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Shopify’s 1 Offer: A Game Changer For Startups

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Whether you want to embark on a new career path or simply enhance your skills, there are several ways to work toward your advancement goals. One way is to pursue a professional certificate from Coursera.

Professional certificates are valuable additions to your resume, indicating that you have gained skills in a specific field or industry. You can learn more about the courses, projects and Specializations included in the Coursera Plus subscription here.

Learn a New Skill

If you want to make a change in your career, it’s essential to acquire new skills. This will help you develop the expertise and credentials you need to advance, as well as gain confidence in your ability to learn a new skill quickly.

There are many ways to upskill, including taking online courses. You can find courses on a wide range of topics, including computer science, business, data analytics, and health. If you’re not sure where to start, try out a course from Coursera’s free course offerings. Or, you can try the $1 Shopify Trial. These include short, digestible courses with professional-shot videos and professor-level instructors. For a more in-depth learning experience, enroll in a Specialization or Guided Projects. Specializations are series of courses designed to teach you the skills needed for a particular field.

You can also enroll in a Professional Certificate program, which will give you the credentials you need to demonstrate your expertise in a specific area. These programs are offered by top universities and technology companies, including Google. These programs are a great way to get job-ready for an in-demand career, and some may even count as credit towards a degree.

Some employers even offer access to career development programmes or upskilling platforms, like Coursera, to their employees. Check with your People Operations or Human Resources representative to see if this is available to you. Other places you can look for upskilling opportunities include Jobcentre plus, jobseeker support programmes, local colleges, and community learning providers.

If you’re serious about advancing your career, it’s best to have a clear plan. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and will ensure you’re working on the right things for your unique situation. You can create a career development plan using templates like this one, or use tools that will help you identify the skills you need to progress in your career.

Boost Your Confidence

Whether you want to advance in your current career or are looking for a new one, you’ll need to take steps to prepare. One way to do this is to take courses related to your desired career path. This will help you build the skills and confidence needed to succeed. Additionally, taking these courses will demonstrate your dedication to your profession, which is a great way to show employers that you’re ready for the next step in your career.

If you’re looking to improve your overall career prospects, you should consider subscribing to Coursera Plus. This subscription gives you unlimited access to the site’s courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates. The service also includes Guided Project programs, which enable you to develop job-relevant skills through short hands-on projects. Additionally, Coursera Plus subscribers can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars by signing up for the service.

To determine if the subscription is worth it, you’ll need to assess your learning needs. If you’re a lifelong learner and regularly enroll in Coursera’s courses, the subscription could be well worth it for you. However, if you’re only planning to complete a single Specialization and aren’t interested in other types of courses, the subscription may not be worth it for you.

As you work toward your career advancement goals, it’s important to remember that these goals will likely shift along the way. You’ll need to continually evaluate your progress, and you might find that certain aspects of your career growth require a different approach than others. For example, you might need to work more closely with your managers in order to be considered for promotion.

Fortunately, by following these tips and using Coursera Plus to your advantage, you can achieve a more successful career. So don’t hesitate to sign up for the service today with a free 14-day trial. And if you’re not satisfied with your experience, Coursera offers a no-questions-asked money back guarantee, so there’s no risk to try it out.

Build Your Network

Many people want to advance their careers, but they aren’t sure how to go about it. They might work hard on their job, but they don’t know how to signal that they are ready for the next level. If you are serious about your career progression, you need to actively seek out opportunities and show that you’re prepared to take on the challenges of a new role or project.

One way to do that is by taking Coursera Plus courses. These are online courses from top universities and tech companies. They are high-quality courses that help you learn the skills that employers want to see on your resume.

There are 7,000+ Coursera courses available, and you can get unlimited access to them for an annual or monthly fee. You can also take a single course or a whole specialization at a time, depending on what you want to focus on. Some of the specializations are even accredited, so you can earn a college credit that will help you advance in your career.

Whether you’re looking for a course on work breakdown structures or how to give a great presentation, there’s something for everyone on Coursera Plus. You can even sign up for a full degree program if you want to get a formal education without leaving your job.

Coursera has partnered with leading universities to offer fully-online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in areas such as business, data science, public health, and more. These degrees are affordable, and you can earn a formal diploma from the university. If you take multiple courses on the platform, you can get a portfolio that will look impressive on your resume.

Building your network is a key factor in career advancement, and the more people you have on your team, the better. Networking isn’t always easy, but you can start by finding out which of your existing relationships have potential to be professional connections. These might include people you went to school with, people you worked with in the past, or even friends from social settings who work in the same industry as you do. Once you find out who those connections are, the next step is to reach out and connect with them.

Learn a New Language

If you’re looking to advance your career in a specific field, acquiring new skills can be a great way to boost your resume. You can find a variety of courses on Coursera Plus that will help you develop your knowledge in different areas. These courses are offered by prestigious institutions such as Yale University, John Hopkins University, and University of London. They are a great option for those who want to improve their careers but don’t have the money to spend on a degree program.

While you can study most Coursera programs for free, some of them require a payment to obtain a diploma. This can be expensive if you take many courses in one year, but a yearly subscription to the site can save you money and provide unlimited access to all of their materials. This includes courses, specializations, and even some professional certificates that aren’t available on the regular platform.

Aside from learning a new skill, you can also take a course that will teach you how to network and build relationships with other professionals. This will be beneficial for your future career as you’ll have a larger network to choose from when seeking employment. The course will also help you understand how to identify a mentor, analyze your social media presence, and learn how to ask for help from others in the workplace.

In addition to providing a wide range of courses on a variety of topics, the online education provider also offers scholarships for those who can’t afford to pay for their learning programs. This is important because the platform wants to make their learning programs accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. You can apply for a scholarship on the site’s financial aid page by explaining your financial status and why you need help with your educational goals.

The most important thing to remember is that it takes time to advance your career, so you should always be patient and keep moving forward. It’s also helpful to have a support system and a plan of action in case you hit any roadblocks or need to change directions.

4 Reasons Behind Hot and Cold Behavior in Relationships

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Emotional attachment often develops over time through meaningful experiences, shared vulnerabilities, and a feeling of mutual support. Whether it’s a physical attraction that sparks initial interest or a deeper connection that builds over time, the progression toward emotional attachment is unique to each relationship.

A man who is emotionally attached to you will prioritize time together. He will consciously adjust his schedule to include you and will remember small details about you.

1. He Adopts Your Comfort

If a guy is emotionally attached to you, he’ll do everything in his power to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. This can also help with fixing an anxious avoidant relationship. This might involve giving you a lot of hugs or even holding hands. He’ll also make an effort to find ways to spend time with you that aren’t sexual. He’ll want to listen to you talk about the things that matter most in your life, and he’ll be happy to spend time with you doing your favorite activities.

Emotional attachment usually develops over a series of meaningful interactions and shared experiences. It’s a process that takes some time and often involves vulnerability. While physical attraction may spark interest, emotional attachment is often established through a combination of commitment, trust, and a feeling of security. It’s normal for people to have different levels of emotional attachment, and some may never feel a strong connection.

One of the most obvious signs that a man is emotionally attached to you is that he’ll call or text you throughout the day. This isn’t just because he wants to catch up with you, but because he thinks about you constantly. He’ll wonder how you’re doing and what you’re up to, and he’ll make sure that you get home safely if you’re going out late.

He’ll also reach out to you when he needs someone to vent to. He’ll tell you about his work frustrations or friend drama and will make an effort to comfort you. Likewise, he’ll share his good news with you and will try to brighten your day whenever possible. This shows that he truly cares about you and that he’s invested in your happiness.

2. He Advocates for You

Understanding how men emotionally attach can be a bit more complex than many women think. It is important to know the nuances and signs that your man is emotionally attached to you, as this will help him feel safe, secure and connected to you in a loving way.

One of the first things you can look for is if he shows you emotional support when he feels like it. This could be when he’s feeling stressed or worried, or when you have to go out of town for work. He’ll stick by your side, showing that he cares deeply about you and wants you to be happy.

Another sign of emotional attachment is if he opens up to you and shares details about his life with you. This doesn’t necessarily have to be about his feelings for you, but it could include him talking about his family and friends. He’ll share with you the good and the bad, and he trusts that you will listen and understand.

