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It’s an upgrade pitch, so they have to see the value. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article

It’s an upgrade pitch, so they have to see the value. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article

Explore LinkedIn Analytics in 2025 to track performance, refine B2B marketing strategies, and make informed decisions to achieve your business goals effectively. View the full article

There comes a point every winter when you have to rally together your arsenal of hot liquid meals. If you have enough recipes—all your hot soups, stews, stoups, and chunky sauces—they can get you through to spring. Much to the chagrin of my friends, I call this Hot Bean Season. One of my favorite meals that fits this category is my Dutch oven beans and sausage. It’s utterly simple, completely satisfying, and you need absolutely no fancy cooking skills to make it. The reason I come back to this meal again and again is because it uses the Screw It method of cooking—just dump everything in the pot. Well, the initial sausage searing is a must for flavor, but I consider that step part of the Screw It method because it allows me to skip the whole mise en place business: I use the sausages’ sear time to chop the other two ingredients. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I like to make this recipe in a Dutch oven. (Don’t worry, you don’t need a Le Creuset, any of these cheaper ones will do perfectly.) This meal simmers for a little while, and the heavy cast iron of a Dutch oven keeps the low heat evenly distributed while the domed lid redistributes the moisture back into the sauce. That said, you could make this bangin’ beans and sausage in any heavy-bottomed pot or a big, wide skillet with a well-fitting lid. This dish makes me feel like I’m in a cozy tavern on a snowy mountain. That’s never happened to me, but I’m confident a meal like this would be available there. I use the entire can of cannellini beans, including the aquafaba. Don’t drain those beans, even if you elect to use a different variety like chickpeas or red beans. The viscous liquid is full of helpful proteins and starches that will thicken the sauce beautifully. That liquid will also help dissolve the fond that builds from your seared sausage and create a deeply savory sauce. Dump all of the ingredients over the seared sausage and let it simmer. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann In my opinion, this recipe serves two people with two sausages each, but feel free to double for a bigger group or use a little more of any ingredient to make it fit your style. A couple more potatoes won’t harm this dish. If you don’t like kale, replace it with raw spinach, chard, mustard greens, or collards. Easy Dutch Oven Beans and Sausage RecipeIngredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 sausage links 4 ribs of lacinato kale 2 red potatoes 1 clove garlic 1 can cannellini beans (liquid included) 1 cup chicken broth ½ teaspoon salt (adjustable according to your chicken broth) 1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy duty pot, sear the sausage links in the olive oil over medium heat. Rotate them once or twice while they cook. 2. Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients. Roughly chop the kale, cut the potatoes into half-inch cubes, peel and smash the garlic clove. 3. Once the sausages have some color on two sides of each link, toss in all of the other ingredients. Give everything a poke to make sure it contacts the broth a bit. Cover it with a well-fitting lid and simmer over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to scrape up the fond from the bottom of the pan. 4. About five minutes before it’s finished, smash some of the beans with a wooden spoon to release some of the starches and thicken the sauce even more (if desired). Enjoy with a hunk of crusty bread. View the full article

