These Cities Will Serve the Most Award Winning Food in 2022

There is nothing like dining at a great restaurant, and if you are looking for the most award-winning establishments, here are the cities you will find them in. And while big cities top the list, there are also small cities with award-winning restaurants.

Cities the Most Award Winning Food 2022

In order to find out these restaurants, Shane Co. analyzed more than 800 James Beard Foundation award-winners in the last 20 years across the U.S. With that information on hand, Shane Co. went looking for U.S. states and cities with the most award-worthy food.

States

Not surprisingly New York is the state with the most awards at 253, with California coming in second at 140, and Illinois at third with 69. Louisiana and DC round up the top five at 29 and 28 awards respectively.

image: shaneco.com

Cities

Again, cities in the states with the largest number of winners also make up the list. However, there are smaller cities such as Milwaukee, WI with a noteworthy number of winners.

When it comes to cities, New York City is far and ahead of everyone else at 238. Chicago is next with 67 and San Francisco rounds up the top three with 57.

image: shaneco.com

Small Cities

When a small city such as St. Helena, CA with a population of 6,101 (2019) has 14 awarded restaurants, it makes you wonder what they are doing right. But a closer look reveals it is in Napa County, California’s Wine Country, and it makes more sense.

Other small cities include Bessemer, AL with 6 awards, Charleston, SC with 10, and Yountville, CA with 10.

image: shaneco.com

James Beard Foundation Award

To put the James Beard Foundation Award into context, it is worth mentioning it is one of the more prized awards in the restaurant industry in the U.S. The mission of the award is, “To recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system.” When it comes to restaurants, the foundation considers quality of food, atmosphere, and service with strict criteria. And winning the award is a sure-fire way to bring in local foodies as well as those from other cities, states, and even countries.

The James Beard Foundation Award has been in hiatus in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. However, the foundation has announced it will be back in 2022 giving worthy restaurateurs with excellent dining experiences their just due recognition with its awards.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "These Cities Will Serve the Most Award Winning Food in 2022" was first published on Small Business Trends

Accuracy is Imperative (CARTOON)

This article, "Accuracy is Imperative (CARTOON)" was first published on Small Business Trends

Get the Best Commercial Trash Cans for Your Business

Finding the right commercial trash cans might not seem like a critical business decision at first glance but choosing the right cans might make your customers more comfortable and overall make your business a pleasant place to visit.

Commercial trash cans come in a variety of sizes ranging from round plastic trash cans, to galvanized pails and cans with lids, tilt and wheel trash cans with lids, and a lot more. So how do you pick the perfect trash can when you have such a wide selection?

We have rounded up some of the best commercial trash cans for your business.

Best Commercial Trash Cans

• Top Pick: simplehuman Bullet Open Top Trash Can
• Runner Up: Rubbermaid Slim Jim Plastic Rectangular Trash Can
• Best Value: Suncast Narrow Trash Can

simplehuman Bullet Open Top Trash Can

Top Pick: Built of heavy gauge steel and available in 60-liter, 80-liter, and 115-liter options, the simplehuman Bullet Open Top Trash Can is certainly a perfect option for high-traffic spaces such as restaurants, hotel lobbies, or banquet rooms. The non-skid rubber pads keep the can steady and are gentle on the floor. It also has side handles that allow for easy lifting and durability is guaranteed with a 10-year warranty.

simplehuman 60 Liter / 16 Gallon Bullet Open  Top Trash Can, Commercial Grade Heavy Gauge

Buy on Amazon

 

Rubbermaid Slim Jim Plastic Rectangular Trash Can

Runner Up: The Slim Lim by Rubbermaid Commercial Products is a highly rated trash can, and it is easy to see why. The rectangular and slim nature of the can allows it to easily fit into tight spaces. It also features 4 built-in venting channels that reduce the vacuum effect that occurs when you pull out the liners from traditional garbage cans. Contoured base handles allow for a comfortable secure grip when lifting or moving the can.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products Slim Jim Plastic Rectangular Trash/Garbage Can

Buy on Amazon

 

Suncast Narrow Trash Can

Best Value: This narrow trash can by Suncast Commercial is available in two varieties – with handles or without handles. The trash can is built off the durable resin that is easy to handle but also tough enough to take on even the most demanding job. The extra-large air channels and a foot assist make liner removals super easy. The narrow design allows the can to easily fit a variety of spaces.

Suncast Commercial TCNH2030BK Narrow Trash Can With Handles

Buy on Amazon

 

Rubbermaid BRUTE Heavy-Duty Trash Can

Rubbermaid certainly gives the design and durability of their products a lot of thought, and the BRUTE heavy-duty can is not an exception. This can is guaranteed to never crack, warp, or fade as it uses the highest quality plastic and a UV inhibitor that ensures long life even in the most extreme environments. Innovative venting channels make it easier to lift outliners. Reinforced rounded handles make lifting and moving easier and a stackable design enables nesting for easy storage and transportation.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products – FG263200GRAY BRUTE Heavy-Duty Trash/Garbage Can

Buy on Amazon

 

Safco Canmeleon Open Top Pentagon Trash Can

This black open-top trash is a perfect addition to your business. The open-top design allows your customers to easily dispose of their trash without having to touch the can.  It also seamlessly fits in in a variety of environments thanks to the black color. Its aesthetic appeal is also matched with the long-lasting durability that’s provided by the high-density polyethylene plastic.

Safco Products Canmeleon Outdoor/Indoor Open Top Pentagon Trash Can

Buy on Amazon

 

Umbra Venti Swing-Top Trash Can

The Venti trash can by Umbra features a simple yet highly attractive design that looks great with any décor. It is a great addition to any kitchen thanks to the swing-top design that allows for hassle-free trash disposal. The Venti has a 16.5-gallon capacity and is made of durable polypropylene material that is also super easy to clean.

