Month: May 2020

Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak on On-Demand App Industry

Posted on by deftsoft

Is your on-demand business ready for the increase in demand due to the spread of COVID-19? If not, fret not, we are going to help you out.

Well, whether we like it or not, coronavirus is on the rise! The COVID-19 outbreak has caused chaos in not only people’s lives but bought the global economy to a standstill. With billions forced to stay indoors due to the pandemic, the demand for essential services has skyrocketed. There is an acute need for essential services to meet the daily needs amid the lockdown. This is where on-demand services come in the picture. With the rise in coronavirus cases, the global economy has faced an abrupt downfall. It’s not a theory but a reality that because of the virus, countries will face the biggest jolt on their economy. Due to this sheer panic and distress, companies are experiencing massive losses and debt.

However, being said that, there are specific industries that are enjoying a significant gain in revenue and profit, which they only dreamt of in the past. Yes, we are talking about the on-demand app industry. But, before we talk about the impact of the pandemic on the on-demand industry, first, we should get our basics right.

Do you know about on-demand apps? Let’s find out!

In layman’s terms, on-demand apps refer to the mobility solutions that allow customers to acquire services that, too, in real-time or at their doorstep. These services include on-demand food delivery, on-demand beauty services, on-demand ATM services, and more. The on-demand apps come with a list of technical features that make real-time delivery possible. These features include tracking, creating a wish list, a suitable payment service, multiple bookings, ability to give reviews. With these features, the on-demand industry has made a significant difference in the market today amid the pandemic. And, going by the stats, the market growth of the on-demand apps will be higher than expected.

Keys in the hands of coronavirus tighten the locks on doors. With the strict government regulations and social distancing being followed everywhere, there has been a sudden surge in demand for on-demand services. Modern technology has made it easy for businesses to come up with an innovative solution to meet the growing demands of people. With the use of smartphones, companies have made it easy for customers to purchase the daily need products in the comfort of their homes. From food delivery to ecommerce and healthcare to home services, everything is now accessible to customers on a single click of a button.

How are on-demand apps rising?

Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, people are looking for ways to live their life peacefully and stay away from the deadly virus as far as possible. And, this is what on-demand apps have been focusing on for a long time. So, without any delay, let’s explore why on-demand apps are increasing.

• Social distancing and lockdown: People are in a desperate need of vaccine to protect themselves from the deadly virus. While it may take time for scientists across the globe to come up with a magic formula, till then, social distancing is the way to go. Because of social distancing, people don’t prefer to come out of their houses. This leads to an increase in the use of on-demand services to meet daily home needs. Pandemic has changed the way of life, and these apps are here to make the new era hassle-free for customers.

• Contactless delivery: As advocated by WHO, people have to avoid contact with others. And, this is what on-demand apps focus on. The apps have multiple payment options making it easy for people to choose their desired mode of payment. And, with the virtual payment method, customers can purchase their favorite products without coming in contact with the delivery agent.

• Quick service: Trust us; on-demand apps are capable of delivering services to customers quickly as compared to conventional methods. It’s the instant gratification and trust, which has led to the popularity of these apps. They serve the basic needs of people which can’t be compromised at any cost.

• Increase in revenue: Without any exaggeration, on-demand apps have taken a boom amidst the pandemic. People prefer to buy products from such apps as compared to stand-alone shops. The greater the demand, the higher will be the revenue for business owners. So, on-demand apps create a win-win situation for customers and businesses alike. People are happy with the real-time service of products, and business owners are content with the increase in revenue.

• Rise of multi-niche delivery apps: This pandemic has resulted in the rise of on-demand multi niche delivery apps. With these apps, now, customers can order food and do grocery shopping at the same time with the same app. Exciting, isn’t it! These apps provide more control to users over their orders. Some examples of on-demand multi niche apps include:

1. Food delivery
2. Grocery delivery
3. Medicine delivery
4. Essential products delivery

In the end, we hope the world comes to terms with the new normal. And, on-demand apps play a crucial role in adjusting with the new way of life. As a business owner, you must take the opportunity and make use of the technology to contribute your bit amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

6 Effective Ways to Boost Your SEO with Google Podcasts

Posted on by deftsoft

Flashback to 2019, when Google CEO Sundar Pichai made the big announcement that Google would add podcasts to search results. Since then, digital marketers, SEO professionals, and content creators have been looking for ways to brush up on their technical skills and make effective use of the new technology. However, there are many people out there who have no idea of what Google podcasts are and how they help in enhancing search engine results. And, the sad part is, many of them have been a part of the digital community for a long time.