Many ecommerce websites obsess over flashy designs and trendy layouts. Big mistake. Instead, you should focus on conversion-centered design. That’s the blend of buyer psychology, user experience, and strategic design working together to turn visitors into customers. Doing this can get you: More sales Higher average order values Better conversion rates Below, I’ve handpicked nine effective ecommerce website examples that follow a conversion-focused design. Use them as a blueprint to create your own online store that converts. Crème de la Crème: Our Favorite Ecommerce Website Examples Short on time to review every ecommerce website example on this list? Focus on these three. Study them. Use them as a template for your store. And watch your conversion rates improve. 1. Crutchfield Crutchfield is a large electronics retailer specializing in audio, video, and car tech. The company grew its business on expert product knowledge and top-tier customer service. Their website stays true to this focus. They have designed it with the customer experience in mind. Despite offering thousands of products, the layout is clean, organized, and easy to navigate. Take the homepage, for example. It provides links only to popular products and categories. By limiting the options to these key choices, it avoids overwhelming shoppers. (While also letting them dive deeper to find exactly what they need.) Click one of these product category links, and you’ll find the pages are just as well-organized. Take the “Smart Home” category, for example. Easy-to-read text and clear images make sure you move through the site with ease. The content is also easy to skim, which simplifies browsing and finding information. Scroll down the page, and you’ll see options to search for products in different ways: By use By brand By compatibility By subcategory This lets you shop in the way that works best for you. You can either search for a specific product or browse through the available options. Now, check out the navigation bar. The mega menu is clear and simple, with dropdowns that guide you to the right section. But what if you already know the specific product you’re looking for? The intuitive search bar helps you with that. It gives suggestions as you type—aka predictive text—to speed things up. Once you’ve searched, narrowing the results is just as easy. You can filter with options like: Price Features Availability of virtual audio demo Select the filters you want, and voilà, you customize your search results. And you know what that means: The quicker you can find a product, the more likely you are to buy. Now, let’s look at the product pages. They’re a perfect mix of SEO and user experience (UX). For example, breadcrumbs show exactly where you are on the site and make it easy to go back a step. And the product names and descriptions are also clear and easy to understand. They even include target keywords to help with search rankings. A nice touch. What’s more, the reviews and testimonials are right where you can see them. These help build credibility as you read more about the product. Then, to make it easier for potential customers to click the buy button, Crutchfield uses “anxiety reducers” in strategic locations. For example, near the “add to cart” button, microcopy highlights benefits such as: Free lifetime tech support 60-day price-drop protection 60-day returns Smart move. Why? Asking someone to take action, like adding to cart, can trigger hesitation. These anxiety reducers help ease buyer concerns and make the next step feel safer. But what really sets Crutchfield’s website apart is how clear their focus on customer service is. (After all, that’s their brand differentiator.) On every page, they make it clear how quickly you can reach them. First, their phone number is always visible at the top of every page. And no matter where you are—homepage, category page, or product page—they always feature tech experts. This reassures shoppers that a real, knowledgeable human is always ready to help. These elements build trust in their business while making the shopping experience stress-free. That’s why they top my list of ecommerce sites with conversion-focused designs. How Crutchfield Looks on Mobile Crutchfield’s mobile site is just as user-friendly as the desktop version. It ticks all the big mobile SEO boxes. Pages load fast, and the search and filter options are clear, simple, and easy to tap. All the trust signals are still there, too. And here’s a superb touch: The PayPal “Buy now” button gets prime placement on mobile, unlike the desktop version. (While we obviously don’t know for sure, the team likely tested this and found it boosted mobile sales.) Takeaways Prioritize user experience: Focus on customer needs to help boost conversions and SEO. Make your value proposition obvious: What makes your store and products different? Make sure visitors see that on every page. Design product pages for people AND search engines: They should load fast, give clear details, and guide shoppers to buy. Further reading: SEO Behavioral Factors: How User Actions Impact Rankings 2. Bang & Olufsen (B&O) Bang & Olufsen is a global leader in luxury audio and visual technology. They’re known for sleek design features, cutting-edge sound, and refined Scandinavian craftsmanship. Their website matches their brand, as the minimalist design oozes elegance. Plus, the generous white space makes each product look like a museum piece. The clean layout and modern font (Beosupremen) complete the Scandinavian aesthetic. Browsing the site feels less like online shopping and more like exploring an art exhibit. Now, check out the product pages. It feels like something out of a premium lifestyle magazine. High-resolution images capture your attention immediately. Plus, the detailed, well-crafted descriptions speak to reason AND emotion. The best part? B&O have managed to do all this while optimizing for SEO. For example, their product pages use keywords in the H1 tag instead of just the product name. (In this case, “portable speaker.”) They also use the keyword naturally throughout the page a few times. Side note: H1 tags are the main headings on a webpage. Adding target keywords here can boost your SEO and make the page’s purpose clear to visitors. And there’s more: Bang & Olufsen’s website does a great job of linking online browsing with in-store visits. Their homepage displays a call to action encouraging shoppers to “Experience in store.” The same CTA copy also appears on product pages reinforcing B&O’s physical presence. And here’s why that matters: It shows they’re more than an online retailer. This adds credibility and sophistication to the brand. It also helps boost buyers’ confidence in the brand’s legitimacy. How Bang & Olufsen Looks on Mobile Bang & Olufsen’s mobile site keeps the same luxury vibe. The minimalist design stays the same, with clean layouts and space for products to stand out. The high-quality images load quickly and look stunning. Navigation is just as smooth. The large, clear buttons are easy to tap, and everything responds quickly to your touch. All this comes together to create the premium, elegant feel you’d expect from B&O. Takeaways Speak luxury through subtlety: Skip the loud banners and hard-sell tactics. They create a salesy feel that cheapens a premium brand. Balance image quality with page speed: Showcase your products with high-quality images. Also compress them so they load fast and stop visitors from bouncing. Create a seamless shopping experience: Link your website to your offline stores. This makes everything feel more cohesive. 3. Misen Misen sells high-quality cookware for home chefs and hobby cooks. They transform everyday kitchen tools into aspirational must-haves. Their website fully reflects this goal. Bold typography and bright colors grab your attention. And the compelling copy inspires you to level up your cooking skills. What sets Misen’s website apart? It speaks to four distinct decision-making styles. Just look at their product pages to see this at work. First, Misen wins over methodical buyers with: Detailed specs Material breakdowns Clear explanations This gives these logic-driven shoppers the data to make a confident purchase. For emotion-driven buyers, Misen uses vivid images and GIFs, like the knife slicing through a grape. These visual elements spark desire and help you imagine using the product yourself. To attract competitive buyers, Misen uses bestseller badges and review counts. These elements trigger FOMO and appeal to the desire to choose the best product. Finally, for practical buyers, Misen features close-up shots of knives in action. You’ll see hands gripping tools, before-and-after cooking shots, and precise cuts. This gives practical buyers proof that the product delivers on its promises. So go visit Misen’s product pages. Study them. Copy what works. And your conversions will thank you. How Misen Looks on Mobile Misen’s mobile site proves that rich content and video can work on smaller screens. They also embrace long copy, pairing text and visuals with precision. Images appear right where they’re needed, making browsing smooth and intuitive. But that’s not all. Social proof, like user-generated content (UGC), appears at just the right moments to nudge shoppers to buy. Misen’s mobile pages make it clear: Premium design and performance can work perfectly even on smaller screens. Takeaways Design for different buyer mindsets: Show your product working in multiple ways to appeal to different buyer types. Make images tell stories: Skip stock images and basic product photos. Show your products in action to evoke curiosity and desire. Keep mobile fast but premium: Compress images to load high-res product shots and videos quickly. This keeps the premium feel while boosting performance. Top tip: Want to know if images are slowing down your site? Run Semrush’s Site Audit. It flags issues like uncompressed images and slow-loading pages. Fixing these can help keep your site fast. Note: A free Semrush account lets you audit up to 100 URLs. Or you can use this link to access a 14-day trial on a Semrush Pro subscription. Large Ecommerce Website Examples Large ecommerce sites face a big challenge: Managing thousands of products while staying fast and user-friendly. The best sites drive conversions by focusing on key elements like: Fast load times Simple navigation Streamlined checkout processes These elements aren’t optional. They directly impact conversions, user experience, and customer satisfaction. 4. Sephora Sephora is a global beauty retailer with a wide selection of products. The website feels like browsing a sleek, organized beauty aisle (without the crowds). One of Sephora’s smartest conversion plays is “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS).” It’s a way to reduce cart abandonment, and Sephora makes it impossible to miss. But that’s just the start of their user-friendly design. Their intuitive navigation menu makes browsing simple. The menu dropdown appears instantly when you hover, and categories are easy to find. Bold fonts highlight main categories, while subcategories use lighter fonts. This makes scanning super easy, so you can easily find what you’re looking for in the mega menu. The category pages keep this same attention to detail. Popular filters like “Vegan” and “Clean” sit right at the top, making it easy to sort by preference. The site also uses faceted navigation. This lets shoppers filter results based on specific criteria, like price or brand. It’s especially helpful for large ecommerce sites with extensive product catalogs. Now, let’s look at Sephora’s product pages. Key product details like price, availability, and shipping info are clearly displayed. This gives potential customers the details they need to make a confident purchase decision. The product photos do some heavy lifting, too. First, Sephora uses unedited images to show real results. It also includes influencer videos that show real people using the product. Then, there are photos with ingredient callouts that highlight key benefits. As you can see, everything about Sephora’s product pages encourages action: Clear product details help visitors understand the value Social proof like unedited photos and videos builds trust in the products These elements work together to make it easy for visitors to take the next step and buy. Side note: Images can have a huge impact on conversions. But don’t rely on standard shots. Mix in other types of visuals, such as influencer content and action shots, to bring the product to life. And make sure to pair them with conversion-focused copy that drives home the product’s benefits. How Sephora Looks on Mobile The mobile experience on Sephora is just as user-friendly. But you’ll notice one big difference from many ecommerce site designs: The hamburger menu is missing. Instead, Sephora uses a scrollable text-based menu at the top. And a bottom navigation bar that pops up when tapped. This design isn’t typical, but it reflects Sephora’s customer-first approach. How so? Their customer research has shown that the hamburger menu was causing friction. So they removed it. This move paid off. According to Andrew Birgiolas, UX Lead at Sephora: “We (also) discovered that a bottom navigation helps users quickly orient themselves in the app and allows them to multitask. The changes we made were good for our users—and for our business. We saw immediate improvements in app engagement, satisfaction, and perception of speed, which ultimately led to increases in conversion and revenue that surpassed our expectations.” Takeaways Bridge online business and in-store shopping: If you offer in-store pickup, make it impossible to miss. Don’t bury it in the checkout process. Simplify navigation: Use scrollable menus with clear, readable labels that guide customers naturally. Make data-driven decisions: Ask your customers what they like and don’t like about your site and make changes based on these insights. And use tools like heatmaps to find out what elements of your site are acting as stumbling blocks. 5. RevZilla RevZilla is a shop for motorcycle enthusiasts. They offer a range of products from riding gear to bike parts. A big part of their conversion strategy? Building a community. Their “Riders Preferred Membership (RPM)” offers members exclusive perks and benefits. The moment you land on the site, it’s clear that members get special treatment. This taps into a powerful psychological driver: the need to belong. But RevZilla’s strategy goes beyond community. The site is also filled with customer-centric features that speed up the buying process. Just look at the header. You’ll find a search bar and the “SHOP YOUR RIDE” button. The search bar supports average users just browsing the site. These are the shoppers casually exploring options or researching gear. But “SHOP YOUR RIDE?” It’s for riders who know what they’re looking for and want to find products fast. Just enter your bike’s make, model, and year… …and the search results instantly filter into products that fit your ride. How about that for search personalization? RevZilla also uses dynamic personalization. It detects the customer’s location and updates shipping details automatically. It’s a small touch, but it makes customers feel seen. And the customer-focused design elements don’t stop there. Check out their “Find Your Perfect Helmet” tool: It’s an interactive product quiz that asks simple questions to match users with the right helmet. This interactive element boosts engagement. It also reduces decision fatigue, making it easier for customers to buy. This is exactly the kind of thoughtful design that makes shoppers feel like the entire site was built just for them. How RevZilla Looks on Mobile RevZilla’s mobile site is perfectly adapted for mobile users. The sticky header keeps essential navigation tools within reach at all times. This includes the search bar and the “SHOP YOUR RIDE” feature. Navigation on mobile is also smooth and responsive. Filters, buttons, and dropdowns are perfectly sized for touch, and navigation paths are simple and clear. The checkout process is just as thoughtful. It’s designed for speed and simplicity. There are also progress indicators that show you where you are in the process. And form fields are kept to a minimum. Plus, RevZilla offers guest checkout, which is a way to reduce cart abandonment. Takeaways Build a community, not just a customer base: When customers feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re more likely to stick around and spend more. Personalize the shopping experience: The more personalized the experience, the more engaged users become—and engaged users convert. Could your ecommerce website emulate the “Shop Your Ride” feature? Optimize the checkout process: Guest checkout, clear next steps, and fewer form fields remove friction. This makes it easier for users to complete their purchases. Luxury Ecommerce Websites Luxury ecommerce sites need to radiate sophistication and exclusivity on screen. Not an easy task. So, how do they create that kind of experience? With: High-quality visuals that capture the product’s exclusivity Minimalist layouts that create a refined and polished aesthetic Curated design elements that reflect the brand’s elegance But here’s the real challenge: How do they exude elegance without slowing the site down? And if that’s not tricky enough, they also have to nudge customers toward a purchase. In a subtle way, of course. 6. Tiffany & Co. World-renowned luxury jewelry store, Tiffany & Co. transforms online shopping into a refined experience. The site carries the same aura of exclusivity as stepping into one of their flagship stores. The moment you land on the site, you’re unmistakably in Tiffany’s world. The iconic Tiffany blue frames every page. And you can feel the elegance in every detail. The typography is subtle and unobtrusive. (Just like a butler. Always present but never in the way.) Then, there are the visuals. High-resolution images take center stage, showcasing the craftsmanship of each product. Even the mega menu exudes refinement. Generous white space, carefully chosen fonts, and a clean layout come together to create a truly luxurious feel. And here’s something that goes against typical ecommerce best practices: You won’t find star ratings, review snippets, or social proof bars anywhere on the site. What’s more, the luxury feel goes beyond design choices. Tiffany & Co. doesn’t rush you into a purchase. Instead, they make it clear that a slower, more personal shopping experience is an option if you want it. For example, they offer virtual consultations with jewelry specialists. This helps customers make better decisions through one-on-one advice. Then, for diamond purchases, experts are readily available for personalized guidance. And for customers who want to see and feel the pieces in person, they can easily book in-store appointments. Yes, these paths to purchase may take longer. But they make the target audience feel seen and valued. After all, when you’re spending thousands on jewelry, the experience matters as much as the product. How Tiffany & Co. Looks on Mobile The mobile experience keeps Tiffany & Co’s signature elegance intact. A standout feature is the “Mobile Virtual Try-On” tool. It uses augmented reality (AR) to let customers see how jewelry looks on them using their phone’s camera. This feature reduces purchase anxiety and gives customers the confidence to move forward. Takeaways Make your site look the part: Prioritize minimalist design, lots of white space, and uncluttered layouts. Skip the hard sell: People don’t generally buy luxury items on impulse. Embrace a slow, thoughtful approach and do away with urgency tactics. Break best practices if they don’t fit your brand: Skip review stars and ratings if they feel off-brand. But make sure you replace them with stronger conversion triggers like brand authority. Or, say, Anya Taylor-Joy’s face on your homepage. 7. Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton is one of the most iconic and recognized names in fashion. Its website carries the same confidence and authority that only a legacy brand can. The colors are rich and striking. And the oversized product images command attention. Then, there’s the iconic LV monogram which signals status and quality. Head to one of their product page, and you’ll see something unique. The first image is often a lifestyle shot. It’s like seeing the product on the runway which helps reinforce the brand’s aspirational nature. Next, check out the unique navigation menu. Click the hamburger icon, and a list of product categories slides in. Click one of the product categories and a subcategory appears. Choose one and click. And yet, another subcategory slides in. It’s an approach that’s visually clean and easy to follow, thanks to the ample white space. And if you use the search function, a full-screen window will appear with images of trending products and bestsellers. As you type, search is predictive, and results populate instantly. No need to hit enter. Everything happens in real time. All these design elements make the site feel like LV truly understands its customers. And that’s exactly how you want your customers to feel—luxury site or not. How Louis Vuitton Looks on Mobile Louis Vuitton’s mobile site keeps the same smooth, refined experience. For example, the “Find in Store” option is easily accessible. And search works just as beautifully as it does on desktop. Predictive search offers instant results that make browsing fast and easy. Takeaways Create a great search experience: Use predictive search or quick links to trending products. These can make browsing easier and more engaging. Offer omnichannel flexibility: Add features like “Find in Store” to improve user experience. These give customers more control over how they shop, which helps increase sales. Subscription-Based Sites Subscription ecommerce sites have one job: Convince people to pay every month. Tough business. To do that, they must clearly show value and build trust. Key elements include clear pricing, smooth signups, and risk-free trials. The goal? Make it feel easy to start and enticing to stay. Side note: The FTC’s “Click-to-Cancel” rule requires subscription sites to make a cancellation as simple as signing up. So your website should make it just as easy to cancel as it is to join. 8. HelloFresh HelloFresh is a major name in the meal kit delivery space. Its website has a clear focus: Stand out in a crowded market. Here’s how they do this. The homepage makes their unique selling points clear. It starts with a bold value proposition for why visitors choose them: 15-minute meals (for people looking for speed and convenience) America’s #1 meal kit (social proof) Up to 10 free meals + free breakfast for life (attention-grabbing incentives) The “Get Started” CTA is perfectly placed for warm visitors ready to buy. And the image next to it isn’t just eye candy—it’s functional. Each image is paired with text, making it easy for visual scanners to find key information. Plus, to make the subscription even more appealing, HelloFresh emphasizes control and choice. For example, customers can browse menus before committing. This makes the process feel flexible and low-pressure. Plus: Key features and benefits are clear throughout the site. You’ll see images that show just how easy the meals are to prepare—kids can even get involved. And the onboarding process? It’s friction-free. The first step is simple: enter your zip code to confirm deliverability. This way, customers immediately know if HelloFresh delivers to their area. (So they don’t waste time going through the process only to find out it’s unavailable.) From there, the entire process is busy-user-friendly, with minimal typing required. This keeps the experience effortless—exactly what customers want when signing up for a subscription. How HelloFresh Looks on Mobile Unfortunately, HelloFresh’s mobile site doesn’t match the sleekness of its desktop version. For example, some text in the hero section of the homepage is hard to read. One smooth aspect, however, is the signup process. The same progress indicators show the steps you need to take. And moving from step to step feels intuitive and smooth. It’s the kind of signup you can complete while watching a Netflix show on your couch. This low-friction process makes it so much easier to complete the signup process. Takeaways Lead with your differentiators: Show visitors why you’re better than the competition as soon as they arrive. Don’t make signups a chore: When shoppers are ready to commit, make it quick and easy. 9. First Day For our last ecommerce website example, let’s look at First Day—a store that sells supplements. Unlike HelloFresh, they offer many products with both one-time payment and subscription options. If you look closely, it’s clear that getting people to subscribe is a major focus. The navigation menu, for example, includes only three links: Shop Learn Subscribe and Save The “Subscribe & Save” link takes you to a dedicated page explaining a First Day subscription. Giving the page its own spot in the nav bar underscores its importance. But here’s the best part: First Day doesn’t rely solely on this page to sell subscriptions. Instead, they integrate subscription nudges throughout the site. It’s on the hero section of the homepage, for example: And the product pages also reinforce the subscription as the preferred option: Yes, a “One-Time Purchase” is available. But it’s downplayed compared to the subscription. Now, you might think all these subscription nudges would feel overwhelming or pushy. But here’s the thing: First Day’s site integrates them so naturally that they don’t ruin the shopping experience. And that’s the key for subscription sites like this: aligning business goals with a user-friendly experience. How First Day Looks on Mobile First Day’s mobile site keeps the subscription focus. For example, when you click the navigation icon, the first button takes you to the “Subscribe & Save” page. The product pages also maintain its emphasis on subscriptions as the preferred option. But what’s even more impressive is how the site seamlessly integrates this focus. For example, the product pages continue to use conversion-focused design best practices. Look at the product descriptions. They’re laid out for easy scanning. This helps users quickly absorb important information. Plus, the site reinforces trust with credibility boosters. You’ll see customer reviews all throughout, for example. And there’s even a section for media mentions. Together, these features create an experience that draws visitors in and keeps them informed. And they’ve managed to do all this while consistently promoting their subscription option throughout. The result? Visitors have plenty of chances to see the value of subscribing—a must for any subscription website. Takeaways Design with your subscription goals in mind: If your goal is to get more subscriptions, ensure visitors see the benefits clearly. And don’t be afraid to nudge them towards subscribing (naturally) across your site. Balance business goals with UX: Design your site to guide customers toward goals like subscribing or purchasing. But make sure it doesn’t ruin the shopping experience. How to Create a Conversion-Focused Ecommerce Website 1. Optimize for User Experience Make it easy for visitors to find what they came for, fast. Here are some areas to prioritize: Simplify navigation so users can browse with ease Structure category pages to make product discovery simple Streamline the checkout process to reduce friction and speed up purchases Create persuasive product pages that highlight key benefits and drive action Design for a mobile-first experience The key is to make the experience foolproof. As the book Making Websites Win says: “Design your processes for what you perceive to be a busy, lazy, drunk, amnesiac idiot—what lawyers call a “moron in a hurry” (really). Even geniuses with time on their hands will be grateful that you did.” 2. Speed Up Your Site Page speed affects everything: SEO, conversions, and brand perception. And so speeding up your site is one of the most impactful changes you can make. For example, Vodafone ran an A/B test focusing only on page speed improvements. The results? As much as 8% increase in sales. [VISUAL] Faster pages can drive higher revenue. Period. So you can’t afford to ignore it. Further reading: Page Speed and SEO: The Complete Guide 3. Match Pages to Visitor Needs Visitors come to your site for different reasons. Some are browsing. Some are comparing. And others are ready to buy. Build a site that serves all of them. For example, on your homepage, visitors are usually in the browsing stage, so grab their attention quickly. Introduce your brand and key offers and be clear about what makes your products different. Like Huel’s homepage: However, on product pages, visitors have different expectations. They might be comparing products. Or are ready to buy. Make it easy by including comparison tools and clear product details. Give people what they need at each stage of their journey. And they’ll be more likely to click checkout. Build an Ecommerce Site That Converts The ecommerce website examples above show you how to design for conversions. But even the most user-friendly site isn’t that great if no one visits. Enter: ecommerce SEO. It’s one of the best ways to get in front of ready-to-buy shoppers. Learn how to do it right by checking out our ecommerce SEO guide for proven traffic-boosting strategies. The post 9 Ecommerce Website Examples to Copy for Better Results appeared first on Backlinko. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions that you want to talk about (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to take your questions to other readers. * If you submitted a question to me recently, please do not repost it here, as it may be in my queue to answer. View the full article