Umbra Venti 16.5-Gallon Swing Top Kitchen Trash Can – Large, 35-inch Tall Garbage Can for Indoor, Outdoor or Commercial Use

Buy on Amazon

 

Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can

Hold more trash with this stainless-steel trash can from Glad. This hands-free trash can comes with a Clorox Odor Protection lid that traps the bad smells from escaping when the lid is closed. The can is also equipped with steel bag rings that help keep the trash bags in place while also keeping them neatly tucked away from sight.  Also conveniently located at the back of the can is a bag holder and dispenser

Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection | Large Metal Kitchen Garbage Bin with Soft Close Lid

Buy on Amazon

 

What to Look for When Buying Commercial Trash Cans

Choosing the best commercial trash cans for your business is important. It can have a big impact on your brand impression – and your bottom line. A good selection will spice up your décor. As you think about the best options for your business, you need to think about the amount of trash that your business generates, the aesthetic appearance, durability, ease-of-use, among other things.

Here are five things to look for when buying your commercial trash can.

• Location: Trash cans are a long-term investment so you need to make sure you choose a can that can withstand a variety of uses. Outdoors or indoors is one of the biggest factors to consider.
• Volume and Available Space: How much trash does your business generate? This should help you determine the right size for your trash can. Larger bins will often come with wheels that make it easy to move them around. You also need to consider your available trash bin storage area. Consider the narrow rectangular bins for narrow spaces.
• Ease of Use: For easy handling, most bins, especially the larger options use handles that provide a comfortable, secure grip. Open-top trash cans are a good option for high-traffic environments as they allow for easy toss-ins, while cans with a lid can help hide unsightly trash. Kitchen bins should have a lid, while office trash cans should be small and discreet.
• Maintenance: You will periodically need to clean the trash cans regardless of the amount of trash collected. Make sure your trash can material allows for easy removal of the waste bags. You also need to invest in high-quality trash liners to avoid bag breaks.
• Durability: Stainless steel is usually a good choice if you are looking for durability, but you can as well find some plastic cans that are strengthened with a UV inhibitor that ensures long life even in extreme environments.

Image: amazon

This article, "Get the Best Commercial Trash Cans for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

15 Best Apps for a Business Selling Clothes

If you happen to do some spring cleaning or did a little closet purge to declutter and happen to have a pile of old clothes that you have no need for? Well, the good news is this pile of clothes can be a good money-making opportunity. There is a huge demand for vintage clothes, shoes, and accessories, and tapping into this untapped demand can prove lucrative. With the power of the internet and speedy delivery services, you can now start selling clothing online sending them anywhere in the globe.

It’s a Huge Market to Sell Clothes Online

It should be no surprise there’s a huge market for reselling clothing.

Consider these latest figures from one of the top fashion resale sites, thredUP: The fashion resale industry totals about $20 billion in sales alone, and it is the biggest resale market in the US. Reselling clothes is growing 24-times faster than retail fashion, too.

You won’t find major retailers reselling clothing, though, and that’s where you and thousands more pro sellers come in. With the help of selling apps, you can easily open your very own online thrift store with very little upfront investments.

Best App to Sell Clothes Online? Consider These

If you are looking into how to open a thrift store in a brick-and-mortar location, trying an online version first could be a great learning opportunity. Check out this current list of apps to sell clothes and pick the top apps you’d like to sell clothes online. Which one fits your needs best?

ASOS Marketplace

Being home to the “Best independent brands and vintage boutiques,” if you want to sell vintage clothing, the ASOS Marketplace app can be a great place to list and sell pretty items. ASOS Marketplace users tend to love clothing that’s retro, vintage and edgy.

Mercari

With the Mercari app, you can list women’s, men’s and kid’s clothing in minutes. You can also ship items via printable shipping labels directly to the seller and enjoy fast payments.

Poshmark

Poshmark is an app that enables people to sell items of clothing they no longer want. Items are listed by category, making it easy for them to be found by shoppers. One standout feature of Poshmark is the app’s virtual posh parties, whereby thousands of Poshmark users gather several times a day to create listings, share listings, and shop. When your old clothing sells, you’ll be sent a shipping label so you can drop the item off at a postal dropbox.

The RealReal

If you’re in the business of selling high-end, luxury clothing items, then The RealReal could be the right app for you as it specializes in listing pre-owned designer clothes. In addition, all designer items listed on The RealReal are checked for authenticity by the app’s in-house team of luxury clothing specialists.

Vinted

You can sell or swap your used clothes on the Vinted app. Simply add a description and a photo of the item alongside the price. Once the item sells and the buyer receives it, you print your shipping label and ship the package at the drop-off point within five days. After that, the funds are transferred directly into your bank account or via PayPal.

eBay

With the eBay app, you can sell clothes faster and more efficiently than ever. All you have to do is create an eBay account, download the app, take photos of the clothes you want to sell, add descriptions, set your own price and wait for buyers to start bidding. Also, with eBay, you have the option of selling items for a ‘Buy It Now’ price or putting them in an auction.

Grailed

If you sell men’s fashion and streetwear, you may want to use the Grailed app, the latest men’s fashion marketplace. Simply create a Grail account, take a photo of the item you wish to sell, add a description and wait for offers to come flooding in. Each transaction made on the Grail app is conducted through PayPal.

LePrix

The LePrix app is an online consignment store that caters to high-end fashion brands. If you have designer clothing to sell, the LePrix app could be a great place for you to do so. The company has drop-offs at partner boutiques and schedules a free in-home pickup if you live in a major city. If that doesn’t work, LePrix can send a prepaid shipping label to you so that you can send in your designer items.

Kidizen

Kidizen is a consignment shop for children’s clothes, and it’s one of the leading apps to sell clothes in this category. Selling your gently-used children’s clothing through Kidizen is easy—all you have to do is snap a picture, list the item, print a shipping label and ship it out. You can also choose to donate your child’s outgrown items if you don’t want to sell them.

ThredUp

ThredUp is a fantastic app for buying & selling clothes online, with more than 30,000 fashion brands using the app to sell women’s, children’s and teen’s clothing. On ThredUp, you can request a “Clean Out Kit,” where you fill a bag with unwanted clothing, send it to ThredUp, where they categorize and list your items. ThredUp provides the shipping label, and you just drop your free shipping kit off with USPS or FedEx. USPS. When your items sell, you earn a percentage of the sale price, which varies, depending on your selling price.

