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View all news of OKPAY
Posted on June 22, 2017Newest versions of popular CMS have been updated for OKPAY
Update your PrestaShop, OpenCart, or VirtueMart e-commerсe solution to enable OKPAY payments for your business!
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View all news of Payoneer
Posted on June 22, 2017Wi-Fi finders: the freelancer’s secret weapon
One of the perks of being a freelancer is that you can “work from home” just about anywhere. But getting work done in the middle of Anchorage, Alaska, at a bus terminal in Adalaj, India, or even when your local coffee shop’s internet is down can be a tremendous stumbling block for completing yours tasks.
There are plenty of free Wi-Fi networks available at public locations like coffee shops, airports, and parks. If you find yourself stuck without that coveted signal, though, then you’ll need a backup plan. Here are some invaluable Wi-Fi finder tools that’ll help you keep things rolling along even when you’re out and about.
Wi-Fi finder tools
- Wi-Fi Finders
While most people will use their phones or computers to sniff out a signal, some prefer to use a dedicated Wi-Fi finder. Devices like the TRENDnet or the neat pen-shaped finder from Quantum Imports are small and powerful, and will generally gauge how strong a Wi-Fi signal is so you can move closer to the source if it’s too weak to get work done. And on top of that, many Wi-Fi finders are adapters as well and vice versa (see below), so you get both functions in one device.
Source: Amazon- Create your own network
Tools like Google’s Fi essentially creates your own hotspot wherever you go by connecting to either the closest Wi-Fi network or to a 4G LTE source. This option is somewhat limited though, since only Nexus users can access it, and at $10/GB, it is rather pricey for continuous use.
- Laptop Tools
In order for a laptop to connect to a wireless network, you’ll need a Wi-Fi network adapter. New laptops have this piece built-in, but if you have an older model, you may need to purchase an external one. Products like the NETGEAR Wi-Fi adapter or the convenient Nano design will also boost your signal even if you have an internal adapter.
Source: TP Link- JuiceDefender
This tool won’t help you find a Wi-Fi network, but it will do something almost as valuable. Connecting to hotspots is a real battery killer, so JuiceDefender helps you a save battery life, and that’s something we can all appreciate. The app puts your phone into a semi-power saving mode, so that you have as much time as possible on your device while you’re out. You can customize your settings or use the preset modes to gain hours of battery life for your device.
Mobile device apps
Here are a few good choices for convenient and strong Wi-Fi finder apps that’ll keep your workflow steady and productive
- Wi-Fi Finder
A JiWire product, this is a really comprehensive tool. Not only can you find public and private networks in your own neighborhood to connect to, but you can even search for networks anywhere in the world. Covering 144 countries, Wi-Fi Finder lets you save
Source: WiFi MapSecurity Note: Public Wi-Fi hotspots are hiding spots where hackers sit and wait for an unsuspecting freelancer to hand over their private data via this unsecured network. Don’t hop on the first Wi-Fi network you find. See if you can get one from a trusted provider. If you can’t, be careful with your browsing activity. Don’t log into any banking, shopping, or financing websites or apps that require you to put your personal information in. Alternatively, you can use a proxy server (or use a service) so your surfing is secure regardless.
Wi-Fi finders are also great if you are traveling and want to save money on roaming charges or if you don’t want to use up all your data on a simple project. Check out these apps, and give yourself the gift of faster, easier, and more convenient Wi-Fi, so you can get the job done and get back to enjoying the perks of being a freelancer.
No matter where you are – get paid easily and quickly with Payoneer»
The post Wi-Fi finders: the freelancer’s secret weapon appeared first on The Payoneer Blog.
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View all news of Coinbase
Posted on June 21, 2017In Q3 we’re focusing on the fundamentals
Coinbase and GDAX have been going through some incredible growth.
Our original plan was to focus on adding new features in Q3 (new assets, trading features, etc). But the growth has brought it’s own set of challenges. So we regrouped last week and decided this quarter it would be best to focus on the fundamentals.
What does this mean? It means operational excellence, scaling, and providing a better customer experience, including…
- Rebuilding pieces of our backend
- Focusing on uptime and reliability
- Scaling customer support and providing faster response times
- Improving the customer experience
- Hiring and on-boarding a lot more people
- Training more managers
We’ll measure these with a handful of metrics (net promoter score, apdex, recruiting funnel etc), create a clear owner for each, and review progress at every all hands meeting.