Lock screens are a good way to protect your data, but thieves stealing your smartphone when it's unlocked (or after seeing your passcode), and then resetting everything in just a tap is still a real security risk. Apple deals with this vulnerability using its Stolen Device Protection feature, and now, in Android 15, Google has a similar feature called Identity Check. Identity Check ensures strangers out in public can't change your Android smartphone's account settings without first passing a secondary biometric authentication. First, you set up one or more trusted locations, like your home. Then, if someone outside of one of those locations has your phone and tries to access your passwords, change your PIN, or disable the Find My Device feature, they'll need to pass a biometric lock first. The feature is first rolling out on Pixel devices and any Samsung Galaxy device using One UI 7. But as is the case with most new Android features, it will slowly start to trickle out to other devices as well, as more manufactures update their own software. According to a Google blog, other manufactures will add support "later this year." Identity Check's protections are pretty robust, gating away settings like resetting your smartphone, changing the screen lock, creating a new fingerprint ID, disabling the Find My Device feature, adding a new Google account, accessing developer options, and accessing passwords and passkeys in the Password Manager. A major difference between Android's Identity Check and Apple's Stolen Device Protection is the time delay. Apple basically blocks you from changing any important setting while in an unknown location until you've waited for an hour first. Perhaps a tad too frustrating, but that hour can give someone enough time to remotely wipe your device. Android would perhaps do well to follow suit. For now, you'll have to enable Identity Check manually. Head over to Settings > Google account > All services > Theft Protection. Here, enable the Use Identity Check feature. Here, you can also click the Manage button to add trusted locations like your workspace or your home. Disabling the feature requires you to either authenticate using biometrics or by logging in to your Google account. Along with this update, Google is also rolling out its AI-powered Theft Detection Lock to all supported devices running Android 10 or higher (the feature was released last year for Pixel users). This feature detects when a smartphone is forcibly taken away from you, using data from the smartphones built-in sensors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more. You can enable it under Settings > Google account > All services > Theft protection > Theft Detection Lock. View the full article

