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Facebook is enhancing the way fans engage with their favorite creators, introducing new features designed to deepen connections and foster community. This update promises to be particularly beneficial for small business owners looking to harness the power of social media, connecting with audiences and building their brand. One of the standout features is the introduction of fan challenges, encouraging users to create and share content that aligns with specific prompts from creators they admire. Small business owners can capitalize on this by launching their own challenges relevant to their products or services. By encouraging customers to participate, companies can generate buzz around their brand and engage potential clients in a unique and entertaining way. In the past three months, more than 1.5 million entries to challenges have been recorded, showcasing the engagement potential. “The entries generated comments and reactions from over 10 million people,” highlighting the effectiveness of these initiatives. For small businesses, tying a fan challenge to their offerings can create a sense of community while encouraging user-generated content that can be showcased as testimonials or marketing material. Another feature that stands out is the top fan badges. These badges allow users to earn recognition for their ongoing engagement and loyalty, appearing next to their comments on creator pages. Small business owners can adopt a similar model by creating loyalty programs or recognition systems for their most engaged customers. This strategy not only promotes regular interaction but also fosters customer loyalty, crucial for building long-term relationships. Customized badges are also gaining traction, allowing fans to showcase their allegiance creatively. With over 500 million fans having accepted these badges globally, the opportunity for small businesses to create their own branded badges for outstanding clients or community members offers a fresh avenue for engagement. Engaging fans with badges can lead to valuable word-of-mouth marketing and broader community recognition. However, while these features can be powerful tools, small business owners should be aware of potential challenges. Not every audience may engage with social media initiatives in the same way, which means business owners need to carefully evaluate their target demographics and adapt strategies accordingly. Additionally, creativity plays a significant role in the success of these efforts—businesses must ensure their challenges resonate with their audience’s interests to spark genuine participation. Integrating these new features into a small business marketing strategy also requires a time investment. Potential participants need to understand the challenge goals and guidelines, meaning businesses will need to dedicate resources to create clear instructions, manage submissions, and provide appropriate recognition for engagement. The introduction of these new features also mirrors broader trends in digital interaction, emphasizing community building and engagement as key drivers for successful brand marketing. As stated in the release, “These updates help celebrate fandom and the communities that bring it to life.” By emphasizing connection and engagement, small business owners can build a meaningful presence on platforms like Facebook. In summary, the latest updates from Facebook present a unique opportunity for small businesses eager to innovate their marketing strategies. By leveraging fan challenges and top fan badges, business owners can enhance their connection with customers, foster community engagement, and ultimately drive growth in a competitive landscape. For additional insights on these new features and their implications, visit the original press release at Facebook News. Image via Facebook This article, "Facebook Unveils Exciting Features to Enhance Fan Engagement and Community" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Get tax-free growth and even a $1,000 government kickstart. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

