and customer satisfaction. Washing Machines Commercial washing machines serve as the backbone of your laundry operation. Options range from compact 5kg machines to large 120kg units. Selecting the right type of washing machine is crucial. You can opt for: Top-loaders: Economical and user-friendly, they often consume more water. Front-loaders: More energy and water-efficient, though typically more expensive. High-Efficiency (HE) top-loaders: Use less water and energy, appealing to environmentally conscious customers. Assess your customer volume and tailor the number and capacity of machines accordingly. Investing in high-quality washing machines creates a reliable service, aiding customer retention and high satisfaction rates. Dryers Dryers complement washing machines, essential for fast and effective garment drying. Tumble dryers are the most common choice among laundry businesses due to their efficiency. You should consider: Stackable dryers: Ideal for space management while maximizing output. Commercial-grade dryers: Offer durability and quicker drying times. Choosing the right dryer type enhances your service’s competitiveness and accommodates high customer flow, impacting overall profitability. Folding Stations Folding stations streamline your workflow and improve the customer experience. You can implement: Dedicated folding tables: Ensure sufficient space for folding clothes efficiently. Signage: Provide clear instructions for customers to maintain organization and cleanliness. Incorporating these stations into your business layout aids in efficient closing operations, enhancing customer service. Investing in quality folding stations supports a smoother experience, promoting positive customer attitudes toward your brand. With these essential pieces of equipment, you can effectively set up your laundry business, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Marketing Strategies For Your Laundry Business Effective marketing strategies are crucial for your laundry business’s success. Implementing targeted tactics can improve customer acquisition and enhance brand visibility. Building An Online Presence Establish a strong online presence to connect with your target audience. Create a user-friendly website showcasing your services, pricing, and contact information. Optimize your site for search engines using SEO techniques to improve visibility. Utilize social media platforms to engage potential customers through compelling content and promotions. Consider email marketing campaigns to keep clients informed about new offers and loyalty programs. Investing in a digital marketing strategy enhances your online reach, attracting more customers. Local Advertising Leverage local advertising to promote your laundry business within your community. Utilize flyers, posters, and local newspapers to reach nearby residents. Participate in community events to network and increase brand awareness. Partner with local businesses for referral programs that incentivize shared customers. Offering discounts or free trials can encourage first-time visitors to try your services. Focus on building relationships within the community to foster loyalty and repeat business. Challenges In The Laundry Industry Understanding the challenges in the laundry industry helps you prepare for potential obstacles as you start a business. Key aspects include rising costs, environmental regulations, labor shortages, competition, and maintenance of equipment. Rising Costs Rising costs significantly impact laundry businesses. Labor expenses, energy bills, and supply prices all increase, affecting profitability. Staying competitive while ensuring high standards of cleanliness requires careful management of these expenses. Environmental Regulations Environmental regulations shape your laundry business operations. Compliance with laws concerning water consumption and wastewater management proves essential. Navigating these regulations can consume time and resources, but non-compliance can lead to fines and reputational damage. Labor Shortages Labor shortages present a challenge, especially in areas with low unemployment rates. Finding skilled workers costs more while impacting service consistency. Investing in training programs enhances your team’s skills and improves service quality. Competition Competition within the laundry industry is fierce. Numerous established businesses can make customer acquisition difficult. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify your target audience and refine your business model to stand out. Differentiating your services through exceptional customer care and effective branding strengthens your position. Maintenance Of Equipment Maintenance of equipment ensures efficiency in your laundry operations. Regular servicing of washers and dryers prevents costly breakdowns, which can disrupt business. Implementing a maintenance schedule allows you to manage expenses and extend equipment lifespan, contributing to improved profit margins. Conclusion Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and profitable journey. With the right planning and dedication you can tap into a steady demand for laundry services. Whether you choose a self-service model or a full-service operation your focus on quality and customer satisfaction will set you apart. Embrace flexibility in your schedule and take advantage of low startup costs. Remember that thorough market research and a solid business plan are your keys to success. As you navigate challenges like rising costs and competition keep your passion for service at the forefront. Now’s the time to turn your vision into reality and create a laundry business that meets the needs of your community. Frequently Asked Questions What are the key benefits of starting a laundry business? Starting a laundry business offers benefits such as flexible working hours, enabling a better work-life balance. The startup costs are relatively low, allowing entrepreneurs to begin with minimal financing. There’s also a consistent demand for laundry services, making it a stable and rewarding venture. Do I need extensive experience to start a laundry business? No, you don’t need extensive experience. While having knowledge of the industry helps, a solid business plan and a passion for service are more important. The article provides guidance on the steps to launch successfully. What types of laundry businesses can I start? There are various types of laundry businesses, including self-service laundromats and full-service operations. Self-service laundromats focus on customer independence, while full-service businesses handle all aspects of laundry care for customers, emphasizing satisfaction. How do I choose the right equipment for my laundry business? Selecting the right equipment is crucial. You should consider customer needs when choosing washers and dryers. Additionally, incorporating folding stations improves workflow and enhances the customer experience, making it easier for staff and clients alike. What marketing strategies are effective for a laundry business? Effective marketing strategies include establishing a strong online presence through a user-friendly website and social media. Utilizing SEO techniques, email marketing, and local advertising like flyers and community events can help attract and retain customers. What challenges can I face when starting a laundry business? Common challenges include rising costs, environmental regulations, and labor shortages. Regular equipment maintenance is essential for efficiency, and understanding local competition is crucial for differentiating your services and attracting customers. How can I finance my laundry business startup? You can start with minimal financing or explore funding options like small business loans and grants. A well-crafted business plan can help you secure the necessary funds, demonstrating your vision and potential profitability to investors or lenders. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide to Start a Laundry Business and Achieve Success" was first published on Small Business Trends 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. If you're tied into the Apple ecosystem and looking to upgrade your mouse or streamline your desk setup, Woot is offering a refurbished Apple Magic Mouse 2 for $49.99 for the next twelve days—or until it sells out. That’s a decent cut from its current $79.95 listing on Amazon. It's worth mentioning upfront that this is a refurbished unit, which means it might show minor signs of previous use, but it’s been inspected and approved to work properly. Woot throws in a 90-day limited warranty, and free shipping is available if you’re an Amazon Prime member (otherwise, it’ll add $6 to the bill). Also, Woot only ships to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Apple Magic Mouse 2 $49.99 at Woot $79.95 Save $29.96 Get Deal Get Deal $49.99 at Woot $79.95 Save $29.96 The low-friction strips on the bottom of the Magic Mouse 2 help it move smoothly across surfaces, and its optical sensor is quick to pick up on movement. You can also easily tweak the tracking speed and sensitivity of the mouse through your Mac’s settings (it automatically pairs with any Mac via Bluetooth). Swiping between browser pages, switching full-screen apps, and pulling up Mission Control are all baked into its multitouch surface, and everything feels natural once you get the hang of it. That said, the low profile of this mouse might not be for everyone—if you prefer a mouse with a more sculpted, ergonomic shape for long work sessions, it could feel uncomfortable. Also, the charging port is awkwardly placed on the bottom, meaning you can’t use it while it’s plugged in. But if you’re someone who charges devices overnight anyway, it’s manageable. View the full article

Synaptic's Wi-Fi 7 vision and unique value proposition for wireless IoT includes built-in 'multi-modal' AI at the edge. The post Synaptics shakes up Wi-Fi SoC market with new family of high-end Wi-Fi 7 IoT chips featuring pre-integrated AI appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

Kelly Slater is the undisputed GOAT of surfing. The 53-year-old has won 11 world titles—including being both the youngest and oldest champ ever at 20 and 39, respectively—and has competed regularly on the pro tour until just last year. He’s not even officially retired yet. Slater has also built multiple businesses, beyond his endorsement deals. One of those is apparel brand Outerknown, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It’s been a labor of love for Slater, who along with cofounder John Moore, had a commitment from the beginning to make it as sustainable and responsible as possible. Last month, the company dropped the Apex Trunk by Kelly Slater, the first-ever performance four-way stretch board short made from 90% recycled fishing nets from Bureo. Slater says the trunks, aimed at performance surfers, represent both the future of the brand, and a culmination of its long-standing goals. “We’re definitely making a move towards some very specific, little more hardcore surf stuff,” says Slater, on the phone from his home on Hawaii’s North Shore. Outerknown has largely produced apparel for the lifestyle around surfing—shirts, denim, sweaters. But now the brand is creating a line of surf-specific gear under Slater’s name, set for 2026. Slater compares the Apex trunk design to playing the guitar. “I’ve played music for 30 years, and you can add all kinds of things to a song, but when you make a nice, good melody, you can strip it back to the basics and you have what you need,” says Slater. “And for me, that’s kind of what this trunk is.” It also represents a broader opportunity. Over the past couple of years, surfing’s traditional brand giants have been in an unprecedented state of flux and upheaval that has seen majors like Billabong, Volcom, Quiksilver, and more get stripped down and change ownership, with some getting