We know that cars are better connected than ever before, which is great when you want to remember where you parked or start defrosting the vehicle windows while you're still in bed—but this modern tech comes with security and privacy concerns, as a new hack of Subaru cars and their Starlink software has shown. Security researchers Sam Curry and Shubham Shah explain in a blog post how they were able to remotely hack into the Starlink connected vehicle service run by Subaru. Specifically, they targeted software on Curry's mom's car, but the same platform operates across Subaru vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. With access to the driver's surname and their attached ZIP code, email address, phone number, or license plate, Curry and Shah were able to start, stop, lock, and unlock the Subaru, as well as retrieve its current location. In addition, they could view the collected location history for a whole year (right down to parking spots). The same hack gave access to personal information about the driver, including their address, their billing information (though not their full credit card number), and their emergency contact. Support call history, odometer readings, and previous owners of the motor could also be accessed. Curry and Shah managed to test out the access on a Subaru belonging to one of their friends, and it worked again—all without any kind of notification or alert to the car's driver that their vehicle was being accessed. All that was needed was a successful login to the Starlink portal and some basic driver information. The Subaru employee portal was targeted by the hack. Credit: Sam Curry While the Starlink login was protected with two-factor authentication and security questions, these security measures were applied in a bespoke way that the researchers were able to get around just by modifying the website code to ignore them. In other words, there was no need to enter a password. That's a huge amount of access to features and data from a relatively simple hack. The good news is that Curry and Shah reported the vulnerability to Subaru, and the vehicle maker patched it within 24 hours—this hack is no longer possible. However, all of this data remains accessible to Subaru employees, which raises more questions. Subaru and your dataThe original hack was done by logging into the Starlink terminal as a Subaru employee, via some detective work on LinkedIn and a little tweaking of website code. While this route of access has now been locked down, genuine Subaru staff can still get at all the information found by Curry and Shah, including the year's worth of location history. "The auto industry is unique in that an 18-year-old employee from Texas can query the billing information of a vehicle in California, and it won’t really set off any alarm bells," writes Curry. "It's part of their normal day-to-day job. The employees all have access to a ton of personal information, and the whole thing relies on trust." Subaru employees can see where you've been via Starlink. Credit: Sam Curry Subaru told Wired that its employees, "based on their job relevancy," can access location data—in the case of contacting first responders when a collision is detected, for example (though that hardly requires a year of data). Privacy, security, and NDA agreements are signed by these employees, Subaru says. You can read the Subaru privacy policies here and here. You'll notice there's a lot of data collected about you and your vehicle via Starlink, including where it starts and stops, vehicle speeds, and diagnostic information. Use a Subaru website or app, and you're allowing access to a whole new swath of data, including data collected by the microphones and cameras on your devices. Even worse, these policies apply to any passengers in a Subaru—Firefox developer Mozilla has a comprehensive breakdown here (note this includes Subaru's apps and website as well as Starlink). While Subaru promises not to sell your data to third-parties, and says it requires the information to improve support and detect criminal activity, it can target you with ads, communications, and promotions. The researchers were able to get at a lot of user data. Credit: Sam Curry There are steps you can take to limit some of this data collection. You can, of course, cancel your Starlink subscription, but then you miss out on features such as emergency assistance. You can also uninstall any Subaru-related apps from your phone, change your marketing preferences via the MySubaru portal, and fill out this form to put certain limits on data collection and sharing in specific states—though it's not clear which data the form covers or how long existing data will be retained for. Subaru isn't alone among car makers when it comes to security vulnerabilities and suspect privacy policies. However, it's another reminder that extra connectivity often comes with an extra cost in terms of user data—and that any decision about which car to buy next should probably come with a look at the manufacturer's data collection policies, too. View the full article

Uncover the rewards of sustainable practices. Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jean Marie Caragher. View the full article

Uncover the rewards of sustainable practices. Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jean Marie Caragher. 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. The LG C3 65-inch Evo OLED TV, featured in Lifehacker's Best Budget OLED TVs to Buy in 2025, is now available for $1,196.99, down from $1,499.99—its lowest price ever on Amazon, according to price trackers. LG C3 Series 65-Inch Class OLED TV $1,196.99 at Walmart $2,499.99 Save $1,303.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,196.99 at Walmart $2,499.99 Save $1,303.00 Its OLED panel provides perfect black levels, an infinite contrast ratio, and near-flawless color accuracy. Whites and SDR colors are especially precise, with only minor deviations in reds and greens in HDR content. Plus, it supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, so if you stream a lot in 4K, you’ll see those details shine. That said, the lack of an ATSC 3.0 tuner might be a drawback if you rely on over-the-air 4K broadcasts. You can place the C3 Evo on its (included) metal stand or mount it on a wall for a cleaner look. Its ports—four HDMI 2.1 (all 4K120, with one eARC), three USBs, Ethernet, and more—are easy to reach on the left. LG’s WebOS runs its smart TV features and covers nearly all major streaming platforms (except Crunchyroll, as highlighted in this PCMag review). However, the WebOS' smart home hub features lean heavily toward LG ThinQ appliances, which might limit compatibility with your setup if your smart devices aren’t LG-branded or are from other non-compatible brands. The Magic Remote included with the LG C3 Evo has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Alexa, and other popular apps, making it easy to jump straight to your favorites. You’ll also find Apple AirPlay for easy streaming from your iOS devices and Alexa integration for hands-free voice commands. When it comes to gaming, with the Game Optimizer mode enabled and input lag reduction set to Boost, the TV achieves an impressively low input lag of under a millisecond. Add to that a 120Hz refresh rate, with variable refresh rate (VRR) support, plus AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility (though neither is formally certified), and you’ve got yourself a gaming powerhouse. If you’re debating alternatives, the Samsung S90C ($1,179) offers similar OLED quality and comes with the missing ATSC 3.0 tuner. View the full article

