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Tag: 📖 Learning

  • The eCommerce SEO Checklist: 20 Things To Do Before You Hit ‘Launch’

    Stuck with your market growth and are having a very low conversion rate then it is most probably because of the low traffic or number of viewers to your site. And being very honest without having significant traffic to your eCommerce website you can’t really excel neither as an individual nor as an organization.

    So sit back and take out time to think and complete the SEO checklist which can optimize your website properly and can help you gain the heights of your dream.

    1. Keyword Research
    2. Title Tag
    3. Include keywords in the site URL and Headings
    4. Image optimization
    5. Reduce page load time
    6. Minimum Content
    7. Meta Description
    8. Avoid Plagiarism
    9. Reviews
    10. Mobile Friendly
    11. Website Structure
    12. Breadcrumb Navigation
    13. Resolve 404 Error
    14. Ensure that the sites are crawlable and indexable
    15. HTTPS
    16. Backlinks and Internal links
    17. Use Multiple Keywords
    18. Block Unnecessary pages
    19. Schema
    20. Filter product category

    Keyword Research

    Keyword research is the most crucial step in generating organic traffic to your eCommerce website. Before starting with the actual content writing one should have done keyword research very thoroughly. A few of the important aspects that one should keep in mind while doing keyword research are-

    Keyword Research
    Keyword Research Technique
    • Search Volume
    • Competition
    • Cost per Click
    • Search Intent

    Let’s just go through these topics, in short, to help you get a clearer idea about what they mean. Long-Tail Keywords works better in eCommerce.

    Search Volume– we can define search volume as the number of people searching for a specific keyword.

    Competition– As the name suggests it represents the competition or difficulties related to that keyword. The most common mistake that people tend to do is they just check the search volume and opt for the highest one neglecting its level of difficulty.

    A few of the tools that you can use to do the keyword research tools are;

    • Semrush
    • Ahref
    • Keywords Everywhere
    • Google Keyword Planner

    Meta Title

    It is very important to have a catchy title for the products on your eCommerce website because it is the very first thing that a viewer sees and if it does not appeal to the viewer then there is no means of having the best content inside.

    Your Title should be under 50-60 characters.

    Few of the tips that can help you to achieve the perfect title;

    • Keep the title clear and simple to understand and avoid confusion
    • Use number and statistical information
    • Demonstrate emotions
    • Include keywords
    • User-friendly

    Include keywords in the site URL and Headings

    Try including the specific keyword in the URL, heading, and the subheading of the page so that it can be easily understandable by the crawlers what exactly the pages focus on.

    Keyword in the URL Structure

    This also helps in improving the visibility because the h1 tag and the URL are of the highest priority.

    However, from this, we don’t mean to use the keyword in every next sentence. Also, ensure that the URLs and then heading on every page of your eCommerce s website is unique.

    Image optimization

    Image optimization helps google understand the context behind the image used on your eCommerce website. It makes the page more crawlable for the google spiders. Which in turn helps in improving the ranking.

    This also helps the viewer that is visually impaired or is having network issues. Image optimization involves using appropriate

    • File names
    • Alt text

    Try using file names that are more user-friendly rather than using the default names such as screenshot43556.jpg. It is also recommended to use images of small size such as jpg or jpeg format.

    Reduce page load time

    The page load time is a very important factor in determining the efficiency of your eCommerce website. Because nowadays people have a very busy lifestyle and if the website fails to keep up with the pace then it could lead to a loss of the potential customer.

    website core web vitals
    Page Load Speed Factors

    It is also an important factor while determining the user experience. What also happens here is, that if the spiders find that the page load time is higher than expected then they assume that the quality of the page is not up to the mark and thus decrease the visibility.

    Minimum Content

    Every page of the eCommerce website is assumed to have a minimum of 250 unique words to improve the quality of the content and the experience. Product descriptions must be short and to the point so that user can take the action as it helps them in taking purchasing decision.

    Product description should be written by keeping the target audience in mind by including the key points which can solve their issue.

    Meta Description

    The Meta description is not directly related to SEO management but it has a great impact on the click-through rate because after the title tag this is the only description available to the viewer.

    Meta Description of Black Shirt
    Meta Description

    Ideally meta description length should be around 150-160 characters and it must summarize the page content.

    It is the main space where you can advertise the best about your eCommerce page. You can attract people by,

    • Asking an interesting question
    • Stating an interesting or shocking fact
    • Providing statistical data
    E-commerce SEO Tutorial

    Avoid Plagiarism

    It is the most common reason for the site not being able to rank. If the content up on your site is copied from other sites then it leads to Plagiarism. It could be related to the content, the images, data, or anything. Plagiarism can be of type intentional or unintentional.

    Your website must have unique quality content and must give the user the reason to read. Plagiarism content can drop your ranking which results in low traffic.

    However, this doesn’t really matter whatever type it may be google treats it as a practice to alter the ranking and deceive the crawler by irrational means.

    Reviews

    One might think that reviews or customer testimonials are not related to SEO however this is not what happens, the crawler and the viewer analyze the products more efficiently. It also helps in improving the content on the eCommerce website.

    You can use different ways to get Customer testimonials that can help you convert the visitors into customers, which can grow your brand’s reputation and sales.

    Customer Review on Product
    Customer Review

    Mobile Friendly

    It has now become one of the mandatory parameters from an optional checkmark. Back in the day, it was not essential for the sites to be responsive or mobile-friendly now as time passed it has become one of the basic requirement as the viewer tend to use the site on different devices such as phone, laptops, desktops, and pads.

    Around 64% of searches come through mobile as compared to the desktop search percentage of 35%. So it is necessary to have a mobile-friendly website.

    Mobile Friendly Website
    Mobile Friendly

    You can run mobile friendly test on this website to check if your website is friendly or not.

    https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly/

    The search engine appreciated the e-commerce website of a Mobile Friendly label. This label tremendously helps in improving the site ranking.

    Website Structure

    Websites shouldn’t just be a random collection of posts or blogs instead they should be well organized and should have some meaning to them. You all might have heard about Website architecture from many people. “That your website should have a good architecture” and so on.

    Website Strcuture
    Good Website Structure

    Website architecture is the means by which the content on the website is linked together. In simple words, we can say that it is a way to simplify the navigation of the user and also for the search engine crawlers. Website structure includes a Navigation menu, URLs, Internal links, and breadcrumb. We will be discussing all of these topics in detail below.

    What a good website structure actually looks like?

    A website where a lot of thinking has gone behind its architecture consists of grouping based on the type of content, highlighting the most important pages and posts, using hierarchical order, and providing easy navigation.

    It is a nice habit to have breadcrumb navigation to the subpages. Because this turns out not only to be helpful to the humans but also to the crawlers.

    Site Breadcrumb Navigation
    Breadcrumb Navigation

    It helps the humans to understand where and on which page they are on the site and whereas it helps the crawler to understand the structure of the eCommerce site and helps in creating neat and simple internal site links.

    Resolve 404 Error

    Most of the time the viewers acknowledge errors like 404 error- page not found. This occurs when;

    • There’s a change in the permalink
    • Removed or deleted content from the eCommerce website
    • Misspelled links
    404 Website Error
    404 web error

    These errors definitely create a negative impression thus we need to resolve them. The best way to resolve the 404 error is to use 301 re-direct.

    This redirecting method helps in redirecting the viewer to the new URL if they type in the old URLs.

    Ensure that the sites are crawlable and indexable

    For the search engine to be able to crawl and rank your eCommerce website it should be optimized for both on-page and technical SEO.

    If the site is not optimized then completing the above-mentioned checkpoints will also be of no use, You can check if your eCommerce website is crawlable or not from the google console.

    HTTPS

    The search engine offers a very minor advantage to the sites using HTTPS over the sites using HTTP. This not only has become a source of advantage but has become essential for the viewers. Let me explain to you how

    HTTPS Security
    HTTPS Security

    The eCommerce website uses payment gateways that are connected to the cart. What HTTPS does is provide encryption between the servers and the website. Thus this helps and provides a means of safety to the buyer thus it is essential to have HTTPS. We can simply get our site protected by HTTPS we just need to install an SSL certificate.

    One of the top ways to optimize off-site SEO is by using backlinks. Backlinks from another site show the search engine that your site is trustworthy as it is being backed that is used as a source of reference from other sites.

    However, it is very important to assure that your site is backed by an authorized source rather than being linked with untrustworthy and spam websites.

    We can also use internal links that link to different pages of our own eCommerce website. This helps in increasing the visibility of other pages as combined.

    Use Multiple Keywords

    We can also try using multiple keywords on our eCommerce website rather than only focusing on a single Keyword. It helps to improve the reach because by using multiple keywords we can cover a particular topic in different ways.

    Block Unnecessary pages

    There are some pages on the eCommerce website that are not up to the mark in terms of UI/UX or landline. Some of the examples of these pages are Checkout pages, wishlist pages, and thank you pages. We can tell the search engine to exclude such pages from being indexed or crawled.

    This indication can be done by adding the “robots.txt” file.

    We can check which pages are excluded from the google console and get a double assurance about the pages which are to be crawled and which is to be avoided.

    Schema

    Having a schema markup on the website is a great way of telling the search engine about the content on your web page. Adding schema helps the bots crawl faster and also boosts the ranking of the web page i.e increases the click-through-rate.

    Review-Rating Schema Markup
    Schema Markup

    We all must be aware of HTML which is a markup language. One of the other and very useful markup languages that are used to add another layer to the websites is Schemas.

    There are different of Schema Markup and here are few which eCommerce websites must have on their website-

    • Organization
    • Breadcrumb
    • Product Page
    • Item List
    • Rating & Review
    • FAQ

    JSON-LD is an amazing free tool to generate different types of Schema Markup.

    Filter product category

    These are the key tools to help the user find the desired product simply in a few steps. However, if it is not done carefully then it can backfire as well.

    Product Filter
    Product Category Filter

    A few of the common filters for the product which are mostly used by eCommerce websites are size, brand, color, occasion, range, relevance, popularity, etc.

    Design strategies that must be considered while designing the filter are;

    • Test the filter as you design. (The filter should be working)
    • Keep it simple.
    • Add specifications related to the product.
    • Use a variety of ranges and scrollers.
    • Make it look attractive.

    Conclusion

    As of now, you have a complete checklist to get the perfect SEO rank and increase visibility and productivity. So get ready and complete them to get ranked in the top 10 searches on the first page of google.

    And we assure you that it is not that hard to achieve just calmly complete and consider the checkpoints mentioned above and before its end, you will be able to observe the difference in your eCommerce website.

    FAQ

    Is SEO Important for eCommerce?

    Yes, SEO is important for E-commerce businesses. It helps in getting rank for the relevant customer searches and also boosts the sales.

    What is the best eCommerce platform for SEO?

    There are so many eCommerce platforms for SEO from which you choose from and you must choose the platform which can optimize your store as per the search engine. Here are few best SEO eCommerce platform which you can choose from-

    • Shopify
    • Woocommerce
    • Magento
    • Wix
    • BigCommerce
    • Squarespace

    What are the main benefits of eCommerce SEO?

    There are numerous benefits of doing SEO of your eCommerce store like-

    • Increase Brand Visibility
    • Boosts the sales
    • Enhance the User Experience
    • Develop Customer Trust
    • Lower PPC Cost
    • Helps with Remarketing Audience

  • What is a CTA Button? And how to Design The Best Clickable CTA Buttons?

    I am sure, we all have come across many websites that have had a ton of potential and then failed to take advantage of it. One of the most common reasons for this is a lack of attention to details like text size, color, and font.

    Clickable buttons are the best way to gain a visitor’s attention. This is because they stand out to the user and add a sense of urgency, making it easier for them to click on it. To get more clicks from your Call to Action, CTAs, you must consider the design tricks for creating more visually appealing ones.

    An impactful call-to-action button can be a crucial part of your campaign. But having to try out different call-to-action buttons on your site can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many options in the market today and there’s no way for us to cover all the bases.

    What is a CTA Button?
    CTA Buttons as a Marketing Tool
    Uses of CTA Buttons
    How to Create CTA Buttons?

    What is a CTA Button?

    CTA stands for call to action button. These buttons are a type of invitation or stipulation for the consumer to guide them on the specific steps to be taken and how? CTA’s are mostly used in marketing emails and landing pages. CTA’s can be a simple text or can be even fancier by using some kind of buttons.

    For example, the Zomato emails usually tend to have both types of CTA buttons;

    • The read-more acts as a text CTA with a simple hyperlink associated with it.
    • And Order Now buttons with more designed and classy button styles and color pallets.

    CTA Buttons as a Marketing Tool

    Nowadays people tend to insist or believe that no one reads email. However, even today emails have been the best and the top-notch source for communication. This is because what happens is nowadays every technical information or message is conveyed through emails so people tend to check their emails more regularly and seriously than before this can be used as an opportunity to improve marketing.

    Statistically, it is also proven that emails generate more sales than any social media. Shockingly right, but it is observed that 60% of people buy a product after receiving a mail from the organization and the remaining 40% of consumers tend to wait for mail regarding a particular offer or sale on the products.

    Uses of CTA Buttons

    CTA buttons are used from the very start of the email till the very end even in the footer. It can be used for;

    • Read More
    • Book Now
    • Add to Cart
    • Scroll To Top
    • Discount buttons
    • Subscribe

    How to Create CTA Buttons?

