Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of increasing your website visibility by ranking higher on search engine result pages (SERP). Without effective SEO, your website will rank lower on SERPs, which means less traffic and fewer conversions. 

Your goal is to improve your website’s visibility by ranking higher on SERPs for relevant keywords to corner a large portion of the market to your website. To do this, you need to apply SEO techniques to your website content. So, the question is, which SEO techniques work best, delivering optimal results for minimal input?

We took the time to compile some of the best SEO tips, so you can start using them today. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Source: freepik.com

Get Your Core Web Vitals Right

Google uses a set of metrics called Core Web Vitals to measure the real-world user experience of website visitors. These metrics measure the loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability of your web pages to determine how well customers enjoy being on your website. If you want to rank higher on SERPs, you need good core web vitals.

The three core web vitals metrics include the following: 

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): LCP calculates the loading performance. If your LCP occurs in the first 2.5 seconds of your page load, it means you have a good score.
• First Input Delay (FID): FID measures interactivity. The ideal FID should be less than 100 milliseconds to give your users a pleasant experience.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): CLS measures visual stability, and you should aim for a score of less than 0.1 for a good user experience. 

If your website’s core web vitals are good, Google will send more traffic your way, which means more customers for your online business. To check your core web vitals, you can use tools like PageSpeed Insights and Search Console from Google.

Yet, remember that optimizing these metrics often involves a technical understanding of how web pages are built and served, meaning you might need external support for your server setup – a web developer or managed web hosting provider.

Prioritize “Top-of Funnel” ToFu Keywords

The customer funnel system helps you interact with customers at different stages of the purchase journey. The top-of-funnel (ToFu) is when the customer becomes aware of the product/service and their need for it. By targeting ToFu keywords, you are attracting customers at the beginning of their purchase journey, and you can easily guide them into buying from you.

The goal at this stage is not immediate conversion but building awareness, establishing credibility, and nurturing relationships that could lead to conversions down the line. While ToFu keywords are valuable for generating traffic and awareness, a balanced SEO strategy should also consider MoFu (middle-of-funnel) and BoFu (bottom-of-funnel) keywords. 

MoFu keywords can help you target users in the consideration phase, while BoFu keywords aim to capture users ready to purchase. For example, if the keyword is web host, ToFu keyword variations will include ‘Web Hosting Reviews,’ ‘Shared Hosting vs. VPS Hosting,’ and so on. 

MoFu keyword variations may include ‘Web Hosting Pricing,’ ‘Best Hosting Plan for Small Blogs,’ and others. BoFu keywords will consist of ‘Buy Shared Hosting Plan’ and ‘Where to Buy White Label Hosting,’ among others.   

Source: freepik.com

Improve Your Website Performance

Many factors affect your website performance, and some of them include uptime, server response time, and loading time. First, uptime refers to how consistently your website stays online. Next, server response time is the number of seconds it takes to transfer information from the host’s server to your visitor’s browser. Finally, loading time refers to how quickly your web pages load.

If your website visitors experience unreliable uptime, slow server response time, and extended loading time too often, they will bounce and may not return. A one-second delay in page loading time can result in a 7% reduction in conversions. In turn, high bounce rates can lower your SERP rankings, affecting your overall SEO efforts. So, how can you prevent this from happening?

Your web host is responsible for these metrics on your website. So, the simplest solution is to get a high-quality provider. For instance, at AltusHost, we offer a 99.9% network uptime guarantee on all services, including the cheapest shared hosting plans up to the most powerful dedicated servers. Moreover, you’ll benefit from high-quality hardware for lightning-fast speeds on your site.

Source: https://www.altushost.com

Optimize for Voice Search

Thanks to voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google, customers now search for locations, businesses, products, and other stuff through voice. If your website is not optimized for these searches, you may lose out on potential customers. Voice searches are expected to account for 50% of all online searches by 2024.

One of the ways you can optimize for voice search is by prioritizing local SEO. People using voice search often look for local businesses or services, so try to include landmarks and locations around your business area in your content. Also, adding phrases like ‘near me’ and ‘around [city]’ in your meta description tags can be beneficial.

Voice searches are usually more conversational and often come in the form of complete questions. So, another effective strategy is to add more FAQs to your content. For example, a prospective customer is likelier to say, ‘Hey Alexa, where can I get the best coffee in New York’? than ‘Alexa, best coffee in New York .’People ask questions on voice searches, and your content should be there to answer them. Use your SEO knowledge to find the right FAQs for your online business and optimize for voice search.

Focus on Increasing Your E-E-A-T Score

E-E-A-T stands for experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trust. If you want to run a successful online business, your blog pieces need to meet these quality standards. Websites with high E-A-T scores are more likely to rank higher on Google. In fact, 60% of websites that rank in the top three positions have excellent E-A-T scores.