This industry is moving fast, and it’s tempting to continue adding more and more features at a breakneck pace. But we’ve become a core piece of infrastructure in this industry, and we need to scale with it as it grows. This solid foundation will allow digital currency to keep growing and help create the next wave of adoption.
I’m incredibly proud of the team, who have been working overtime to rise to this challenge. We’re looking to fill dozens of new roles by the end of this year. After focusing on the fundamentals this quarter, we can resume a more balanced approach and continue adding new features in Q4.
In Q3 we’re focusing on the fundamentals was originally published in The Coinbase Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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View all news of PaySimple
Posted on June 21, 2017360 Performance Review Templates & Instructions
When you first started your business, you probably had only a few trusted team members, and the feedback process was immediate, ongoing and informal. However, as your company grew (or grows) a formal review process became necessary—or depending on your viewpoint, a necessary evil.Whether you chose to do formal reviews on anniversaries (likely making them a monthly chore), or at the end of each calendar or fiscal year (to get them all out of the way at once), there are things you can do to make them more valuable to both yourself and your employees, as well as things you can do to ensure they don’t create more problems than they solve.
The following resources provide a 360 degree peek into the performance appraisal process—covering viewpoints from the employer, the employee, and the humorist. If after digesting those you still need help with creating your review process, links to sources for performance review templates are provided at the end.
The post 360 Performance Review Templates & Instructions appeared first on PaySimple Blog.
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Posted on June 20, 2017Why Small Businesses Need to Make Tracking and Reporting a Priority
An Interview with PaySimple’s Director of Customer Success:
Amanda Vrbas is the Director of Customer Success at PaySimple, where she leads a team of passionate business growth advocates. The Customer Success team at PaySimple helps businesses improve processes, save time and grow their businesses every day with one-on-one coaching and support. Outside of work, Amanda is passionate about her tiny house in the mountains of Colorado and anything pertaining to the sunshine in the Rockies.
The post Why Small Businesses Need to Make Tracking and Reporting a Priority appeared first on PaySimple Blog.
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View all news of Paylane
Posted on June 20, 20176 Things Shoppers Want in Online Stores
There is no doubt that shopping online is quickly becoming one of the go-to methods for purchasing products. Buying online provides a fast and convenient way for purchasing goods from the comfort of your own home. However, many online retailers fail to meet the demands of their consumers, which in return affects their sales. It’s […]
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Posted on June 20, 2017How to create eCommerce landing pages that *really* convert
Regardless of the quality of the products and services you sell, or how well you market your business, you won’t succeed in e-commerce without effective landing pages that convert. Your site will simply be a stepping stone in a person’s journey toward the ultimate solution. Design, layout, and content all influence the engagement and response a visitor has with your site, and affect your financial outcomes.
The following is a look at strategies and tips that help eSellers create great landing pages that optimize conversion efficiency and profits.
Design with your marketplace in mind
Often referred to as the “people-based” approach to design, you will convert more if you create landing pages to suit the interests of targeted customers. BounceX reported an increase in conversions of 10 to 15 percent by using this strategy. This mindset is similar to the general business shift away from product-centric activities of decades past to customer-centric operations of today. Building for the customers you want increases the likelihood that your pages appeal to them and drive responses.
Consider the aesthetics, and how they impact the emotional response your typical visitor has. More importantly, focus on the overall user experience. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How quickly can my visitors figure out the value of what is being offered on a given landing page?
- Are category and product pages structured and laid out in a way that simplifies navigation?
- Is it clear to the reader how to transition from learning about a solution of interest to making a purchase?
Identify any pain points between the first entrance to the site and completion of a purchase through your shopping cart. People step out of this process because of impatience or frustration. Eliminate these burdens to your customer experience and pave the way for buying activity.
The Lyft homepage is a great example of design with the marketplace in mind. It makes it easy for the two primary markets, drivers and riders, to access more information. The uncluttered and simple layout is supported by the parallax style, which allows for scrolling down to access more information.Focus on the first impression
Just as they do when you meet people, first impressions of an e-commerce site carry a lot of weight in overall perception. If a visitor lands on a page and is immediately put off by the look and feel, the odds that you can overcome that and make a sale are minimal. This same point applies when an interviewer is immediately bothered by the dress or manners of a job candidate.
The design and color schemes of your landing pages are major factors in forming visitor first impressions. Use attractive designs that create a consistent brand image for your business. Don’t overwhelm the candidate with clutter. Use enough white space to invite the person to explore the content on the page. Integrate quality images, and videos when possible, that demonstrate the merits of the solutions offered on the particular page.
