James Moore

Starting a business is no small feat; many people face uncertainties that can feel daunting. If you're in that position, a practical checklist can make all the difference. It starts with researching the market to find a real customer need. This foundational step helps you craft your unique selling proposition. Next, a solid business plan is invaluable. It defines your mission and outlines your strategy for success. Once you have that, it's time to think about registering your business and choosing the right structure, whether that's a sole trader, partnership, or limited company. Financing is often a challenge, but exploring grants, loans, and crowdfunding can provide the necessary fuel without burning a hole in your wallet. Branding follows, where you define who you are as a business, not just what you offer. Building a seamless customer experience is crucial too, so plan your operational processes carefully. Finally, when you're ready, launch your business and keep the conversation going with your customers online. These steps are crucial for setting up a successful venture, and anyone starting out can benefit from following them. Feel free to drop your own tips or share your experiences while starting a business. https://lnkd.in/eBWtc3aS

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Answer rate continues to move in the right direction, with unanswered queries consistently hovering below 10% across the customer base now. There's lots more to do though, not only in reducing the number of queries not being answered but also improving the richness of the answers provided to drive customer purchases. The completeness of retailers' knowledge bases continues to be the main driver for answer rate. I think the scale of different queries customers have has surprised some of our clients now that they have a clear view of it for the first time. There is more to giving a great response than just order, refund and product queries plus a few FAQs. Customers can sometimes require a lot of information before they purchase.

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A Few Thoughts on Spending Money Interesting read via @collabfund https://lnkd.in/e3n6GWA2

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Word of warning to retailers and agencies When choosing and recommending payment solutions, ensure you fully understand that providers that don’t do KYC checks (Know Your Customer) up front do them whilst you are trading and locked in, if they decide they don’t like a business after trading starts, they can put a hold over your earned money. They deem it their money due to the risk of chargeback and can legally withhold money from your business, potentially starving you of working capital that you may need to pay your suppliers and curtail your marketing spend, this can negatively spiral your business into a rapid descent to administration. (This isn’t speculation, it came from a retailer I met today!) Be very vigilant and don’t just assume getting on a KYC free payment solution or joining an ecommerce provider that white labels and forces / overly encourages you to use one is a good thing - it could literally be the end of your business. Whilst a bank or decent acquirer will drag you kicking and screaming through KYC and may put unfavourable terms to you if your books aren’t showing massive positivity, it is usually better the devil you know than the angel you don’t And don’t assume the ecommerce provider that white labels and sells you it will be able to help, they most likely will have no say.

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The leading returns solution in the market now offered free? You heard right. This marks a massive shift for Loop, and even greater opportunity for our merchants to dramatically reduce the cost of their returns program. As post-purchase behaviors evolve, we’re proud to offer a consumer-paid, PREMIUM returns solution that meets the needs of today’s merchants AND their customers. Check out Offset by Loop!

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👋🏽Calling on all payment solutions pros: Anyone in my network pro at #payment platforms for medically backed #healthcare solutions for women? This incredible founder needs you. DM me and I’ll Intro you. #paymentsolutions #supportwomeninbusiness #femaleentrepreneurs

Share With Marvin has been shortlisted for another industry award. This time Great British Entrepreneur Awards & Community #Technology Startups of the year. Mike Blamires and I would like to thank the team for all their hard work in achieving this! Check out why #Marvin is the perfect choice for #Startups & #SmallBusinesses in our video below

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1 Win and the Wallabies are now serious contenders? This is the type of business hyperbole that gets companies in trouble. This is akin to a company making one sale in a new industry vertical after 12 months of struggling. Let's look at the data: - 10th ranked Australia vs 5th ranked England - 10 Games in '24, only the 5th win ... the other wins? Wales (and sub strength at that) twice, Georgia (noting both Wales and Georgia) not in the top 10 in world rankings), and Argentina (ranked 6th). - 4 losses against top 3 sides The breathless anticipation that with one player (albeit an amazing introduction) can take a team to contender status ... after 1 data point is ridiculous. Especially when the defense leaks so many points. In business, you wouldn't invest so heavily as many of the community is emotionally investing. If you did, you would putting yourself at significant risk. There is simply not the data to underpin that investment. One sale does not a new strategy make, nor a turn around in fortunes. Making these types of investments on scant data (and more emotions) will only cause your business to get whiplash going from one extreme to the other. Maybe Australian Rugby supporters should take heed. Especially as the challenges of the business of Rugby is still yet to be resolved nor acted on. https://lnkd.in/gPVnvjQy