Customers want to see that you are an expert on the product or service you are selling. They also want to be able to learn from your wealth of experience regarding issues in your industry. Meeting these requirements means they can trust you more, and you begin to stand out as an authority in your business niche. 

Your E-E-A-T is a huge part of your page quality. Even though you may not be an expert on every blog topic you publish on your website, ensure you get your ideas and major talking points from professionals. 

Google uses a variety of signals to assess these qualities, including search raters’ evaluations, so focusing on these aspects of your content and SEO strategy can potentially improve your visibility in search results.

Explore Multiple Media Content

Using media content across your blog posts can give you a better online presence and lead to increased revenue. Visual and audio content makes your blog posts more appealing and gives readers a break from boring texts. They also help visitors stay longer on your blog piece, which tells Google that your content is valuable. In return, they will give you better SERP rankings and direct more business to your website. 

However, multimedia content is not limited to images and infographics. It also includes short-form videos, audio files, GIFs, etc. Visual and audio content gives visitors a memorable user experience, and they are likely to visit your website again and engage with a sales representative. 

Conclusion

As we approach the close of 2023 and anticipate the dawn of a new year, the digital landscape remains in a perpetual state of change. In this fiercely competitive realm of online business, the success of your website hinges on two critical pillars: visibility and performance. SEO remains the guiding star of your digital voyage, as crucial as ever. Yet, the bedrock upon which your SEO strategy is built has never been more crucial.

The choice of your web hosting provider forms the very foundation of your SEO success story. Factors such as server response time, uptime, and loading speed are not mere technicalities but the bedrock upon which your SEO strategy is built.

At AltusHost, we offer more than just hosting; we provide the robust infrastructure that propels your SEO endeavors to new heights. As we prepare to embark on the journey into 2024, our commitment to a solid 99.9% network uptime guarantee and lightning-fast speeds across all our service tiers remains unwavering.

In the ever-evolving landscape of SEO, remember that success is not a solitary endeavor. It’s a multi-faceted journey. By integrating AltusHost’s top-tier hosting into your SEO strategy and staying at the forefront of SEO trends, you’re poised to shine brighter, climb the rankings faster, and, ultimately, steer your online business toward unparalleled success in the coming year.

Elevate your SEO game with AltusHost and illuminate your path to online success as we usher in 2024.

Shopify stands as a hosted eCommerce platform, offering the convenience of creating and managing an online store without the need for technical expertise. With a user base exceeding a million websites, Shopify delivers features like customizable themes, diverse payment gateways, and seamless integration with third-party apps.

At AltusHost, we provide seamless support for WooCommerce, ensuring a great start to your online store, whether you’re launching a new business or expanding an existing one. Please note that Shopify necessitates hosting exclusively with their platform and does not integrate with third-party services like AltusHost.

WooCommerce, on the other hand, emerges as a popular WordPress-based eCommerce plugin, smoothy intertwining with WordPress itself. Renowned for its adaptability and customization options, WooCommerce powers millions of websites, distinguished by its user-friendly interface and extensive plugin ecosystem.

Shopify vs. WooCommerce – In-Depth Comparison

Both Shopify and WooCommerce can propel your eCommerce endeavors, helping attract customers and prosper in global markets. Nonetheless, they diverge in ways that may make one more fitting for your specific needs.

Performance

While Shopify offers a reliable and fast hosting environment with features like content delivery networks (CDNs), automatic scaling, and optimized infrastructure to ensure your online store loads quickly and handles high traffic effectively, WooCommerce, as a WordPress-based plugin, derives its performance from your chosen web hosting provider.

WooCommerce provides flexibility in optimizing performance by allowing you to select speed-optimized themes and plugins. You can leverage these tools to implement lazy-image loading, file compression, and caching mechanisms, all of which contribute to faster loading times. Additionally, WooCommerce allows you to increase the WordPress memory limit, enabling efficient handling of significant page traffic and delivering a swift eCommerce experience to your users.

If you decide to host your online store with AltusHost, rest assured that our pure SSD storage and the LiteSpeed web server will ensure top-notch performance for your WooCommerce eCommerce platform.

Source: https://www.altushost.com/wordpress-hosting/

Security

While Shopify provides a secure environment with features like PCI-compliant hosting, automatic updates, SSL certificates, and DDoS protection, WooCommerce takes a different approach to security, leveraging the robust foundation of the WordPress core system. It reinforces security through practices such as data encryption, two-factor authentication, firewall implementation, and vigilant monitoring and patching of vulnerabilities.

However, it’s important to note that security risks for WooCommerce may arise from potential third-party attacks targeting WordPress itself.

