Category Archives: SMS Gateways

The Benefits Of Using Postpaid Call Plans

Mobile phones are the most commonly used devices these days. This is possible since mobile devices can be used in numerous ways. For instance, individuals can send SMS and connect to the internet. In addition, individuals can play music and videos easily. And, individuals can make calls locally and internationally. But, in order to gain better features, it is best for individuals to opt for postpaid call plans. By doing so, they can attain the following benefits.

Make calls anytime

One of the main benefits of using postpaid call plans is you can make calls anytime. Of course, there are cases when you need to calls friends, relatives, colleagues or clients unexpectedly. However, calling them can be impossible is you do not have sufficient load. Because of this, you need to find the nearest loading station to have sufficient credits in calling. Luckily, by using postpaid, individuals do not need to worry about such issue since some postpaid providers offer long call hours. Some providers even offer unlimited calls. But, all these will depend on the plan you will be choosing.

Reduce expenses

The next benefit individuals can attain when using call plans is the ability to reduce expenses. As mentioned earlier, postpaid providers offer wonderful calls options. Because of this, individuals can reduce their expenses. With regard to calls, postpaid subscribers can also enjoy lower rates in making international calls.

Wide coverage

Another benefit that individuals can attain when using postpaid call plans is its wide coverage. There are cases when individuals cannot make calls. This is because service providers have limited coverage. Fortunately, most postpaid providers have good coverage in different areas and regions to ensure that their clients can communicate easily and properly.

Use call plans that include other features

When opting for postpaid call plans, individuals can also make use of call plans along with other features such as SMS and data. These plans are ideal for individuals since they can easily send messages instantly. In addition, if they need to do some research, they can make use of their mobile phones. As a result, you can do numerous tasks from a single plan.

Enjoy additional perks

Finally, making use of call plans can provide individuals with additional perks. For one, some service providers offer plans with free phones. Apart from that, individuals can also enjoy larger data allocations, longer calls hours and even more SMS. Some service providers even offer free play free music and videos.

These are only some of the amazing benefits individuals can attain when opting for the best plans from reliable service providers.



Source by Marcus L Jimenez

Steam API DLL Error Fix – How To Repair The Steam API Errors On Your System

An important DLL file, steam_API.dll is a vital component of the “Steam” application which mainly deals with game software and its enhancements. However, despite its functions being essential, it has been reported to cause numerous problems and errors inside your computer. The error is usually encountered when users attempt to load up games and some of the examples of alerts that pop up are as follows:

“Steam_API.dll file is missing.”

“The procedure entry point steamuserstats could not be located in the dynamic link library steam_API.dll.”

What Causes Steam_API.dll Errors?

Several reasons may cause these errors to occur, and it is necessary that you identify the specific cause to perform the appropriate action to repair this. The possible causes would include faulty components of the steam_API.dll file, problems with the software which utilizes the file, or registry issues. It may also be the case that other programs are triggering the errors to appear.

How To Fix Steam_API.dll Errors

The first step to resolve this issue is to check if other programs are causing the error. This is easily done as you will notice the error message alerts when running a particular program. Once you identify the “culprit” application, you have to remove it from your system and then re-install afterwards. To perform this task, you should follow these steps:

Click onto “Start” and then locate “Control Panel”.

After that, select “Add / Remove Programs” and then find the program to be removed.

You then have to click on it, and after that press “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

This will delete the program from your PC. If you wish to re-install it, you can do so by using an installer CD/DVD or downloading a fresh copy from the internet.

To address registry setbacks, you have to clean the registry of your PC. The “registry” is a central hub of information and settings that is accessed by Windows to run and load your programs. Oftentimes, the registry gets damaged, causing many problems, including these errors. To fix this and prevent future problems, download and run a registry cleaner tool to make your computer error-free and function more efficiently.



Source by Katie Martins

The Advantages and Disadvantages to Bug Tracking Software

Bug tracking has been around as early as the 1940’s, just not in a software form. In these early days, simply using a pen and a paper created tracking systems. It evolved from then to using spreadsheets. Now there is bug tracking software like the defect tracking tool and even more specific programs like Mantis and Bugzilla, just to name a couple. As with anything that evolves however, there will always be those that are 100% for the programs and those that are against it. This article will cover all claims – both positive and negative – of bug tracking software like the defect tracking tool.

