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How to Improve the Speed of Your WordPress Website

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Loading speed, responsiveness, and the use of lightweight assets are backbones of
successful websites – if you have a slow WordPress website, not only users have
to wait around for seconds after each interaction with your site (which will
quickly get annoying and encourage them to visit other sites), but it will
reduce organic traffic from search engine and social media as they punish slow
and badly coded websites. That’s why improving the speed of your WordPress
website is one of the biggest improvements you can make to improve your site’s
metrics. This article will help you learn a few actionable ways you can take
right now to immensely improve the speed of your website and make it more
responsive.

#1 Identify What’s
Slowing Down Your Website

How are you going to improve your site’s speed if you don’t identify what’s slowing
it down first? Thankfully, there are multiple tools you can use to identify
both page-level and site-wide issues slowing down your WordPress website.

The most popular of these tools is the Google PageSpeed tool that analyzes a particular page and provides actionable ways for you to work on. There are other free and paid network monitoring tools like WebpageTest, MaxCDNTools, etc. you can use to complement PageSpeed.

#2 Compress and
Minify Your Site’s Assets

Almost always, when a website is excessively slow, it is because it uses large assets
that take a lot of bandwidth and time to download. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript,
the main building blocks of websites, are all just plain text and they take
almost no bandwidth loading and minimal processing power for the browser to
decipher, but it is the images, animations, sounds, videos, and icons that take
a disproportionate amount of time to decipher and load.

That’s why you can expect to cut loading speeds in half by only minimizing the assets.
Thankfully, not only there are websites that you can upload your assets to and
automatically receive minified versions of them, but there are plugins you can
install that automatically identify and compress the assets you use on your
website.

Although we recognize that some designs don’t lend themselves to compressions, and in
those cases, implementing a whole new design might be the only viable choice.
Thankfully, there are services like https://acclaim.agency/sketch-to-html-service
that can help you!

#3 Change Hosting

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the website itself, but it is with the host – sadly,
there are thousands of low-quality WordPress hosts out there. They provide slow
bandwidth, resulting in the website being down often, and fail to serve certain
geographical locations completely.

Thankfully, migrating to a new host is hardly difficult – most high-end hosts provide
migration tools to help make your job much easier. While you might’ve started
with a cheap bad host at the start, you most likely need to move to a new
better host as your website grows.

#4 Remove
Unnecessary Bloat

You need to make sure you always maintain your WordPress website and remove
unnecessary bloat, and WordPress bloat includes many things:

  • Code bloat: coding standards change all the time –
    methods/functions get deprecated and new, more efficient versions are added.
    You need to maintain your website with the best coding practices.
  • Theme and Plugin bloat: installing many
    unnecessary plugins when developing and testing a WordPress website is
    commonplace, but when your website enters production and is ready to serve
    users, you should delete these unnecessary plugins.
  • Content
    bloat: remove articles, landing pages, and blogs that your website doesn’t need
    or benefit from anymore. It is only natural to change and update your website’s
    content, but make sure you delete or archive the old content.

Check These 7 Things When Picking a Cryptocurrency Futures Exchange

The value of cryptocurrency markets is growing each year exponentially. As a result, new exchanges are also coming up to facilitate trading in this new form of currency. Plus, crypto coins opens up new perspectives for trading, too. Thus, new technologies, such as zignaly trading bot, arise over time. If you are choosing a cryptocurrency futures exchange, do your homework, and check the security measures on the platform.

Also, remember that a majority of
exchanges do not work under specific rules and regulations. Your money may be
at risk if you fail to pay attention to these critical factors.

Location
Matters a Lot

Before selecting any exchange for
cryptocurrency futures trading, make sure that it is legal and available in
your country. In many nations, there is a regulatory fog surrounding this
market.

Hence, exchanges cannot operate in
these geographies. Many exchanges may not accept U.S. citizens as their
customers as well. It makes sense to look at the address of the company for
protecting against any frauds. If you get hacked, it will be challenging to
determine the right jurisdiction if you don’t know about the exchange location.

Availability
of Market Data

For successful trading, you need easy
access to market data and technical details. With an advanced platform, it
becomes easy to find the prices displayed across connected venues using consolidated
data feed. Also, the platform should provide access to various crypto markets
with a single account.

High Trading
Volumes and Liquidity

You would always want to pick a cryptocurrency futures exchange
that has higher volumes and liquidity. High volume trading leads to better
accuracy of prices. The exchange processes several transactions at once. So,
they have higher stringency in their pricing and approvals.