When you opt for AltusHost as your web hosting provider, rest assured that our commitment to security remains unwavering. Our comprehensive security features include robust DDoS protection, two-factor authentication for added defense, and free SSL certificates to ensure the encryption of sensitive data. Your online store’s security is in safe hands with AltusHost

Pricing 

While Shopify offers various pricing plans tailored to your specific needs, WooCommerce initially presents itself as a free platform. However, it’s important to consider the additional expenses required for a seamless and issue-free website. These expenses include the purchase of a domain name, web hosting services, and an SSL certificate.

Furthermore, should you seek premium themes, their costs typically range from $50 to $100, and plugins and extensions start at $25. It’s worth noting that WooCommerce does offer some free themes and plugins within its directory, catering to those on a tighter budget or those in need of more advanced eCommerce features.

For cost-conscious users, AltusHost provides a budget-friendly alternative. Our web hosting plans, starting at just $7.96/month, not only accommodate your hosting needs but also include free features, such as an SSL certificate. This can significantly reduce your overall expenses while ensuring a secure and efficient eCommerce experience for your online store.

Source: https://www.altushost.com/wordpress-hosting/

In comparison, Shopify offers a range of plans to choose from, including the Medium Plan, which is priced at $92 per month. This plan includes features such as language translation, free SSL, market domains and subfolders, 24/7 support, and one public storefront. It’s an excellent choice for small businesses looking for a comprehensive eCommerce solution.

Scalability

Scalability holds pivotal importance in accommodating increased website traffic and the expansion of your product catalog.

Shopify is renowned for its scalability, adeptly handling websites with a substantial number of products and high traffic volumes. It caters to the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises.

WooCommerce, while also scalable, may necessitate more vigilant management as your store experiences growth. Through strategic plugin selection, you can bolster your store’s ability to accommodate higher traffic volumes and an expanding product range.

SEO and Marketing

Effective SEO strategies and marketing initiatives are pivotal in attracting customers and bolstering sales.

Shopify features built-in SEO tools and elements such as meta tags, sitemaps, and canonical tags. Additionally, it offers marketing functionalities to facilitate product promotion and campaign management.

Source: freepik.com

WooCommerce benefits from its integration with WordPress, celebrated for its SEO-friendly architecture. You have complete control over optimizing your site for search engines, and you can leverage WordPress’s blogging capabilities for content marketing.

Ease of Use

The user-friendliness of an eCommerce platform significantly impacts your overall experience, making it a vital consideration.

Shopify is thoughtfully designed for ease of use, rendering it suitable for beginners. Its intuitive interface and setup wizard gracefully guide you through the process of creating and customizing your store.

WooCommerce also offers a user-friendly experience, particularly for those well-acquainted with WordPress. It provides a customizable dashboard and a setup wizard that streamlines store configuration.

Support

Both Shopify and WooCommerce extend robust support options to cater to diverse user needs.

Shopify provides round-the-clock customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with the level of support contingent on your chosen pricing plan.

WooCommerce benefits from the extensive WordPress support ecosystem, encompassing forums, official documentation, and community resources. 

Moreover, should you opt for our web hosting services, rest assured that we provide round-the-clock support to assist you with any challenges or inquiries you may encounter.

The Bottom Line

Following a comprehensive comparison of Shopify and WooCommerce, the ultimate choice hinges on your precise business prerequisites.

Shopify offers a hassle-free, all-in-one solution characterized by exceptional performance, security, and support. It proves ideal for businesses of varying sizes and technical proficiencies.

In contrast, WooCommerce excels in customization and cost-efficiency. It particularly suits WordPress users seeking control over their hosting and willing to manage ancillary expenses.

To arrive at the optimal decision, evaluate your specific requirements, budget constraints, and technical comfort levels, aligning them with the platform that best aligns with your eCommerce aspirations.

If you’re a business owner based on e-commerce or selling products online, it’s important to know a sales-increasing strategy that is often overlooked among tips for attracting more customers – eco-friendly business practices. According to a 2021 survey by the Wharton School of Business in the United States, 68% of consumers are willing to pay more if a brand adheres to eco-friendly principles.

Supporting eco-friendly practices is also backed by global marketing company Edelman’s data, indicating that 58% of respondents in their previous year’s survey choose companies and products based on the values they advocate for. This is particularly evident among younger generations, millennials, and Generation Z.

There is no doubt that brand values, including environmental sustainability, are becoming increasingly important factors in purchase decisions. Therefore, we present ways for you to follow eco-friendly principles and the benefits you can gain from them. Taking inspiration from the eco-friendly packaging brand, Boox, you can implement similar approaches in your business.

What is eco-friendly e-commerce?

Business based on eco-friendly principles involves implementing a series of activities throughout various stages of your business with the aim of reducing or eliminating harm to the environment.

This concept is based on three pillars:

1. Environmental protection – the brand’s efforts to minimize harmful effects on the environment.

2. Economic sustainability – the profitability of your brand. By becoming more environmentally friendly, you can attract more customers as your efforts align with their values.