The Positive Claims

It certainly depends on the type of bug tracking software that is used, but it seems as if there are many more advantages to these tools than disadvantages. The most obvious advantage is that these types of tools allow companies to keep a record of the issues that are recorded, who fixed them, and even how long it took to fix the issue for some types of programs. Customers are encouraged to be as detailed as they can be when requesting that an issue be fixed so that companies can complete their requests as quickly as possible. The fact that the issues are recorded and saved is a huge benefit for the companies because sending the recorded bug list with the purchased software is a common practice. This is a benefit to customers because if it is a common error, they can simply look up this issue in the previously recorded bug list. However, if the list is incredibly long (a common disadvantage) it can become more of a hassle.

The Negative Claims

As with anything that has a list of positive aspects there is also a list of negative aspects, though there are few. One of the biggest complaints is not so much from the bug tracking software or defect tracking tool itself but more from the process of submitting issue requests. Customers need to be extremely detailed with their issue requests if they want a detailed response. Miscommunication isn’t a fault of the product, the customer, or the company – it’s simply something that happens. Customers and companies alike both need to remember to be patient with each other and to treat each other with a mutual respect. A second complaint that was previously mentioned is the length of issues in some of these software programs.

Some customers don’t have the patience to look through a long list of software issues that have been previously recorded and this causes frustration among the companies that took the time to purchase software that saves them. The length of issues that are submitted can also become a problem because if there are too many issues submitted and not enough engineers to address them, some can get overlooked. Nobody likes to be forgotten, but usually these types of bug tracking software include detailed instructions and are easy to use.

Usually when a company purchases a bug tracking software or defect tracking tool it already has an experienced IT department in place. Whatever the software is that is being used with these programs should have some sort of backup for when the work is completed so it does not get lost if the issues that occur are deadly.



Source by Keith Andrews

Should You Send Flowers to Ex Girlfriend If You Want to Stop Your Breakup and Win Her Back?

What should you do when you want to stop your breakup? Should you send flowers to your ex girlfriend in an attempt to win her back? When ending the relationship for good isn’t what you want, your thoughts may turn to figuring out what action steps you can take to mend things with your ex. For many men, buying something for their ex is the first thought that crosses their mind.

This article explores why sending flowers to your ex girlfriend will be a critical mistake that will do more harm than good.

Should you send flowers to an ex girlfriend? The short answer is no. The first thing you need to realize is gifts like flowers should be bought when a relationship is going strong, not when it is broken. Many men get this dead wrong.

The right time to buy flowers is when a relationship is going strong and you want to show your girlfriend that you love her, care about her, and appreciate her. They are an excellent surprise to bring home from work to let the love of your life know how much she means to you. Unfortunately, many men use flowers only as a way to apologize for something they’ve done wrong.

The problem with using flowers or other gifts as a way to mend a relationship is they weaken the actual apology. To your ex girlfriend, it comes across as, “Here are some flowers. These should make up for anything I’ve done wrong in the relationship.” It makes it appear as though you are trying to buy your way back into the relationship. It’s like saying, “I can continue to make mistakes and treat you poorly in the relationship as long as I keep buying you flowers.” Your ex girlfriend will see right through it.

If you want to make up for something you’ve done wrong in the relationship that pushed your girlfriend away, then make a sincere, heart-felt apology one time and then commit to changing. For example, if you were always the jealous type, then apologize for not trusting her and then work on improving yourself so you don’t get jealous every time she talks to another guy or goes out with friends without you. This is the only true way you’ll ever mend the relationship. Flowers can’t fix the problem.

After all, when you come home with flowers do you want your ex girlfriend thinking, “Uh oh, what did he do wrong this time?”, or do you want her thinking, “I feel so loved and appreciated. I have the best man in the world.” It’s up to you to decide which reaction you train your girlfriend to have.



Source by Derek Blandford

10 Signs You’re Being Used in a Relationship

Waking up to the truth about who you surround yourself with can hurt. A lot.