The experts recommend not keeping too
much money on any exchange for too long. It can be risky even if you choose a
verified and researched exchange. Also, check if the liquidity is aggregated
through multiple venues like OTC desks, exchanges, and other resources.

Security
against Risks and Frauds

In the past, digital currency
exchanges have been subjected to many hacking incidents. The exchange hack of Mt. Gox in 2014
resulted in a loss of $430 million and 740,000 Bitcoin. Such scams or hacks can
put your money in danger. Hence, it is incredibly critical that you pick the
exchange following the best security protocols.

See if they keep the stored funds
safely with measures like multi-signature access by authorized people only. You
can also make sure that the exchange has nearly 95% of its assets in offline
facilities.

In this respect, look at the
following aspects.

  • Check the security
    protocols in the exchange’s web address
  • Two-factor authentication
    for login safety
  • Auditing and monitoring
    of exchange activities
  • See if the exchange
    ensures its funds to reimburse your losses

Excellent
User Experience

When trading through a cryptocurrency
exchange, you need a smooth experience without any interference. So, pick the
platforms that protect your identity and provide a simple user interface. Check
the performance of the platform on both a desktop and a mobile device. If the
design is responsive, you can manage your trades through your phone, even on
the go.

Most importantly, check the exchange
reviews and see what others have to say about the support and services it
offers. Some exchanges provide the fastest time as well. They allow you to
register, deposit the money, withdraw cash, and start with the contracts within
a few minutes.

Compare the
Charges

Before finalizing a cryptocurrency futures exchange,
it is essential to compare the fees with other platforms. Usually, the exchange
will charge less than one percent for each transaction.

The charges may decline further if
the volumes increase. Also, check the withdrawal fees as it may be reasonably
high on some platforms. Lastly, review and compare the exchange rates of coins
at several platforms for maximum advantage.

Ask about
the Policies and Reputation

Not every cryptocurrency exchange is
the same. At some exchanges, you may still not get digital tokens. As a result,
you have to pay in cash for your trades. In some locations, there are
compliance requirements and registration procedures for these platforms. Make
sure that the exchange follows all these guidelines to protect your investment.

When trading cryptocurrency futures,
you may also need help and support of the experts to understand the basics and
make informed decisions. If an exchange has a proper support system and guides
to lead your way, you can consider registering and trading with them.

Why Should You Never Say No to Money?

In many of the human culture, money is considered equal to
god and goddesses. They believe earning money from any source is worthy enough.
One must have a continuous flow of money into your account.

What do you think you can do to earn more money; some people are already into a fulltime job and some do part-time? But money seems to be stagnant for both in all the cases. Here we will tell you how can you earn money from multiple sources with the least investment.

Specifically, people think growing money or earning money
means one will be able to earn money only if he works part-time again along
with his full-time job but let me tell you, it is a wrong conception. One will
be able to earn easily if they use a little brain.

The major source of earning is the passive source of income.
This can happen without the least of the time being spent at it. Some of you
might think of doing some investments which is very common like everyone knows
that investment in some stocks and shares can earn you easy money. But here we
are talking about something which will not give you easy money to be earned.

Easy Sources of Money

There are some sources from where you can earn money, very
easily and you will not have to give any extra time and effort. So, we will
give you some easy tips and tricks which will help you get some extra money
apart from any of the possible resources.

Play to Win

When you are too tired of work and you need to take some
rest, you can play games to win. There are many online games that you can play
to win some cash prize or you can get some points credited to your digital
wallet and later on, you can buy anything with those points.

This is a very common way to earn, one has to just play games
to earn some money from some games. You can do this multiple times in a day, it
like playing games in your free time and then you earn some money. This way of
earning money is very easy and quick, play any game which gives money and you
will earn a lot of money. It is an easy way to earn money and no one can guess
how are you earning it. It is like the easiest way to earn money quickly and
regularly.

Lend Your Books

Another easy earning way is if you are a book reader and you
have a lot of books then you can lend some books and earn some money out of it.
Like you can take a small amount of token money for lending your books from
your personal library, this is another very easy way of earning easy money. You
can take the payments digitally through bitcoins also through some platforms
like Crypto Cash.

