6 things to consider when choosing a steel building company
Business

6 things to consider when choosing a steel building company

Steel building companies are hired to do major structural work in barns, churches, homes, warehouses, workshops, and other places. They work with steel as the primary building material and find their use in all commercial, industrial, and residential setups. But before one can sign a contractor, here are a few considerations to look into. Forgetting to cross-check these can lead to wasted time, money, and potential structural issues down the line. Types of structures offered Steel building companies have specializations. Some work with storage facilities, while some focus on community spaces. One should research the company’s technical capabilities and see whether they align with one’s needs. License and certification It’s mandatory for steel building companies to have licenses before they start operations. Certifications are also important because they indicate the company can handle metal building projects. Use of materials Find out what kind of material the company uses. Is it alloy-coated, heavy-gauge, or recycled content steel? Each serves a different purpose. For example, heavy-gauge steel is relatively more sturdy and weather-resistant, while alloy is good for coastal places with thicker and moist air. The recycled option is suitable for environmentally conscious users since 80% of its content is recycled. Experience It’s imperative to check the company’s previous work and see if its projects are similar to what one’s looking for.
4 packaging mistakes that brands should avoid making
Business

4 packaging mistakes that brands should avoid making

Packaging is one of the most important aspects of branding. The right packaging can assist the brand in leaving a lasting impression on its potential customers. It also ensures that the product reaches the customers without any damage. Business owners need to consider numerous factors that will make the packaging both attractive and durable. There are also some packaging mistakes that they should avoid. These are mentioned below: 1. Improper sizing Selecting the right packaging size is one of the first steps to packaging correctly. However, it is also one of the common places most businesses go wrong. Some businesses make the package box bigger to save the fragile contents. However, they end up leaving the products more vulnerable to damage. Picking a snug fit helps reduce the possibility of damage and provides the best protection. It also gives the shoppers an idea of the right package size. 2. Poor quality Another common mistake with packaging is using cheap materials that are not durable. Businesses usually do this to reduce production expenses. Most assume this practice helps improve profit margins. However, it is one of the practices that can lead to higher expenses in the long run. Poor quality could mean easy damage to the packaging.
5 common shipping mistakes and ways to avoid them
Business

5 common shipping mistakes and ways to avoid them

With increasing e-commerce transactions, the shipping industry is booming more than ever. Whether it’s an online store or a brick-and-mortar retail operation, shipping products safely and efficiently is a must for almost all businesses today. However, any issues in this process can result in damaged goods, packaging issues, add-on shipping costs, or customer dissatisfaction. Here are some common shipping mistakes to avoid to ensure the best services and save on fixing shipping errors. Improper or faulty packing Most product damages during shipping can be avoided if the packing is proper. Inadequate packing, whether in size or protection, can damage the contents during transit. It’s important to use the right boxes and cushioning for items to avoid wasted time, resources, and extra costs for the store or shipping company. Errors in bill of lading A bill of lading (BOL) is a legally binding document with shipping details. This document lists the responsibility of both shipper and carrier, and any issues here, like wrong country or state code, wrong origin or destination, incorrect goods description or goods ownership, and others, can lead to time-consuming and costly delays. Estimating shipping weight wrongly Weight estimation of the shipment is a crucial part of the process, and getting these numbers wrong can cost more.
4 project management mistakes online Gantt charts can help avoid
Business

4 project management mistakes online Gantt charts can help avoid

Handling a project is a lot of hard work. With so many moving parts to overlook, making mistakes and missing crucial deadlines is easy. However, there is a simple solution to these problems: an online Gantt chart. A Gantt chart displays all project-related tasks in one space so one can easily monitor the project. Here are the four most common project management mistakes online Gantt charts can help people avoid. Failure to set a clear timeline When starting a new project, all team members should know the flow of processes and deadlines. It can lead to confusion and delays if everyone is not on the same page. Here’s where a Gantt chart steps in to save the day. It pushes team leaders to create the overall schedule and flow and connect various teams for a seamless project rollout. Forgetting about task dependencies Before starting any project, the team members should know the order in which they must perform individual tasks. Skipping this could create a lack of accountability and delay the project. An online Gantt chart can help illustrate the flow of tasks in a simple way using arrows and the Critical Path Method (CPM). A lack of coordination Every project involves several stakeholders.
5 benefits of text messaging as a small business tool
Business