Managing deadlines is one of the hardest parts of running projects, especially when teams are spread across multiple tasks and locations. Project time tracking gives managers visibility into where hours are going and helps teams stay focused on priority work. When every minute matters, the right project time tracking software keeps schedules realistic, resources balanced and projects moving toward completion without unnecessary delays. Beyond keeping teams on track, project time tracking also supports accurate billing and better forecasting. It helps managers spot bottlenecks early and shift workloads to avoid burnout or wasted time. The best project management time tracking tools combine ease of use with real-time data, so decisions can be made quickly and confidently. /wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Timesheet-Template.png Get your free Timesheet Template Use this free Timesheet Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template What Is Project Time Tracking? Project time tracking is the process of monitoring how much time team members spend on specific tasks and deliverables. It helps managers see where hours are allocated across the project timeline and ensures deadlines stay realistic. Accurate time tracking also improves accountability by showing which tasks are taking longer than expected and which are ahead of schedule, giving project managers the data they need to adjust resources before issues escalate. Time tracking for project management also supports accurate cost control and better client reporting. When hours are logged consistently, managers can create more precise estimates for future projects and avoid budget overruns. For teams that bill clients based on hours worked, project time tracking software ensures invoices are transparent and defensible, strengthening client relationships and reducing disputes over project costs. Project management time tracking software brings all project data into one platform, making it easy to connect hours worked with tasks, budgets and deadlines. Instead of using separate spreadsheets or manual logs, teams can enter time directly where work is managed. This eliminates double entry, reduces errors and provides real-time insights into project health, which is crucial for fast-moving teams. ProjectManager is built to make project time tracking simple and powerful. Its Gantt charts link tasks to timelines, so managers can see progress against the schedule in real time. Secure online timesheets make it easy for team members to log hours from anywhere, while workload charts help balance assignments and prevent burnout. It also integrates with ERP platforms like Acumatica, connecting time tracking with financial data for a complete picture of project performance. Together, these features give construction, manufacturing, IT and professional services teams everything they need to stay on schedule and on budget. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgLearn more Why Is Project Time Tracking Important? Project time tracking is essential for keeping work on schedule and budgets under control. It gives managers visibility into how time is spent so they can spot delays early and reassign tasks before deadlines are missed. Without project management time tracking, projects often run over schedule and over budget because there’s no accurate way to measure progress against the plan. Tracking time also leads to better decision-making and forecasting. When you know how long tasks actually take, you can create more realistic schedules for future work and improve cost estimates. For client-facing teams, project time tracking software ensures billing is accurate and transparent, which builds trust and helps maintain strong relationships. Key Features of Project Time Tracking Software The best project time tracking software gives managers visibility into every hour of work and ties that data directly to project performance. These tools do more than just log time—they help teams plan, monitor and optimize how work gets done. When evaluating project management time tracking options, focus on features that connect hours with tasks, budgets and deadlines so you can act on real data. Gantt Charts Gantt charts connect tasks to deadlines, making it easy to see where work stands at any moment. When paired with project time tracking, they show how logged hours align with scheduled work so managers can spot delays early and adjust timelines or resources. /wp-content/uploads/2023/02/operations-implementation-gantt-chart-150-600x295.pngLearn more Timesheets Online timesheets let team members record hours quickly from anywhere, which reduces manual entry and keeps time logs consistent. Integrated timesheets feed the project time tracking system so managers get real-time visibility into labor costs and progress. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Timesheet-Light-2554x1372-1-600x322.pngLearn more Task Time Tracking Task-level time tracking reveals exactly how much time is spent on individual tasks and deliverables. This detail helps teams measure productivity, refine estimates and reallocate resources to the highest priority work. Time Clock & Attendance A built-in time clock simplifies attendance by letting users clock in and out from the platform. This is especially useful for teams that need precise records for payroll, compliance and shift management. Related: 20 Excel Spreadsheet Templates for Tracking Tasks, Costs and Time Workload Management Charts Workload charts visualize how hours are distributed across people and projects. They help managers balance assignments, avoid overloading team members and keep capacity aligned with project demands. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Workload-Light-2554x1372-1-600x322.pngLearn more Billable vs. Non-Billable Hours Separating billable from non-billable hours is crucial for client-facing teams. This feature ensures invoices reflect actual work performed and gives a clear view of how much time generates revenue versus supporting tasks. Planned vs. Actual Hours Comparison Comparing planned hours to actual hours highlights where tasks take longer than expected. Project time tracking that offers these comparisons improves future estimates and pinpoints process inefficiencies. Integration with ERP & Payroll Management Systems Integrations with ERP and payroll systems connect time tracking data to financials, reducing duplicate entry and improving payroll accuracy. Linking project time tracking to enterprise systems gives a complete view of project costs and profitability. 5 Best Project Time Tracking Software Tools With the understanding of what project time tracking is and the features that are essential to a viable project time tracking software, let’s review the top products on the market. We’ll explore the good, bad and ugly of each, providing pricing and customer reviews to give readers a well-rounded assessment of each so they can make an educated decision of which is best for them. 1. ProjectManager/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/auth0-pm-logo-dark.png ProjectManager is online project management software that can be used anywhere and by anyone. This flexibility is especially useful for project time tracking, where teams may be distributed or working on multiple projects at once. Managers can monitor hours spent on tasks in real time, keeping projects on schedule and budgets under control. Beyond time tracking, ProjectManager offers a suite of tools to manage every aspect of project workflow, from scheduling tasks and tracking hours to balancing workloads and analyzing billable versus non-billable time. The platform also integrates with ERP and payroll systems, connecting tracked hours directly to financials and improving accuracy. Plus, ProjectManager offers a free 30-day trial so teams can test its features before committing. Visual Scheduling and Task Management ProjectManager includes online Gantt charts that provide a clear timeline of tasks, start and end dates and logged hours. Managers can assign tasks, link dependencies, track critical path tasks and adjust schedules with drag-and-drop ease. Task-level time tracking shows exactly how much time is spent on each deliverable, helping managers spot inefficiencies and optimize workflows. The platform also lets teams collaborate at the task level by leaving comments, attaching files and tracking updates in real time. Time Tracking, Attendance and Workload Management Timesheets allow team members to log hours from anywhere, supporting accurate project time tracking and payroll. A built-in time clock tracks attendance automatically, while workload charts visualize how hours are distributed across the team. Managers can balance assignments, prevent overwork and ensure deadlines are realistic. The system also separates billable from non-billable hours and compares planned versus actual hours, giving clear insight into performance and profitability. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/timesheet-lightmode-good-version-lots-of-tasks.png Integrations and Streamlined Financials ProjectManager integrates with ERP and payroll platforms like Acumatica, connecting tracked hours to financials for accurate reporting and billing. This reduces duplicate entries, simplifies payroll processing and provides a complete picture of project costs. All files, timesheets and reports are stored securely online, allowing managers to access critical data anytime from a desktop or mobile. /wp-content/uploads/2024/11/acumatica-project-plan-view.png Given its comprehensive project time tracking and management features, ProjectManager is an ideal tool for teams looking to optimize schedules, track hours accurately and streamline workflows. Click here to start a 30-day free trial. Verdict: Best Project Time Tracking Software for Teams ProjectManager Pros & Key Features Online Gantt charts for visual task and time management Timesheets and task-level time tracking for real-time insights Workload management charts to balance assignments Attendance tracking with built-in time clock Billable vs. non-billable hours and planned vs. actual hours comparison Integration with ERP and payroll systems Mobile app for Android and iOS Free 30-day trial available ProjectManager Cons & Limitations Limited customization options No built-in invoicing or payment tools Lacks advanced bidding functionality No free plan beyond trial ProjectManager Pricing Team: $14.00/user/month Business: $26.00/user/month Enterprise: Contact sales for a custom quote ProjectManager Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.1/5 Highlighted User Reviews “ProjectManager works very well with both large and small-scale projects. Being able to use this with anything from a project involving only two members of staff, to hundreds, has been invaluable.” Peter W – from Capterra “We used to manage our projects, resources, and reporting in different systems. Enter ProjectManager. We have consolidated systems and work more efficiently.” Jeffrey M – from Capterra “Having the full scope of activities and who is responsible to do it, plus the time tracking is excellent.” Flavio M – from G2 “It has an excellent accounting system capable of calculating the time that a person has used to develop a task that was assigned to him. I like being able to collaborate with all my colleagues in the Finance sector through ProjectManager.” Jesus C – from G2 “The UI of the application is user-friendly, and it helps to identify what we are looking for with minimal effort.” Pavan H – from G2 2. Clockify/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/clockify-logo.png Clockify is a project time tracking software that, as its name suggests, is cloud-based. It’s easy to use for teams of any size. Its intuitive interface allows employees to log hours quickly and accurately, whether they are working on individual tasks or multiple projects at once. Clockify supports project management time tracking with features like timers, manual time entry, task-level tracking and reporting. Teams can monitor billable versus non-billable hours, compare planned versus actual hours and generate reports to improve productivity and resource allocation. Its mobile app makes time tracking simple for remote or on-site work, and integrations with platforms like Asana, Trello and Jira ensure seamless workflow management across tools. /wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Clockify-Screenshot.png On the downside, Clockify is primarily focused on time tracking rather than full project management. While it offers basic task management features, it lacks advanced scheduling tools, Gantt charts and workload management charts that are included in more robust platforms. It also does not integrate with ERP or payroll systems out of the box, which can limit its usefulness for teams that want a single platform to manage hours, resources and finances together. Reporting and dashboards are functional but less customizable than higher-end project management software, and some advanced features require a paid plan. Verdict: Best Free Project Time Tracking Tool Clockify Pros & Key Features Timer and manual time entry for accurate project time tracking Task-level time tracking and reporting Billable vs. non-billable hours tracking Planned vs. actual hours comparison Mobile app for Android and iOS Integrations with Asana, Trello, Jira and other project tools Free plan available for unlimited users and projects Clockify Cons & Limitations Limited project management features beyond time tracking No built-in Gantt charts or workload management charts Lacks ERP and payroll system integrations Advanced reporting and dashboards require a paid plan Clockify Pricing Free Clockify Reviews G2 review: 4.5/5 Capterra review: 4.8/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Clockify is great for keeping track of projects, and total time on all projects for each client. There are simple dashboard features that keep time tracking easy and at your fingertips.” Charles H. – from G2 “They were great with the setup. We provided some functional requests and those seemed to evaporate in the void. I’m probably going to look for another solution unless our “quality of life” requests are implemented.” Michael P. – from Capterra Related: 9 Free Timesheet Templates for Excel, Google Sheets & Word 3. TimeCamp/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TimeCampl-logo-600x297.png TimeCamp is an online project time tracking software designed to help teams log hours accurately and improve productivity. It supports project management time tracking with features such as automatic time tracking, manual entries, task-level tracking and detailed reporting. Teams can monitor billable and non-billable hours, compare planned versus actual hours and get insights into resource allocation. TimeCamp also integrates with popular project management tools like Trello, Asana, Jira and Basecamp, allowing seamless workflow management and real-time tracking across multiple projects. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TimeCamp-screenshot.png On the downside, TimeCamp is primarily focused on time tracking rather than full project management. While it has some task organization and reporting features, it lacks advanced scheduling tools, Gantt charts and workload management charts. Integration with ERP or payroll systems is limited and often requires third-party connectors. Customization options for dashboards and reports are less flexible than more comprehensive project management platforms, and some features are only available in paid plans. Verdict: Best Lightweight Project Time Tracking Solution for Teams TimeCamp Pros & Key Features Automatic and manual time tracking for accurate project hours Task-level tracking and reporting for detailed insights Billable vs. non-billable hours tracking Planned vs. actual hours comparison Integrations with Trello, Asana, Jira and Basecamp Mobile app for tracking on the go Free plan available for basic time tracking TimeCamp Cons & Limitations Limited project management features beyond time tracking No built-in Gantt charts or workload management charts ERP and payroll integrations require third-party connectors Advanced features and reporting require paid plans TimeCamp Pricing Free Starter: $2.99 per month/user billed annually Premium: $4.99 per month/user billed annually Ultimate: $7.99 per month/user billed annually Enterprise: $11.99 per month/user billed annually TimeCamp Reviews G2 review: 3.5/5 Capterra review: 4.7/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Easy tracking, connection to trello. Many settings.” Yevgen G. from G2 “A great way to track hours for billing or for tracking time on projects.” John B. – from Capterra 4. My Hours /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/My-Hours-Logo-600x243.jpg My Hours is online project time tracking software that helps teams monitor hours, stay organized and optimize productivity. It supports project management time tracking with features like timers, manual time entry, task-level tracking and reporting. Teams can track billable versus non-billable hours, compare planned and actual hours and generate insights to improve scheduling and resource allocation. My Hours also integrates with tools like Trello, Asana and Basecamp, making it easy to track project time across multiple platforms and keep projects on target. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/My-Hours-Screenshot.png On the downside, My Hours focuses primarily on time tracking rather than full project management. It lacks advanced scheduling features, Gantt charts and workload management charts found in more robust platforms. Integration with ERP or payroll systems is limited, which can be a challenge for teams that want a single system to manage time, resources and finances. While reporting and dashboards are useful, they are less customizable than higher-end project management software, and some features are only available in paid plans. Related: 20 Best Resource Management Software of 2025 (Free & Paid) Verdict: Best Simple and User-Friendly Project Time Tracking Software My Hours Pros & Key Features Timer and manual time entry for accurate project time tracking Task-level tracking and reporting for detailed insights Billable vs. non-billable hours tracking Planned vs. actual hours comparison Integrations with Trello, Asana and Basecamp Mobile app for tracking on the go Free plan available for unlimited users and projects My Hours Cons & Limitations Limited project management features beyond time tracking No built-in Gantt charts or workload management charts ERP and payroll integrations are limited Advanced reporting and dashboards require paid plans My Hours Pricing Free, up to five users or teams Pro: $8 per user/month billed annually Enterprise: contact sales My Hours Reviews G2 review: 4.6/5 Capterra review: 4.8/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Easy to use, navigate and help organize. Report filters are great. Customer Support prompt. Natash O. – from G2 “Easy to use time tracking and billing” Rish A. – from Capterra 5. Paymo /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/paymo-work-management-software-600x237.jpg Paymo is online project time tracking software is designed to help teams log hours, manage tasks and improve productivity. It supports project management time tracking with features like timers, manual time entries, task-level tracking and detailed reporting. Teams can track billable versus non-billable hours, compare planned and actual hours and generate insights to optimize scheduling and resource allocation. Paymo also integrates with popular tools like Trello, Asana and QuickBooks, making it easy to manage project time across multiple platforms. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Paymo-timeline.png On the downside, Paymo is more focused on time tracking and task management than full-scale project management. It lacks advanced Gantt charts, workload management charts and deeper ERP or payroll system integrations found in more comprehensive platforms. While reporting and dashboards are functional, customization options are limited, and some advanced features require paid plans. Teams looking for a complete all-in-one project management solution may need additional tools alongside Paymo. Verdict: Best All-in-One Project Time Tracking Software for Small Teams Paymo Pros & Key Features Timer and manual time entry for accurate project time tracking Task-level tracking and reporting for detailed insights Billable vs. non-billable hours tracking Planned vs. actual hours comparison Integrations with Trello, Asana and QuickBooks Mobile app for tracking on the go Free plan available with basic time tracking features Paymo Cons & Limitations Limited advanced project management features No built-in Gantt charts or workload management charts for complex scheduling ERP and payroll integrations are limited Advanced reporting and dashboards require paid plans Paymo Pricing Free plan Starter plan: $3.90/user/month paid annually Small Office plan: $6.90/user/month paid annually Business plan: $10.90/user/month paid annually Paymo Reviews G2 review: 4.6/5 Capterra review: 4.7/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Paymo has all the capabilities that allows me to save time by automating project and task management procedures.” Larry K – from G2 “I like the way Paymo has been designed. With its straightforward menu sidebar, it’s easy to access everything your business needs quickly and easily.” Jamie Lee J – from G2 What Are the Main Benefits of Using Project Time Tracking Software Project time tracking software gives teams a clear view of where hours are being spent and how resources are being used. It helps managers understand project performance, optimize schedules and ensure that work is completed on time. With accurate data on time spent per task, organizations can improve productivity and make informed decisions about future projects. Accurate Labor Cost Tracking and Cost Control Project time tracking allows managers to monitor labor hours for each task and project. This helps control costs by showing exactly how much time and effort are being invested. Tracking hours accurately ensures that budgets are adhered to and that billing for client work is transparent and precise. Facilitates Project Progress Tracking By logging hours against tasks and milestones, project time tracking software makes it easy to see progress in real time. Managers can identify delays or bottlenecks early, reassign tasks when needed and adjust project schedules to keep everything on track. This transparency ensures that deadlines are met and projects remain aligned with their goals. Helps Managers Balance Their Team’s Workload Workload charts and task-level tracking give managers insight into who is working on what and how much time each task requires. This helps balance the distribution of work, prevent team members from being overloaded and ensure that resources are used efficiently. Balanced workloads improve team productivity and reduce the risk of burnout. Related Project Time Tracking Software There is more to learn about project time tracking. For those that want to further explore the topic, check out the links below. They lead to articles on strategy, time management plans and much more. Project Time Management: Strategies, Tips & Tools How to Make a Time Management Plan You’ll Actually Use A Quick Guide to Time Blocking Time Estimation in Project Management: Tips & Techniques Free Time Management Worksheets & Templates 8 Best Time Tracking Software for Consultants ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay up to date with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Project Time Tracking: Tools, Features and Software Reviews appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Microsoft Project Online will not be available to new users after October 1, 2025 and will be officially retired for legacy users on September 30, 2026. If you need to collaborate on MPP files in the cloud, sign up for ProjectManager to flawlessly import and export these files in an online platform. We have nearly all of the features that Microsoft Project does with none of the hassle, confusing plans or expensive price tag. If you want to stay in the Microsoft universe, you can explore their other available tools, including Microsoft Planner, Project Standard and Project Professional. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ms-project-pm-integration-1600x627.pngTry it free If you’ve worked with Microsoft Project before, then you are familiar with its powerful project planning capabilities, but also its many, well… frustrations. For one thing, it’s hard to share MPP files, which are too large for email and only viewable if you have MS Project. Also, MS Project is quite expensive and usually requires other Microsoft products such as Project Server and/or Sharepoint, which require license renewals and generate recurring costs. What you need is to be able to use the project management features of Microsoft Project online, without all its frustrations. In this article, we’ll show you MS project online alternatives that allow you how to do that. What Is Microsoft Project Online? Microsoft Project Online is a cloud-based project portfolio management (PPM) software built on the Microsoft Sharepoint platform. MS Project Online was designed as an alternative for users looking for the project management features of desktop-based Microsoft Project but need to collaborate online with their teams. It’s also a lighter and more user-friendly software than the on-premise version of Microsoft Project. But, if you need software that has the robust features of the desktop-based Microsoft Project and the ease of collaboration of MS Project Online, then try ProjectManager. ProjectManager has nearly all the powerful features of traditional Microsoft Project—Gantt charts, dashboards, task lists, project reports and resource management tools—on an online platform that works on both PC and Mac. Plus, there’s a mobile app so collaboration can happen even at the job site for the latest updates. Take a free 30-day trial and seamlessly import an MPP file to get started. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/construction-gantt-resources-costs-150-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgLearn more What Versions of Microsoft Project Online Are There? It’s important to note that Project Online isn’t the same as other Microsoft products such as Microsoft Project Professional, Project Server, Project for the web, or the Project online desktop client. In fact, there are two different ways to use Microsoft Project Online. Project Online Desktop Client: It’s an on-premises project management option that has the same features as MS Project Online, which allows users to manage projects locally on their computers and sync with the cloud. Work can be done offline and then changes will sync with Project Online when reconnected to the internet. It’s available in Project Plan 3 & Project Plan 5. Project Online: This is a subscription-based plan available on Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5. It offers comprehensive project management tools for planning, scheduling and managing projects. This is the traditional online solution, but it still bears collaboration issues for Mac users. If you want additional portfolio features, you need to pay extra for Project Plan 5. MS Project Online Benefits & Features The subscription version of MS Project Online doesn’t have the same features as the traditional, desktop version of Microsoft Project that you might be familiar with. With a subscription to Project Online, you’ll get access to project planning features like Gantt charts and critical path identification, as well as task management features like kanban boards and collaboration tools for scheduling and task updates. You’ll also get resource management features for resource costing and capacity planning, as well as time tracking via timesheets for monitoring project timelines and schedule baselines. Finally, Microsoft Project Online also has portfolio management features for portfolio analysis and prioritization, as well as roadmaps and project budgeting. Cons of Microsoft Project Online The online project management tool is very powerful and is a great option for teams already set up within a Microsoft project ecosystem, such as Microsoft Teams, MS Project Server, Microsoft Planner and Sharepoint. For these teams, adding a minor cost for online additions of their desktop project management tools is a great way to get their Microsoft Project plans online. However, MS Project Online has major drawbacks for everybody else. You need to purchase a lot of add-ons and licenses separately to use all MS Project Online features. For example, you’ll need Power BI, Microsoft Teams, Power Apps and Azure Boards, among others. You also need Sharepoint integrations, which is the sharing portal for Microsoft files of all kinds because the file sizes are so large. Microsoft Project Online’s pricing structure is complicated. Even with three tiers of pricing plans, the licensing fees add up if you want your whole team to get on board. Your team members will need an MS Project Online Essentials or a Project Plan 1 subscription to perform a few basic Microsoft Project Online Essentials functions like submitting timesheets and updating tasks. MS Project Online Pricing To use the full version of Microsoft Project Online, you’ll need to pay $55 per user per month, which is quite expensive relative to other project management software. MS Project Online pricing can be confusing and hard to explain. That’s because Microsoft Project is no longer a single software, but a set of project management tools. On top of that MS Project offers three subscription plans, which complicate things even more. To use MS Project Online, you’ll need a Microsoft Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 subscription. Here are the plans you can acquire to use Microsoft Project Online: Planner Plan 1 ($10 per user per month): This plan doesn’t include the full version of MS Project Online, but you’ll get Project Planner, which is similar but with limited features. Planner and Project Plan 3 ($30 per user per month): Formerly known as the Project Online Professional Plan and Project Plan 3, it includes Project for the web, Microsoft Project Online and Project Online Desktop Client. Planner and Project Plan 5 ($55 per user per month): Includes the same Microsoft Project products as Project Plan 3, with extra features for portfolio management. Best Microsoft Project Online Alternatives The desktop version of Microsoft Project has long been the standard for project managers, so much so that many are incredulous that there are viable MS Project online alternatives. Yes, there are affordable project management software alternatives with all the power of MS Project and without all the frustrations. 1. ProjectManager ProjectManager is online project management software that has the project planning power of the MS Project Gantt chart, but it’s faster and easier to use. ProjectManager is completely compatible with Microsoft Project for teams who have Project Server and Sharepoint but need to be able to share their plans online. There’s a significant cost savings, as well, as you don’t need desktop versions of the software. But most importantly, ProjectManager offers seamless import & export of MS Project and Excel files, with no data loss. And, because it’s always online, it has team collaboration features and the ability to share plans with anyone. You can rely on ProjectManager for all your project, program and project portfolio management (PPM) needs, and find why it is a great MS Project Online alternative. Ready to try it for yourself? Get started for free, and import your MPP files today for a better, online project management experience. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ms-project-pm-integration-1600x627.png 2. Microsoft Project Online Viewer If you don’t want to purchase MS Project Online, you can simply use a Microsoft Project Viewer, which is a project management tool that allows those project managers who don’t have an Office 365 account and a contract with MS Project Online to still open and view MPP files online. The problem with a view-only project management tool is that while it allows you to open MPP files, there is little you can do with them other than see the plan. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gantt-Chart-Template-Excel-image.png Get your free Gantt Chart Template Use this free Gantt Chart Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template How to Import MS Project Files Into ProjectManager Start by setting up a 30-day free account with us. You’ll see that we have multiple project management views, such as kanban boards, task lists and a calendar view. Choose the online Gantt chart and follow this walkthrough. It’s that simple. 1. Import MPP File Click the import button on the top right-hand side of the Gantt chart page. This will let you get your Microsoft Project file online, so you can share it with others. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gantt-import-light-mode.png 2. Select MPP File Choose the select file button on the popup window. Once you’ve picked the MS project file you want to import, just hit next. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/import-light-mode-pop-up-600x280.png 3. Make Import Options Pick what options you want before importing the file. The popup menu offers you such choices as to create a new project or add to an existing one, keep or replace the existing data, etc. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MPP-file-import-Gantt-chart-lightmode-e1726518305943-600x291.png 4. Import Everything or Just the Task List Use the final popup window to determine if you want to get all the data from the MPP file or just the task list. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/project-import-data-selection-mpp-gantt-light-mode-600x254.png 5. Finish & See Your Microsoft Project Plan Online Get a notice that says, “Success!” and you’ve completed the import process. Yes, it’s that easy and quick. Close that alert and you’re ready to edit your file within our tool. You’ll be presented with your final product in the Gantt chart form. Congrats, you’ve moved your Microsoft Project file into an online interface. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/import-success-prompt.png ProjectManager gives you the power to not only view your MPP files online, but also manage them online, and export them back to MPP format with complete data integrity. This MS Project online alternative lets you share your plans with team members and clients online freely and securely, while still using Microsoft Project. Related: Best Microsoft Project Alternatives More Microsoft Project Online Alternatives While ProjectManager is the best MS Project Online alternative, there are other options you can try if you want to stay in the Microsoft ecosystem. Here are six options you can consider if it has to be Microsoft. 1. Microsoft Project Standard 2024 Microsoft Project Standard 2024 can serve as a practical replacement for Microsoft Project Online for users who don’t require cloud collaboration but still need robust scheduling and planning tools. It provides essential features such as task management, dependencies, milestones, and Gantt chart views, ensuring projects stay on track. While it lacks online portfolio management, Project Standard is cost-effective for individuals or small teams managing projects locally. Its simplicity and reliability make it a strong option for those transitioning from Project Online’s discontinued services. 2. Microsoft Project Professional 2024 Microsoft Project Professional 2024 is a strong alternative to Microsoft Project Online because it retains advanced project and portfolio management capabilities while supporting integration with Project Server and Project Online environments. It allows organizations to coordinate multiple projects, manage shared resources, and generate detailed reports, similar to what was offered online. Enhanced collaboration through Teams integration and resource pooling provides enterprise-level control. For businesses needing continuity after Project Online, Project Professional delivers familiar tools with on-premises or hybrid deployment flexibility, ensuring a seamless transition. 3. Project for the Web Microsoft retired Microsoft Project for the Web on August 1, 2025. If you need to collaborate on MPP files in the cloud, sign up for ProjectManager to flawlessly import and export these files in an online platform. We have nearly all of the features that Microsoft Project does with none of the hassle, confusing plans or expensive price tag. If you want to stay in the Microsoft universe, you can explore their other available tools, including Planner for the Web. Project for the web is very similar to Microsoft Project Online. It offers basic task management tools such as Gantt charts, grid views and roadmaps to help you manage your project’s work. The main difference between Microsoft Project Online and Project for the web is that Project Online has more advanced project management features such as project baselines, critical path analysis and project portfolio management tools, while Project for the web is a much more basic tool designed to be easy to use. Another important difference is that Project Online is built on the Microsoft SharePoint platform, while Project for the web is built on the Microsoft Project platform. 4. Project Server Project Server is the specialized on-premises project portfolio management software from Microsoft. It’s got enterprise project management tools that will help you better select and prioritize projects, track resources across your portfolio and monitor project performance. It’s a good alternative for organizations that need a solution to better track their project portfolio and make PPM resource management decisions based on data. 5. Microsoft Planner Microsoft Planner is a task management tool that’s included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions. It’s used to help teams organize, assign and track work in a visually intuitive way. They can create tasks, assign them to team members and set due dates. There’s a kanban-like board layout to visualize the workflow. The software is collaborative. Team members can comment on tasks, share files and get notifications about updates. There’s also a mobile app that allows users to manage tasks when out of the office. 6. Virtual Machines A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. They run on a host machine and can operate as if they were independent computers, complete with their operating systems and applications. They can be used to run Windows on Macs, though it requires a fast computer because it’s like running two operating systems at once. Here are some commercial virtual machine brands. Parallels Desktop: Allows Windows to run directly on the Mac desktop. This user-friendly virtual machine is known for its good performance. VirtualBox: A free and open-source alternative to running Windows on Macs. May not have the same level of performance as commercial brands. VMware Fusion: Has a wide range of operating systems, including various versions of Windows. It offers integrations with macOS and networking features. 7. Microsoft Remote Desktop Microsoft Remote Desktop allows users to connect to and control a remote computer over a network. Users can access their desktop, applications and files on a remote computer as if they were sitting in front of it. This software is available on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. It has encrypted connections for secure access and various authentication methods. The tool enables users to transfer files between local and remote computers, as well as print documents from remote computers to local printers. MS Project Online FAQ Clearly, Microsoft has a wide array of products and a complicated price structure that can be confusing for many project managers. Here are some of the most common questions that project managers have about MS Project Online. Is MS Project Online the Same as Microsoft Project? Microsoft Project Online was designed as a separate service and doesn’t have the same features as the desktop-based Microsoft Project Professional. The online solutions, MS Project Online and Project for the web lack some functions that Project Professional has. Is Microsoft Project Online Free? Microsoft Project Online is not free. You’ll need to pay an annual commitment of $55 per user/month along with several other separate subscriptions for Microsoft products to have a fully functional MS Project Online. Is Microsoft Project Online Included in Office 365? Microsoft Office 365 doesn’t include any online or desktop version of MS Project. You’ll need to pay for a subscription to use Microsoft Project Online. Related Content Microsoft Project: Plans, Training and How to Download Top Microsoft Project Management Software Best Microsoft Project Alternatives Best Microsoft Planner Alternatives What Is Microsoft Project? Uses, Features and Pricing Microsoft Project Viewer – How to View & Edit MPP Files Online MPP File Extension: What Is It & How to Open It Microsoft Project for Mac: How to Run MS Project Files on Your Mac Microsoft Project Online: Ventajas, Desventajas y Alternativas Microsoft Project Online : avantages, inconvénients et meilleures alternatives Microsoft Project Online: Vorteile, Nachteile und beste Alternativen ProjectManager is an award-winning project management tool that organizes teams and projects. Our cloud-based software has all the features of MS Project Online, without the expense and unnecessary complexities. See how we can make your teams work more productively with our one-stop PM tool. Get started for free with our 30-day trial today. The post Microsoft Project Online: Pros, Cons and Best Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) have been around for many years now, but for some reason, so many Google Ads practitioners still find them confusing. RSAs can be incredibly powerful if you know how to use them correctly. What is a Responsive Search Ad? A Responsive Search Ad, or RSA, is the default ad type for Google Search campaigns. When you create an RSA, you must provide three things: Final URL: The landing page where you want users to go after clicking on your ad. Headlines: The clickable part of your search text ad. Minimum 3, Maximum 15. 30-character limit each. I generally recommend having 8-10 headlines in your RSA. We previously covered ad headlines in this series. Descriptions: The black text that accompanies your headlines, to complete your RSA. Minimum 2, Maximum 4. 90-character limit each. I recommend having 2 or 3 descriptions in your RSA. Your RSA can also have: Display path: This is not your final URL, but instead, an optional piece of text that signals to the user what type of page they’ll land on. Minimum 0, Maximum 2. 15-character limit each. Are assets part of a Responsive Search Ad? Assets (formerly known as extensions) are an optional but helpful part of your Search ads. While you can create/edit assets while creating an RSA, I don’t recommend doing this. Instead, create and save your ad, and then go to the Assets tab to add/edit assets at the account, campaign, or ad group level. To learn more about assets, check out previous articles in this series about Message assets, Image assets, Sitelink assets, or Structured snippet & callout assets. Is Ad Strength important for Responsive Search Ads? When you’re building your RSA, you’ll see a blue bar at the top with a score for “ad strength.” It will say “poor,” “average,” “good,” or “excellent.” Good news: you can ignore this. Even Google has stated that this score does not directly affect your ad’s performance. Think of Ad Strength as a checklist of Google’s best practices. It’s a helpful guide, but don’t let it be the only thing you focus on. Your RSA Ad Strength score is based on three things: Are your keywords being used in your headlines and descriptions? Have you provided enough headlines and descriptions? Are your headlines and descriptions different enough from each other? For example, if you were to create four headlines like “Search Engine Land,” “Read Search Engine Land,” “Search Engine Land News,” and “Search Engine Land Articles,” Google would consider those to be too similar and your ad strength would suffer. 5 tips to improve your RSA performance Now that we have the basics down, here are some of my favorite tips to get the most out of your responsive search ads. 1. How many RSAs per ad group? You can have up to three RSAs per ad group, but it’s rare that you’ll need more than 15 headlines and four descriptions to get the job done. Consider using experiments for ad copy testing or landing page testing rather than creating multiple RSAs. 2. Should you pin headlines or descriptions? Pinning a headline or description to a specific position (like Headline 1 or Description 1) will prevent Google from mixing and matching it with other headlines and descriptions, and force it to always show in this position. Don’t just randomly pin your assets. But if you have a good reason, like legal compliance requirements or ambiguous queries, go ahead and pin. 3. Should you use ad customizers? Ad customizers are one of my favorite features in Google Ads. You can use ad customizers, like Dynamic Keyword Insertion, Dynamic Location Insertion, and/or Dynamic Countdown Insertion to make your ads more relevant to users. Learn more about dynamic keyword insertion. 4. Can your headlines be shown in other placements? This is a common point of confusion for new advertisers: a headline is not always a headline. Sometimes, your headlines may show up as part of your description or even as sitelinks. It’s not a big deal, just something to be aware of. 5. Can you see the performance of individual headlines or descriptions? Yes! To see how your RSAs are performing, don’t just look at the overall ad metrics. Go into the Assets details to see individual asset-level reporting. You may need to add more columns to your report to evaluate the performance of each headline and description. However, remember to be patient. In my experience, a single asset needs at least 100 clicks to begin evaluating its click-through rate and at least 100 conversions to properly evaluate its conversion rate or cost per acquisition. Anything less than that simply isn’t enough data. While Responsive Search Ads are not the only ad type for Google Search ads, Google has announced that Call ads are being deprecated. With the advent of AI Max and PMax, it’s my prediction that Dynamic Search Ads aren’t long for this world, either. So, the sooner you get the hang of creating and optimizing RSAs, the better off you’ll be. This article is part of our ongoing bi-weekly Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every other Wednesday, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read. 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. Practicing a new language can be fun, but premium language apps can be expensive. Babbel makes it easier with practical, bite-sized lessons designed for real-life use, focusing on conversations you’d actually have—ordering food, chatting with the locals, asking for directions (read PCMag's in-depth review of Babbel to learn more)—and right now, its lifetime subscription is on sale for a huge discount: A lifetime subscription to Babbel is on sale for $159 with promo code LEARN. The sale ends October 2. It's a one-time payment—no recurring fees, no monthly charges—for lifetime access to all 14 languages (including French, German, Italian, and Spanish), making it cheaper than Babbel’s regular one-year plan at $300. Babbel’s lessons take just 10 to 15 minutes, so you can squeeze your practice into a commute or coffee break. And, unlike other language-learning apps that rely on repetitive vocabulary drills or random gamified exercises, Babbel follows a structured, linguist-designed curriculum that progressively increases in difficulty, so you don't plateau after the basics (earning itself a place in PCMag's "The Best Language Learning Apps for 2025" roundup). Plus, it’s not just passive learning—you get writing, speaking, and listening exercises with speech recognition technology to fine-tune your pronunciation, creating a far more immersive experience. Of course, dedication is still key, and no app will make you fluent, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, this Babbel lifetime subscription gives you the tools to succeed without the burden of ongoing costs. View the full article