    CTA Buttons
    CTA Buttons

    Here are a few tricks to help you create excellent but even more clickable CTA buttons for your campaigns.

    Pick a Primary CTA

    It is very essential to wisely select an appropriate Primary CTA, which will standout among the rest CTAs. But, do not overuse it because the use of many CTAs such as read more, subscribe, book now, etc may create a negative impression. It may seem as if you are trying to manipulate the user. This leads to decision fatigue.

    Decision fatigue can be said as a phenomenon when the decision-making quality of the person deteriorates after making many decisions.

    The primary CTA should be designed differently from others so that it can grab the most attention and convey the main goal of the marketing campaign. Because it is a human tendency, they only focus on the content that grabs their attention in one go.

    Choose Good Colors

    It’s not just about the colors you use. It’s also about how you use them. When it comes to CTA buttons, the color palette can make or break your design. And yet, many businesses are still using boring colors and patterns on their CTAs.

    It’s time to rethink that strategy! There is a lot of psychology behind choosing the right colors for your CTA button—and it all comes down to making your CTA button stand out from the crowd. Are you ready to learn how to pick the perfect color palette for your CTA button?

    For the CTA button on your email, you should choose a color that will stand out and have a strong impact.

    A good way to do this is by using a nice popping color instead of a dull color. You can use any of the colors from our rainbow palette, but we recommend using one of the following:

    • Red
    • Orange
    • Yellow/Gold
    • Green
    • Blue/Purple

    Positioning

    Positioning is an important factor in improving the rate of interaction on a webpage. The main reason for this is that the positioning of the CTA button will determine whether or not people who visit your site are interested in interacting with you.

    The key factor in determining if people interact with your company is how easy it is for them to find what they’re looking for. If there are multiple CTAs on one page or several CTAs at once, then users might get confused about which button works best for them; if there’s only one button at all times (or none at all), then this shouldn’t be an issue!

    Choose Font

    Choosing a font style for your CTA button can help you make it stand out, but it’s not just about aesthetics. It’s also about making sure that the font you choose is statistically appropriate for your audience. What you’re looking for is a font style that has been proven to be read by a large number of people and will have the greatest impact on them.

    There are many factors that you might want to consider, such as:

    • How many people there are in your target audience
    • What age bracket do they fall into
    • Their gender
    • Their level of language proficiency
    • How familiar they are with your brand

    If you’re looking for something easy to read, try using Helvetica Neue Light or Helvetica Light Condensed. If you want something more unique and eye-catching, try using Arial Black or Cambria Math, these two fonts are both very readable without being overbearing or too busy.

    Spacing

    When you’re creating an online course or any website for organizations, it’s important to make sure that your consumer has a clear and easy-to-find path from the email page to where they need to be. A good way to do this is by using clear spacing around the CTA buttons and text that you include on your site.

    Using the right amount of spacing around your CTA buttons will help them stand out from your content, and make it easier for students to find them when they’re looking for information about your course.

    Clickable Buttons

    Don’t you hate it when you’re scrolling through an email and there are no CTA buttons at all? It’s like, “What is this? What am I supposed to do?” But what if there were some CTA buttons but they don’t work and even if they work, they didn’t seem to function properly?

    A CTA button is a button that links to a specific action or content. They’re often used on websites, and they’re very important because of how easy it is to click one and go right to the point. To do this, we need to make sure the links are linked properly in the code. Some people may use images instead of text for their buttons but that doesn’t work all the time as images with links can be misguiding the viewers.

    Conclusion

    Design Tricks For Creating More Clickable CTA Buttons has useful information on how to create CTA buttons in a way that looks professional and graphically interesting. So, next time, you design an effective clickable CTA that others can follow without fail. Thanks to this article.

    The above is just a selection of ideas to get you started on your own brainstorming session. You are the one who’s going to be best at hiding those CTA buttons in the most creative and useful way possible for your users. Now go forth and show them how it’s done!

    FAQs

    What is the full form of CTA Buttons?

    CTA stands for Call to action buttons.

    What are CTA Buttons like?

    CTA Buttons can be simple text or can be even fancier by using some kind of buttons.

    How long should CTA Buttons be?

    CTA Buttons shouldn’t be long. It should be between two to three words.

    Should CTA Buttons be attractive?

    Yes, CTA Buttons should be attractive enough to catch the viewer’s attention.

  • All You Need to Know About Decoy Marketing Technique | How It Is Used?

    There are various marketing techniques available for a brand to promote itself, but the decoy effect comes to the forefront. Known for its unique advantages that help brands triumph over their business competitors, decoy marketing is one of the most popular marketing schemes available. In this article, you are going to get a glimpse at what this technique is, the tools it employs, and how it benefits you. With a well-rounded argument about decoy marketing, you can take your pick today!

    What Is Decoy Marketing?
    Ways to Use Decoy Marketing
    Advantages and Disadvantages of Decoy Marketing

    How Brands Use the Decoy Effect?

    What Is Decoy Marketing?

    At its base level, marketing is a term that refers to selling the product of a company. However, as the understanding of human psychology has developed and widened more expansively than before, a new stream of consumerist psychology based on the needs of the consumers has emerged. This type of study examines more than simply focusing on a target audience. It encounters the territory of behaviour prediction, consumer behaviour manipulation, deliberate changing of attitudes and beliefs, and more.

    Each approach works on the principle of one or more marketing techniques to sell products and ensure loyalty among customers. One such technique is the decoy effect. This effective mechanism engages with the consumer’s subconscious and enables greater profit margins. Keep reading to know how decoy marketing has come to the forefront and is here to stay.

    Size of Marketing Related Data Market Worldwide from 2017 to 2021
    Size of Marketing Related Data Market Worldwide from 2017 to 2021

    Decoy Effect in Marketing – Meaning

    As a buyer of goods, you are a consumer who comes into contact with many different types of brands. These brands are always on the lookout to boost sales and bring in higher profits to sustain the company and ensure longevity. As a result, they employ different techniques to ensure that you, the buyer, purchase their products.

    The decoy marketing technique not only helps brands ensure a consumer buys their products but also purchases the more expensive options over the cost-savers. However, on paper, that seems unreasonable. Buyers automatically move towards deals that will help them save money while also getting a great offer. So why would they go for items that cost more?

    This is where decoy marketing comes into play. The decoy effect refers to placing a bait or a decoy item that is either more expensive or ridiculously cheaper. In this process, consumers purchase the item that will bring in the most profit for the company instead of saving money by buying the item that costs less. This marketing technique pushes the item that the brand wants to sell at the same cost before the introduction of the bait item. Let us take a look at how this technique works using concrete examples.

    Ways to Use Decoy Marketing

    The decoy effect is not always easy to spot when you are not looking for it. However, if you keep an ear out, you will be able to find the tell-tale signs of the marketing scheme. For instance, have you ever visited the supermarket and encountered a product priced surprisingly high? The price tag makes no sense, but the brand may have possibly intended it that way. The deliberate hike in the cost of the item forces consumers to look for a lower price, the next lower rung on the ladder. That is the conscious manipulation of the consumer’s tendency to buy the next best deal at a cheaper cost.

    Here are three ways that brands use the decoy effect to sell high-cost items.

    The First Way to Use Decoy Effect in Marketing

    The Decoy Effect in Marketing Example
    The Decoy Effect in Marketing Example

    For example- There are two ice cream sizes you will encounter at a shop – Big and Small. Let us say they cost the following:

    Small ice cream – $1.99

    Big ice cream – $5.99

    Customers who visit the shop will predictably move towards the smaller size. However, to push the bigger product, the decoy strategy will insert an additional size and cost, the medium-

    Small – $1.99

    Medium – $4.99

    Big – $5.99

    Someone who is looking to save money on a deal that offers the most will turn towards the medium option. The medium option is the tactic that brands use to get consumers to spend more than they would have otherwise.

    The Second Way to Use Decoy Effect in Marketing

    In the second method, let us say there are two ice cream tubs available, the size and cost of which are:

    Small – $1.99

    Big – $5.99

    Mega – $12.99

    The last option has an inflated price tag. As a result, to get the best possible deal in terms of both cost and offer, a buyer will go for the ‘Big size’. The brand has intentionally inserted the inflated amount. They do not expect that people will rush to buy it. However, the high cost ensures that the price of the product above is much more attractive to the consumer. Therefore, people will be more likely to pay for the big size than they would have before the inclusion of the mega size.

    The Third Way to Use Decoy Effect in Marketing

    The third way focuses on offering a consumer an expensive product at what the buyer thinks is a good price. Say you go to a shop and you see the following four products:

    Product A – $10.99

    Product B – $12.99

    Product C – $20.99

    Product D – $35.99

    A buyer will probably avoid Product D since the price is much higher than the other options. However, a decoy option may be inserted in the following manner:

    Product A – $10.99

    Product B – $12.99

    Product C – $20.99

    Product D – $35.99

    Product D – $50.99

    In this new set, there are two versions of Product D. However, one costs more than the other. Thus, buyers are more likely to choose Product D which costs $35.99. It is because they believe it will offer them the same features as Product D which costs $50.99 but at a much more affordable price. This ensures people buy the products most profitable to the brand’s interests.

    Amazon Pricing Psychology- How It Gets You To Spend More
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    StartupTalkyCharudath K Nair

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Decoy Marketing

    Brands Taking Advantage of Decoy Marketing
    Brands Taking Advantage of Decoy Marketing

    Many big brands like Apple, McDonald’s, Amazon, The Economist, The New York Times, and more use decoy marketing techniques to attract more customers to their profitable products.

    However, as with all other marketing techniques, the decoy effect also possesses advantages and disadvantages. These elements will help understand how the technique can work to promote a company’s products to the greatest effect. Take a look at how the decoy effect in marketing can benefit as well as create drawbacks.

    Advantages

    The following are the advantages of the decoy effect in marketing:

    • Eliminates Paradox of Multiple Options – Sometimes, having too many options can be more of a nightmare than you would think. While having options is certainly liberating, too many choices will lead to a consumer avoiding them altogether. This is known as the multiple-choice paradox. Therefore, the decoy technique helps people to choose among a limited number of options. A brand can still sell its products while offering selected options.
    • Offers a Win-Win Situation – The decoy technique offers a situation that is advantageous to both the company as well as the consumer. The customer gets more options and receives better deals. On the other hand, the brand can market those items that would not have fared well before the introduction of the decoy item. That makes for a win-win situation.
    • Ensures Better Sales – The decoy item is present to ensure that it pumps up the target item. The decoy product is not what is going to be sold. The brand wants the consumer to buy a product, and the decoy will help promote that item. Therefore, it will help sell the creations of the company better.
    • Sells Poorly Performing Products – If there is a product that is not seeing a lot of success, the decoy marketing technique can improve its condition. By showing a more expensive, trumped-up product, consumers are more likely to choose the next best offer available. A company can then market its more unpopular products in this category.

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    StartupTalkyAnurag Gade

    Disadvantages

    The following are the disadvantages of the decoy effect in marketing:

    • Can Create Customer Aversion to Brand – The main element of the decoy marketing technique is speaking to the client’s subconscious. If you alter your prices drastically but offer the same product without any updates, the brand may face accusations of false values. Make sure to take advantage of the subtlety factor when employing this technique.
    • Requires a Lot of Strategies – The decoy effect requires solid strategizing. If you do not price a product properly, the technique can backfire, leading to a drop in sales or even unchanging attitudes. Moreover, the price has to be set just right to bring focus on the item that must be sold. Customers will otherwise choose the same costing products before the introduction of the decoy item.

    Conclusion

    The decoy effect is a successful manoeuvre in the world of marketing and consumer behaviourism. With its innumerable pros and useful tools available under its belt, the decoy technique is a profitable one. When used under the right circumstances in the right manner, the technique can help improve a brand’s saleability and help it prosper.

    However, subtlety and care are the big names of the game. To increase sales revenue, the brand must ensure that the product offers what it promises. This will ultimately ensure ease of selection as well as increased purchases from the consumer’s side.

    FAQs

    What is a decoy in marketing?

    A decoy refers to a third option that a brand offers in order to change consumers’ preferences regarding two basic options available. This phenomenon is known as the decoy effect or attraction effect in marketing.

    What is an example of decoy pricing?

    One of the most common examples of decoy pricing is the popcorn sizes available in movie halls. The small and the large sized ones are the basic competitor products, but the involvement of a medium size widely influences customers’ preferences. People prefer to buy the medium size thinking that it strikes a balance between the other two products.

    How do marketers use the decoy effect?

    Marketers use the decoy effect to make the consumers believe that their target product is better than its cheaper alternatives. They do it by making a product more appealing to the consumers’ subconscious minds.

  • 35+ Best Service Based Business Ideas to Start in 2022

    The work pattern differs for every individual to show out their best abilities. For the job doing people, they get habituated to the working pattern. On the contrary, few people still prefer to be their boss. Irrespective of the role. There are many different types of services available for one to accept as their own personalized business.

    Having our own business can be beneficial in terms of making profits. Whereas it can also be a tiring job for the one not looking to take the risk. Business services are not required to be started with a high budget. Instead, there are many simple and productive options one can start with a limited budget and can accomplish the dream of becoming their boss.