3. Social benefits – eco-friendly sustainability includes positive impacts on all aspects of production and product delivery, benefiting the business and the community as a whole.

Why should online sales be eco-friendly?

As mentioned earlier, eco-friendly practices have direct positive effects on online businesses. Consumers expect companies to be environmentally conscious and apply environmental protection principles in at least some aspects of production and product delivery.

Reduced costs

Implementing eco-friendly practices often leads to reduced resource consumption, such as energy and water, resulting in cost savings. By optimizing energy efficiency, recycling materials, and minimizing waste generation, companies can reduce their utility bills, waste disposal fees, and overall operating costs.

Brand image enhancement

Adopting eco-friendly business principles demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. This can significantly improve the brand’s reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers who prefer to support businesses prioritizing sustainable practices. A positive brand image can help differentiate from competitors and increase customer loyalty.

Source: pexels.com

Competitive advantage

As environmental concerns continue to rise, companies embracing eco-friendly management gain a competitive advantage. They can effectively target environmentally conscious consumers and tap into emerging green markets. Additionally, many governments and organizations offer incentives and grants to eco-friendly companies, further strengthening their competitiveness.

Improved employee engagement

Employees often take pride in working for companies that prioritize sustainability. Implementing eco-friendly practices can foster a positive work environment, increase employee engagement, and attract and retain top talent. Green initiatives, such as promoting recycling programs, reducing emissions, and encouraging sustainable commuting options, can boost morale and employee satisfaction.

Risk mitigation

Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant risks to businesses, including supply chain disruptions, reputational damage, and increased costs. By integrating eco-friendly practices, companies can mitigate these risks. For example, diversifying suppliers, embracing renewable energy sources, and implementing efficient waste management systems can enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability.

How to apply eco-friendly principles in online commerce?

Business owners often shy away from implementing eco-friendly practices, believing that it requires drastic changes to their entire operations. However, there are many ways to adopt environmental protection principles that do not require major overhauls.

Eco-friendly packaging

Introducing eco-friendly packaging for transporting products to consumers is a simple and quick step for businesses. It involves using biodegradable and recyclable materials that have a less harmful impact on the environment. Additionally, some companies offer discounts to customers who return packaging for reuse.

Source: pexels.com

Transportation

Another way to reduce environmental impact is by using eco-friendly transportation and fuels. Businesses can encourage customers to place bulk orders to reduce the frequency of transportation. Eliminating express deliveries within a day or two, which increases the number of transport trips, can be equally important. This can be achieved through customer awareness and rewarding those willing to wait longer.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency can be achieved by using energy-efficient lighting and equipment in warehouses, employing smart energy management systems, and utilizing renewable energy sources like solar panels for energy production.

Product selection

E-commerce companies can offer and promote eco-friendly products to their customers. This can be achieved by applying sustainability criteria to product choices, such as organic options, and selecting environmentally friendly ingredients for production.

Recycling and waste management

Implementing recycling programs within their facilities allows e-commerce companies to manage waste properly. This includes recycling packaging materials, properly disposing of byproducts generated during production, and educating customers about responsible waste disposal.

Eco-friendly packaging – the Boox example

Boox is a B2B brand specializing in eco-friendly packaging, boxes, and bags for e-commerce products. They collaborate with renowned companies worldwide, providing them with recyclable packaging for shipping products to consumers.

Source: boox.eco

The brand’s core idea is to reduce deforestation caused by paper production by reusing a single packaging multiple times. Furthermore, their mission involves encouraging customers to use second-hand products that would otherwise end up as waste.

Apart from packaging, Boox uses eco-friendly films to protect the products during transportation instead of traditional plastic bubble wrap. The alternative options they use include biodegradable and recyclable materials.

To ensure branding on the packaging for all clients, the brand applies eco-friendly printing using water-based or soy-based inks, compared to conventional oil-based inks.

Currently, Boox operates in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with plans to expand to other countries.

Conclusion

Eco-friendly e-commerce is one of the ways to increase sales that is often overlooked. By incorporating eco-friendly business principles, you can attract new generations of customers who make purchase decisions not only based on product quality and price but also on the values upheld by the company.

Drawing inspiration from eco-friendly brands like Boox, businesses can implement sustainability practices that resonate with environmentally conscious consumers. Just as Altushost, a leading web hosting provider, prioritizes energy-efficient data centers and eco-friendly operations, companies can align their values with consumer preferences for sustainable choices. AltusHost’s commitment to reducing environmental impact reflects a broader trend where brands are recognizing the importance of adopting green initiatives to enhance their reputation and attract socially responsible customers. By following the example set by AltusHost and other eco-conscious brands, businesses can tap into the growing market demand for environmentally friendly products and services, ultimately contributing to both the planet and their bottom line.