acquired by Authentic Brands Group in 2023. That has given surfer-owned and operated companies like Outerknown, John John Florence’s Florence brand, Dane Reynolds’s Chapter 11, and Julian Wilson’s Rivvia Projects the chance to simplify and redefine what the core surf industry looks like. For Outerknown right now, it’s all about the new trunks. Wave of the future The new Apex trunk underwent more than three years of R&D, as Moore, Slater, and the brand’s designers worked closely with Bureo on the cut and materials. Slater and other brand ambassadors tested it in waves across Sri Lanka, Australia, Hawaii, and beyond. Slater says designing a surf trunk is more complicated than it seems. Sometimes people want a multitasking amphibian short, that performs the same on the beach as in the streets. “But when it comes to just going for a long surf session, I just need something that performs really simply,” says Slater. “And I don’t even mean to say it performs, it just doesn’t get in the way. We think of the type of string we’re going to use so it doesn’t untie, and make sure that the length is just right, so it doesn’t look too short. But if it’s too long, it’s caught on the knee, so there’s a little scallop on the side to give you a little bit more of a stretch to the side. Very simple things to get a streamlined product. But to do that, there’s years of thought and technology and ideas that go into this one product.” Moore says that the connection between the new Apex trunk and Outerknown’s lifestyle apparel is about looking at design from a surfing perspective. “Wherever our travels take us, surfing is one part of that, so it’s about, how do we make clothes that are built better, feel better, fit better, and do it through our surfers’ lens?” says Moore. “It just feels like we’re finally at a place where we can really focus on what matters and what works, and we know who our customers are, we know what they want, and we’re getting better at making it.” Under one roof A decade ago, Outerknown was launched with fanfare, some surfer skepticism, and a lot of challenges. Founded by Slater and Moore, the brand was also backed by luxury brand owner the Kering Group as a minority stakeholder. Slater’s goal, inspired in part by Patagonia, was to make the most responsible clothing possible—organic cotton, fair labor practices. The challenge was making that happen when the supply chain wasn’t really there, especially for the small numbers Outerknown was starting out with. That led to much higher prices, which made many surfers scoff at $300 shirts and $170 trunks. “The early days were super tough,” says Slater. But gradually, the company was able to grow its community and scale, opening eight retail locations in Malibu, California, as well as cities like New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. There will still be scoffs at the new Apex trunk’s $168 price tag, but Slater says there are people who do care about a product’s provenance. “A lot of people don’t realize that to do things right and responsibly, to take care of your workers, and to use the good recycled textiles or organic products, all those things are infinitely more expensive,” he says. For its first decade, Outerknown could be described as a surf-adjacent brand. Mostly street clothes and apparel, designed from a surfing perspective. But starting with the new Apex trunks, the brand will now be stocking in surf shops and creating more products to make that connection more explicit. The catalyst for that was Slater’s move last year to move his three primary companies—Outerknown, Firewire Surfboards, and Slater Designs—under one parent company roof. Surf industry vet and Firewire CEO Dylan Slater (no relation) was named chief executive of the new company. He says that the brands complement each other in some obvious ways, but also plenty behind the scenes. Outerknown is primarily a U.S.-based business, while Firewire is global. “There’s some really unique ways they can support one another,” he says. “We have aspirations to make Outerknown globally accessible, and we expect that to happen in the next 6 to 12 months. The brands can also collaborate around products, and have some more exposure to their respective audiences, with surfboards in Outerknown stores and things like that.” Moore is excited to see Outerknown go directly to a more hardcore surf audience, especially amid the recent consolidation of the traditional surf brand powerhouses. “Over the years, everything became very corporate and, I would argue, kind of a sea of sameness,” he says. “I think surfing has always been at its core about individuality and finding your own flow through life or on a wave. We’re doing it our way, and with all the evolution in the marketplace, it feels like an opportunity for us to take it to the next level.” View the full article

I keep looking for ways to free up storage space on my iPhone and on iCloud. I am a data hoarder who hates deleting things, but when I almost managed to fill up my 256GB iPhone, I knew I had a problem and began aggressively deleting unwanted data. However, photos takes up most of the storage on my iPhone, which has put me in a bit of a spot. I find it hard to delete old photos, but if I don't do that, I may eventually have to start paying a lot more for cloud storage to back up my data. If you're in the same boat as I am, the answer is simpler than you might think. Here are a few ways to delete photos and free up storage space on both your iPhone and on iCloud. Define what to deleteEmotional attachment and time are my biggest problems when freeing up photos storage. I have nearly 18,000 items in my photo library, which includes over 1,000 screenshots and an unknowable number of similar photos. You see, when I take a photo, I tend to click the shutter over a dozen times to ensure I get at least one great shot. This means I often have unnecessary duplicates in my gallery, but it can be hard to find them all, and I don't want to delete something important by accident. When I'm setting aside some time to manually clear out unwanted photos, I go in with a clear set of guidelines: most screenshots and screen recordings can go, and I save at most three of a batch of similar shots. But it's a lengthy process, and sometimes emotionally draining depending on the subject matter in my gallery. Plus, it gets even trickier if the photos I need to delete have people in them. Luckily, deleting manually isn't your only option. Free up Photos storage space on your iPhoneIf you're really tight on storage space, you should focus on easy, big gains first before getting sucked into manually reviewing your photos. I usually start by checking the Recently Deleted folder. This has items you've deleted over the past 30 days, and if you're sure you're not going to need them, you can permanently erase them to quickly free up space. To do this, go to the Photos app on your iPhone and scroll down until you see the Utilities section. Select Recently Deleted, tap the Select button, and pick the items you don't need. Tap the three-dots button in the bottom-right corner and hit Delete, followed by Delete From This iPhone. Credit: Pranay Parab Next, you should focus on quickly deleting duplicate items from your photo library. Go back to the previous page and select the Duplicates button. Tap Select, then Select All, and tap the Merge button at the bottom of the screen. This will reveal two options: merge exact copies and merge items with similar metadata. Merging exact copies is nondestructive, so go ahead and do it immediately to free up space. After that, take some time to review all the photos in this list and see if you want to merge the rest as well. You can merge one batch of duplicates at a time, and the process is much faster than finding duplicates yourself, even if it's not fully perfect. Once that's done, go to the Videos and Screen Recordings folders and clear out things you don't need. Usually, these files are quite large and you'll see some rapid gains by deleting unwanted items. While you're at it, visit the Screenshots folder and get rid of captures you no longer care about. Delete unwanted photos from iCloudIf you have iCloud sync enabled, the steps listed above will delete your photos from both your iPhone and iCloud. However, in case you don't have access to your iPhone or you find it easier to organize and remove photos on a computer, you can visit the iCloud Photos website and delete photos from there instead. The interface is quite straightforward. The left pane lists all the albums and the Trash button in the top-right corner will help you remove photos. Once again, don't forget to visit the Recently Deleted album and clear it out. Until you do this, you may not see a change in the amount of free space available on your iCloud account. Using third-party apps to delete iPhone photosI generally don't recommend using third-party apps to clear out photo storage because most of them don't do a better job than the built-in Photos app, often have expensive subscription models, and are from unknown developers. Since these apps require access to your entire photo library, it's a bit of a risk to pick any old app to do the job. If you really want to use one of these apps to quickly delete photos, Undolly is a good option. It's quick to scan the library and uses on-device processing to identify similar photos and not just duplicates. It still takes time to review photos and delete them, but the app helps you out by picking out the best among similar photos, and its selection is usually quite good. The app costs $1/month or $15 for a lifetime unlock, which is relatively inexpensive, and its privacy nutrition label indicates that it collects no data. That's also reassuring to see. Backing up iPhone photos to cheaper cloud storageFor those who have a large library, iCloud's pricing tiers can be unforgiving. 50GB of iCloud space costs $1/month and 200GB is a relatively small step up at $3/month. But if you go over 200 GB, the next available plan is 2TB at $10/month, more than triple the previous tier. Before considering alternatives, you should know that no other service is as convenient for iPhone photo backups as iCloud is. For all other services, you'll have to keep your phone unlocked with the app running until the backup is complete. But there are savings to be made by going elsewhere. If you're already an Amazon Prime subscriber, you could consider Amazon Photos, which offers unlimited photo storage and 5GB of video storage at no additional charge. Even without Prime, you can subscribe to Amazon Photos for 1TB of storage at $70/year. That plan gives you less storage per dollar than iCloud's 2TB option, but you end up saving about $50/year, too. Personally, I prefer my Microsoft 365 subscription, because it gives me access to all the Office apps and 1TB of storage at $100/year. I am on the family plan, which I share with five other people, and it gives me 1TB of storage per account. The family plan costs $130/year, which is around $22 per person per year. Both iCloud and Google One have family plans, too, but the storage is shared among all members of the family. Microsoft 365's family plan lets each member use 1TB, which is great. Back up iPhone photos to local drivesTo truly keep your photos secure, though, you should also keep a copy of your iPhone's photos on external hard drives, your Mac or PC, or a network-attached storage (NAS) device, if you have one. To do that on Mac, connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and open the pre-installed Image Capture app. Now, connect any external storage device and you'll be able to copy iPhone photos to that drive. On Windows, you'll have to connect the iPhone via USB and use the Microsoft Photos app to import photos, before transferring them to an external drive. Alternatively, if you're backing up your iPhone photos to a NAS device, you can use the CCC Mobile app to complete the transfer wirelessly. The app is a free download, but requires you to pay a one-time fee of $2.99 to back up your photos and videos. After that, you can periodically keep uploading your entire photo library to a NAS or an external storage device directly plugged in to your iPhone. View the full article