It becomes easier and more convenient for the readers also,
because readers might take a step backward if it involves real money. But they
would be enthusiastic and overexcited if their payment happens in any
cryptocurrency. The expenditure made in cryptocurrency is not considered as a
payment. It is just like spending some tokens.

Vet Care

If you are an animal lover then this is the perfect job for
you to earn some easy money. You can easily be vet care, you can take care of
your neighbour’s pet for the next week and then you will be able to earn some
money for each hour. Like you can charge in a daily basis or in an hourly
basis, you will have your time passed and on the other hand you will also have
some payment made as well.

This is one of the best jobs, one can do and earn some easy
money for the month. There are other convenient ways to earn money but we think
these are the most common ones.

Why Financial Planning for a Newborn Baby is Crucial As a Parent

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There is so much
debate about ladies who work and the individuals who decide not to. What many
don’t realize is it is so hard to leave a newborn child at home and come back
to work. The economic disbalances and extreme financial limitations made it
mandatory for both men and women to work. With the new financial stability,
many qualified women are settling on the decision to not work and rather look
after their babies. But that’s not enough. You need to plan financial protection for newborn babyas
a critical part of their future.

Work environments
are structured and overseen essentially by men. Execution norms are set by men,
as are normal practices for business exercises and expectations. What ladies
can fathom over a phone discussion, men like to manage by and by running over
the city. While women can resolve a mind-boggling group task from their office
utilising a visit window, men need a group meeting. Women think that it’s
extreme to perform and grow in working environments where wearing jeans is like
carrying a female touch to work.

Working
environments may tackle this issue as more women climb the stepping stool;
however, discovering answers for the baby at home has not occurred as a
preference of a young, working mother. With the exception of telecommuting, no
other decision coordinates the necessities of the newborn child productively.
The hectic work hours, the powerlessness to respond to texts and calls in a
split second, and the afflictions of coordination while working alone,
interferes with the mother. Bosses give throughout the day stopping offices,
yet an in-house crèche that enables a working mother isn’t a need. Numerous
women hence decide to stop or enjoy a long reprieve.

What are the Individual Financial Suggestions?

The family needs to
get ready to change to a single source of income – at least till the mother is
ready to move to work and leave the child under daycare or nursery. Without
planning financial protection for newborn babyahead of time and everything involved, the decrease in family unit
salary can be a source of too much pressure. Family aides and daily wage
laborers come back to work too early subsequent to conveying a kid, as their
families can’t endure the reduction in income and increase in expenses.

The issue in
managing the switch is the powerlessness to separate the obligatory cost from
the optional cost. In what we know as the lifestyle creep, most of the optional
expenses end up turning out to be necessities with time. Does the family need
two vehicles? Is it basic to recharge gyms and club memberships that are rarely
utilised? Is the cost of engaging and going out too high? Little expenses add
up, and it is critical to concur on what is fundamental and what isn’t. The
single income should cover these and leave an excess for crises. But most
parents fail to plan all the complications related to the arrival of a new
member. This is where a financial advisercan help.

There are
unforeseen costs that accompany the introduction of a baby into a family. Young
parents find to their disappointment that insurance doesn’t cover the incessant
visits to the pediatrician. Some parents lamentably need to manage exceptional
clinical costs. Insurance policies for neonatal and baby care may not cover all
of these cases and could involve huge extra costs. In such a situation, an
experiencedfinancial adviser can
guide you through planning every decision that will define not only the
money-related factors but also your baby’s future.

Parents should
start planning ahead of the time to make sure they are ready for the switch.
While some manage to do this on their own, most new parents need proficient
help to ensure everything is under control. For that, you can search for a
reputed and certified financial
adviser in London
or
wherever you live and focus on taking care of your baby rather than panicking
over the critical decisions.

10 Top Ways to Make Some Extra Cash in Your Spare Time

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Everybody likes making a little bit of extra money, and the good news is that today, there’s never been a wider range of options to choose from when it comes to earning some cash on the side. There are hundreds of different internet gigs to choose from, whether it’s signing up for cashback sites or referral programs, to selling items online or providing a service like website design or content writing. Some of the ways that you can make extra money in your free time don’t require a huge amount of effort, which is ideal if you already have quite a demanding job and don’t want anything you do on the side to take up the little energy that you have left.

We’ve put together some ideas that you might want to
consider if you are looking for ways to make some extra cash.