How can I increase online sales? Before giving up on your business, make sure you have done everything you can to attract customers. Beautiful images and Instagram ads are no longer enough. Online sales are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI), which boosts revenue and enables businesses to achieve significant growth.

According to a report by global consulting firm McKinsey & Company for 2021, AI-enabled personalized offers in e-commerce increase revenue by 10 to 15 percent. Boston Consulting Group, in its report on AI-driven personalized shopping, states that companies can increase growth rates by 6 to 10 percent.

How can you use artificial intelligence in your business? Which platforms are suitable for that? What are the other benefits of AI in e-commerce? And what exactly is artificial intelligence? We will provide detailed answers to these questions in this article.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a complex system. It involves computers, devices, and machines programmed to think, learn, and perform tasks like human intelligence. AI includes developing computer systems and algorithms that process vast data, recognize patterns, and make decisions. It finds applications in navigation, face detection, virtual assistants, and online payments. AI’s uses extend to various industries like business, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and online commerce.

Why Should AI Be Used in e-Commerce?

As mentioned earlier, artificial intelligence can increase revenue in online commerce. But how is this achieved? A range of AI-based functions can be applied in e-commerce, individually or collectively, to contribute to sales growth.

Source: Unsplash.com

Personalized Recommendations

AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of customer data, including browsing history, purchasing behavior, and demographic information, to provide personalized product recommendations. By understanding customer preferences and behavior patterns, e-commerce platforms can offer relevant and tailored suggestions, increasing the likelihood of conversion and customer satisfaction.

Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are used to provide customer support and answer common questions. These bots use natural language processing to understand and respond to customer inquiries, enhancing the overall user experience and reducing the need for human intervention.

Advanced Search

AI algorithms enable more sophisticated search capabilities, allowing customers to quickly and accurately find products. Natural language processing and machine learning techniques improve search accuracy by understanding user intent and context, even when using ambiguous or incomplete queries.

Fraud Detection and Prevention

Artificial intelligence algorithms can also analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies associated with fraudulent activities. By monitoring user behavior, transaction data, and other relevant variables, AI systems can detect and prevent fraud in real-time, minimizing losses for e-commerce businesses.

Inventory Management and Demand Prediction

This function can help optimize inventory management by analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and external factors to accurately predict demand. This enables businesses to maintain optimal inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and streamline their supply chain processes.

Price Optimization

Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is possible to analyze market trends, competitor prices, and customer behavior to dynamically adjust product prices. By using machine learning models, e-commerce platforms can optimize prices to maximize profit, increase sales, or achieve specific business objectives.

Image and Voice Recognition

 Image and voice recognition technologies powered by artificial intelligence enable visual search and voice-based shopping experiences. Customers can upload images or use voice commands to find products, enhancing convenience and usability.

Customer Sentiment Analysis

AI can analyze customer feedback, reviews, and social media data to understand customer sentiment and extract valuable insights. This information can be used to improve products, enhance customer service, and refine marketing strategies.

AI-Based Platforms That Boost Online Sales

There are several popular platforms you can use for your online store:

Jasper

Jasper is an AI-powered platform that helps companies increase audience engagement and interest. With this platform, you can create personalized user experiences by highlighting products that a specific customer is interested in based on data. Furthermore, it can contribute to segmenting users into highly interested, less interested, or disinterested categories.

Qubit

If you have sufficient e-commerce and sales experience, you know the importance of delivering the right message or product recommendation to an interested customer at the right time. Qubit is another application that enables personalized user experiences. By utilizing artificial intelligence, Qubit can generate real-time product recommendations based on individual preferences and customer behavior. These recommendations are designed to increase conversions, cross-selling, and overall user experience. Additionally, Qubit AI algorithms allow businesses to test and optimize various elements of the website, such as layout, colors, and calls to action, to achieve better results.

Zeta Global

Another platform for optimized customer relationship management is Zeta Global. It has extensive marketing potential, guiding interested customers through the entire marketing funnel, from their first contact with your products to purchase and customer retention. It provides tools for customer segmentation, lead management, mapping the buyer’s journey, and personalized messaging.

Syte

Syte is an AI platform that has recognized the problem of lengthy and tiring product searches and effectively solved it. It offers visual search services based on image recognition. With this platform, customers can search for products by taking pictures, uploading images, or describing what they are looking for in natural language. Artificial intelligence algorithms analyze visual attributes of images, such as color, pattern, shape, and texture, to identify similar products from the seller’s inventory.

Seamless.AI

This platform shortens the path to customers and enables faster deal closure. Seamless.AI allows lead generation, which often requires a significant amount of time. By using AI algorithms, Seamless.AI analyzes vast amounts of data from various sources, including public profiles, social networks, and business directories, to identify potential leads and clients. The platform provides accurate contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, for targeted communication.