Depop

Sell old items of clothing and accessories from anywhere you want to with the Depop app. Depop refers to itself as a community of sellers and buyers and is the ideal place to sell streetwear and vintage clothing. The shipping process is easy, and either the seller or the buyer pays for the cost of shipping. The shipping labels are created by Depop, and shipping costs depend on the package’s weight and dimensions. Payout is through PayPal, direct deposit or store credit

OfferUp

If you are wanting to sell items of clothing locally, you can do so with ease and efficiency with the OfferUp app. People looking for specific clothes in your area use OfferUp to find products, meaning costly shipping fees are eliminated.

Etsy

Favorite seller Etsy has been hailed as the “World’s most imaginative marketplace.” Therefore, if you make and sell home decor or beautiful, unique handmade vintage clothing, the Etsy selling app could be the top app to sell clothes online.

letgo

You can sell used clothes and fashion accessories with the simple-to-use and intuitively-designed letgo app. With over 100 million downloads and hundreds of millions of listings, letgo claims to be the “biggest and fastest-growing app for buying and selling locally.”

Facebook Marketplace

The Facebook Marketplace app is a go-to for people looking to buy and sell clothes online. They cater mostly to the local community, but they also allow for nationwide shipping. The steps to create listings on the Facebook Marketplace is easy, and it’s a great way to get your clothes seen by many. Oh, did we mention there are no seller fees for listing or selling items? That’s right. However, there is a 5% service fee if you ship an item

Bonanza

Like eBay, Bonanza is an auction-based e-commerce site that allows you to sell items of clothing on your own “webstore.” You only pay when items sell and with the Bonanza app you can manage your “webstore”, transactions and “b-mails” with greater efficiency and when you are on the move.

Rebelle

If you’re in the market of selling designer labels, clothes, bags, shoes, accessories or jewelry, then you may want to use the Rebelle app. Rebelle makes selling used items of clothing and accessories a luxury by offering a 48-hour guaranteed delivery service and chic mint green packaging – what more could you ask for!

Tradesy

Fashion lovers rejoice! If you’re looking to unload your Louis Vuitton, Chanel or Prada luxury handbag in a safe, secure and friendly environment, Tradesy is what you need. The app for selling designer handbags offers an easy selling process and free shipping through FedEx when the item sells.

Flyp

Flyp enables users to sell their clothes and earn money, and the resale value is stellar on this app. That means you can make anywhere between 50 to 70% of the sales price. It’s a really simple process where you input the item name, resale price, and description and then take and upload photos of your product. The only catch to Flyp is the brands these professional sellers are willing to accept. Many mall brands, such as Nine West and Banana Republic don’t make the cut.

Vestiaire Collective

The Vestiaire Collective app allows you to sell vintage clothing, men’s clothing, women’s clothing and designer labels when you are on the go. You’ll also get up to 80% of the selling price for your old clothes, and that’s not bad. Vestiaire Collective proudly asserts to be the “World’s largest collection of pre-owned luxury fashion,” so if you’re not yet using this app for selling your used designer clothing, start using it!

Rebag

Rebag is an online marketplace application that specializes in luxury handbags, accessories and jewelry. What makes Rebag one of the more interesting selling apps of designer brands is Clair, their artificial intelligence software that gives you a price estimate based on the photo scan provided through the app. Sellers can list their items online in minutes and market to a growing community of shoppers looking to buy new items at up to 50% off retail prices.

There’s Also Fashionpile Store Credit

If you’re looking to sell clothes online, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of shipping items or waiting for payments, store credit may be a good option for you. Apps like Fashionphile offer store credit as a payout option, which can be used on their website to buy new clothes. This eliminates the need to worry about shipping items or tracking payments.

Is Selling Clothes Online Profitable?

The short answer is yes, there is money to be made in secondhand clothing but it may not necessarily be for everyone. The success of aspiring pro sellers will depend on a number of factors such as the type and condition of the clothes, where it is from, and what stage in their life cycle it’s currently at. You will need to carefuly weigh you strenght and market potential ofthe secondhand marketplace if you want to improve your personal finance. Globally there are three major ways to sell your clothes: consignment stores, online marketplaces, and local classified sites.

By some estimates, a consignment stores model can be lucrative if you are dealing with a large stock of clothing. It does however come with some heavy lifting required such as managing a high inventory, delivery, taking photos, and creating the listing. This model is more attuned towards a professional seller who has a large inventory to offer.

An online marketplace is somewhat offering some form of flexibility compared to other consignment stores where you can sell individual items directly to buyers. Besides having the to not deal with high levels of stock you also don’t have to deal with deliveries, payment processing, and search for buyers as the marketplace already comes with its own captive market. You can manage buyer purchases, offer prepaid shipping labels, and receive payments to your PayPal account from the comfort of your mobile device. The downside might be the fact that you will be required to pay commissions for the services rendered by the marketplace in some cases commissions might be too steep and might eat into your profits.

The third and last option is using local classified sites though it definitely reduces costs and saves you helps you to save some extra money. But this model comes come with a caveat that is your sales will be limited as your customer base will be limited to your locality. On the flip side is that.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "15 Best Apps for a Business Selling Clothes" was first published on Small Business Trends

The Biggest Digital Marketing Trends of 2022

The biggest trends in digital marketing that will influence marketing leaders and customers in 2022.

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How to Improve Your Services as an Electrical Contractor

Providing excellent customer service helps you grow your business as electrical contractor through word of mouth.

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How to Make Money Watching Videos

There’s a good chance you already watch videos in your free time — so why not earn money when doing so. There are companies that will pay you for watching video ads, movie trailers, and app trailers. The next time you’re watching TV or browsing your phone, here are some options for turning it into a profitable side hustle.

How Much Can You Expect to Earn Watching Videos?