Referral Programs:

Many companies offer referral programs that you can sign up
for and earn money when you refer a friend. For example, when you are a Lebara
Mobile customer, they run the Lebara refer a friend program that you can take
advantage of to earn money each time you get a friend to sign up. The amount
that you can earn will depend on how many successful sign-ups you can get and
the plans that your friends sign up to. The rewards are quite generous; you can
earn up to £50 if a friend signs up to one of their SIM only plans. All you
need to do is sign up, share your unique link to your friends and anyone who
purchases through it will earn you some cash. You can learn more about the Lebara refer a friend program on their website.

Cashback Sites:

Cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback are booming in popularity recently and it’s easy to see why. This is definitely one of the easiest ways to make some extra cash by simply buying the things that you were going to buy anyway. When you’re shopping for a big purchase like car insurance, it’s definitely worth checking these sites first to see how much money you could earn back, with plenty of generous offers. You can earn cashback on all kinds of purchases from takeaway food to a new broadband or mobile contract; download the app to your phone or bookmark it on your browser, so you don’t forget to check it before you buy something online.

Online Surveys:

Companies are always looking to reach out to their markets
and get your thoughts on new ideas, products, and marketing campaigns, and
they’ll pay you for taking part. There are several
different survey apps that you can download to your smartphone or visit the
website on your laptop or computer to earn some extra money in your spare time.
You will be directed to surveys that you fit the target market for and then
asked some questions on what you think of a new product, advertisement, branding
idea, etc. Typically, you will earn points for completing surveys, which you
can save up and then withdraw in the form of PayPal credits or store vouchers.

Selling Online:

Selling online is one of the easiest ways to make some extra
money if you are trying to get rid of clutter from your home. Instead of
throwing it all in the tip, it’s well worth taking some time to get photographs
and list your items for sale online. There are plenty of apps that you can
download, like eBay, Gumtree, Shpock, or Depop.
And, you might be quite surprised at the items that people will actually buy,
so everything is worth trying to sell if you don’t need it anymore. Facebook
Marketplace is another really easy option to use. Make sure that your items
stand out with clear photographs and good descriptions to capture the interest
of potential buyers.

Job Spotting:

You can make money when you are out and about if you
download the Job Spotter app to your phone. Using this app, you will be paid
for finding any job advertisements in shop windows or notice boards and posting
them to the app, where they are then put on Indeed. It’s a free app, and all
you will need to do is take a photograph of the job advertisements that you
see. Every time you post an advertisement, you’ll earn points, which you can
convert into Amazon vouchers.

Games and Quizzes:

Head to Swagbucks if you want to get paid for playing fun
games or taking quizzes. Once signed up, you’ll earn ‘SB’ points for completing
a wide range of tasks, which could be anything from making quick internet
searches to watching videos or playing games. If you’re often bored in your
free time and want to do something a little more productive than endlessly
scrolling through social media, this could be a great option for you since you
can easily download the Swagbucks app to your phone and have some fun with it
too.

Freelance Work:

If you’ve got a skill that you could offer for a price, it’s
well worth finding some freelance clients online. If you’re good at graphic
design, web design, writing or general admin tasks, there’s going to be
somebody out there who’s willing to pay you to do it for them. Fiverr is a
great place to get started; this online marketplace allows freelancers to set
up a profile detailing what they offer, and clients can request work and pay
securely through the website. You can also download Fiverr as a mobile app,
which can be very handy for keeping up with your work on the go. Upwork is
another good freelance marketplace to consider if you have a service that you
would like to offer in your spare time.

Clinical Trials:

While they might be a little more time-consuming than some
of the other options on this list, participating in clinical trials can earn
you a decent amount of money, and you can contribute to medical research at the
same time. Clinical trials recruit both healthy volunteers and participants
with certain health conditions to test new drugs and treatments in a safe,
controlled environment. You will typically be paid very handsomely for your
time, with many trials offering thousands of pounds just for taking part.

Focus Groups:

Sometimes, market research needs to go a little further than
looking through survey answers, and that’s where focus groups come into play. There
are several different market research companies that you can sign up with to
get updates and news on the latest focus groups that you can apply to take part
in. You might be asked to take part in the research over the phone, on a group
video chat, or in-person, depending on what is needed, and payment is usually
made directly to your bank or in cash.

Arts and Crafts:

Last but not least, if you have a creative hobby, why not
turn it into a way to make money as well? If you can sew, paint, upcycle furniture,
make jewellery, or make your own soaps and candles, there’s an eager market out
there who’ll buy the items from you. And you can easily set up an Etsy shop and
get started in just a couple of hours.