Just be careful not to confuse this with unhealthy emotional attachment, which is when a person relies too much on others for their self-worth and happiness. This can manifest in many ways, such as excessive dependency, lack of boundaries, jealousy and obsession. If you notice these signs in your relationship, it may be helpful to seek professional help from a therapist to determine what the underlying causes are. Oftentimes, the root of these issues can be traced back to childhood experiences that have been carried into adulthood. With guidance from a licensed therapist, you can learn to identify and overcome these triggers. You’ll be able to create an emotionally attached relationship that is both healthy and fulfilling.

3. He Teases Without a Need to Win

When a man teases you, it’s not just to flirt. It’s because he wants to build a deeper connection and become emotionally attached to you. This is one of the most important signs a man is interested in you beyond just physical attraction.

It’s also a good way to test out how much your man values you. For example, if he teases you about something that is not sexual in nature, such as a movie you have seen before, or a song that you know he likes, and your response to his teasing is a little more pronounced than he was expecting, it might be a sign that he is trying to get more from the relationship than you are prepared for.

However, teasing can be toxic if the teaser is only seeking your reaction to feel validated or powerful. This can lead to a lack of healthy communication in the relationship. Open and honest communication about feelings, boundaries, and understanding the riling up meaning of the tease in your unique context is key to maintaining healthy relationships.

Learning how to tease can be difficult, especially if you don’t have the right mindset. To start, try practicing teasing on strangers before you practice with someone who you really like. For instance, if you are nervous about teasing your best friend, try teasing a guy you met at a party or bar instead. This will give you a chance to practice and see what kind of teasing works best for your personality. Then you can apply that to your current relationship. Be sure to have a goal in mind for the interaction, like asking out the person or teasing them into a playful back and forth.

4. He Prioritizes Your Time Together

If a man prioritizes your time together, it’s a clear sign he sees you as his long-term partner. He’ll likely shuffle his other commitments to make sure you’re getting your fair share of his attention. If he prefers to hang out with you instead of his friends, or makes it a point to text or call you more often than his other contacts, this is a strong indicator he sees you as one of his top priorities.

Likewise, if he goes out of his way to meet your family and friends, or even asks you to spend time with them, that’s another clear indication he sees you as a long-term fixture in his life. In this case, he’s opening up to you in a way that shows he trusts you with his most personal relationships and private feelings.

Emotional attachment can also be confused with love, but it’s a lot more specific than that. While love is intensely mutual, emotional attachment is more of a bond that demonstrates deep respect and understanding for someone. If a man is emotionally attached to you, he will typically also be in love with you or would have fallen in love with you at some point in the past.

If he’s always trying to make you his priority, or if he constantly puts you on the back burner and treats your relationship like an afterthought, it’s time to take a closer look at his intentions. He might be stringing you along and merely using you as a means to avoid committing fully to his own life. You deserve a man who wants to be there for you, and who doesn’t see your relationship as something to “work around”. Luckily, it doesn’t take much more than a few questions to determine whether he is truly committed to you.

5. He Remembers Tiny Details About You

If he remembers things about you that are insignificant, such as your favorite flower or the dress you wore on your first date, it could be a sign he is emotionally attached. He might also remember details about your day-to-day experiences or emotions, such as whether you slept well the night before or were feeling especially sad or happy.

He may also make a point of meeting your family and friends and ask to see pictures of you with them. This is a big sign that he sees you as a long-term partner and wants to incorporate you into his life more.

Guys approach romantic relationships differently than women, and some aren’t as comfortable expressing their feelings in a more public way. This can make it difficult to tell when a man is emotionally attached, but he may convey this in subtle ways. For example, he might call or text you often throughout the day because he thinks about you.

Another way he might show you that he is attached to you is by sharing personal and sensitive information with you that he might not share with anyone else. If he talks to you about his past struggles, his relationship with his mother, or other private matters, this is a clear indication that he cares about you.

Emotional attachment takes time to develop, and it can differ from person to person. It is important to recognize these signs that a guy is emotionally attached to you, and it can help you determine whether you want to take your relationship further or not.

5 SEO Metrics That Really Matter for Your Business

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Whether you want to improve keyword rankings, boost traffic, or increase conversions, tracking SEO metrics can help you identify opportunities for growth and achieve your marketing goals.

However, not all SEO metrics are equal. Some are “vanity metrics,” meaning they might appear to increase with marketing efforts, but do not actually move the needle for your business.

1. Organic Traffic

Organic traffic is a crucial metric for all businesses and is various factors influencing SEO pricing. This metric is defined as the number of visitors to your website that arrived through search engines, unassisted by paid advertisements or other promotional efforts. The more organic traffic you have, the higher your website’s visibility and potential to attract customers.

A high volume of organic traffic reflects the effectiveness of your SEO strategy and your ability to align with user intent. This type of traffic is also considered more trustworthy by users than traffic from paid ads. For example, a local landscaping business that appears in search engine results for “landscaping services” can gain trust from potential clients while avoiding recurring cost-per-click fees associated with PPC advertising.

Organic search engine traffic can bring in targeted visitors with specific interest and purchase intent, generating a higher conversion rate than other types of traffic. For example, a hardware store that optimizes for local searches can attract buyers actively looking for tools and home improvement supplies, while an online education platform may see higher conversion rates when optimizing for educational search terms.

To measure and monitor your organic traffic, use tools like Google Analytics or an integrated SEO tool, such as Moz, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. These platforms will provide you with insights into the number of unique organic visitors, the average time spent on your site, and the pages most visited.

Another important metric to keep an eye on is click-through rate (CTR). This metric shows you how many people clicked on your organic search engine result listing, as compared to the number of times it appeared in SERPs. The lower your CTR, the less likely people are to click on your listing, which can affect your ranking in SERPs. You can track CTR directly within the ‘Performance’ module of Google Search Console.

2. Backlinks

Backlinks are one of the most influential SEO metrics in terms of your online visibility and credibility. They can boost your domain authority and improve your ranking position in search engine results pages (SERPs).

The more relevant the backlinks are to your business, the better. This is because they signal to search engines that your content provides value for its users. Furthermore, they help build trust with your audience. This can ultimately lead to higher conversion rates and more revenue.

However, you should also consider the context of each backlink. For example, if a website that focuses on eco-friendly gardening links to your brick and mortar hiking gear store, it would be highly relevant and pass more link equity than a backlink from a gluten-free bakery or an online shoe store.

To measure the effectiveness of your client’s backlink strategy, it’s important to track their domain authority. This metric is determined by third party tools, like MOZ, and gives an indication of how your client’s website will rank in search engine results pages (SERPs) based on their existing backlinks.

Moreover, it’s also important to track their page authority. This metric is determined by the number of quality backlinks that a web page has, and it’s used to predict how well a website will rank in SERPs.

A high page authority score indicates that your client’s website has strong links from authoritative sources and is likely to rank high in search engine results pages (SERPs). A low page authority score, on the other hand, indicates a lack of good backlinks or potentially even link spam. Tracking this metric can help you spot trends and identify opportunities for improvement.

3. Website Health Score

Your website’s health score is an important metric to track and can influence your SEO performance. It measures the number of errors and warnings found on your web pages after a site audit. These errors can impact your site’s crawlability, ranking and user experience. A high website health score is essential for a successful digital marketing strategy.

In addition to the most common errors, you should monitor First Input Delay (FID), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) and Core Web Vitals (CWV). These metrics give you an overall picture of your website’s speed and stability. Search engines want to rank websites that offer a great page experience, so it is crucial to have a fast, responsive website.

You should also be aware of the average session duration and exit rate on your pages. If these numbers are too short, it may indicate a problem with your content or navigation. However, if your exit rate is low, it can mean that users are finding what they are looking for quickly and easily on your website.

Another critical metric is the number of indexed pages on your website. This metric is especially important for large websites, where changes in the index coverage can be a sign of a technical issue.

A healthy website can increase traffic, improve keyword rankings and provide a better overall business experience. By tracking these key SEO metrics, you can continually make improvements to your digital marketing efforts and boost your ROI. Using tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs can help you get started with tracking these important SEO metrics. To learn more, contact the experts at SpiderDigital today!

4. Conversion Rate

A business’s conversion rate is the measure of how many visitors take the desired actions on the website, such as buying a product or signing up for a newsletter. A high conversion rate is essential to business growth, as it can lead to increased revenue and sales. This metric can also be used to determine the effectiveness of SEO tactics and improve conversion funnels.

A high conversion rate can be a result of a number of factors, such as the user experience on the website, the quality of the products or services offered, and the use of persuasive copywriting. In addition, the conversion rate can be affected by how targeted traffic is generated and how effectively it is redirected to the website.