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

Google Ads will launch a new Message asset requirements help center and begin enforcing stricter policies for message assets. Why we care. Advertisers relying on message assets risk having them blocked if they don’t meet the updated requirements. Ensuring compliance will be critical to maintaining campaign reach and performance. The details. Enforcement begins Oct. 30 and will ramp up over four weeks. Message assets that fail to comply or can’t be verified will no longer serve. Disapproved assets can be fixed by following Google’s policy guidance. Bottom line. Advertisers should review and update their message assets ahead of the deadline to avoid disruptions. Waiting until enforcement begins could mean stalled campaigns, lost visibility, and missed opportunities during the transition period. View the full article

The United States has agreed to allow South Korean workers on short-term visas or a visa waiver program to help build industrial sites in America, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. The announcement came weeks after South Korea flew home more than 300 of its nationals who had been detained in a massive immigration raid at a battery factory being built on Hyundai’s sprawling auto plant campus near Savannah, Georgia. The roundup, along with U.S. video footage showing Korean workers shackled at the hands, ankles and waist, fueled public outrage and a sense of betrayal in South Korea — a key U.S. ally that had pledged hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. investments just weeks earlier in hopes of avoiding the The President administration’s steepest tariffs. The incident also triggered pent-up frustrations in Seoul over Washington’s failure to act on its long-standing request to improve the visa system for skilled Korean workers, even as the United States presses its ally to expand industrial investments. South Korean companies have been mostly relying on short-term visas or a visa waiver program called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, to send workers needed to launch manufacturing sites and handle other setup tasks, a practice that had been largely tolerated for years. After bilateral visa talks Tuesday in Washington, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said their American counterparts reaffirmed that South Korean companies can use B-1 short-term business visas or ESTAs to send workers to install, service and repair equipment needed for their projects in the United States. The statement was consistent with earlier remarks by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who, after traveling to Washington to negotiate the workers’ release, said that U.S. officials had agreed to allow them to return later to complete their work. South Korea has called for more fundamental steps, such as creating a new visa category to expand access for skilled workers. But U.S. officials at the Washington meeting said major changes would be difficult because of legislative constraints, according to a statement from the South Korean ministry. Most of the Korean workers detained in Georgia were employed by LG Energy Solution and its subcontractors and held ESTAs as well as other visas. LG said in a statement that it will “thoroughly prepare and work diligently to normalize the construction and operation of our factories in the United States.” —Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press View the full article

Privately produced data takes on added significance as government shutdown halts key official figuresView the full article

Backlinks still matter in AI search, but quality, diversity, and even nofollow links now shift visibility more than raw volume. The post How AI Really Weighs Your Links (Analysis Of 35,000 Datapoints) appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

This is just a programming note that I will be 100% offline starting Wednesday night (October 1st) through Thursday night (October 2nd) for Yom Kippur. I am not scheduling any stories on Yom Kippur...View the full article

Several pharmaceutical companies have said they will sell drugs direct to patients in the U.S. and offered discounts following President Donald The President’s calls to bring down drug prices and cut out “middlemen” like pharmacies, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. The The President administration announced on Tuesday plans to launch a government-run website called The PresidentRx.gov in early 2026, offering reduced prices for prescription drugs. U.S. patients currently pay by far the most for prescription medicines, often nearly three times more than in other developed nations. The President sent letters to 17 major companies in July demanding they slash U.S. prescription drug prices. Below is an overview of pharmaceutical companies which recently announced direct-to-consumer sales and price cuts in the U.S: PFIZER Pfizer and President Donald The President said on Tuesday they had cut a deal in which the U.S.-based drugmaker agreed to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicaid programme to what it charges in other developed countries, in exchange for tariff relief. Pfizer will invest $70 billion in research and development and domestic manufacturing and received a three-year grace period during which its products will not be subject to U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said. PhRMA U.S. pharmaceutical lobby group PhRMA said on Monday it would launch a new website, AmericasMedicines.com, next January to help patients buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers. NOVO NORDISK Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk said in August that it would offer its diabetes drug Ozempic for $499 per month to eligible cash-paying patients with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. via its own pharmacy, a tie-up with telehealth service GoodRx and other platforms. It had announced earlier in April that it was working with telehealth firms Hims & Hers, Ro and LifeMD to sell Wegovy to cash-paying US customers. ELI LILLY Eli Lilly said in June it would ship the two highest doses of its popular weight-loss drug Zepbound to cash-paying customers on its website starting early August. ASTRA ZENECA AstraZeneca said on Friday it will sell its diabetes and asthma drugs direct to cash-paying U.S. patients at a discount of up to 70% off list prices. SANOFI French drugmaker Sanofi said on Friday it would offer a month’s supply of any of its insulin products for $35 to all patients in the U.S. with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status. ROCHE Roche is considering selling its prescription medicines in the U.S. directly to consumers to bring costs down for patients, as part of talks with the U.S. government, CEO Thomas Schinecker said in July. The model could appeal not only to the uninsured or under-insured, but also to insured patients comparing the cost of accessing drugs through insurers with cash prices, an industry source told Reuters. ZEALAND PHARMA Zealand Pharma is considering a direct-to-patient sales model as well as traditional insurer channels for the experimental weight-loss drug it is developing with Roche, its CEO told Reuters in September. BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB U.S. pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb will cut prices to eligible U.S. patients for blood clot treatment Eliquis and plaque psoriasis drug Sotyktu, with the latter being offered at a more than 80% discount to the list price, it said in September. WISP Women’s telehealth provider Wisp said in September it expanded its weight-care offerings to include sale and doorstep delivery of Novo Nordisk’s and Eli Lilly’s popular drugs without the need for insurance. It priced Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro at $598, $558, and $489 per month, respectively, with the cost also including consultation, monthly follow-ups, and direct-to-door delivery. ABBVIE AbbVie said on Monday it would launch its ovarian cancer drug Elahere in the UK at a list price matching that in the U.S. following The President’s demands for drugmakers to offer the U.S. “most-favored-nation” pricing. —Javi West Larrañaga and Emanuele Berro, Reuters View the full article

Blistering attack at Labour conference comes after tech billionaire has used X to hit out at British governmentView the full article