Conclusion

With the increasing number of online and offline stores offering the same products as yours, it is becoming increasingly challenging to reach customers. This requires businesses to be more engaged in order to reach and capture their attention. Numerous companies have realized this fact and started creating AI-based platforms to help e-commerce businesses improve user experience, optimize the buyer’s journey, and increase sales.

With a wide range of web hosting solutions and cutting-edge technology, AltusHost provides the perfect platform for businesses to leverage AI-driven strategies and enhance their e-commerce performance. Learn more about the benefits of AI in online commerce and explore AltusHost’s services to take your business to new heights. Visit AltusHost.com to get started today!

Forms on the website without more sophisticated measures of bot prevention, such as Google Recaptcha or Cloudflare Turnstile are often targeted to send spam emails, therefore if you have a problem with SPAM comments and thousands of comments on your website, in addition to deleting the comments you should also activate bot-prevention methods on your comment forms.

It is important to note that not all bot-prevention methods are foolproof, and some can even pose a challenge to human users. Captchas, for example, can sometimes be difficult to read, frustrating users and driving them away from your website. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between security and usability when implementing bot-prevention methods. Nevertheless, taking steps to prevent spam bots from infiltrating your website can save you time, effort, and headaches in the long run, allowing you to focus on creating great content and engaging with your audience.

Deleting comments using a WordPress plugin

The simplest way to delete all comments on a WordPress site is to use a plugin such as Bulk Comment Deleter

After installing the plugin, navigate to the comments screen and click on one of the three buttons to delete unwanted comments:

• Delete All Unapproved – This option will let you delete all Unapproved (pending) comments.
• Bulk Delete SPAM – This option will let you batch delete every SPAM comment.
• Delete ALL – This option will let you delete ALL comments on your WordPress website.

Deleting comments from the MySQL database

WordPress uses the wp_commentmeta and  wp_comments tables in the database to store all comments on the site.

In order to delete all comments on the site, you can access the site’s database from PHPMyAdmin and delete comments from there.

First, from cPanel, click on the PHPMyAdmin icon:

Then, on the left, select the name of the site database for which you want to delete all comments:

Deleting all comments on the site

Click on the SQL link at the top of the page and enter the command in the field:

TRUNCATE `wp_comments`;

TRUNCATE `wp_commentmeta`;

In the command, replace the table prefix wp_ with the prefix you use on the site. You can see the prefix inside the wp-config.php file

and then click the Go button .

Deleting only SPAM comments on the site

If you want to delete only SPAM comments on the site, instead of the above command, use:

DELETE FROM `wp_comments` WHERE `comment_approved` = ‘spam’;

Deleting only unpublished comments on the site

If you want to delete only unpublished comments on the site, use the command:

DELETE FROM `wp_comments` WHERE `comment_approved` LIKE (‘0’);

As we mentioned at the beginning of the text, while SPAM comments can be a nuisance for website owners, they are unfortunately a reality of online publishing. In addition to deleting all comments, it is necessary to also secure the forms. However, by taking proactive measures to secure your website forms and prevent bots from infiltrating them, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted comments and free up your time to focus on more important aspects of your website. So, if you’re struggling with SPAM comments, don’t wait any longer. Take action today and implement the necessary bot-prevention measures to safeguard your website and ensure a more pleasant user experience for you and your visitors.

The number of online card payments in the United States has been on a steady rise over the years. According to recent statistics from the US Department of Commerce, online shopping has seen significant growth, with approximately 360 million online shoppers in the US in 2020. Ignoring this trend means missing out on the chance to achieve great success in business. To stay competitive, it is essential to adopt modern trends and cater to the ever-evolving needs of customers. To develop a growth strategy for your online store in 2023, we have compiled some practical tips that will help you increase sales.

Why is it important to apply trends in online commerce?

Companies that have undergone digital transformation predict twice the growth of those that have not. This is the result of a global survey by the research company Valoir, in which 1,400 companies participated.

Digital transformation should not bypass online commerce, primarily due to the “migration” of customers to the internet. If you are not present on all the channels your potential customers use, just two clicks will take them to a seller who is ready to meet their needs in the modern age.

To avoid this scenario, below are the e-commerce trends for 2023.

E-commerce trends for 2023

Some e-commerce practices have been around for some time and will continue in this year, while there are also a few novelties that should definitely be followed:

1. Artificial intelligence
2. Augmented reality
3. Live shopping
4. Product search by nearest location
5. Presence on all channels
6. Social media as sales channels

Artificial intelligence

Every online store that intends to be successful and long-term in the market should apply solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI).

AI affects the business’s ability to offer a better customer experience, make the offer personalized, and optimize overall operations, from inventory management, through ordering to payment.

Specifically, the benefits of using artificial intelligence are as follows:

• Improved customer experience

You have probably already encountered chatbots. When you enter the homepage of a website, after a few seconds a space appears where you can type in a question and send it.