5 benefits of text messaging as a small business tool

Starting a business can be an overwhelming venture for aspiring entrepreneurs. Aspects of the small business, like demand, supply, and customer service, must be constantly improved so it can thrive. However, in the buzz of social media and its avenues, text messaging is often forgotten as a means to communicate. Surveys indicate that SMS marketing has a higher click-through rate and read time. Here is how text messaging can help a small business grow. Real-time communication A business can communicate with its client base in real time through text messaging, which helps improve response times and decision-making. SMS replies are about 60 times faster than emails. For instance, it may take 90 seconds to respond to a text, while an email may take up to 90 minutes. Improved customer service With the help of text messaging services, a business can easily follow up with customers regarding factors like appointments, complaints, promotions, and their quality of service. Through quick responses, a business can identify problems quickly and deal with them immediately. Ultimately, it helps boost the business’ loyalty and Net Promoter Score (NPS). Lead capture with web-to-text A web-to-text widget can help a business maximize conversation traffic in various situations. For example, the tool will let visitors immediately text the business about their queries or purchases instead of waiting for a reply to their email or spending time on hold on call.

Top Articles

3 river cruises to board in 2022
travel

3 river cruises to board in 2022

If you are planning to go on a long vacation and would love to relax on a deck overlooking a river, then river cruises are for you. From the mighty Mississippi to the scenic Columbia, you can unwind with comfort and luxury on the country’s many rivers. Here are some of the best river cruises of 2022 that will help you make a memorable trip. America’s Great River by Viking Cruises One of the best river cruises of 2022, Viking Cruise offers a unique opportunity to discover American folk music and learn more about the country’s civil rights movement. This 15-day river cruise spans the Mississippi River, letting you explore historic and beautiful cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, and many more. The cruise originates from Louisiana and takes a scenic route up till Minnesota. On this cruise, you can enjoy views of the scenic coastline on the full 360-degree deck and treat yourself to a variety of cuisines. Nashville to Chattanooga (or Reverse) by American Queen Steamboat Company This is a nine-day river cruise that spans the scenic Columbia River. The cruise offers unlimited shore excursions beginning with a hotel stay at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The ship cruises along small river towns and lush landscapes.
5 affordable hotels for a luxurious stay
travel

5 affordable hotels for a luxurious stay

The country is a traveler’s delight as there is a lot that you can see and explore, but before you head out for your next trip, you must make a list of the hotels that you would like to stay in while you travel across the country. Here is a list of best hotels to check out in the country for a luxurious yet affordable stay on your next vacation: Hotel La Croix, Hawaii Hawaii is not exactly a place for tourists who are on a tight budget, and the hotels are quite expensive too. Hotel La Croix, however, is an exception. The three-star hotel that was recently renovated offers an excellent view of the nearby Waikiki Beach and is, arguably, one of the best hotels in the country. The rooms cost less than $150 for a night-long stay and feature a balcony each. The hotel boasts of excellent room service, and all the studios, rooms, and suites are designed with a luxurious touch to help you relax on your holiday. Eagle Ridge, Illinois Eagle Ridge offers most of the services that you would expect to find in a high-end resort, but what’s great is that staying here will not burn a hole in your pocket.
Top 5 hotel booking websites
travel