Most B2B marketers know LinkedIn Ads for its strong prospecting capabilities. But one of its most powerful features – retargeting – is often overlooked. Beyond website visitors, LinkedIn offers creative retargeting options to keep prospects moving through the funnel. This article shows how to structure retargeting across every stage and what to offer audiences along the way. Top of funnel: Awareness and trust-building Even in the earliest stages, retargeting has a role. Prospects who have lightly engaged with your brand need reinforcement and education before they’ll move further down the funnel. Types of retargeting to use at this stage: Video view retargeting: Build audiences from users who watched 50% or more of a brand or thought leadership video. Company page engagement: Retarget people who liked, commented, or shared your organic or sponsored posts. Event RSVPs: Retarget people who registered for a LinkedIn event (even if they didn’t attend). Website visits to educational content: Target users who visited blog articles, ungated resources, industry insights pages, or downloaded a gated resource (that one is a bit higher intent, but still fits in the awareness category). Predictive audiences: This serves almost as a lookalike audience feature. You can upload contact lists, company lists, and even use other criteria like existing retargeting lists, people who have submitted lead gen forms, or completed a conversion action. Campaign approach Use carousel or static ads to: Highlight your brand’s POV. Share industry stats. Promote thought leadership content that guides prospects through the journey. This is especially effective if you have a clear stance on a hot industry topic and want to lead the conversation. The goal isn’t immediate conversion but visibility and trust – staying in front of your audience with educational touches over a longer window (90+ days). This approach is ideal for warming up the pipeline in longer B2B sales cycles. Dig deeper: LinkedIn Ads or Google Ads? A framework for smarter B2B decisions Middle of funnel: Credibility and consideration This is where retargeting starts to directly support pipeline. Prospects have signaled deeper interest and are exploring how your solution might fit their needs. Types of retargeting to use at this stage: Product page visits: Build website audiences from solution, feature, or pricing page visitors. Lead gen form opens (no submission): Target users who clicked on a form but didn’t finish. Document ad interactions: Retarget users who downloaded or viewed a whitepaper, case study, or checklist inside LinkedIn. Webinar or virtual event attendees: Create audiences from event engagement for ongoing nurture. CRM lists of MQLs: Upload or sync leads who are in the pipeline, but haven’t engaged fully. Campaign approach Lookback windows of 30 to 60 days work best for this segment. Focus on: Case studies. Testimonials. Explainer videos. ROI calculators. Use social proof to: Build credibility. Address objections. Give prospects confidence to move toward a demo. Dig deeper: 5 LinkedIn Ads mistakes that could be hurting your campaigns Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Bottom of funnel: Conversion and in-market capture High-intent behaviors call for precise retargeting. These users are closest to purchase but not yet committed. They may be comparing solutions or just need additional nudging to keep your brand top of mind as sales works the deal. Types of retargeting to use at this stage: Pricing or demo page visits: Build website audiences for URLs like /pricing or /demo. Lead gen form submitters who haven’t closed: Re-engage users who completed an initial conversion but haven’t fully converted to customers. For this, you’ll target people who have submitted the lead gen form for whatever CTA or resource you’re offering and exclude “closed won” contact list(s). SQLs or open opportunities that stalled: Upload or sync CRM lists of deals that went dark. Repeated visits from the same account: Layer website visits with company matching to identify persistent buying signals. Campaign approach Share specific customer success stories and proof points backed by stats or results. Use direct CTAs (“get started” over “book a demo”) and address objections head-on – reinforcing your product’s value and how it solves customer problems. Note: This segment is smaller, so rotate creative more often to avoid ad fatigue. Dig deeper: 5 LinkedIn Ads tests to run to drive growth Post-funnel: Re-engagement Not every prospect moves forward right away. Retargeting can bring back old leads or prospects who have gone quiet by reminding them of your value in fresh ways. Types of retargeting to use at this stage: Closed-lost opportunities: Upload CRM lists of leads that previously showed interest but didn’t convert. Past event attendees: Retarget users from webinars or virtual events that didn’t progress further. Longer-lookback website visitors: Build audiences of visitors from 90+ days ago who haven’t returned. Old content engagers: Retarget video viewers or document downloaders from earlier campaigns. Campaign approach Highlight what’s new – updated features, fresh case studies, or timely thought leadership. Focus less on hard CTAs and more on re-establishing credibility and interest with content that feels fresh, useful, and engaging. Dig deeper: How to combine Google Ads and LinkedIn Ads for comprehensive B2B campaigns Mapping retargeting to the buyer journey Here’s a general overview of how to think about retargeting and campaigns for each funnel stage: Funnel stageRetargeting typesCampaign goalsAwarenessVideo viewers, blog readers, event RSVPs, predictive audiences, other cold audience membersEducate and introduce the brand + differentiatorsConsiderationProduct page visitors, form openers, webinar attendeesBuild credibility, deepen engagementConversionDemo/pricing page visitors, SQLs, stalled opportunitiesEncourage action and closeRe-engagementClosed-lost leads, past event attendees, long-lookback visitorsReconnect and offer fresh value Most advertisers use PPC for prospecting, but don’t overlook people who’ve already engaged with your brand. Invest time, effort, and ad dollars to guide them through the funnel. The key to strong retargeting is matching tactics and CTAs to each stage. Done well, it can be one of the best ways to grow PPC revenue. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Peloton announced a whole new fleet of equipment devices and the addition of AI fitness coaching, all in an effort to usher in "a new era of connective wellness." The upgraded Bikes and Treads will probably be the biggest news of the day, but I was interested in another development: the brand's new partnerships and acquisition, which are also aligned with that "connective wellness" goal. The company deepened its partnership with Hyrox, partnered with two new companies, and acquired Breathwrk, all while also adding more depth to existing elements of "human connection" on its robust platform. Peloton acquired BreathwrkYesterday, I attended the press event announcing all the big Peloton news. For the most part, everything made sense. New devices, better software, and updated classes to go along with them seemed like logical steps for a leading at-home fitness company to take over a decade into its existence. But then a presenter mentioned that Peloton had "acquired Breathwrk." This, it turns out, is exactly what it sounds like: It's an app that guides the user through breathing exercises—like calming breaths, breathing for sleep, and breathing for energy—designed to "unleash your peak mental and physical potential." Earlier this year, Peloton execs hinted at price increases for memberships and mentioned a plan to roll out more "fitness and wellness experiences." To that end, I've noticed a lot more "wellness," generally, in the app's offerings. Beyond the cardio and strength classes Peloton is known for, I've found meditation, "reflection rides," and nutritional content. It's been obvious for a while that the company's aspirations are greater than dominating the exercise space; they want to go deeper on mental health, nutrition, and everything else that goes into being well-rounded and healthy. Per Peloton, All Access and App+ members can now access Breathwrk's app by using their Peloton login credentials. Further integrations between the two will be "coming soon." Peloton's new partnershipsPeloton also announced partnerships with the Hospital for Special Surgery and Respin Health. HSS is a leader in orthopedics and rheumatology. Together, the two will "produce programming focused on musculoskeletal injury prevention and recovery." That's all expected to start rolling out in the next few weeks. It's another bit of news that makes sense. In announcing the addition of an AI coach to personalize every member's workout plan, Peloton's reps pointed out that the software will use users' goals and existing workout data to outline what they should do for the next week—including when they should take rests. While ramping up wellness initiatives, Peloton hasn't overlooked the role rest plays in overall health. I'm interested to see what the HHS programming looks like in practice. Respin is a platfor, launched by Halle Berry for those going through everything from perimenopause to postmenopause. The two brands will co-create an eight-week program of Peloton classes to specifically target symptom relief and various improvements for members going through those life changes. Again, these are coming in the next few weeks. Finally, Peloton is doubling down on its partnership with Hyrox. That isn't a new partnership, but it's one that has apparently been fruitful enough to warrant the allocation of more resources. If you don't know, Hyrox is a relatively new sport that involves running plus competing in things like sled pulls and pushes, among other exercises. You have to row, do burpees, and do a farmer's carry, too, all in the name of demonstrating how versatile you are as an athlete. Peloton has had a special Hyrox training program in place for a few months now, but plans to expand its offerings with new branded classes that support training for the various parts of the race. Improvements to "human connections"Peloton is also expanding what users can do with its existing offerings aimed at "human connections." Primarily, this involves the addition of Club Peloton and Official Peloton Teams. Club Peloton is a recognition program that awards users a rank based on how consistently they work out and whether they try new types of exercises. If you check your Peloton app right now, you might find you've already been assigned a rank, like bronze, silver, gold, or legendary. The idea is that your rank will eventually earn you rewards, like discounts on products or early access to classes. You'll also get a profile badge which will be visible to others when you're on a class leaderboard. Official Peloton Teams is an expansion of Peloton's popular Teams feature, which I already love. With Teams, you join forces with friends and compete with or against them to hit certain goals, like a particular amount of workouts per week. You can also join Teams based on attributes like life stage (like being a new mom) or region (like the city where you live). Official Peloton Teams are the newest part of all that and are helmed by the company's famous instructors. You can join ones like Move for Life, Cross Training, Hyrox training, and Menopause Health. View the full article

It’s a familiar frustration: You miss your connection because of a delayed flight. The line at the customer assistance desk is 30 people deep. The airline app offers little help, and the call center puts you on hold for half an hour. Will you ever escape Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)? Enter Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS) Assist, a new generative AI travel agent that helps customers with post-booking travel questions, changes, and disruptions. HTS assist was built by Hopper, the mobile-only travel-booking platform that’s known for its intuitive, user-friendly interface and for predicting flight prices with near-flawless accuracy and pinging users when it’s time to book. A few clicks—“my trips” and “contact support”—from Hopper’s main page now opens an interface where travelers can talk to or text the AI assistant for help with things like rebooking missed connections and processing refunds for canceled trips. HTS Assist is built to converse in natural language—it’s been trained on millions of real-world conversations—and is capable of communicating in 30 different languages. Hopper says it has taken a “model-agnostic” approach to creating HTS Assist, working with leading large language models and its own travel-specific training data. Crucially, the chatbot is plugged directly into the complex travel tech stack of airline booking platforms, hotel reservation systems, car rental options, payments, and more, allowing other travel companies to offer customers their own version of the customer service chatbot. HTS Assist already lives inside a couple of partner platforms—Korean credit card company Lotte Card and Japanese bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking (SMB)—with more deals in the works, according to Hopper. These partnerships are handled by Hopper’s B2B arm, Hopper Technology Solutions, or HTS, which currently powers the travel portals of Capital One, Uber, Lloyds, and others with personalized booking software. HTS is now responsible for 90% of Hopper’s revenue. This new agent could unlock even more. A growing demand for shrinking customer service Over the past few decades, the number of frontline service reps has steadily shrunk, even as passenger numbers climb. (American Airlines, for example, cut 8.2% of its customer service positions last year.) Automated phone trees and maddening chatbots have taken their place, infamous for endless loops and little transparency, leaving travelers stranded at the exact moment they need help most. “Travel is one of the most stressful, emotionally charged, and operationally complex industries,” says Jo Lai, head of AI solutions and customer Experience at HTS. “Unlike other consumer categories, when things go wrong in travel, people’s lives are immediately disrupted.” Hopper believes HTS Assist’s capabilities are uniquely suited to bridge the gap between customer demand—half of travelers require some kind of servicing during their trip—and rising expectations: travelers want instant, consistent resolutions across various platforms. The assistant can be scaled during peak surges without requiring an army of new hires, and it resolves issues with the same tools human agents use. “HTS Assist doesn’t mind if it’s helping one person or 65,000,” says Frederic Lalonde, Hopper founder and CEO. “It’s there for you immediately, and stores all of your information in one place.” According to Hopper, HTS Assist works four times as fast as traditional customer service channels. And cost savings for companies could be meaningful. Thanks to fewer backlogs, lower error rates, and less reliance on constantly hiring and retraining agents, Hopper estimates that airlines and travel providers could reduce service costs by up to 65%. Assist could also drive ancillary revenue. If a passenger misses a flight, the agent will first comb through available benefits like meal or hotel vouchers. If those fall short, it offers hotel stays or car rentals that feel like natural extensions of the interaction. So far, 15% of AI agent conversations have led to ancillary sales. Putting the assistant to the test The travel industry is already awash in chatbots offering to help with everything from travel planning to booking. Tripadvisor has an AI assistant tailor-made for trip planning. Marriott is testing a personalized chatbot for its loyalty program members that can act as both a booking agent and concierge. Airlines of all stripes, meanwhile, have debuted chatbots, with varying degrees of success. As they’re discovering, a good chatbot can solve problems and smooth travel hiccups. A bad one just makes things worse. To get a sense of HTS Assist’s capabilities, Fast Company participated in a few live demos to test the system against common traveler frustrations: missed flights, refund requests, and alternative plans. Prompted by Lai, the virtual assistant worked fluidly through a casual back and forth. The first demonstration was based on Hopper Technology Solutions’ flagship design for potential external partners. Playing the part of the rushed traveler, Lai interrupted HTS Assist (it recovered easily) and asked it to handle trickier tasks, like rerouting rental cars to different drop-off locations and syncing with friends’ travel plans. The assistant also asked helpful questions—a manual or automatic car?—that trimmed down options. The design interface, which shifted colors and communicated behind-the-scenes “thinking” with a trio of merging dots, was almost meditative. “We can also dial up or down the assistant’s formality and empathy level,” says Lai, depending on a company’s culture, branding, and voice. A second set of self-led demos via Hopper’s in-app chat and customer service phone line was a bit more clunky, and has yet to incorporate HTS Assist’s new design and feel (that will roll out in the coming days). The assistant couldn’t upgrade a flight to business class, for example, without canceling and rebooking the flight altogether. It also couldn’t add a day to a hotel reservation without also canceling and rebooking new dates. Still, it was compelling—it listed airline baggage fees associated with our reservation, for example, and it had tips for going through security in Canada, the flight’s country of origin. HTS Assist also can’t replicate the sympathetic agent who ignores an overweight bag or lets you change seats free of charge (yet). But it is designed to escalate to a live agent when needed. And while the technology is currently focused on post-booking fallouts rather than the travel planning journey, the ladder is certainly on the horizon. “We’re really excited about the AI commerce category and conversational commerce as a whole,” says Lai. For now, at least, you won’t be stuck at EWR. View the full article