    There are ample service-based business options available in the market. They also fall under several categories. For a better understanding of these options, we have simplified the services under the category which they define. Let us get started with the service-based business ideas one can look to try in 2022.

    Personal Health and Wellness Services
    Personal Concierge Services
    Beauty Services
    Academic Based Services
    Animal Care Services
    Care Providing Services
    B2B Administrative Services
    Maintenance and Repairing Services
    Event-Based Business Services

    Personal Health and Wellness Services

    We all know the importance of personal health and wellness majorly after witnessing the horrific days of pandemics. This sector is increasing day by day due to more awareness and acknowledgment by the common people. Personal and health wellness include all spiritual, physical, and mental aspects of each individual covered.

    The above graph shows different health and wellness sectors with their total worth in billion. All these sectors has number of option for service business.
    The above graph shows different health and wellness sectors with their total worth in billion. All these sectors has number of option for service business.

    Personal Gym Instructor

    Personal Gym Instructor
    Personal Gym Instructor

    Maintaining the body requires more than just a chart of diet. Earlier, only the young generation was focused on their body physique. However, nowadays age is no more a restriction to indulging in fitness processes. Becoming a personal gym instructor can create a good opportunity to start a business of own and marketing self can get one with enough opportunities needed to take.

    Personal Yoga Instructor

    As per stretchtopia.com, the above graph shows the average salary of a yoga instructor in dollars.
    As per stretchtopia.com, the above graph shows the average salary of a yoga instructor in dollars.

    Yoga is an old-age method to stay fit that is still in demand. Becoming a yoga instructor will not only provide a way of earning but will also improve the personality of self. Becoming a personal yoga trainer does not only need to be present there in a physical form. One can also work towards consulting the people and providing them with yoga training by the means of online platforms.

    Personal Chef

    Personal Chef
    Personal Chef

    Becoming a chef is a great option to take the initiative in providing others with a balanced meal. Becoming a personal chef can not only require a minimum amount of investment but can also open the door to getting a lot of opportunities on the same path. One can always prefer to work for athletes or newly diet-conscious people to fulfill their needs and become the boss of their own.

    Nutrition Consultant

    Having the degree and knowledge of nutrients. It is not a bad idea to start a business of own that consults people about their daily nutritional value. One can also open up their online platform and help others by the digital medium. Other similar options in this field can be opening up a dietician consulting firm as they also provide many similar services.

    As per the report published on fitsmallbusiness.com, 9% of small business falls under the category of health, beauty and finance
    As per the report published on fitsmallbusiness.com, 9% of small business falls under the category of health, beauty, and finance

    Personal Concierge Services

    Concierge services have a lot of options within them. The best part of concierge services is that one can easily find them in day-to-day activities and can be a part of them without much deal. Let us look at a few personal concierge services that one can start as business services.

    A personal concierge service provider is someone who will work in place of others for the basic tasks like booking a table, organizing trades and services, performing tasks like dry cleaning, cooking, caretaker, etc. Let us look at a few of the personal concierge service businesses one can prefer to start.

    Grocery Shopper and Deliver

    One can start their grocery shopping and delivery services. These services do not require much investment at the start but they do require marketing of the services in the first place to let others know about them.

    Home Cleaning Services

    Home Cleaning Services

    Home cleaning is a major task that requires detailing work and ample time to work on it. For the job going people, they should assign particular agencies or person to look after such chores. Hence, working as a home cleaning service provider is not a bad option to start with.

    Delivery and Pickup Services

    Sometimes, all one need is the delivery and pick-up service that can help the individual to save time. It can be picking up clothes from the dry cleaning and delivering them back to the owner or it can also be picking up a few things from one place and delivering them to the assigned address. The major thing required for this business is good navigation skills in that area.

    Arranging Transportation Services

    Even now, not all areas are made available by popular ride-hailing companies. Few areas still depend on their local transportation system to get themselves some rides. One individual can also set up this business and start their own business providing transportation services by marketing themselves. Or this business can also be started with a team of people to provide transportation services in that area.

    Beauty Services

    The beauty sector has always been a promising one when it comes to the people seeking attraction towards it. Beauty itself is a large category that involves multiple services in it. A few of them have been described below.

    Makeup Artist

    Makeup artists are a very important part of special days such as weddings and parties. Many women and men are looking forward to being helped by professionals in making their day perfect.

    For becoming a makeup artist, one needs to have sufficient knowledge about the same and have a place to showcase their talent. Earlier the best option for makeup artists was to open up their rooms. However, now one can also earn by showcasing their talent online and gain the reputation they deserve.

    Personal Wardrobe Stylists

    People nowadays tend to keep themselves upright with fashion trends always. And the space left by them is fulfilled with influencers who work on the screen every day. For those people, it is very important to have their wardrobe always trending. One can easily take this task and earn a decent amount of salary for this work. This business is mostly preferred by fashion designers and fashion stylists.

    Hairstylist

    Kayley Melissa is a popular hair stylist who shares her videos on YouTube and also has her website to sell out her tips and products
    Kayley Melissa is a popular hair stylist who shares her videos on YouTube and also has her website to sell out her tips and products

    For many people, hair and makeup stylist stands for the same term. However, they both vary with differences in their area of specialization. One can prefer to start up their hair saloon at their desired location with a limited amount of investment.

    Or one can also prefer to work as an individual in-home hair stylist that does not need to invest in the place. The only issue with this task is the one taking up this job needs to be well aware of their work and should have some certificates to prove it to others too.

    Academic Based Services

    Academic services are mainly those services that are provided by academic-related people. There are many business options one can choose from to start as an academic-based service option.

    Tutoring

    Without any doubt, everyone knows the necessity of tutoring the child. Tutoring jobs are quite easy to get, but one can always try to work for self by opening up a tutoring center. Or they can also select the option of becoming a personal tutor. There are other options also available now like setting up a virtual classroom and teaching through them. All these require an almost negligible amount of investment in the business but provide a good profit in return.

    School Consultant

    There is tremendous growth in the schools coming up in each place. Situations like this made it possible for school members to have their consultant running into people and telling the highlights about their school. One can easily become a school consultant after having a brief talk with the schools they are planning to represent. Better communication skills are required to take up this role.

    Subject Specialist

    It is not a myth now that for children few subjects need to be stressed more than others. For those kids, subject specialists provide them with detailed knowledge of that particular subject in a different manner. This job is fun and interesting but requires a deep knowledge of how to teach kids with poor performance.

    Animal Care Services

    Animals form an integral part of human civilization. Some take them as their protectors or some take them as pets. There are many animal lovers out there who feel satisfied after spending their time with animals or taking care of them. For those people, this set of businesses is like a cherry on the top. There are various service-based businesses one can start by providing services related to animals.

    The above graph shows the different services of Pet Care Industry in percentage
    The above graph shows the different services of Pet Care Industry in percentage 

    Pet Grooming Shop

    A Pet grooming shop is the best business idea one can start with the intention of helping the animals and earning some amount simultaneously. The only thing required in this business is to have absolute knowledge of animal care and how to tackle them.

    Veterinary Services

    Animals also fall ill to the disease, hence they also require specialized veterinary shops. Having the degree of being a veterinary officer, one can consider starting this business in two different forms. They can either set up their shop or can provide home visits to the customers for basic needs.

    Pet Sitting or Walking

    Evening or morning walks are a must for pets. It allows them to feel fresh and get in touch with nature. However, many pet owners can be busy in a day to tire themselves with such small duties. For them, hiring any pet Walker is a better option to go with. Some require pet sitters to take care of the pets in their absence. This business is quite simple but needs the service provider to make themselves known in their locality.

    Care Providing Services

    Caring is counted amongst the best human nature qualities. There are few businesses where one can start to care for others. This business might not be that profitable but it also does not require any investment except the personal attitude of loving everyone.

    As per the longtermclinic.net, the above graph shows the types of care providing services with their demand in percentage
    As per the longtermclinic.net, the above graph shows the types of care providing services with their demand in percentage

    Elder Companion and Care Provider.

    It is noticed that many times elders lack the care and affection from their young generations. To overcome this, one can establish an elder companion and care-providing center. This can be done in both the ways of providing personal care or opening up elder homes. This business is easy to get started with but requires personal affection for the people involved as a client.

    Children’s Day Care Service.

    One can easily start up the business of providing a children’s daycare service in the form of a small nursery or cute place. Or one can also prefer to provide personal children care service in the name of a babysitter. The investment is almost negligible but caution is required as taking care of children requires experience in dealing with them.

    Private Nursing Service.

    Nursing services are adopted by many people to look after critically ill patients. Providing this service is a good option to begin a service-based business.

    B2B Administrative Services

    Administrative services can be provided as business services to clients in multiple ways. One of them is to accomplish their task by the means of the internet, or one can prefer to work in their own office while completing their work. One can also take the initiative to complete the client’s work from their office as a freelancer. This category includes several services that can avail maximum profit.

    Virtual Assistant

    A virtual assistant is someone who is not physically present at the location but completes the task provided by the client. Virtual assistants majorly work from their home office or any other remote location. It is very simple to get up in this business with the only requirement is to fulfill all the criteria clients look for in their assistant.

    Language Translator

    As per careeronestop, the average salary of translator can fall anywhere between 23600$ to 91800$ annually
    As per careeronestop, the average salary of translator can fall anywhere between 23600$ to 91800$ annually

    Translators are required at all the places that deal with the people of different communities. Becoming a language translator is an easy business. One can provide the translating services by the means of telepathic conversation or needs to be physically present at the place of action.

    Project Manager

    A project manager is responsible for keeping a check on other colleagues and their work processes. One can take up this work and provide their service by remote working or in-office work. The requirements for this job differ for each company. But one can still be the boss of one’s own and decide which client to work with and which project to skip out on.

    Financial Auditor

    Financial auditors are responsible for the financial statements of the company and its related people. One can prefer to work as a financial auditor and provide their service from their home office or they can also work from the office. The pay for a financial auditor is debatable at different institutions but this business requires deep knowledge of finance and how it works.

    Customer Support Services

    Nowadays many people prefer the installation of AI for this work. However, there are still other firms that stick to the old pattern of answering customer support services. One can easily enroll themselves in this business and then work from their own selected place.

    Data Analysis

    Analyzing the data in the proper format is one of the most basic and essential tasks. It does not require much effort and can be done from the office or home. Many companies hire freelancers to complete their work of data analysis and send it back to them by different software.

    As per the report published on fitsmallbusiness.com, 11% of small business falls under the category of business providing services.
    As per the report published on fitsmallbusiness.com, 11% of small business falls under the category of business providing services.

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    Maintenance and Repairing Services

    Maintenance and repair services are the ones that provide different forms of services to either maintain something or repair something. There are many services included in this section.

    Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Service Centers.

    Vehicles require time-to-time services and maintenance of their parts. Opening up a service center is one of the best ideas to start a business of your own. The vehicle maintenance and repair service center might require some amount as their budget and knowledge of different vehicles and their parts.

    Home Repairing Services

    Different types of home repairing services
    Different types of home repairing services

    One can also start their home repairing service centers and can provide people to visit the home and get their work done. Or an individual can also work as a service provider by marketing himself. Works like plumbing services, porcelain repairing, painting services, electrician, etc. are included.

    Appliances Repairing Service

    Appliances are made to ease up human life. However, they are also prone to failures or any other glitches. To solve them, many appliance repair shops are present. Each individual can start up their appliance repairing shop with a limited budget and a good knowledge of the working of an appliance.

    Mobile Repairing Shop

    Mobile repairing services are in demand. Most of the work is done by the use of mobile. Hence, services related to them are in high demand. Good knowledge of mobile hardware and its different models will provide a good point to start this business.

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    Event-Based Business Services

    Event management business services have a wide list of services included in them as it needs to cover all the aspects related to event management.

    Event Planner

    Be it a wedding, birthday party, or corporate party. Event planners plan the event with the best available resources and keep up the client’s budget in mind. This business requires a lot of commitment and skill to handle the work pressure. The event planning business might not become successful overnight and will require additional experience to add to its portfolio. But it is one of the majorly working businesses in today’s world.

    Photographer

    As per Fash.com, the average salary for a photographer can be anything between 94$ to 262$ depending upon the skill and work
    As per Fash.com, the average salary for a photographer can be anything between 94$ to 262$ depending upon the skill and work

    Photographers are a must to capture the memories of any event. Photography is a skill that is believed to be natural. Taking up the business of becoming a photographer is a good choice for those having its skill. It also requires less effort with good pay.

    Technician

    Be it lights or sound, both need to be perfect for the event. For this work, especially skilled people are trusted to work on them. One can prefer to take up this service business and become their boss.

    Catering Service Provider

    Food forms the base of all events. Be it snacks or lunch or dinner. Catering service providers are responsible for the food and food-related items to be made available during the event. One can prefer to start up their own catering service business and then take up contracts for different functions to make their business profitable.

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    Other Services-Based Business

    Apart from the one mentioned above, there are ample options available to select your service-based business idea. All you need to do is to have trust in yourself and sharpen your skills. Some of the other options available are described below.

    Graphic Designer

    The above graph shows the average hourly salary of a graphic designer based on their skill level
    The above graph shows the average hourly salary of a graphic designer based on their skill level 

    Having the skill of graphic designing can create an easy path to becoming a graphic designer. One can easily set up their own office and get contracts from different firms to design for them. Or one can also prefer to use online platforms to share their work with others and attract clients from there.