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eBay has announced it will no longer accept American Express payments from the 17th of August, due to “unacceptably high fees”. eBay argues that rising transaction costs and limited competition in the credit card industry are driving up expenses for businesses and consumers. eBay says they will continue to accept other payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. In response, American Express argues that its fees are similar to those of other cards eBay accepts and questions the consistency of eBay’s approach to competition. This move highlights ongoing tensions in the financial sector, similar to past disputes like Amazon’s near-drop of Visa support in the UK. It underscores the need for better competition and regulation to manage transaction costs effectively. How do you think this will impact the future of payment processing? #FinancialServices #PaymentProcessing #CreditCardFees #eBay #AmericanExpress #DigitalPayments

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Why Your Brand Should Register with the Charity Bits Network Imagine a marketing platform where every dollar you spend elevates your brand and creates a positive social impact. The Charity Bits Network is your gateway to a revolutionary marketplace that combines purpose-driven marketing with unmatched ROI. 1. Amplify Your Reach Through Trusted Advocates The Charity Bits Network partners with influential charities and their dedicated supporters. By aligning with our network, your brand gains access to a ready-made audience that trusts the organizations they support, making your message more impactful and credible. 2. Engage with a Captive Audience Our platform connects your brand directly to engaged supporters passionate about making a difference. These supporters are likelier to choose brands that align with their values, giving you an edge in customer loyalty and brand affinity. 3. Drive Sales with Cause-Driven Incentives Consumers are increasingly drawn to businesses that prioritize social good. By joining the Charity Bits Network, your products will be marketed alongside charitable causes, incentivizing purchases through a seamless integration of shopping and giving. A percentage of every purchase supports the charity, creating a win-win for everyone involved. 4. Real-Time Insights and ROI Our advanced AI-powered analytics deliver actionable insights on consumer behavior, sales performance, and the effectiveness of your campaigns. You'll see exactly how your investment drives sales and creates meaningful connections with your target audience. 5. Expand Your Impact While Growing Your Business Supporting charities isn't just good for your image—it's good for your bottom line. With every purchase tied to a donation, you're not just selling products but building brand loyalty and enhancing your reputation as a socially responsible business. 6. Customized Marketing Opportunities Whether it's cause-specific campaigns or tailored advertising, our network offers flexible solutions to meet your unique needs. Showcase your products through influencer-driven messages, charity-led promotions, and targeted ads that speak directly to your audience. 7. Be Part of a Movement Registering with the Charity Bits Network makes your brand part of a larger, more significant one to redefine commerce. Together, we can create an ecosystem where businesses thrive while making a lasting difference in communities nationwide. Call to Action Take the chance to connect with a purpose-driven audience eager to support brands that make a difference. Register with the Charity Bits Network today and transform your sales into a force for good! Make an Impact. Grow Your Brand. Change Lives.