Here is another simple layout from Breather, which offers quick and clear value to targeted users.Offer clear and concise value
The average online shopper visits a brand over nine times before making a purchase. This fact highlights the importance of capturing a customer’s interest right away upon the first visit. If you don’t, that customer will continue to search the web and likely land on another provider.
After you achieve the first important step of getting the prospect to your page, offer clear and concise value that prevents him from bouncing. The design and layout schemes already discussed go a long way in creating an inviting experience. Beyond that, deliver a message of value that is efficiently read. If you have a deal or discount promotion, enlarge that with a visual and short message so the buyer knows the value in a few seconds.
Contrast this very cluttered and overwhelming UK-based car site with the Lyft example. It is difficult for a visitor to easily identify something of specific value. It needs fewer choices and a clearer path for targeted customers.Keep it simple
Part of your prospect’s first impression is figuring out whether your landing page and website are simple enough to use. Typically, prospects will bounce and look for another option if their first impression suggests a burdensome experience.
Keep your layout simple; don’t try to jam every possible pitch into the page. A simple layout allows you to more effectively highlight things the buyer cares about, including your brand and what you have to offer, why your solutions are the best possible value and what steps to take to make a purchase.
Give directions and endorsements
To enhance the simplicity of conversion, give directions whenever practical and possible. A pop-up box that invites an intrigued prospect to share contact information after a brief encounter with the site is an option. Ask for contact information or guide the visitor through the site setup process. Use arrows or other visual cues that direct the visitor toward the next step in the buying journey after a brief exploration of the page.
Sharing customer testimonials or endorsements is another way to make the buying decision simpler. A customer testimonial is a third-party statement that can support the benefits and value of given solutions. Include an image, and let the satisfied customer tell the visiting peer why your business is a great fit.
Here’s a zoom-in:
Khan Academy does a nice job in its simple layout of directing learners, teachers, and parents to “start here” with the dedicated website experience.Track customer and product data
Optimizing landing page conversion efficiency is an ongoing pursuit. Don’t just implement strategies and assume you will experience success. Track customer and product data over time and make adjustments based on what the results tell you. Buying behaviors evolve, and what works now may not work as well in the future.
Customer data helps you refine the target for your people-based approach. You might decide to tweak your content and message if the data suggests a different buyer persona that you initially though. Product data helps you figure out which types of pages and products convert.
Perform some A/B testing with different landing page constructs to see how your specific visitors react. As the data rolls in, adjust the low-performing pages to fit with those that deliver better results.
Conclusions
Digital marketing, including content and search engine optimization, helps get people to your e-commerce website. However, eSellers that make a lot of money realize that getting people on site is job one. You have to efficiently convert visitors into buyers, and the quality of your landing pages plays a key role in this step.
Implement the philosophies and strategies discussed to give yourself the best chance to convert prospects consistently. Track your data, though, and adjust to the specific interests and actions of your company’s customers.
The post How to create eCommerce landing pages that *really* convert appeared first on The Payoneer Blog.
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Posted on June 19, 2017How Now Brown Cow: Three Small Business Lessons from the Milk Survey
You’ve probably seen the headlines: Survey finds that 7% of American adults think that chocolate milk comes from brown cows. If you are now sitting and pondering the overwhelming ignorance of 7% of your fellow citizens, remember that as a small business owner these are your customers—so rather than laughing at them, you need to understand them and you need to learn how to reach them, market to them, and serve them. The Milk Survey provides some valuable lessons that will help you do just that.The post How Now Brown Cow: Three Small Business Lessons from the Milk Survey appeared first on PaySimple Blog.
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View all news of SolidTrust Pay
Posted on June 19, 2017International Day of Family Remittances – STPay RESULTS!
This past Friday, June 16, 2017, SolidTrust Pay is proud to announce that we joined 90 other leading payment processors and online money transfer operators in recognizing the International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) and signing the IMTC pledge to work together to enhance innovative financial technology, provide greater efficiency and lower costs for a more accessible financial sector to all.
We chose to show our support by making all member-to-member transactions completely free on that day! Below are the results, which we’ve decided to share publicly to inspire and encourage others in our industry to act.
On June 16, 2017, $10,116.62 was sent through SolidTrust Pay in a total of 122 transfers to/from 39 different countries without paying a single cent in fees! The majority of the transfers were made from the UK, Canada, the US, Pakistan and Japan and among the top receiving countries were Serbia and Singapore.