    Website Designer

    Things are now getting shifted to online platforms. For this purpose, many shops and different business owners require their websites. Becoming a website designer is much similar to becoming a graphic designer but with a change in the area of specialization and method of working. The business service system will remain the same.

    Ghost Writer

    Ghostwriters are those who wrote for other people without their names on the work. Becoming a ghostwriter can get good pay and ample opportunities for the one to work. When working as a content writer, the copywriter can also be included in the same option. The thing required for this business service is to have the skill of writing.

    SEO Strategist

    On average, the annual salary of an SEO strategist can fall anywhere between 44$ to 126$ as per the reliablesoft.net report
    On average, the annual salary of an SEO strategist can fall anywhere between 44$ to 126$ as per the reliablesoft.net report

    SEO strategists are the ones who work on getting the higher rank of websites and earning more organic traffic. Different online platforms require them to work on their website and make them rank high on search engines. Starting the business of an SEO strategist is quite easy and less demanding if one Knows how to do their work. It also requires an almost negligible amount of investment.

    Conclusion

    Business-based services have a long list of categories and subcategories in them. There are a large number of services available for the one to take up their career from it. Business-based services are good for those who prefer to work on their own accord and do not like a long-term commitment.

    It can earn them enough profit and can also get them to experience the workflow system. There are similar jobs also available in the same category of a service-based business. The above-shared article contains some of the business-based services one can try their hand on with a limited budget.

    FAQs

    What are the examples of service-based businesses?

    Examples of service-based businesses include athlete trainers, graphic designers, chefs, housekeeping, etc.

    Which business service is profitable?

    Some of the most profitable business services are account-based services such as payrolling, financial auditor, etc. Other profitable services are real estate agents and event planners.

    What is a service job example?

    Service jobs can be explained by the examples of salesperson, food server, chef, bartender, etc.

  • Risks and Rewards of Startup Investing

    Startups have taken over the business world since the turn of the millennium. The plethora of them that mushroomed across the world have been successful in finding solutions to the slightest of human inconveniences. The startup culture in fact has completely pressed a reset button over the traditional business environment that prevailed. This change has been reflected in the nuances of investments as well.

    Investing in startups is becoming a common affair just like how people used to invest in public markets. Although it is becoming usual, there is absolutely no doubt in the fact that it is a risky walk on the rope. For a startup investment to be successful, it has to pay off well for the investor. At this stage, where only a few startups make excellent profits, it is of utmost importance to be careful while making such investments so as to not lose one’s entire investment at one go.

    The truth is that hardly 10% of startups generally make it to their Initial Public Offering (IPO). Hence the risk associated with it is immensely high as either the investor will become wealthy with returns amounting up to a thousand times the investment or it can be a complete loss. This article will look at some of the risks and rewards of startup investing.

    Rewards of Startup Investing

    Risks of Startup Investing

    How to Invest in Startups in India?

    Rewards of Startup Investing

    In today’s time, when the startup industry is booming, investing in startups can turn out to be a lucrative opportunity. The following are some of the rewards of investing in startups:

    Value of Growth Capital Investment Deals India from 2016 to 2021
    Value of Growth Capital Investment Deals India from 2016 to 2021

    Dynamic Portfolio

    Investing in startups is an excellent way to diversify portfolios to include assets that are of high risk and have higher rewards. Trends of investors show that they invest in multiple startups personally or through a venture capitalist firm to practice diversification. For example, Jeff Bezos has made personal investments and is also actively investing through his venture capitalist firm, Bezos Expeditions in various startups.

    Patterns of investments of those who have earned profits through the process show that they invest in multiple startups rather than investing all the money in a single startup. By diversifying investment, the investor can make multiple profits from various asset classes. It also ensures that one does not sink all of the available capital for a single investment opportunity. Diversifying investments also increases the probability of getting better returns.

    Outsized Returns

    It is true that startup investments are highly risky. But it also means that if the startup ends up doing exceptionally well, it is also highly rewarding. When compared to any other form of investment, an early investment in an innovative startup is the most rewarding one with returns exceeding several times the investment. For example, Peter Thiel was an early private investor of Facebook who invested $500,000 into the firm. Eight years after its launch Facebook offered its IPO after its valuation climbed over $100 billion. Soon after the IPO, Peter Thiel made more than $1 billion.

    On another note, if a person had invested in Facebook on the first day of it in the public market, their share would have been quadrupled by now. In order to assess the probability of getting better returns through startup investing, it is highly important to keep yourself updated about the nuances of venture returns.

    Networking Opportunity

    Startup investment is a great way of building new connections with other investors, founders and stakeholders. It will help in understanding more about the details of investments keeping one along with the latest updates. An investor would probably want to invest in multiple asset classes as the very idea of investing goes by the tagline “Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket”. The networking opportunity provided by every startup investment is thus, a gateway for excellent networking opportunities which can later lead to further investment opportunities.

    Positive Impact on Employment

    Every startup investment that one makes is the beginning of a business which has the potential to change the lives of people. Hence investing in a successful startup indirectly has a positive effect on employment rates. Every small investment made in a startup also benefits the local population thus, reaping not just financial benefits for the investor but also economic benefits for society.

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    Risks of Startup Investing

    There is no doubt in the fact that startup investing is a great opportunity for earning profits. However, the investment may not always turn out to be successful. The following are some of the risks of investing in startups:

    Startup Failure Rate by Time in Business
    Startup Failure Rate by Time in Business

    Unforeseen Complications

    One of the biggest risks of startup investing is the unforeseen complications that might occur in the market. Every startup materialises into a full-fledged business if the ideas are innovative and everything is executed perfectly as planned. Yet, there are chances that things might not work the way it was predicted. The economy is tricky and unpredictable and can come up with hurdles of various intensities.

    In order to ensure that an investor does not run down the path of bankruptcy by investing in a startup, it is vital to make a prudential decision on how much fund should go into each investment. It is always a good idea to have a backup plan in case things do not work out in the planned way. Having a sound understanding of the startups will also help in understanding the reasons why the business crashed.

    Fraudulent Practices

    There is always a chance that people get cheated every time there is money involved. Startup investments are no different. Investing in startups that you don’t know much about can be a dangerous thing. Study deeply about the founders, their backgrounds and their plans. Investing is not a blind isolated act. Be aware of the details of the company that you are investing in, and watch their progress closely for any signs of malpractices or misconduct.

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    Uncertainty of ROI

    The risk factor associated with startup investing is exceptionally high considering the fact that 90% of startups fail within five years of their inception. It also means that the return on investments is also not guaranteed. The risk associated with ROI does not stop there. Sometimes risks are posed due to liquidity issues wherein it takes a longer time than expected to earn a profit. In some cases, it can also be that despite making a profit there won’t be much money left after deducting expenses incurred.

    Liquidity Issue

    Another major risk in startup investing is the issue of liquidity. When you are investing in a startup, it means your money is going to be bound for a very long time. Even if you start regretting your investment, you will not be able to sell it anytime soon.

    Conclusion

    The very idea of startup investing is a high-risk, high-reward phenomenon. Whether it is going to be rewarding or not is going to depend on a lot of factors including the novelty of business ideas, execution of the plan, customer satisfaction, target achievement, receiving of subsequent funds etc. The one thing that investors can do to be on the safer side is to do thorough research on where the money is being invested and be updated with regard to every minute progress of the firm. Another way to ensure the investor does not lose a lot is not to invest all of the capital in a single startup.

    The entire exercise of startup investment has a far-fledged impact on society rather than just the monetary ones. It can change the fate of a family and even society in itself. Hence, doing deep research and investing prudentially can go a long way.

    FAQs

    How do startup investors make money?

    Startup investors make money on the basis of the equity percentage they got in exchange for their investment in the startup.

    Can a normal person invest in startups?

    Yes, a normal person can invest in startups. One just needs to have the minimum amount of funds available for investing through a private equity fund, VC, or debt financing. Many Angel Investment platforms like IPV even allow people to invest in startups with a minimum investment of as less as 2.5 lakhs INR.

    What is the number one reason startups fail?

    One of the most prominent reason startups fails is because they run out of cash. Money is the most crucial aspect for any startup to keep growing so when a startup fails to raise new capital at the right time, it leads to its downfall.

  • Micro-Influencers Marketing | The Most Effective Channel of Marketing in 2022

    Promoting brands and products via social media platforms is the trend of town. A new concept known as micro-influencer marketing has gained popularity recently. It’s the same concept as influencer marketing, but on a smaller scale. There are different types of influencers for marketing but micro-influencers are the ones who stand out as a low-cost and high-ROI marketing solution.

    In micro-influencer marketing, you need to build a strategy that can help you meet your marketing goals. So, here’s all you need to know about micro-influencer marketing.

    You might have come across many people who promote products on their social media. If not, then you must have seen many YouTubers getting free products and promoting them with “Link is in the description box.” Ever thought Why do they do that? They would not gonna promote products for free.

    Brands partner with individuals with smaller followings on social media to promote their products with visual posts instead of running sponsored ads. Micro influencer marketing for startups can help to promote their services & products.

    Although you cannot reach those big influencers like Casey Niestate or PewDiePie, etc., you still have a chance with Micro-Influencers. Collaborating with them can benefit startups in many ways. Let’s see who are they and how can they help you to grow the business. Here are some of the best Instagram micro-influencer marketing platforms for startups.

    Who are Micro-Influencers?
    Benefits of Micro-Influencer Marketing
    Limitations of Micro-Influencer Marketing
    7 Tools to Find Right Micro-Influencers
    5 Things to Look For While Choosing Micro-Influencers

    Who are Micro-Influencers?

    People with more than 1000 but less than 10,000 followers are often known as micro-influencers. However, it all depends on the platform they have followers on. Micro-influencers are on every social media. People who have some influential power and use it to promote other brands to earn some bucks are known as micro-influencers.

    When you promote your product through these types of people, you do “Micro-Influencer marketing”. You can choose any platform to promote your product through micro-influencers. YouTube and Instagram platforms are at a peak in this matter, though.

    Micro-Influencers Choice of Social Media Platforms for Marketing in 2022
    Micro-Influencers Choice of Social Media Platforms for Marketing in 2022

    Benefits of Micro-Influencer Marketing

    There are many benefits of working with micro-influencers. Some are listed here:

    Affordable

    As these types of influencers don’t have many followers and much experience, they will ask for a very less paycheck than other influencers. If you are a startup, promoting your product through them is a good option, as it will be dual beneficial for both the startup and the rookie micro-influencer.

    High Engagement and Conversion Rate

    Some studies say that micro-influencers have much more engagement and conversion rates than big influencers. The micro-influencer conversion rate is inversely proportionate to the number of followers. However, it doesn’t mean that if Kim Kardashian promotes your product, you will get 0 orders.

    But it means that the percentage of people who will buy your product through Kim Kardashian will be less than that of micro-influencers. Both are equally important though.

    As per the report published on contevo.com, 82% of consumers are very likely to follow the micro-influencer's recommendation
    As per the report published on contevo.com, 82% of consumers are very likely to follow the micro-influencer’s recommendation

    Appears More Authentic

    The product promoted through micro-influencers marketing campaigns appears more authentic to the public. It is because it looks like the influencer is giving his/her honest review. Whereas, a bigger influencer may get into controversy.

    As per the report published on contevo.com, 84% of consumers trust peer recommendations rather than going ahead with brand advertisements
    As per the report published on contevo.com, 84% of consumers trust peer recommendations rather than going ahead with brand advertisements

    Niche Target

    You can target the specific type of audience who would be interested in buying your product. All you have to do is to find the perfect influencer.

    Although it only applies to the blogger influencers, however, most influencers have a blog these days. Your micro-influencer may provide a backlink to you. Even if they don’t, you can ask for one from them.

    Brand Awareness

    If you promote your product through more than one influencer, it will increase our brand awareness. However, you should always promote your product through multiple influencers at the same time. It will make their mutual followers see your product again and again and they might end up buying your product.

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    Limitations of Micro-Influencer Marketing

    Even though micro-influencers provide a great way to expose the products and brands in the market. There are a few limitations of promoting a business with micro-influencers that one should know before stepping into the action. Some of the major limitations are shared below.

    No Security

    There is no security that the influencer has genuine followers. There are many illegal options available that allow people to buy followers and even likes. Moreover, most micro-Influencers do not have a verified account. So, you cannot say who exactly is a genuine Influencer.

    Not easy to find

    It is often not easy to find the perfect Influencer for your product. You have to consider their niche, location, interest, etc. You cannot go to a tech blogger from Delhi and ask him to review your restaurant.

    Less Reach

    As they don’t have too many followers, they have less reach. It results in less brand recognition of your product unless you ask too many Influencers to promote your product.

    More Efforts

    As you will hire so many Influencers, you will have to put in more effort. And with more effort comes more time wastage.

    7 Tools to Find Right Micro-Influencers

    Tools to find micro-influencers
    Tools to find micro-influencers

    Here is a list of some online tools which can help you find perfect micro Influencers for startups to market your business.

    BuzzStream

    BuzzStream Website Homepage
    BuzzStream Website Homepage

    BuzzStream is the best micro-influencer platform. It helps identify sites from which to request links and makes this links-building process efficient and human. BussStream is made as a link-building tool which is the base of any work. BuzzStream is one of the easiest-to-use tools for tracking outreach.

