How to Improve Your Ecommerce Without Spending a Fortune

Getting your e-commerce business off the ground is not a walk in the park. The process is frustrating and expensive at the same time. No matter how hard you encourage online users to buy from your business, most of them still go for established brands in the industry. 

There is compelling evidence to show that even if you sell high-quality products and have impressive layouts, you have to put a lot of work to drive traffic to your online store. 

Luckily, there are multiple effective techniques for driving traffic to your website without spending a fortune. Here are some of them.

Leverage Social Media

Did you know that a third of the world’s population uses social media daily? Make better use of social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to generate traffic for your e-commerce. 

Post regular updates on all social platforms to keep your audience engaged. Besides convincing people to buy from your business, take time to express your gratitude to your viewers and people who comment on your posts. 

Frequently posting engaging content and images is essential. To make sure you close as many deals as possible, include a call to action at the end of every article.

Improve Your Ecommerce With SEO

Acquiring knowledge about search engine optimization on the internet is absolutely free. Mastering SEO and learning how to improve your ecommerce goes a long way in helping increase traffic to your online store using organic results in search engines. 

Although numerous businesses hire experts to handle this task, you can perform your keyword research, create blog articles, or publish guest articles on other people’s websites.

Liaise With Influencers

Influencer marketing has gained immense popularity in the past couple of years. Recent studies show that numerous shoppers are likely to be influenced by an actual person than a company name or a brand. 

 

For impressive results, reach out to bloggers, Instagrammers, or vloggers with a massive flowing. Sending a free sample or providing mutual exposure are some of the ways to work with influencers without spending a dime.

Request for Customer Feedback

Normalize requesting reviews from your customers. Reviews not only help you receive feedback on your product and customer service, but they also influence potential customers. A large number of millennials consider online reviews when making a purchasing decision. 

When you receive a bad review, start by owning up to the mistake and apologize to your customer. Then use the negative reviews to design a solution.

All these methods are free and can generate your online store as much traffic as a paid promotion.

4 Hobbies To Start In 2021 That Won't Empty Your Pockets

A new year signifies a fresh chapter for many people. It's when new ideas are formed, new relationships are forged, and new hobbies are explored. Frequently, however, discovering a new hobby can be expensive. 

If you've ever tried to do a different sport or activity in the past, say kickboxing or professional cosplay, you already know that these activities cost more than an open mind and the courage to venture off into the unknown. While these activities make cost money, here are four that won't burn a hole through your pocket:

Build a Business

Starting a business as a hobby isn't just inexpensive; it’s also potentially lucrative. And since it's a hobby and not some chore or work assignment that's forced upon you, you'll still enjoy doing it continuously. 

Some low-cost and low-effort businesses enough to be categorized as a hobby include digital content creation, pet care services, and consulting. Even if you don't end up building an actual business, reading about potential money-making ideas and testing them out can still be a fun and productive hobby altogether. 

If nothing else, attempting to build a business as a hobby can instill an entrepreneurial mindset that can help you flourish in other life endeavors.

Collect Currency

Although there are still traveling restrictions in place, the roll-out of COVID vaccines may lead to greater leniency in terms of countries reopening their borders to travelers. If you consider yourself a travel bug, currency collecting is a great low-cost hobby that allows you to preserve your travel memories. 

You can collect low-value coins or bills from the cities you've visited. Consider investing in a currency album to help organize your memorabilia and to avoid misplacing them.

There are two main ways to collect currency - travel or purchase it directly. Of course, of the two options, traveling comes as a more enjoyable way of collecting currency. Be sure you know the basics of currency collection, such as collections, interesting serial numbers, star notes, and misprint errors.

Hike

Hiking is beneficial for a myriad of reasons. Not only is it physically exerting and mentally de-stressing, but hiking also allows you to minimize contact with other people amidst the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. 

All you need to hike are some hiking shoes or boots, weather-appropriate clothing, and transportation. Regardless of where you live, there is bound to be at least one hiking trail you can trek on. Consider inviting family or close friends when you hike to maintain social distancing measures while also satisfying your basic need to socialize.

To pull off a fun and safe hike, remember to bring plenty of food and water as well as a first aid kit. If you need special accommodations, such as RV parking or disability ramps, be sure to call the local park authorities in advance. Lastly, be sure to tell someone exactly where you plan on hiking or, better yet, provide a map with an outline of your planned route.

Play Video Games

Playing video games has had a bad rap in the past. Since they were relatively new, video games were demonized as being too violent or negatively affecting one's cognitive function. Modern studies, however, reveal that indulging in video games in moderation can have positive effects on brain function. 

For instance, studies found that video game players displayed improved attention span, resource management, and decision-making skills compared to their non-gaming counterparts.

Furthermore, studies also show that playing video games improved the person's visuospatial skills or capacity to determine visual and spatial relationships between objects. 

And of course, playing video games with other players can help improve your ability to work in teams and communicate with others to accomplish a collective goal. Today, most online games are free to play, so you won't have to spend a dime to play them.

Starting a new hobby is exciting, even more so when it doesn't cost you a great deal of money. These four activities mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg of low-cost hobbies you can try this 2021. 