This is actually a chatbot whose task is to provide 24-hour customer support to interested clients. Some responses can be automatic, but also more concrete, based on the ability to recognize natural language or script.

Customer support of this kind is very useful because modern customers expect real-time responses. In addition, chatbots are a more cost-effective solution than customer support agents.

In addition to the role of customer support, chatbots can also recommend products and thus move page visitors towards purchasing. For example, if a user enters a question related to winter boots, the chatbot can suggest the best-selling boots from your site and also offer socks as a suggested additional purchase.

• Personalized offer

Imagine being able to offer each visitor to your site exactly what they are interested in at every moment. With the help of AI, this is becoming a reality.

By analyzing a large amount of data, AI can create personalized product recommendations for each individual user. This is based on their previous purchasing history, product searches, and even their behavior on the website.

In this way, customers are offered exactly what they are looking for, increasing the likelihood of a sale. In addition, this personalization increases the loyalty of customers to the brand, as they feel that their needs and preferences are taken into account.

Augmented reality

When it comes to the application of new technology, it is important for e-commerce businesses to mention the technology called “augmented reality” (AR). If you apply this in your business, you will certainly offer potential customers a unique experience and a chance to stand out from competitors.

In fact, it is the ability for potential customers to try out your product in 3D dimensions before deciding to purchase it. Creative, 3D studios for augmented reality can create 3D models of all your products, place them on your website, and with the help of the appropriate application and code, allow users to use them virtually.

For example, if you want to buy a new armchair, thanks to augmented reality, you will be able to see how its 3D model fits into your living room. This is possible because the 3D model can be placed in the corner of the room you want, and moved until you see if it is appropriate.

Live Streaming Shopping

How can you make product promotion more attractive? With so many online stores offering the same products as you, this is one of the key questions.

According to numerous marketing researches, video content records greater audience engagement. However, in addition to recorded video content, it is even better to occasionally organize live streams.

Namely, in a live broadcast, presenters can demonstrate the use of the product and show all its benefits. On the other hand, potential customers can ask questions, leave reactions, and almost get a shopping experience as if they went to the store.

By introducing “live shopping,” you will increase interaction with the audience, stand out from the competition, and increase revenue.

Product search by the nearest location (Google Local Inventory Ads)

Google Local Inventory Ads is a trend that is yet to gain ground in the years ahead. It is available in about 20 countries worldwide, but its wider application is expected in the future.

It is about the possibility for users to find a specific product in the nearest store by searching for it online. The idea is to shorten the search time for users, by enabling them to search online which store closest to them has the item they have in mind.

Here, therefore, it is not about classic online shopping where the product is ordered online, but about searching for a product online and the Google app showing in which store it is available.

Presence on all channels

We admit that it is challenging to administer all communication channels with customers, but it is the only way to reach as many potential customers as possible.

Let’s take the example of selling clothes for multiple target groups. Each of them has a favorite channel they use, and you need to be active on it.

Website, i.e., online store, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, email, telephone sales – be present on all of them because you do not know on which one a potential customer will notice you.

Social media as sales channels

Social media were initially used as a channel for promoting and raising brand awareness. However, with their increasing popularity, they have become places where direct shopping takes place. Facebook and Instagram are the most popular platforms for eCommerce in Europe. Both platforms offer features that allow businesses to showcase their products and drive sales directly from their pages, such as shoppable posts and the ability to set up a storefront. Other social media platforms like Pinterest and Twitter also have eCommerce capabilities, but are not as widely used for this purpose in Europe.

This stems from the fact that it is easy for sellers to post products on networks, and for customers to order them quickly and easily. However, to attract customers on Instagram or Facebook, it is necessary to follow the following rules:

• Create useful and interesting content consistently
• Collaborate with influencers who will honestly promote your brand
• Use user-generated content (messages of praise sent to you by customers) as an indicator of your credibility to potential customers
• Use social media as customer support channels by responding to user queries

By following these tips, you will certainly achieve greater engagement with potential customers and increase revenue. Don’t wait too long to adopt this strategy because ignoring inevitable technological changes can have far-reaching consequences for your business.

You’re probably convinced that you don’t know what the term “microinteraction” means. If you think of computers and other devices, you’re right. However, it is not only the developers who are in contact with them, but also you. Every computer user, phone user or just anyone using a smart device has certainly had the opportunity to see or hear at least one of them.

They significantly improve the user experience and allow you to stand out from the competition. Therefore, the message to all IT professionals and designers is to include them in their software applications.

Here’s what it’s all about.

When you download a document from the Internet, you are usually shown a circle with a number of percentages as a sign of how long you have to wait to have it on your account. Then, if you type a new password for your Gmail account, the system will give you feedback whether it’s weak or strong, or if you’re missing a number to make it valid. When you turn on a computer or phone that was shutdown, you usually hear a short tone. And there are many more examples.