    NinjaOutreach

    NinjaOutreach Website Homepage
    NinjaOutreach Website Homepage

    NinjaOutreach is an influencer marketing and lead generation software that enables you to find emails and automate their business outreach. NinjaOutreach tools are made up of the best tools to use in marketing outreach to save time. Tools like template builder, search tool, workflow builder, etc. are proving to be an excellent help in the work process.

    BuzzSumo

    BuzzSumo Website Homepage
    BuzzSumo Website Homepage

    BuzzSumo is a research and monitoring tool. It can help you to keep a tab on trends and market accordingly. BuzzSumo platform also allows the easy monitorisation of the competitor’s activities and working patterns. Using this tool, one can easily learn about the trends in the market and the strategies applied by their competitors.

    Brand24

    Brand24 Website Homepage
    Brand24 Website Homepage

    Brand24 is a social CRM and internet monitoring platform. It monitors platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Brand24 is an online reputation management tool that makes social media monitoring much easier with its advanced tool kits. It allows the customers to know the social media hype around them by collecting data from multiple sources.

    Influence.co

    Influence.co Website Homepage
    Influence.co Website Homepage

    Influence.co is a website that allows Influencers and companies to find each other. It is more like a marketplace for influencers. It allows the influencers to have a professional place to register and the brands to get in touch with the best influencer as per their demand in easy steps.

    Zoho

    Zoho Website Homepage
    Zoho Website Homepage

    Zoho focuses on web-based business tools and information technology. So, you can use their tools to manage social media and marketing campaigns. Zoho is a CRM-based software that manages the task in automation mode and allows the business owners to have more efficiency in their work pattern with less time involved.

    Klear

    Klear Website Homepage
    Klear Website Homepage

    Klear is a social media analytics and intelligence platform that provides social data services for brands, agencies, and enterprises. It was earlier made as the analytics provider for the Twitter platform. However, now it owns the database of almost 200 social media profiles which is then again categorized into many different categories.

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    5 Things to Look For While Choosing Micro-Influencers

    Although, you must be clear about the advantages and limitations of this, here is a recap. While finding a micro-influencer, you have to remember the following points:

    1. Comments on the post (read and observe them carefully).

    It is very essential to have a complete idea about their work. But it is also very important to have an idea of how they are judged by the real audiences. The best idea for this can be taken from the comment section, where people share their opinions without much filter.

    2. Engagement with their followers.

    Micro-influencers are acknowledged because of their followers only. It is very critical to note how a specific influencer manages their relationship with their followers. Maintaining a good relationship and being in constant touch with them through different strategies pave the way to a higher number of followers.

    3. The frequency of their posts.

    It is not a compulsion to have the highest number of posts in a day to be called a good strategy. Instead, having a constant number of posts daily is a better strategy than having inconsistency in the daily post with no schedule.

    4. The relevance of their niche and your product.

    Just selecting a micro-influencer by their profile is not an ideal method to go for. Brands should consider the niche of the influencers and the product that needs to be marketed. If both fall in the same direction, then further things can be discussed.

    5. The platform they will post on (Preferably, Consider Instagram, or YouTube).

    Platform used for marketing also plays a crucial role in the development of the brand. Few platforms are universal, like Instagram, YouTube, etc. They are a universal platform as they have their engagement coming from people of all age groups and people of many languages. Few platforms are limited to the region or age group, which does not prove as a better option to market them.

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    Conclusion

    Although Micro-Influencers do not have much of an audience, they have the potential to give a pump to your new startup. Moreover, there is nothing wrong with giving a chance to some new influencers. However, keep a track of what will they do and how will they promote your product. If they did it wrong, you might have to pay for it. If you are still confused as to where to find them, you can go to Instagram directly and find the relevant hashtags. Or just go to some freelancing website and search for them.

    FAQs

    Why Micro-influencers are better?

    Their audience is more targeted and dedicated to the influencer’s identity, which makes them more attractive to potential sponsors than the big names in the niche. Micro-influencers are more affordable than experts or celebs with millions of followers.

    What are micro-influencers in marketing?

    A micro-influencer in marketing stands for those people who have selected a niche to promote to their followers. Typically any account having more followers than the normal account but limited to famous personalities marketing about a selected niche are considered micro-influencers in marketing.

    Who is a micro-influencer?

    Micro-influencers are those influencers that generally have larger followings as compared to any general account but their popularity is limited when compared to celebrities.

    Why do brands use micro-influencers?

    Micro-influencers can promote a product or the brand itself. They can easily compel the people in favor of the product which can lead to the increasing popularity of the brand and its product. Hence, micro-influencers are used by brands to promote and socialize themselves.

  • Best Cloud Based Computing Business Ideas to Look For

    Cloud computing is a way of accessing compute and storage systems without actually owning and doing active management of the resources. Cloud computing services include a wide range of categories right from storage and networking up to the use of AI. Cloud computing is emerging as the new basics for developing new applications.

    There are three main types of cloud computing:

    • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – It hosts the infrastructure on the public cloud and private cloud instead of in a traditional on-premises data center.
    • Software as a Service(SaaS) – It is a way of delivering applications over the internet as a service. Instead of installing and maintaining software you simply access it via the internet.
    • Platform as a Service(PaaS) – It is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.

    Cloud computing is still an emerging industry. Due to heavy demand, there are various cloud service providers like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, IBM Cloud, Oracle, SAP, VM Ware, etc. which are competing with each other in the market.

    Create Cloud-Based Presentation Software
    Start a Cloud-Based Application Development Service
    Start a Cloud-Based Telecommunications Service
    Start a Cloud Monitoring Service
    Create a Cloud Printing Technology
    Start a Cloud Real Estate Business
    Start a Cloud Security Firm
    Set up a Cloud Marketing Business
    Start a Cloud Software Engineering Service
    Start a Cloud Automation Engineering Service
    Become a Cloud File Hosting Service Provider
    Future of Cloud Computing

    Create Cloud-Based Presentation Software

    Visme- An example of cloud-based online presentation software
    Visme- An example of cloud-based online presentation software

    Online presentation software is a cloud-based platform where you can log in and create a presentation in the cloud. Presentation software is a desktop or cloud-based application that allows the user to present information to an audience using a sequence of multimedia formats such as images, video, audio, and text.

    Online presentation software has unlimited file sizes, easy sharing, and advanced analytics. Some of the best presentation software tools for creativity are Visme, Slidebean, Vyond, Haiku Deck, Prezi, Google Slides, Apple Keynote, Slides, ZohoShow, Custom Show, etc.

    Features Of Cloud Computing
    Features Of Cloud Computing

    Start a Cloud-Based Application Development Service

    A cloud application or cloud app stands for the application or program which involves the internet as the center of the application for a few uses. In simple words, Cloud computing-based applications are that application who runs on the internet or are dependent on the internet for storage purpose while user interference is done by the use of API.

    Cloud-based applications are increasing day by day to numerous advantages offered to them such as no need for any external storage device, quite cheaper than other products, and many other advantages.

    However, cloud-based application developers can easily create a cloud-based application by the use of a data and processing unit. But they should keep a few things in check while working on the application development such as speed and security of the network, proper architecture of the platform, etc.

    Cloud App market size in us billion dollar for years 2015-2022
    Cloud App market size in us billion dollar for years 2015-2022 

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    Start a Cloud-Based Telecommunications Service

    Most telecom providers are heavily dependent on large computing infrastructure. Using the cloud can reduce internal computing resource needs and release excess use by paying customers.

    Cloud communications providers deliver voice and data. Cloud communications stand for the meaning of the communication taken place by the means of the cloud or internet. Telecommunication takes place with the use of the internet but has the involvement of any third-party-made applications. The best example of cloud-based telecommunication services is a call center.

    Cloud communications providers do these things:

    • Deliver voice and data communications applications and services
    • Hosting them on servers that the providers own and maintain
    • Giving their customers access to the ‘cloud’

    Start a Cloud Monitoring Service

    Amazon CloudWatch- An example of cloud-based monitoring service
    Amazon CloudWatch- An example of cloud-based monitoring service

    Cloud monitoring stands for the reviewing process that controls the operational workflow to evaluate and monitor the activities happening within a cloud infrastructure. This process is mainly used to prevent the presence of any security gap in the cloud infrastructure and to avoid any security attack in advance.

    Types of cloud services to monitor:

    There are multiple types of cloud services to monitor. Cloud monitoring is not just about monitoring servers hosted on AWS or Azure.

    • SaaS – Services like Office 365, Salesforce, and others.
    • PaaS – Developer-friendly services like SQL databases, caching, storage, and more.
    • IaaS – Servers hosted by cloud providers like Azure, AWS, Digital Ocean, and others.
    • FaaS – New serverless applications like AWS Lambda and Azure Functions.
    • Application Hosting – Services like Azure App Services, Heroku, etc.

    How Cloud Monitoring Works

    The cloud has several moving elements, and it’s crucial to make sure that everything works in perfect sync to optimize performance. Cloud monitoring primarily includes the following:

    • VM Monitoring: Monitoring the virtual machines (instances) created on the cloud.
    • Web Pages Monitoring: Monitoring the traffic, processes, resource utilization, and availability of cloud-hosted websites.
    • Database Monitoring: Monitoring different components of cloud database resources such as processes, queries, availability, and consumption.
    • Storage Monitoring: Monitoring storage resources on the cloud and tracking resource utilization.
    • Virtual Network Monitoring: Tracking virtual network resources, connections, devices, and performance.
    • Application Monitoring: Proactively monitoring the availability & performance of critical applications deployed on the cloud whether it is on AWS or Microsoft Azure.

    Create a Cloud Printing Technology

    As the popularity of cloud services is expanding now the cloud is used in printing. Cloud printing can be described as the use of cloud computing technology to print a document. It can be understood as a network of few devices all connected by the cloud. This collection of devices can also be directly or indirectly connected with the printing stations making them all interconnected.

    The prime advantage of using cloud printing technology is that it eliminates the need of having a separate printer. Other advantages of having a cloud-based printing technology include low cost, positive for the environment, use of advanced technologies, etc.

    Cloud printing technology can be created by the use of on-the-shelf applications and a server or one can also get their application made for the same purpose. Cloud printing technology is in great demand nowadays because of more working hours and less time to use on these simple tasks.

    Start a Cloud Real Estate Business

    HubSpot CRM- An example of cloud-based real estate service provider
    HubSpot CRM- An example of cloud-based real estate service provider

    80% of the top real estate performers are using some form of cloud. The real estate industry, like many other sectors, is making its way into the cloud. This transformation impacts how both residential and commercial properties are listed, searched, photographed, discovered by potential owners, and sold.

    Benefits of cloud real estate business include less operational cost, faster work, increased data security, and consistency in the workflow, and all of these factors lead to the better business output. Real estate business can easily be shifted to the cloud if we consider the fact that the majority of the work dealing with real estate business is done by mobile and out of the office space.

    Real estate business on the cloud can easily be developed by the use of some applications which fall true to the requirements and all can be managed effortlessly. One example of a real estate business based on cloud computing is Hubspot CRM.

    Start a Cloud Security Firm

    HyTrust- An example of cloud-based security firm
    HyTrust- An example of cloud-based security firm

    Cloud Security or Cloud Computing Security means nothing but protecting the cloud data or information from hacking, deletion, any online theft, leakage, etc. Cloud Security is offered through a group of applications, firewalls, policies, VPN controls, technologies, little software-based tools, etc. Cloud Security is a part of the network or computer security.

    Cloud security means the company is responsible for the protection of the data and processes involving the cloud network. They prevent the information from being stolen or leakage. Cloud security can be offered in the name of software or tools like firewalls, policies, VPNs, etc.

    Cloud security is a part of computer security. There different organizations helping in the reduction of the risk and improving security are cloud access security brokers (CASB), software-defined computes (SDC) security, cloud workload protection platforms, and SaaS security.

    The cloud security firm is responsible to introduce tools that help out in the security of the cloud network or the multinational networks. The best example of a cloud-based security business firm is HyTrust.

    Set up a Cloud Marketing Business

    Marketing is the base for every business to perform better. Different types of marketing are available in the market. One of them is cloud-based marketing.

    Cloud-based marketing is nothing complicated, instead, it stands for the marketing of a product by the means of digitalization tools and services on the internet. Cloud marketing is evolving due to more online-based customers target.

    Uses of cloud computing in marketing are Cloud ERP, marketing automation, Inbound marketing, lead tracking, and sales cycle management. One can easily set up their cloud marketing business by understanding new tactics used in digital marketing.

    Start a Cloud Software Engineering Service

    Cloud software is the solution that comes to mind for organizations to fulfill their interest driven by the desire to significantly improve their businesses and have the ability to understand IT for an affordable cost. Service-oriented software engineering helps in the identification of the best features involved in both the services as well as cloud computing paradigms.

    It offers multiple advantages in the favor of software development and application development. The benefits of cloud computing for software development are scalability, cost-efficiency, redundancy, quick resources, wide geographic reach, easy deployment, etc. One can easily get into the field of cloud software engineering services with the knowledge and proper plan.

    Start a Cloud Automation Engineering Service

    A cloud automation engineer is a challenging role for any IT professional because of the varied requirements. They are the one who creates and maintains the cloud software that allows the easy functioning of the cloud.