Other low-cost hobbies to consider: learning a musical instrument, cooking, learning magic tricks, cycling, etcetera. The choices are endless as long as you are willing to keep an open mind.

6 Ways to Make This Year's Tax Season Easier

The new tax season is upon us. For 2019, almost 31 million Canadians filed their taxes by mail or electronically. This was despite a global pandemic that virtually stopped citizens from doing anything. 

The upheaval of the previous year could result in an abnormal tax filing season. There are ways to make it easier so nothing is left out. Here are six tips to consider.

1. Get Organized

The organization is a top priority to receive the maximum refunds and avoid potential audits. All of your paperwork must be ready so you can efficiently file your taxes. If you didn't have your work organized already, then you must take time to do so now.

Ensure receipt of your T4 slips before the due date when it's supposed to be delivered. Pull out all receipts and invoices related to business expenses. Locate bills for university tuition or student loans. Finally, organize the paperwork related to tax-deductible donations.

Once the information is gathered you want to separate it per its section on the tax form. Thus, income, interest, and dividends are first. Deductions and credits are underneath that information. If anything is missing, then see if it can be retrieved online.

2. File As Early As Possible

You don't have to wait for your T4 slip to arrive before you file your taxes. You can start as early as 12:01 a.m. on January 1. As long as the government offers updated tax forms, you can start adding information when it comes to deductions and tax credits. 

You actually don't have to wait for your T4 or T4A to include income information. You'll be able to pull the data from your last pay stub or year-end investment statement. The one thing you'll need to close things out is the employer's or investment firm's government ID.

3. Have Funds Available For Payments

Unfortunately, there are times where you'll owe taxes. This is something you might be aware of before the new tax season. Especially if you collected non-taxed unemployment or ran your own business. 

For these situations, you want to have the necessary funds to pay taxes due at the time of filing. If you don't have them available when you complete the forms, then work to get the funds so they're available when the official filing date comes around.

4. Invest Maximums Into Retirement Funds

One way to reduce your tax values is to maximize your retirement investments. This should be done at the end of the previous year for some. Other types, like a tax-free savings account (TFSA), might allow you to make contributions at the time of filing. Take advantage of this to minimize tax liabilities.

5. File Online

There are plusses to file taxes online Canada style. First, your fear of on-time delivery by mail is minimized. Online filing through companies like Cloudtax sends your information directly to Ottowa and the provincial governments. 

Second, you receive your refund much faster. If you decide to file online then watch out for underlying fees. There shouldn't be any if you file a standard T4. However, companies might charge extra if you need to file line-item taxes for your business.

6. Let Someone Else Do It

Having a professional handle your taxes takes a huge burden off of your shoulders. They not only put together the documents but they also review information to see if any further reductions can be made on your taxes. 

In the end, they can help increase the refund you thought you'd receive. Yet, this doesn't happen without following step one in this process. 

You still need to organize all of the required paperwork. The tax professional can't produce the best outcome for you without the necessary T4 & T4A slips or the required invoices and receipts.

The above steps might seem daunting at first. However, you don't have to implement them all at once. Regardless if you file on your own or through a tax service, preparation is at the heart of everything. 

When you have all of the required documents, filing your taxes is much easier. On top of that, it results in a maximum refund that can help support your family in the new year.

Top 3 Most Beloved Novelty Items To Collect In 2021

Novelty items are remarkable. You get to hold a piece of art or history that no one else has. It may represent a significant investment, but you have to figure out what to invest in. The following are three precious novelty items you may want to have in your collection.

1. Vintage Video Arcade Game

One beloved and collectible novelty item that's an absolute must is an arcade game. These are not popular anymore because of the introduction of more sophisticated arcade games, but they're still beloved. People remember going to the arcades, and nostalgia is still worth something.

These games are still playable today, so you can plug them up and play them if you want. They are a symbol of a bygone era that people are always fond of. Find the arcade game you feel most connected to and have it delivered.

Some of these arcades are in pristine condition, so you'll get a lot of use out of them. Those who have enough space could consider investing in more than one to create your indoor arcade room. There are also a few vintage pinball machines if you want to add those to your collection. You may want to have a little get together to share these games with others.

2. Beautifully Handcrafted Clock

One unique and beloved novelty item you must have is the cuckoo clock. Yes, this is one of those cuckoo timepieces that are pieces of art rather than just a clock. Years ago, these vintage works would be meticulously designed and would sometimes tell a story.

Every hour a little bird would come out to tell you one hour passed, or maybe a couple would come out to give you a little dance before retreating into the clock. The possibilities are endless, so if you're going to be purchasing a beloved cuckoo, then you have to make sure you choose one that fits you best.

Some modern clockmakers create unique pieces by hand. It does take some time, but it's all worth it to make sure the clocks do their job for a long time. Some clocks can be mounted on the wall, while others are much larger, so be sure to keep space in mind before making your decision. You should also pay attention to your decor to make sure you're choosing the right one.

3. Personalized Porcelain Doll

If you love dolls and want to own a truly unique one, consider a personalized porcelain doll. Yes, this means the doll is going to be made just for you, and it's going to look like you or your kids. It's going to be a work of art because you'll have to work with an artist.

