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Walmart, known as one of America’s most affordable retail chains, just signaled that President The President’s tariffs are about to disrupt its competitive pricing. Here’s what to know: What did Walmart announce? On an earnings call Thursday discussing the company’s newly released Q1 FY2026 financial results, CEO Doug McMillon spoke about price changes that he says will hit in the coming weeks, as the impact of tariffs builds. “We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible,” he said on the call. “But given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins.” Which items sold at Walmart will be the most impacted? McMillon said that tariff-related pressure has been building over the last two months, noting that, so far, toys and electronics have been most impacted. Many companies whose products are sold at Walmart have already raised prices to absorb the impact of tariffs, or signaled that they will soon, such as toy brand Mattel. Last week, the brand said it would raise prices and move production from China to countries with lower tariffs. But on Thursday, McMillon acknowledged that pressure has been building on food prices, too. “We want to keep our food and consumables prices as low as we can,” he added, noting that many Americans have felt financially strained when it comes to buying groceries in recent years. He also noted that the retailer may feel more tariff-related-pressure on some food items more than others, such as bananas, avocados, coffee, and more, coming out of countries like Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia. “We’ll do our best to control what we can control in order to keep food prices as low as possible,” he said. “An example would be controlling the amount of fresh food waste.” What did Walmart’s earnings report say? Walmart’s Q1 report showed the company’s revenue was up 2.5%, which slightly missed Wall Street’s projections. Walmart said in Thursday’s press release that it expects second-quarter net sales to increase by 3.5% to 4.5% in constant currency. Walmart stock (NYSE: WMT) was down more than 3% in early trading on Thursday. Will other retailers raise prices, too? Given that Walmart is a giant brand that offers so many products, experts say the company is better equipped than most to absorb some tariff-related pressure. But if the chain is being forced to raise prices, that’s a very bad sign for consumers. “If Walmart’s coming out—with its scale and its buying power and its focus—and saying prices are going to rise, everyone else is going to have to follow suit,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at retail consultancy GlobalData, per NBC. “Walmart is firing the starting gun on a period of price increases.” View the full article

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On Thursday morning, Pittsburgh-based Dick’s Sporting Goods announced its plans to acquire footwear and apparel retailer Foot Locker. The two companies have entered into a merger agreement, where Dick’s Sporting Goods will buy Foot Locker for $2.4 billion. Here’s what to know about the deal. How will the deal work? Dick’s will finance the merger using a combination of cash-on-hand and new debt. As part of the agreement, Dick’s will acquire Foot Locker’s vast portfolio of brands, including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, and WSS. Foot Locker currently operates over 2,000 retail stores across the globe. Dick’s will operate Foot Locker as a standalone business within its portfolio. How have the companies’ stock prices reacted to the news? Dick’s Sporting Goods shares (NYSE: DKS) were down more than 13% in early-morning trading on Thursday. By contrast, Foot Locker stock (NYSE: FL) jumped more than 82%. In a joint press release, leaders from both companies shared optimism for the planned merger. Dick’s CEO Lauren Hobart said, “We look forward to welcoming Foot Locker’s talented team and building upon their expertise and passion for their business.” Hobart continued, “Sports and sports culture continue to be incredibly powerful, and with this acquisition, we’ll create a new global platform that serves those ever evolving needs through iconic concepts consumers know and love.” Foot Locker CEO Mary Dillon said, “By joining forces with DICK’S, Foot Locker will be even better positioned to expand sneaker culture, elevate the omnichannel experience for our customers and brand partners, and enhance our position in the industry.” Tariff pain and broader economic uncertainty The news comes as retailers brace for uncertainty due to President The President’s tariffs on foreign goods. The vast majority of footwear sold in the U.S. is imported from other countries. Earlier this week, the United States and China reached a trade-war truce. Both countries will temporarily reduce tariff rates for 90 days. However, there is still uncertainty among U.S. retailers due to The President’s erratic and ever-changing trade policies. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Dick’s and Foot Locker. As part of the agreement, Foot Locker investors can elect to receive $24 in cash or 0.1168 shares of Dick’s stock. View the full article

The Federal Reserve chair said there is 'room for improvement' in how the central bank conveys economic uncertainties to markets and the broader public. View the full article

“Leaders should model respect, not just expect it.” Accounting ARC With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto Center for Accounting Transformation Go PRO for members-only access to more Center for Accounting Transformation. View the full article

“Leaders should model respect, not just expect it.” Accounting ARC With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto Center for Accounting Transformation Go PRO for members-only access to more Center for Accounting Transformation. View the full article