(It isn’t for the fainthearted.) But when you constantly give and aren’t receiving what you need – it’s time to get honest. Yes it sucks, but truly? It sucks MORE if you don’t.

Because giving more than you receive means you are surrounded by users and that leads to HUGE resentment, EXHAUSTION and puts a huge FULL STOP on your own personal trajectory.

That’s why it’s so important for you to GET REAL about who you give your energy to – because that person? Might be the very reason you’re really not going anywhere.

Come with me and let’s take a look around…

Firstly tell me out loud – what could the next 6 months look like if you were operating at your highest potential? With no drains on you?

Now I know you already know about the obvious drains to your highest potential – (like procrastinating.)

But what of the people close to you… is it possible that you’re giving more than you’re receiving?

And somebody who takes more than they give? Unless they’re sick, or going through a tough patch, um – long term takers?

We call USERS. Because they USE your time for their own purposes.

10 signs that you’re being used in a relationship, friendship or business relationship:

  1. They talk about themselves and ask you about how you are almost as an afterthought.
  2. If you do talk about yourself you become overly aware within moments that their awareness has wandered… so you tail off and the conversation peters out…
  3. The conversation always flows though when you talk about them.
  4. They are quick to point out how what you did hurt them.
  5. But get angry/manipulative /make you guilty / when you tell them that they’ve hurt you. So you don’t really go there because you know they’ll make it all about them anyway.
  6. You often feel wrong around them, so you find yourself often apologising, cap in hand and putting their needs first. It’s just easier.
  7. They don’t see your needs as important as theirs.
  8. Their words sound caring, but their actions are anything but. Don’t be fooled by their words. Ever.
  9. You’re so busy supporting them that you’ve stopped noticing how badly they’re treating you.
  10. You feel tired after you’re with them. So tired in fact that you’ve stopped your own trajectory.

So – what to do if you’re realising with slight horror that you might just have a user in your midst? Somebody that is using you to get to the top. Using you for their own sexual, selfish, needs in a relationship?

Using you to sort out their problems instead of going to a coach? Using you to feel better? To make a lot of money for themselves? To get what they want?

You DECIDE that YOU and your beautiful energy matter. That you will continue going no-where until you either transform this relationship or let it go.

That they are hurting your long term prospects more than you know because:

  • They are not as loyal to you as you are to them. You always show up for them. And if you’re honest they don’t treat you with as much thought.
  • They don’t respect your time, your feelings, your professional standing, your boundaries, or when you say no. Soooo draining.
  • They don’t say thank you.
  • They make you wait.
  • They don’t invest in you or your future.
  • They don’t credit your ideas or input, and they don’t apologise.
  • They get angry if you stop giving them what they want: Your energy, your body, your attention.
  • They are overly sensitive to how you treat them, but seem to miss all the details that are important to you.
  • They withhold money, payment, promises and promotions.
  • They genuinely do not care about your future. If they did they would ask you how you are and genuinely support you to get to your future too.
  • You will remain disappointed and resentful and exhausted in this relationship for as long as it’s unfair.
  • They rise and get what they want, whereas if you’re honest you’re still standing still.

Here’s the sad fact about users:

They use you and your energy because they themselves are out of alignment: Instead of receiving energy from spirit and from themselves they’ve found it easier to get it from you. And you’re giving it. So they attach to you and use you.

But users often feel empty so they have to ring you lots or find ways to be around you lots.

Here’s the thing – there are always going to be people who have forgotten that they ask too much of others and don’t give enough. You can only be in relationship with them if you’ve forgotten too and give them your valuable energy instead of teaching them to find it within themselves.

So, here’s my mini guide to unhook you from a user:

  • Write down the cost of your energy going into a user rather than building your future.
  • Thank them for this healing mirror. They are a mirror to your apathy for yourself. They couldn’t do this to you if you weren’t already doing this to yourself.
  • Start doing one thing a day towards YOUR future.
  • Stop taking their calls. Gradually wean them off you by not answering as many as the weeks roll by.
  • If you do take a call simply begin by saying “hi, I’ve only 10 minutes to talk so I’ve just set the timer on my phone so I don’t miss my next appointment with myself” Genuinly set the timer, let it go off so they hear it and say “gotta go” and PUT THE PHONE DOWN.
  • A true friend, lover, boss will totally support you in this. A user will try to keep talking through it.