When you think of SEO, what are the things that come to mind? Keywords, how to target them, or strong content strategies. People don’t associate podcasts with search engine optimization, which is why they miss out on key growth opportunities. Trust us, including podcasts in your marketing strategy is an excellent way of boosting your ranking authority with Google. Since mid-2019, Google has been scanning audio files, creating a favorable environment for podcasts and content marketing.

Podcasting and SEO, is there a relation between the two terms? Let’s find out!

Podcasts offer excellent opportunities not only to producers and consumers but also to advertisers and SEO experts. You can either include your advertisement in somebody else’s podcast or create your own from scratch. Now sit back and see the perfect blend of textual and audio content as it will help in increasing website traffic and bring you soaring profit. By adding podcasts to search results, firms can tackle the notorious discoverability problem. If you want to share your expertise with the target audience, make use of podcasts. It also provides an opportunity to create a new page on the website where you can discuss your content and podcasts with the target audience.

When it comes to SEO content marketing, podcasts can be of great help. You can promote your podcast via email, encouraging listeners to subscribe to your newsletter. Well, you can also use social media platforms like Instagram to create a unique cover for your podcasts. By doing so, you will be able to establish a positive relationship with your audience and ultimately boost your brand awareness. Do you know if podcasts allow you to collaborate with leading distribution and hosting networks? That said, does this feature offer any opportunities for SEO marketers? Well, the answer is crystal clear. By collaborating with hosting networks, people will find your content even if they are not aware of your brand. According to experts, it’s advisable to always choose reliable podcasts to transfer data without any hassles.

What are the SEO benefits of podcasting? How does it help boost your SEO?

Natural backlinks: Yes, you heard it right! Podcasts offer an effective way to get the most natural backlinks for your website. We will explain this a little further. Let’s say you are a guest on someone else’s podcast: the host will include show notes that help the audience read a quick summary of who you are, along with a transcript of the episode. Also, hosts include links to your website, social media profiles, or exclusive offers. In this way, your website gets natural backlinks.

Effective optimization: In simple terms, podcasts are nothing but audio blogs. And, this means podcasts can be optimized just like other blogs. For better content optimization, you can use targeted keywords when creating meta titles and meta descriptions. Another trick to encourage the audience to click and listen to a new episode is to add relevant text and optimize images. This means you can use a perfect blend of podcasts and traditional blogs and have the freedom to focus on podcasts only whenever you want.

Affordable: Many people mistakenly think podcasts are expensive. But, this is the opposite of the truth. Podcasts are one of the cheapest marketing methods you can imagine. According to recent stats, if you have at least a 1% customer conversion rate, podcasts will cover all your production costs. The best thing is, podcasting has a much higher conversion rate, which means it is worth all your efforts.

No expiration date: Trust us, podcasts don’t have one. Even if you post new videos regularly, the old ones continue to attract customers’ attention. Also, to create effective podcasts, consider not only who it’s for but also how your audience will use it and how it will fit into their lives.

Regular content updates: By regularly updating your website’s content, you can secure a high position in the SERP. The more relevant your content, the higher your podcast will rank on Google. By doing so, you will give your audience a reason to come back. You can post transcripts and show notes of your podcast. Also, add a blog to your podcast that contains headings with your targeted keywords and recaps of your latest episode.

Use authoritative websites: Search engines love content with inbound links, especially from high-ranking sites. Create a list of reputable sites that will feature your episode and add a podcast description. By doing so, you will get more traffic to your podcast, and, in turn, the podcast will drive traffic to your website.

Although creating effective podcasts involves a lot of hard work and determination, but the plethora of benefits it has for your SEO will take you by surprise. So, it’s time to make use of Google podcasts to boost the visibility of your brand.