Marketers love a good line graph that goes up and to the right, but with overwhelming data, graphs alone can’t communicate complex data effectively. A good data display should do more than convey information – it should reveal insights, guide decisions, and prioritize actions. In 2025, marketing data must evolve from reporting to storytelling, because effective charts don’t just show data; they help us understand what it means and what to do next. Why traditional reporting is no longer good enough One of the most common formats for SEO and PPC reporting is the classic, tried-and-true line graph. Even Google – in Search Console and Google Ads – defaults to using this format because it’s easy to understand at a glance. But as any digital marketer knows, a drop in traffic simply isn’t useful unless we know: Which keyword or campaign dropped off. Why it happened. How we can fix it. This kind of helpful information can’t be conveyed through a line. Similarly, long spreadsheets and tables of keyword-level data have been ubiquitous in the last decade, but to what extent do they help you decide your strategy? And how often do they confuse or mislead clients and stakeholders with too much information? 3-point data visualization checklist As you put together your deck or dashboard for internal or external use, here’s a checklist to help you determine whether the visuals you include are worth the pixels they take up. 1. What question is this visual answering? It’s easy to display data just because it’s available. But effective marketers choose visuals based on the question they’re answering. Some questions I often use data visualization to explore: From what source/medium is traffic dropping, and when did it start? Which content drives conversions versus just clicks? What keywords or topics are we overinvesting in without sufficient ROI? Where are the gaps in our sales funnel or content coverage? 2. What story are these visuals telling? Stories show cause and effect. If they only listed events, they’d read like a history book. Your data shouldn’t just show what happened – it should explain why. One chart rarely tells the full story. Say I start with a line graph showing a drop in paid traffic from a non-branded campaign. That highlights a potential issue but doesn’t explain what caused it, when it started, or how it affected results. Without that context, your audience is left guessing or misinterpreting. Like a good story, your data should follow a structure: Setup. Conflict. Climax. Resolution. Each visualization should contribute by providing context, introducing the problem, and leading to insight or a solution. 3. What decision or hypothesis is this data visualization story leading me toward? If you’re unsure of the next step after looking at your data, your audience will be, too. You may not always land on a conclusive next step like “invest in this market segment.” Still, your next step should be clear – whether that’s digging deeper to test a theory or gathering more data to add context. Dig deeper: Looker Studio reporting: 6 do’s and don’ts for search marketers Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Better marketing data visualizations to use Word clouds Word clouds help you group and rank like terms and keywords to identify: Gaps for your brand or your competitors. Cannibalization risks. Even themes for future campaigns. This specific word cloud ranks keywords by frequency, making it easy to spot dominant themes (like “email,” “automation,” and “CRM”) and supporting terms for content ideation, SEO audits, or campaign planning. It’s also a great way to visualize keyword overlap or gaps between your site and a competitor’s. Heatmap formatting A simple way to make your data tables showcasing multiple metrics more effective in communicating a conclusion. In the example below, we plotted the click-through rate against the average position to help identify underperforming creatives. Heatmaps that visualize click-through rate by average ad position for multiple creatives like this one make it easy for A/B testers to identify which creatives are underperforming despite high placement. In a calendar setting, you can also use heat mapping to help show fluctuations around seasonality or events. These can be especially helpful when presenting month-over-month data. A calendar-style heatmap showing traffic fluctuations by day and/or week can help quickly highlight blips or trends related to seasonality, campaign launches, or day-of-week performance shifts. Time decay waterfalls Some assets lose efficacy over time, and a visual that shows how much engagement declines makes it easier to know when to refresh or retire them. You can break down assets by category, channel, or campaign. In this example, the big red bars quickly highlight which content pieces are experiencing major traffic loss compared to pieces that show minimal loss year over year. The clearly stacked traffic loss visuals of the Time Decay Waterfall chart help you quickly interpret which content should be prioritized for updates, rewrites, or removals. Scatterplots Another great way to show the takeaways between multiple metric comparisons at a glance. Consider showing the relationship between a keyword’s search volume and estimated difficulty, with your current rank for said keyword, to help identify low-difficulty, high-volume keywords that could be lucrative opportunities for new content. Quickly identify high-potential opportunities and low ROI time-sinks with a Scatter Plot comparing volume, competition, and current rankings. Funnel charts Most often used in sales, a funnel chart is useful anytime you have a sequence of events where data decreases after each stage. This can apply to: Email series. Customer paths across your sit. Customer onboarding. Paid campaigns across platforms. User journeys across touchpoints. Funnel charts are perfect for showing conversion drop-offs at each stage of a journey, identifying quickly where optimization efforts could have the greatest impact. Great for campaign performance, CRO audits, and stakeholder presentations. Fewer figures, more insight It’s important to report, analyze, and communicate what your data really means. A great data chart can help your team win additional budget, shift to a more successful strategy, or save a cross-channel campaign. A poor one can lead your clients and stakeholders to reach false conclusions and walk away confused and anxious. Next time you’re tasked with presenting data, don’t simply default to the line graph. Instead, dive into the “why”, design your charts to answer specific questions, and tell the story behind the numbers, so people walk away saying, “Oh, now I get it.” Dig deeper: 7 reports SEO and PPC can use to help each other succeed View the full article

The 250 top mortgage originators in 2025 brought in high volumes despite less than ideal conditions. Check back in the following days for 150-51, the top 50 and the final full list, with further cuts of the data to be published thereafter. View the full article

Key Takeaways Enhance Readability: Using line breaks improves the clarity of tweets, making it easier for followers to quickly understand your messages. Boost Engagement: Visually appealing tweets with well-placed line breaks can lead to higher engagement rates, enhancing brand awareness. Strategic Formatting: Employ line breaks to highlight promotions, key ideas, or calls to action, making your content more digestible. Utilize Tools: Third-party tools like Hootsuite and Buffer can help schedule tweets with line breaks, maintaining an organized and consistent social media strategy. Monitor Performance: Track engagement analytics to assess and refine the effectiveness of line breaks in your tweets. Preview Before Posting: Always check how tweets appear before publishing, especially when using third-party tools, to ensure proper formatting and brand consistency. If you’re looking to enhance your Twitter game, understanding line breaks can make a world of difference. Line breaks not only improve the readability of your tweets but also help you convey your message more effectively. With the character limit in mind, knowing how to structure your thoughts can capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged. Mastering line breaks on Twitter allows you to create visually appealing tweets that stand out in a crowded feed. Whether you want to emphasize key points or simply make your content more digestible, using line breaks strategically can elevate your messaging. Let’s dive into the art of crafting tweets that resonate and engage your followers. Overview of Twitter Line Breaks Using line breaks effectively in your tweets enhances readability, making your messages clear and engaging. Mastering this simple formatting tool can improve your content creation efforts, especially given Twitter’s character limit. You can capture your audience’s attention by strategically placing line breaks to emphasize key points and ideas. For small businesses, using line breaks can help in several ways: Improved Readability: Breaking up text makes it easier for your followers to read and understand your messages quickly. Highlighting Offers: Line breaks can draw attention to promotions, special events, or important announcements in your social media marketing. Increased Engagement: Tweets that are visually appealing tend to receive higher engagement rates, leading to better brand awareness and customer interaction. Incorporate line breaks to create more digestible and impactful Twitter posts. When you optimize your tweets using this technique, focus on maintaining your brand voice and storytelling elements to resonate with your audience effectively. Importance of Line Breaks Using line breaks in your tweets plays a vital role in enhancing readability and boosting engagement for your small business. By properly utilizing this feature, you can effectively convey your messages and create a visually appealing online presence. Enhancing Readability Line breaks break up long blocks of text, making tweets easier to navigate and comprehend. This strategy is especially beneficial for your audience as they skim through their Twitter feed. Enhanced readability facilitates content sharing, fostering a better understanding of your brand’s message. For example, if you’re promoting a new product or service, structuring your tweet with well-placed line breaks can showcase key points without overwhelming your audience. This is particularly advantageous for small business social media campaigns, where clear communication impacts engagement rates. Improving Engagement Your engagement rate on Twitter can significantly improve with effective use of line breaks. By creating visually appealing tweets, you capture the attention of your social media followers and keep them engaged. Line breaks help emphasize key offers, promotions, or calls to action. For instance, sharing a limited-time discount becomes more impactful when presented in a clear, digestible format. Maximizing engagement on Twitter not only boosts your brand awareness but also reinforces your storytelling efforts, allowing you to connect with customers in a more meaningful way. Leveraging hashtags in conjunction with line breaks can further enhance your organic reach and visibility on the platform. How to Use Line Breaks on Twitter Using line breaks in your tweets enhances clarity and engagement. This technique allows you to highlight key messages, improving readability and capturing your audience’s attention. Manual Line Breaks You can insert line breaks manually by pressing the Enter key while composing tweets. This