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

SEO is at a crossroads. As AI reshapes the digital landscape and Google continues to drive less traffic to brands, marketers face a critical challenge: how to balance strategies that deliver results today with innovations that prepare for tomorrow. This article outlines eight key considerations to help you navigate these changes and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of SEO. Why SEO feels overwhelming right now In 2024, five of the top 15 SEO stories on Search Engine Land were about AI, with several others covering major changes at Google that have led to less traffic being sent to brands. These shifts leave us with a lot to think about. Studies and experiments show the immense potential of AI-based search tools, yet most of us are still focused on optimizing for what works today. It can feel overwhelming to keep up. I often find myself lost in the wealth of insights shared by thought leaders like Rand Fishkin, Wil Reynolds, and Michael King. This rapid pace of change is not new. I vividly remember attending SEMpdx Engage in Portland in 2019, where Fishkin presented on zero-click searches. That was before the pandemic and long before ChatGPT made its debut, yet the trend of diminishing clicks from Google was already taking shape. I’m not here to break new ground with data or studies – that’s best left to the industry leaders I mentioned earlier. Instead, I want to share practical considerations to help you navigate the SEO landscape with confidence. 1. Focus on ROI Long before AI, one of the biggest contributors to ineffective SEO has been the lack of a strong connection between SEO strategy and its ROI. Given the time it takes to see meaningful results, you can’t afford to “do all the stuff” only to realize it was the wrong approach – or worse, conclude that SEO doesn’t work for your organization. Even with a detailed strategy, it’s often challenging to connect SEO KPIs to business outcomes when presenting to stakeholders. Anchoring your efforts in ROI, rather than just SEO metrics, is more critical than ever as the industry evolves. Avoid shifting strategies and tactics without a clear understanding of what’s working for your organization and what isn’t. Dig deeper: 7 proven methods to explain the value of SEO 2. Leverage AI AI is the driving force behind the changes reshaping the SEO industry. If you’ve been focused solely on existing strategies, hesitant to trust AI, or simply haven’t made time to experiment with it, now is the time to start testing and adopting it. This doesn’t mean relying on AI to generate all your content or trusting it blindly. Instead, focus on understanding its strengths, its limitations, and where it can create efficiencies. For those juggling multiple roles or working solo in SEO, AI can serve as a valuable assistant – provided you verify and question its outputs. Set aside time to test and innovate with AI. The technology is here to stay, and the longer you wait, the harder it will be to adapt as it becomes more advanced. Dig deeper: 3 ways to use AI for SEO wins in 2025 3. Know who you are targeting Your audience is the reason for doing SEO – not search engines or emerging AI tools. The goal is for your content and brand to be found in ways that drive ROI. While having a strong brand strategy and detailed personas is a great start, SEO today requires a deeper understanding of your target audience. With fragmented traffic sources and fewer clicks from Google, it’s more important than ever to know exactly who your audience is, what they’re seeking, and how you can uniquely serve them. As platforms like ChatGPT grow, even if they don’t drive direct traffic, quality must take precedence over quantity. Casting a wide net isn’t enough; precision is key in this evolving landscape. Dig deeper: How to find emerging audience needs using Google Trends 4. Identify where your audience is Understanding your audience also means knowing where they are and how they engage online. This has traditionally involved examining social media, email marketing, third-party content, and ads, along with their interplay with Google search behavior. Today, we need to go further. Whether you call it SEO, AI optimization, or something else, it’s essential to account for multiple platforms. Are your audiences still using Google search? Are they engaging with AI summaries in Google, ChatGPT, or Bing? Are they evenly distributed across various platforms? Optimizing for these sources requires an understanding of how your audience engages with each. Asking the right questions and exploring deeper insights about your audience’s online behavior will shape where and how you reach them effectively. Dig deeper: How to do audience research for SEO Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. 5. Invest in content Content has always been a cornerstone of SEO and audience engagement, and it remains a crucial area to invest in. While the way we create and consume content has evolved, it still serves as the fuel for digital marketing efforts. AI has made content research, ideation, and even creation more scalable and accessible. However, thought leadership and showcasing your unique value to your audience remain as important as ever. With AI making it easier to produce content, standing out through quality will be even more critical. Investing in high-quality, impactful content – especially content that works across multiple channels – will continue to yield strong results. Dig deeper: Content marketing and SEO: Creating an integrated SEO plan 6. Evolve tactics and checklists For years, I’ve cautioned against “checklist SEO,” where tactics are followed blindly without a clear strategy. However, having a defined approach and documented processes is still essential. As traffic sources diversify, your methodology must evolve to keep pace. Outdated SEO practices won’t cut it, and relying on memory or unstructured workflows can hinder your efforts. Maintain a written process that adapts as needed to ensure your strategy stays relevant. This way, you can defend your approach to stakeholders and even to yourself when changes require swift adjustments. Dig deeper: Evolving SEO for 2025: What needs to change 7. Be intentional in testing Amid the demands of daily tasks, make sure to carve out intentional, scheduled time for testing. Even those at the forefront of AI often feel behind when comparing themselves to others or evaluating the pace of advancements. Make testing purposeful by setting clear goals and objectives. Whether you need to push yourself to dedicate time or rein in constant experimentation to refocus on what matters now versus what’s coming next, find a balance that supports meaningful progress. Dig deeper: SEO testing: Shifting from reactive to proactive strategies 8. Communicate with stakeholders Keeping stakeholders informed, educated, and comfortable with SEO has always been a challenge, and the rapid changes brought by AI make this even more critical. Whether your stakeholders are clients, bosses, or other decision-makers, they’re likely less immersed in SEO than you are. Don’t let the complexity of AI or evolving strategies be an excuse to avoid effective communication. Ensuring stakeholders understand your approach and the broader industry context will help build trust and alignment, even as changes continue to unfold. Dig deeper: How to use SEO education for stakeholder management Mastering SEO: Balancing proven tactics with emerging trends If you’re deep in SEO, you’re probably not scared of change. The shifts we’re seeing today affect everyone, and many of these trends – such as fewer clicks from Google – have been developing for years. While the influx of new information and changes can feel overwhelming at times, my hope is that by applying the eight aspects I’ve discussed in this article to your mindset, approach, and overall strategy, you’ll be able to move forward with clarity. By adopting these principles, you can set clear objectives that will help you adapt and thrive in this shifting environment. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The hardest part of sticking to a workout routine may be starting, but the second-hardest part is figuring out what to do when it's time for another workout but you're still sore from the first one. Below, I'll share some tips for relieving that soreness—but, even more importantly, I'll tell you what not to do. Perhaps the most surprising thing: you probably shouldn't skip your next workout. Know what normal soreness feels likeBefore we discuss what to do, let's take a minute to understand how you're feeling right now, and why. It's not lactic acid (that's a myth), but rather a phenomenon known as DOMS, for "delayed onset muscle soreness." It's most likely to happen when you do something different than what you're used to. That might mean starting a new workout routine, but it can also happen to people who are already fit but try a new sport or even a slight change to their routine. DOMS can feel pretty brutal, but it's not serious. It doesn't mean your muscles are seriously damaged, and you're not going to injure yourself by ignoring it. Just to make sure we're on the same page, normal DOMS: Hurts the most when you wake up in the morning or when you've been sitting still for a while Feels better with movement Hurts when you use the muscle and when you stretch the muscle Usually starts the day after exercise (rather than the same day), and may last multiple days Is often at its worst two days after the exercise that caused it There are medical conditions that can also cause muscle soreness, so check with a doctor if you think there may be more going on than the usual DOMS situation. One condition worth keeping in mind is rhabdomyolysis, which is muscle damage that gets severe enough to cause muscle breakdown and kidney issues. Dark-colored urine (often described as "tea colored" or "cola colored") is a huge red flag—get to the emergency room if you notice this. I've written more here about the differences between normal soreness and the kind that needs medical attention. But most likely, you just have a normal case of DOMS. If that sounds right, let's talk about what to do about it. Do some active rest or gentle movementYou may not feel like moving at all, but it's worth fighting the urge to lie in bed. Once you get up and move around, the DOMS will start to fade, at least temporarily. Definitely do not cancel any plans for the day when you first wake up—that's the worst it's going to feel all day. So go for a walk. That's my go-to when I'm not feeling great. If you have access to a spin bike, moving your legs at low resistance tends to help relieve soreness. Cyclists will talk about "flushing" out their muscles with easy pedaling; whether that's scientifically accurate or not, it does seem to help. If you're into yoga, a day you're sore is a good time to do some gentle yoga; you can even look up recovery yoga for some videos to follow. Movement helps to relieve the pain of DOMS, but it doesn't necessarily make it fully go away—if you sit down to watch TV for a while, the soreness will be back when your show is over and you get up. The only thing that can make it go away is time, so you'll have to be patient. In the meantime, here are a few more things to try for temporary relief and to support your body as it naturally clears things up. Take a warm bath or visit the saunaHeat tends to make sore muscles feel better, so this is a great time to hit the sauna, if your gym has one. You can also use an electric heating pad like this one, or take a hot bath. Epsom salt baths are popular for sore muscles, but the minerals in the bathwater don't actually reach your muscles. Adding them to a bath can still make it smell nice (get the lavender scented kind) and can make it feel like you're doing something special for yourself, so use them if you enjoy them. Give yourself a massageGentle pressure can feel good on sore muscles, so consider treating yourself to a massage or asking someone to give you a back rub. A foam roller is a good way to give yourself some "self-myofascial release" (I'm convinced that's nothing but a fancy word for massage), or consider a massage gun. Eat well and sleep wellWhen you’re sore, it's good time to pay more attention to taking care of yourself. Anecdotally, I find sleep helps to deal with soreness: if I stay up late, I’m more likely to be sore the next day. Eating plenty of protein can’t hurt, either, since protein is important to building muscle. And carbs are important for recovery and fueling, so I wouldn't skimp on those either. What not to do when you're soreMyths abound, so I want to call out a few specific things that you're better off not doing. Intense stretching. Gentle movement is fine, but deep or painful stretches can cause muscle damage. Ice or cold plunges. This one is a bit controversial, but it may interfere with the healing process. Taking ibuprofen if you don't really need it. If you need a pain reliever to get through the day, it's fine to take one. But if you get into the habit of taking ibuprofen regularly—like after every workout—it can hinder your recovery. Don’t skip your workoutWhen you're feeling sore, you’re probably tempted to just stay home with some Netflix instead of taking your achy body back to the gym. But resting doesn't help much in the long run. Beating the soreness for good comes from getting used to exercise, and you’ll never get used to it if you have to take a week off every time you get the idea to start again. So go back to the gym, or head out for another run, or whatever is on your schedule for today. Make some effort to continue the schedule that you set up for yourself, whether that was a written program or a promise to yourself that you'd go to the gym a certain number of times per week. First, do your warmup, but ease into it gradually. If you planned to go for a run, start with a brisk walk and then see how an easy jog feels. If it's a lifting day, start with lighter weights than usual, and only add as much weight as you feel like you can handle today. Even if you can't manage your regular workout, you're still doing something, and that's buying you insurance against future soreness. You're also not going to get anywhere near as sore after today's workout as you did before. Scientists call this the repeated bout effect: each workout (each "bout" of training) protects against soreness from the next one. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Welcome to “Cookbook of the Week.” This is a series where I highlight cookbooks that are unique, easy to use, or just special to me. While finding a particular recipe online serves a quick purpose, flipping through a truly excellent cookbook has a magic all its own. Cookbooks don’t really teach you how to cook. Instead they offer a collection of recipes that you (hopefully) like. If you find one, though, with recipes that serve as inspiration for adapting and modifying to create even more new recipes—well, that’s a real gem. The cookbooks I find myself going back to time and again make a wee inspiration library. Sometimes I use their recipes, and sometimes I find a flavor combination or cooking method I’ll get excited to use later in the week. But it is rare that a cookbook breaks down how a chef thinks about recipe creation. This week I chose Kitchen Matrix for my cookbook of the week because it’s unlike any other cookbook I’ve seen before. It’s a cookbook with major lessons on how to cook. A bit about the bookThis book comes from Mark Bittman, a legendary food journalist and author (read more about him here). Although this cookbook isn’t new—it was published in 2015—the message is timeless: Cooking is an endless spectrum. A single recipe exists on a branch of an ingredient’s sprawling family tree. Ok, enough romance: let me explain. The pages of Kitchen Matrix are filled with recipes, yes, but directly following one recipe will be how to riff in three to 12 different ways. Essentially, how to make a whole new meal by swapping the main ingredient, or what you get when you change the cooking method from grilling to steaming. It reveals the connection between different dishes within a food set. For example, how only two or three ingredients separate minestrone from mushroom soup from tomato and garlic soup. The cooking method is the same; it’s a matter of swapping this for that. When you see it displayed in the clever way Bittman has arranged these sections, the art of cooking suddenly clicks into a clear science. Mark Bittman's Kitchen Matrix: More Than 700 Simple Recipes and Techniques to Mix and Match for Endless Possibilities: A Cookbook $28.09 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $35.00 Save $6.91 Shop Now Shop Now $28.09 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $35.00 Save $6.91 A great book for the confident cookJust because someone is a confident cook doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a good cookbook. Kitchen Matrix is more like Cooking 201 versus Cooking 101. It’s best for someone who already feels good about getting around the kitchen, using various cooking methods, trying out new flavors, and taking risks. There’s plenty of inspiration in this cookbook and a lot for the confident cook to get excited about. That said, many of the recipe spin-offs are written in what I’ll call a recipe shorthand, while other recipes are written out in a full version—with an ingredient list and steps underneath. For example, with the section “Corn +12 ways” you’ll get a short recipe equating to “Mix this, this, and this together. Cook it until browned.” Then two recipe variations underneath where only the swapped ingredients are indicated. Seasoned cooks will be able to connect the dots, while I think the missing information could be extremely confusing for many other home cooks. The recipes you can expect I like that many of the chapters are split up by main ingredients, like Meat, Vegetables, or Poultry and Eggs. Within each chapter will be a mini section dedicated to major popular items that fit in the section. For the Vegetable section you can flip to Salad Greens +12 Ways, Celery +16 Ways, or Vegan Entrees +10 Ways, among many others. This speaks to my nightly cooking habit of discovering I have six zucchini that are about to get weird, so I need a zucchini-centric meal STAT. I can simply flip to Zucchini +12 Ways and pick between raw, grilled, microwaved, or sautéed and have three recipes each at the ready. Even if I had more squash than one recipe required, at least I have 11 different choices for tomorrow’s meals. That’s support. It’s like un-creepy AI (if you can imagine). I feel like this cookbook has my back when I need it. My favorite feature of Kitchen Matrix is the Recipe Generator. There are a few of them throughout the book, and they’re double page visual diagrams of popular meals—like Sandwich Recipe Generator, Tartar Recipe Generator, Grain Salad, Eggs, Jam—and they show you the components that are involved along with options so you can create your own. Prof. Bittman wants you to learn to create your own recipes. As a former teacher witnessing beautiful diagrams, I wipe a single tear from my eye. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann The dish I made this weekI don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s winter and hell has frozen over. I’ve been in a soup mood. I flipped over to Soups and Stews, and landed on the Vegetable soups. I adore soups for all meals, and this section’s matrix consisted of Creamy, Brothy, Bean, and Vegetable. I can never turn down a creamy soup, so I turned my attention there. The main recipe was for a creamy spinach soup, and underneath it were the two variations: curried cauliflower, or squash and ginger. I chose curried cauliflower. The main recipe for spinach soup had simple directions. Basically, cook the garlic and onion in water, then add the spinach and yogurt before puréeing it all. The cauliflower soup instructed me to swap out a few ingredients: garlic for ginger, spinach for cauliflower, parsley for curry powder, and yogurt for coconut milk. I did just that, but using the same method from the spinach recipe. The soup was a golden-hued hug. Creamy without any cream, thick without being gloppy, and boosted with just enough spice to compliment the cauliflower’s natural flavors. It was a reminder that great soup can be drop-dead simple, and as a result, I know how to make 11 other simple soups. That’s enough to get me through the winter. How to buy itKitchen Matrix is available online, as an ebook (for a bargain), and keep in mind that you can support your local brick and mortar bookstores by asking them to order it to their location if they don’t have it in stock. View the full article