Conversion rates can be calculated by looking at the number of goal conversions divided by the number of visits to a site. This metric can be broken down further by tracking the conversion rate on specific pages, such as the product detail page or blog post. This can offer granular insights and identify areas of the site that may require more attention.

While it’s important to track a variety of SEO metrics, it’s important to focus on the ones that are actionable and align with your business goals. To avoid getting bogged down in vanity metrics, focus on measuring key performance indicators such as impressions, clicks, keyword rankings, and goal conversions. These metrics will help you drive the right results and achieve your marketing objectives.

5. Time on Site

Time on site is one of the most important SEO metrics that can have an impact on your business. It is a measure of how long users stay on your website and can indicate how engaged visitors are with the content.

A longer average session duration typically indicates that your content is engaging and valuable, which can result in increased user satisfaction and retention and ultimately increase conversions. In addition, a higher average session duration can be a ranking factor for SEO because Google wants to rank websites that provide a positive experience for their searchers.

Another way to look at this metric is by comparing it to your bounce rate, which measures the percentage of visitors that leave your website after viewing only one page. However, it is important to remember that bounce rate only measures the actions of a single page and does not consider how long visitors spend on the rest of the site.

To track the performance of your website and understand how visitors interact with it, you can use web analytics tools like Google Analytics or other similar software. To get a more detailed view of your visitors, you can also track first input delay (FID), cumulative layout shift (CLS) and Interaction to next paint (INP).

By tracking the right metrics, you can make data-driven decisions about the content on your website and how users navigate it. This can improve your overall SEO ranking, increase your ROI, and lead to better success for your business. By monitoring these essential metrics, you can identify problems and optimize your website to help grow your business. Try using an AgencyAnalytics account for free to get started.

Unlocking the Potential of Commercial Property Loans

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The success of your real estate investments depends on securing the best financing deals. In New Jersey’s competitive property market, this requires careful planning and expert guidance.

Commercial property loans are specialized financial instruments that help individuals or businesses purchase and develop business properties like office buildings, retail spaces, and warehouses. They often offer significant benefits such as business expansion and improved cash flow management.

Special Rates

As with residential mortgages, commercial property loans come with a variety of rates and terms. The specifics vary based on the loan program, property type and borrower’s financial situation. For example, some lenders may require a minimum business credit score while others, such as those backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), offer loans with lower rates in exchange for a down payment or collateral, such as inventory, accounts receivable and equipment.

Lenders also evaluate the underlying asset’s profitability and potential for growth. This process includes looking at the debt service coverage ratio, which compares a property’s net operating income (NOI) to its annual mortgage debt expense. The higher the DSCR, the more likely the lender is to approve a larger loan amount and/or favorable financing terms.

Unlike personal loans, commercial property loans aren’t subject to consumer protection laws that help standardize the loans offered by banks and other lending institutions. This makes it more difficult to compare different programs and the rates they offer, but there are still a few things you can look for to find the best deal possible.

One of the biggest factors is the state of the economy, unless we’re talking about Georgia real estate loans. When the economy is strong, commercial property values are generally higher, which gives lenders more confidence in lending money at lower interest rates. In contrast, when the economy is weaker, commercial property values are more likely to decline, and lenders are risk-averse, so they charge higher rates.

Other variables include whether a loan is for an investor-occupied or owner-occupied property and whether it’s for new construction or refinancing existing debt. The latter typically has a longer maturity than the former, and can be either fixed or variable rate.

Investor-occupied properties can be office buildings, multifamily rental buildings, retail, warehouses, self-storage and industrial properties, healthcare properties (medical offices, memory care facilities, nursing homes) or hospitality properties like hotels, motels and resorts. The financing options for these types of properties include conventional loans, life insurance company loans, agency loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD loans, credit unions and CMBS (commercial mortgage backed securities) loans.

Tax Benefits

Investing in commercial property can give business owners multiple tax benefits. Aside from the mortgage interest being tax deductible, investors can also take advantage of other tax breaks offered by federal and state governments. A financial or tax advisor can help businesses understand exactly how these advantages play out for their specific situation.

One of the most common tax benefits offered to commercial real estate investors is a depreciation schedule. The depreciation schedule lets investors write off the cost of a building as it gets older, which helps offset some of the initial investment costs. In addition, many investors can also enjoy capital gains tax benefits as the value of a commercial property increases. This is an important benefit to keep in mind as you prepare for the commercial property loan application process.

When applying for a commercial real estate loan, lenders will look at a variety of factors to ensure the business can afford and repay the debt. They will want to know how much income a company has, its credit history and whether or not it has any other debts. They will also need to see proof that the company has sufficient cash flow to cover a debt payment in case of an emergency.

Commercial property loans are available for a wide range of buyers, from small businesses to large corporations. The type of loan that a buyer chooses will depend on the needs and goals of their company. For example, an SBA 504 loan is a great option for businesses that want to grow their operations and create jobs.

A good broker will be able to match the right loan to your business needs. They can also help you with the paperwork involved. If you are applying for a traditional commercial real estate loan, you will need to provide a variety of documentation, including personal and business tax returns, balance sheets, and a business plan. In addition, you will need to submit a market analysis of the area you are interested in buying a property in.

Besides the tax breaks, investing in commercial real estate can be an excellent way to build equity. The equity built in the property can be used for business purposes such as expansion, research and development, or advertising.

Rehab Loans

Whether transforming dilapidated warehouses into trendy retail spaces or restoring historic properties into boutique hotels, rehab loans offer a powerful tool for revitalizing commercial properties and breathing new life into communities. As a dynamic financing solution, they provide a pathway to adapt to market demands, enhance energy efficiency, and drive financial growth.

A key benefit of rehab loans is that they allow investors to quickly access funds for renovations without having to wait through a lengthy approval process. However, they often come with higher interest rates than traditional loans, so it’s important to consider the long-term financial implications of these higher rates.

Rehab loans are available for both residential and commercial property investments, including offices, industrial facilities, and multifamily dwellings. They are particularly useful for investment properties that have been neglected over time, as well as distressed properties that are in disrepair or foreclosure. With a rehab loan, you can purchase the property at a discounted rate and invest in necessary renovations to improve its overall value.

When choosing a rehab loan, make sure to select a lender with experience in this area. They will be able to guide you through the application process, ensuring that you meet all the required criteria. They will also be able to advise you on the best type of loan for your particular project.

Once you’ve chosen a lender, gather all the required documents and submit your application. This will typically involve a thorough review of your renovation plan, as well as the property assessment and financial information. You may also be asked to provide detailed information about your credit history and employment.

In some cases, you may be able to obtain a rehab loan from a private individual or company that is willing to take on additional risk for higher returns. Alternatively, you can work with a commercial mortgage broker that specializes in rehab loans and offers multiple options for financing. This way, you can choose the right loan for your needs and ensure that your renovation project is successful.

Working with a Broker

A commercial loan broker is a valuable ally when it comes to navigating the complexities of commercial real estate financing. These professionals assess a client’s financial situation and creditworthiness and then connect them with suitable lending institutions that offer a range of loan products. They can also help streamline the application process and provide guidance throughout the process.

When choosing a commercial loan broker, it is important to find one with extensive industry experience and expertise. Consider the number of years the broker has been in business and look for referrals from other clients. Ensure that the broker is well-connected and has a robust network of lenders. It is also important to choose a broker who provides transparent and honest communication throughout the loan process.

The best commercial mortgage brokers stay up to date with the latest market trends and lending regulations. They understand the intricacies of commercial property financing and can help borrowers secure loans with more favorable terms. They can also help borrowers avoid costly mistakes and make the most of their borrowing power.

There are a number of different types of commercial property loans, including permanent loans and bridge loans. Permanent loans are essentially first mortgages on commercial properties with terms that typically range from five to 20 years. They can be used to purchase, renovate, or refinance commercial property and are available from a wide variety of lending institutions. Some of these include banks, private investors, and credit unions. In addition to permanent loans, many lenders offer Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, including the 7(a) and 504 programs.

In addition to these loans, there are also hard money loans available from private investors and specialized lenders. These are short-term loans that are typically used to finance renovations or acquisitions while waiting on long-term financing. They may require a higher down payment or collateral, but are often more flexible than traditional bank loans. They are a great option for borrowers who have been denied financing by other lenders or cannot meet the strict requirements of permanent loans. They can also be helpful for borrowers who are seeking to expand or relocate their business.