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Key events one must not ignore if you are building a tech startup - If you are in the North of England - Northern Tech Awards run by GP Bullhound and founded by me - If you are in Europe, State of European Tech Report annually produced by Atomico The latest report https://lnkd.in/eyFwAJNm, which was released today at Slush has a whole section on talent. Key themes emerging - hiring isn't easy - first time job seekers have fallen - UK remains a top tech nation for tech jobs - Competition for senior tech talent is high - AI talent is clustering In terms of tech companies obsession with the US - Europeans starts more tech companies than the US - European founders are more experienced than ever (that goes without saying) - Startups are spinning out from top tech companies (this is the essential ingredient for ecosystem survival) - Skype mafia still rules in Europe (US equivalent is PayPal) So what does it take to build and grow a tech startup - know how and ability to execute (Europe has plenty due to Exits) - Capital (over flowing with cautionary investors) - Talent When it comes to know how, Techcelerate https://lnkd.in/eKeefU7 is here for you. Join us on the 27th https://lu.ma/upag9uga When it comes to talent, SkilledUp Life has 52,000 skilled volunteers who can help to de-risk your tech startup for investors. This is achieved through Techcelerate Way by building teams with SkilledUp Life volunteers: - Validate the idea - Build your product - Build brand awareness - Generate demand - Acquire users and convert to customers - Delight customers and manage churn - Grow your team If you have the will, there is nothing to stop you now. Europe has everything you need. Want to discuss further: - Attend our LinkedIn events on Friday at 12 pm GMT - Book a demo and a chat https://lnkd.in/erspFMm9 Serious tech founders only Niklas Zennström Laura Connell Shamal Thakar Alvaro Campos Hillary Ball Marta Naidenova Miguel Rodrigo Pérez #tech #europe #Atomico #buildingtech #techcompanies #techstartups #growth

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Last week at Substrakt we launched our first Cultural Website Performance Benchmark Report (which you can download via the link in the comments). We looked at the 2023 website traffic data for 76 cultural websites (encompassing over 110 million user sessions). I am doing a couple of webinars over the next two Wednesdays (tomorrow - Weds 8th May at 2pm BST, and next week - Weds 15th May at 11.30am ET / 8.30am PT) to walk through the background to the report, and some of our main findings. Book your place here: https://lnkd.in/eeaHnrun For example, our analysis found that: - On average, mobile devices are now responsible for more than 69% of traffic to cultural websites. However mobile conversion rates are on average 68% lower than desktop traffic. - Cultural homepages are the entry point for just 16% of traffic to cultural websites. - Traffic from email converts at a higher rate than any other source. - Basket abandonment rates on cultural websites are 52% better than other ecommerce sites. - The average value of mobile donations increased by over 70% in 2023. - 'Engagement rates' for cultural websites are 40% lower than other sectors.

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Ever wonder what hidden landmines might be lurking in a website’s terms and conditions? Think late payment fees, zero liability etc. It's a pain to read them and even more of a pain to mark them up if you do want changes... Now, with First Pass from Wordsmith AI, its easy, just input a link to a set of terms and automatically get: 📑 Risk Analysis – A clear, concise report outlining key issues 📊 Interactive AI Report – Ask questions directly about the terms for instant clarity 📄 Marked-Up Terms right to your email – A Word document with suggested edits, perfect for negotiations or supplier discussions And the best part? It’s completely free. Give it a shot!

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There's no doubt in my mind that when we ship v2 of Contactzilla later this year it's going to be a better solution for most SMEs than any of the CRMs currently on the market. In the mean time though we have added Zapier support to v1 following a recent onboarding of a new customer that had specific requirements.

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🌟 Monzo vs. Monese: Which Neobank Fits Your Banking Style? 🌟 Monzo and Monese are both popular neobanks offering distinct features and services. Our detailed comparison delves into how these two platforms differ in terms of functionality, user experience, and value. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive financial tools, flexible account options, or seamless international transactions, our analysis will help you determine which neobank aligns best with your needs. 👉 Explore our full comparison to find out which neobank is right for you: https://lnkd.in/dieSbwdY #Neobank #Monzo #Monese #DigitalBanking #PersonalFinance #BankingComparison #WhatNeoBank

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⌛ Do you need to get off Umbraco 8 before the February 2025 End-of-Life deadline? (Without tying up your dev team or spending a fortune on a new site?)    Between now and 10th September, We’re looking for 3 small businesses who are stuck on Umbraco 8 to participate in our fixed-fee Umbraco upgrade scheme.      We recently helped one non-profit client upgrade their large, complex Umbraco 8 site in under 2 months!     If of interest, send me a Direct Message, and I can fill you in on the details.    #Umbraco #Umbraco8EOL #SmallBusiness #AffordableDevelopment #Umbraco8 #WebsiteRedesign #SmallBusinessSecurity

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