If you want to make a little bit of extra cash on the side,
there are certainly plenty of options to choose from. Whether you want to put
in minimal effort to make some extra money or don’t mind dedicating some time
to it, there’s something for everybody.

Search has embarked on a transformational growth strategy with the market launch of its new Search Recruitment Group brand

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Search, the established provider of multi-discipline recruitment solutions, has embarked on a transformational growth strategy with the market launch of its new Search Recruitment Group brand.

Building on its established foundations and following a period of sustained market growth, Search CEO Richard Vickers – who joined the company from Page Group plc last year – is now leading the forward-thinking executive team into the organisation’s next phase of expansion.

The experienced and entrepreneurial board, comprising of Mark Bailey, founder and CEO of Group business Henderson Scott, and longstanding CFO Stuart Dick, are focused on delivering a trajectory of growth in every discipline of the business.  And they believe the Search Recruitment Group structure provides a platform for creating a house of specialist recruitment brands. CFO’s are responsible for maximizing the business’s return on investment.

Utilising advances in recruitment technology, and by maximising economies of scale by harnessing knowledge from across the organisation, Search Recruitment Group will deliver specialist services aligned to key market areas.

As part of today’s announcement, the group has also revealed the integration of its existing technology divisions, Search Technology and Henderson Scott, its highly successful 2018 acquisition.

Now operating under the reputable Henderson Scott brand, the integration will create a team of 60+ talented consultants, and will offer comprehensive talent solutions, offering an improved proposition for clients and candidates across technology, cloud, cyber & IT Sales.

Two new state-of-the-art offices will also open in Liverpool and Edinburgh, broadening the Henderson Scott footprint, supporting its continued focus on high growth and emerging markets, expanding further into the UK, as well continuing its success in Europe and the US.

CEO Richard Vickers said: “Within Search Recruitment Group there are many highly talented and experienced people working across a large portfolio of industries and sectors, with best in class knowledge of their markets.

“Through Search Recruitment Group we have a platform to leverage this expertise, and deliver market-leading recruitment solutions to candidates and clients in those sectors we specialise in.

“Our aim is to maximise talent from across the group and empower our teams to really make a difference, harnessing knowledge and skillsets, helping us make a real difference as the market emerges post-Covid.”

Mark Bailey, Group board member and Henderson Scott CEO said:

“Henderson Scott leads the way in the industry and it made sense to consolidate our Search technology brand into this market leading outfit, reflecting the vision of the Search Recruitment Group board to drive growth through our technology specialists.

“Henderson Scott has many long-standing and trusted partnerships with clients, as does Search Technology, so our adoption of an integrated delivery model will provide greater choice and access to expertise, all of which will positively impact our customers and allow us to service more areas of their hiring needs.”

Coinciding with the launch of Search Recruitment Group, the business has also launched its new group website https://searchrecruitmentgroup.co.uk

For more information please contact Katharine McNamara at Konductor

E: ks@konductor.co.uk or T: 07966 505661

About Search Recruitment Group

Search Recruitment Group is an established provider of multi-discipline recruitment solutions, delivering specialist knowledge across niche markets. Its common purpose is to create great experiences that develop into long-lasting relationships.

For more information visit https://searchrecruitmentgroup.co.uk

What is the Impact of Business Travel on Mental Wellbeing?

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According to a recent study, 88% of small
business owners enjoy business travel
. However, since this study, the world
has changed significantly with new guidelines in place for travel due to
Covid-19.

The thought of returning to work for
those who travel frequently for business can be daunting. However Forbes highlights how
business travel won’t be killed by Covid-19, but will return with changes in
place that will mostly focus on shorter travel.

Before Covid-19, business travel was
firmly on the agenda as a workplace mental health issue. In fact, it can have
serious implications for people’s health and mental wellbeing.

A study conducted by the International
SOS Foundation has revealed that business trips contribute to behavioural
changes in people in the workplace. These include depression, stress and
anxiety.

With the advancement in technology
making accessibility to work whilst travelling easier, many workers treat their
business trips as an office on the go. This has reduced the necessary downtime
needed for employees to switch off and look after themselves.

However, there is also considerable
stress involved in the process of travelling and being on the road a lot of the
time. Losing luggage, delayed flights and being away from loved ones are a few
of the factors that contribute to bad experiences during business travel.