method is available on Twitter’s web client and official mobile apps. Each line break counts as one character within the character limit. Since Twitter raised the limit to 280 characters, you can leverage line breaks for shorter, impactful messages. Line breaks separate ideas, making your content digestible for potential customers and increasing engagement rates for your small business. Utilizing Third-Party Tools Third-party tools can also streamline your tweet composition. Platforms like Hootsuite or Buffer allow you to schedule tweets with line breaks, maintaining organization in your social media strategy. These tools enable you to create visually appealing posts that showcase your brand voice, whether through storytelling or spotlighting promotions. Additionally, incorporating hashtags alongside your line breaks can enhance your organic reach, improving visibility among your target audience and boosting brand awareness. Common Challenges with Line Breaks Using line breaks in Twitter posts presents a few challenges, especially for small businesses looking to optimize their social media marketing strategies. Implementation and Display You may encounter issues with how line breaks appear, as not all third-party clients support this formatting. Although Twitter introduced line breaks in 2013, the transition to support varies. Clients need time to update, meaning your audience might see inconsistencies in your posts. Character Limit and Whitespace Each line break counts as one character toward the 280-character limit. Excessive line breaks risk consuming valuable characters, which could hinder your engagement rate. To maximize impact, use line breaks sparingly to maintain clear messaging without compromising content depth. Twitter also trims leading and trailing whitespace to prevent “whitespace abuse.” This ensures your posts remain compact and avoid unnecessary clutter, allowing your brand voice to come through effectively. API Issues When posting tweets via the Twitter API, line breaks can cause formatting problems. If using a social media tool for scheduling, ensure the platform supports line breaks, as this can affect how your social media posts display. Always preview your content before going live to maintain brand consistency. Navigating these challenges can enhance your online presence, streamline your content creation process, and improve your overall social media engagement. Focus on finding the right balance and utilize line breaks to highlight key messages in your storytelling. Best Practices for Effective Use Be Concise and Use Line Breaks Tweets have a 280-character limit. Using line breaks enhances readability. Break longer text into multiple lines to make your content easier to digest. Structure Your Tweets Utilize line breaks and blank lines to separate different parts of your tweet. Incorporate bullet lists or engaging first sentences to capture your audience’s attention. Accessibility When including images or videos in your posts, use line breaks to distinguish descriptions from the main content. If your post exceeds the character count, reply to the tweet with the image or video details. Readability Ensure your tweets maintain clarity by using sentence case. Avoid all caps or all lowercase text; this aids screen readers in delivering your message effectively. Integrate Hashtags Wisely Place relevant hashtags after line breaks or at the end of your tweet. This strategy enhances organic reach, making it easier for users to discover your brand. Utilize Social Media Tools Use third-party tools, like Hootsuite or Buffer, for scheduling tweets with line breaks. These tools help maintain organization in your social media strategy, ensuring consistency and engagement. Monitor Engagement Rates Track your social media analytics to assess the effectiveness of line breaks in your posts. Adjust your approach based on engagement rates to optimize your content marketing strategy. Test and Preview Always preview your tweets before publishing, especially if using the Twitter API. Formatting issues can arise, which might affect how your brand voice is interpreted by your followers. By implementing these best practices, you enhance your online presence. You’ll create engaging tweets that resonate with your audience, driving brand awareness and community interaction. Conclusion Mastering the art of line breaks on Twitter can elevate your tweets and enhance engagement. By breaking up text and highlighting key messages you make your content more digestible and visually appealing. This not only captures attention but also encourages interaction from your audience. For small businesses especially the strategic use of line breaks can lead to improved readability and increased visibility. Remember to keep your messages concise and test your tweets for optimal performance. With the right techniques you can create impactful posts that resonate with your followers and strengthen your brand’s online presence. Frequently Asked Questions Why are line breaks important in tweets? Using line breaks in tweets enhances readability, making it easier for followers to skim and understand your message. They help structure content, allowing key points to stand out, which can increase engagement and shareability. How can line breaks benefit small businesses on Twitter? Line breaks can improve tweet readability, highlight promotions, and boost engagement rates for small businesses. By emphasizing offers and separating ideas, businesses can effectively connect with their audience while maintaining their brand voice. What are some tips for using line breaks in tweets? To use line breaks effectively, you can press the Enter key while composing tweets, structuring your content with bullet points. Additionally, consider using third-party tools like Hootsuite or Buffer for organized scheduling. Are there any challenges when using line breaks in tweets? Yes, challenges include inconsistent appearance across third-party clients, character count limitations, and formatting issues. Preview your tweets to ensure they display as intended before posting. How can I optimize my tweets with line breaks? Be concise, structure your tweets clearly, ensure accessibility for screen readers, and integrate hashtags wisely. Monitor engagement and test your tweets to enhance your content marketing strategy effectively. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering Twitter Line Breaks for Engaging and Readable Tweets" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Enhance Readability: Using line breaks improves the clarity of tweets, making it easier for followers to quickly understand your messages. Boost Engagement: Visually appealing tweets with well-placed line breaks can lead to higher engagement rates, enhancing brand awareness. Strategic Formatting: Employ line breaks to highlight promotions, key ideas, or calls to action, making your content more digestible. Utilize Tools: Third-party tools like Hootsuite and Buffer can help schedule tweets with line breaks, maintaining an organized and consistent social media strategy. Monitor Performance: Track engagement analytics to assess and refine the effectiveness of line breaks in your tweets. Preview Before Posting: Always check how tweets appear before publishing, especially when using third-party tools, to ensure proper formatting and brand consistency. If you’re looking to enhance your Twitter game, understanding line breaks can make a world of difference. Line breaks not only improve the readability of your tweets but also help you convey your message more effectively. With the character limit in mind, knowing how to structure your thoughts can capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged. Mastering line breaks on Twitter allows you to create visually appealing tweets that stand out in a crowded feed. Whether you want to emphasize key points or simply make your content more digestible, using line breaks strategically can elevate your messaging. Let’s dive into the art of crafting tweets that resonate and engage your followers. Overview of Twitter Line Breaks Using line breaks effectively in your tweets enhances readability, making your messages clear and engaging. Mastering this simple formatting tool can improve your content creation efforts, especially given Twitter’s character limit. You can capture your audience’s attention by strategically placing line breaks to emphasize key points and ideas. For small businesses, using line breaks can help in several ways: Improved Readability: Breaking up text makes it easier for your followers to read and understand your messages quickly. Highlighting Offers: Line breaks can draw attention to promotions, special events, or important announcements in your social media marketing. Increased Engagement: Tweets that are visually appealing tend to receive higher engagement rates, leading to better brand awareness and customer interaction. Incorporate line breaks to create more digestible and impactful Twitter posts. When you optimize your tweets using this technique, focus on maintaining your brand voice and storytelling elements to resonate with your audience effectively. Importance of Line Breaks Using line breaks in your tweets plays a vital role in enhancing readability and boosting engagement for your small business. By properly utilizing this feature, you can effectively convey your messages and create a visually appealing online presence. Enhancing Readability Line breaks break up long blocks of text, making tweets easier to navigate and comprehend. This strategy is especially beneficial for your audience as they skim through their Twitter feed. Enhanced readability facilitates content sharing, fostering a better understanding of your brand’s message. For example, if you’re promoting a new product or service, structuring your tweet with well-placed line breaks can showcase key points without overwhelming your audience. This is particularly advantageous for small business social media campaigns, where clear communication impacts engagement rates. Improving Engagement Your engagement rate on Twitter can significantly improve with effective use of line breaks. By creating visually appealing tweets, you capture the attention of your social media followers and keep them engaged. Line breaks help emphasize key offers, promotions, or calls to action. For instance, sharing a limited-time discount becomes more impactful when presented in a clear, digestible format. Maximizing engagement on Twitter not only boosts your brand awareness but also reinforces your storytelling efforts, allowing you to connect with customers in a more meaningful way. Leveraging hashtags in conjunction with line breaks can further enhance your organic reach and visibility on the platform. How to Use Line Breaks on Twitter Using line breaks in your tweets enhances clarity and engagement. This technique allows you to highlight key messages, improving readability and capturing your audience’s attention. Manual Line Breaks You can insert line breaks manually by pressing the Enter key while composing tweets. This method is available on Twitter’s web client and official mobile apps. Each line break counts as one character within the character limit. Since Twitter raised the limit to 280 characters, you can leverage line breaks for shorter, impactful messages. Line breaks separate ideas, making your content digestible for potential customers and increasing engagement rates for your small business. Utilizing Third-Party Tools Third-party tools can also streamline your tweet composition. Platforms like Hootsuite or Buffer allow you to schedule tweets with line breaks, maintaining organization in your social media strategy. These tools enable you to create visually appealing posts that showcase your brand voice, whether through storytelling or spotlighting promotions. Additionally, incorporating hashtags alongside your line breaks can enhance your