Top 5 hotel booking websites

Indeed, booking hotels has become easier than ever. But there’s no denying that the sheer number of booking platforms and offers can overwhelm most travelers. Typically, the best hotel booking sites feature great deals, scores of room options in any given location and allow you to filter your search results based on your preferences.  We’ve listed some excellent hotel booking websites that can help you get a great room at an affordable price. Booking.com This is one of the most popular and reliable hotel booking websites. No matter where you are traveling and what time of the year, you can easily find amazing deals on a wide variety of hotels, apartments, and hostels on the platform. Another advantage is that the website is easy to navigate, filters search results accurately, and the search engine displays total upfront cost (pretax), allowing you to determine what fits into your budget quickly. HotelsCombined HotelsCombined is a top-rated metasearch engine or aggregator, meaning it shows you the best results after comparing listings from hundreds of travel sites in seconds, including top online travel agencies like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Agoda, and many more. It’s a great platform if you’re looking for something at the lowest possible price.
4 websites for great hotel bookings at affordable prices
travel

4 websites for great hotel bookings at affordable prices

There’s hardly anything more fun than traveling and exploring new places. The excitement of creating an itinerary and the thrill of being on the road is unmatched, but it’s so much better if the “getaway” is well in your budget. Accommodation is an important factor that determines your overall travel expenses, so deals on that front can help you save big. Here are some of the best hotel booking websites to help you compare deals and plan a budget-friendly trip: Priceline Priceline may come across as your regular hotel booking website, but it offers some outstanding features. For instance, it offers amazing discounts through its Express Deals® feature and free cancelation on most hotels to ensure flexibility. Additionally, Priceline offers a generous best-price guarantee and assures a 100% refund of the price difference if you find a lower price within 24 hours of booking. That’s not all! They offer a 200% refund of the price difference if you find a better price on an Express Deal®. Kayak Kayak is one of the top hotel booking sites for comparing deals and is known for its filtering options and map feature. Just click on your destination on the map, and Kayak will give you all the information you need, including stay options.
Top 5 cruise lines for seniors
Senior cruises

Top 5 cruise lines for seniors

Seniors who like going on luxury vacations every now and then probably want nothing more than a cruise trip on their bucket list. Fortunately, many cruise lines cater to senior citizens, offering everything from discounts and offers to wheelchair-accessible rooms. These cruises sail to distant and serene places, be it Alaska, the Caribbean, or a quaint town in Europe. On that note, here are some of the best cruise lines for seniors to check out. Princess Cruises This is one of the best cruise lines for seniors. Their ships are wheelchair accessible, making it easier for all passengers to enjoy their trip. Though Princess Cruises sail to many destinations around the world, they are particularly known for their Alaskan cruises, which makes them a great choice for those specifically looking to explore Alaska. They even offer cruise tours that include extended land excursions. Azamara Club Cruise If you prefer to stay for a long time in port during cruise trips, consider Azamara Cruises. Almost all their itineraries have long port stays. They even have medical facilities and onboard physicians. Azamara Cruises sail to beautiful places, such as the Caribbean. Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International cruises stand out for many reasons.
Explore the majestic Arctic with these 4 luxury cruises
travel

Explore the majestic Arctic with these 4 luxury cruises

Traveling to a destination is one of the best parts of vacationing. While some venture on a road trip or simply take the next flight, others prefer voyaging the seas. With onboard entertainment, luxurious rooms, and breathtaking sea view, traveling to your destination on a cruise can be an exceptional experience. And this experience magnifies when you are traveling to the Arctic. So, here are some of the best luxury cruises to the Arctic. Explore the Polar Region in style Quark Expedition brings to you adventurous yet a luxurious cruise to the Arctic. Their newest polar-class ship – Ultramrine can board two helicopters and 20 quick deploy Zodiacs for a closer interaction with the Arctic fauna. It also has a spacious viewing deck to witness the intriguing midnight sun. The cruise is a round trip from Longyearbyen to the Arctic circle. Adrenalin-filled Arctic Expedition Lindblad Expeditions is offering an unmatched experience to its customers on a six-to-26-day excursion to the Arctic. The thrilling zodiac rides gives you an opportunity to become an adept photographer to catch a glimpse of the polar bears, multitudes of penguins, seals, and whales surfacing the blue waters. You can also mingle with Svalbard’s local community and experience their rich culture.