International Business Travel and
Mental Health

In a previous study based on the
correlation between business travel and mental wellbeing, 200 business
travellers were interviewed and 45% said they felt more stressed on business
trips, while 31% felt emotionally exhausted. Over a quarter of respondents said
they experienced more prevalent mental health issues such as anxiety and
depression.

Along with the stress of fulfilling
your role whilst on the road, the stress that comes with travel and the lack of
downtime, there are also physical health implications to business travel.

With the likelihood of shorter
travelling distances as Covid-19 restrictions ease, the frequency of travel
could increase. With more travelling, it becomes harder to follow a balanced
diet or get much exercise and good quality sleep.

However, business travel is often
deemed as essential for meetings, training, entertaining clients and winning
new business. The problem is that while international business travel opens up
opportunities, it also comes at a cost to wellbeing.

Safeguarding Health and Business
Continuity

In recent years, the importance of a work-life balance has been emphasised, highlighting the importance of disconnecting from work. This springs the question what measures can organisations and companies take to try and safeguard employees who are travelling on their behalf? Did you know? you can now download gbwhatsapp from your phone. Check out softgoza for more information.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
is clear about the measures for tackling stress, and about the impact stress
can have, with over 11 million days a year lost through stress in the
workplace.

But how does stress risk management
translate to business travel?

There are various stress factors
associated with business travel.

Some of these are common to other work
situations, including sudden, unexpected workloads, unclear reporting lines and
responsibilities, and rapidly changing circumstances.

However, they may also suffer from
specific, travel-related stress factors, including: a lack of peer support, or
other support network; isolation from family and friends; and jet lag.

These factors also include lack of
sleep, lack of exercise and poor diet, as mentioned above.

Symptoms of poor mental health can
appear as impaired performance, poor concentration and erratic emotional
behaviour.

Better Support for Business Travellers

During this uncertain time, business
travellers need more support to ensure mental wellbeing is considered during
the return of business travel. It is important that more organisations consider
implementing procedures aimed at reducing the mental health risks of business
travellers.

This year, the mental wellbeing of
remote workers has become much more widely recognised as people adjusted to
social distancing and working from home. Along with this and the increase of
mental wellbeing in the workplace, the impact of business-related travel needs
careful consideration.

There are internal measures businesses
and organisations can take to support employees, such as wellness programmes
and resilience training, counselling and regular employee surveys.

However, they should also consider the
conditions and quality of business travel, and what practical support there is
to improve the business travel experience to reduce an impact on mental
wellbeing.

One such area of dedicated support is executive car
services
, providing expert business and chauffeur class transfers.

Here, the focus is on ensuring passengers get all the support they need to reduce any stress and remove the uncertainties and inconvenience associated with business travel, with all the precautions in place to make travel safe.

Travel Is So Important It’s the Most Popular Use of Equity Release 

Did you know that travel is such an important factor of mental health that it’s one of the most popular uses of equity release? In fact it’s actually the second most popular use of cash that people have released from their homes when they’ve retired.

Understanding the Technological Impacts that Have Made Online Betting and Gambling So Popular Today

There is no shortage of online casinos and betting
establishments in the UK, and they represent a side of technology that’s often
overlooked. Digital betting options have not just made the hobby more
accessible, but it is now much safer too. As we are all spending a lot of time
at home this summer, let’s take a look at how and why technical breakthroughs
in the online gaming industry have turned it into the most popular medium for
placing bets.

The Massive Change in UK’s Gambling
and Betting Habits

Research has shown that a massive number of people in the
UK now prefer to gamble or bet on sporting events online, rather than doing so
at an offline establishment. We all know the reasons more or less because they
are pretty obvious! It’s just more convenient these days to pursue any betting
hobbies online than it is to physically go to a betting shop.

However, this brings us to a very interesting
question, why have people made the shift? Online casinos and other betting
platforms have been around for decades at this point, so why has the UK only
just made the shift to betting and gambling online now, instead of doing so
before?

Understanding the Impact of
Smartphones and Tablets

The entire gaming industry has experienced
a massive surge and change in people’s gaming habits
, especially
so in the last three years. The same trend was felt but better capitalised on
by the online betting industry than the traditional video game industry. The
reasons responsible for this massive change can be summarised along the
following lines.