Remember who you really are.

Remember why you are here on this planet.

Use your energy wisely.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below – has this ever happened to you? How did you unhook?



Source by Marina J

Selection Criteria: Example of How to Answer Selection Criteria to Get a Government Job

When you’re writing an application, use real workplace examples to show how you meet the criteria. Here’s a real world example that got the applicant the job of her dreams:

Selection Criteria

Statement

Position Title: Administrative Officer (AO2)

Education Queensland

Vacancy Reference Number: 000000

Name: SALLY SAMPLE

Address: PO Box 000

The Gap Qld 4061

Telephone: 00 – 0000 0000 (Home)

0000 000 000 (Mobile)

Email: To be completed by the applicant

Administrative Officer (AO2) VRN: 000000

Selection Criteria – 1

Demonstrated administrative, keyboard and word processing skills, including Microsoft Office and an ability to operate independently and/or with limited supervision.

1. In my current and former roles, I have operated independently and demonstrated my proficiency in administration, typing and word processing. In my position at Victorian Health, I relieve at two different locations and work autonomously in both places. In my position in the Australian Defence Force, I supervised 15 staff.

• In my current position as an Administrative Assistant in Victorian Health and in my former position as Office Manager for Secureit Security Systems, my administrative skills are evidenced through the following:

o Performing reception duties and responding to telephone and counter enquiries and complaints; transferring incoming calls to six different extensions

o Organising appointments for staff and performing public relations duties

o Preparing general correspondence and writing memos and e-mails for staff

o Sorting, opening and processing of incoming and outgoing mail

o Operating computers, printers, photocopiers, fax machines, etc.

o Maintaining accurate customer databases

o Checking and preparing all accounts for payment, and managing petty cash, bank reconciliations and monthly expenses

o Processing daily invoicing and working within set budgets

o Maintaining a register of lost property for Victorian Health

o Ordering stationery to ensure appropriate levels and raising requisitions for stock, stationery and consumables using SAP (government purchasing system)

o Obtaining quotes, preparing purchase orders and reimbursing monthly expenses

o Successfully setting up all office systems and procedures for Secureit Security Systems

• My computing skills are demonstrated through the following:

o typing speed of 70 wpm

o competence in use of Windows 2000, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and ‘Group Wise’ (VIC Health system).

o Basic knowledge of the data base management system (SMS) used in Victorian schools for the retrieval of information for supply teachers, student details, etc.

I gained this knowledge through voluntary work at a State Primary School.

• From the examples listed above, I am confident that I have demonstrated my administrative, keyboard and word processing skills and ability to set up and maintain efficient office systems while operating independently without supervision.

Selection Criteria Statement Sally Sample Page 1 Administrative Officer (AO2) VRN: 000000

Selection Criteria – 2

Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work with all members of the school community both individually and as a member of a team.

  1. My interpersonal and communication skills are demonstrated in my current role as an Administration Officer (AO2) for Victoria Health (Linen Services) where I am the first port of call for all enquiries about customer linen orders for all Victorian Health Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Dental Clinics, Dental Mobile Vans and School Dental Clinics. I manage complaints about short supply, quality issues and late deliveries and am able to sort out problems quickly by showing empathy, listening to ensure I get all of the facts, asking questions to gain an accurate understanding of the problem and then taking all steps to fix it quickly. I always follow up to make sure customers are completely satisfied with the outcome.
  2. My team skills are shown through relieving in two hospital locations, where I have developed strong working relationships with all operational staff, based on mutual respect. I work co-operatively with people in numerous sections of the organisation, including Packing Supervisor, Transport Supervisor and Sterile Linen Supervisor to organise changes to standard orders and ensure we achieve the best outcomes possible for our customers. I have been told that I am very approachable and often receive thanks for going out of my way to help in fixing day-to-day problems.
  3. In my role as Office Manager at Secureit Security Systems, I organised appointments and liaised between technical staff and customers regarding changes to appointments and special requirements. I also responded to enquiries from customers about electronic security issues and resolved any customer problems by striving for a WIN/WIN outcome.
  4. I am aware of the need to protect client confidentiality and ensure all documents are kept in accordance with policies and procedures.
  5. My referees will confirm that I have a ‘hands-on’ approach and am always willing to go out of my way to help other staff to get the job done. I believe in supporting each other as members of a happy and productive team.
  6. From the examples listed above, I believe I have demonstrated my highly developed communication, interpersonal and team skills.