We’re pleased with the results of our first participation event in the IDFR, and we look forward to making an even bigger contribution next year!
Filed under: General Interest, Member News
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View all news of ECommPay
Posted on June 19, 2017Implications of MiFID II for Forex
Initially launched to ensure effective and secure financial operations across the various regulatory frameworks of European Union (EU) member states in 2007, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID or Directive 2004/39/EC) encountered challenges during the financial crisis of 2008, which ultimately resulted in the introduction of an updated, revised MiFID to come into force in 2018. Becoming compliant to the looming regulatory changes carries a heavy financial burden, warns international payment service provider and acquirer ECommPay. Forex merchants operating within the confines of MiFID II must invest in secure technological architecture and introduce sophisticated payment solutions to avoid financial losses.
History
Limiting the ability of EU member states to establish individual rules for external investment firms operating through both cross-border services and local branches, MiFID helped institutionalise a competitive environment, which consequently resulted in many companies reducing their fees. The directive was largely considered to be a success, having established a pan-European framework for the provision of investment services and the operation of markets.
While the first MiFID laid the groundwork for increasing competition, customer protection, and market transparency by removing concentration rules and introducing the passport principle (granting companies licensed in one EU country the authorization to establish a local branch or to offer services remotely on a cross-border basis without any additional requirements), MiFID II targets increased transparency and reinforcement of investor protection measures.
How MiFID II will affect Forex
From a Forex perspective, the new initiative will require redistribution of resources, which, by Financial Timesestimates, will cost the finance industry more than €2.5 billion. Though it’s hard to calculate how much MiFID II implementation will cost the retail Forex industry alone, companies working within the sphere need to restructure their business processes for cost efficiency in preparation for compliance to new regulation. Forex operators must prepare for MiFID requirements, which will introduce the following measures:
Provision of telephone recordings and electronic communications
To facilitate investor protection and deter market abuse, MiFID II introduces new mandates requiring companies to keep a record of all telephone communications and electronic communications concerning the receipt and transmission of orders; execution of orders on client behalf; and independent dealings. The requirement was further extended to include face-to-face client meetings. Records should be kept for a minimum of five years, and an additional two years if requested by the national authority of an EU member state.
Product governance and regulated sales processes
By introducing a new product governance regime applicable throughout the EU, MiFID intends to regulate all stages of the life cycle of a financial instrument. The design, marketing, and distribution of products by investment firms must be tailored to the predefined ‘target market’ of a financial instrument. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) lists six categories for identifying a target market:
- Type of clients to whom the product is targeted
- Client knowledge and experience of products offered
- Financial situation of clients (with a focus on their ability to bear losses)
- Risk tolerance of clients and the compatibility of the risk/reward profile of the product with the target market
- Client objectives
- Client needs
As some of the categories listed above are already in use to conduct suitability tests, Forex brokers will be able to use existing information to identify the target market. This knowledge will furthermore assist in the second prerequisite of the product governance regime, which necessitates operators to identify any group(s) of clients for whose needs, characteristics, and objectives their offering is incompatible, ie. negative target market.
Introduction of third country regime
The term “third country” refers to jurisdictions outside the EU, if they do, or seek to do, business within the EU, regardless of whether that be by way of a branch established in the EU or on a cross-border basis. Outlining a new scheme for granting third country companies access to EU markets, MiFID II proposes a differentiated approach depending on the type of clients they expect to engage. Retail Forex client services may require the establishment of a branch within the EU member state the third country broker intends to serve, whereas service to professional and eligible counterparties will not require a regional branch if the broker in question is registered with ESMA.
Individual EU member state legislation will determine whether the branch model will be available as an option to third country companies, provided that third country firms do not receive special privileges not granted to businesses from other member states. The cross-border model, meanwhile, will be determined and facilitated by ESMA. As the ability of third country firms to conduct MiFID regulated business with retail and professional clients will be at the discretion of each EU member state, only the cross-border operations will become subject to an EU-wide initiative.
Though only the additions to the MiFID legislation most relevant for Forex brokers and operators were outlined above, the recently introduced regulation will extend far beyond data collection, product governance, and third country business activity. Coming fully into force by 2018, MiFID II will demand financial services companies to dedicate a large number of resources to becoming compliant. Forex companies operating within the EU jurisdiction must establish cost effective measures to counteract the expenses of restructuring business processes, including updating technological frameworks and streamlining payment processes for maximum revenues.
The post Implications of MiFID II for Forex appeared first on ECommPay — Global Payment Provider, Customised Payment Gateway.