Working from Home during COVID-19 Crisis? 6 Hacks to Boost Efficiency

Posted on by deftsoft

By now, we all have heard about the deadly COVID-19 virus. As much as we want to escape the truth, the sad reality is that the virus is spreading like fire. With classes canceled, malls being shut, industries on a halt, the COVID-19 virus has defiantly put the entire economy on a standstill.  With the surge in the coronavirus cases, IT companies are in a desperate lookout for ways to carry out their daily operations without any hiccups or loss of productivity. And, this is where work from home, the new normal comes to the rescue of small as well as established IT firms.

Amid the Lockdown order from the government, there has been a growing concern about the dip in sales and loss of revenue across the globe. In the battle between life and livelihood, work from home comes as a savior for IT-enabled firms. With business organizations voting for work from home, the question is, is it that easy to carry out the new strategy? Executives and managers are scrambling madly to put together contingency plans to make work from home a success. But, what about employees, can they contribute to the struggle to improve work from home efficiency. Let’s find out!

Tips to improve productivity while working within the four walls of our home

In ordinary circumstances, our home is a relaxing space, where we find solace from the hustle and stress of work. On the other hand, when we walk through the office door, we carry a different mindset, like we are embarking on a mission with only one aim that is to achieve success. However, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the distinction between office and home is slowly fading. As soon as we wake up, we check updates from the team, get ready for the team meetings over a group video call, and set up your workstation at home.  When work and home life merge, it can take a toll on the productivity level, resulting in an increase in stress due to the inability to fully switch off.

While you will be spending a lot of time at home in the coming days, it’s essential to learn some skills to improve productivity while embracing the work from home culture.

• Set up a schedule

Work from home or not; developing a strict schedule is a must to achieve your set targets. Tight schedules not only help your team to plan better but also convince your employer that you are working with great efforts to achieve the desired output. Amidst the state of panic, it can be challenging to stick to your deliverables and goal. In such situations, you can continuously check your targets, create a summary of tasks you have performed, and constantly communicate with your manager. Communication is the key to achieve success will working remotely.

• It’s essential to create boundaries

Do you want to separate your workspace from your living room physically? Well, even the shortest distraction can kill your productivity. According to a recent study, a three-second interruption can increase the number of mistakes you commit to your work. Also, there is a need to self-isolate yourself from the great dependent, yes, we are talking about your Smartphone. Your phone can be a roadblock in your path to perform work with zero errors. We know working for 8 hours in front of your laptop can be daunting. To release stress and to stay motivated, you can occasionally take a break from technology and shift to pen and paper.

• Make sure you have the necessary tools

Well, you might be thinking to work effectively from home what tools do you require, right? For the majority of the workforce, a simple laptop and a working network connection will do the thing. But, having these tools is not enough. You need to incorporate some productivity hacks to achieve quality standards. Here are some tips to improve the quality of the work:

1. Make sure your laptop is charged at all times.
2. Always use an excellent handset for calls.
3. Makes sure when you are on a video or conference call, you isolate yourself from the family members.
4. Get a set up you are comfortable with.

• Staying social will improve the quality of work

Do you know when people feel tired or alienated from their work from home productivity falls? This is where the HR department can develop some interesting home office hacks to boost the morale of employees. For instance, the HR department can arrange a competition for the best work home station. HR can develop a social calendar, which includes various kinds of office events they can organize to develop a normal working vibe amongst the employees.

• Find something you love

With no social events and activities to perform, we all are finding our-selves with an excess of free time. And, this excess time can be frustrating. While working, you can set aside some time to perform something you love. Or, you can take up a hobby during the weekends to make sure weekends feel like one. So, get up and move and get the fresh air if you can to break the monotony.

• Take care of your mental health

Waking up to the scary news and unfamiliar situation can lead to stress and anxiety amongst the employees. Mental and physical strength is directly proportional to your work from home productivity. To stay upbeat, there are some strategies you can use to keep track of your mental health.

In the end, we can only hope and pray for the sun to shine bright on us again. Till then, embrace the work from home culture and use these tips to improve your productivity. Also, if you don’t want to fall in the trap of short term thinking, plan as much as you can. While nobody knows how long we have to fight these battles, its best to develop long term plans for your business.