Selection Criteria Statement Sally Sample Page 2 Administrative Officer (AO2) VRN: 000000

Selection Criteria – 3

Ability to understand or quickly learn about Education Queensland’s administrative policies, practices and procedures used in schools.

1. In current and former positions, I have demonstrated my ability to quickly learn and apply relevant policies, practices and procedures. Similarly, I am confident that I can rapidly acquire knowledge of administrative policies, practices and procedures used in schools. From researching the internet and speaking to Education Queensland staff, I have familiarised myself with the following documents:

o Department of Education Manual (DOEM) that provides administrative guidelines about issues such as safety, finance, health, etc.

o School Accounting Manual (SAM) that provides guidelines for purchasing, inventory control, stock control, etc.

o Student Handbooks that provide procedures relevant to the particular school in relation to uniform requirements, standards of behaviour, library borrowing procedures, hours of operation for clothing shop, canteen, etc.

  1. In my role with Victoria Health, I have gained knowledge of contemporary management practices such as Occupational Health and Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination through reading the Director-General’s Policies, Workplace Health and Safety Overview and Anti-Discrimination Overview.
  2. I have a basic knowledge of the Privacy Act and its implementation in regard to confidentiality of information about parents, students and other staff. In all former positions, I demonstrated my commitment to maintaining customer and staff confidentiality and treated sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
  3. As the parent of one child in a State Primary School and another in a State High School, I have a good working knowledge of administrative policies, practices and procedures including permission slips to leave school during school hours, ‘late passes’, notification of student absences and consent forms for school excursions and school camps. I am also familiar with Student Handbooks containing school rules, uniform requirements and behaviour requirements, etc. I work co-operatively with school administrative and teaching staff and assist in fund-raising activities, book packing and sales of stationery as required.
  4. From the above examples, I believe that I have demonstrated my ability to quickly learn about administrative policies, practices and procedures used in schools.

Selection Criteria Statement Sally Sample Page 3 Administrative Officer (AO2) VRN: 000000

Selection Criteria Statement Sally Sample Page 4

Selection Criteria – 4

Basic understanding of occupational health and safety, equal employment opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices and behaviour as applied in a work environment.

  1. I have a basic understanding of occupational health and safety, equal employment opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices as applied in the work environment through previous employment and reading information from the Division of Workplace Health and Safety and relevant government departments. I understand that the Workplace Health and Safety Act places legal responsibility on both employers and employees at a workplace to ensure the health and safety of others. Employers are responsible for providing practical advice about identifying and managing exposure to risk in the workplace, while employees must follow organisational policies and procedures for the safety of themselves and others. I follow all procedures relating to correct manual handling techniques, identification and reporting of risk and promotion of a safe workplace.
  2. I also understand that the Equal Employment in Opportunity Act provides the creation of conditions that allow all workers to have equal chance of seeking and obtaining employment and promotion, based on merit. Further, I understand that discrimination in employment occurs when a person is treated less favourably than others due to gender, marital status, age, race, religion, etc. Sexual harassment is unlawful and is an offence under the Act. For the past three years, I have assisted in promoting acceptance of cultural differences in schools through regularly sponsoring Japanese Home Stay students through Queensland International Student Services for periods between two days and 14 days. This provides a wonderful opportunity for families to learn about each other’s cultures.
  3. In my current position at Victorian Health, I work with a group of people consisting of Fijians, Germans, Russians, Malaysians and New Zealanders. We value cultural diversity, treat each other with mutual respect and work well as a multicultural team.
  4. I believe my responses listed above demonstrate my understanding of occupational health and safety, equal employment opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices and behaviour as applied in a work environment. I understand that this application will be considered in relation to EEO principles and will be based solely on merit.