“Did our organic traffic just drop again – even though our rankings went up?” If that question has come up in your marketing meetings lately, you aren’t alone. AI is reshaping SEO, breaking the traditional link between rankings, clicks, and conversions. We’re all trying to redefine what “good” SEO performance looks like. When Google serves your answer directly in a featured snippet or AI Overview, is that a win – or a lost click? In 2025, measuring SEO success demands a new approach. AI-driven search may boost your content’s visibility, but it also shifts user behavior in ways that make legacy metrics unreliable, if not completely misleading. Over the past six months, I’ve worked with clients across industries to test new frameworks for measuring SEO performance. This article covers what’s actually working – practical, up-to-date metrics that reflect real value when impressions are up, clicks are down, and old KPIs no longer tell the full story. Why your current SEO dashboard is missing the full picture That monthly SEO report you’ve been running for years? It’s telling an increasingly incomplete story. Here’s why your traditional metrics need a 2025 upgrade. The impression-click paradox AI has created a strange new reality where more visibility often leads to fewer clicks. Your content might be getting more impressions than ever before as AI makes search results more relevant, but those extra eyeballs aren’t translating to traffic. I recently audited a client’s health information site, where impressions had increased 32% year over year, yet clicks had decreased by 17%. Why? Their content was being featured in snippets and AI Overviews that answered users’ questions without requiring a click. Think about your own search behavior. When you ask “how to aerate lawn,” and Google displays a complete step-by-step guide right in the results, do you still click through to the website? Probably not. Bot traffic is skewing your analytics That traffic spike you’re celebrating might actually be AI bots crawling your site for their knowledge bases, not humans showing genuine interest in your content. Automated traffic has surpassed human activity for the first time in a decade, accounting for 51% of all web traffic, according to the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot report. This AI traffic muddles critical engagement metrics like time on page, bounce rates, and page views per session. One of our ecommerce clients discovered that 23% of their recent traffic came from various AI crawlers, traffic that looked normal in GA4 but wasn’t converting at all. Search is happening everywhere now Your SEO metrics are likely missing huge chunks of your actual search visibility. Users now search through: Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. Social media platforms. Specialized apps. AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, etc. When someone asks Alexa for the best pasta recipe and it pulls information from your site, that valuable impression never shows up in your Google Search Console. However, it’s still delivering brand exposure and potential value. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. How AI is fundamentally changing search (and what that means for your metrics) To measure SEO success accurately, you need to understand exactly how AI is changing search. These changes are more profound than just another algorithm update. Search results are becoming answer engines Remember scrolling through pages of blue links? That experience is rapidly disappearing. Many of today’s search queries feature AI-generated summaries that directly answer user questions without requiring clicks. These AI interfaces act as intermediaries between users and websites. When someone searches for “best hiking trails in Colorado,” they often get a complete answer right on the results page instead of needing to visit multiple outdoor blogs. For your metrics, this means measuring success based solely on clicks misses a huge part of your content’s actual performance and value. User behavior has shifted dramatically Users now expect immediate answers. Google AI overviews appeared in 13.14% of all US desktop searches in March, up from 6.49% in January, per Semrush data. Of that: 88.1% of triggered queries are informational (e.g., “what is BMR”). 8.69% are commercial queries – up from 6.28% in January. 1.43% are navigational queries – this is double from 0.74% in January. This behavior shift requires metrics focused on user intent fulfillment rather than just traffic generation. You need to measure how effectively your content provides value within this new ecosystem, not just how many people visit your site. AI algorithms evaluate content differently Modern search algorithms understand context, intent, and relationships between concepts in ways that make traditional keyword-focused metrics increasingly irrelevant. These algorithms recognize when content truly addresses user questions versus when it’s just throwing in keywords hoping to rank. They evaluate factors like: Content comprehensiveness. Expertise and authoritativeness. User engagement signals. Technical structure and accessibility. This means your measurement approach must evolve to track how well your content demonstrates expertise and satisfies user intent, not just how many keywords you rank for. Which traditional metrics still matter (and how to interpret them now) Not all traditional SEO metrics are obsolete, but they need fresh interpretation to provide accurate insights in today’s landscape. Organic traffic: Quality over quantity Traffic volume remains important, but now tells an incomplete story. With AI delivering answers directly in search results, many users get what they need without clicking through. How to adapt Track organic traffic alongside impression data in Search Console. A steady impression count with declining clicks likely means your content is appearing in search results but being consumed right on the SERP. Focus more on traffic quality metrics like: Pages per session from organic traffic. Average session duration from search. Conversion rates from organic visitors. Remember, I’d rather have 500 highly engaged visitors who convert than 5,000 who bounce immediately after landing on my site, and so should you. Keyword rankings: Beyond position tracking Traditional keyword position tracking hasn’t disappeared, but its meaning has fundamentally changed. In AI-enhanced search, rankings fluctuate based on user context, location, and search history. How to adapt Instead of obsessing over specific positions, focus on: Search visibility across topic clusters rather than individual keywords. Representation in rich results like featured snippets and People Also Ask sections. Share of voice in your industry compared to competitors. Tools like Semrush and Ahrefs now offer visibility metrics that better capture your overall SERP presence beyond simple rankings. Click-through rates: New benchmarks needed CTR metrics remain valuable but require context. With zero-click searches increasing, benchmark your CTR against industry averages rather than historical standards. How to adapt To maximize CTR in AI-driven search: Optimize title tags and meta descriptions to stand out even when surrounded by rich results. Implement schema markup to enhance your SERP listings with ratings, prices, or other distinctive elements. Create compelling content that promises more value beyond what appears in snippets. A 5% CTR might represent strong performance for highly informational queries, while you should expect higher rates for transaction-oriented keywords. The new SEO metrics that actually reflect success in the AI era To truly measure SEO success now, you need to adopt new metrics designed for the AI-driven search landscape. Here are the most important ones I’m tracking with clients. 1. Visibility in AI search features Track how often your content/brand appears in AI-driven features: Featured snippets and knowledge panels. “People Also Ask” inclusions. AI Overviews and summaries. Brand citations in LLM results. Voice search results. Tools like STAT, Nightwatch, Semrush, and Ahrefs Position Tracking now track many of these features. For one B2B software client, we found that their content appeared in featured snippets for 23% of their target keywords, representing significant brand exposure despite a traffic decrease. 2. Brand search volume trends When your content successfully answers questions through AI interfaces, it often increases brand awareness and leads to subsequent branded searches. Track month-over-month and year-over-year branded search volume as an indicator of how well your content is building awareness, even when it’s being consumed directly in search results. 3. Topical authority metrics AI algorithms assess your overall subject matter expertise, not just keyword usage. Measure these critical factors: Topic coverage scores: How comprehensively you address all aspects of your core topics (tools like MarketMuse and Clearscope help quantify this) E-E-A-T signals: Elements that reflect experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (author credentials, content freshness, factual accuracy). Structured data implementation: The percentage of your pages with proper schema markup. 4. Journey-based engagement metrics Traditional engagement metrics remain useful, but should be segmented by user journey stage: Awareness metrics: Impressions in search features, brand mention volume. Consideration metrics: Return visit rate from search, pages per session, newsletter signups. Conversion metrics: Assisted conversions where organic search played a role, even if not the last click. How to align your strategy with these new measurement standards Now that you know what to measure, here’s how to adapt your overall approach: Content strategy upgrades Optimize content for both human readers and AI systems: Create direct, answer-focused content that addresses user questions clearly in the first paragraph. Structure content for machine readability with descriptive headings and logical information hierarchy. Focus on comprehensive coverage of topics rather than individual keyword optimization. Include concise, factual statements that AI systems can easily extract for featured snippets. Technical optimizations for AI visibility Implement comprehensive schema markup beyond the basics (HowTo, FAQ, Product, etc.). Ensure mobile optimization and fast load times remain priorities. Use semantic HTML elements to provide context cues about your content’s purpose. Create content hierarchies through proper internal linking to establish topic clusters. Reporting that tells the full story When presenting SEO results to stakeholders: Connect technical metrics to business outcomes. For example: “Our featured snippet appearances generated an estimated 1,500 brand impressions worth $3,000 in equivalent media spend.” Educate teams on how AI has transformed the customer journey from search to conversion. Create custom dashboards that incorporate both traditional and AI-era metrics. Focus on the metrics that most directly correlate to revenue for your specific business model. Your action plan: Measuring SEO success in 2025 If you take just five actions after reading this article, make them these: Audit your current measurement approach: Identify which traditional metrics still provide value and which are now misleading Implement featured snippet tracking: Set up monitoring for AI-driven search features where your content appears Create journey-based measurement: Segment your SEO metrics by customer journey stage from awareness to conversion Update reporting templates: Redesign dashboards to include AI-era metrics alongside traditional ones Test and validate: Correlate your new metrics with actual business outcomes to verify which are most predictive of success for your specific situation The goalposts haven’t just moved in SEO; the entire playing field has been redesigned. By adapting your measurement approach now, you’ll not only demonstrate the true value of your SEO efforts but also gain insights that can guide your content strategy. Remember, success in SEO is no longer just about driving traffic. It’s about creating content that serves users’ needs regardless of where they consume it. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google is rethinking its search stack from the ground up due to LLMs...View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you're looking to build out your home security system without spending a ton at once, right now you can pick up a 2K Arlo indoor camera for less than $30—63% off the original $79.99 price. This camera is ideal if you’re looking for easy installation, smart home-enabled commands, and basic indoor surveillance. It features 2K video quality with sharp 1080p resolution and exceptional color quality, according to this PCMag review. It’s also Arlo’s only wired model, providing a continuous power supply that eliminates the need to worry about battery life. Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (2nd Generation) $29.99 at Amazon $79.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $29.99 at Amazon $79.99 Save $50.00 Offering motion sensing and smart integrations, the second generation Arlo Essential Indoor Camera provides a solid blend of security and affordability, making it a good choice starter cam or an excellent addition to an existing surveillance system. Additional features include remote siren activation, night vision in low-light conditions, a 130-degree field of view and two-way audio, which lets you communicate with household members (including four-legged ones) from afar. Reviews indicate people have put the camera to use as a baby monitor, and a pet cam as well as a general home security device, and they appreciate its audio and video quality, as well as its responsive motion detection. It offers automated privacy shield via the Arlo Secure App, which gives you control over when the camera will and won't be recording. That said, some reviewers have experienced wifi connectivity issues, and some features, like advanced detection and cloud storage, require a paid monthly Arlo Secure plan (starting at $8/month). Smart home integration is also mixed: It supports Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant, but not Apple HomeKit. Overall, this is Arlo’s most budget-friendly camera, particularly at the current discount. If you’re in the market for a high-quality starter camera or want to bolster your existing setup, tit's a good choice. However, if you’re seeking an option with more to offer in terms of features and storage, you may want to consider the TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 instead. View the full article

On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to weaken limits on some harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water roughly a year after the Biden administration finalized the first-ever national standards. The Biden administration said last year the rules could reduce PFAS exposure for millions of people. It was part of a broader push by officials then to address drinking water quality by writing rules to require the removal of toxic lead pipes and, after years of activist concern, address the threat of forever chemicals. President Donald The President has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks. Now, we know the EPA plans to rescind limits for certain PFAS and lengthen deadlines for two of the most common types. Here are some of the essential things to know about PFAS chemicals and what the EPA decided to do: Please explain what PFAS are to me PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that have been around for decades and have now spread into the nation’s air, water and soil. They were manufactured by companies such as 3M, Chemours and others because they were incredibly useful. They helped eggs slide across nonstick frying pans, ensured that firefighting foam suffocates flames and helped clothes withstand the rain and keep people dry. The chemicals resist breaking down, however, which means they stay around in the environment. And why are they bad for humans? Environmental activists say that PFAS manufacturers knew about the health harms of PFAS long before they were made public. The same attributes that make the chemicals so valuable—resistance to breakdown—make them hazardous to people. PFAS accumulates in the body, which is why the Biden administration set limits for two common types, often called PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion that are phased out of manufacturing but still present in the environment. There is a wide range of health harms now associated with exposure to certain PFAS. Cases of kidney disease, low-birth weight and high cholesterol in addition to certain cancers can be prevented by removing PFAS from water, according to the EPA. The guidance on PFOA and PFOS has changed dramatically in recent years as scientific understanding has advanced. The EPA in 2016, for example, said the combined amount of the two substances should not exceed 70 parts per trillion. The Biden administration later said no amount is safe. There is nuance in what the EPA did The EPA plans to scrap limits on three types of PFAS, some of which are less well known. They include GenX substances commonly found in North Carolina as well as substances called PFHxS and PFNA. There is also a limit on a mixture of PFAS, which the agency is also planning to rescind. It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for these types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration’s limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. For the two commonly found types, PFOA and PFOS, the EPA will keep the current limits in place but give utilities two more years—until 2031—to meet them. Announcement is met with mixed reaction Some environmental groups argue that the EPA can’t legally weaken the regulations. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. “The law is very clear that the EPA can’t repeal or weaken the drinking water standard,” said Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council. Environmental activists have generally slammed the EPA for not keeping the Biden-era rules in place, saying it will worsen public health. Industry had mixed reactions. The American Chemistry Council questioned the Biden administration’s underlying science that supported the tight rules and said the The President administration had considered the concerns about cost and the underlying science. “However, EPA’s actions only partially address this issue, and more is needed to prevent significant impacts on local communities and other unintended consequences,” the industry group said. Leaders of two major utility industry groups, the American Water Works Association and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, said they supported the EPA’s decision to rescind a novel approach to limit a mix of chemicals. But they also said the changes do not substantially reduce the cost of the PFAS rule. Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith. They did, however, get an extension. “This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand,” said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm. The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment —Michael Phillis, Associated Press View the full article