How to Respect Marine Life During Your Kona Snorkel Tour

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Known for its spectacular marine biodiversity and crystal-clear visibility, Hawaii’s west coast offers thrilling adventures for scuba divers and serene explorations for beginners.

Go whale watching during their annual migration season, tour Hulihe’e Palace, or sample world-famous Kona coffee.

Take a Big Island Ghost Tour for an unforgettable blend of history, folklore, and spine-tingling encounters. Visit Kilauea Volcanoes National Park for lava tubes and bubbling fumaroles, or learn about the region’s past at a historic ranch. You can also try out Kona Snorkeling Tours.

Punaluu Beach

Located on the southeastern coast of the Big Island, Punaluu Black Sand Beach is one of the most renowned black-sand beaches in the world. Its distinctive ebony color is a result of the volcanic activity that created this area. A pristine shoreline of palm trees and crystal-clear turquoise waters await you at this stunning beach. You can relax under swaying palms and enjoy the views of the lava rocks and ocean. This beautiful beach is also home to freshwater ponds that are used by Hawaiian green sea turtles for nesting and foraging.

Black sand is formed when molten lava from Kilauea Volcano spills into the ocean and cools, breaking down into granules that are then carried by waves and tide to the shore. These granules are more finely crushed than those of other beach sands, giving them their distinct black color. The sand is also unique to Hawaii because it is made of basaltic rock, which is lighter in weight than most beach rocks.

Visitors are encouraged to walk the beach and observe the wildlife that calls Punaluu home. However, it is important to keep a safe distance from the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles. Also, it is important to avoid littering and to refrain from taking black sand as a souvenir.

In addition to the beach, there are other things to do at Punaluu, such as swimming, snorkeling and exploring the adjacent lava tubes and craters. You can also visit the anchialine ponds that are close to the beach and are filled with water lilies.

Punaluu is a popular stop for many Big Island tours. It is a great place to see the otherworldly beauty of the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. It is also a good opportunity to visit the Volcano Winery where you can try wines made from a wide variety of local fruits, such as starfruit and passion fruit.

A visit to Punaluu is an excellent addition to any tour of Hawaii. It is easily accessible from Kona, making it an ideal day trip for those staying on the Big Island. This is a perfect place to see three different colored sand beaches in one day, if you add a stop at Papakolea Green Sand Beach and Hapuna Beach.

Ka Lae

The southernmost point of Hawaii’s Big Island feels hauntingly empty and beautiful at once. It is a grassy plain fringed by rocky lava platforms, all scoured by wind and surf. The evocative landscape invokes gratitude and wonder for the first Polynesians who made land here after weeks at sea without sight of land. It is a special place that combines the best of Hawaii’s rugged, volcanic landscape with sea and sky.

The cliffs at Ka Lae (pronounced kal-lay) feature rock loops carved out of them by Polynesians that tied off their fishing canoes. The black sand is made of basalt, which is created when molten lava hits the ocean and quickly cools and shatters into pebbles. Its lustrous color reflects the Hawaiian sun. During high winds and currents, mariners of all ages would navigate offshore here with great skill using these loops to keep their boats from being swept away by powerful swells and waves.

A metal light beacon marks the official Southernmost Point, and a rock wall stands at a Heiau (sacred temple) nearby. The area is a special spiritual spot and should be treated with respect.

This pristine bay is one of the few places in Hawaii where you can see manta rays in the wild. Guests can drift in the open ocean at night and witness the mesmerizing dance of these majestic creatures as they feed on plankton.

Located near the village of Kealakekua, it is an excellent snorkeling site. There are a number of underwater caves, lava tubes and pinnacles that create diverse habitats for marine life. It is also an ideal place to spot the rare tangerine-colored ohai shrub, a flora only found in this region of the island.

The low-commitment Footprints Trail leads to a small shelter where two hundred year old fossilized footprints in the mud-ash were found. The tracks were left by warriors of the great King Kamehameha I as they fled from retreating rebel forces of his brother, the ill-fated Keoua Kuahuula.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

A volcano’s fiery power is on full display in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where lava flows, earth-shaking tremors and rainforest meet to create a landscape unlike anywhere else. The Big Island’s five volcanic mountains – Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Puu Loa and Kilauea – form the backdrop for this stunning natural wonderland of geological formations and volcanic-marine habitats.

During the active eruption of Kilauea, surface lava has been seen flowing into the ocean at Kamokuna, and sightseeing boat tours can get you up close to see the dramatic sight. Other highlights of the park include the lofty Kealakomo Overlook, Martian-like landscapes on Chain of Craters Drive and the boardwalk trail that leads to the Puu Loa Petroglyphs, where over 23,000 ancient Hawaiian images have been etched into the rock face.

The park’s hiking trails can also be a rewarding way to explore. However, be sure to check out the park’s website before you head out to do any walking, as Rangers may close sections of paved roads or trails due to toxic fumes escaping from vents (this happened recently when a visitor moved a barrier blocking access to Crater Rim Drive, got out of his car, walked five feet and fainted; he was rescued by helicopter).

One of the best ways to enjoy the national park is to book one of the many activities and excursions that take you into the heart of the volcano, such as the Kilauea Observation Tram, the Chain of Craters Hike and the Napau Trail.

There’s also a range of other exciting activities that you can try while in the national park, including a zipline tour and private waterfall swim. The Kohala Zip and Dip adventure takes you into the enchanting landscape of North Kohala, where you can zipline high above the forest floor, picnic at the rim of Pololu Valley and swim under a cool, mountain waterfall. For those looking to extend their stay at the National Park, the volcano-themed Hawaiian Villages Overnight excursion offers a chance to see another side of the Big Island and includes two nights in a rainforest cottage.

Mauna Kea

Across the vast expanse of Kilauea, a mystical realm awaits exploration. The fiery volcano goddess Pele has infused the landscape with mana (spiritual power) that ignites passions and enlightens a shared connection to the land she gives birth to and continually renews. From spooky lava-tube caverns to towering arches and pinnacles that drop vertically into the ocean, it would take entire books to recount all of the unique experiences, creatures, geologic processes and beautiful sites that are scattered across Mauna Kea’s slopes.

Located on the western flank of the world’s highest volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s lava formations and volcanic structures create an otherworldly landscape that inspires awe and wonder. This natural wonderland is a popular destination for stargazing and hiking. Hikers must be mindful of altitude sickness as they venture along the volcano’s crest.

Exploring the volcanic formations below the surface reveals a breathtaking tapestry of life. Encrusting coral reefs and edgy black rock pinnacles create a mesmerizing habitat for marine species, including endemic species such as the bandit angelfish, zebra blenny and milletseed butterflyfish that don’t exist anywhere else on Earth. The underwater architecture of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, from spooky lava-tube caverns and pyramidal lava cairns to dramatic archways and pinnacles that plunge to the sea floor, offers a thrilling challenge for experienced spearfishers.

The lava tubes of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offer a spooky experience that combines adventure with an underlying sense of history and mystery. Sometimes as wide as a truck and hundreds of yards long, these natural tunnels provide a sheltered environment for encrusting sponges, corals and flatworms. They also offer a thrilling challenge for experienced divers seeking to navigate their narrow, winding passageways.

The lava tubes of Pu’uhonua o Honaunau State Historical Park were once a place of refuge for Hawaiian warriors who had fallen in battle or violated kapu (sacred law). Now the bay is a pristine coral reef that offers an unforgettable experience for snorkelers and scuba divers. The water is so clear that you can see right to the bottom and observe a myriad of marine life in its glistening home.

4 Secrets to Successful Crystal Red Shrimp Breeding

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Shrimp are sensitive to environmental changes and pond water quality. For example, they may not eat after a 50% water change.

Rare shrimp technology is a growing trend in the industry, with a handful of companies making major inroads into this segment. Janker cited Noray Seafood in Spain and CP Foods Homegrown in Germany as examples.

1. Temperature

Temperature is a key factor that affects shrimp growth and health. Shrimp grow and thrive well in a water temperature that is ideal for their metabolism and biological processes. However, sudden temperature changes can lead to poor molting, reduced appetite and decreased resistance to diseases. The best way to prevent these issues is by regularly monitoring the water temperature.

In experiments conducted by Kasetsart University in Thailand, scientists compared the performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) under two experimental temperatures to determine its effect on survival, feed conversion and growth rate. The results show that the feeding rate and gill slit opening of the shrimp are directly affected by water temperature. Moreover, the fry survival of the shrimp decreases as the water temperature increases. The feed conversion rate, on the other hand, increases with increasing water temperature.