    Even though it is a great business idea to step up as a cloud automation engineer, one needs to be knowledgeable enough to accomplish this task. Cloud automation engineering services need to be seamless while using them. And to ensure this, a cloud automation engineer is given up the task of many complex things.

    They are responsible for the whole coding and scripting of the software while giving out their updates on time and performing maintenance checks as per the schedules. They also work to get the service automated to avoid any downtime in their work pattern.

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    Become a Cloud File Hosting Service Provider

    Google Drive- An example of cloud-based file hosting service provider
    Google Drive- An example of cloud-based file hosting service provider

    Cloud Service providers are vendors that provide Information Technology (IT) as a service over the Internet. Cloud computing companies’ services range from full application development platforms to servers, storage, and virtual desktops.

    With the introduction of cloud hosting, the hosting industry has seen a significant change in providing solutions. Now they provide services with much reliability and resilience for the customers. Cloud storage means storing data in a remote location that is accessible from any device.

    Having the business of a cloud file hosting service provider is tricky yet demanding in the market. If started with a proper plan and tools, it can prove to be a life-changing decision.

    Future of Cloud Computing

    Future of Cloud Computing
    Future of Cloud Computing 

    Cloud computing might seem like something unusual or tricky concept. However, in the upcoming future, it will form the base of almost every business. Cloud computing provides the solutions for business owners that they are exactly looking forward to embracing.

    Hence, undoubtedly cloud computing will emerge as a new norm in the IT industry and it will continue to grow with many new modifications taking place in it. Some of the advantages of cloud computing for business are Increase Storage Capacity, Enhanced Performance of the Internet, Modular Software Will Be a Priority, Data Shows How Future Changes, Security, Economic savings, etc.

    Conclusion

    Cloud computing means accessing a network to store, manage, and process the data without actually owning the network or any hardware storage system. Cloud computing businesses are one of the prime emerging fields in present fields.

    There are a number of ways one can start cloud computing businesses. Cloud computing business can also fall into the wide categories of printing, security, marketing, real estate, etc. Some of the best cloud computing business ideas have been shared in the above context.

    FAQs

    What business can I start with cloud computing?

    Cloud computing can help the person to create their own business falling in the category of Healthcare, Remote working, education, fitness, etc. Some of the most famous examples of cloud computing are Dropbox, Gmail, Amazon web series, etc.

    Is cloud computing a good business?

    The cloud computing business depends upon the cloud server and saves the owner the work of setting up a physical store. The biggest advantage of having a cloud computing business is to have a chance of reselling the cloud server if something goes wrong in business and cloud computing businesses are the new emerging type of business nowadays. All this proves that cloud computing is a good business.

    What is a cloud computing business?

    Cloud computing business refers to the service that uses the internet as its central part. The business made up with the help of cloud computing technology to provide services is counted as a cloud computing business.

    How do I start a cloud computing business?

    Cloud computing business can easily be started out but with a few steps to follow such as selecting the cloud as per the need, registering for the cloud, searching for a similar company, creating your marketing plan, purchasing required things, having a physical office space fixed, improvise the plan with time and the cloud computing business is ready to face the market.

  • Importance of Advisory Boards | How to Build a Successful Advisory Board for Startups?

    The role of advisory boards is crucial for any company. For startups, it is of much greater significance since you might want to get the best advice in leading your business towards success. It consists of a team of individuals who carry relevant industry experience and knowledge in helping companies in making the right decision.

    This group of individuals offers advice and guidance to the managers or directly to the owner so they are aware of the risks and rewards before signing up for a business venture. It can be challenging for young entrepreneurs to look after all the aspects of the business and come up with the best idea.

    A qualified and experienced advisory team will share their knowledge and innovative ideas and provide valuable feedback and a new perspective on the matters of the business.

    Importance of Advisory Boards for Startups

    How to Build a Successful Advisory Board for Startups?

    How did Pebble Watch Founder Eric Migicovsky compensate his startup advisors with equity?

    Importance of Advisory Boards for Startups

    Advisory boards are essential for startups not only to provide guidance but also to help a company in defining its ultimate goals and objectives. They have years of industry experience in providing the necessary strategies to achieve their goals. They have enough knowledge to provide you with the best input related to crucial business decisions.

    The role of advisory boards is to look upon the matters of the business and ensure that everything is on the right track. These individuals will assist you in entering the market with your new products and services and gradually work towards building a brand name for your company. They provide the startups with critical input and insights that help them shape their product, enhance their model and build a stronger company.

    Furthermore, an advisory board is essential for every startup, but it’s your responsibility to ensure that this board is diverse and composed of professionals who hold relevant industry experience. It’s not important to make a group of the best accountant, attorneys, or marketing experts, but any individual who has enough experience, has a deep interest in your company and can provide insightful advice is a good match for your team.

    Here are some factors that will help you to understand the importance of advisory boards and how they can help startups to grow and succeed:

    Size of the Global Consulting Market from 2015 to 2020
    Size of the Global Consulting Market from 2015 to 2020

    Brings Industry Experience and Knowledge

    An advisory board consist of a group of professional individuals who have been working in the industry for years, gathering experience and knowledge that can help a startup to grow and make its way in the market. These individuals are experts in their field, and when you bring them together, you will be able to make much better decisions and achieve set targets much easier.

    In other words, the board is composed of industry experts who bring a wealth of experience that can be leveraged to inform the venture’s direction in establishing unique business goals and serving the local community more effectively.

    Provides Insight Into Complex Business Affairs

    Running a business is not easy. It is essential to make the right judgement at the right time considering all the factors beforehand. For an entrepreneur, it’s not possible to carry experience and knowledge in all fields. This is where advisory boards can be helpful for startups, as they can provide insights into all kinds of complex business affairs and assist them with strategic planning.

    These groups of individuals who have expertise in different fields can help fill the voids found within a startup by providing insight into areas that are commonly misunderstood by less experienced entrepreneurs. They can assist in crucial decision-making of the business like financial planning, handling legal affairs, providing innovative ideas, strategies for marketing, etc.

    Help in Establishing a Business Model

    An advisory board also plays an important role in setting up the business model of a company. Many entrepreneurs often face this difficulty in their business. Establishing an appropriate business model is necessary as it determines the functioning of a company. Also, sales and revenue generation in a company are based on the business model.

    A qualified team of advisors can assist you with establishing a successful business model which will allow the company to generate more revenue and motivate the organization to work together as a team. A suitable business model will also ensure that your products and services reach out to your target audience. Overall, it will increase the efficiency of your startup.

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    Helps in Establishing Brand Name in the Market

    A startup has to face a lot of challenges but creating a brand name in the market is amongst the most challenging jobs that must be done as early as possible. This will increase sales of your product and services and will ensure that you are reaching out to your target audience.

    A major role is played by the advisory board by providing valuable feedback and suggestions to make things work out in favour of your company. This also increases your credibility and attracts new customers and clients to buy your products and services.

    In addition to that, you can easily get help from investors who can provide you with funds to grow and develop your startup. The advisory board acts as a significant link between the entrepreneur and their customers, investors or clients.

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    How to Build a Successful Advisory Board for Startups?

    Building a strong Advisory board is not just a matter of asking the right people. You need professionally qualified individuals who can fill the void in your existing team. However, entrepreneurs need to understand the long-term benefits the company can achieve with their guidance and valuable insights.

    Working with an advisory board can be pretty expensive. After all, you are working with individuals with years of industry experience and knowledge. But an entrepreneur also needs to realize the overall impact of an advisory board on their startup. If your business is unable to perform well, then building a successful advisory team is the best idea to save your startup from drowning.

    Building an advisory board can be complicated. There are plenty of factors to consider while approaching a potential advisor. However, it is important to consider the return on investment and risk and rewards before approaching any advisor for their valuable source of network and knowledge. Here is a quick guide that will assist you in building an appropriate advisory board:

    Know Your Startup’s Needs

    Understanding your startup’s needs in order to build a successful advisory team is essential. It is the first step toward building an advisory board that fits with your organization’s culture, values and mission. You might be thinking of including members from different backgrounds such as education, financial expertise or industry experience.

    So for that, you must be aware of your needs and end goals that will allow them to provide assistance where you want to add value to your business operations and valuable insights on crucial business matters. The decision to appoint a team of experts who can potentially bring growth and success solely depends on the entrepreneur.

    Outline the Job Description

    What to Include in a Job Description?
    What to Include in a Job Description?

    It is important to outline a job description before looking for members of an advisory board. This will help you look for individuals who are well suited for your startup and can guide you in carrying out business activities and assisting with strategic decisions and planning over the course of time.

    Depending on the needs of your business, you must outline the job description that states the educational and skills requirements, the startup’s objectives and the roles and responsibilities so that interested applicants are aware of the tasks and expectations of your company. Ensure that each profile needs to be distinct and meets a demanding standard of qualifications.

    If you are looking for an advisor who can aid you with the financial affairs of the business, then ensure that it is properly indicated in the job description.

    Begin the Recruitment Process

    Once you have outlined the job description, the next thing to set up an advisory board for your startup is to start recruiting potential applicants. A quick interview round will help you to understand if they are the right fit based on your job description or not. If you are looking for financial advisors, then keep your interview session about their expertise and knowledge in that specific field.

    After a few interview sessions with all the applicants, you will be able to pick a suitable candidate who can be the right fit for your startup. Conducting the recruitment process along with other managerial heads will help you to recruit a better candidate for the role of advisor. Also, ensure that they have experience in dealing with the challenges faced by startups and can provide valuable assistance in dealing with them.

    Make a Contract for Finalization

    After the recruitment process is complete and if the selected candidates are willing to work with your company then it’s time to sign the contract with mutual agreement and fulfil the legal obligations, so they can join an advisory board in your company.

    Ensure that all the required paperwork is complete and they are well aware of the contents of the contract. The contract must define payment terms, a list of set expectations and time commitment requirements. You can also add other important clauses in the agreement depending on the type and needs of your startup.

    Assign the Required Objectives and Key Performance Indicators

    The final step in building an advisory board is to discuss the objectives and end goals of your business and assign key performance indicators so that they can work accordingly.

    Setting performance indicators will allow the company to reach the set milestone and will make sure their performance is as per expectations and they can bring value to the business. Ensure they are working towards the growth and development of the business by providing valuable feedback on complex business matters.‌‌

    Conclusion

    Advisory Board can be a great resource for startups. It enables you to improve the quality and speed of innovation, receive valuable feedback from key industry professionals, and produce ideas that can be implemented with minimal risk.

    Its aim is to provide strategic insight that includes providing advice on marketing strategies, hiring for key positions, or helping the company determine its financial direction. It’s important for entrepreneurs who are looking forward to starting or growing their business to know the importance of a successful advisory board and how to build one.

    FAQs

    What is a business advisory board?

    A business advisory board refers to a group of professionals who are experts in their required fields and offer strategic advice to help businesses make executive decisions and also help them grow to their highest potential.

    What is the role of the Advisory Board in a startup?

    An advisory board plays a very important role in a startup as it provides strategic insights, ideas and guidance as per the startup’s requirements and market trends.

    How do you compensate advisors?

    Advisors in a startup are usually compensated with salary, equity or both. In the case of equity shares, advisors may receive 0.25% to 1% shares. However, this can vary depending upon the capacity of a startup and the nature of advice.

  • A Comprehensive Guide to Paper Bags and How to Start a Paper Bag Making Business!

    With the rising toxicity and pollution levels in the environment, eco-friendly products have become the need of the hour. Governments and various companies across the world are finally discouraging the use of plastics, which causes disastrous environmental issues. This has paved way for the paper bag-making businesses. Paper bags are in great demand nowadays for their recyclable and sustainable features in nearly every commences activity.

    Reusable and Eco-friendly paper bag

    The Emergence and Evolution of Paper Bags!
    Advantages of Using Paper Bags
    Common Uses of the Paper Bags
    Types of Paper Bags
    The Paper Bag Industry, its Market Potential, and Opportunities
    10 Easy Steps to Start Paper Bags Making Business
    Some Steps to be Kept in Mind to Make Paper Bags
    Branding and Promotion of the Product
    Profits Expected from Paper Bag Making Business

    The Emergence and Evolution of Paper Bags!

    Paper bags, as the name implies, are bags made out of paper. These papers are usually created with the chemical pulp that is manufactured with the help of the kraft pulping process.

    Paper bags are not a new thing that we witness today. The paper bag-making industry is pretty old in India and is still found in a majority of Indian shops, mainly in tier 2, and tier 3 cities, and beyond. However, most of these are envelope-styled bags, which lack handles. The flat-bottomed bags with handles are pretty new to the Indian market though, which is generally known for its eco-friendly bags made out of jute.

    Francis Wolle first invented the machine to mass-produce paper bags back in 1852. His brother and Wolle patented the machine and established the Union Paper Bag Company. It was James Baldwin, who first received a patent for the apparatus for making square-bottomed paper bags in 1853. He was a papermaker of Birmingham and Kings Norton in England. Baldwin then began to use the image of a flat-bottomed bag as his business logo.