Talks between Abu Dhabi royal’s holding company and ‘King of Mayfair’ could lead to a deal worth over £1bnView the full article

Better than expected figures could still leave chancellor needing to raise taxes or cut spending in autumn, analysts sayView the full article

Key Takeaways Growing Demand: The medical transportation industry is expanding due to an aging population and increased healthcare needs, presenting a significant business opportunity. Service Types: Offering various services—such as ambulance transport, non-emergency medical transportation, and specialty transport—allows business owners to cater to diverse patient needs and stand out in the market. Essential Steps: Conduct thorough market research, develop a solid business plan, and obtain necessary licenses and permits to lay a strong foundation for your business. Operational Setup: Choose appropriate vehicles, hire qualified staff, and implement safety protocols to ensure high-quality service and operational efficiency in your medical transportation business. Effective Marketing: Utilize online marketing strategies and build relationships with healthcare providers to enhance visibility and attract new customers. Financial Planning: Accurately estimate startup costs and explore various funding options, such as loans or grants, to secure the necessary capital for your business venture. Starting a medical transportation business can be a rewarding venture that meets a vital need in your community. With an aging population and increasing healthcare demands, the demand for reliable medical transport services is on the rise. You have the opportunity to make a significant impact by ensuring patients reach their appointments safely and on time. Navigating the logistics of this industry might seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and planning, you can establish a successful operation. From understanding the regulatory requirements to building a solid business plan, every step you take will help you create a service that not only generates profit but also enhances the quality of life for those you serve. Let’s dive into the essential steps to get your medical transportation business off the ground. Understanding The Medical Transportation Industry Understanding the medical transportation industry is crucial for entrepreneurs looking to start a successful business in this field. This sector not only meets the growing needs of an aging population but also plays a vital role in the overall healthcare system. Importance of Medical Transportation Medical transportation ensures patients reach their appointments safely and on time. This service is essential for individuals with mobility challenges, those requiring regular medical treatments, and transport to hospitals or rehabilitation centers. It contributes to better health outcomes, enhances patient satisfaction, and supports healthcare providers in delivering effective care. Entrepreneurs entering this market can make a meaningful impact by providing reliable transportation solutions. Types of Medical Transportation Services Different types of medical transportation services cater to various patient needs. Ambulance Services: Emergency transport for critical patients, equipped with medical staff and life support equipment. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Designed for patients who require transportation to medical appointments but do not require emergency care, often including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Ambulatory Transportation: Services that cater to patients who can walk but need assistance getting to and from healthcare facilities. Long-Distance Transportation: Necessary for patients traveling significant distances for specialized medical care, often involving coordination with other transport services. Specialty Transport: Tailored services for specific needs such as bariatric or pediatric patients, requiring specialized equipment or trained personnel. Evaluating the types of services you want to offer can refine your business model and foster deeper connections with your target audience. Understanding these services helps align your startup’s offerings with market demands, ultimately demonstrating your commitment to quality patient care and ensuring your venture’s success. Steps To Start A Medical Transportation Business Starting a medical transportation business requires careful planning and execution. Follow these essential steps to launch your venture successfully. Conduct Market Research Conduct market research to understand the demand for medical transportation services in your area. Analyze local demographics, including the aging population, and examine healthcare facilities to identify potential client bases. Research your competitors and their offerings to determine your unique selling proposition, enabling you to differentiate your services. Investigate pricing structures and reimbursement rates from insurance providers and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Discover unmet needs, such as specialized transport for dialysis patients or wheelchair accessibility, to cater to niche markets and enhance your business model. Develop A Business Plan Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your vision and operational goals. The plan should include detailed strategies for marketing, financial projections, and competitive analysis. Clearly identify your target audience, focusing on their specific needs and preferences. Incorporate your growth strategy, customer acquisition plans, and potential partnerships. A solid business plan not only serves as a roadmap for your startup but also leads to easier access to funding options like loans or angel investors, ensuring your venture’s long-term viability. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits Obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally within your state. Research the required legal structure for your business, whether it’s an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation. Ensure compliance with local regulations before launching your services. Seek legal advice to understand tax implications and licensing requirements specific to the medical transportation industry. By securing the appropriate permits, you position your business for credibility and operational success in the healthcare sector. Setting Up Your Operations Setting up your operations involves several critical steps, ensuring a solid foundation for your medical transportation business. Choosing the Right Vehicles Choosing the right vehicles directly affects your service quality and operational efficiency. Select vehicles that meet the specific needs of your target audience, whether they require basic transport or specialized equipment. For instance, ambulatory vehicles suffice for patients who can walk, whereas wheelchair-accessible vans or stretcher-equipped vehicles cater to those needing assistance. Consider fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and comfort when making your choice. Properly equipped vehicles enhance patient safety and satisfaction. Hiring Qualified Staff Hiring qualified staff is essential for delivering quality service. Recruit drivers with experience in medical transportation, ensuring they possess the appropriate licenses and certifications. Prioritize candidates with strong communication skills and a compassionate attitude, as they interact directly with patients. Implement background checks to enhance safety and reliability. Training programs focused on customer service, medical protocols, and emergency procedures prepare your staff for the unique challenges of this industry. Implementing Safety Protocols Implementing safety protocols safeguards both patients and employees. Develop a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) detailing vehicle maintenance, emergency response, and infection control practices. Regularly train your team on these protocols to maintain a high safety standard. Ensure proper insurance coverage protects against accidents and liabilities. Compliance with local regulations and frequent audits of safety measures reinforce your commitment to patient care and operational excellence. Marketing Your Medical Transportation Business Effective marketing strategies play a crucial role in establishing and growing your medical transportation business. Focusing on how to reach your target audience increases customer acquisition and builds brand awareness. Identifying Your Target Market Understanding your target audience is essential for marketing success. Consider demographics, including age, mobility issues, and frequency of medical appointments. Analyze the needs of specific groups, such as seniors or patients requiring regular treatment. Tailoring your services to meet these needs strengthens your business model and enhances customer satisfaction. Utilizing Online Marketing Strategies Leveraging online marketing strategies enhances your business visibility. Create a professional website that showcases your services, provides contact information, and includes customer testimonials. Implement SEO tactics to ensure your site ranks well on search engines. Utilize social media platforms for direct engagement with potential customers. Run targeted email marketing campaigns to keep your audience informed about services, special offers, and educational content related to medical transportation. Building Relationships with Healthcare Providers Fostering strong relationships with healthcare providers increases referral opportunities. Reach out to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and social service agencies to discuss collaboration. Offer to provide transportation services for patients needing assistance. Attend networking events to meet potential partners and gain insights into industry needs. Pursue mentorship from experienced professionals in the healthcare and transportation sectors for additional guidance. Financial Considerations Starting a medical transportation business involves several financial considerations that require careful planning. Understanding these financial aspects will help you position your venture for success. Estimating Startup Costs Estimating startup costs is crucial for your business plan. Key areas to address include: Vehicles: Reliable, accessible vans or minibuses cost between $16,000 and $83,000 each. Vehicles must comply with ADA regulations and include features like ramps and securements. Licensing and Permits: Budget approximately $1,000 to $3,000 on necessary licenses and permits, depending on your location. Legal advice about local regulations ensures compliance. Insurance: Comprehensive insurance coverage for your fleet and business typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 annually. This protects your venture against potential liabilities. Equipment: Additional equipment, like wheelchairs and oxygen tanks, adds to your initial costs. Factor these expenses when developing your financial projections. Funding Options for Your Business Funding your medical transportation business can come from various sources. Explore these options: Loans: Traditional lenders often provide loans for small businesses. Research local banks or credit unions that understand your industry. Angel Investors: Seek out investors looking for profitable ventures in the healthcare sector. A solid pitch highlighting your business model and growth strategy can attract interest. Business Grants: Investigate available grants specific to transportation or healthcare initiatives. These funds can provide financial support without repayment obligations. Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe facilitate public funding. Utilize your network and online presence to promote your business idea and gather contributions. Choosing the right funding option aligns with your business goals and growth strategy. Keeping accurate financial records and managing cash flow is essential for long-term success. Conclusion Starting a medical transportation business can be a fulfilling journey that not only meets a vital need in your community but also offers you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. By taking the time to understand the industry and its requirements you position yourself for success. Focus on building a strong foundation through effective planning and operational strategies. Emphasizing quality service and safety will set you apart from the competition. As you navigate this rewarding venture remember that establishing relationships within the healthcare sector can significantly enhance your growth potential. With dedication and a clear vision you can create a thriving business that supports patients and contributes positively to the healthcare landscape. Frequently Asked Questions What is a medical transportation business? A medical transportation business provides transport services for patients, ensuring they reach medical appointments or emergencies safely. It caters to various needs, including ambulatory transport, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and long-distance care. Why is medical transportation important? Medical transportation is crucial for an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. It allows patients to reach appointments safely, which contributes to timely healthcare and better outcomes. What licenses do I need to start a medical transportation business? Licensing requirements vary by state, but typically you will need a business license, specific transportation permits, and possibly a medical transportation certificate. It’s essential to check local regulations for compliance. How do I conduct market research for this business? To conduct market research, gather data on local demographics, analyze competitors, and assess demand for medical transportation services in your area. Surveys and community feedback can also provide valuable insights. What are the startup costs for a medical transportation business? Startup costs can range widely, typically from $16,000 to $83,000 for vehicles, plus an additional $1,000 to $3,000 for licenses and permits. Other expenses may include insurance and equipment costs. How can I market my medical transportation service? Effective marketing strategies include building a professional website, utilizing SEO tactics, engaging on social media, and networking with healthcare providers. Collaborating with hospitals can also increase referral opportunities. What types of services should I offer? Consider offering a variety of services such as emergency medical transport, non-emergency rides, long-distance travel, and specialty transport for specific patient needs. Tailoring your services to the community’s demands is key. How do I ensure safety in my medical transportation business? Implement safety protocols such as regular vehicle maintenance, training for staff, and emergency response procedures. These practices help ensure the safety of both patients and employees, maintaining compliance with regulations. What funding options are available for startup costs? Funding options include loans, angel investors, crowdfunding, and business grants. Choose a funding source that aligns with your business model and financial needs to ensure a stable launch. What are the key factors for success in this industry? Success factors include understanding regulatory requirements, developing a thorough business plan, choosing the right vehicles, hiring and training qualified staff, and effectively marketing your services to the target audience. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide on How to Start a Medical Transportation Business Successfully" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Growing Demand: The medical transportation industry is expanding due to an aging population and increased healthcare needs, presenting a significant business opportunity. Service Types: Offering various services—such as ambulance transport, non-emergency medical transportation, and specialty transport—allows business owners to cater to diverse patient needs and stand out in the market. Essential Steps: Conduct thorough market research, develop a solid business plan, and obtain necessary licenses and permits to lay a strong foundation for your business. Operational Setup: Choose appropriate vehicles, hire qualified staff, and implement safety protocols to ensure high-quality service and operational efficiency in your medical transportation business. Effective Marketing: Utilize online marketing strategies and build relationships with healthcare providers to enhance visibility and attract new customers. Financial Planning: Accurately estimate startup costs and explore various funding options, such as loans or grants, to secure the necessary capital for your business venture. Starting a medical transportation business can be a rewarding venture that meets a vital need in your community. With an aging population and increasing healthcare demands, the demand for reliable medical transport services is on the rise. You have the opportunity to make a significant impact by ensuring patients reach their appointments safely and on time. Navigating the logistics of this industry might seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and planning, you can establish a successful operation. From understanding the regulatory requirements to building a solid business plan, every step you take will help you create a service that not only generates profit but also enhances the quality of life for those you serve. Let’s dive into the essential steps to get your medical transportation business off the ground. Understanding The Medical Transportation Industry Understanding the medical transportation industry is crucial for entrepreneurs looking to start a successful business in this field. This sector not only meets the growing needs of an aging population but also plays a vital role in the overall healthcare system. Importance of Medical Transportation Medical transportation ensures patients reach their appointments safely and on time. This service is essential for individuals with mobility challenges, those requiring regular medical treatments, and transport to hospitals or rehabilitation centers. It contributes to better health outcomes, enhances patient satisfaction, and supports healthcare providers in delivering effective care. Entrepreneurs entering this market can make a meaningful impact by providing reliable transportation solutions. Types of Medical Transportation Services Different types of medical transportation services cater to various patient needs. Ambulance Services: Emergency transport for critical patients, equipped with medical staff and life support equipment. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Designed for patients who require transportation to medical appointments but do not require emergency care, often including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Ambulatory Transportation: Services that cater to patients who can walk but need assistance getting to and from healthcare facilities. Long-Distance Transportation: Necessary for patients traveling significant distances for specialized medical care, often involving coordination with other transport services. Specialty Transport: Tailored services for specific needs such as bariatric or pediatric patients, requiring specialized equipment or trained personnel. Evaluating the types of services you want to offer can refine your business model and foster deeper connections with your target audience. Understanding these services helps align your startup’s offerings with market demands, ultimately demonstrating your commitment to quality patient care and ensuring your venture’s success. Steps To Start A Medical Transportation Business Starting a medical transportation business requires careful planning and execution. Follow these essential steps to launch your venture successfully. Conduct Market Research Conduct market research to understand the demand for medical transportation services in your area. Analyze local demographics, including the aging population, and examine healthcare facilities to identify potential client bases. Research your competitors and their offerings to determine your unique selling proposition, enabling you to differentiate your services. Investigate pricing structures and reimbursement rates from insurance providers and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Discover unmet needs, such as specialized transport for dialysis patients or wheelchair accessibility, to cater to niche markets and enhance your business model. Develop A Business Plan Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your vision and operational goals. The plan should include detailed strategies for marketing, financial projections, and competitive analysis. Clearly identify your target audience, focusing on their specific needs and preferences. Incorporate your growth strategy, customer acquisition plans, and potential partnerships. A solid business plan not only serves as a roadmap for your startup but also leads to easier access to funding options like loans or angel investors, ensuring your venture’s long-term viability. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits Obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally within your state. Research the required legal structure for your business, whether it’s an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation. Ensure compliance with local regulations before launching your services. Seek legal advice to understand tax implications and licensing requirements specific to the medical transportation industry. By securing the appropriate permits, you position your business for credibility and operational success in the healthcare sector. Setting Up Your Operations Setting up your operations involves several critical steps, ensuring a solid foundation for your medical transportation business. Choosing the Right Vehicles Choosing the right vehicles directly affects your service quality and operational efficiency. Select vehicles that meet the specific needs of your target audience, whether they require basic transport or specialized equipment. For instance, ambulatory vehicles suffice for patients who can walk, whereas wheelchair-accessible vans or stretcher-equipped vehicles cater to those needing assistance. Consider fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and comfort when making your choice. Properly equipped vehicles enhance patient safety and satisfaction. Hiring Qualified Staff Hiring qualified staff is essential for delivering quality service. Recruit drivers with experience in medical transportation, ensuring they possess the appropriate licenses and certifications. Prioritize candidates with strong communication skills and a compassionate attitude, as they interact directly with patients. Implement background checks to enhance safety and reliability. Training programs focused on customer service, medical protocols, and emergency procedures prepare your staff for the unique challenges of this industry. Implementing Safety Protocols Implementing safety protocols safeguards both patients and employees. Develop a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) detailing vehicle maintenance, emergency response, and infection control practices. Regularly train your team on these protocols to maintain a high safety standard. Ensure proper insurance coverage protects against accidents and liabilities. Compliance with local regulations and frequent audits of safety measures reinforce your commitment to patient care and operational excellence. Marketing Your Medical Transportation Business Effective marketing strategies play a crucial role in establishing and growing your medical transportation business. Focusing on how to reach your target audience increases customer acquisition and builds brand awareness. Identifying Your Target Market Understanding your target audience is essential for marketing success. Consider demographics, including age, mobility issues, and frequency of medical appointments. Analyze the needs of specific groups, such as seniors or patients requiring regular treatment. Tailoring your services to meet these needs strengthens your business model and enhances customer satisfaction. Utilizing Online Marketing Strategies Leveraging online marketing strategies enhances your business visibility. Create a professional website that showcases your services, provides contact information, and includes customer testimonials. Implement SEO tactics to ensure your site ranks well on search engines. Utilize social media platforms for direct engagement with potential customers. Run targeted email marketing campaigns to keep your audience informed about services, special offers, and educational content related to medical transportation. Building Relationships with Healthcare Providers Fostering strong relationships with healthcare providers increases referral opportunities. Reach out to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and social service agencies to discuss collaboration. Offer to provide transportation services for patients needing assistance. Attend networking events to meet potential partners and gain insights into industry needs. Pursue mentorship from experienced professionals in the healthcare and transportation sectors for additional guidance. Financial Considerations Starting a medical transportation business involves several financial considerations that require careful planning. Understanding these financial aspects will help you position your venture for success. Estimating Startup Costs Estimating startup costs is crucial for your business plan. Key areas to address include: Vehicles: Reliable, accessible vans or minibuses cost between $16,000 and $83,000 each. Vehicles must comply with ADA regulations and include features like ramps and securements. Licensing and Permits: Budget approximately $1,000 to $3,000 on necessary licenses and permits, depending on your location. Legal advice about local regulations ensures compliance. Insurance: Comprehensive insurance coverage for your fleet and business typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 annually. This protects your venture against potential liabilities. Equipment: Additional equipment, like wheelchairs and oxygen tanks, adds to your initial costs. Factor these expenses when developing your financial projections. Funding Options for Your Business Funding your medical transportation business can come from various sources. Explore these options: Loans: Traditional lenders often provide loans for small businesses. Research local banks or credit unions that understand your industry. Angel Investors: Seek out investors looking for profitable ventures in the healthcare sector. A solid pitch highlighting your business model and growth strategy can attract interest. Business Grants: Investigate available grants specific to transportation or healthcare initiatives. These funds can provide financial support without repayment obligations. Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe facilitate public funding. Utilize your network and online presence to promote your business idea and gather contributions. Choosing the right funding option aligns with your business goals and growth strategy. Keeping accurate financial records and managing cash flow is essential for long-term success. Conclusion Starting a medical transportation business can be a fulfilling journey that not only meets a vital need in your community but also offers you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. By taking the time to understand the industry and its requirements you position yourself for success. Focus on building a strong foundation through effective planning and operational strategies. Emphasizing quality service and safety will set you apart from the competition. As you navigate this rewarding venture remember that establishing relationships within the healthcare sector can significantly enhance your growth potential. With dedication and a clear vision you can create a thriving business that supports patients and contributes positively to the healthcare landscape. Frequently Asked Questions What is a medical transportation business? A medical transportation business provides transport services for patients, ensuring they reach medical appointments or emergencies safely. It caters to various needs, including ambulatory transport, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and long-distance care. Why is medical transportation important? Medical transportation is crucial for an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. It allows patients to reach appointments safely, which contributes to timely healthcare and better outcomes. What licenses do I need to start a medical transportation business? Licensing requirements vary by state, but typically you will need a business license, specific transportation permits, and possibly a medical transportation certificate. It’s essential to check local regulations for compliance. How do I conduct market research for this business? To conduct market research, gather data on local demographics, analyze competitors, and assess demand for medical transportation services in your area. Surveys and community feedback can also provide valuable insights. What are the startup costs for a medical transportation business? Startup costs can range widely, typically from $16,000 to $83,000 for vehicles, plus an additional $1,000 to $3,000 for licenses and permits. Other expenses may include insurance and equipment costs. How can I market my medical transportation service? Effective marketing strategies include building a professional website, utilizing SEO tactics, engaging on social media, and networking with healthcare providers. Collaborating with hospitals can also increase referral opportunities. What types of services should I offer? Consider offering a variety of services such as emergency medical transport, non-emergency rides, long-distance travel, and specialty transport for specific patient needs. Tailoring your services to the community’s demands is key. How do I ensure safety in my medical transportation business? Implement safety protocols such as regular vehicle maintenance, training for staff, and emergency response procedures. These practices help ensure the safety of both patients and employees, maintaining compliance with regulations. What funding options are available for startup costs? Funding options include loans, angel investors, crowdfunding, and business grants. Choose a funding source that aligns with your business model and financial needs to ensure a stable launch. What are the key factors for success in this industry? Success factors include understanding regulatory requirements, developing a thorough business plan, choosing the right vehicles, hiring and training qualified staff, and effectively marketing your services to the target audience. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide on How to Start a Medical Transportation Business Successfully" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re looking to beef up your home security, the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus is currently down to $119.99 on Amazon, the lowest price it's hit according to price trackers. Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus $119.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $179.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Get Deal $119.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $179.99 Save $60.00 This is a hardwired unit, so you’ll need to factor in a bit of installation effort (or call in a professional), but once it’s up and running, it feels like a solid, set-it-and-forget-it kind of system. The image quality holds up OK (sharp enough to recognize faces and details within a few meters) with its 1080p resolution, especially during the day. At night, the two 2,000-lumen floodlights really help it punch above its weight in visibility, illuminating a wide 270-degree area if positioned right. When motion is picked up, you'll immediately receive a phone alert. From there, you can view a live feed, speak to whomever’s at the door, or hit the built-in 105dB siren if things feel sketchy. You can also customize motion detection zones through the app to avoid constant alerts from things like passing cars or neighborhood dogs. The two-way audio is clear enough for short conversations, though there’s reportedly a bit of lag due to wifi or mobile network delays. Alexa users will especially appreciate the integration—it lets you call up live feeds on an Echo Show or get motion alerts through voice announcements. That said, the big thing to know is that while the camera works out of the box, recorded footage is only available if you subscribe to a Ring Home plan. That’s $4.99/month for one device, which gives you 180 days of video history, person alerts, and more. If you plan on expanding to multiple Ring devices, the $9.99 or $19.99/month tiers might be worth it. That’s a recurring cost you’ll want to factor in. If you're the type who only wants live viewing and real-time alerts without saving video, this might not matter. But if you ever need to review a package theft or suspicious activity, you’ll want that cloud history. View the full article