Additional Factors

  1. My application for a Suitability Card from the Commission for Children and Young People is currently being processed.
  2. In my position in the Australian Defence Force, I attended numerous training courses in First Aid and CPR and am willing to undertake required training to update these qualifications as required.



Source by Dawn Richards

Basic Components of Cellular Systems

1. Introduction

There are various cellular systems in the world, such as the GSM and CDMA. The design of these cellular systems are complicated but the architecture of most cellular systems can be broken down into six basic components.

In this article, I will illustrate the six basic components that can be found in most cellular systems.

2. Six basic components of Cellular Systems

The architecture of most cellular systems can be broken down into the following six components:

a) Mobile Station (MS)

A mobile station is basically a mobile/wireless device that contains a control unit, a transceiver and an antenna system for data and voice transmission. For example, in GSM networks, the mobile station will consist of the mobile equipment (ME) and the SIM card.

b) Air Interface Standard

There are three main air interface protocols or standards: frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) and code division multiple access (CDMA). These standards are basically the medium access control (MAC) protocols that define the rules for entities to access the communication medium.

These air interface standards allow many mobile user to share simultaneously the finite amount of radio channels.

c) Base Station (BS)

A base station is a fixed station in a mobile cellular system used for radio communications with mobile units. They consist of radio channels and transmitter and receiver antenna mounted on a tower.

d) Databases

Another integral component of a cellular system is the databases. Databases are used to keep track of information like billing, caller location, subscriber data, etc. There are two main databases called the Home Location Register (HLR) and Visitor Location Register (VLR). The HLR contains the information of each subscriber who resides in the same city as the mobile switching center (MSC). The VLR temporarily stores the information for each visiting subscriber in the coverage area of a MSC. Thus, the VLR is the database that supports roaming capability.

e) Security Mechanism

The security mechanism is to confirm that a particular subscriber is allowed to access the network and also to authenticate the billing.

There are two databases used for security mechanism: Equipment Identify Register (EIR) and Authentication Center (AuC). The EIR identifies stolen or fraudulently altered phones that transmit identity data that does not match with information contained in either the HLR or VLR. The AuC, on the other hand, manages the actual encryption and verification of each subscriber.

f) Gateway

The final basic component of a cellular system is the Gateway. The gateway is the communication links between two wireless systems or between wireless and wired systems. There are two logical components inside the Gateway: mobile switching center (MSC) and interworking function (IWF).

The MSC connects the cellular base stations and the mobile stations to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or other MSC. It contains the EIR database.

The IWF connects the cellular base stations and the mobile stations to Internet and perform protocol translation if needed.

3. Conclusion

This article aims to provide an introductory guide to the architecture of a typical cellular system and identify the six basic components found in most cellular systems. This article offers an insight towards how a cellular system is designed although different cellular systems may have variations in their own implementations.



Source by Dennis Chang

The Advantage of Using Feedback Form to Improve Customer Service

Feedback Form is one excellent medium for gathering comments, suggestions and customers’ views about your business. It is a good way of knowing how you are faring in your customer service.

If you have a feedback form attached to your website, you deliberately provide a gateway for continuous customer engagement. Of course, it is assumed that garnering more information from your customers through the feedback form means that you are actively responding to the information submitted to you.

With the ongoing trend where most of your customers are buying or shopping online, it is very important that your website has feedback form. It is also important that you must be candid about how you deal with the feedbacks being submitted to you.

Make sure that your feedback form is accessed easily. Offer several ways in which your customers could give their feedback. The customary feedback form will do but you must also provide email address, fax number, mobile and land phone. You may place an invitation for your customers to visit you personally if they wanted to.

Customers would be delighted to read your gracious attitude when after they submitted the feedback form they filled up a message of appreciation would pop up to welcome their comments. This creates the impression that your customers have great part in shaping your business as you express your gratitude and you are happy to act on their feedback.

Some sites provide animation and video to spark the interest of their customers to fill up the feedback form. For them, getting feedback from their clients is their way of gauging how they may improve their customer service. It is also through this feedback mechanism where they learn about the status of their products, especially those newly launched.