    The concept of flat-bottomed paper bags got a boost in 1871 when inventor Margaret E. Knight ideated a machine that would be able to create flat-bottomed paper bags. These bags were detected fit to carry more than the previous envelope-style design. Eventually, Charles Stilwell patented a machine that is capable of creating square-bottom paper bags that had pleated sides in 1883. These bags emerged as a better alternative that is easier to fold and store. The Stilwell bags also came to be known as S.O.S or Self-Opening Sack.

    The latest modification of the paper bags that come with handles was actually implemented by Walter Deubener in 1912. A grocer from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Deubener used cords with paper bags to reinforce them and also added carrying handles. Named after Walter Deubener, the “Deubener Shopping Bags” were able to carry nearly 75 pounds then, which was why it soon rose in popularity. It recorded a sale of 1+ mn bags a year by 1915.

    After this, paper bags with handles became the standard for department stores and others, especially for their ease of use and durability. However, paper bags were trumped by plastic bags, which were introduced in the 1970s. These bags were lightweight and affordable, which propelled them to be the regular choice of both shoppers and merchants. However, plastic bags were eventually found to be really harmful to the environment, which is the reason for the growing demand for paper bags and other eco-friendly options.

    Advantages of Using Paper Bags

    Paper bags are largely embraced today by shoppers and shopkeepers because of the list of advantages they bring to us. Here’s to list of some of them:

    • They are biodegradable and recyclable
    • They don’t cause harm to the environment
    • Paper bags pose less risk of suffocation
    • These bags don’t harm the marine life
    • The paper bags are easy to dispose of
    • They are sustainable options
    • They save energy
    • The making of paper bags is easy and efficient
    • They are cost effective
    • Paper bags are efficient marketing tools
    • They can also serve as excellent gifts for corporates and others

    Common Uses of the Paper Bags

    Following are some of the major areas where paper bags are used:

    • Gift packaging
    • Food packaging
    • Shopping
    • Paper cover making at home
    • Medical use
    • Jewellery packaging
    • General purposes
    • Advertising

    Types of Paper Bags

    Paper bags can be classified into numerous categories. However, when looking at these bags, there are 2 prominent varieties of them that one can usually find:

    • White paper bags – The white paper bags or the white kraft paper bags are chemically treated variants of paper bags. These bags are bleached and treated with other chemicals, which help whiten them and purify the natural kraft pulp.
    • Brown paper bags – The brown paper bags or the brown kraft paper bags are made of unbleached kraft pulp.
    Market Share of Paper Bags in India - White vs Brown Kraft Paper Bags
    Market Share of Paper Bags in India – White vs Brown Kraft Paper Bags 

    The Paper Bag Industry, its Market Potential, and Opportunities

    The global market for paper bags is estimated to grow at a steady CAGR of 4.1% between 2022-2030 and is to reach $7.3 bn during this period. The global market size of paper bags was $5.2 bn in 2022. The collective paper bag manufacturers’ market share or value share of the top 5 companies in 2022E is estimated at 11%.

    Global growth of paper bag market.

    The Indian paper bag industry last stood at $5.95 bn when reported in 2018. the country today, exports paper products worth Rs 400 crore per annum.  

    Paper has no real competing product. Plastic bags, once regarded as a substitute for paper bags have lost their market over time. Moreover, the establishment of consumer stores and shopping malls has further increased the demand for paper bags. Hence, the paper bag-making business is a booming opportunity for new and aspiring entrepreneurs.

    10 Easy Steps to Start Paper Bags Making Business

    Paper bag making is rising in demand and more and more companies and entrepreneurs are joining in to make the best of the paper bag-making business. Now, if you are also looking forward to building a paper bag-making business, then here are some easy and effective steps that you can keep in handy:

    Perform a thorough market research

    Thorough market research is essential regardless of whatever the business is that you want to build. Proper market research would help you:

    • Know more about the industry
    • Build your strategies
    • Market your products effectively
    • Analyze your competitors
    • Perform a SWOT analysis
    • Thrive in the long run  

    Build a robust business and revenue model

    Business models are of various kinds, one type of business model may not suit all of the industries and products/services around which the businesses revolve. So, spend time generously building a business model that is cost-effective and efficient for the customers, which would thrive in the future. It is also equally important to chalk out all the ways through which you would be able to earn, embracing the business model that you have zeroed in.  

    Estimate the Paper Bag Making Business Costs

    As paper bag making is generally a small-scale business, it will require minimal investment. The main areas of investment will be the cost of machinery, labor, and land.  Maintenance, transportation, and marketing will contribute to variable investments.

    The price of one fully automatic paper bag-making machine is around 5 – 8 Lakhs INR. The price is dependent on the production capacity of the machine. One fully automatic machine can produce 15000 pieces/hour. Researching and proper planning as to where to spend and the choice of suppliers will also reduce your cost to a significant extent.

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    Register your Company

    You will need to register your business and obtain a trade license from a local municipal authority.

    • Here, you can proceed either with a sole proprietor or an LLP registration of Company registration.
    • Then you will have to get your UDYOG AADHAR MSME registration or SSI registration completed. It is for businesses running under the name of small-scale industries.
    • After that, you need to make your company GST-compliant, by opting for GST registration.
    • Lastly, you need to procure the BIS certification for your company, which is offered by the Bureau of Indian Standards

    Registering your paper bag-making business is a significant part of making your business legally compliant, which contains other factors too. These legal factors need to be checked first by seeking the help of local government representatives. Looking for and proceeding with efficient business insurance would further make your paper bag manufacturing business future-proof.

    After all these things are taken care of, you can start your business professionally, but the naming of the business plays an important part, then.

    Name your Business wisely

    The naming of your business will play a huge role in the future growth and success of your business. Hence, you need to name your paper manufacturing business wisely. To choose a perfect name for your paper-making business, you need to ensure:

    • The name is unique
    • It is simple
    • It is easily pronounced and written
    • The name should be marketable
    • It should be memorable
    • The name should be relevant to the industry

    Select a Proper Location for your Paper Bag Manufacturing Unit

    Choosing an appropriate location according to your business size is very important. Moreover, the rented land cost must not outweigh your profits. To make transportation costs minimum, try to fix the location near the market and reduce the distribution channel. A semi-urban area is the best choice to establish paper bag-making businesses. It reduces costs in taxes, rents, manpower, and other important obligations.

    Make Provisions for Procuring the Raw Materials Required for Paper Bag Making

    The quality of your products and eventually the profits depend on the raw materials used. Paper bags with outstanding quality and fine texture can boost your competitive advantages and steal the focus of the market and the customers. Therefore, the appropriate quality, as well as quantity of raw materials, should be ensured.

    These are some basic raw materials required for paper-making:

    • Paper rolls
    • Printing chemicals, ink, etc
    • Gums
    • Strings
    • Polymeter Stereo
    • Flexo Color

    You do not need to overstock them as it may cause unnecessary storage costs.

    Install Proper Paper Bag Manufacturing Machinery

    Now, after the procurement of the raw materials for paper bag-making activities, you need to determine the type of paper bag your business will focus on manufacturing, and then select suitable machinery. Here, you would also need to check whether you will buy eco-friendly carry bag-making machines, wholesale biodegradable bag manufacturing machines, cotton bag-making machines, or something else.

    The durability, reliability, and productivity of the machines should be checked thoroughly before purchasing. Depending on these factors, machinery costs from 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs.

    Some of the basic features you can get when you buy a paper bag-making machine are listed below.

    • Stereo design roller
    • Flat forming dye
    • 3 horsepower motor for the main drive
    • Double-color or four-color flexo printing unit attachment

    We recommend you visit a paper bag manufacturing firm in order to know more about the working of machines. This will also give you an idea of the machine you need to buy for manufacturing paper bags.

    Engage the Labor Required

    Labor size depends on the size of the business but skilled manpower is a must. A healthy interactive training program can help them learn the manufacturing process and meet the requirements of the employer.

    A small scale paper bag making business

    Some Steps to be Kept in Mind to Make Paper Bags

    • The very first step is to decide on the size of the product. It should meet the client’s needs.
    • The next step is to print the logo. The print quality should not be compromised.
    • Then, the paper should be left for folding, pasting, and shearing which can be done through machines.
    • The last two steps are eyelet fitting and lace fitting, which needs to be properly done.

    Branding and Promotion of the Product

    Presentation is every bit as important as manufacturing. Without the right promotion, no business can survive long-term. There must be a uniqueness in your product description to attract your client’s attention. A logo represents the image of your company and is good for promotion. You can hire freelancers to design your company’s logo as you want. Also, you can use mediums like local magazines and newspapers for advertising your paper bags.

    Social media provides a great platform for promoting your product and reaching the consumer crowd quickly. Establish an online website that not only gains orders but also creates an impactful image of your product to viewers. Research and conduct small surveys of the local and online markets.

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    Profits Expected from Paper Bag Making Business

    The paper bag-making machine is capable of making 60 bags in a minute. You can make a profit of 10 paise per bag. So, you can get a profit of Rs 6 for every minute you invest in bag-making. With production and marketing going smoothly, you can expect to earn near about Rs 2800 on a daily basis. This sums up to Rs 70000 per month. Although these profits vary depending on various other factors in your business.

    Conclusion

    Paper bag making can be really profitable if executed properly, taking care of all the above measures. This business is full of interesting opportunities, and the output, which is paper bags, is the need of the hour and this need will only escalate in the future. Anyone can start a paper bag-making business because it doesn’t require large investments or vast land space or even complex machinery. In fact, you can initiate your business at home too if you have sufficient space for proper planning and researching. So go forth, invest time and energy, and set up your own paper bag-making business.

    FAQs

    What are paper bags?

    Paper bags are an environmental-friendly choice of bags. Being made out of paper, these bags are rising in demand while more and more people are rejecting plastic bags.

    What is the paper packaging bag manufacturers’ market?

    The global paper packaging bag manufacturers market is valued at $5.2 bn in 2022 and will grow by 4.1% CAGR between 2022-2030, and is expected to reach $7.3 bn during this period.

    From where is the paper bag procurement done?

    Paper bag procurement can be done by visiting physical local stores, factories, and wholesalers, or by placing orders for the same online.

    What is Paper bag limited Kenya?

    Paper bags Ltd. is a Kenyan packaging company that manufactures quality paper packaging materials – brown and white paper bags, sacks, and more.

    Paper bags is one of the industries that are flourishing today in India and has great potential for future growth too. Here’s mentioning some of the prominent paper bag manufacturers in India:

    • Yes Sir Bags
    • Eco Bags India
    • Vachi Paper products
    • A. R. Enterprise
    • Papyrush

    How are paper bags made in industry?

    The paper bag manufacturing industry is huge today. However, if you are wondering how paper bags are made in the industry now, then here are some important steps that are carried out by the best paper bag manufacturing companies in their paper bag production factories:

    • First, they select the raw material needed and gather them
    • Then, they proceed with paper steering, where the cutting or sizing of paper is done.
    • The handles of the paper bags are done now.
    • After that, the sheered and eyelet-punched paper is creased.
    • Hard pressing is then done, where sheets of paper are stuck together to make the paper bags stronger and thicker.

  • How Entrepreneurs Market to Audience in Tier 2 & Tier 3 Cities – A Case Study

    A wise man once said – ‘Good Marketing makes the company look smart, whereas Great Marketing makes the customers feel smart’.

    Yes, the customers are definitely going smarter by the day, and all of this is not just led by the technological advancements and innovations that we are seeing globally, today’s industries, entrepreneurs and marketers also play a significant hand in it.

    One of the best examples is India itself, which is the next big thing in terms of startups and entrepreneurs, who are growing each day, and that too with the aim of gearing the country ahead in the global canvas.

    Entrepreneurship in India today is no longer a myth. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) India Report (21-22) entrepreneurship in India has noticeably expanded in the past few years. The Total Entrepreneurial Activity rate, which is the percentage of the adults who are starting up with or running a new business has increased from 5.3% in 2020 to 14.4% in 2021.

    The Growing Penetration in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Markets!
    Why are the Startups and Entrepreneurs choosing Tier 2 and Tier 3 Markets of India?
    Advantages of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities with Growing Startups and Entrepreneurs’ Focus on Them:

    Amit Nigam – COO & Executive Director, BANKIT
    Shalabh Upadhyay – Founder & CEO, NEWJ (New Emerging World of Journalism)
    Sanjay Tiwari – Co-founder, 21CC Education
    Sudha Anand – Founder, Swaas
    Krishna Murthy – Founder of Teach My Lesson
    Shivram Choudhary – Founder, Codevidhya
    Amit Agarwal – Founder & CEO, OckyPocky
    Raj N – Founder, Zaggle
    Tanul Mishra – CEO, Afthonia Lab
    Mahadev Srivatsa – VP of Marketing & Brand Strategy, Practically

    The Growing Penetration in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Markets!

    Though the Tier 1 cities of India have always been the regions to pilot for the entrepreneurs and startup founders from across the world, the entrepreneurs of India are not simply satisfied with the penetration in the first-class cities of the country. They are focusing largely on Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and beyond.

    As per the recent census, India has registered a total of 4000+ towns, and only 8 cities among them are classified as Tier 1. So, it can easily be realised that a considerable section of the Indian population resides in Tier 2, Tier 3 cities and more.

    The IT industry was one of the first to realise the potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India. This happened when they found that the Tier 1 cities have reached a saturation point. The startups of India have largely caught up with the changing trends. Besides, being geared up with the new-age Government of India schemes like Digital India, Startup India initiatives, and more, the Indian government has also joined forces with the status and entrepreneurs of today to gift India a golden future that the whole of India can enjoy!