Another important aspect of the water temperature is that it can affect the biochemical composition of the shrimp. In one experiment, the lipid concentration of the juvenile shrimp increased with a rise in temperature, while the protein and glycogen concentrations were similar between treatments. It is also important to note that the lipid concentration of the juvenile shrimp was higher at 24 degrees Celsius than at 28 and 32 degrees Celsius, which suggests that the growth trajectory and biochemical composition of the shrimp are affected by the temperature experienced during the early stages of development.

Farmers need to be aware that temperature fluctuations can cause the water quality of their shrimp ponds to decline rapidly, which reduces the ability of the shrimp to absorb nutrients and toxins from the feed. This can lead to a decline in the shrimp’s immunity and increase their susceptibility to diseases, which may ultimately result in high losses for farmers. To avoid this, farmers should regularly monitor the water temperature of their ponds and adjust their daily feed dose accordingly.

2. Water Salinity

The salinity of the water is an important factor that influences the health and growth of shrimp. Water salinity changes due to evaporation and precipitation. In addition, the salt content of the water can be decreased by adding freshwater from pond runoff or the emptying of rivers. The salt content of the water needs to be maintained at a level appropriate for shrimp to thrive. In order to do this, farmers use a hydrometer or a salinity meter regularly and adjust the water levels as needed.

The pH of the water is also critical for promoting the growth and health of shrimp. Fluctuations in pH can impact the ion balance and metabolic functions of the shrimp, and high levels of hydrogen sulfide or ammonia can inhibit their development and lead to diseases. It is therefore necessary to monitor and maintain a pH range of 7.0 – 8.5 for optimal shrimp health and growth.

Shrimp can adapt to a variety of salinity levels, and they grow best when the salinity is close to their isotonic point. This is why farmers often acclimate their shrimps to low salinity conditions after the post-larval stage, which helps them avoid wasting expensive natural sea salts.

However, it’s important to note that shrimps adapted to low salinity conditions may be susceptible to stress and have diminished immune systems. A recent study conducted by researchers at Khulna University compared the performance of shrimp reared in varying salinity treatments, including 0%0, 2.5%0, 5%0, 10%0, and 30%0. The results showed that the shrimps raised in 0%0 salinity had lower final weight, body weight gain, and specific growth rate than those reared at the other salinity treatments. The hemocyte counts of the experimental shrimps were also impacted by the different salinity treatments. Hemocyte numbers were higher at the control salinity (20%0) than all other salinity treatments.

3. Feeding Frequency

Feeding frequency is one of the main factors in feed management and its importance to shrimp growth and health cannot be overstated. It is crucial that farmers understand the optimum feeding frequency for their specific farm. Feed consumption depends on the nutrient density of the diet fed, water stability, palatability and feeding management strategies. Feed consumption also increases with increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. However, DO declines during harvest which can cause stress in the shrimp. It is therefore important that feeding programs are adjusted based on weather conditions and water temperature.

In the case of pond-based farming systems, most farms usually feed their shrimp twice a day. However, studies have shown that apportioning the daily feed ration multiple times in 24 h improves feed conversion efficiency and water quality. Additionally, it prevents feed wastage and ensures the dietary protein is more evenly distributed to the shrimps.

Some researchers have even found that reducing feed consumption during the day and allowing the shrimps to eat at night helps them adapt better to adverse environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature or water salinity. This is because nocturnal feeding helps the shrimps reduce their stress levels and increase their tolerance to extreme environmental conditions.

Another important factor in feeding shrimp is the handling of the shrimps during feed preparation and harvest. Shrimp are naturally apprehensive to being handled and their response to this can be interpreted as a primary stressor, eliciting the same responses they would to predators or other stressful situations. For example, if shrimp are chased during feed preparation, they will interpret this as an aggressive act and may not reengage their feeding. Similarly, during harvest, if the feed is stopped suddenly, the shrimps will be frustrated and may attempt to burrow into the pond sediment in search of food.

4. Feeding Type

Shrimp are incredibly versatile creatures that can survive in both freshwater and marine environments. As with any species, the type of food they consume plays a major role in their health and well-being.

The most common way to feed shrimp is with a pellet designed specifically for them that has been formulated to contain all the nutrients they require in the right amounts. This is often referred to as a complete or balanced diet.

However, a number of other foods can also be used to supplement this. For example, canned or blanched vegetables can be fed to the shrimp to help increase the vegetable content of their diet. Green beans and sliced carrots are popular choices because they are nutritionally dense and easy for the shrimp to digest. Carrots are also a great source of beta-carotene which helps to enhance the red-orange coloration of the shrimp.

Another alternative is using a high-quality protein product, such as mussels or krill, to help ensure that the shrimp are getting enough protein in their diet. These can be fed to the shrimp once or twice per week.

Feeding shrimp a variety of foods is also important because it helps to keep the gut microbiota in good condition. This is a very important factor in the growth and health of shrimp, as the gut microbiota acts as a first line of defense against pathogens.

Lastly, it is very important to not overfeed the shrimp. Overfeeding can lead to a buildup of ammonia in the water which can stress or even kill the shrimp. Additionally, the leftover food can rot in the tank and pollute the water. To prevent this, adding a few snails to the tank can be beneficial as they will quickly eat any extra food that has been left over and reduce the amount of ammonia in the water.

5. Feeding Time

Providing your shrimp with a diet that mimics their natural environment will increase their health and well-being. The food they eat in nature contains various vitamins and minerals, and a balance of them will help the shrimp avoid diseases and molting issues. To achieve this, it is important to add a variety of food sources to the tank, including leaves like nettles and spinach, vegetables such as kuri squash or zucchini, and canned or blanched green beans.

It is also recommended to feed your shrimp during the day. This will make them eat more food than they would if they were fed during the night. The result of more feeding is a higher protein content in the shrimp, which will also contribute to their vigor and disease resistance.

However, you should be careful not to over-feed your shrimp. If you overfeed them, the extra protein may prevent them from undergoing normal molting cycles. The shrimp will not be able to absorb all of the calcium and other nutrients needed for a healthy molt.

Another factor that influences the palatability of the feed is the time when it is delivered to the tank. Feeds soaked for 30 or 60 minutes have a different amino acid composition than fresh feed, which can affect the overall ration of the shrimp. This is why it’s important to test the water conditions before determining the exact amount of feed that should be distributed to the tank.

It is recommended that you check the feeder tray after every feeding. This will allow you to see whether there are still pieces of un-eaten food left in the tray. The next feeding amount can then be reduced by 10%, assuming similar weather and conditions.

How to Create a Cozy Reading Nook in Any Room: A Guide

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The wabi-sabi philosophy encourages simplicity and authenticity. It is a counter-narrative to a society obsessed with perfection, calling us to find beauty in imperfection and asymmetry.

Rustic design and natural materials like wood, stone, and hessian embody the Wabi Sabi aesthetic. Incorporate antique or handmade items with visible scratches and dents into your home decor to add depth and character.

Color

Wabi-sabi values natural materials and a connection to the earth, but it also emphasizes simplicity and modesty. In contrast to the prevailing Western mentality that chases after newness and idealized, mass-produced visions of perfection, wabi-sabi finds humility and unexpected artistic poignancy in the unpretentious facets of life.

Homeowners adopting this philosophy embrace the idea of letting things age naturally and displaying pieces that show signs of wear proudly. They favor rough-hewn wood and reclaimed stone that have an organic feel, over smoother surfaces. Natural colors like soft grays, dusky greens and deep browns evoke a sense of calm and stability in spaces influenced by this aesthetic.

It’s also important to declutter and minimize visual noise in a wabi-sabi space. Opt for multifunctional furniture and storage solutions that add functionality without sacrificing an uncluttered look. Then, choose a few decor items to showcase and display, keeping the number of objects limited to what is truly necessary.

Rustic textures are another hallmark of wabi-sabi style — something Blokk Studio happens to specialize in. Consider using reclaimed wood, pine, clay and other natural materials throughout your home. Natural and sustainable materials not only bring a beautiful organic feel to your home, but they also have a lower environmental impact than synthetics.

Wabi-sabi embraces flaws and imperfections, so it is important to display handmade pieces that feature a rustic beauty. For example, a cracked piece of pottery that has been repaired using the traditional technique of kintsugi is considered more beautiful than a newer, pristine version. Likewise, choosing materials with their own unique character, such as handcrafted stones that contain streaks and mineral details, is a sign of embracing wabi-sabi. For instance, Provenza Unique Infinity embodies this philosophy with its natural stone finishes that contain natural color variations and streaks that tell a story of nature and time.