Getting paid to watch videos can provide some extra cash each month. But it’s not usually a full-time income. If you watch ads consistently, you may bring in about $100 or more per month, or you can take real surveys for money to make even more. However, many who get paid to watch videos just bring in a few extra dollars per week. Usually, these sites offer points that can then be exchanged for free gift cards or loaded onto a prepaid debit card. The hourly rate may fall around $5, depending on which sites you use.

12 Companies that Pay You to Watch Videos Online and In Apps

If you’re ready to earn cash while you watch ads online, you first need to find sites that pay as well as making sure they are legit money-making apps. Here are some options for those ready to make money and watch videos online.

1. MyPoints

MyPoints lets users earn rewards for watching videos online or via mobile apps. It’s actually more of a shopping rewards site. But you can earn extra money by watching videos and filling out market research surveys about them. Points can be cashed in for gift cards, travel miles, or PayPal cash. And they offer a $10 gift card as a signup bonus.

2. Netflix

Netflix relies on remote employees to watch movies and TV shows to tag them for search results. This is more of an actual job opportunity. So you can spend your days making money on a side job that can be done in your spare time. But you may need to wait for opportunities to be posted to their website before you can spend all day watching videos and earn free money.

3. Swagbucks

Swagbucks lets you earn points that you can redeem for gift cards. Their site features playlists full of entertaining videos like movie trailers. So you can choose the types of videos that most appeal to you, then earn points once you’ve watched several videos. Or you can browse coupons, shop online, play games, and take online surveys for extra points. There’s also a mobile app so you can get paid to watch videos on the go.

4. Nielsen

Media research company Nielsen runs a computer and mobile panel to monitor consumer activity. This isn’t just about watching videos. But it is one activity that can earn you cash on your devices. Participants can enroll laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Then you can earn up to $50 in points for gift cards or enter a monthly contest for $10,000.

5. GrabPoints

GrabPoints offers free gift cards and PayPal cash for various online activities, including watching videos, completing surveys, and downloading apps. Advertisers pay for the engagement. So there are an array of ads and video subjects to choose from. Payouts start at $5 and go up to $200 or more.

6. InboxDollars

InboxDollars offers points for watching videos, taking surveys, and shopping online with points. Brands pay the site for customer input. So all the activities are aimed at helping with market research. And you get actual cash in exchange, instead of points or gift cards. Payouts occur via PayPal. Or you can opt for gift cards instead. There’s also a $5 signup bonus.

7. KashKick

KashKick is a free account that pays consumers for various activities. You can earn money by watching videos, finding deals, answering surveys, and just browsing online. KashKick deposits your earnings directly into your PayPal account. And they have some of the lowest payout limits around; you only need to earn $10 to get paid.

8. Earnably

Earnably offers instant rewards for various online activities. For example, users can watch videos and then complete surveys about various promotions or offers. In exchange, you can sign up to receive gift cards, cash, or discounts. And the company specifies exactly how long each task should take. Additionally, you can earn extra points to redeem by inviting friends to the platform.

9. iRazoo

iRazoo is an online survey platform that also pays for activities like video watching, downloading apps, and playing games online. It’s free to sign up. And the company has paid users more than $145 million in gift cards and cash. Every activity you choose earns points. So you can gain a few dollars at a time and then cash out right away.

10. CreationsRewards

CreationsRewards offers cash and discounts for an array of consumer activities. These include watching video ads, taking surveys, visiting websites, shopping online, completing special offers, and referring friends and family. Your points can be redeemed for gift cards. Or you can get cash back for shopping online.

11. AdWallet

AdWallet offers real cash for watching ads. Each interaction is worth between $0.50 and $3.00 and takes just a few minutes. Once you earn $10, you can cash out to get paid to watch videos. The site also offers sign up bonuses and $1 for each friend you refer who signs up.

12. Fusion Cash

Fusion Cash offers money, discounts, and gifts for things like videos and surveys. The popular rewards site also offers promotions from various companies. So you can sign up for special offers with a credit card and get paid in exchange. There are also signup and referral bonuses.

How to Maximize Your Earnings from Watching Videos Online

Once you’ve decided to earn money watching video content, there are a few ways to make the most of these opportunities. Here are some tips:

• Take advantage of signup bonuses: Sign up for multiple services, especially those that offer a welcome bonus.
• Multitask: Watch videos on a laptop or phone while waiting in lines or watching TV at home.
• Refer friends: Many sites offer bonuses for referring friends, so see if you know anyone who wants to earn money watching videos.
• Take on paid surveys and extra tasks: Many of the services above offer extra points for other tasks like completing surveys, playing games, and signing up for rewards or question and answer surveys.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "How to Make Money Watching Videos" was first published on Small Business Trends

How to Accept Crypto Payments as a Small Business

It took only four months within the first half of 2021 for the global cryptocurrency usage to double to over 200 million. In this article, we’ll show you how to accept crypto payments as a small business.

As more people continue to warm up to crypto, a good number of small businesses are way ahead of the news, positioning themselves to serve the increasing number of crypto-paying customers.  

Accepting Cryptocurrency Payments

According to a January 2020 HSB nationwide survey, 36% of small businesses accept cryptocurrency payments. If you’re among the enterprises left out of the crypto payments bracket, it’s probably time to start figuring out how to accept crypto payments to keep pace with the competition.

Among the small business owners surveyed, 50% cited the adoption of crypto by major payment processors and large innovative companies as a motivator for accepting crypto payments. In the survey, 35% of the respondents said that they chose to go crypto to keep up with competition and customer demands. 

But crypto adoption is not just a survival tactic for small businesses. It’s also a means to business efficiency. There are numerous benefits of using bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies for small businesses. These include:

• Increasing your international reach
• Better security due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency
• Faster payments
• Lower processing fees, and 
• Elimination of the dreaded chargeback fees that eat into your hard-earned cash.

Crypto payments are, however, not without their downsides. High volatility and the risk of cyber-attacks top the list. Depending on how you adopt crypto, you can minimize these risks and reap the most benefit out of crypto. 