The start of a new year signals more than resolutions – it’s a critical moment for PPC professionals to reset, refocus, and strategically realign. As the digital marketing landscape evolves, success demands a clear-eyed approach to account management, client objectives, and personal growth. Here are five essential areas every PPC specialist must prioritize in 2025. 1. Master the fundamentals: Strengthen your foundation We often rush to tackle advanced strategies without solidifying the fundamentals, whether in client work or our personal development. No matter your experience level, revisiting the basics is essential for long-term success. Now is the perfect time to refocus on foundational elements, both for your accounts and your own growth, such as: Tracking Accurate and complete tracking is critical in the AI era. Your account’s performance depends entirely on the quality of the data flowing into it. Review your setups and identify any gaps, such as enhanced conversions, offline conversion tracking, or basket-level data. Account hygiene This may not be the most exciting task, but it’s essential. If you were auditing someone else’s account, account hygiene would be one of the first things you’d examine. Review ads, creatives, bidding strategies, campaign settings, and keywords to ensure everything is in order. Over time, these elements can become out of place, so adjustments are likely needed. For a starting point, check the Recommendations tab, then refine from there. Account structure Ensure the account structure aligns with the client’s advertising goals and objectives. Task management Review task management systems and service agreements to confirm they still match current needs. Peak periods can lead to workload overflows, which may carry into the new year. Assess your tasks to remove anything unnecessary or of little value to the client. Personal habits During busy periods, morning account checks may be skipped, and weekly performance reviews or analyses might stretch to biweekly or even monthly. Make sure to get back on track. Skill sharpening Keeping up with industry newsletters or completing a PPC training course might have taken a backseat. Reprioritize these activities to stay ahead in the field. Dig deeper: How to create a roadmap for your PPC clients 2. Plan for success: Align goals and strategy For the client side, start with an annual review or extended quarterly meeting with clients and key stakeholders to ensure objectives are communicated clearly and aligned. The plan should focus on measurable goals and future strategy rather than revisiting technical basics. Key elements to include: 2024 performance overview: Evaluate performance against primary objectives with year-on-year or forecast comparisons. Channel analysis: Identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. For example, if direct and organic traffic is underperforming, diagnose the cause (e.g., reduced brand awareness) and explore solutions, such as upper-funnel activity in current or new channels. Realignment of 2025 objectives, goals, and targets: Use existing insights to set clear goals and define how to achieve them. List of strategic actions: For instance, if revenue grew year-over-year but profits declined, a 2025 objective might be to test profit-based bidding strategies. Strategy roadmap: Prioritize actions for the first two quarters rather than spreading them out over the entire year. For personal development, take time to reflect on your goals for 2025 and collaborate with your agency or manager to create a development plan. Consider the following: Weaknesses or interests: Identify areas you want to improve or explore further this year. Strengths: Focus on skills you excel at and aim to become an internal leader in those areas. Portfolio review: Assess whether your current client portfolio aligns with your personal growth goals. Career progression: Define the position you want to work toward and ensure your objectives align with achieving that role. Dig deeper: 5 ways to align PPC campaigns with business objectives Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. 3. Resource readiness: Equip yourself and your team Once planning is underway, assess the resources needed to implement your plans effectively. These requirements may evolve based on client feedback and internal discussions. Key areas to review include: Team capability Can existing team members address any measurement or implementation gaps? Will the client’s development team need to handle certain tasks? If there’s a skills gap, is this an opportunity for you to upskill? Service contract alignment Do the tasks and requirements fit within the current service agreement? If additional channel management is needed, will the account require extra support? Creative process Does the client’s creative process support new strategies or channels? Are additional resources or adjustments needed to align with new goals? Commercial scope If current delivery exceeds the original agreement, plan a review with the client. Consider how this extra service aligns with your personal growth objectives. Upskilling needs Identify any training or knowledge gaps necessary to meet both client and personal objectives. Resource needs often overlap between personal and business goals. For example, if you aim to improve your skills in profit tracking and a client’s goal is to focus on profitability over revenue, this creates an opportunity to align personal development with client success. Prioritize areas that deliver value for both. 4. Learning and growth: Stay ahead in a fast-moving industry In the fast-evolving digital marketing world, continuous learning is critical to staying relevant and achieving your growth ambitions. Whether refining your expertise or exploring new areas, upskilling offers several benefits: Fresh ideas and innovative thinking. Confidence from enhanced knowledge. Increased job satisfaction and motivation. A clear signal of career ambition and drive. Both personal and business growth can be supported through targeted learning. Potential focus areas include: Specific skills: AI, attribution/measurement, multi-channel strategies, profit tracking. Broader development: Leadership, management, and client communication. While personal and client objectives may not always align perfectly, both require dedicated learning plans. Shape these around the year’s strategic goals: For personal growth, focus on skills that help you lead in your specialty or explore new interests. For business growth, consider training that strengthens client understanding, such as PPC’s role in overall strategy or how AI (e.g., Performance Max) reshapes campaign structures. Bridging gaps between roles – such as clients fixating on minor CPC changes instead of strategy impact – through education can reduce misunderstandings, improve efficiency, and foster stronger relationships. Empowering clients with relevant knowledge helps them better communicate results to stakeholders, benefiting both parties. Dig deeper: Becoming a world-class PPC ad buyer: 8 key lessons 5. From goals to actions: Turning plans into progress Planning is only half the battle; without action, even the best strategies fall flat. Whether it’s executing a 2025 paid media strategy or achieving personal goals, effort, and resources must be allocated to move forward. Here are effective ways to translate plans into progress: Break down objectives: Divide broad goals into smaller, actionable tasks for clarity and focus. Track progress: Create a weekly updated progression sheet to monitor goals and maintain transparency. Set deadlines: Assign clear timelines to keep everyone accountable and motivated. Communicate regularly: For client plans, track and report progress through regular communications and monthly updates. Invest in resources: Commit to necessary tools, training, or initiatives. Financial investment adds urgency and focus. Assign accountability: Clearly delegate responsibilities and deliverables to ensure follow-through. By prioritizing these steps, whether individually or as a whole, you can set yourself and your clients up for a successful and productive 2025. Dig deeper: PPC management checklist: Daily, weekly and monthly reviews View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you're looking for a new show to watch this week, I got your back. I've scoured the schedules of Netflix, Prime, Max, Hulu, and other streaming platforms to bring you the best and most notable shows streaming this week. The Traitors, season 3 From its top notch host Allan Cummings to its cast of hardcore reality show veterans, to its classy Scottish castle setting and stylish presentation, reality TV rarely rises to the heights of The Traitors. If you like conniving on a grand scale, and you didn't come here to make friends, check out The Traitors. Where to stream: Peacock SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night NBC's late night comedy juggernaut Saturday Night Live has been on the air for half a century and this four-part documentary series takes you backstage at SNL, from the writers' room to the executive suites to the talent's green room, to tell the story of how a tiny show no one cared about became a culture defining force. Packed with interviews with celebrities, cast members, producers, and writers, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is required viewing for anyone into comedy. Where to stream: Peacock Harlem, season 3 In season 3 of Harlem, the drama continues as four best friends in the city navigate career struggles, motherhood, singlehood, sisterhood, and more. Cast members Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Jerrie Johnson, and Shoniqua Shandai return, but there are some new faces too, including Kofi Siriboe who plays Seth, a handsome MLB player who catches one of the ladies’ attention. Starts streaming January 23. C.B. Strike: The Ink Black Heart This four-episode British series is based on the best-selling novels by J.K. Rowling, but there's not a wizard to be found. Instead, C.B. Strike: The Ink Black Heart offers the detective team of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, who are hired to investigate a murder involving the creator of a cult TV cartoon and an anonymous online troll called “Anomie.” The case reveals a complex web of online intrigue, shadowy business interests, and family conflicts that will test the limits of Strike and Robin's investigative skills and might cost them their lives. Starts streaming January 23. Last week's picksSeverance, season 2 I'm a little nervous for the new season of Severance. The first season's mix of pitch-black social commentary, ice-cold production design, and acting talent was so good, I'm afraid season two is going to disappoint, especially since I've been waiting for three years. So far, it looks promising: Rotten Tomatoes' critics are nearly universal in their praise, and the trailer looks phenomenal. Season 2 takes us deeper into the mysteries surrounding Lumon Industries, and deeper into the psyches of the people who work there, and the people who don't work there, who are the same people. Where to stream: Apple TV+ Goosebumps: The Vanishing This horror series stars Friends' David Schwimmer as Anthony, a divorced dad hosting his twin teenage children Devin and Cece for the summer at his Brooklyn home. Anthony only has one rule: Stay out of the basement—like that's going to happen. The mystery under their feet leads the twins and their friends to dark secrets connected to the disappearance of four teenagers in the 1990s and a supernatural entity of immense power. Where to stream: Max Harley Quinn, season 5 The fifth season of adult cartoon Harley Quinn sees the titular character, voiced by Kaley Cuoco, moving to Metropolis with her friend Poison Ivy, voiced by Lake Bell. The pair soon find that something serious is going down in Superman-town, and Quinn will meet up with Lex Luthor, his sister, Lena Luthor, Brainiac, and other comic book favorites in this irreverent take on the DC Universe. Harley Quinn has a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so it's definitely worth your time. Where to stream: Max An Update On Our Family All "family YouTubers" seem pretty weird, but the Stauffer family was next-level reprehensible. This three-part documentary series examines how Myka and James Stauffer built a small vlogging empire by presenting themselves and their children as a perfect family, but took it a step too far when they adopted a baby from China with severe neurological problems. They tried to turn two year-old Huxley into the centerpiece of their content, but he soon disappeared from the family channel and the family. Where to stream: Max View the full article