The U.S. federal government shut down one minute into October, bringing with it uncertainty about jobs and the economy. The shutdown hasn’t brought significant turmoil to the stock market as of yet. Most notably, futures have dropped but not significantly, with the Dow shrinking 0.41%, the S&P 500 down 0.45%, and the Nasdaq losing 0.50%, at the time of publishing. Meanwhile, gold prices have skyrocketed in response to the shutdown, reaching an all-time high early Wednesday morning that neared $4,000. Just after the day’s 12:01 a.m ET shutdown, spot gold reached over $3,894, while U.S. gold futures hit $3,922. Both have since dropped slightly, but remained at significant highs at the time of publishing. Gold prices have risen significantly this year amid increasing economic uncertainty and a weaker dollar. As of early Wednesday, they were up roughly 46% year to date. Investors tend to gravitate toward so-called safe-haven assets during times of uncertainty. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were also up on Wednesday as the shutdown began. How bad could depend on how long Historically speaking, a typical government shutdown shouldn’t have a lasting impact on the economy, experts point out. “Government shutdowns tend to be high profile though low-impact market events,” according to a report last week from financial company Truist. “In the previous 20 shutdowns, there has been almost no change, on average, for the S&P 500, while it has been in positive territory 50% of the time during the shutdown period.” However, Truist notes that this is “barring a prolonged shutdown.” Most government shutdowns have gone on for less than a few days, though the most recent one—during President The President’s first term in office—lasted from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019. That’s a record total of 35 days. The Congressional Budget Office reported that it cut $3 billion in real GDP for the last quarter of 2018. At the time, about 300,000 employees were furloughed, while another approximately 500,000 individuals had to work without pay. All federal workers received back pay once the shutdown was over. As Truist notes, this influx of payments should allow the GDP to recover on its own. But this time around, the shutdown could bring permanent job loss, according to a memo viewed by Politico ahead of the shutdown. Under Director Russ Vought, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed agencies to look at removing employees working on programs, projects, or activities that have another source of funding, will see their discretionary funding lapse on October 1, and don’t align with The President’s priorities. Pushback has been swift. On Tuesday, U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw, a Democrat from Virginia, called the OMB’s order an “illegal power grab” in an MSNBC opinion piece. The same day saw the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) sue the The President administration for these “mass firing” threats. The groups claim that the administration is “misusing the shutdown process for partisan ends and violating the very laws that govern how shutdowns are supposed to function.” View the full article

Order issued in September comes after The President administration said London had backed down in fight over encryption View the full article

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. With October Prime Day on the horizon, now is a smart time to make an Amazon wishlist to keep track of all the things you plan to buy using your Prime account. You can also share your list with friends or family (hint, hint) in case they need gift ideas in the future. How to create and add to an Amazon wishlistTo create an Amazon wishlist in your browser, hover over Accounts & Lists in the upper-right corner of the navigation bar and select Create a list from the left column. (You can also access this by clicking Accounts & Lists > Your Lists > Create a List). Enter the name of your list in the pop-up and click Create List. To create a new list on the Amazon Shopping app, select the profile icon on the bottom navigation bar and click Your Lists. Hit the plus icon next to Your lists and registries, enter the list name, and click Create List. To add an item to a wishlist, go to the product’s page and look for the Add to List drop-down (simply text on mobile) underneath the Add to Cart/Buy Now box. You can either select an existing list or hit Create a List to make a new wishlist right there. If you create a public list, its name and contents will be visible to anyone with whom you share the link. Your address, however, will never be visible. Only your city will be. How to share an Amazon wishlistAll Amazon wishlists are private by default, but you can share specific lists with friends and family. If you're using a browser, open the menu on the top right, find list you want to send, and hit Invite or Send list to others. On the mobile app, find the menu in the bottom row of buttons. It looks like three lines stacked on top of each other. You'll see a button for Lists in the menu; tapping it will bring up all your wishlists, which you can open and invite people to share. Like in other cases, you have the option to allow others to view and edit your wishlist, or view only, and to copy the link to your list or invite other users via email. If you decide you want to change your privacy settings, update the name of your list, or enable Alexa to add items to your list, simply hover over the three horizontal “More” dots and select Manage list. You can also toggle on Don’t spoil my surprises if you want others to be able to gift you items from your wishlist without you knowing about it. If that box is checked, Amazon won't let you know when something from your wishlist has been purchased for you and the platform will keep that item available on your list. Only if you attempt to buy that item yourself will Amazon reveal the surprise. You can also toggle on or off the option to Keep purchased items on this list, which is helpful if you want more than one of something. View the full article

Washington is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government. Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government generally at current levels through November. 21, but Democrats blocked it, insisting the measure address their concerns on health care. They want to reverse the Medicaid cuts in President Donald The President’s mega-bill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act. Republicans called the Democratic proposal a nonstarter that would cost taxpayers more than $1 trillion. Neither side shows any signs of budging. Here’s what to know about the shutdown that began Wednesday: What happens in the shutdown? Now that a lapse in funding has occurred, the law requires agencies to furlough their “non-excepted” employees. Excepted employees, which include those who work to protect life and property, stay on the job but don’t get paid until after the shutdown ends. The White House Office of Management and Budget begins the process with instructions to agencies that a lapse in appropriations has occurred and they should initiate orderly shutdown activities. That memo went out Tuesday evening. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed each day of the shutdown, with the total daily cost of their compensation at roughly $400 million. What government work continues during a shutdown? A great deal, actually. FBI investigators, CIA officers, air traffic controllers, and agents operating airport checkpoints keep working. So do members of the Armed Forces. Those programs that rely on mandatory spending generally continue during a shutdown. Social Security payments still go out. Seniors relying on Medicare coverage can still see their doctors and health care providers can be reimbursed. Veteran health care also continues during a shutdown. Veterans Affairs medical centers and outpatient clinics will be open, and VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered. Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Will furloughed federal workers get paid? Yes. In 2019, Congress passed a bill enshrining into law the requirement that furloughed employees get retroactive pay once operations resume. While they’ll eventually get paid, the furloughed workers and those who remain on the job may have to go without one or more of their regular paychecks, depending upon how long the shutdown lasts, creating financial stress for many families. Service members would also receive back pay for any missed paychecks once federal funding resumes. Will I still get mail? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is unaffected by a government shutdown. It’s an independent entity funded through the sale of its products and services, not by tax dollars. What closes during a shutdown? All administrations get some leeway to choose which services to freeze and which to maintain in a shutdown. The first The President administration worked to blunt the impact of what became the country’s longest partial shutdown in 2018 and 2019. But on Tuesday, The President threatened the possibility of increasing the pain that comes with a shutdown. “We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them,” The President said of Democrats. “Like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.” Each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan. The plans outline which workers would stay on the job during a shutdown and which would be furloughed. In a provocative move, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget has threatened the mass firing of federal workers in a shutdown. An OMB memo said those programs that didn’t get funding through The President’s mega-bill this summer would bear the brunt of a shutdown. Agencies should consider issuing reduction-in-force notices for those programs whose funding expires, that don’t have alternative funding sources and are “not consistent with the President’s priorities,” the memo said. That would be a much more aggressive step than in previous shutdowns, when furloughed federal workers returned to their jobs once the shutdown was over. A reduction in force would not only lay off employees but eliminate their positions, which would trigger another massive upheaval in a federal workforce that’s already faced major rounds of cuts due to efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency and elsewhere in The President’s Republican administration. What agencies are planning Health and Human Services will furlough about 41% of its staff out of nearly 80,000 employees, according to a contingency plan posted on its website. As part of that plan, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would continue to monitor disease outbreaks, while activities that will stop include research into health risks and ways to prevent illness. Meanwhile, research and patient care at the National Institutes of Health would be upended. Patients currently enrolled in studies at the research-only hospital nicknamed the “house of hope” will continue to receive care. Additional sick patients hoping for access to experimental therapies can’t enroll except in special circumstances, and no new studies will begin. At the Food and Drug Administration, its “ability to protect and promote public health and safety would be significantly impacted, with many activities delayed or paused.” For example, the agency would not accept new drug applications or medical device submissions that require payment of a user fee. National Park Service: As the shutdown neared, the National Park Service had not yet said whether it will close its more than 400 sites across the U.S. to visitors. Park officials said Tuesday afternoon that contingency plans were still being updated and would be posted to the service’s website. Many national parks including Yellowstone and Yosemite stayed open during a 35-day shutdown during The President’s first term. Limited staffing led to vandalism, gates being pried open and other problems including an off-roader mowing down one of the namesake trees at Joshua Tree National Park in California. Smithsonian Institution: In the event of a government shutdown, our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will remain open through at least Monday, October 6. Impact on the economy Phillip Swagel, director of the Congressional Budget Office, said a short shutdown doesn’t have a huge impact on the economy, especially since federal workers, by law, are paid retroactively. But “if a shutdown continues, then that can give rise to uncertainties about what is the role of government in our society, and what’s the financial impact on all the programs that the government funds.” “The impact is not immediate, but over time, there is a negative impact of a shutdown on the economy,” he added. Markets haven’t reacted strongly to past shutdowns, according to Goldman Sachs Research. At the close of the three prolonged shutdowns since the early 1990s, equity markets finished flat or up even after dipping initially. A governmentwide shutdown would directly reduce growth by around 0.15 percentage points for each week it lasted, or about 0.2 percentage points per week once private-sector effects were included, and growth would rise by the same cumulative amount in the quarter following reopening, writes Alec Phillips, chief U.S. political economist at Goldman Sachs. Associated Press writer Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein, Matthew Brown and Annie Ma contributed to this report. —Kevin Freking, Associated Press View the full article