Texture

Wabi-Sabi is all about embracing imperfection and valuing the transient nature of things. By doing so, we create designs that are more authentic and meaningful. Whether you’re designing a piece of art or creating a brand identity, you can apply these principles to your work.

Incorporate texture in your designs to add depth and character. For example, use rough paper to print an invitation or choose fonts that have a handmade feel. These textures will add a sense of warmth and authenticity to your design.

Natural materials are important in Wabi-Sabi designs, as they connect the design to the organic world. Natural stone, unrefined wood, and reclaimed timber are ideal for this style. Look for natural textures like varying grain patterns, knots, and wormholes. Unglazed raw pottery, olive jars with cracks and chips, and branches foraged from nature all embody the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic.

Minimalism is also a key component of Wabi-Sabi. Avoid over embellishing your designs with too many details, as this can overwhelm the beauty of imperfections. Instead, let the details speak for themselves by incorporating a few carefully placed objects to complement the natural beauty of the space.

Embracing imperfection in your home can have a profound impact on the way you live. It can help you find a sense of peace and contentment in the natural ebb and flow of life. So the next time you see a cracked vase or an old chair with worn edges, think of it as a beautiful reminder that imperfection is the beauty of life. For more inspiration, sign up for our workshop ‘Authenticity & Creativity Intertwined’. In this course, you will learn how to let go of perfectionism in your creative process to create authentic and calming artworks.

Pattern

This design philosophy embraces the ebb and flow of nature. The natural pattern of an aging tree or the wrinkled surface of a tea cup are both celebrated as beautiful. In addition, the wabi-sabi aesthetic favors asymmetry and irregularity in furniture and decor pieces.

As a counter-narrative to the world’s relentless pursuit of perfection, wabi-sabi celebrates the beauty of imperfection. At Terra Cruda, we seek to promote this ethos by selecting handmade and sustainable home goods that stray from refinement. We encourage our clients to embrace the marks, cracks, and dents that make up life’s journey, as these imperfections are a mark of authenticity.

Minimalism is a key element of wabi-sabi design, as it creates a sense of peace and tranquility. To incorporate a wabi-sabi aesthetic into your space, we recommend using natural materials such as linen, rattan, and raw wood. These materials have a calming and soothing effect, and their natural textures and flaws are a sign of age and character.

To highlight the wabi-sabi aesthetic, we recommend choosing earthy tones such as beige, taupe, and gray. These colors are calming and create a balanced atmosphere in your space. In addition, wabi-sabi interiors are often infused with natural elements such as stone, wood, and greenery.

Incorporating wabi-sabi into your space can help you to live a more meaningful and fulfilling lifestyle. By embracing imperfection, you can find beauty in the simple things that bring you joy and allow you to connect with the natural world. If you’re interested in incorporating a wabi-sabi aesthetic in your home, we encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation. Our team of experienced designers will be happy to guide you through the process.

Natural elements

Natural elements like plants, raw materials and organic textures are a key component of the wabi-sabi design philosophy. This interior design style embraces asymmetry and simplicity while rejecting the notion of perfection. Instead of purchasing new decor items for a wabi-sabi inspired room, focus on paring down and styling existing furnishings. This will allow you to keep what is meaningful and create a cohesive look. Rustic textures and organic finishes are important, as they emphasize the imperfections of a room. Try incorporating brass or copper pieces that have an uneven patina, or wood furniture with a gnarly grain and knots.

The beauty of wabi-sabi is in its authenticity. Look for reclaimed materials that have a unique story to tell, or opt for handmade items made with care and intention. This can include weathered wood tables with a gnarly finish, handcrafted pottery with uneven edges and rough-hewn textures, and linen cushions that feel raw and textured to the touch.

The neutral, earthy color palette of wabi-sabi is also key to creating a warm and inviting space. Muted shades of beige, taupe and gray highlight the beauty of a room’s natural textures. Incorporating accent colors like sage, olive, dusty rose or terra-cotta help to create the soothing atmosphere of a wabi-sabi inspired home.

A messy home can be a huge obstacle when trying to achieve a wabi-sabi aesthetic. Consider decluttering your home to help clear the mind and create a more calm environment. Studies have shown that clutter can cause stress and lead to depression, so it is well worth the effort to get rid of unwanted or unused items. This will allow you to focus on the things that bring you joy and happiness.

Balance

In the midst of a culture that bombards us with images of perfectly made-from-scratch meals, flawless living rooms, and texture-free skin, it takes a lot of patience and internal strength to avoid getting bogged down with the daily evidence that you’ve somehow fallen short. In fact, it’s not only possible but highly beneficial to embrace imperfection in a healthy way.

A big part of embracing imperfections is recognizing and shifting the perspective of how you see yourself, from viewing yourself as insufficient or flawed to a view that recognizes that you are a complete whole – albeit a flawed one – and that your so-called flaws may offer a unique edge to your personality and life experience. This process of letting go of self-criticism isn’t easy but can be helped along with practicing gratitude, challenging unrealistic standards that are promoted by the media, and using positive affirmations and mantras to promote self-love and acceptance.

As a result of fostering a more accepting perspective towards imperfection, individuals may feel less stressed and anxious, and can find a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in their lives. It is also important to remember that imperfection is a natural part of the human experience and we all have our own paths to follow. For example, a baby learning to walk falls down hundreds, if not thousands, of times before it gets the hang of it, and nobody judges or criticizes it for its failures. Instead, the parents likely celebrate and support its persistence and perseverance. This is a good model for how to approach our own struggles with perfectionism and the need for perfection in the world we live in.

6 Effective Ways to Combat Content Decay Fast

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Content decay is a big issue for SEO. It can cause lower rankings, fewer organic traffic, and less conversions.

Often, it’s caused by mismatches between audience intent and your content. Other times, it’s due to a lack of topical depth.

Fortunately, there are many ways to combat content decay. Here are 6 effective strategies to consider:

Update Old Posts

Like our mailing address, wardrobe, hairstyle and media collection, content can easily become outdated, stale, and irrelevant. It’s just a part of life and something we all have to deal with from time to time.

Updating your old posts is one of the best things you can do to combat content decay. By doing so, you’ll bring your old posts back to life and give them the opportunity to rank for their original keywords again.

To do this, simply update the information in your posts to make them more relevant. This could mean updating statistics and data to newer numbers, replacing screenshots with more recent ones or even adding a new, related article. It’s also a good idea to add an editor’s note for transparency.

Another way to refresh your old posts is by repurposing them for different types of media. For example, you could take an old step-by-step tutorial and turn it into a video. This will increase engagement, improve SEO and hook readers into your content.

Lastly, you can consider doing a full-scale rewrite of your old post to make it completely fresh again. This involves rewriting large sections or even the entire post and making sure it’s up to date with the latest trends in your industry. This is a bit more time consuming, but can be extremely effective for your content marketing strategy.

Rewrite Old Content

Creating new content on the spot takes up a lot of your resources, so it makes sense to save some of your time and energy by reviewing and updating older posts. You can do this either by conducting a full content audit or simply using an article rewriter to rework your words.

You can choose to rewrite your old content by replacing the original keywords with fresh ones, or you can do a more extensive overhaul that incorporates new information and shifts in keyword intent. Either way, you will be able to revive your old posts and pages by making them relevant to your current audience and search engines.

The key to rewriting your content is to keep the main ideas the same and use a little bit of your creativity. This will help you to come up with new paragraphs and sentences that make your post more appealing to your readers and easier for them to comprehend.

Aside from updating keywords, you can also improve your old content by adding visual elements like pictures, infographics, or videos. This is especially useful for long-form blog posts or listicles, where you can break up the text with images and graphics to make it more readable and appealing. In addition, you should try to cut any unnecessary fluff in your post so that it is clear and concise without overwhelming your audience.

Optimize Old Posts

There are plenty of reasons why a post might start to decline in traffic. It could be that the information is outdated or no longer relevant, for example. Or it could be that other websites have published fresher content about the same topic and are now outranking you.

Updating old posts can help to prevent or at least slow down the effects of content decay. For one thing, it can give the post a fresher look, which is important for SEO. It also allows you to add more information and examples to the post, which can make it more valuable to readers. And, of course, it can help to improve the keyword density and overall quality of the post.