These are all microinteractions.

Microinteractions help differentiate you from the competition

Microinteractions can be defined as events that have two main goals in relation to the user:

Providing information about the current state of the system

• They improve navigation through the site/application
• They facilitate interaction with the content of the site
• They provide information about the completion of an action or show that its execution is in progress
• They give recommendations to users
• They encourage sharing, liking and commenting on content
• They direct the user’s attention

Providing a unique experience while using a device.

Well-designed microinteractions are an indicator of commitment to user experience. They are the icing on the cake, without which, nowadays, it is impossible to stand out from the competition. Often, it is microinteractions that contribute to brand building, because users memory is about the sound and the image.

Despite these important features, some developers and designers do not include microinteractions in their programs, not realizing that this can negatively affect current and future customers. Especially in an era of ever-increasing competition when details make the difference between an ordinary and advanced website or application.

Microinteractions usually consist of several elements:

1. Triggers – trigger a microinteraction. They can be initiated by the user or the system.
2. Rules – determine what happens after a microinteraction is triggered.
3. Feedback – informs the user about the state of the system. It can be text or sound.
4. Modes of operation – what happens to the microinteraction when conditions change.

Microinteractions – examples

When we pointed out at the beginning of the text that all users of smart devices encounter them every day, that’s exactly what we meant. Now we will prove it through examples.

Swipe

The use of a phone, tablet or similar device is unthinkable without the so-called – swipes. It allows easy and smooth movement through the content, while providing a pleasant feeling for the user. It is an action that we often do without thinking, because it does not require effort, on the contrary – it is fun.

Data entry indicator

Creating an account on an app? Want to subscribe to Netflix? It is mandatory to enter personal data and password. Imagine that you have entered all the data and only after confirmation the system “tells” you that something is missing or not good? To prevent this from happening, there are microinteractions that immediately tell you whether the code is strong enough, whether a capital letter or number is missing, or how many digits need to be entered.

Animations

Anything that moves and has bright colors creates dynamism in the system and provides a better user experience. For example, after you pass a level in a game or complete a task, the system can display an animation congratulating you on your success. Whether it’s a jumping unicorn, clapping hands, or some sound – the microinteraction communicates the message and ensures to evoke an emotion in the user.

Indicators of the current state of the system

As we mentioned, microinteractions show at which stage the implementation of some action taken by the user is. If you add a document (upload) to your inbox on Facebook or to an email, the system shows you how long you should wait until the document is ready to be sent.

Restoring the previous state

How many times has the undo option “saved” you so far? Something clicked by accident? Entered the wrong information? Just go back to the previous state by clicking undo. What does it look like when microinteractions are turned on? For example, if you mistakenly “liked” a picture on Instagram, you can cancel this activity by identically clicking on the “heart”, which will then enlarge and slightly “shake”.

A call to action

Microinteractions encourage the user to take some action. For example, if you want to change a photo on an application, the system will offer you the option to add it from the device’s gallery or to take a new photo. This falls into the realm of mixtointeractions as these options can be displayed with motion or sound.

How to design microinteractions

Microinteractions can be challenging and exciting for designers as they are always looking for a new, creative solution that will delight their users. But in order to avoid mistakes and counter-effects, here is what you should pay attention to:

• Put yourself in the user’s shoes and when creating a microinteraction, keep in mind where, when and why someone is using your app.
• Entertain users and evoke emotion – how a user feels when using an app is what brings them back to use it again and again. Whether you will use dynamic music, bright colors or something else – it depends on the emotion you want to evoke.
• Don’t overdo it – you shouldn’t cross the line of good taste or go overboard trying to animate the user because you’ll annoy them. If it takes a long time for the microinteraction to complete, or if you repeat it several times, be sure to cause a counter-effect.
• Use human language, not technical language – the goal is for users to understand you. If text messaging is part of your microinteraction, make sure it’s in a language that all users understand.

Tools for designing microinteractions

There are many tools for designing microinteractions. Here we will list which ones are best for specific areas.

If you are familiar with coding:

Mobile: Xcode, Android studio

Mobile or Web: Framer

Web: CSS Animation

If you want to create more detailed interactions:

Adobe CC, Origami Studio and Protopie

If you want to create detailed interactions + animation:

Adobe After Effects

Key notes

• Microinteractions are different design solutions that include visual and auditory elements through which a smart device or application communicates with the user.
• Microinteractions communicate with the user by indicating his next action, but also improve his entire experience with the application.
• Examples of microinteractions are: swiping, data entry indicators, reverting to the previous state, animations, indicators of the current state of the system, calls to action.
• They also affect the positioning of the brand, because microinteractions can be the icing on the cake that will help differentiate it from the competition.