How to Accept Crypto Payments as a Small Business

Accepting crypto payments is easy. Here’s how: 

Set up a cryptocurrency wallet

You’ll start by setting up a crypto wallet. A wallet works just like a bank account, where you send and receive digital money. 

Since chances are you’ll accept different types of crypto from various customers, it’s best to go for a multi-cryptocurrency wallet that holds several types of cryptocurrencies.

A multi-crypto wallet holds different types of cryptocurrency, saving you the inconvenience of opening many crypto wallets for different cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin is the most popular crypto among small businesses, followed by Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Binance. Consider a wallet that can hold these popular cryptos. 

Other factors to look for when choosing the best multi-cryptocurrency wallet are:

• Cryptocurrencies supported (wallets such as Ledger Nano S and Guarda support more than 30 cryptos)
• Affordability in terms of purchase fees (for cold or offline wallets) and transaction fees
• Ability to integrate with other software wallets
• Safety (malware – and hack-proof)
• Ability to link with other apps for seamless money transfer

Integrate crypto payments on your website

Once your crypto wallet is up and running, it’s time to integrate crypto payments into your website. 

If you run an e-commerce site on platforms such as Shopify, Magenta, and Woocommerce, there are numerous plugins that you can install to set up crypto payment processing. 

If you can’t find the right plugin, you can sign up on a crypto payment gateway. Crypto processors provide several ways in which you can accept payment on your website. Some of these methods include payment buttons, and invoices. 

Some of the top crypto processors in the world are CoinBase Commerce and BitPay. 

Go for a cryptocurrency gateway that: 

• Supports various types of crypto
• Has low transaction fees
• Integrate with platforms that are important to your business
• Insulates your crypto from market volatility through instant conversion to FIAT money
• Has no minimum balance and payout restrictions 
• Can settle your payments in multiple currencies
• Provides other perks such as invoicing, recurring payments, and other accounting options
• Has a good reputation and handsome reviews
• Is safe and secure with tight sign-in and user verification processes 

If you’re unable to or don’t want to integrate, you can organize direct payments with your customers. All they need is your wallet address or your QR code, which you can generate from your wallet. Your clients will enter your address or scan your QR code to make payments.

Cushion yourself against crypto drawbacks when accepting crypto payments

You can maintain the safety and value of your crypto by:

• Instantly turning your Bitcoin and other cryptos to cash

Sign up for payment processors such as BitPay and Flexa which automatically convert your Bitcoin to cash, eliminating volatility issues that can reduce your crypto’s value.

• Avoiding direct contact with crypto 

You can also accept bitcoin payments without crypto exposure by letting your customers pay via the crypto option on PayPal.

Once your crypto-holding sends the digital money, PayPal credits your account with U.S. dollars.

What to consider before you accept cryptocurrency payments

• Crypto tax implications

According to the International Revenue Services (IRS), all cryptocurrencies are capital assets and attract capital gains tax. If, as a small business, you use bitcoin to make purchases, the IRS treats that purchase as a crypto sale.

If the coins you ‘sell’ are worth more than what you ‘bought’ them for, you’ll pay capital gains tax in addition to applicable sales tax. 

• Crypto regulation (or the lack of it)

No bank or government body regulates crypto since cryptocurrencies are largely decentralized. With limited regulation, your businesses’ assets are not entirely safe. You’ll need insurance to cover issues such as data security breaches and cybercrime losses.

You should also be prepared to keep up with changing regulations as stakeholders continue to consult on how to regulate crypto.

• Your audience

Research indicates that  74% of crypto holders are aged 25 – 44 and 19% fall between ages 44 and 55. 

The ability to accept crypto payments could be a crucial requirement for your business if you serve the younger, tech-savvy audience. 

Nevertheless, older generations aged at least 60 are catching up and you’ll still need to adapt if you serve the older market.

Get ahead of the Competition & Dive Into Crypto Accepting crypto payments paints your business as forward-looking and innovative, improving your brand image. 

While your customers may not dive into making crypto payments right away, it’s important to learn the A to Z of Bitcoin and crypto and how to accept bitcoin payments. Be ready to grab every opportunity to stand out and thrive in today’s dynamic market. 

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "How to Accept Crypto Payments as a Small Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

The Best Commercial Coffee Maker for Your Small Business

In today’s world where coffee has become a part of our culture, finding the right commercial coffee maker for your restaurant or café is super important. It could be the difference between attracting more customers or losing your loyal regulars.

The use of commercial coffee machines has grown beyond cafes and restaurants to salons, car dealerships, bars, hospitals, and many more areas. One of the reasons for this is because, commercial brewers offer more coffee options than the regular home machines as you can create a variety of coffee drinks such as mocha, macchiato, latte, espresso, and much more. A robust commercial coffee machine will also allow you to make other types of drinks like hot chocolate and tea. There are hundreds of commercial coffee makers to choose from, so finding the right one might be a bit of a headache – but it doesn’t have to be. We have done some extra research to also bring you a variety of commercial coffee makers to suit your business needs.

Best Commercial Coffee Maker

• Top Pick: BUNN Commercial Coffee Brewer
• Runner Up: Keurig K155 Commercial Coffee Maker
• Best Value: Hamilton Beach Commercial Stainless Steel Coffee Urn

BUNN Commercial Coffee Brewer

Top Pick: Topping our list is this brewer from Bunn, which features some of the most important features that you need in a commercial coffee maker. It comes with two warmers and two glass decanters. It is also totally portable so you can move it around, you just need to find a power source. It is also super easy to make coffee using this beauty. Just pour cold water at the top and the machine will brew your coffee immediately, providing 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour. Stainless steel and a black finish make this machine super sturdy, attractive, and easy to clean.

BUNN – FBA_33200.0015 Bunn 33200.0015 VPR-2GD 12-Cup Pourover Commercial Coffee Brewer

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Keurig K155 Commercial Coffee Maker

Runner Up: Make coffee making fun with the stylish Keurig K155 Commercial Coffee Maker. This fully programmable brewer is super easy to use. It comes with an interactive full-color display that allows for easy temperature adjusting. You also get 4-cup brew choices to choose from ranging from 4 ounces, 6 ounces, 8 ounces, or 10 ounces.

Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer

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Hamilton Beach Commercial Stainless Steel Coffee Urn

Best Value: This is the perfect coffee maker for outside catering or your food truck. The urn is made of polished stainless steel for long-lasting performance, and it can hold up to 60 cups.   The coffee window on the side allows for easy measuring and quick monitoring of the coffee levels. The power and ready lights will let you know when the urn is on and when the brewing cycle is complete.  It also comes with two handles that allow for easy lifting and transportation.

Hamilton Beach Commercial Stainless Steel Coffee Urn, 60 Cup Capacity

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Waring Commercial Coffee Brewer

This heavy-duty and easy-to-clean brewer is designed to provide large volumes of hot, fresh coffee where it’s needed. Designed for efficiency and optimal speed, this brewer brews perfect coffee into an airport which allows for quick serving. It also comes with a hot water faucet that provides water on demand for other hot drinks.

Waring Commercial WCM70PAP Café Deco Automatic Airpot Coffee Brewer, Stainless Steel Construction

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Moccamaster 53944 KBGV Coffee Maker

This handmade coffee brewer comes with some of the best features that you need in a commercial coffee maker including a unique hot plate that will keep your coffee warm and fresh after brewing, a selector that allows you to choose the amount of carafe that you want to brew, and a brewing capacity of 10 cups. Quality is guaranteed with a 5-year warranty.

Moccamaster 53944 KBGV Select 10-Cup Coffee Maker, Candy Apple Red

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BUNN 12-Cup Pourover Commercial Coffee Brewer

Do you find yourself consistently having to warm coffee for a lot of people at once? This 12-cup coffee maker comes with three separately controlled warmers and brews 3.9 gallons of coffee per hour. Making coffee is also a breeze. Just pour cold water on the top and your coffee will start brewing immediately.

BUNN 04275.0031 VPS 12-Cup Pourover Commercial Coffee Brewer, with 3 Warming Stations

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SYBO 12-Cup Commercial Drip Coffee Maker 

Make a full pot of coffee in less than 10 minutes with the SYBO 12-Cup Commercial Drip Coffee Maker. This coffee machine comes with two warmers. Keep your already brewed coffee hot using the top warmer as you make some more coffee with the bottom one. The indicator light will show the working status and remind you when your coffee is ready. The machine comes with a two-year warranty and all its parts are ETL CE and ROHS Intertek certified.

SYBO 12-Cup Commercial Drip Coffee Maker, Pour Over Coffee Maker Brewer

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What to Look for When Buying a Commercial Coffee Maker

Commercial coffee makers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and brands. The coffee makers are also available in a variety of types ranging from the traditional coffee makers with decanters to thermal servers, and much more. Here are a few things to consider when looking for a commercial coffee maker.

• Automation: You need an automated coffee machine for your restaurant or food truck as it allows you to take on more orders as the coffee brews.  Most commercial machines are automated to some degree, but the level of automation varies from one coffee maker to another.
• Capacity: Also related to automation, choose a machine that has a higher holding and brewing capacity that can quickly satisfy the coffee needs of your customers even during peak hours.
• Quality: Find a coffee machine that will consistently make good quality coffee for a long time. Most states and municipalities require restaurants and cafes to use NSF Certified machines. A long-term warranty is also usually one of the signs of a good quality machine.
• Features: make sure your coffee machine indicates the brewing temperature. You do not want to end up with a coffee machine that lacks the correct temperature settings as this affects the quality of coffee.
• Workflow: Think about your business workflow. Some machines will be suitable for certain types of workflow. If you run a café or diner, speed and efficiency are certainly crucial so you need a machine that can keep up with the orders. A slower machine drip machine might be suitable for office use.

Image: amazon

This article, "The Best Commercial Coffee Maker for Your Small Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

Why You Shouldn’t Hire a Document When What You Need Is a Team Member

The “Curriculum Vitae”, otherwise known as the resume, has been around since about 1482. Created by the great Leonardo de Vinci, the professional “CV” offered a quick and efficient way for hiring managers to estimate whether someone might be a good fit for a job. Unfortunately, “guessing” your way to the perfect hire just isn’t a good idea.

A CV tells a hiring manager a few distinct things about a potential candidate. With a CV, you can tell where a person worked before coming to your company, how long they spent in each job, and which official certifications they have. That’s about it.

Unfortunately, none of those things are enough to guarantee a good hire. In fact, the number one reason new hires don’t work out has nothing to do with previous experience or technical qualifications. Most hires fail because of poor cultural fit.  

The Problem with Relying on CVs

The idea that technical expertise or a background in a certain industry can 100% guarantee a successful hire is outdated (and a little insane). Currently, 73% of professionals leave jobs because they just don’t feel comfortable with the internal culture. What’s more, countless experts agree that people don’t leave “bad jobs”, they leave “bad bosses” and bad internal experiences.

The workplace is full of numerous moving parts, all of which have a distinct job to play. However, if those parts don’t mesh with each other, nothing really gets done. Unfortunately, the old-fashioned hiring process, focused primarily on the CV, paves the way to hiring mistakes.

If you think of hiring someone like buying a t-shirt online, hiring with a CV is akin to buying a shirt in your size, without knowing anything about the cut, what it looks like, or even whether the design is comfortable to wear. It “should” work as a shirt – but you might not be happy with the result.

As intrinsic as they may seem to the hiring process, CVs are more hindrance than help to the average hiring manager. They convince HR experts they can pick the perfect person for a role based on their previous job roles alone and cause us to forget about the value of cultural fit.

Innovative work simulator company, Unboxable, says around 74% of employers currently admit to hiring the wrong person, and the majority of the time, the incorrect hire comes as a result of poor cultural fit. Unboxable believes that when you focus entirely on the CV, you forget to consider the “human” aspect of the hiring process – i.e., what goes on beyond technical skills.