Chase and Marriott Bonvoy have recently unveiled enhancements to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, a product designed to not only elevate the travel experience for cardholders but also potentially benefit small business owners who frequently engage in both travel and everyday spending. One of the standout features is the new Travel Now, Pay Later option, which allows cardmembers to break qualifying travel purchases of $100 to $5,000 into equal monthly payments without accruing interest or incurring plan fees. This feature offers flexibility, enabling small business owners to manage travel-related expenses more easily while still earning points on those purchases. Given that many small businesses rely on travel for client meetings or conferences, this can alleviate financial pressures during busy months. Additionally, the card has increased earning potential, providing 2X points for every dollar spent at grocery stores, rideshare services, select food delivery, and various streaming and utility services. This enhancement supports everyday spending, enabling small businesses to quickly accumulate points that can be redeemed for hotel stays and experiences. As many small business owners juggle numerous expenses, the ability to earn points on regular purchases can facilitate access to valuable perks. In addition to earning potential, cardholders automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status each year, which grants additional perks like priority late checkout and a 10% boost in points earned from hotel stays. The card also awards users 5 Elite Night Credits annually, providing pathways to higher elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program. Elevating travel experiences can be crucial in building relationships with clients or partners, and this card strives to make those experiences more accessible. Khary Barnes, Managing Director and General Manager of Marriott Bonvoy Co-Brand Cards at Chase, noted, “We relaunched the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card from Chase with the goal of helping new and existing cardmembers make their travel dreams with Marriott Bonvoy a near-term reality.” This speaks to the desire to engage younger audiences, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial demographic groups, who are becoming an increasingly important segment for small businesses. The best offer to date for new cardmembers includes 60,000 bonus points and a Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points after spending $2,000 within the first three months. This offer represents an attractive option for small business owners who may frequently travel or need accommodations for business events. While these advancements present enticing opportunities, potential challenges remain for small business owners considering the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card. One concern could be the availability of the Travel Now, Pay Later feature, as access is not guaranteed, which could complicate travel budgeting and planning. Additionally, the card’s focus on points accumulation could encourage higher spending, which might not always align with tight budgets inherent to small businesses. Chase operates a vast network serving more than 82 million consumers and 6.4 million small businesses, providing a robust range of financial services. This connection allows small business owners to choose how they want to engage with their banking needs, offering potential pathways to financial resources that can support their growth. As the business landscape evolves, leveraging tools that provide financial flexibility and opportunities for earning rewards can be crucial for small business owners aiming to stay competitive. The enhancements to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, while primarily targeting frequent travelers, can also serve as a resource for small businesses looking to manage expenses connected to travel and enhance their overall operational efficiency. For additional details about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and its benefits, you can visit Chase’s official page. With the right approach to leveraging these offerings, small business owners may find a pathway not only to better travel management but also enhanced customer relationships through rewarding travel experiences. Image via Chase This article, "Chase Revamps Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card with New Travel Benefits" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Chase and Marriott Bonvoy have recently unveiled enhancements to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, a product designed to not only elevate the travel experience for cardholders but also potentially benefit small business owners who frequently engage in both travel and everyday spending. One of the standout features is the new Travel Now, Pay Later option, which allows cardmembers to break qualifying travel purchases of $100 to $5,000 into equal monthly payments without accruing interest or incurring plan fees. This feature offers flexibility, enabling small business owners to manage travel-related expenses more easily while still earning points on those purchases. Given that many small businesses rely on travel for client meetings or conferences, this can alleviate financial pressures during busy months. Additionally, the card has increased earning potential, providing 2X points for every dollar spent at grocery stores, rideshare services, select food delivery, and various streaming and utility services. This enhancement supports everyday spending, enabling small businesses to quickly accumulate points that can be redeemed for hotel stays and experiences. As many small business owners juggle numerous expenses, the ability to earn points on regular purchases can facilitate access to valuable perks. In addition to earning potential, cardholders automatically receive Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status each year, which grants additional perks like priority late checkout and a 10% boost in points earned from hotel stays. The card also awards users 5 Elite Night Credits annually, providing pathways to higher elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program. Elevating travel experiences can be crucial in building relationships with clients or partners, and this card strives to make those experiences more accessible. Khary Barnes, Managing Director and General Manager of Marriott Bonvoy Co-Brand Cards at Chase, noted, “We relaunched the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card from Chase with the goal of helping new and existing cardmembers make their travel dreams with Marriott Bonvoy a near-term reality.” This speaks to the desire to engage younger audiences, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial demographic groups, who are becoming an increasingly important segment for small businesses. The best offer to date for new cardmembers includes 60,000 bonus points and a Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points after spending $2,000 within the first three months. This offer represents an attractive option for small business owners who may frequently travel or need accommodations for business events. While these advancements present enticing opportunities, potential challenges remain for small business owners considering the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card. One concern could be the availability of the Travel Now, Pay Later feature, as access is not guaranteed, which could complicate travel budgeting and planning. Additionally, the card’s focus on points accumulation could encourage higher spending, which might not always align with tight budgets inherent to small businesses. Chase operates a vast network serving more than 82 million consumers and 6.4 million small businesses, providing a robust range of financial services. This connection allows small business owners to choose how they want to engage with their banking needs, offering potential pathways to financial resources that can support their growth. As the business landscape evolves, leveraging tools that provide financial flexibility and opportunities for earning rewards can be crucial for small business owners aiming to stay competitive. The enhancements to the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, while primarily targeting frequent travelers, can also serve as a resource for small businesses looking to manage expenses connected to travel and enhance their overall operational efficiency. For additional details about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and its benefits, you can visit Chase’s official page. With the right approach to leveraging these offerings, small business owners may find a pathway not only to better travel management but also enhanced customer relationships through rewarding travel experiences. Image via Chase This article, "Chase Revamps Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card with New Travel Benefits" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The U.S. government has shut down. Last night, Congress failed to pass a new funding bill that would have kept the federal government operating normally. However, at 12:01 a.m. today, the existing funding bill ceased to be in effect, and with no new one in place, large parts of the government are now shut down. Fast Company has previously explored how the government shutdown will affect everyone, from Social Security recipients to travelers to federal workers. But the shutdown will also no doubt have an effect on the markets. And not just the stock markets. The U.S. government shutdown appears to already be having an impact on cryptocurrency markets. Here’s how Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies are performing in the hours after the federal government shut its doors—and how cryptocurrencies reacted the last time there was a government shutdown. The government is down, but crypto is up The first thing to note about markets of all stripes today is that some are down and some are up. As of the time of this writing, futures of the three major stock market indexes in the United States are all down—but not by a staggering amount. S&P futures are currently down by about 0.58%, Dow futures are down by about 0.52%, and Nasdaq futures are down by about 0.67%. But those declines are opposite to how most major cryptocurrencies are performing. As of the time of this writing, nearly every major cryptocurrency is up by multiple percentages, including: Bitcoin: Up 2.8% to $116,281 Ethereum: Up 2.8% to $4,283 XRP: Up 3.1% to $2.93 Other popular cryptocurrencies are also up as of the time of this writing, including Dogecoin, up 5.2%, and Solana, up 4.81%. Why are crypto prices rising? Many major cryptocurrencies began spiking around the time that the U.S. government officially entered its partial shutdown. But why? Investors are likely seeking safe-haven assets—investments that are seen as safer bets than stocks or bonds when there is a wave of economic uncertainty—uncertainty that is often created by a government shutdown. Historically, gold has been seen as the de facto safe-haven asset during uncertain economic times. But in recent years, as cryptocurrencies have become more mainstream, investors often see the digital assets as safe havens when political turmoil has the potential to upset traditional markets. However, investors in crypto would be wise to act cautiously because while crypto currently seems to be benefiting from those seeking safe-haven assets, there’s no guarantee that the digital assets will continue to rise—or remain stable—in the days and weeks ahead. Indeed, the last time there was a government shutdown, Bitcoin lost value during the period that the U.S. government shut its doors. Bitcoin lost value during the last shutdown Prior to this government shutdown, the federal government last shut down during President The President’s first term. The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown between December 22, 2018, and January 25, 2019. This was the longest government shutdown on record. And in the early days of the shutdown, Bitcoin appeared to receive a boost. According to Yahoo Finance data, Bitcoin opened at $3,898 per coin on December 22, 2018. It closed the day above $4,014. Two days later, Bitcoin climbed to an intraday high of $4,271 on December 24. But then the gradual slide began. Over the course of the next month, Bitcoin steadily declined, and by January 25, 2019, it closed below $3,600. If you go by Bitcoin’s closing prices of $4,014 on December 22, 2018, and below $3,600 on January 25, 2019, that means Bitcoin lost roughly 10% of its value during the last U.S. government shutdown. Of course, this historic loss cannot be relied upon to predict what might happen to digital assets during the current federal government shutdown. However, what this history suggests is that asset prices can vary significantly in the later stages of a government shutdown compared to the early stages. View the full article