Smartphones Became Commonplace – It’s
true that smartphones and tablets are not new inventions, but they only became commonplace
in the last few years. Instead of being considered a luxury, they have now
become a necessity. Almost everyone already has a smartphone in the UK
nowadays, so the number of people using betting platforms online has grown at
an exponential rate.

Smartphones and Tablets Became Extremely Powerful – Unlike
their much weaker predecessors, the new generations of smartphones and tablets
were suddenly powerful enough to run even the most demanding casino games and
complex betting platforms without a hitch.

Cutting the weight – People realised that they
did not have to sit in front of a wired desktop or carry a heavy laptop around
to bet and play games online. Everything they needed was right in their pockets.

The Safety Concern Also Became
Paramount

The internet has always had a darker side, which
became prominent soon after online betting rose in popularity. Therefore, it
was extremely important for the industry to once again use cybersecurity
experts and find the technology to secure their own sites against hackers,
malware, and other unrealised threats that are constantly active on the web.
Also, various organisations were formed to prevent existing online casinos and
betting websites from cheating their players into spending money without any
hope of winning it back.

The Threat of Gambling Addiction

In realisation of the fact that there is a very real
chance of gambling addicts could easily gamble away their entire savings
online, sites like GamStop came into
existence. If the player was willing, GamStop could actually stop them from
playing in any online casino, thus preventing their addiction from taking over
their lives.

If, however, you happened to have made a rash decision
and banned yourself from betting sites over the internet for longer than you
should have, rest assured that there are safe betting sites not on the GamStop
database. You can find a list of those not on GamStop
here
at The Best Casinos. The safe betting sites not on
GamStop are simply the ones that did not register with them, so GamStop has no
way of knowing whether you are playing on them or not.

Live Casinos are very popular these days, thanks to
blazing fast internet speeds and crystal clear picture quality that is fast
becoming the norm. The next step in the online gaming industry’s technological
evolution will come with the progress in VR tech. It will eliminate another of
the few remaining lines that separate virtual betting platforms from the
traditional ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installment Loans Online

0

Online installment
loans are a type of credit with a set of regular payments over a predetermined
period. The amount of money you’ll borrow will have a corresponding interest
rate, fees, and repayment term, which can impact how much you pay regularly.

There are common
types of loans that borrowers have to pay back on an installment basis, namely:
personal loans, auto loans, and house loans. If you’re a good payer that pays
on schedule, there’s a high chance that your timely payment activities can
boost your credit ratings.

An excellent credit
score is an important requirement for getting a loan with an advantageous
repayment term and low-interest rate. You can take a look at this article to read more on online installment loans.

How Installment Loans Online Work?

Typically, you can
apply for an installment loan at credit unions and traditional banks. But
online direct lenders have been the go-to options for borrowers recently since
the online application is less hassle, and you can obtain the money you need
faster.

An installment loan
provides you with an amount of cash that you have to repay on installments –
typically on a monthly basis – until you pay back in full the principal and its
interest.

This type of loan can
have a lifespan of months or years, and it can have a variable or fixed
interest rate. You also have to watch out for ancillary fees, such as
origination fees or prepayment penalties. Always read the terms and conditions
of the lender before you take out this type of loan to understand how it works.

What are the Specific Purposes for Getting Installment
Loans?

There are various reasons why people get installment loans. Whatever your purpose, this loan type is great for making large purchases or covering emergency expenses.

Buying a Car

Auto loans or car
loans are a common example of installment credit. This is money that you borrow
from a lender or car dealer for the purchase of a car. Taking out a car loan
requires a down payment (the bigger the down payment you provide, the smaller
your loan will be).

An auto loan is a
secured loan, which means that you put your car as collateral against the money
you borrow. The lender can take possession of your vehicle once you fail to
repay what you owe. This type of installment loan typically can take 30 to 70
months (or more) to repay.

Purchasing a House

Another example of
installment credit is a home loan or mortgage. Like car loans, home loans
require you to put up the house as collateral. So, if you don’t pay what you
owe to the lender, the home can be repossessed by the lender.

This type of loan
typically has longer repayment terms,
ranging between 10 to 30 years. The interest rate can also be fixed or
variable, depending on the lending company. Plus, there are fees that you have
to pay, such as origination and closing fees.

Debt Consolidation, Home Repairs, and Any Expenses

Personal loans are a
popular type of installment credit because you can use it for many purposes.
Borrowers use this loan to consolidate their debts, cover emergency expenses,
pay for home repairs, etc.