Feedback form could be presented as a poll where customers could tick their choice for the specific matter that you are presenting. You may opt to provide venue for discussing further their opinion.

Take note that you must be able to collate the information gathered through your feedback form and provide immediate actions, especially to feedbacks that need urgent response.

Expect more customer engagement when they are getting responses for the feedback that they submit to you. Meaning, you must clearly state in your website how your company responds to customer feedback. Present a customer-friendly feedback policy that is easy to read, understand and follow.

Don’t fret about the thought of being inundated with customer feedbacks, the effort and expenses to process the information. Think about what your business can gain successfully in your customer service engagement if you have a solid feedback form system.

Find the interactive feedback form that provides complete portal for getting customer comments and suggestions that is vital for improving your customer service engagement. Make use of innovative customer feedback form program that enables you to process and update information that comes through your site and other media.



Source by Jonan Castillon

Tips On How To Make This Sales Season More Successful

What is the most intense period in the eCommerce? Of course, it is the end of the year when Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year are coming. There are some pieces of advice how to increase sales and make the sales season even more successful.

First impressions are half the battle, so start with décor

Many merchants disregard Christmas and New Year web design. But it is a gross blunder. It is the easiest way to catch visitors’ attention and inform them that this online store is ready for sales season, so they can search for discounts and special offers. Of course, you can place a banner, but there are other elements that can support your ideas and create holiday’s atmosphere:

  • Change your online store background theme to Winter and Christmas and related images
  • Implement positive and festival colors and add animation
  • Change your corporate logo and add some Winter and Christmas elements on it

It is a great opportunity to make your online store fresh and unusual, so don’t lose it.

Start your email marketing on time

Email is the best channel to deliver information to your existing customers. How do you know when the right time is? It depends on the range and type of products in the online store. If you have expensive products and people need to think twice before making a purchase decision, you can start emailing campaign earlier to prepare your potential customers. But don’t be too early, because people can postpone shopping, when they know about your great discounts for Black Friday or other attractive offers. There are some tips on what you can use to prepare your email templates:

  • Develop subject line in email carefully. It should be informative and attractive. Remember that about 33% of recipients open email based on the subject line only, and 66% of them mark the email as SPAM after reading the subject line only, as well.
  • Add personalization to your messages and try to design it not as an advertisement but more like a postcard style. Consider that emails with personalization in the subject lines have 26% higher unique open rate than emails without personalization.
  • Specify the expiration date of the special offer clearly and plan the frequency of sending emails to remind about the duration of your offers and discounts. But don’t send too many emails to one recipient.

Prepare gifts program

Remember that many people will make purchases with the purpose to buy presents for relatives and friends, and it may be a real challenge to make a right choice. So, you can add a special section on your site with gift ideas. It can be an article on your blog or special gift offer page. You can also propose gift certificates for a certain amount of money and in this way, you solve the problem of choosing a gift and can attract one more new customer.

Start to write about Christmas on your blog a little in advance

An effective way to make your sale campaign more effective is to start blogging about Christmas, New Year, gift ideas. You can also expand your content and add other topics, such as how to be well prepared for Christmas and New Year celebration, how to decorate the holiday table, home design ideas and so on. If there are relative products in your store, you can recommend them to be bought in order to implement the ideas in life.

Use social media

This is an important channel of communication with both existing and potential customers. It is better to develop and plan this communication program for the whole sales period in advance. News, blog articles, information about discounts – all these points must be published in social networks.

Use different discount types for sales promotion

Discounts are different and have various effects on the buyers’ behavior. Discount program should be developed carefully, and another significant thing is how you tell about your proposition to a potential customer. We recommend to pay attention to the following types of discounts:

  • Discount as a gift. During winter holidays, all people like gifts and this discount type must be an option in an online store. Actually, it doesn’t look like a discount, you just provide a gift in response to some customer’s activity such as making a purchase over a certain amount, recommendations of the online store, repeat purchase and so on.
  • Discounts for regular customers. It is also a “must be” category. Each regular customer needs to know that they have a discount and, furthermore, it should be understandable that it is unique. The way of informing customers about this is important. It is better to send a personal email or SMS.
  • Discounts for all. Almost all online stores will announce sales and because users know about this, they will compare the actual prices. Giving discounts for all is a good practice, but it is important to support this campaign with other promotions.
  • Unexpected one-day discounts. Unexpected drop of prices for some products may surprise and stimulate sales. But if a customer made a purchase before and after this has got information about the cutting price, they may be disappointed. This type of discount should be used carefully. It can work good for unpopular or non-seasonal products.
  • Pre-discount. You can provide discount for orders paid in advance.
  • Bulk discount. It is also possible if you have enough items in stock.