Clients and stakeholders often ask, “How long till my website (page) ranks on top of Google?” You could say “it depends” and give a lecture on all the variables like quality of the content, website strength, resources, competition… or you…Read more ›View the full article

U.S. President Donald The President’s plan to accept a $400 million airplane from Qatar raises a raft of questions about the scope of laws that relate to gifts from foreign governments and are intended to thwart corruption and improper influence, legal experts said. Below is a look at some of the laws and legal precedents: WHAT DOES THE U.S. CONSTITUTION SAY? There are two provisions in the U.S Constitution that place restrictions on the president receiving an emolument, or gift, from foreign governments or from federal or state governments. One provision states that Congress must approve any gift from a “King, Prince, or foreign State” to an elected official in the United States. The other, referred to as the “domestic” emoluments clause, prohibits the president from receiving a gift beyond salary for the job. Congress has expressly approved gifts from foreign governments in the past. In 1877, Congress accepted the Statue of Liberty as a gift from France. The foreign emoluments clause did not bar President Barack Obama in 2009 from receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, which included $1.4 million in cash, without congressional consent. A memo from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel determined the prize did not violate the Constitution because the Norwegian Nobel Committee is not a “King, Prince, or foreign State.” Obama donated the money to charity. WHO CAN ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS? That’s unclear, and the Supreme Court has not addressed the question, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service. Legal experts said members of Congress, U.S. states and even potentially some private businesses could try to sue the president if they believe a gift violates the foreign Emoluments Clause, but they face challenges. U.S. courts require plaintiffs to have legal “standing” to bring claims, meaning they must be the proper party to bring the case, which is a threshold issue for any litigation to advance. WHAT HAVE U.S. COURTS SAID ABOUT EMOLUMENTS? Until The President’s first term, there had not been substantial litigation over the clauses, and even the meaning of the term “emolument” is a matter of legal dispute. Democratic members of Congress sued The President in 2017 after his global businesses allegedly received payments from foreign governments, including when Kuwait hosted an event at the The President International Hotel in Washington. That case was dismissed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which said the 215 members of Congress lacked standing to sue as an institution because they did not comprise a majority. Republicans controlled both houses of Congress at the time, as they do now. The U.S. Supreme Court declined in October 2020 to review that ruling. Attorneys general for Maryland and the District of Columbia also jointly brought an emoluments cases related to The President’s businesses during his first term. Their case was dismissed by a panel of three judges, appointed by Republican presidents, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, also for a lack of standing. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit determined in 2019 that restaurants and hotels in New York and Washington had standing to bring an emoluments lawsuit claiming they were harmed by The President’s competing businesses. The case was dismissed without addressing the merits when The President left office after losing his the 2020 election. DO OTHER U.S. LAWS GOVERN FOREIGN GIFTS? The Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act sets requirements for gifts and allows the president to keep any that are worth less than $480. Gifts worth more than $480 may be accepted on behalf of United States, which retains ownership. Presidents are allowed to keep gifts above the threshold level if they reimburse the government for the fair market cost. —Mike Scarcella and Tom Hals, Reuters View the full article

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One Year Since the Relaunch of the World’s Longest Invoice, Nonpayment Remains a National Crisis One year ago, we relaunched the World’s Longest Invoice to shine a light on one of the most pervasive issues facing independent workers. Since then, the numbers have only grown and they tell a sobering story. In just twelve months, over 1000 freelancers from 44 states have added their names and invoices to the campaign. Together, they’ve reported more than $7.4 million in unpaid wages. These aren’t edge cases or one-off mistakes. They’re evidence of a system that continues to allow clients to delay, avoid, or deny payment with little consequence. Freelancers from nearly every industry have participated—graphic designers, film editors, rideshare drivers, writers, musicians, consultants, and more. Nonpayment is not confined to a niche. It cuts across sectors, locations, and experience levels. The result is always the same. The work gets done. The check never arrives. One in three freelancers has dealt with nonpayment, and many never see a dime. Too often, there's no contract, no accountability, and no consequence for clients who simply disappear when the invoice arrives. We launched the original World’s Longest Invoice campaign in 2014 to expose the scale of this exploitation. That campaign helped drive the historic passage of the Freelance Isn’t Free Act in New York City. Since then, the movement has spread. Freelance protection laws are now active in: New York City, New York State, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Seattle, Columbus, Illinois and California. These laws mandate written contracts, require timely payment, prohibit retaliation, and provide real enforcement mechanisms. They recognize what freelancers have always known—that nonpayment is wage theft, plain and simple. But freelancers in most of the country still have no legal shield. That’s unacceptable. Right now, bills have been introduced in Georgia, New Hampshire, Kansas, Missouri, and Washington State, but have yet moved forward. We need lawmakers to act. And we need our community to raise their voices. The World’s Longest Invoice isn’t just a public awareness tool. It’s a living document. We use it to educate lawmakers, rally support, and fight for protections in every state. Every submission adds power to our movement. Every unpaid invoice is another call to action. If you've done the work and never been paid, you're not alone and you're not powerless. Add your invoice. Share your story. Let’s make this impossible to ignore. freelancersunion.org/longest-invoiceView the full article