So, What if We Forgot the CV?

The average cost of a bad hire can be around 30% of the employee’s potential first-year earnings. If you’re hiring a staff member with a $100,000 annual wage, picking the wrong one could cost you about $30,000. That’s a lot of cash to balance on the insights you can get from a single piece of paper.

So, what if we turned the hiring process upside down entirely? Instead of trying to match words on a CV to words on a job description, why not match characteristics in an employee, to the values that make your team thrive?

Unboxable replaces CVs and checkboxes with job simulators which help companies to develop a deeper knowledge of their potential candidates’ attributes, like detail-orientation, communication skills, or the ability to work well in a team.

You still get to test the technical skills of the employees, by testing them in the kind of role they’re going to be working in. However, you can also evaluate the human side of the candidate and consider how they’re going to mesh with their manager, and the rest of the team.

Anyone can write a CV that checks all the right boxes for a role, simply by copy-pasting the keywords from your job description into their application. There are thousands of people out there with skills in things like PHP and Ruby on Rails, but only a handful who will work well as part of your budding start-up. Focusing on CVs alone mean you miss the little details in the hiring process which make all the difference between an “ok” hire, and an “amazing” one.

Hire a Person: Not a CV

A member of staff isn’t a conglomeration of previous work roles and time spent in classes. Your employees need a certain selection of technical skills, and experience working in specific environments – but they need a lot more than that too.

A good employee is someone who can do the job given to them – a great one is someone who can help your business to actively grow, by doing the right work. Companies like Unboxable have begun to recognize that and introduce new methods of evaluating and understanding potential candidates as a result. Now it’s up to hiring managers to make the transition too.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "Why You Shouldn’t Hire a Document When What You Need Is a Team Member" was first published on Small Business Trends

11 Newsletter Examples to Inspire Your Own

You might thing email newsletters aren’t an effective marketing tool in 2022, but you would be mistaken. A weekly newsletter is still a highly useful email marketing strategy, as well as a cost-effective way to reach and engage target audiences, and more small businesses are employing these efforts every day.

Still, that doesn’t mean that all email newsletters will effectively impact potential customers and boost sales. What sets one apart from the next? What elements create a great email newsletter? Is a good newsletter example available for small business owners who want to establish an email newsletter that helps their companies grow? These and other factors play a big role as you look into the small business guide to email marketing.

Why You Should Send an Email Newsletter

Email is a part of practically everyone’s daily lives. In fact, McKinsey & Company found that email is 40 times more effective at acquiring new customers than both Facebook and Twitter combined. After all, more than 90% of American consumers still check their email daily.

If you dont’ already send your audience emailed communication, there are a variety of reasons why you should send an email newsletter:

• Email newsletters boost brand awareness. When audience members see the email, it increases brand recognition and keeps the company on their minds.
• Email newsletters establish authority. By including informative content that audiences can use, a company shows it holds authority in its niche.
• Email newsletters engage customers. Modern consumers want to be engaged with their preferred brands, and email newsletters serve as an effective engagement tool.
• Email newsletters drive sales. Companies that send audiences information about discounts, coupons and product updates can directly impact revenue and boost sales.

What Makes a Successful Email Newsletter?

Sure, email newsletters continue to serve as effective marketing tools, but that doesn’t mean just any old newsletter will be successful. Plenty of well-intended marketing efforts remain unopened in email inboxes or head directly into recycle bins. So, what makes a successful email newsletter?

Engaging Subject Line

An email’s subject line is a great example of an element that will make or break a campaign. It often determines whether or not audiences will open and read the message. It must capture potential customers’ attention and make them want to learn more.

When writing an engaging subject line for your email newsletter, be sure and provide audience members with a taste of what to expect inside and focus on the most positive aspect of the email.

Easy to Read Format

Your audience won’t spend longer than couple of seconds determining whether the email is a worthwhile read. Without an easy-to-read format, an email newsletter design will fail to capture potential customers’ attention, and they will quickly send the email to the trash.

Relevant Content

What content will you include in your email newsletter? In order to boost your small business’s authority in your market, be sure and include content that is relevant to that niche. Such content might include a blog post related to your business niche, coupons for freebies adn discounts, video tutorials and product information. And don’t forget to use email newsletter best practices when you are communicating with your potential customers.

Call to Action Buttons

What do you want to accomplish with your email newsletter? Don’t leave it to chance, be sure and include calls to action in your messages, both in written statements and call-to-action buttons. Relevent calls to action to include in an email newsletter might urge customers to subscribe, to read more about a subject or even to make a purchase.

eCommerce Email Marketing Newsletter Examples

All types of eCommerce companies use email marketing newsletters to engage their target audiences and boost sales. Online retailers might send a weekly roundup of favorite products in their email newsletters, or they might send regular discounts and other offers only for newsletter subscribers.

Unsure how to design the perfect email marketing newsletter for your small business? The following examples from eCommerce organizations can help you design your own email newsletter template:

1. Cutco

Subject Line: Found here! Exlusive Savings on Table Knife Gift Sets

Cutco uses direct sales to provide its customers with high-quality cutlery and other kitchen tools. Through its email newsletter, the company sends its audience company announcements, product information and special discounts.

The newsletters feature colorful photos of products to capture readers’ attention, as well as helpful recipes featuring the company’s products to keep customers’ engaged with the brand.

2. 123Cards

Subject Line: New Christmas eCards

Online greeting card company 123Cards offers ecards in more than 30 categories. By signing up for its newsletter, 123Cards customers are able to send free ecards from the eCommerce site, or they can upgrade to a premium subscription.

The company’s email newsletter reminds customers of important holidays, and the messages include convenient links to relevant ecards, prompting readers to send a greeting in mere seconds.

Blog Email Newsletter Examples

Email newsletters are used by far more than eCommerce businesses. Bloggers regularly send email newsletters to their readers to keep audiences engaged and up-to-date with the newest blog content. An email newsletter for a blog might feature summaries of and links to recent blog posts or other information that entices readers to learn more on the blog.