organic reach, improving visibility among your target audience and boosting brand awareness. Common Challenges with Line Breaks Using line breaks in Twitter posts presents a few challenges, especially for small businesses looking to optimize their social media marketing strategies. Implementation and Display You may encounter issues with how line breaks appear, as not all third-party clients support this formatting. Although Twitter introduced line breaks in 2013, the transition to support varies. Clients need time to update, meaning your audience might see inconsistencies in your posts. Character Limit and Whitespace Each line break counts as one character toward the 280-character limit. Excessive line breaks risk consuming valuable characters, which could hinder your engagement rate. To maximize impact, use line breaks sparingly to maintain clear messaging without compromising content depth. Twitter also trims leading and trailing whitespace to prevent “whitespace abuse.” This ensures your posts remain compact and avoid unnecessary clutter, allowing your brand voice to come through effectively. API Issues When posting tweets via the Twitter API, line breaks can cause formatting problems. If using a social media tool for scheduling, ensure the platform supports line breaks, as this can affect how your social media posts display. Always preview your content before going live to maintain brand consistency. Navigating these challenges can enhance your online presence, streamline your content creation process, and improve your overall social media engagement. Focus on finding the right balance and utilize line breaks to highlight key messages in your storytelling. Best Practices for Effective Use Be Concise and Use Line Breaks Tweets have a 280-character limit. Using line breaks enhances readability. Break longer text into multiple lines to make your content easier to digest. Structure Your Tweets Utilize line breaks and blank lines to separate different parts of your tweet. Incorporate bullet lists or engaging first sentences to capture your audience’s attention. Accessibility When including images or videos in your posts, use line breaks to distinguish descriptions from the main content. If your post exceeds the character count, reply to the tweet with the image or video details. Readability Ensure your tweets maintain clarity by using sentence case. Avoid all caps or all lowercase text; this aids screen readers in delivering your message effectively. Integrate Hashtags Wisely Place relevant hashtags after line breaks or at the end of your tweet. This strategy enhances organic reach, making it easier for users to discover your brand. Utilize Social Media Tools Use third-party tools, like Hootsuite or Buffer, for scheduling tweets with line breaks. These tools help maintain organization in your social media strategy, ensuring consistency and engagement. Monitor Engagement Rates Track your social media analytics to assess the effectiveness of line breaks in your posts. Adjust your approach based on engagement rates to optimize your content marketing strategy. Test and Preview Always preview your tweets before publishing, especially if using the Twitter API. Formatting issues can arise, which might affect how your brand voice is interpreted by your followers. By implementing these best practices, you enhance your online presence. You’ll create engaging tweets that resonate with your audience, driving brand awareness and community interaction. Conclusion Mastering the art of line breaks on Twitter can elevate your tweets and enhance engagement. By breaking up text and highlighting key messages you make your content more digestible and visually appealing. This not only captures attention but also encourages interaction from your audience. For small businesses especially the strategic use of line breaks can lead to improved readability and increased visibility. Remember to keep your messages concise and test your tweets for optimal performance. With the right techniques you can create impactful posts that resonate with your followers and strengthen your brand’s online presence. Frequently Asked Questions Why are line breaks important in tweets? Using line breaks in tweets enhances readability, making it easier for followers to skim and understand your message. They help structure content, allowing key points to stand out, which can increase engagement and shareability. How can line breaks benefit small businesses on Twitter? Line breaks can improve tweet readability, highlight promotions, and boost engagement rates for small businesses. By emphasizing offers and separating ideas, businesses can effectively connect with their audience while maintaining their brand voice. What are some tips for using line breaks in tweets? To use line breaks effectively, you can press the Enter key while composing tweets, structuring your content with bullet points. Additionally, consider using third-party tools like Hootsuite or Buffer for organized scheduling. Are there any challenges when using line breaks in tweets? Yes, challenges include inconsistent appearance across third-party clients, character count limitations, and formatting issues. Preview your tweets to ensure they display as intended before posting. How can I optimize my tweets with line breaks? Be concise, structure your tweets clearly, ensure accessibility for screen readers, and integrate hashtags wisely. Monitor engagement and test your tweets to enhance your content marketing strategy effectively. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering Twitter Line Breaks for Engaging and Readable Tweets" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Saving up to retire takes decades of planning (and sometimes sacrifice), not to mention a steady income that allows you to put that money aside. Not everyone makes it to the finish line; in 2024, close to 5% of people with 401(k) plans took a hardship withdrawal, pulling money from their future to solve immediate financial needs. If you’re not yet 59½ years old (and don’t qualify for one of the exceptions allowed by the IRS) this can be a costly decision, though, because in addition to paying taxes on the withdrawal (which is considered income), you’ll be slapped with a 10% penalty. But if you need to access your retirement funds a little early, there’s a way to do it without incurring the penalty—but it does come with some potential downsides. Substantially Equal Periodic Payments“Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) is a method that allows individuals to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts before reaching the age of 59½ without incurring the typical 10% early withdrawal penalty imposed by the IRS,” says Sarah Daya, Executive Director of Wealth Planning and Advice at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. “It could be a good option for individuals who are retiring early, or if you’re facing unexpected financial challenges and you need additional income to support yourself.” A SEPP involves setting up annual distributions from a qualifying retirement account (like an IRA or a 401(k)—although you can’t use a 401(k) at a current employer) over a period of five years, or until the account holder turns 59½. That’s where the “substantially equal” part comes in—a SEPP isn’t a one-time distribution, it’s a schedule of more or less equal distributions over a period of time. “The IRS has specific guidelines for how the SEPP is calculated and offers three methods for calculation that you can choose from,” Daya says: The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Method, which calculates the annual payment by dividing the account balance by your life expectancy based on the IRS’s tables; the annual payment is recalculated each year and can change from year to year. The Fixed Amortization Method, which calculates the payment by amortizing—in other words, distributing payments from—the account balance over a specified number of years, based on your life expectancy and a chosen interest rate; these payments remain the same from year to year. The Fixed Annuitization Method, which calculates the payment by dividing the account balance by an annuity factor based on a chosen interest rate and your life expectancy; the annual payment amount stays the same each year. Which method is best for you depends on your specific financial needs. SEPP downsidesIf a SEPP seems like a magical way to tap that nest egg without penalties, Daya cautions that there are some downsides. “A SEPP lacks flexibility,” she says. “You cannot change the payment amount or the schedule once you start—once you start a SEPP, you must continue withdrawals for at least five years or until you reach age 59 ½, whichever is longer. Changing the payment schedule or stopping the withdrawals before the five-year period ends can result in penalties.” Another consideration is taxes, which you will have to pay on the distributions like you would on any income. And SEPPs aren’t easy to figure out, even if you handle a lot of your own finances and do your own taxes. “Calculating the SEPP payment amount is very complex,” Daya says. “You should consider working with a financial professional to help you meet all of the IRS’s compliance rules.” Perhaps the most important consideration is the effect a SEPP will have on Future You. “Making early withdrawals through a SEPP can reduce the amount of funds available for their later retirement years,” Daya says. Every dollar you take today is a dollar you won’t have when you officially retire. The SEPP optionSetting up a SEPP can be a good idea if you are retiring early and need access to your funds for your living expenses. If you have no other income or the income you do have is insufficient, a SEPP can bridge the gap between today and official retirement. And if you need regular income over a long period of time due to an unexpected financial challenge, a SEPP might be a good way to provide that. But the inflexibility, cost to your future, and tax bill means a SEPP should be a kind of last-resort solution. “They are not for short-term emergency expenses,” Daya says. “A SEPP is a way to provide a consistent income stream over five or more years. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and whether a SEPP makes sense for you will depend on a number of personal factors.” View the full article