One Year Since the Relaunch of the World’s Longest Invoice, Nonpayment Remains a National Crisis One year ago, we relaunched the World’s Longest Invoice to shine a light on one of the most pervasive issues facing independent workers. Since then, the numbers have only grown and they tell a sobering story. In just twelve months, over 1000 freelancers from 44 states have added their names and invoices to the campaign. Together, they’ve reported more than $7.4 million in unpaid wages. These aren’t edge cases or one-off mistakes. They’re evidence of a system that continues to allow clients to delay, avoid, or deny payment with little consequence. Freelancers from nearly every industry have participated—graphic designers, film editors, rideshare drivers, writers, musicians, consultants, and more. Nonpayment is not confined to a niche. It cuts across sectors, locations, and experience levels. The result is always the same. The work gets done. The check never arrives. One in three freelancers has dealt with nonpayment, and many never see a dime. Too often, there's no contract, no accountability, and no consequence for clients who simply disappear when the invoice arrives. We launched the original World’s Longest Invoice campaign in 2014 to expose the scale of this exploitation. That campaign helped drive the historic passage of the Freelance Isn’t Free Act in New York City. Since then, the movement has spread. Freelance protection laws are now active in: New York City, New York State, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Seattle, Columbus, Illinois and California. These laws mandate written contracts, require timely payment, prohibit retaliation, and provide real enforcement mechanisms. They recognize what freelancers have always known—that nonpayment is wage theft, plain and simple. But freelancers in most of the country still have no legal shield. That’s unacceptable. Right now, bills have been introduced in Georgia, New Hampshire, Kansas, Missouri, and Washington State, but have yet moved forward. We need lawmakers to act. And we need our community to raise their voices. The World’s Longest Invoice isn’t just a public awareness tool. It’s a living document. We use it to educate lawmakers, rally support, and fight for protections in every state. Every submission adds power to our movement. Every unpaid invoice is another call to action. If you've done the work and never been paid, you're not alone and you're not powerless. Add your invoice. Share your story. Let’s make this impossible to ignore. freelancersunion.org/longest-invoiceView the full article