3. The Bark

Subject Line: Is Your Dog an Opimimist or a Pessimist?

The Bark describes itself as the “indispensable guide to life with dogs,” and the blog, which started out decades ago as as traditional newsletter before transitioning to an electronic publication, features a variety of information about canines and ways to care for furry friends.

The Bark’s email newsletter features vivid photographs that make the message pop from readers’ screens along with links to informative content that will make recipients want to visit the blog and learn more.

4. The Week

Subject Line: Boring – but true?

The Week is a weekly news magazine that reports an original take on all the news that matters to readers. It’s email newsletters feature content like the day’s best articles, top cartoons and best photojournalism.

The subject lines are short and sweet, but they catch audience members’ attention with clever questions and intriguing statements that make people want to learn more. Inside The Week’s email newsletter, readers are treated to an easy-to-read design that clearly presents the week’s headlines.

Health and Beauty Industry Newsletter Examples

Consumers subscribe to health and beauty industry email newsletters to get all the latest information in their inboxes. Health and beauty newsletters might include news and updates about the healthcare industry, tips for leading a healthier lifestyle, tutorials on makeup application or beauty trends and discounts for a variety of beauty products.

5. Allure

Subject Line: We Got You a Discount on That Hot Air Brush You’ve Been Meaning to Buy

The popular beauty magazine offers two email newsletters for its readers, one that features daily beauty tips, as well as another that introduces new beauty products and offers discounts.

Allure’s email newsletters feature colorful photos that capture readers’ attention, and the subject lines are informative so readers know exactly what to expect inside of the message.

6. Shape

Subject Line: Welcome to Shape!

Shape launched 40 years ago as a monthly print magazine dedicated to health, fitness and beauty information. Today, Shape’s website features a huge collection of stories on these and other popular topics.

The publication offers readers a variety of email newsletters, including those dedicated to fitness, nutrition, recipes and related products. It’s content is eye-catching with engaging photographs, vivid colors and an easy-to-read structure.

Restaurant Newsletter Examples

Restaurants often run a variety of promotions and special events to get more customers through the doors and seated at a table. An email newsletter offers an effective tool for informing target audiences of these efforts.

7. Joe’s Crab Shack

Subject Line: You’re Invited to Breakfast with Santa!

Joe’s Crab Shack is a successful chain of seafood restaurants with locations across America. It’s Joe’s Catch e-club features regular email newsletters with plenty of discounts and announcements for events at the eateries.

The newsletters are sent frequently enough to provide regular deals, and they include colorful images that do a great job of capturing audience attention. Joe’s Crab Shack entices customers to join its e-club by offering a coupon for a free appetizer for every new enrollment.

8. McAlister’s Deli

Subject Line: Welcome to McAlister Rewards

Offering freebies is a common tactic to encourage consumers to subscribe to an email newsletter. McAlister’s Deli, an American chain of sandwich restaurants, offers a coupon for a free serving of its famous sweet tea to customers who subscribe to its email newsletter.

Like many companies, McAlister’s sends a welcome email to new newsletter subscribers and includes its coupon in the greeting. The newsletter features a call-to-action button for easy online ordering.

Travel Industry Newsletter Examples

Companies in the travel and tourism sector can gently nurture their leads while proving authority with useful information through an email newsletter.

Regularly sending potential clients weekly tips, updates and news is a great way to keep their minds focused on that next fabulous vacation without an overemphasis on sales. The email newsletters will work wonders at encouraging readers to book their next trip, and it will educate readers about the places they will go.

9. Airfare Watchdog

Subject Line: 6 Weird Travel Items You’ll Want to Gift

Airefare Watchdog has been monitoring flight prices and alerting customers of deals for more than a decade.

Not only does Airfare Watchdog send travel deals in its email newsletters, but the company provides subscribers with useful information related to travel, including tips, updates and product information. Informative newsletters, however, are still used to drive use of the service, with call-to-action buttons, and a flight search tool at the bottom of the page.

10. Royal Caribbean

Subject Line: Breaking down the two biggest ships sailing Alaska next year – open to learn more

Royal Caribbean is an international cruise line known for its innovative ships and unique sailing experiences. Customers interested in taking a cruise on one of its 60 ships can sign up for Royal Caribbean’s email newsletter for important cruise-related news and special offers.

Royal Caribbean’s email newsletters feature eye-catching photos that make recipients want to read more. Some of the newsletters include promotions and deals on cruise tickets, while others offer informative content useful to travelers. The newsletters showcase plenty of call-to-action buttons, urging readers to book now.

Holiday Newsletter Example

As anyone who subscribes to company announcements can attest, ’tis the season for email newsletters. Many companies engage their audiences with holiday-themed newsletters, offering useful tips and plenty of deals.

11. Yummly

Subject Line: Holiday potluck recipes

Recipes are a popular form of content that engages a wide audience, so email newsletters are perfect for Yummly, an app that provides recipe recommendations personalized to an individual’s tastes. Yummly regularly sends its subscribers links to a variety of recipes in its email newsletter, to drive traffic with colorful photos that link back to the company’s website or app.

For the holiday season, Yummy reaches out to its readers with relevant content, including potluck recipes at the time of year when its customers need them the most. Each element of the newsletter is clearly branded, so readers will never forget where they saw the recipe.

Create Your Own Email Newsletter Template

Still unsure what to include in your own email newsletter content? Take another look at some of the best email newsletter examples, and see what elements you can include in your own email campaigns.

Compile a list of these essential newsletter elements, and create your own email newsletter template to follow when you create your own newsletter design.

Will you offer a weekly round up of relevant news, announcements of upcoming events and product updates? Or will your email newsletters focus on discounts and promotions? Will you write your own content, or will you reach out to customers for user generated content?

How will you boost reader engagement? Always consider your target audience when choosing content. Be sure to include opportunities to gain social media followers with call-to-action buttons, and don’t forget to offer an unsubscribe link for readers who have decided to follow along elsewhere.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "11 Newsletter Examples to Inspire Your Own" was first published on Small Business Trends