Time is running short for customers of Joann. That’s because in just a few more days, the beloved fabrics and crafts retailers will have closed 255 locations across America. And by the end of next month, all its locations will be shuttered for good. Here’s what you need to know about April’s round of Joann stores closing, including the locations of the closing stores and the dates they are expected to close. Why is Joann’s closing? Like many once-ubiquitous large retail chains, Joann Inc. has faced years of financial struggles that have only gotten worse thanks to rising inflation, consumers cutting back on discretionary spending, and the increased prevalence of people preferring to shop online. For Joann, its financial burdens became too much, and the company decided to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, its second bankruptcy in less than a year. As part of that bankruptcy process, its assets were sold off, and all of its around 800 stores are being liquidated. Which Joann’s stores are closing in April? A total of 255 Joann stores are closing in April, according to a spokesperson for GA Group, the asset firm that took control of Joann after its bankruptcy. (The list was reported earlier by USA Today.) Those stores have been running liquidation sales all month, and as those sales conclude, the stores will be shut for good. In fact, the closing dates for many of those stores have already passed. But more than 100 locations are expected to close their doors today. Joann’s store closing list and dates Below is a list of the Joann stores that are closing in April 2025. The closing dates are listed in parentheses. GA Group has confirmed the list and dates with Fast Company. (In addition to this list, Joann still has more than 500 locations that will continue operating into next month.) Alaska Anchorage University Center AK (04/23/2025) Soldotna Soldotna Plaza AK (04/27/2025) Alabama Tuscaloosa Freestanding AL (04/27/2025) Florence Cox Creek Plaza AL (04/28/2025) Montgomery Eastchase Market SC AL (04/28/2025) Arkansas Jonesboro University Plaza AR (04/25/2025) No Little Rock Lakewood Village AR (04/26/2025) Little Rock Shackleford Crossing AR (04/27/2025) Fort Smith Fort Smith Marketplace AR (04/28/2025) Arizona Casa Grande Tri Valley Plaza AZ (04/25/2025) Green Valley Sahuarita Plaza AZ (04/27/2025) Tucson Oracle Wetmore AZ (04/28/2025) Phoenix Arcadia Fiesta SC AZ (04/28/2025) California Bakersfield Ming Retail Center CA (04/24/2025) Eureka Harris Street CA (04/25/2025) Corte Madera Tamal Vista Blvd. CA (04/25/2025) Yuba City Raley’s Center CA (04/26/2025) Sonora Sonora Crossroads CA (04/26/2025) Alhambra Costco Plaza CA (04/26/2025) Riverside Riverside Plaza CA (04/26/2025) La Verne La Verne Plaza CA (04/26/2025) National City Bay Plaza S/C CA (04/26/2025) La Canada Foothill Blvd. CA (04/27/2025) Woodland Westgate S/C CA (04/28/2025) Jackson Grocery Outlet SC CA (04/28/2025) San Mateo South El Camino Real CA (04/28/2025) Redwood City Peninsula Boardwalk CA (04/28/2025) Morgan Hill Tennant Station S/C CA (04/28/2025) Long Beach Los Coyotes Centers CA (04/28/2025) Colorado Pueblo Pueblo Mall CO (04/27/2025) Connecticut Clinton Clinton Commons S/C CT (04/26/2025) Brookfield Shop Rite Plaza CT (04/26/2025) Hamden Hamden Mart S/C CT (04/28/2025) Florida Spring Hill Lakewood Plaza FL (04/24/2025) Miami Flagler Park Plaza FL (04/24/2025) Hollywood Hollywood Blvd FL (04/24/2025) Pembroke Pines 11251 Pines Blvd. FL (04/24/2025) Wellington Shoppes at Isla Verde FL (04/24/2025) Port Richey Home Depot Plaza FL (04/26/2025) Estero Coconut Pointe FL (04/26/2025) Miami The Greenery FL (04/26/2025) Plantation The Fountains FL (04/26/2025) Margate Margate Shopping Center FL (04/26/2025) Vero Beach Century Town Center FL (04/26/2025) Fort Walton Beach Mariner Plaza FL (04/28/2025) Destin Shoppes at Paradise Key FL (04/28/2025) Tampa Market Square at Tampa Palms FL (04/28/2025) Venice Venice Village FL (04/28/2025) Miami JOANN Fabrics Plaza FL (04/28/2025) Pompano Beach Pompano Marketplace FL (04/28/2025) Boynton Beach Riverwalk Shopping Plaza FL (04/28/2025) West Palm Beach Northlake Commons FL (04/28/2025) Sanford Town Center Plaza FL (04/28/2025) Georgia Warner Robins Willow Lake Crossing GA (04/19/2025) Newnan Newnan Pavilion GA (04/23/2025) Macon Shoppes at River Crossing GA (04/24/2025) Fayetteville Fayette Pavilion GA (04/26/2025) Brunswick Golden Isles Plaza GA (04/26/2025) Cumming Lakeland Plaza GA (04/27/2025) Conyers Conyers Plaza GA (04/27/2025) Duluth Pleasant Hill Square GA (04/28/2025) Douglasville Douglas Corners S/C GA (04/28/2025) Iowa Mason City Willow Creek Crossing IA (04/28/2025) Muscatine Muscatine Mall IA (04/28/2025) Illinois Galesburg Eagle Center IL (04/24/2025) Crestwood Rivercrest Centre IL (04/25/2025) Mchenry Shops At Fox River IL (04/26/2025) Joliet Joliet Commons IL (04/26/2025) Wheaton Danada Square West S/C IL (04/26/2025) Champaign Champaign Town Center IL (04/26/2025) Quincy Quincy Mall IL (04/27/2025) Carbondale University Plaza S/C IL (04/27/2025) Freeport Freeport Shopping Center IL (04/28/2025) Niles Four Flaggs S/C IL (04/28/2025) Norridge Norridge Marketplace IL (04/28/2025) Sterling Sterling Lincoln Center IL (04/28/2025) Lombard High Point Centre IL (04/28/2025) Chicago Jo!co Square IL (04/28/2025) Peru Peru Mall IL (04/28/2025) Bourbonnais Bradley Commons IL (04/28/2025) Mattoon Cross County Mall IL (04/28/2025) Danville Village Mall IL (04/28/2025) Indiana Columbus Eastbrook Plaza IN (04/24/2025) Michigan City Lake Park S/C IN (04/25/2025) Bedford Town Fair Center IN (04/26/2025) Jasper Germantown Center IN (04/27/2025) Plymouth Pilgrim Place S/C IN (04/27/2025) Angola Angola Plaza IN (04/27/2025) Marion Five Points Mall IN (04/27/2025) Richmond Wal-Mart Plaza IN (04/27/2025) Vincennes Vincennes Plaza IN (04/28/2025) Indianapolis Washington Plaza IN (04/28/2025) South Bend Broadmoor Plaza IN (04/28/2025) Kansas Lawrence Park Plaza KS (04/26/2025) Salina Central Mall KS (04/28/2025) Kentucky Elizabethtown Towne Centre KY (04/26/2025) Ashland Ashland Towne Center KY (04/26/2025) Owensboro Owensboro Towne Center KY (04/27/2025) Glasgow Barren River Plaza KY (04/28/2025) Corbin Trademart Shopping Center KY (04/28/2025) Louisana Slidell Village at Northshore LA (04/16/2025) Shreveport Bayou Walk Shopping Center LA (04/26/2025) Alexandria Power Center LA (04/28/2025) Gretna Westside North Shopping Center LA (04/28/2025) Massachusetts Methuen Village Mall MA (04/24/2025) North Dartmouth Dartmouth Town Ctr MA (04/26/2025) Leominster Mall at Whitney Field MA (04/28/2025) Hyannis Christmas Tree Promenade MA (04/28/2025) Hadley Hampshire Mall MA (04/28/2025) Maryland Greenbelt Beltway Plaza Mall MD (04/24/2025) Prince Frederick Fox Run Shopping Center MD (04/26/2025) Lavale Lavala Plaza S/C MD (04/28/2025) Annapolis Annapolis Plaza MD (04/28/2025) Brandywine Brandywine Crossing MD (04/28/2025) Maine Auburn Auburn Plaza ME (04/28/2025) Michigan Essexville Majestic Square MI (04/23/2025) Adrian Southland Plaza MI (04/24/2025) Alpena Bear Point Plaza MI (04/25/2025) Burton Courtland Center MI (04/26/2025) Big Rapids Ferris Commons MI (04/27/2025) Lapeer Lapeer S/C MI (04/27/2025) Chesterfield Waterside Market Place MI (04/27/2025) Ann Arbor Oak Valley Center MI (04/27/2025) Holland Felch Street Plaza MI (04/28/2025) Petoskey Bear Creek Plaza MI (04/28/2025) Fort Gratiot Twenty-Fourth Avenue MI (04/28/2025) Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe Farms MI (04/28/2025) Bloomfield Hills Bloomfield Village Sq MI (04/28/2025) Allen Park Independence Market Place MI (04/28/2025) Minnesota Hibbing Irongate Mall MN (04/26/2025) Hutchinson Hutchinson Mall MN (04/26/2025) Faribault Faribo West Mall MN (04/26/2025) Bemidji Paul Bunyan Mall MN (04/28/2025) Willmar Kandi Mall MN (04/28/2025) Shakopee Dean Lakes MN (04/28/2025) Missouri Jefferson City Capital Mall MO (04/26/2025) Washington Phoenix Center MO (04/27/2025) Saint Joseph Hillcrest Plaza MO (04/28/2025) Crystal City Twin City Plaza MO (04/28/2025) Mississippi Southaven Southaven Town Center MS (04/28/2025) Tupelo Big Oaks Crossing MS (04/28/2025) Jackson The Junction MS (04/28/2025) Montana Butte Butte Plaza Mall MT (04/28/2025) Helena Shopko Plaza MT (04/28/2025) North Carolina Hendersonville Blue Ridge Mall NC (04/19/2025) Goldsboro Berkley Mall NC (04/24/2025) Rocky Mount Sutters Creek Crossing NC (04/26/2025) Mooresville Mooresville Consumer Square NC (04/26/2025) North Dakota Bismarck Gateway Mall ND (04/22/2025) New Hampshire West Lebanon Target Plaza NH (04/22/2025) Seabrook Seacoast S/C NH (04/26/2025) Belmont Belknap Mall S/C NH (04/28/2025) Hooksett Hooksett Village Shops NH (04/28/2025) New Mexico Santa Fe Plaza Princessa S/C NM (04/26/2025) Las Cruces Pan America Plaza NM (04/28/2025) Nevada Carson City Carson Mall NV (04/26/2025) Elko Elko Junction NV (04/28/2025) New York Malone K-Mart Plaza NY (04/24/2025) Clifton Park Village Square NY (04/24/2025) Olean Tops Plaza NY (04/26/2025) Rochester JOANN / Petsmart Plaza NY (04/26/2025) Watertown Arsenal Plaza NY (04/26/2025) Poughkeepsie Poughkeepsie Plaza Mall NY (04/26/2025) Middletown Dunning Farms S/C NY (04/26/2025) Lakewood Chautauqua Mall NY (04/28/2025) Niagara Falls Niagara Square NY (04/28/2025) Cortland Riverside Plaza NY (04/28/2025) Kingston Kingston Plaza NY (04/28/2025) West Babylon Great South Bay S/C NY (04/28/2025) Ohio Evendale Village Crossing OH (04/23/2025) Springfield Springfield Plaza S/C OH (04/24/2025) Heath Park Plaza OH (04/24/2025) Akron Tri-County Plaza OH (04/24/2025) Fremont Potter Village OH (04/26/2025) Lima Lima Center OH (04/26/2025) Dayton Shiloh Springs Plaza OH (04/26/2025) Chillicothe Zane Plaza OH (04/26/2025) St. Clairsville Ohio Valley Mall OH (04/26/2025) Niles Boulevard Centre at Eastwood Mall OH (04/26/2025) Marietta Lafayette Center OH (04/27/2025) Defiance Northtowne East OH (04/28/2025) Findlay Former Home Depot OH (04/28/2025) Hamilton Indian Springs Shopping Center OH (04/28/2025) New Philadelphia New Towne Mall OH (04/28/2025) Sandusky Crossings at Sandusky OH (04/28/2025) East Liverpool St Clair Plaza OH (04/28/2025) Steubenville Hollywood City Center OH (04/28/2025) Oklahoma Shawnee Shawnee Mall OK (04/26/2025) Stillwater Bradford Plaza OK (04/28/2025) Oregon Mcminnville Mcminnville Town Ctr OR (04/24/2025) The Dalles Cascade Square OR (04/26/2025) North Bend Pony Village Mall OR (04/26/2025) Warrenton Un-Named Shopping Center OR (04/28/2025) Beaverton Canyon Place OR (04/28/2025) Klamath Falls Je!erson Square OR (04/28/2025) Pennsylvania Belle Vernon Tri-County Plaza PA (04/24/2025) Indiana Regency Mall PA (04/24/2025) Altoona Pleasant Valley S/C PA (04/24/2025) Bridgeville Great Southern S/C PA (04/26/2025) Butler Pullman Square PA (04/26/2025) Johnstown University Park S/C PA (04/26/2025) State College Suburban Plaza PA (04/26/2025) Wayne Gateway S/C PA (04/26/2025) Glen Mills Concordville Town Center PA (04/26/2025) Lebanon Cedar Crest Sq S/C PA (04/26/2025) Pittsburgh Southland Four Seasons PA (04/28/2025) Meadville South Park Plaza PA (04/28/2025) Du Bois Dubois Mall PA (04/28/2025) Pottstown The Shops at Coventry PA (04/28/2025) Springfield Marple Crossroads PA (04/28/2025) Selinsgrove Susquehanna Valley Mall PA (04/28/2025) South Carolina Charleston Ashley Crossing SC (04/24/2025) Anderson Market Place Shopping Center SC (04/26/2025) Columbia Northpointe Commons SC (04/28/2025) Florence Florence Mall SC (04/28/2025) South Dakota Brookings University Mall SD (04/28/2025) Tennessee Jackson The Columns TN (04/26/2025) Johnson City Johnson City Plaza TN (04/26/2025) Tullahoma Northgate Mall TN (04/27/2025) Sevierville Governors Crossing TN (04/27/2025) Kingsport Kingsport Shopping Center TN (04/28/2025) Knoxville Harvest Park Shopping Center TN (04/28/2025) Texas New Braunfels Interstate Plaza TX (04/26/2025) Houston Copperfield Crossing TX (04/26/2025) Rockwall The Plaza At Rockwall TX (04/26/2025) Abilene Park Central Shopping Center TX (04/26/2025) San Antonio City Base Landing TX (04/28/2025) Mesquite Marketplace at Towne Centre TX (04/28/2025) Odessa Chimney Rock TX (04/28/2025) Virginia Lynchburg River Ridge Mall VA (04/23/2025) Christiansburg New River Valley Center VA (04/24/2025) Martinsville Village of Martinsville VA (04/26/2025) Culpeper Dominion Square VA (04/26/2025) Hampton Riverdale Plaza VA (04/26/2025) Warrenton Warrenton Center VA (04/28/2025) Vermont Barre Central Vermont Shopping Cente VT (04/26/2025) Rutland Town Green Mountain S/C VT (04/28/2025) Washington Port Angeles Port Angeles Plaza WA (04/26/2025) Kent Kent Hill Plaza WA (04/26/2025) East Wenatchee Valley Mall Parkway WA (04/26/2025) Seattle Nw 57Th Street WA (04/28/2025) Renton Northeast Sunset Blvd. WA (04/28/2025) Moses Lake Town Center WA (04/28/2025) Clarkston Gateway Square WA (04/28/2025) Wisconsin Marshfield Marshfield Center WI (04/22/2025) Pewaukee Silver Nail S/C WI (04/23/2025) Plover Crossroads Commons WI (04/25/2025) Marinette Pine Tree Mall WI (04/25/2025) Watertown Rivers Edge Mall WI (04/25/2025) Beaver Dam Heritage Village WI (04/28/2025) Fond Du Lac Forest Plaza WI (04/28/2025) Cudahy Packard Plaza WI (04/28/2025) West Virginia Beckley Raleigh Mall WV (04/28/2025) Parkersburg Memorial Bridge Plaza WV (04/28/2025) Wyoming Rock Springs White Mountain Mall WY (04/28/2025) View the full article

Here are a few examples from a finished project I’ve already created using this method. The first example is an executive summary, providing a brief overview of the analysis. And here, ChatGPT performs keyword overlap and keyword gap analyses. You…Read more ›View the full article