Even the most old-school PPC managers can’t deny it anymore: Performance Max is capable of amazing things. It does require a certain level of setup (like good-quality data inputs) and a different mindset than Search and Shopping, but it’s no longer the struggling tech we knew from the beta four years ago. Let me give you an example. Years ago, when working with retailers selling products from many different brands, you’d typically make a separate Shopping campaign for each one. Try that with Performance Max, and you’ll force it into doing something it’s not built for. And performance certainly won’t be at max. Consolidation is the name of the game here. Performance will take off if you leverage its machine learning and smart algorithms, especially if you want it to become the incremental giant it’s capable of being. But carry forward your habits from the more granular campaign types, and Performance Max’s algorithmic nature will punish you. Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s Performance Max campaign so that you can keep those needles moving in the right direction in 2025 and beyond. What is Performance Max? Performance Max in Google Ads is the culmination of everything that makes the world’s largest search engine special. Years of collecting data on people’s browsing and purchasing behavior have allowed Google to create a campaign that’s tailored to individual searches. Rather than placing ads in specific inventory types – like search results or product listings – Performance Max allows advertisers to upload all types of assets and access all of Google’s ad placements from one campaign. That includes: Text. Videos. Feeds. Images. After being released to limited accounts during its alpha (2020) and beta (2021) stages, Performance Max rolled out to the wider Google Ads community in 2022 ahead of the peak shopping season. Since then, Google has continued to support Performance Max by releasing new features, including brand exclusions and asset group-level reporting. Dig deeper: 5 ways to get the most from Performance Max in 2025 What makes Performance Max powerful? Google intended Performance Max to be an all-in-one campaign type capable of serving the needs of as many advertisers as possible. Here are some of the defining features that make that possible. Targeting capabilities Keywords, audiences, and product feeds remain the backbone of campaign targeting. This is no different when it comes to Performance Max, but what sets this campaign apart is how those three elements behave and work together. While it will quickly bypass any initial settings you give it in pursuit of the best conversions, Performance Max starts on better footing when you apply these from day one. Audience signals Use these to tell Performance Max what kind of users you want to show your ads to – but remember, it won’t be those exact people. For example, uploading your customer list as an audience signal doesn’t mean your ad will show to them (or even to others like them), but as a jumping-off point for its own targeting. Keywords Performance Max will quickly begin targeting broad queries not directly related to your initial targeting intent (based on custom intent audiences, product data feed, and website URL). While the absence of negative keywords can be frustrating, it’s likely you’ll still capture opportunities you didn’t consider. Performance Max can also analyze custom intent audiences you build from keywords. Product feed As always, a strong data feed is critical to success with Shopping campaigns. Without an optimized product feed, Google won’t know which queries to show your products for. Throw in a robust feed, and you will capture opportunities you didn’t even consider because of how Performance Max branches off from your initial path. Bid management Performance Max uses Smart Bidding to set cost-per-click (CPC) bids, which effectively means that advertisers have two options when it comes to bid strategies: Maximize conversions with an optional CPA target. Maximize conversion value with an optional ROAS target. For this to work optimally, your account needs a sizable amount of historical data that Google can use to determine what’s worked best in the past. I typically recommend that newer accounts begin with Search or Standard Shopping to gather data, only switching over to Performance Max after maxing out impression share and building a steady stream of conversions. Complex auctions and intent matching Google has a massive store of data on how people behave online. Smart Bidding analyzes over 70 million signals in near real-time (actually a tenth of a second), but we never see those data points. A certain amount of trust in the system is required for this to work, but do that, and you’ll get the results you want. Consider 100 people searching for the same exact query. Not only will each person be in a different part of the buying journey, but their unique histories will influence factors like how quickly they might convert. The system will try to find those people most likely to convert during that search. For ecommerce, fill those data feeds out with the right information – keywords in titles and descriptions, product categorization, and so on. This will allow you to appear in as many searches as possible, irrespective of whether somebody is “window shopping” or ready to buy. New customer acquisition and brand exclusions Performance Max has long since allowed advertisers to target net new revenue by bidding higher for new acquisitions. It now allows brand exclusions to better control when your ads show for branded queries. These features may not be as important for smaller advertisers, but larger brands looking to scale can now tell the system to focus on more valuable opportunities. When used together, these features can significantly alter the speed and profitability of a scaling process. Thanks to asset group-level reporting rolling out to many accounts, we can use these for segmentation more effectively. When we see that certain product segments – brand, category, individual products – are not getting traction or not performing as well, we exclude them and: Put them in a new Performance Max campaign to force it to spend. Or go back to Standard Shopping. Think of it as pruning your campaigns for what’s not getting traffic or converting well. Dig deeper: How to think about brand exclusions for Performance Max Dynamic Search Google lets advertisers upgrade Dynamic Search campaigns into Performance Max. Remember, the capability has always existed, but you now have a one-click option. But with Dynamic Search likely to be next on the chopping block and deprecated in the near future – remember, Local and Smart Shopping campaigns already rolled into Performance Max – now is the right time to start testing it through Performance Max. Search terms visibility and negative keywords Newly released in 2024 and 2025, respectively, the ability to add negative keywords to Performance Max campaigns and greater search term visibility allow advertisers and account managers to further sculpt the type of traffic they receive. Additionally, last year’s updates to query matching and brand controls provide some indication of how keywords will evolve. Learn more about how each of the changes affects PPC advertisers and agencies, and how they give us clues into Google’s future direction for paid keywords and targeting. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. What sets Performance Max apart from other Google Ads campaigns? Let’s look at a few characteristics that set Performance Max apart from its more placement-specific counterparts. Inventory and ad spend Bidding and budgeting can only be done at a campaign level, which is familiar enough. Where it gets tricky is that Performance Max doesn’t show you exactly where it spent your money, and this ties in closely with reporting capabilities. But while you’re buying traffic on inventories that may not typically have the quality of Search and Shopping, Performance Max is still only targeting people likely to convert. Additionally, some industries have a very high cost per click, and Performance Max can really decrease overall costs by looking outside that bubble. Another thing to remember is that Performance Max is front-loaded in terms of expenses. Be sure to factor in the cost of data gathering during the learning period of a new campaign. If you have a new account, this will take longer than the usual three to six weeks. But as you build historical data and get better results, subsequent campaigns should exit the learning period faster and bring costs down, allowing you to free up your budget to bid more aggressively or capture more conversions. Reporting Reports in Performance Max can be seen at the campaign and asset group levels, and you can find those right in the Reporting tab inside Google Ads. But I’ve spoken to several people who don’t ever navigate to where you can build custom reports based on landing page, placements, location, time of day, or products in your data feed. You can also analyze what proportion of your ad spend is data-feed-driven and what is creative-driven. We’re also big fans of the Insights tab, which Google has revamped (update still rolling out). You used to only be able to look back to 7 and 28 days, but now you can choose any time frame and download keywords. There’s a lot of good data in there, so don’t neglect it! Transparency You can use third-party scripts to determine where your ads are going, but I tend to avoid that. The campaign is either performing or not. When it isn’t, you can pull levers to try something different. With Performance Max, you can’t decide when or where your ad shows up – only nudge and guide the algorithm. You also lose the ability to see more granular keywords, instead getting access to keyword themes. I think accepting this is fundamental to success with Performance Max. But while you can’t see your ad placements, there is an account-level placement report with impression data. Unfortunately, this doesn’t give you a breakdown of cost and revenue. Keep in mind that the goal of all of this is to move to a format similar to Advantage Plus on Facebook, which only surfaces data that you can act on. Control Many people think Performance Max is a “set it and forget it” campaign. Not really. You have control, but it’s very different from what we’ve become accustomed to with other campaigns. You program the system to do what you used to do yourself, so you can focus on the decisions machines can’t make. What that comes down to in Performance Max is: Ad copy. Creatives. Audience signals. Data feeds. Bid strategies. Budgets. Campaign structure. Don’t think of it as taking one step back, but stepping back to see the big picture. That being said, there are a variety of new capabilities for advertiser control, including: Campaign-level negative keywords (self-serve beta). Impression share reports for Search and Shopping ads. Asset coverage reports and recommendations for underperforming asset groups. Target pacing insights for CPA and ROAS goals. Continued rollout of asset-level conversion metrics. Involvement How active do you need to be with Performance Max? Remember: Your goal is to guide the machine, nudge it in the right direction, and ensure it doesn’t veer off course. Part of that is learning how to tame those compulsive feelings that making changes is the only way to feel involved. Maybe it’s because your clients keep asking why you only made two changes last month. But with Performance Max, sometimes that’s all you have to do. Instead, your involvement skews toward monitoring and big-picture changes. You set things up, step back, and allow the campaign to run. You keep an eye on things while working behind the scenes. Focus on making sure any first-party data is clean and accurate, that you’re integrated with a CRM (for lead generation), and improving landing page content – things that impact profitability and efficiency. Incrementality Accounts that successfully use Performance Max don’t treat it as a replacement for conventional campaigns, but as a method of finding incremental opportunities or experimenting with different control levers. Because Performance Max is built specifically to go beyond the confines of its parameters and look for opportunities that you normally would not have considered, it’s a wonderful way to tap into demand channels that you otherwise may have ignored. Performance Max in action: Sample campaign structures Setting up a Performance Max campaign can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some examples of how I’ve built campaigns for different types of accounts. Ecommerce In ecommerce, there are generally two types of advertisers: Sells own brand These accounts typically lead with paid social, spending as much as 70-80% of their total advertising budget on platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Google might even be an afterthought. These are the brands where Performance Max with creative assets tends to work particularly well for the same reasons the brand works on paid social. Sells multiple brands For retailers selling hundreds of different brands or thousands of products – we have clients whose catalogs have hundreds of thousands of SKUs – it’s really about showing up at the very bottom of the funnel, so these accounts lead with Google Ads. We typically avoid creative assets and focus more on the “Smart Shopping” approach, which reduces the significance of audience signals and ad copy. Instead, we focus almost entirely on getting the data feed in near-perfect shape. Lead generation For lead generation accounts, we typically begin with Search to build up conversion data and volume – two critical components of making Performance Max work. Once that’s achieved, we move to Performance Max, splitting asset groups by offering and location. This allows the system to target the right people in the right places so that a New Jersey plumber doesn’t get leads from Glasgow. If your service is offered virtually or globally, you could omit the location split and just go by offering alone. It’s vital to include some type of spam filter (like a reCAPTCHA), or low-quality leads will plague you. Ideally, you should also be feeding offline conversions and conversion values back into Google so that it can identify future leads based on data from your complete sales cycle. Verdict: The pros and cons of Performance Max I’m bullish on Performance Max, but it’s not a perfect campaign. Here’s what I admire about it and a few things I wish Google would improve. Pro: It lets you scale beyond intent Let’s say you’re targeting a market with limited search volume, but you really want to test opportunities beyond that limit. Performance Max can use its data signals to find people who might not be searching for your bottom-funnel keywords but will become potential customers based on interest. Performance Max is a full-funnel campaign, so it will find people it thinks are likely to convert based on all those millions of data signals and then pull them down the customer journey. This is probably Performance Max’s biggest advantage. Not having the ability to set bids at the asset group level is a major drawback, and I understand why many PPC folks are frustrated with the obfuscation of search term data. That said – and this could be a mentality issue – does all the other stuff matter? Shouldn’t we be figuring out how to get the most out of this toolbox instead of how to hack it? The whole idea of bidding with a ROAS target is that you don’t need to look at negative keywords. If it’s not hitting your target, it shouldn’t get that traffic. I get that people want to be able to check the system quickly, especially when smaller budgets are involved, but patience goes a long way toward understanding Performance Max’s true capabilities. Con: It can be expensive at the start Like a rocket ship, Performance Max can take you to places you never imagined – at the cost of a slow and expensive takeoff. Getting somewhere meaningful can take three to six weeks, and that period can be pricey on the front end. Google monitors behavior rather than optimizing for conversions, so you’re spending considerably more for far fewer conversions than usual. It takes clear communication and honest expectation-setting to convince clients and bosses that this is necessary to adapt to the modern avatar of Google Ads. Pro: It’s a great way to try new campaign types. For brands that are not ready to go all in on something untested like YouTube, Performance Max is a good way to test how that new media works. Google claims that performance is better when routed through Performance Max, which it typically is. Their official figure is an average gain of 18%, but your mileage may vary. Con: It’s not as easy as Google says it is Performance Max is really not as simple as it seems. While there will always be a place for PPC managers, this also means that we have to put in the effort to stay on top of things. To get Performance Max right, you need nuance, patience, and persistence. Many marketers test it and give up after a few weeks because it doesn’t move in the right direction. This is shortsighted but understandable. Pro: It refreshes your marketing priorities Performance Max forces PPC managers to think more like marketers than strictly media buyers. I love the ability to go beyond Search for people who are not equipped to manage Discovery, YouTube, Display, and those more niche networks. This makes it a great way to scale beyond your capabilities without needing a high level of expertise. What happens is you’ll reach the audience that you have, but who might not necessarily be on the network you’ve been advertising on. Google has made this process uncomplicated. Con: Its recommendations are far from ideal I’m always cautious of Google’s recommendations. Too many people don’t realize what they’re signing up for. On the surface, they appear to be things that you wouldn’t think of. But they can have deeper effects, so use them with caution. Insights is a good place to get ideas, especially since you don’t have to act on them right away and can instead consider the risk-to-reward ratio. Like everything else in Performance Max, it is very much “eyes on, hands off”: Don’t make changes just to make changes. Have a goal in mind for each specific change. Know what you hope to accomplish, so there’s something to measure. Pro: It’s a reminder that we’re still needed People are worried that Google wants to cut out agencies and experts, but Performance Max only reinforces the fact that PPC managers aren’t going anywhere. Our role has changed, and it will change further, but the average business owner cannot optimally run Performance Max from day one. And if there’s anything more difficult than running a Performance Max campaign, it’s fixing one riddled with mistakes. Whether you’re building from the ground up or fixing what’s broken, you’ll always be around and needed. Should you run a Performance Max campaign? Performance Max is a great option to have. But it’s just that: an option. You don’t have to use it. In some cases, you probably shouldn’t. Which accounts benefit from Performance Max Previously, the downside and complexity of making Performance Max work for lead-gen far outweighed its benefits. This has changed, and while it’s not flawless – spam and algorithm issues persist – it can deliver strong results when paired with good inputs like qualified lead lists and pipeline data. Highly competitive mass retail products – think digital cameras and televisions – can work well on the feed side. Maybe skip the creative assets and use Performance Max a little differently than it was intended. If your account is rich with historical data – and in the case of lead generation, strong first-party data inputs and outputs – you’ll have a much easier time with Performance Max. Bigger budgets and high monthly conversions are valuable enough that they give you a bit of a pass when it comes to the more common mistakes. High spenders with demand typically get the most out of Performance Max. Which accounts are better off with other campaign types Brand new accounts – in both new and existing businesses – will struggle with Performance Max right off the bat. You certainly can use it, but know it’s always more effective once you have historical data. Ecommerce accounts that neglect their product feed will find themselves spending more than they need to. Way more. Lead generation accounts that don’t have high-quality data inputs and outputs – lead qualification, CRM or IVR integrations, spam guards, offline conversions – should stick to Search campaigns. Smaller budgets and limited monthly conversions (typically under 30) will probably never gather enough data to make Performance Max worthwhile. Legal restrictions can throttle success. These teams don’t like not knowing which headline will show up with which description or point to which landing page. If you press ahead, theme your asset groups as tightly as possible, and you should be fine. Special case: Regulated industries Disclaimer: This is informed speculation. Accounts advertising things like pharmaceuticals and medical services (think detoxification and rehabilitation) aren’t allowed to retarget users. Performance Max offers a way around that because you aren’t targeting specific people, but the system probably will anyway. As long as the proper teams can approve your ad copy and creatives, it really shouldn’t pose any problems. Best practices: How to set up, optimize, monitor, and report on Performance Max Ready to create and run your first Performance Max campaign? Have an active one but are unsure how to study or optimize performance? These resources might help. Pre-launch checklist My team has had access to Performance Max campaigns since Google Ads released it in beta, so we’ve had years to refine our go-live process. Follow along with this detailed walkthrough to maximize your performance with Performance Max with everything you need to know to set up for success. Dig deeper: How to set up Performance Max campaigns the right way Optimization stage While there aren’t many levers to directly optimize Performance Max campaigns, that doesn’t mean you can’t shape them. Instead, your job is to guide the system governing your campaigns. Here’s a detailed walkthrough of what you can (and should) do to drive better performance. Dig deeper: How to improve your performance in Performance Max Monitoring stage Extracting data and insights from Performance Max can be frustrating, but it’s getting better thanks to features like asset group reporting. Use these tips and tricks to guide your reporting and monitoring process. Dig deeper: How to maximize insights from Performance Max Underrated tips and tricks Ecommerce and lead-generation accounts must approach Performance Max very differently – but what does that mean exactly? These guides will show you how to avoid repeating some serious mistakes that advertisers have made with their Performance Max campaigns. Read more: How to avoid 7 mistakes that tank retail Performance Max campaigns Why Performance Max for lead generation often fails and how to make it work View the full article

