My Blog

Welcome to my makeshift blog here on Angelfire! Yeah, they have some crappy outdated tech that is so out of touch with today's Internet, but I still like the place! Though this is not a proper blog with time stamping, commenting, and all the other goodies, at least I can make it look like a blog!

So keep an eye out for my posts below, as I will have to hand update this page every time I do a new one, and there won't be any timestamps for people to know when new content pops up! Doh! :p

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Technology Trends in 2015

Technology trends have nowhere to go but up these days. Smartphones, tablets and laptops are all getting thinner and lighter, yet faster and more powerful. While interactive holograms are still quite far, the technology trends in 2015 seem pretty impressive. You can find most technology trends in a good tech magazine and blog. A tech magazine is deemed to be more reliable compared to conventional random blogs. Especially when dealing with the scientific community and forecasting the real emerging trends as soon as they are discovered.

1. Connected computing
Smartphones are computers. 2015 will show a phase where smartphones, with the help of the internet, will be able to connect better with computers and other gadgets. This calls for the improvement of the cloud system as a whole.

2. Smarter appliances
Machines will be able to act automatically. One example is the emergence of washing machines that can "behave" accordingly depending on the kind of fabric in the load.

3. Context
The internet and other technological systems are becoming more and more context rich. They are becoming more responsive to the user's experience and environment.

4. Low Cost 3D Printing
3D printing machines are becoming abundant. Their price is seen to decline while the use of 3D printing will be often in the area of biomedical, industrial and even ordinary or personal consumer use.

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Business Cannot Flourish Online Without a Proper Foundation

Online businesses are becoming very popular nowadays. Not only are there so many opportunities available for potential profit, but this also gives people an opportunity to earn money while staying at home. There are many factors that determine an online business’s chances of success. One of the most critical factors is the overall quality of the website. It’s a fact that any kind of business cannot flourish online without a proper foundation. I would explain here why you need to invest on a true, professionally-built website.

It is a fact that humans are image-based. People react to visual stimuli even when they haven’t seen all of the details yet. A site made by professionals has a visual profile that’s sure to entice every visitor to look further. Also, a website that’s professionally built makes navigation easy, making it easier for potential clients to find what they need. Last but not least, professional site building ensures that only quality content gets posted in the site. Whichever angle you look at it, your business would benefit immensely from having a proper website.

I always tell both clients and partners that your website serves as the foundation of your entire online business. Of course, you can always go with free web publishing sites, but your options in site building would be limited. You can also go for social networks, but they are informal and are better suited as complementary content. Having a professionally-built website shall serve as the core in which the entire online infrastructure of your business lies.

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How a Beautiful Website Attracts More Viewers

When you are running a business of any kind, keeping a flow of steady customers and using whatever form of advertising you can to bring in more, is an ongoing task. One of the most economical ways to do that today, is to create a website for your business. Whether it is an eCommerce site or just a corporate website where potential clients can read more about your company, it is important that your site be professional.

In this modern time, people are doing more of their shopping and product research online. As technology evolves, and people become more informed customers, business must evolve as well or face extinction. Each and every day new and innovative businesses are started and competition is fierce. With all that competition, standing out is an important factor of success. Having a beautiful and professional looking website that will stand out from the others, is the best way to attract more of the viewers.

In order to make sure you get a good website, you will need to find a designing company with experience, imagination and ideas. What viewers get from the site is very important and that needs to be taken into consideration when coming up with the designing of the site. Web designs are always changing to keep up with the change in society. Someone with the experience of web designing, will know the best way for your online business to become a profitable one.

With a little bit of imagination and high quality artwork and craftsmanship, your website will not only attract more viewers, but it will also aid in the financial success of your business. The more people who visit your site, the closer you will be to your online business goals.

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Running a Business Outside of Your Own Country

After years of owning businesses online and off, I have grown accustomed to trying out new avenues of making money. I had started a few computer repair shops locally and they were doing quite well, so I wanted to try something new with the concept. I had heard from a few colleagues of mine, that there was a need for repair services, just a little bit north of where i was located. The catch was that it was located in Canada. At first I thought this would be a problem, but it was not all that hard.

Really all I had to do was apply to become a business immigrant, as an entrepreneur. I set up a company under Canadian law, which was not much different than our US law at all. And I had to provide the standard information, all the same as doing business here. I did have to hire an attorney in Canada, but luckily my own lawyer here knew of a good one. The whole transition was quite smooth and straightforward, I was happy not to have to jump through hoops.

Now, the ease of doing business in another country is not always this easy. I have a close friend and business partner who wished to open a similar business in Aruba. He was moving there and wanted to have a simple hobby business fixing electronics. To make a long story short, the regulators there were not hostile, but the paperwork and hassle involved was about 3 times what I endured when doing business in Canada. Other places such as China are far worse, but it pays to do a lot of research before going to do business in any country other than your own.

Lastly I would like to mention taxes. Yes I know that dreaded word is something none of us like to hear or speak of, but it must be mentioned here for obvious reasons. You need to be careful when opening a business outside of your own country, because if you don't know what you are doing, you could end up owing 2 governments tax money, and end up in litigation. The bottom line is that you will be paying taxes in 2 countries, that is unavoidable. Just make sure you fully understand all filing requirements of each country and the tax laws of both countries.

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Three Tips to Make Your Local Business Website a Success

It’s hard to imagine that any local business would overlook the importance of having a website, but many do. Establishing an online presence allows small businesses to reach more local customers through search engines, social media and blogs. Even local businesses that do have websites often struggle to create an effective website. With local business website creation, it’s all about engaging with your audience, providing them with valuable information and building up trust. Here are some tips to help make your site a success.

1. Make Your Contact Information Clearly Visible

To improve conversion rates and search engine rankings, make sure that your website clearly displays your contact information in a prominent location. Most businesses choose to display their phone number, location and hours of operation on the top right side of their website’s header, but any prominent location above the fold will be sufficient. Make sure that your contact information is consistent throughout your website and also on external websites.

2. Ensure that Your Site is Mobile-Friendly

People are now using their mobile devices to access the web more than ever before. If you want to find success in online business, you need to ensure that your website is easily accessible and readable to users on smartphones and tablets. Ideally, you want to choose a responsive design that will automatically adjust to the user’s screen and device.

3. Choose an Appealing, User-Friendly Interface

To convert leads into customers, you need to ensure that your website’s interface is user-friendly and appealing. A professional design gives your website credibility and helps build trust with prospective customers or clients. When your website is easy to navigate, users are able to find what they need quickly and easily.

It’s important to consider every element that you implement into your website. Flash may allow you to be more creative with your website’s design, but it also hinders the functionality of your site and increases the page’s load time. With local business website creation, less is often more.

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