It’s also worth noting that if a post is no longer relevant to your audience, even a fresher version of the post will likely continue to lose traffic. In these cases, it might be best to simply remove the post and create a new one that is more appropriate for the audience.

Updating old content can be a great way to breathe some new life into stale blog posts and pages, and it’s something that should be done on a regular basis. However, it’s not always possible or practical to do this for every page and blog post on your website, so creating a content audit process can be an effective way to identify these articles and determine what needs to be done to them.

Create New Posts

If your website’s content is no longer attracting the attention of your target audience, it might be time to create new posts that explore the topic in greater depth. Over time, your existing content may begin to feel dated or irrelevant due to changes in industry trends, new research findings, and so on. This can cause your website to slip down the search engine results page (SERP) rankings as other sites produce newer, more relevant content that satisfies the users’ search intent better.

Creating new, high-quality content that covers the same topics can help you recapture lost SERP rankings and establish your brand as an expert in the field. You can also use these new posts to attract links and promote your website, thereby reviving old posts and bringing back organic traffic, often the advice given by analytical AI tools like Rank Revival.

When you’re preparing to revive an outdated piece of content, make sure it’s free from any technical SEO issues. This includes fixing broken links, images, and slow load times. Otherwise, your revival efforts will be for naught.

When you update a post, you can also increase its word count. The ideal blog post length is 2100 – 2400 words, so this will help you improve your search engine optimization (SEO) as well. You can also add supplementary content to your post, such as eye-catching infographics, short video clips, and quick tips that can be shared on social media.

Link to Old Posts

A common sign of content decay is declining website traffic. This could mean that your audience is no longer interested in your content, or that other websites are better ranking for your keywords. In either case, it’s important to monitor your website traffic and engagement metrics using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, so you can identify any problem pages before they become a big issue.

In many cases, your existing content can be revived by adding new information that aligns with current trends, updating outdated statistics and data, or revising the content to improve its readability and appeal. It’s also a good idea to incorporate visual elements into your old posts, such as data visualizations or motion graphics, which can help break up walls of text and make your content more engaging for today’s multimedia-savvy audiences.

Another way to breathe new life into your aging content is by repurposing it into different formats, such as videos, podcasts, or social media content. This will allow you to reach a wider audience and engage with them in new ways that may be more relevant to their learning styles and content preferences.

Content decay is a very real problem that can have a negative impact on your SEO efforts and lead to lower search engine rankings, website traffic, and engagement metrics. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to combat it, including updates, rewrites, and repurposing. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that your content is fresh and up-to-date, and that it continues to rank well in search engines.

Consolidate Old Posts

A common cause of content decay is when multiple posts on your website cover the same topic. This can make it difficult for search engines to determine which post is the best resource, leading to a decrease in visibility and rankings. To avoid this, consider consolidating your existing content into a single, comprehensive, authoritative resource. This may involve combining two or more existing blog posts on the same topic or merging text and multimedia resources into one page.

Even if your content is still relevant, it can become dated over time. This could be due to changes in your industry, new research findings, or updates to search engine algorithms. In this case, it’s important to update the content so that it remains relevant and useful to your audience.

Content decay can be a frustrating game of whack-a-mole, but staying proactive is the key to catching it before it becomes a serious problem. By monitoring several key metrics, such as decreased page views and reduced search engine rankings, you can identify when your content is decaying and take steps to prevent it. With the right strategy, you can keep your high-performing content performing at its peak.

The Benefits of Using a Broker for Home Purchases

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A mortgage broker is a valuable tool for any home buyer. They are able to help you navigate the mortgage market, save you time and money, and make sure your paperwork is on track to close on time.

They also provide a variety of other services that can save you even more money in the long run. Here are the top 7 benefits of using a broker for your next home purchase.

Experience

Purchasing a home is a complex process that requires extensive research, legal advice and professional expertise. A broker has the experience necessary to help clients navigate this process from start to finish, saving them time and money.

In the real estate industry, brokers have three primary roles: principal broker, managing broker and associate broker. Principal brokers have licensing that lets them guarantee the brokerage’s transactions comply with the law, oversee every agent and certify the brokerage doesn’t commit fraud. They also start and operate brokerage firms and employ other real estate professionals.

Managing brokers handle the day-to-day tasks of a brokerage firm. They integrate new agents into the business, manage the brokerage’s licensing and assist with training for other broker associates. They might also have administrative responsibilities like overseeing trust and escrow accounts and reviewing paperwork for the firm.

Associate brokers help with marketing, sales and negotiating. They have access to the Multiple Listing Service and can generate more exposure for properties by leveraging their industry connections. They can also help buyers understand what the local market is telling them about property values.

Mortgage brokers, on the other hand, specialize in obtaining mortgages for prospective homebuyers. They can provide expert advice on mortgage products and lenders to facilitate a loan. They can also save homebuyers time and money by researching the mortgage market on their behalf. They can then match the prospective homebuyer with a lender that is appropriate for their financial situation and needs. They can also help prospective homebuyers juggle the many disclosures required by state and local regulations, including documentation on mold, lead paint, radon and average utility bills. This is particularly helpful for first-time homebuyers.

Knowledge

While it’s possible to shop for mortgages online or even walk into a bank’s branch, brokers are able to get you much better deals. This is because mortgage brokers spend a great deal of time scouring the market for the best deals. As a result, they are able to cut through the red tape that can plague home buyers and help them get loans with more favorable terms.

Another thing that sets good brokers apart is that they know the real estate market and its trends. This can be a huge advantage for both sellers and buyers. For instance, a broker who has a deep understanding of the local market can offer insights into the value of a property and provide valuable guidance in setting an asking price. A broker can also help a buyer understand a seller’s perspective and hone their own negotiating skills.

When choosing a broker, it’s important to consider how they will fit into your lifestyle and schedule. For example, if you work late or you have a hectic schedule, a broker who works flexible hours can be a big asset. Before hiring a broker, look at their website to see if they offer office hours or phone lines that are open after hours and on weekends.

Besides helping you find a loan that meets your needs, a broker can also recommend a range of experienced professionals including real estate attorneys, home inspectors and service providers for repairs and renovations. This is a great way to get one step closer to your dream home without sacrificing your own time and energy. In addition, you can ask for recommendations from friends and family who have worked with mortgage brokers in the past.

Access

Brokers use their expertise and knowledge to help clients understand the risks and rewards of various options. This research-driven approach can include identifying investment opportunities, assessing property valuations or evaluating insurance coverage. In some cases, brokers may also offer recommendations based on their client’s needs and goals.

Brokers often work as part of a larger brokerage firm, which provides them with infrastructure and resources. This is particularly true for larger firms that specialize in different types of investments, such as real estate, finance or insurance. A brokerage firm’s reputation and track record can play an important role in determining whether or not it is the right fit for you.

When considering a brokerage firm, evaluate their fee structure and how it aligns with your budget and investment goals. Some brokers charge a flat fee per transaction, while others impose a percentage-based commission. It is also important to understand what services are included in the fee, such as market research and advice.

Brokers can also provide access to information and resources that would be difficult or impossible to obtain on your own. This includes private investor forums and specialized databases that offer unique insights into the market. In addition, brokers can assist with tax filings and compliance issues. They can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that you’re taking advantage of the full range of available benefits. For example, a broker can help you file the proper paperwork to claim your home purchase as a capital gain. They can also help you navigate the complex world of mortgage financing. They can help you compare options, find the best rates and save money by leveraging their relationships with lenders.

Negotiation

It is often difficult for home buyers to scour the mortgage market by themselves. A broker will spend time searching for a lender and loan offer on your behalf. This can save you a lot of time and hassle. They can also provide expert advice and guidance.

Using a broker can help you avoid some of the hidden fees that are associated with mortgages. This is because they are required by law to disclose all fees upfront. This can be a huge advantage for the home buyer.

Mortgage brokers are good at negotiating with lenders and can secure you more favorable terms on your loan than you would have been able to achieve on your own. This is particularly helpful for self-employed borrowers or those who do not meet conventional criteria.

When choosing a broker, make sure to check their track record and reviews. A reputable broker should have extensive experience and be familiar with the local lending market. You should also ask the broker directly how they are compensated. Brokers can be paid either by the borrower or by the lender. Lender-paid broker fees are typically built into the loan’s interest rate, which can be a significant cost to borrowers.

Mortgage brokers are not required for all home purchases, but they can be beneficial to a number of borrowers. They can provide a wealth of information, expertise and access to different mortgages. In addition, they can assist borrowers who are having difficulty with their credit. For many homebuyers, the mortgage process is complicated and lengthy, so having a professional to guide them can be essential. This is why many borrowers choose to work with a broker.