Personal loans don’t
need collateral, but they may have higher rates of interest depending on the
lender or your credit score. Borrowing limits of this type of loan can be as
high as $50,000, with terms ranging from 2 to 5 years.

Does Taking Out an Installment Loan Improve Your Credit?

If you want to improve your credit profile,
getting an installment loan is a good option. But, of course, you have to make
timely payments on your loan to achieve your goal. If you pay your loan on
schedule, it means that you’re a responsible borrower, and it can positively
impact your credit. 

It’s advised to pay
your loan off on time instead of paying it early. Some installment loans have
prepayment penalties. Also, if you pay earlier than the payment schedule, the
gains on your credit score will be less.

When you pay back the
installment loan in full, your account will be closed, and your payment for
this loan will be on your credit report for ten years.

What’s the Difference of an Installment Loan vs. a Revolving
Credit?

Revolving credit lets
you take out whatever amount of cash from a line of credit until you reach the
maximum limit. So, it’s your decision to get less or more from this credit
line. You’ll only pay the amount you’ve taken out plus its interest.

An installment loan,
on the other hand, provides you a fixed lump sum of cash. If you think that you
need more money, you have to apply for a new loan with a new interest rate and
repayment term.

Takeaway

I hope the
information above answers your questions about online installment loans. It’s
crucial to do some research to understand how this type of loan works and make
sure that it suits your needs.

James Hopkins Marketing: Starting Your Own Digital Marketing Agency

0

Starting a digital marketing agency in the current age is a
different prospect to starting one 20 years ago. In the past, the primitive digital
landscape meant that barriers to entry were many, budgets for digital marketing
were small, and there were strict limits to the media available.

In recent years, advances in technology and consumer
expectations have altered this landscape dramatically. Today, it is entirely
possible for an individual or small group of individuals with the right
knowledge, skills and experience to establish a digital marketing agency and
become fully operational within a few short months.

Between 2016 and 2020 alone, a 50% increase was reported in
digital marketing budgets by MarketCharts. With more than 63,000 searches
performed on Google every single second of every day, having a digital presence
is essential for the modern business, which requires digital marketing
services.

James
Hopkins
is a digital marketing expert working to help local business owners
grow revenue and profits. James Hopkins’ marketing services from QV-Marketing can help bring new customers
to a business using digital marketing strategies.

Navigating the
Digital Marketing Landscape

More than half of all modern consumers will always research
online before making a purchase, with 53% searching for a product or brand to
find out more before committing to a purchase. With so many people using the
internet even when they plan to make their actual purchases in brick-and-mortar
shops, almost every business today benefits from having a strong online
presence. This means there are more potential clients looking for digital
marketing services than ever before.

When establishing and growing a new digital marketing agency, it is often tempting                          to take on all the clients who want to come on board. However, finding a niche and
sticking to it can not only distinguish your agency from the crowd, but also
allow you to offer a more tailored and knowledgeable service to your customer
base. Having a clearly defined niche from the get-go facilitates in-depth
learning of the target market, which in turn leads to the ability to formulate
effective messaging. In an ever-growing market, clients will be looking for
agencies that can offer the specialist skillset they require.

Increasing Demand

Demand for digital marketing services has increased
exponentially in recent years and will only continue to increase as industries
of all shapes and sizes move towards cheaper, more effective digital techniques
and away from more cumbersome, expensive conventional marketing strategies. Digital
marketing has the capacity to reach a far wider audience base than many other
traditional marketing methods, at a fraction of the cost. This rapid expansion
into digital widens the market for digital marketing agencies, creating new
opportunities for innovative teams to carve their niche and make a name for
themselves. Two million new digital jobs were expected to open up in 2020 in
the UK alone, creating a situation where people with digital marketing skills
are in high demand.

Contracting

Prior to launching a new digital marketing business, it can
be highly beneficial to work part-time as a contractor alongside regular
employment. This facilitates building the foundations of a successful future
business before taking on the bigger risks.

By working as a contractor, you can build a network of
professional relationships, start to establish a solid reputation, and gain a
lot of the experience that will be relevant and valuable when the time does
come to establish your own agency. Once you have started the business, knowing
how contracting works can help in other ways.

As a new start-up, it is unlikely you will have
much to offer to attract the best employees in the early days; yet taking on
staff is essential for growth. By bringing in contractors, you can start to
scale the business until it reaches a point where it is both sensible and
practical to hire full-time employees.

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