Google search ranking volatility is heated this week, but some of the tools are having issues tracking them. Google is sending out penalties, manual actions...View the full article

Short-form videos are here to stay. Explore the opportunities for businesses on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The post Short-Form Video Dominance: The Future Of Engagement In Social Media appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Looking to settle in with a good movie? Me too. That's why I've pored over release schedules to bring you the best original and new-to-streaming movies you can watch on Netflix, Prime, Max, Hulu, and other streaming platforms this week. Late January is the perfect time to check out a sensitive character comedy like A Real Pain, and it's never a bad time to dig into the story of P. Diddy with a documentary like Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. A Real Pain (2024) Written by, directed by, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain is a buddy comedy/road movie in which a pair of mismatched cousins tour through Poland to visit holocaust memorials. This plot would be a disaster in the wrong hands, but Eisenberg's sensitive directorial skills and amazing performances from both Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin elevate A Real Pain into a memorable, touching film you shouldn't miss. It more than earned its 96% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Where to stream: Hulu Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy takes viewers behind the music and behind the mugshot. Through never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with the (probably former) friends and associates who knew him best, The Making of a Bad Boy explores Sean "Diddy" Combs' long journey from musical icon and hip hop impresario to nearly universally hated pariah and prisoner. Where to stream: Peacock Sleep (2023) Korean psychological thriller Sleep balances nuanced characters with a slow-burn ghost story about the world we inhabit while we dream. Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun play Soo-jin and Hyun-su, a married couple with a baby on the way whose seemingly tranquil domestic lives are shattered when Hyun-su starts talking in his sleep, saying "Someone’s inside." Spooky! Where to stream: Hulu Last week's picksBack in Action In Back in Action, the star power is turned up past 11. This action-comedy stars Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz as CIA agents who left the undercover life to raise a family together. But when their cover is blown, these seemingly normal parents come out of retirement to kick ass, take names, and make jokes. It's been over a decade since Diaz has appeared in a feature, so expect something special. Where to stream: Netflix Unstoppable Jennifer Lopez anchors this inspiring story based on the real life of one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles, played by Jharrel Jerome. In Unstoppable, Lopez plays Anthony's mother Judy, one of those devoted movie moms who will not let her son give up on his dream of becoming a college wrestling champion, no matter how many sacrifices she has to make. Man, isn't the human spirit something? Where to stream: Prime A Different Man (2024) If you like your comedy pitch black and shot through with absurdity and social commentary, A Different Man is the movie for you. Sebastian Stan plays Edward, a struggling actor with an extreme facial deformity. A medical procedure transforms him into a handsome dude—a different man—but he's only pretty on the outside. Edward soon learns that beauty is skin deep, but ugliness can go right down to the marrow. Like just about everything released by A24, A Different Man received well-deserved raves from critics. Where to stream: Max Henry Danger: The Movie Henry Danger returns to TV in this straight-to-streaming-and-basic-cable feature. It's been five years since the final season of Nickelodeon's Henry Danger TV show, and you gotta wonder if the show's original audience aged out of fandom. Whatever, though: there will always be kids and tweens into a superhero that isn't dark and broody. Here, Danger teams up with a superfan to explore an alternative dimension which could trap the pair forever. Where to stream: Paramount+ Hereditary (2018) I love horror movies, and Hereditary is the best one that been made in the last decade, at least. Ari Aster's masterpiece is not a movie for the faint of heart. It's legitimately disturbing in a primal way, a carefully paced, slow burn of dread that becomes builds to a shocking conclusion. The cast is amazing, but Toni Collette's portrayal of a mother struggling with mental illness stands out as one of the most unsettling performances in horror movie history. Where to stream: Netflix View the full article