It may take some time before you can hold the doll in your hands, but once you see it, you'll be happy that you did this. A doll-like this isn't a toy, so if the doll looks like your kids, let them know it's not a toy but a collectible. 

You'll have to place the doll in a safe place because kids can get tempted to pull the head off or a leg, and you don't want that. You want to preserve the doll for future generations.




Porcelain dolls are exceptionally delicate, and kids are not always the most careful with fragile items. You probably will have to do some research to find someone who can get this doll done right. 

Many artists might say they can do what you want but aren't too experienced. Request pictures of past work so that you can see their expertise. When you find the right artist, the next thing to do is choose a picture you love. The artist will use that to create a look-alike doll.

You've got three special and unique collectible novelty items here, so just choose what speaks to you the most. You can always choose all three if you want, or you can keep on looking; maybe you prefer something that involves pop culture, like a fireplace in the shape of the Death Star from Star Wars.

Unexpected Costs You Need to Prepare for When Planning Your Retirement

Some people believe that retirement is a means to an end. In reality, though, retirement is another exciting chapter in your life. Remember the freedom you had as a child to do whatever you wanted? That’s what retirement should be. It’s a time to enjoy life as it is meant to be enjoyed. 

But before doing so, there are a few costs you have to plan for, and some of them may not be what you were expecting. Here are the unexpected costs you need to prepare when planning your retirement.

Repairs to Your Home

One of the best parts about retiring is that you get to enjoy the comfort of your home more than you did while working. However, problems still occur, usually at the most inopportune times. 

As you continue to work and make your way towards retiring, getting a home inspection can save you from a lot of headaches down the road. The price of a home inspection depends on the company, but on average, it typically costs around $300 to $500. 

If a problem is discovered during the inspection, have it repaired while you’re still employed. It is also wise to put some money aside for home maintenance issues that might come up during retirement.

Health Care

Another expense you may not expect to pay for is your health care. Because some people get their health insurance through the company they work for, it’s important to plan for when you no longer have that coverage. Research different health care plans and decides which are affordable and suit your medical needs.

Moving Costs

With the freedom retirement gives you, you may feel inclined to move. Moving is one of the most expensive decisions you can make in your lifetime. 

So much so that it requires a lot of preparation. In addition to the cost of buying a new house, you’ll have to keep closing costs, moving costs, home repairs, property taxes, and other costs in mind.

Tax Planning

Whether you’ll live off your retirement fund or choose to open your own business in retirement, you will need to file taxes. Taxes can quickly get complicated, especially as seemingly minor rules and laws are altered. Tax planning classes are an excellent way to educate yourself and prepare for paying taxes after your work career ends.

Pension Cuts

Finally, you also need to think about your pension. A pension is a savings account that you deposit money during your work career. Your employer may also contribute a certain percentage to this account as well.

When you retire, you will receive checks on a monthly basis, which gives you a passive income. These benefits can be received all the way up until death, and depending on the type of pension you have, your spouse may continue to receive payment as well. 

However, it’s important to know the specifics of your pension prior to retiring. If not, you may not receive all the money you earned and deserve.

Retirement should be a time to do all things you want without worry. Take the time to create a retirement strategy that will help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Is Insurance Cheaper if You Bundle with One Company?

Everyone knows that insurance is essential for your car, your home, and your other vital items. This can get extremely expensive. If you want to lower your payments, you may consider bundling your policies. Here is a look at the potential benefits of bundling with one company.

What is Bundling?

When you purchase different insurance policies from the same provider, you are bundling your plans. This can include home, auto, and life policies. This makes it simpler to pay premiums each month. Most companies provide discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them as well.

Benefits of Bundling Insurance

When you bundle your policies, it is definitely possible to save money, especially with your car insurance. You may be able to save up to 20 percent on your premiums. 

Thanks to these savings, you may be able to increase your coverage. Also, bundling makes it less likely that your carrier will drop you for filing a high number of claims.




It is convenient to work with one company as well. Bundling policies saves you time paying your bills, and a single representative can take care of all of your insurance needs. 

Also, when you establish customer loyalty with your provider, your overall experience is better. For instance, your insurance representative may be able to make valuable coverage suggestions that suit your needs and that help to save you money.

Receive an Insurance Quote

Most insurance providers will offer competitive rates, especially when you are planning to bundle your policies. It is wise to gather insurance quotes so that you find the best deal for your individual circumstances. 

After you receive a bundled insurance quote from each of your current providers, you can compare each one to the individual rates that you are presently paying. You can receive bundled quotes from other companies as well.

Who Shouldn’t Bundle Insurance?

Although it is often cheaper for a person to bundle multiple insurance policies with one company, it may not always be the least expensive option. 

If you have a high amount of traffic violations or live in a state with high rates, it may be less costly to keep separate policies. It is always best to speak with your existing insurance providers and to obtain a bundled insurance quote from each one.

Insurance is a costly proposition, but it is necessary in times of accidents. It may be beneficial to bundle your policies with one company. Besides saving you money, you may enjoy other perks and fewer hassles. It is always best to obtain various quotes and to discuss options with your current providers.