National parks posting thirst traps on TikTok was not on anyone’s 2025 bingo card. Recently, a Yellowstone National Park fan account has gone viral for pairing clips of adult entertainers and shirtless celebrities with sweeping shots of the park’s natural beauty. In one viral video with 6.8 million views, social media star Thoren Bradley peels off his shirt just before the footage cuts to a serene alpine lake. In the comments, Bradley enthusiastically consents to being used for views to raise awareness for national parks. Another video, which has 6.1 million views, features actor Jason Momoa holding up an ice cream bar and asking, “Bite her or lick her?” The scene cuts to Yellowstone’s Painted Pots. One hashtag ensures it lands with the intended demographic: #momsover30. “Big fan of this campaign,” one user commented. “ParkTok has officially gone harder than BookTok,” wrote another. Johnathon Caine, an adult entertainer on OnlyFans, says he’s gained a wave of new subscribers since the Yellowstone account began using his content. In one video, Caine recalls being off-grid in the mountains when his phone suddenly blew up with national park mentions. “I’m happy that my TikToks can direct attention to the parks in a time of need after the NPS funding got cut. That’s wonderful,” Caine said in the post, adding, “whoever is running the Yellowstone National Park TikTok page . . . how you doing?” Contrary to popular belief, @visit.yellowstone is not the national park’s official social media account. As for who’s behind it? The only hint in the bio is that the creator is happily married and just “obsessed” with Yellowstone. The account has since inspired a number of copycat pages, including one for Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and the Appalachian Trail. “Do you like your national parks big or on the smaller side?” a Yosemite fan account posted suggestively. “Is it possible for a national park to be too big?” This playful, provocative strategy comes as President Donald The President’s proposed budget slashes more than $1 billion from the National Park Service. Earlier this spring, the department also shuttered the National Park Service Academy, a program that connected young adults from diverse backgrounds with summer jobs in the parks. While the identities and intentions behind the viral TikTok accounts remain unclear, their approach is unmistakably drawing attention to U.S. national parks. As one commenter put it: “Someone’s boss said fine if we don’t get government support make us TikTok famous and we will support our damn selves.” Official national parks social media managers, take note. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Kitchen appliances seem to gain more and more functionality each year, and with that, the lines can blur. Two appliances that might seem similar and equally capable (some look nearly identical) are the juicer and blender, but they’re actually quite different. Before you start shopping, consider the differences between these machines. It’s pretty likely that one will serve you better than the other. How does a juicer work?A juicer, as its name implies, is specifically and exclusively for producing juice from whatever you cram inside. Typically, that means fruits and vegetables. Some juicers are simple handheld machines without the need of a motor, but I’m referring to the electric variety. Most models have a similar setup: a tank on top where you load the food, a base that is equally as large as (if not larger than) the top where the controls and engine are located, a spout for the juice to come out, and a container or spout where the fruit and vegetable fiber collects. Beyond that, there are two types of juicer you should know about: the masticating juicer and the centrifugal juicer. Masticating juicers“Masticate” is a posh way to say “chew.” (It makes me think of Michael Caine analyzing Sandra Bullock eating a steak in Miss Congeniality.) Chewing is exactly what a masticating juicer does. Produce is loaded into the tank, and a mechanism, usually an auger (a spiral ramp for smashing) slowly grinds the plants into a fibrous pulp against a sieve. The juice and some small bits of fiber are pressed through the screen, and the rest of the plant gets left behind for you to discard later. Masticating juicers can also be called “slow juicers” or "cold press juicers" because they take longer to do their work than the centrifugal juicers do. The slow speed ensures your juice never heats up against the mechanism. (Heat can damage vitamin and mineral potency in your juice.) The high-powered pressing produces a juice with some fibrous bits in it and is more likely to result in a thicker, foamier drink that doesn’t separate. For these reason, cold juicing is often preferable and touted for holding onto more nutrients. Additionally, masticating juicers are quiet due to their slow and steady mechanism. Before you head off to the store or click “check out,” note that all of these benefits come with a heavy price tag. Masticating juicers are expensive. I’ve never seen one retailing for under $100, and they’re often several hundred bucks. Ninja JC151 Cold Press Juicer $149.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $149.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Centrifugal juicersA centrifugal juicer produces juice by slicing at high speeds. I can see this variety being the easiest to confuse with a blender. Instead of grinding and pressing, the produce is chopped into tiny bits against a spinning dial. The circular motion shoots the particles and juice against a conical-shaped screen. The free-flying juice goes out the spout and the fiber is retained in a separate container. The high speed cutting of this type of juicer produces heat, and for juice fanatics this can be a deal-breaker. Active enzymes in fresh juice can begin to break down when heated. However, enzymes don’t begin to break down under 104°F. Though it's within the realm of possibility, I would be surprised if the juice could stay at that temperature for long enough to largely reduce the benefits. If you’re worried about it, maybe use fridge-cold produce to keep the temperature lower. Hamilton Beach Juicer $65.27 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $65.27 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Centrifugal juicers are louder than masticating juicers, and the type of juice is prone to separation overnight, but their affordable price range might be worth it. (Also, shaking separated juice to redistribute the solids isn’t hard to do.) You can find centrifugal juicers ranging from $49 and up. How does a blender differ from a juicer? Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Blenders might look similar to juicers—a loading tank on top and a large base with buttons—but they’re not the same. While juicers juice, you guessed it, blenders blend. The purpose of a blender is to combine all of the ingredients that go in to create a homogeneous consistency. That might be creating a thick paste like peanut butter, emulsifying mayonnaise, blending a chunky pico de gallo, meal prepping baby food, or whipping up a fruit smoothie. Blenders are versatileNot only do blenders chop up produce, but they’ll work with almost anything as long as the blades can catch it. Simply load the food into the container, and press the button for your desired blending speed. There is a small, central, rotating blade at the bottom of the tall container that will finely chop the food items you tossed inside. The powerful motor allows for a range of blade speeds, usually from low to high. Depending on how powerful the motor is, you can put whole fruits in some blenders and it’ll take them down to smooth liquids. A bowl of potato soup I made using my blender. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann However, that’s where the similarities end with blenders and juicers. There is no screen to separate the juice from the fiber. Everything that goes into the tank comes out as one homogeneous consistency. Blenders aren't cheap either. You can find cheap ones, but I've always found there's a huge quality jump between ones under $65 and those starting around $99. This usually reflects the motor's power, but presets, and other bells and whistles can come into play with more expensive models. If you're blending soft foods, you can get away with a less powerful, cheaper machine. If you're frequently taking fibrous things down to a smooth paste or liquid then you'll need more power, and that comes with a higher price tag. I've been most impressed with the Vitamix Ascent X5. This machine has totally knocked my socks off. I've made silky peanut butter and smoothies where you can't find a shred of spinach intact—but it retails for $750. Read here for the full review. Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender $299.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $379.95 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $379.95 Save $80.00 For a more reasonable price, I suggest the E310 model which is still expensive, but nearly half the price of the Ascent X5 and offers almost the same blending power. Another reputable blender in an even cheaper price bracket is the Breville Fresh and Furious blender which retails for $199.95. Which one is best for you?Now that I’ve pulled back the curtain on how juicers and blenders serve different purposes, choosing the right machine should be easy. Juicers are specialists and they’re good at their job. If you’re in need of juices on a regular basis, then you need a juicer. Whether it’s a masticating or centrifugal juicer, it’s up to your preference and how much you’re willing to spend. Consider the noise of the machine, your budget, and if you like a thin or slightly thicker juice consistency. I consider blenders to be more of a kitchen tool than specialty equipment. If you enjoy fruit smoothies, hot blended soups, or you make blender-crêpes every Saturday, then you’ll love a high-powered blender. Regardless of which one fits your lifestyle best, after a week with your new appliance, you won't know how you lived without it. View the full article