These are only hints concerning what you can use. Each type of discounts works differently in every business and it is hard to give universal advice that would work for all spheres.

Christmas wrapping service

It is also a “must be” option you should provide. As in the previous cases, you can use this for sales promotion. A lot of online stores provide decoration/wrapping service for free and this stimulates customers to make decision about purchase.

Provide as many payment options as possible

During the sales period, you will have more buyers and some of them may need not very popular payment methods. You must predict this situation not to lose potential customers. We also recommend checking the checkout flow. Again, it is a very busy period for both merchants and buyers. A long checkout process which includes several pages and many fields that should be filled in may discourage the desire to make a purchase and lead to a large number of abandoned carts. For Magento online store owners, we recommend optimizing the checkout flow with one step checkout extension. Also, test this flow carefully.

Offer quick delivery

Again, everyone is busy before Christmas and New Year, and fast delivery service can play a key role in choosing the online store to make a purchase. If you can offer a quick and free delivery, it is a kind of “advanced aerobatics”.

In conclusion, we would like to add that CRM systems and well-developed loyalty programs are very significant competitive advantages during the period of sales. If your customers know that they always have the best conditions and service in your store, they will stay loyal even during the period when there are many attractive offers on the market. Use all opportunities, there is still enough time to be well prepared for the great sales season.

Have a nice selling!



Source by Irina Kashina

Bulk SMS Reseller Helps You Reduce Costs and Maximize Profits

Saving = Earning, is what we all remember when we see low profit numbers. We then get our managers to work on cost optimization projects. Why are we now wasting more resources to arrive at a simple solution? This article will help you identify the processes, you can manage at a much lower cost.

I know you are curiously wondering about what am I trying to suggest. Well, you do not have to ask your managers to work on a cost optimization project. You just have to ask one of them to contact a bulk SMS reseller and migrate all your processes involving communication, to SMS mode of communication. You dont believe me, right? Not your fault. You did not know that a bulk SMS reseller can provide you with a software to not just send and receive SMS but also allow it’s integration with your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software, and your database server.

Any and every business organization has at least 2 processes involving communication: 1. Advertisement and 2. Customer and Sales support. Lets talk about customer and sales support first, because you first retain what you already have and only then can you plan to expand.

Migration of your customer and sales support process from the current mode of communication to the SMS mode of communication will not only give you great savings but also increased customer satisfaction. In case you have forgotten, customer satisfaction is advertisement in disguise. To know how is it practically possible, contact a SMS reseller and see a demonstration of SMS Gateway (bulk SMS software). Before you see the demo, make a list of critical aspects of your communication process. During the demo, check if your bulk SMS reseller can provide you with all that you require. For instance your checklist of critical aspects could look somewhat like the one mentioned below:

  • Clear and complete communication. – Bulk SMS reseller can help you send messages longer than the regular SMS. You can write your own message to ensure clarity. In case you want to send a customized message to just a single customer as an exception, you can do that too.
  • Speed of communication. (This can be a critical aspect because the more you delay response, more is the likeliness of you receiving and thereby processing the same query/request.) – The recipient may not be always logged onto internet or answer all incoming calls but will always receive your SMS as soon as you send it. You can have SMS delivery clauses in the SLA (Service Level Agreement) with your bulk SMS reseller.
  • Storage of communication sent and received. – Bulk SMS reseller can integrate the SMS gateway with your CRM software and database server.

No matter what you have on your checklist of critical aspects of your communication process, you can always get your bulk SMS reseller to provide you with a customized SMS Gateway to meet your requirements. Similar to the communication process checklist you can have an advertisement process checklist.



Source by Raghhav C Sammrat