Marketing

Brokers are able to connect buyers and sellers with each other by providing them with the information, analysis, and recommendations they need to make informed decisions regarding their transactions. This can include identifying investment opportunities, pricing properties, and assessing insurance coverage. Additionally, brokers have a deep understanding of the real estate market and are always staying on top of industry trends, regulatory changes, and local conditions that may impact property values.

A broker will use their knowledge and expertise to advocate for the interests of both sides in a transaction, helping to secure optimal terms while safeguarding their clients’ best interests. They will also utilize their negotiation skills to negotiate price adjustments, contract terms, and contingencies.

Many brokers also act as mentors for other real estate agents, offering guidance and insight to help them succeed in their roles. This is especially important as it can impact the overall success of a brokerage firm.

It’s important for brokers to stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments, and many brokers are involved in education and research to ensure they have the most current knowledge of their markets. They also work closely with lenders to keep abreast of new lending policies, requirements, and practices.

Brokers often use a variety of marketing strategies to promote themselves and their firms, including email, social media, and content marketing. Content marketing involves the creation of relevant and informative content to attract and nurture potential customers, which can be a great way for brokerages to establish themselves as thought leaders in their markets. For example, creating blog posts or videos about market trends, new technology, or local real estate market activity can be a valuable way to drive traffic to a brokerage website and encourage people to contact the team.

Can Lawyers Uphold Ethics in Modern Practice? Explained

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Upholding ethical standards is an important part of a lawyer’s job. These principles are designed to protect clients and the legal system and encourage fairness, honesty, and integrity.

Unfortunately, ethics are being eroded in the legal profession due to societal changes and pressures to win cases. This can cause lawyers to work outside of ethical boundaries.

Duty of Loyalty

In the legal profession, lawyers owe their clients a duty of loyalty. This includes not divulging confidential information, avoiding conflicts of interest, and practicing representation diligently. Lawyers also owe a duty of loyalty to their fellow professionals and to the profession as a whole. It is important for lawyers to uphold these obligations in order to maintain trust and integrity.

The duty of loyalty is especially vital in corporate governance. Officers and directors are required to put the corporation’s interests above their own personal interests and competing commitments. This is a fundamental part of fiduciary law, which helps ensure business operations remain ethical and reliable in the long run.

A breach of the duty of loyalty occurs when an officer or director takes a self-interested action, uses company opportunities for their own benefit, or divulges private information. These violations can happen during their employment with a corporation, or even after they leave. Officers and directors can also be found guilty of violating the duty of loyalty if they fail to disclose any potential conflicts.

This obligation also applies to non-profit organizations. Those who work with or advise nonprofit entities have a duty of loyalty to the organization and its beneficiaries. This duty requires them to promote the organizational mission alongside beneficiary interests, avoid misuse of funds, and limit conflicts of interest.

In addition to this, the duty of loyalty is important in the context of political activism and public policy advocacy. While it is permissible for attorneys to take public positions on issues, they must not violate the duty of loyalty by advocating for positions that conflict with those of their clients. This is a common breach of ethics, and can lead to malpractice claims and other legal actions.

The duty of loyalty is a crucial aspect of the attorney-client relationship. Without this fundamental element, it would be impossible for a lawyer to represent his or her client effectively. A breach of this obligation could cause significant damage, leading to distrust and poor outcomes for the client. It is therefore vital for attorneys to uphold this duty, and to ensure their clients are aware of the responsibilities that come with it.

Duty of Confidentiality

The duty of confidentiality is a fundamental principle that almost all lawyers have ingrained in their psyches. It is one of the primary justifications for legal professional privilege, ensuring that clients can discuss intimate details with their solicitor without fear that those details will be shared with the public. This duty is also a reminder of the loyalty that solicitors owe to their clients, and it serves to maintain public confidence in the legal system.

While this obligation is fundamentally a matter of ethics, it can still be impacted by new technologies and changing societal norms. It is important for attorneys to understand the evolution of ethical guidelines and how they are adapted to meet new challenges.

One of the most common issues that arises in practice is the issue of social media and the legal profession. Lawyers should be cautious about their use of social media to avoid violating the duty of confidentiality or running afoul of other ethical rules. For example, many states have ethical rules that prohibit the disclosure of a client’s confidential information. These laws may include a requirement that an attorney obtain a consent form from their client before posting any confidential information on social media.

In addition, attorneys should be aware that the duty of confidentiality extends to former clients. This is a broad restriction that applies to all information relating to the representation of a client, whether it is privileged or not.

Finally, an attorney’s obligation to keep confidential client information relates to all the client’s secrets. These secrets can be purely personal, such as sexual preferences, or they could be professional in nature, such as trade secret information or documents that are not public records.

The legal profession has a long history of respecting the duty of confidentiality, and it is important to uphold this principle in today’s changing society. By embracing the evolving ethical challenges of modern practice, attorneys can uphold their professional responsibilities and maintain public trust in the legal system. By ensuring that their ethical guidelines are constantly adapting to new technologies and societal changes, attorneys can continue to provide high-quality service to their clients.

Duty of Honesty

As representatives of the courts and as public citizens with a special responsibility for the quality of justice, lawyers owe a duty of honesty to all members of the public. This duty extends to statements outside of the courtroom and to private affairs as well, such as drafting contracts or legal documents, and may be breached by dishonesty in any of these contexts.

While most jurisdictions have laws and codes that dictate the conduct of lawyers, many lack a specific reference to a duty to be truthful in the performance of a lawyer’s professional duties. This duty is implied in several other laws and codes, including a number of the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct. These rules include prohibitions against deceit, misrepresentation, misimpression and errors of fact or law.

One important aspect of the duty of honesty is the requirement to deal fairly with clients. This includes ensuring that a client is not misled about the nature or extent of the representation, the lawyer’s fee and other relevant facts. In addition, it requires a lawyer to provide clients with competent representation, which is defined as the ability to handle the case with adequate skill, knowledge and thoroughness – something extensively exhibited by Pogust Goodhead, a firm specializing in class action lawsuits.

A recent Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision has further shaped the meaning of this duty of honesty in the performance of contractual obligations and rights. In Callow, the SCC ruled that there is an implied obligation to honestly perform contractual agreements. The SCC also ruled that a party cannot escape this duty by agreeing to terms that explicitly exclude it, such as by a clause “limiting the right of either party to terminate the contract for convenience”.

This new legal principle should make businesses operating in Canada think twice about how they negotiate and execute contracts with their customers. In addition to this, it could have implications for business ethics in general. For example, a business cannot simply hide an impending termination decision or mislead the other party through active communications in order to preserve its own rights under a contract. This would be a violation of the SCC’s ruling on the implied duty of honest performance.

Duty of Transparency

The legal profession has a reputation for upholding ethical standards, which helps preserve the integrity of the legal system and protects client rights. However, these ethics can be challenged by new technologies and evolving societal norms, creating a complex ethical landscape for modern attorneys to navigate.

In addition to maintaining confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest, lawyers must also strive to maintain their knowledge of the law. This means staying up-to-date on changes in the law and participating in continuing education and professional development opportunities. Failure to do so may violate a lawyer’s ethical obligations and result in malpractice claims.

Legal professionals also have an ethical duty to be transparent with their clients. This includes informing them of the potential outcomes of their cases and being honest about costs and fees. It also includes being upfront about any potential risks associated with a legal matter and providing clear explanations of legal documents.

Another important aspect of transparency is ensuring that a lawyer’s office has adequate cybersecurity measures in place to prevent data breaches. As more law firms go digital, this becomes an increasingly critical requirement. Lawyers must make sure they follow all relevant laws and regulations to ensure the safety of their clients’ sensitive information.

Attorneys must also be transparent about their billing practices, as described in Rule 1.5 of the Model Rules. This includes being clear about all fees and costs, including any credit card processing charges. In addition, attorneys must make it easy for clients to contact them with questions and requests.

Finally, attorneys have an ethical obligation to promote access to justice for all, regardless of their socioeconomic status or other barriers. This includes promoting pro bono services and providing legal assistance for low-income individuals.

As the legal industry continues to evolve, it’s essential that attorneys stay informed and adhere to all ethical standards. Violations of these rules can have serious consequences, including disciplinary action and the loss of licenses and credentials. The best way to uphold these standards is to regularly review ethical guidelines and seek guidance from mentors when faced with ethical challenges.