As a search marketer, you’re already skilled at creating content that captivates audiences and drives results. But when the audience is your own team and the goal is internal training, the task might feel a bit out of your comfort zone. Creating training videos may seem unfamiliar, especially if video production isn’t your forte. However, your existing skills in search marketing can be incredibly valuable when crafting engaging and educational training videos for your colleagues. This article will guide you through the essential tools, strategies, and best practices to create training videos that are not only informative but also engaging and effective. Exploring SearchBot for internal training video insights What do you do when tasked with an unexpected assignment – one that plays to your weaknesses, like creating internal training videos? One possible step is to check out Search Engine Land’s SearchBot SearchBot for advice. In my own search, I tried using the “Productivity expert/motivational coach/personal guru” persona to explore tips and tools for building internal training videos. The Coaching Expert SearchBot (powered by ChatGPT 4.0-mini) offered some valuable insights: “Here are some key points and tools you might consider including in your presentation on making internal training videos: Tools for Creating Training Videos 1. Screen Recording Software: – Camtasia: Great for recording screen activity and adding annotations. – OBS Studio: A free, open-source option for screen recording and live streaming. 2. Video Editing Software: – Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional-grade video editing tool with extensive features. – iMovie: A user-friendly option for Mac users, ideal for basic editing. 3. Presentation Tools: – PowerPoint or Google Slides: Use these to create engaging slides that can be recorded as part of your video. – Prezi: Offers a dynamic presentation style that can make your training more engaging. 4. Audio Recording Equipment: – USB Microphones: A good quality microphone can significantly improve audio clarity (e.g., Blue Yeti). – Headsets: For clear audio during recordings or live sessions. 5. Video Hosting Platforms: – YouTube: For public or unlisted videos. – Vimeo: Offers privacy options and is great for internal sharing. – LMS (Learning Management Systems): If your company uses an LMS, consider integrating your videos there for easy access. Tips for Making Effective Training Videos 1. Define Your Objectives: Clearly outline what you want to achieve with the training video. This will guide your content and structure. 2. Know Your Audience: Tailor your content to the specific needs and knowledge level of your audience to ensure engagement. 3. Keep It Concise: Aim for shorter videos (5-10 minutes) to maintain attention and focus. Break longer topics into a series of shorter videos. 4. Engage with Visuals: Use visuals, graphics and animations to illustrate key points and keep the audience engaged. 5. Include Interactive Elements: If possible, incorporate quizzes or discussion prompts to encourage interaction and reinforce learning. 6. Practice Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery and to build confidence. 7. Gather Feedback: After the training, solicit feedback to improve future videos and address any gaps in understanding. Conclusion Encourage your colleagues to embrace video as a powerful tool for training and development. Highlight the importance of continuous learning and how effective training videos can enhance knowledge retention and engagement within the organization.” While these are helpful general guidelines, one thing the SearchBot didn’t touch on was the importance of scriptwriting and video planning tools. For example, Google Docs or Notion are great for drafting scripts and structuring content, ensuring nothing important gets overlooked. Tools like Trello or Asana can also help you organize the production process by breaking down each step – scripting, recording, editing, and reviewing. Dig deeper: Video content guide: Why you should start creating videos now (plus examples) Adding a dash of creativity to your internal training videos While technical tips and tools are essential, the real magic happens when creativity transforms your content into something memorable. Drawing inspiration from David Ogilvy’s philosophy of “big ideas,” I decided to seek unconventional sources of inspiration. One such source was the 1976 comedy film Murder by Death – a clever spoof of detective movie tropes. This time, I used another persona in Search Engine Land’s list: Sarcastic Marketer (for fun!). It’s been “pre-prompted” as a snarky, clever, and funny marketing expert. Here’s what the chatbot generated: “[W]hen I think of engaging internal training videos, I immediately think of a 1976 comedy/mystery film featuring a cast of eccentric detectives. I mean, who wouldn’t want to learn about compliance policies from a parody of Hercule Poirot or a bumbling version of Sam Spade? Here’s the genius plan: 1. Character-Based Scenarios: Use the iconic characters from Murder by Death as avatars for different training modules. Picture this: your compliance training led by a Poirot-esque character who meticulously unravels the “mystery” of company policies. “Ah, but what is the true meaning of ‘conflict of interest’? Let us investigate!” 2. Humor and Mystery: Inject humor into the training by creating a light-hearted mystery that employees need to solve. For example, “Who stole the last donut in the break room?” Employees can learn about teamwork and communication while trying to crack the case. Spoiler alert: it was probably the intern. 3. Interactive Elements: Incorporate interactive elements where employees can choose their own adventure, much like the film’s plot twists. “Will you follow the lead of the wise-cracking detective or the overly serious one? Choose wisely, or you might end up in a training loop of doom!” 4. Visual Style: Emulate the film’s quirky visual style. Use bold colors, exaggerated expressions and playful graphics to keep viewers engaged. Because nothing says “mandatory training” like a cartoonish detective with a magnifying glass. 5. Catchy Taglines: Create memorable taglines inspired by the film’s humor. “In the world of corporate training, the only thing more mysterious than our policies is why you haven’t watched this video yet!” 6. Post-Training Debrief: End with a “whodunit” style debrief where employees can discuss what they learned, just like detectives sharing their theories. “So, who really was the culprit behind the missed deadlines? Was it poor communication or just a lack of coffee?” So, there you have it! By channeling the comedic brilliance of Murder by Death, you can transform those deadly dull training videos into something that employees might actually look forward to. Just remember, if all else fails, you can always blame it on the cat.” By injecting creativity into your training videos, you can break free from the typical formulaic approach, turning mundane content into an engaging, even fun, experience for your team. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Strategic insights for effective training videos Creating impactful internal training videos requires more than technical know-how. It demands a strategic approach that aligns with organizational goals, leverages industry trends, and incorporates data-driven improvements. Here’s how to make your training videos effective and engaging. Align training videos with business goals Training videos should serve as strategic tools, not just tutorials. Tie them to broader business objectives like scaling lead generation, improving ROI, or boosting organic traffic. For example, if your company is entering new markets, focus on localization strategies for PPC or international SEO best practices. Ensuring alignment with key goals enhances their relevance and impact. Use introductory videos and advanced tutorials Tailoring videos for various levels of expertise within your company is key to maintaining engagement and ensuring that learning is effective. Consider creating distinct content based on the following: Introductory videos: Target new hires or those with less experience. These might cover basic topics like using Google Keyword Planner or an overview of Google Ads, providing a solid foundation for those starting out in marketing. Advanced tutorials: Cater to seasoned professionals with more complex topics, such as conversion rate optimization (CRO), attribution modeling, or technical SEO audits using tools like Screaming Frog. These sessions should delve deep into advanced strategies, providing more technical insights and practical applications. Tailoring your content ensures that employees at all levels feel supported, challenged, and engaged in their learning journey. Incorporate video SEO principles Even internal training videos benefit from video SEO practices. Optimize file names, titles, and descriptions with relevant keywords to improve discoverability within your company’s systems. This ensures that employees can quickly locate the resources they need, especially in larger organizations. Tactical advice for creating effective training videos Leverage analytics for optimization: Treat training videos like SEO or PPC campaigns by tracking performance metrics such as watch times, completion rates, and engagement. Tools like Wistia or Panopto can help identify content gaps or opportunities for improvement, ensuring your videos remain relevant and effective. Integrate interactive elements: Boost engagement and reinforce learning by incorporating quizzes, polls, or interactive walkthroughs. For example, SEO training might include a quiz on keyword strategy, while a PPC walkthrough could guide users through campaign setup, offering hands-on experience. By aligning your videos with business goals and applying these tactical best practices, you can create training content that resonates, informs, and drives measurable improvement within your organization. Dig deeper: YouTube SEO fundamentals: What you need to know View the full article

On Thursday, January 23rd, Google updated its search quality raters guidelines PDF document. The last time Google updated this document was for the March 2024 spam update changes, over ten months ago. This update seems to focus on on spam and adds some additional details.View the full article

Google announced a number of new Google Ads Performance'¬'­ Max'¬'­ features with the aim to provide advertisers with more control, transparency, and actionable insights within Performance Max campaigns, the company said. These include updates around more campaign control, enhanced Search reporting and guidance, and asset group improvements.View the full article

Google's John Mueller said that when it comes to disavowing links "it's in a spammer's best interest to encourage others to spend time on it." Why? Because Google has said there is little reason to disavow links, unless you have a manual action or know you did some bad linking. View the full article

Google Ads has made two updates around advertiser verification recently. One, in some countries, Google will no longer require certification for some advertisers. Second, Google has updated and reorganized the Google Ads Advertiser Verification documentation.21View the full article