    20% of Indian startups belonged to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India in 2017
    20% of Indian startups belonged to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India in 2017 

    Only 20% of the startups came from the tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India when reported in 2017. This was a growth from 16% of the startups of India, which came from the tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India. These numbers rapidly rose up to become 50%, as per April 2022 reports.  

    The penetration of the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets today is on a rise holding the hands of the unicorn startups of India and all other budding startups and promising ideators of the country.

    Research conducted in 2019 pointed out that out of over 16,000 startups registered in India then, nearly half of them have their business centres in smaller Indian cities.

    Why are the Startups and Entrepreneurs choosing Tier 2 and Tier 3 Markets of India?

    Numerous industries and startup founders are looking to penetrate the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets of India because of more than one reason. Some prominent ones are:

    • Growing competition in the Tier 1 cities
    • Lack of employment in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
    • Gaining more audiences/customers in these cities
    • Improving the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
    • Expand their businesses
    • Affordability in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
    • Support of the Indian government to start up in these cities  

    The growth of startups and startup initiatives in these smaller towns in India are not only proving to be effective for the startup founders and entrepreneurs. The Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are also reaping significant benefits due to the advancements taking place there.

    Advantages of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities with Growing Startups and Entrepreneurs’ Focus on Them:

    Some of the major benefits that the Tier 2 and Tier cities of India are enjoying with the improvement of industries and markets for startups and other companies in India are:

    • Upliftment of the standards of living in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
    • More income to the people living there
    • Access to quality goods and services
    • Improvement of facilities
    • A reduced movement to the Tier 1 cities
    • A reduced dependency on imports

    It ultimately boils down to the marketers and entrepreneurs of the country, who would actually be there and advance the growth of the industries in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets of India.

    Here are some of the glimpses of some major companies that includes the Indian unicorns, who have actually proved that the Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities are marketable enough in these modern times:

    DailyHunt

    The business model of DailyHunt largely banks on the sharing of vernacular language content, a majority of which is spoken in tier 2, tier 3 cities, and beyond in India. So, though Dailyhunt is headquartered in a Tier 1 city, Bengaluru, the company focused on the other cities right from the start. Besides, its acquisition of companies like LocalPlay, a hyperlocal platform for video and news content, is also in line with its objective of boosting its hyperlocal presence in Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 geographies of India along with cementing its present position as a leading local language content discovery platform.

    Moj

    Owned by Mohall Tech and headquartered in Bengaluru, Moj is an Indian video-sharing social networking platform that supports 15+ languages. Much like Dailyhunt, Moj’s business model also revolved around video content sharing in vernacular languages, which itself targetted the cities beyond the Tier 1 cities of India. Furthermore, the banning of the viral Chinese video sharing platform TikTok on June 29, 2020, also played an angel’s hand is lifting the platform up to help India emerge as an Aatmanirbhar country.

    Did you know the downloads of the Moj app crossed 50K in Google Play Store in just 2 days?

    Paytm

    The Vijay Shekhar Sharma-founded fintech company that focuses on UPI payments and other services including banking, eCommerce services and more, is not only known to the Tier 1 cities but is famous beyond them as well.

    Speaking on its penetration in tier 2 and 3 cities of India, Paytm revealed that around 50% of its userbase is from the smaller cities of India – Panipat, Rohtak, Pondicherry, Surat, Ranchi and more. This remarkable feedback that Paytm has pulled up is largely attributable to its multilingual app and the growing demand for easy UPI transactions, which are conveniently done via our phones, irrespective of their types.

    Flipkart

    Walmart-backed Flipkart is a leading ecommerce company, which not only cares for their customers in the Tier 1 cities of India. When last reported on June 17, 2021, Flipkart revealed that over 52% of its customers come from the tier II and beyond cities. This increase in penetration in Tier II, Tier III cities, and beyond has been a combined result of the promising opportunities that these cities have and the zeal to expand the reach of the company.

    Cosmetics and Beauty Products Companies like Sugar Cosmetics, Nykaa and more

    Gone are the days when cosmetics and beauty products and services were restricted to the Tier 1 cities of India. Beauty regimes are now a significant part of the daily routine and vocabulary of millennial women, regardless of where they hail from. With the rapid penetration of smartphones in the smaller cities today, the women in tier 2, tier 3, tier 4 cities, and beyond are not behind even by a step from their Tier 1 counterparts.

    Reports revealed that over 15% of the occasional cosmetic users who belong to the secondary and tertiary cities have tried their first face primers, foundations, BB creams, and more in the past 2-3 years. The online beauty marketplaces like Sugar Cosmetics, Nykaa, and more have a large hand in it though, who have actually made shopping for cosmetics and beauty products, availing of beauty services, and more, easier by bringing them online. The Covid-19 pandemic breakout, along with bringing the great resignation, major recessions, economic breakdowns, layoffs, and more such calamities, has also helped industries and individuals grow in many ways. One of such benevolent effects of the coronavirus pandemic is that it ushered in a new period of work from home where the countries and the working professionals living in them learned about the potential of the internet and were more close to the things happening online. An inclination to purchase cosmetic products also increased this way.

    To know how businesses market to their audience in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, StartupTalky reached out to entrepreneurs from diverse fields. Here’s what we got to know about how they market to people in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities:

    Amit Nigam – COO & Executive Director, BANKIT

    Amit Nigam – COO & Executive Director, BANKIT

    BANKIT tries to reach the tier 2 and tier 3 segment of the audience through retailers who are already familiar with the customer and can reach them more effectively. This helps in overcoming the most common challenge that companies face while reaching consumers in Tier 2/3 areas: Gaining their trust.

    Difference between Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 audiences – By Entrepreneurs
    Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning – the STP approach is a model used bybusinesses to cater their customer segments in a more sophisticated way. Basedon the the nature of organisation, objectives, industry, market scenarios etc.,the STP approach differs. The overall market is catered by the…
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    Shalabh Upadhyay – Founder & CEO, NEWJ (New Emerging World of Journalism)

    Shalabh Upadhyay – Founder & CEO, NEWJ

    The future of online media will be defined by those who create content, produce stories in the language which the masses understand. And that’s what we precisely do at NEWJ. Within a short period of two years since inception, we have grown our regional network base to 12 languages (including English and Hindi). Our in-house data capabilities help us build predictive models on the content consumption patterns across social media. Our state-of-the-art tech architecture collates user consumption & computer vision data to derive insights and patterns on how a content piece will perform. This enables us to connect with and market our content effectively.

    Entrepreneurs Face these Problems while operating in Tier 2 & Tier 3 Cities
    Wondering what are Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities? Based on population density, Indiancities are classified as X (tier 1), Y (tier 2) and Z (tier 3) categories. WhereTier 1 contains metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai & so on, Tier2 has cities like Gurgaon, Vellore, Kochi etc., The remain…
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    Sanjay Tiwari – Co-founder, 21CC Education

    Sanjay Tiwari – Co-founder, 21CC Education

    These cities are seeing increasing attention and fast infrastructural growth. You now have state-of-the-art warehouses coming up on what used to be farmland. When we create content for these audiences, we use our expertise to explain the process, i.e., what has to be done, along with why it has to be done-why keeping something chilled matters or why a bar code matters, why it’s important to be able to trace something. So you have to explain much more of the context.

    Then there is language to consider that requires a constant feedback loop and intelligent design to ensure that the platform’s UI is flawless and simple without being simplistic.

    Building presence in these markets requires a different approach as growth in awareness may be slow. As mentioned above we’re doing that via distribution partners which may include certain tech companies soon. CSR initiatives on behalf of certain trusted names in the logistics space have also allowed for our outreach to increase in these locations.

    Sudha Anand – Founder, Swaas

    Market to tier 1 , tier 2, tier 3 audiences
    Sudha Anand – Founder, Swaas

    Social media like Facebook and Instagram are the best modes to reach
    to tier 2 & 3 customers, said Sudha Anand, Founder of Swaas.

    13 Ways to Market Your E-Commerce Website in 2021
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    Krishna Murthy – Founder of Teach My Lesson

    Krishna Murthy – Founder of Teach My Lesson

    Here are some of the points highlighted by the Founder of Teach My Lesson:

    • Clearly articulate the value offered in plain terms
    • Price solutions aptly. Price is often the proxy for quality, and solutions priced considerably lower than the benchmark are seen as not trust worthy
    • Leverage locally accomplished individuals to endorse the brand and build credibility. Related to this, use local micro-influencers and not mega influencers.
    • Make customer ratings and review visible and vocal; everyone relies on reviews
    • Deliver on the promise – the customer journey need an enjoyable yet straightforward. Under promising and overdelivering is better than vice versa
    • India is progressing, and customer expectations are high across tiers, ‘Chalta hai’ ab nahi ‘Chalta hai’

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    Shivram Choudhary – Founder, Codevidhya

    Shivram Choudhary – Founder, Codevidhya

    Thankfully, with the advancement of technology, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities have proper access to the Internet today. With the campaigns that we run and the marketing we perform, it is easier to spread the word to our target audience regardless of their City-tiers.

    Amit Agarwal – Founder & CEO, OckyPocky

    Amit Agarwal – Founder & CEO, OckyPocky

    With regards to the marketing approach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, building local partnerships helps majorly to gain trust but we also focus on digital marketing and content marketing with a vernacular approach to find paying audience.

    Raj N – Founder, Zaggle

    Raj N - Founder, Zaggle
    Raj N – Founder, Zaggle

    Brands need to innovate exclusively for rural consumers because the values and sensitivities of the rural audiences are a stark contrast to that of their urban counterparts.

    Tanul Mishra – CEO, Afthonia Lab

    Tanul Mishra – CEO, Afthonia Lab

    The pandemic has resulted in a lot of changes on the ground. One of the most prominent of these is reverse migration and increased online buying in Tier 2 and 3 cities. On one hand, several kirana stores across cities and towns pivoted online, while on the other, many young professionals and graduates moved back to their towns driving rural consumption and demand. Established players like Flipkart and Amazon, through Samarth and Flipkart Wholesale and Prione respectively, are betting heavily on the rural entrepreneurship story.

    The tier III environment is immensely different from tier I and II and therefore, communication to potential customers requires a specialized and integrated approach. Indian market is very diverse and demands regional connectivity. OTT (Over the top) players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, etc., are expected to spend Rs. 150 crore this year. We can see the push that is given by global companies towards local languages to enter the market of Bharat. Similarly, fintech industry is also expected to provide local language support and focus on user interface which is seamless and intuitive to expand its user base.

    Mahadev Srivatsa – VP of Marketing & Brand Strategy, Practically

    Mahadev Srivatsa – VP of Marketing & Brand Strategy, Practically

    Marketing is always audience-led and the strategy has to involve a mix of the best mediums through which one can reach relevant audiences. Considering the emphasis that Indians place on education, keeping respective market nuances aside, the core TG for Practically i.e parents of kids aged 11 to 17 and the kids themselves, exhibit the same need across markets, and that is ‘a need for innovative learning’. To reach out to them, in the COVID era, the most impactful mediums of marketing have been TV and Digital. In pre covid era, BTL activations in such markets have acted as a crucial support to the main campaign. Radio & Print (regional) can also be looked at to effectively drive awareness among these audiences & build credibility. The key is to understand the touch points of your product, study customer journey and effectively strategize marketing for this segment. The correct choice of medium matters the most.

    Conclusion

    From leveraging locally accomplished individuals to personalizing linguistic features, entrepreneurs are leaping well above their grounds to rightly market in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Hope their views gave you an insight into how to market in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

    FAQs

    What are tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India?

    The Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 cities and beyond are simply the classifications of the cities of the country on the basis of development. Hence, the most developed cities in India are the Tier 1 cities, then comes the Tier 2 cities, and so on.

    What are some of the business ideas in tier 2 and tier 3 cities?

    The tier 2 and tier 3 cities are growing with the increased absorption of the internet and the modern initiatives and schemes by the Government of India to improve the cities beyond the first-class cities in India. Here are some of the most promising business ideas for growth in tier 2, tier 3, and more cities of India:

    • Financial firm
    • Advertising company
    • Beauty salon
    • Grocery store
    • Consulting company
    • Real estate business
    • Food delivery company
    • Farms
    • Nurseries
    • Manufacturing units
    • Clothes business
    • Consultation company
    • Logistics company

    What are some of the Indian companies that are focusing on the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India?

    Most of the companies today are focusing on the Tier 2, Tier 3 cities and beyond in India. Some of the most prominent companies that are encouraging customers from Tier 2 and tier 3 cities are Paytm, Moj, Flipkart, Dailyhunt, Nykaa, Sugar Cosmetics, and more.

    Which industries are foraying into tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India?

    There has been an increasing foray into the tier 2 and tier cities in India in the past few years. Some of the major industries that have already entered the tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 markets in India are:

    • Gaming
    • Fintech
    • Real estate
    • UPI
    • Edtech
    • Entertainment
    • News
    • Fashion
    • Food delivery
    • Logistics
    • Crypto

    How many startups have their reach to the cities beyond the tier 1 cities of India?

    As per the recent survey results, out of all the startups thriving in the country at present, around 50% of them have their reach, their business centres, in the tier 2 cities and beyond in India.