Learn how to successfully manage international PPC campaigns with multiple agencies, avoid common pitfalls, and balance global consistency with local market needs. The post Navigating The Complexities Of International PPC Working With Agencies appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

You’d think we all have enough stress in our lives already, but for some reason we still love those heart-pumping thrillers—whether the quiet, suspenseful kind or the big action spectacles. It might be that the things that get our hearts racing in real life are in the realm of “oh no, this medical bill,” making a spy movie, a heist-gone-wrong scenario, or even a dark kidnapping story a good vehicle for vicarious (and comparatively cheap) thrills. Regardless, here are the best thrillers currently streaming on Netflix, with a variety of tones that run from mildly tense to extremely dark. Rebel Ridge (2024) If you hadn't previously considered "civil forfeiture" as a fit subject for a tense action thriller, that might be about to change; Aaron Pierre stars as Terry Richmond, a former Marine, who cycles into the cycles into Shelby Springs, Louisiana with cash on hand to post bail for his cousin (held on a misdemeanor charge) and some extra to buy the truck they'll need for work. He's knocked off his bike and the cops claim the cash (a real thing that absolutely happens), forcing Terry into a position where he will have to prove in court that his money is not involved in criminal activity. The clock is ticking, though, and his cousin is about to be shipped off to a prison where he'll be a target as an informant. On the side of justice? Terry's fists—he's a close-quarters combat expert and he's more than capable of taking on some corrupt small-town cops. You can stream Rebel Ridge here. Woman of the Hour (2023) Anna Kendrick (also the director) stars as Sheryl Bradshaw, a real-life contestant on the TV game show The Dating Game. In and of itself, not terribly thrilling, except that Bradshaw was a guest on an episode with Rodney Alcala (played here by Daniel Zovatto), even winning a date with the "successful photographer" who was, in reality, in the middle of a string of serial murders and rapes. The movie alternates between their two stories until they collide on the set of the popular TV show, and later as Bradshaw meets Alcala for their planned date. You can stream Woman of the Hour here. The Net (1995) Time has caught up to The Net in many ways, in that elements that seemed wildly implausible in 1995 are commonplace now (ordering pizza over the internet, for example, was absolutely science fiction back in the day). And, while the aesthetics are often dated to the point of goofiness, the movie's overall premise holds up: Sandra Bullock plays Angela Bennett, a software systems analyst who gets involved in a tangled web (pun kinda intended) of intrigue when she's given a disk with links to a criminal conspiracy lead by Jack Devlin (Jeremy Northam). Computers are all-powerful here—erasing her life, crashing planes, bringing down politicians, etc.—in ways they weren't in 1995 but definitely are now. You can stream The Net here. Fair Play (2023) A throwback (complimentary) erotic thriller, Fair Play is an effective slow burner that builds toward a fairly shocking final act. Phoebe Dynevor is Emily Meyers, who's pretty happy for her secret boyfriend Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) when she hears that he might be getting a promotion at the ultra-cutthroat hedge fund where they both work. When she gets the new job instead? Let's just say that Luke is less enthusiastic, kicking off a series of power games that lead first to illegality, then to violence. You can stream Fair Play here. Revelations (2025) Writer/director Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) heads this more grounded police thriller, involving the intersecting lives of a quiet, shy pastor (Ryu Jun-yeol) and a traumatized police detective who's only recently been transferred to a violent crimes unit—just in time to lead the hunt for a truly nasty serial kidnapper. This time, it's one of Pastor Min-chan's congregation who's been taken, and the ensuing hunt leads to a crisis if faith for the minister, and then a growing conviction that God's will is for him to be an instrument of divine retribution. You can stream Revelations here. Spiderhead (2022) While Joseph Kosinski’s Netflix original Spiderhead didn’t make quite the splash of his mega blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick, it does make for a smart thriller with sci-fi overtones. Chris Hemsworth plays Steve Abnesti, who oversees a prison program in which prisoners receive less oversight and reduced sentences in exchange for serving as test subjects for a variety of pharmaceuticals. Supposedly, this is the project of some benevolent geniuses who just want to improve humankind, but you might not be surprised to learn (if you’ve ever lived in our world) that a pharmaceutical conglomerate has a lot more to do with it. The experiments grow increasingly manipulative and even deadly, with solid performances from Miles Teller and Jurnee Smollett as two of the prison’s inmates. You can stream Spiderhead here. Society of the Snow (2023) You might be familiar with the true story of the 1972 Uruguayan rugby team lost in the Andes following a plane crash—the incident has been the subject of multiple documentaries and two previous dramas, including Frank Marshall's 1993 Alive. This is probably the best take on the tragedy, a thoughtful and tastefully thrilling drama. Director J. A. Bayona emphasizes both the heart-stopping physical perils faced by the team, and the spiritual toll their survival takes on them. You can stream Society of the Snow here. I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017) When nursing assistant Ruth (a fabulous Melanie Lynskey) comes home to find that she’s been burglarized, she sets out with her neighbor (Elijah Wood) to get her stuff back, and get revenge, in the most incompetent manner possible. As a vigilante farce, it nearly reaches Coen-brothers levels of absurdity, but it hits a lot of those beats while alternately challenging and confirming our worst instincts about our fellow humans. You can stream I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore here. The Pale Blue Eye (2022) This brooding mystery is a compelling (and twisty) tale that plays fast and loose with history, even as it conjures up a chilly and brooding atmosphere. Christian Bale plays a retired and troubled detective teaming up with a young West Point cadet you might have heard of: his name’s Edgar Allen Poe, and he’s played here by Harry Melling, who’s great. The two team up to solve a case involving dead students and creepy occult signifiers. You can stream The Pale Blue Eye here. Runaway Jury (2003) Gene Hackman's third John Grisham adaptation (and his penultimate film overall) isn't quite the movie The Firm is, but it's still an effective legal thriller. Hackman plays shady, conniving jury consultant Rankin Fitch, going head-to-head with Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) as key figures in the trial of a gun manufacturer. Complicating matters is the presence on the jury of Nick Easter (John Cusack) who, with the help of girlfriend Marlee (Rachel Weisz), plans to manipulate the jury in such a way that he'll have a multimillion dollar payout coming his way. You can stream Runaway Jury here. Trap (2024) Cooper (Josh Hartnett) is a pretty cool dad in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest, taking his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to see a very cool Taylor Swift-ish pop star in concert. We quickly learn, though, that Cooper is a hunted serial killer, and that the FBI knows that "The Butcher" will be at the concert, even if they don't know exactly who it is. Of such premises are fun thrillers made, as Cooper has to try to escape the pop concert while somehow making sure his daughter gets to enjoy the show. You can stream Trap here. Delicious (2025) The thrills here are more psychological, but the movie is no less intense for it. A German family strikes a young woman on the road during a protest en route to their beautiful villa in Provence. Rather than let that ruin an otherwise perfectly delightful vacation, they take the young woman in and hire her on as domestic help; each family member has their own motive for wanting her around, and they will, each of them, come to deeply regret their choices (shades of Parasite) by the final act. You can stream Delicious here. Doi Boy (2023) Sorn (Awat Ratanapintha), fleeing conscription and violence in his native Myanmar, flees to Thailand, living in poverty as an illegal immigrant. With little money and fewer legal rights, he becomes a dancer and sex worker at the title's gay club, being one of the few ways he can make money. When Covid shuts down the club, Sorn gets an offer from one of his customers, Ji, a cop charged with quietly silencing activists—if Sorn will help capture and disappear a human rights activist, Ji will promise a passport and legal status. Director Nontawat Numbenchapol is best known for his award-winning documentaries, and brings a scrupulously realistic approach to this tense drama. You can stream Doi Boy here. The Killer (2023) Michael Fassbender plays the titular (nameless) hitman, a fastidious and ruthless killer who is suffering from the fallout of the first mistake of his career—accidentally shooting the wrong person, whoops—as his carefully managed life begins crumbling faster than he can shore it up. Very unlike his previous Netflix original, Mank, this is about as close as Fincher gets to a pure action thrill ride. You can stream The Killer here. Bird Box (2018) This Netflix original had a cultural moment way back in 2018, riding the success of A Quiet Place with a story about creatures YOU MUST NOT LOOK AT. Sandra Bullock leads an impressive cast that includes John Malkovich, Sarah Paulson, Lil Rel Howery, and BD Wong in a post-apocalypse in which the only way to survive is with a blindfold and, perhaps, a stylish puffer jacket. You can stream Bird Box here. Cam (2018) Director Daniel Goldhaber (the upcoming How to Blow Up a Pipeline) teamed up with writer Isa Mazzei, who based this Black Mirror-esque story partly on her own memoir. Madeline Brewer (Orange is the New Black) plays online sex worker Alice Ackerman, aka Lola_Lola, who once night discovers there’s another Lola out there—a cam girl who’s identical to Alice in appearance and general vibe, but whose willingness to go further puts her out in front in terms of viewership. It’s a horror movie with a lot to say about the dehumanization of sex workers, with a great central performance from Brewer. You can stream Cam here. The Guilty (2021) It’s not quite up to the standard of the Danish original, but this American remake of a 2018 film is still excellent. Director Antoine Fuqua is joined by screenwriter Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective) in the film starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Baylor, an LAPD officer who’d been busted down to 911 dispatcher for initially unspecified errors in judgment. He gets a call from a panicked woman that leads him to make some dramatic decisions, not all of them good. An exercise in pure suspense, the contained movie very much rests on Gyllenhaal’s shoulders, though a few famous names show up via voiceover. You can stream The Guilty here. Shimmer Lake (2017) This crime drama begins on a Friday, with Andy (Rainn Wilson) hiding in his basement while his wife stalls his brother Zeke (Benjamin Walker), who’s also the sheriff. Andy, on the run with a bag of money, will be dead before the day’s out, but we’re going backwards here: writer/director Oren Uziel’s narrative then takes us to Thursday, and each previous day subsequently, until we understand how everyone wound up where they are. You can stream Shimmer Lake here. Gerald’s Game (2017) Set almost entirely in an isolated cabin in the woods, this Stephen King adaptation involves a single immobilized character for much of its running time. Director Mike Flanagan, nevertheless, manages to craft a taut, suspenseful story about a married woman (Carla Gugino) trapped in a remote cabin when her husband played by Bruce Greenwood, dies after having handcuffed her to the bed. Increasingly delirious, she’s forced to face not only her past trauma, but the hungry dog that keeps sniffing around. You can stream Gerald's Game here. Lou (2022) Lou (Allison Janney) is a quiet loner on Orcas Island in 1986; she’s also landlady to Hannah (Jurnee Smollett). Lou has just come by to tell Hannah that the rent is due when she learns that Hannah’s daughter has been kidnapped by the girl’s father, an ex-Green Beret and war criminal. Fortunately for Hannah, Lou has some very John Wick-esque secrets regarding her past, making her an unexpectedly good ally against the kidnapper. You can stream Lou here. Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) Continuing from the British crime series starring Idris Elba, but also a movie you can watch on its own, the film finds disgraced, imprisoned former DCI John Luther taunted by a serial killer (Andy Serkis) who, he’s pretty sure, can only be stopped if Luther busts out of jail and hunts him down. If you watched the series, this is an essential follow-up. If you haven’t, it’s a perfectly good time to find out why Elba is doing the morally gray detective thing better than anyone, maybe ever. You can stream The Fallen Sun here. Creep (2014) Mark Duplass (The Morning Show) co-writes and stars alongside director/co-writer Patrick Brice in this sly spin on the found-footage genre. Filmmaker Aaron (Brice) answers an ad from Josef (Duplass) who says he wants to document his life for the benefit of his unborn child. Things start off normal enough, but then Josef's requests keep getting more and more bizarre, and Aaron's car keys go missing. The slightly comedic vibe, at least at the outset, only serves to make the whole affair more unsettling. You can stream Creep here. Fractured (2019) This is a solid example of that type of thriller in which one person realizes someone has disappeared, and everyone else acts like that person was never around at all. (If it's not quite a sub-genre, it's definitely a thing.) After an accident at an exposed construction site, Ray (Sam Worthington) takes his family to the hospital, then dozes off in the waiting room. Big mistake: When he wakes up, they're gone, and the hospital has no idea what he's talking about. If it isn't entirely original, it's still a fun and creepy mystery. You can stream Fractured here. Emily the Criminal (2022) Emily (Aubrey Plaza) is a deeply relatable character: She went to an expensive school, and finds herself saddled with a mountain of debt. A relatively minor criminal record has made it hard for her to get a good-paying job. When given a chance to learn all about credit card fraud, the potential benefits are too good to turn down—which is approximately when things go wrong, and get violent. And then we find out exactly what Emily is capable of. Plaza is so brilliant here as the anti-hero that it’s a little hard not to cheer her on. You can stream Emily the Criminal here. The Paramedic (2020) Mario Casas stars here as Ángel, the title’s paramedic—not the greatest guy, really, and one who takes souvenirs from the people he helps, either to sell or to keep. An accident sees him lose the use of his legs, and his turmoil and rage don’t turn him into a better person, but instead sees him letting loose on a world he blames for pretty much everything. In particular danger is the girlfriend who left him. It’s a standard horror/thriller setup, but Casas is impressively compelling in his transformation from run-of-the-mill jerk to complete monster. You can stream The Paramedic here. The Gray Man (2022) The Russo brothers took a break from Avengers movies for this other blockbuster—at a cost of around $200m, it’s not like they decided to do a quiet indie drama. Ryan Gosling plays spy Sierra Six, whose latest mission involves taking out a fellow agent. He’s soon on the run from a corrupt agency boss (played by Regé-Jean Page), and helped and hindered by a supporting cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, and Alfre Woodard. Sierra Six doesn’t make much of an impression as a character, but the Russos know how to craft an action spectacle, and this one kicks up the action early on, and never really slows down. You can stream The Gray Man here. I Care a Lot (2020) Rosamund Pike’s Marla Grayson might be the worst character on this list, which is saying a lot. She’s a con artist who specializes in convincing courts to grant her guardianship of old people who, she says, can’t take care of themselves. She then drains their bank accounts at her leisure. It’s all going great (for her) until she fucks with the wrong senior: in this case, Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest), who looks like the ultimate score. It turns out that she’s the mom of a scary Russian mobster (Peter Dinklage), and things escalate from there. The tone here is satirical to the point of comedy, but it’s both tense and satisfying to see the screws turn on Marla. You can stream I Care a Lot here. Hold the Dark (2018) Jeffrey Wright plays Russell Core, a writer and wolf expert summoned by Riley Keogh's Medora Slone to investigate the disappearance of three small kids in rural Alaska. Not all the locals are convinced that wolves are to blame—or, at least, that it was just wolves. The return of Medora's husband (Alexander Skarsgård) from Iraq only complicates the mystery further. If you've seen director Jeremy Saulnier's previous feature Green Room, you'll have a sense of the dark tone and grimy aesthetic in store for you. You can stream Hold the Dark here. The Occupant (2020) Advertising executive Javier Muñoz (Javier Gutiérrez) once lived with his family in an ultra-posh apartment, but they simply couldn't afford it once he lost his job. Reduced circumstances have them in a tiny rental in a less-than-coveted neighborhood of Barcelona—but there's this set of spare keys, you see, and Javier can't help but go and scope out his old home and the new family that lives there. His interest quickly turns to an obsession with getting his old place back—though in fairness, none of his actions seem all that wild given today's real estate market. You can stream The Occupant here. Carry-On (2024) Action thriller Carry-On starts off at the airport (naturally) and on Christmas Eve—I'm already tense. Taron Edgerton is TSA agent Ethan Kopek, who's blackmailed into allowing Jason Bateman to smuggle a very dangerous package onto a flight (and yet I can't get through with my belt). Having allowed the package through, Kopek is determined to stop the man (known only as The Traveller) from carrying out his plan. You can stream Carry-On on here. A Simple Favor (2018) The darkly comedic tone makes this one bit lighter than many of the other films on this list, but it's all the more twisted for it. It all starts when mommy blogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) makes friends with, and unwisely confides in, Emily (Blake Lively), a PR director and mother of her son's schoolmate. Then Emily disappears, Stephanie sleeps with Emily's husband (Henry Golding), and the lurid secrets that Stephanie spilled start to come to light under shocking circumstances. It's all lot of fun, and boasts some genuinely wild twists. You can stream A Simple Favor here. View the full article

WordPress offers two primary content types: Pages and Posts. Choosing the right format for your content can improve your website’s organization, user experience, and even SEO. But how do they differ – and when should you use one over the other? Let’s break it down. WordPress Pages Pages are best suited for static, “evergreen” content – information that doesn’t change frequently and forms the foundation of your website. Typical examples include: Home page. About us. Services or products. Contact page. Key features: Not time-sensitive. Not included in RSS feeds. Do not use categories or tags by default (can be implemented with plugins). Can be organized into parent/child hierarchies for structured navigation. Ideal for top-level and permanent site architecture. Best use case: A business site or portfolio that emphasizes stable content and custom navigation. Dig deeper: 12 WordPress site settings that are critical to your SEO success WordPress Posts Posts are designed for timely, blog-style content. They are dynamic and are often used for: News updates. Articles or tutorials. Announcements. Case studies or opinion pieces. Key features: Time-based and organized chronologically. Appear natively in RSS feeds. Use categories, tags, and authors. Automatically appear in archive pages (e.g., category or date archives). Can be featured on the homepage with the “latest posts” setting. Best use case: A blog, news site, or resource hub with frequent updates. At-a-glance comparison FeaturePagesPostsIntended UseEvergreen/static contentTimely/blog contentCategories & TagsNot supportedFully supportedAuthor AttributionTypically hiddenCommonly shownRSS FeedExcludedIncludedParent/Child StructureSupported via categoriesNot natively (categories can simulate this)SEO PotentialEqual for both; structure mattersCustom StylingFully customizableFully customizable Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Updated recommendations for site structure My standard advice is: Use Pages for permanent content. Use Posts for news/blog-style content. However, based on site architecture and scale, my advice now has more nuance. Recommended best practice If you’re building a new site or undergoing a major redesign, consider the dominant content type to guide your structure. For sites with mostly evergreen content: Use Pages only. Organize content using parent/child relationships. Great for structured menus and consistent navigation. For content-heavy, regularly updated sites: Use Posts only. Utilize categories, tags, and authors for organization. Enables better filtering, search, and automated feeds. Dig deeper: SEO pros and cons of HubSpot vs. WordPress vs. Webflow Why this matters Too many WordPress sites suffer from poor content organization: Mixed use of pages and posts with no clear logic. All content lumped into the site root. Difficult-to-maintain navigation structures. While both pages and posts are treated as content by search engines, a well-structured site: Improves user experience. Boosts crawlability and SEO. Makes long-term maintenance easier. Should you rebuild your existing site? Only if: You’re undergoing a redesign, theme change, or content audit. You’re seeing issues with SEO, navigation, or content discoverability. Otherwise, don’t fix what isn’t broken. Use the above as a guide for new content or structural improvements. Final thoughts Ultimately, Pages and Posts are tools – and which one you choose should depend on your content goals. Keep things consistent, structure your site logically, and avoid mixing similar content types across both formats. Don’t forget to update the Permalink settings after setting up your organization. Categorizing is only one step in the process. Without this critical step, your structure won’t appear as you intend. Tip: Always think about your visitors (first!) and search engines will navigate your site. Logical content grouping will benefit both. Dig deeper: Top 9 WordPress technical SEO issues to address View the full article

The reaction of the markets, politicians and media to The President’s tariff shock may have averted an arms raceView the full article