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Why is Shopify the Best Ecommerce Platform?

Posted on October 21, 2020October 21, 2020 by Split Reef

Shopify is an ecommerce platform that contains everything you need to start, grow, and run a business. Shopify started out as a platform powered by 5 people based in a coffee shop to a worldwide platform that now supports over 1,000,000 businesses. You are of course asking why Shopify is the best ecommerce platform for you. As top rated ecommerce web development company we will dig into here why is Shopify the best ecommerce platform!

Why Shopify is Better for Ecommerce

Shopify is a highly flexible and feature rich platform that brings everything you could need to run a business into one place. Whether you are offering digital products and services or selling physical products, Shopify has a place for you. Some of the key features that Shopify has for you include:

Shopify Ease of Use

Shopify makes setup easy. There is a simple to use dashboard area that makes adding products quick, customizing the look of your site easy, and grants you simple access to analytics. As part of this easy to use process, when you go to sign up, Shopify will ask if you are moving from another platform. If you are, their system will provide useful links on how to import products from wherever your previous store was!

Adding Products

Adding products is an incredibly simple thing on Shopify. This is one of the reasons why Shopify is best for ecommerce, whether you are selling digital or physical goods. When you go to add a product, the layout will be simple and easy to understand. There are clear fields to add titles, prices, descriptions, and more. Unlike other ecommerce platforms, Shopify explains what each field is used for. This can be especially helpful to first time ecommerce business owners.

Speed and Security

Shopify is an especially quick platform. When asking yourself why Shopify is better for ecommerce businesses, speed and security are going to be first thoughts most of the time. Shopify has a built-in speed checker that allows its users to complete purchases at the most nominal loading time.

In regard to security, Shopify states that they continuously invest time and money to adjust to the latest threats when it comes to ecommerce business. They work to ensure that their business owners and users are protected as much as possible.

Shopify Compared to Other Platforms

Let’s take a moment to compare Shopify and other ecommerce platforms. Compared to Ecwid Business, another large platform, we can see some differences and similarities.

Shopify and Ecwid both feature credit card rates of a similar price, the use of 2 staff accounts, unlimited file storage and bandwidth, 24/7 live chat and phone support, and an online store website.

When we move onto what they do not have in common, we can see that Shopify provides a few extra components that can make a large difference to your business! Shopify Basic is only $29.99 a month compared to Ecwid’s $35.00.

Features that Shopify provides include:

A blog module
Point of sale
Unlimited products

These differences between Shopify and Ecwid might not seem like a big deal but being able to list as many products as you want opens up a flood of possibilities for your business. And if you are looking to connect even more with your customers, having a blog module available is an invaluable way to instantly reach them when they visit your business’ page.

Now that we have looked at why Shopify is better for ecommerce business’ and gotten the chance to compare Shopify and other ecommerce platforms, we hope you have a better understanding of what Shopify has to offer. If you are interested in moving to Shopify or starting a brand-new business on Shopify, contact our Shopify theme development company via email to get started!

Split Reef

Split Reef is a modern, results-driven digital organization always ready to support clients in their search for digital supremacy. With Split Reef, your budget isn’t going to hold you back from partnering with us to make your project successful. Our offices are located in Columbus, Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida.

How Is Node JS Used in Web Development

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Split Reef

When we ask how is Node.js used in web development, there are quite a few ways to answer this question! Web development with Node.js has become very popular across the board and sits as one of the most in demand development jobs of the last 5 years. With that in mind, let us take a closer look at just how Node.js is used in web development and what makes it such a popular option.

A JavaScript Engine

As a runtime environment that is based in Chrome’s V8 JavaScript Engine, Node.js is not a library or framework. JavaScript on its own stands as one of the most popular programming languages. It is one of the most universal software development technologies out there and is often used for cross-platform mobile development. But JavaScript can also be used in web development with Node.js for more server-side programming.

Node.js was one of the tools that really assisted in this shift for JavaScript. Node.js is an open source project that has been adopted by large tech leaders like Walmart, Netflix, and eBay.

Benefits of Web Development with Node.js

Node.js has built a reputation all on its own. Node.js development services are prime in the current tech landscape and Node.js, much like JavaScript, has become a well-known name in the industry.

When working on web development with Node.js, the developer gets all of the benefits that come with full stack JavaScript development such as:

Developer productivity and efficiency is much better
Code sharing and reuse
A large amount of free tools
High performance and speed
Knowledge sharing is easy with a team
A free and open source tool

Overall, these help to make a development team that is providing Node.js development services much more flexible. Development itself is often going to be less time consuming and the software that comes out of the process will be reliable and fast.

Event-based Model and Fast Processing

When providing Node.js development services, developers are able to understand just how fast Node.js really is. There are a few reasons why Node.js is so fast.

It’s V8 engine was originally created for the Chrome browser and it is used tom compile functions that were written in JavaScript into machine code. The V8 engine was heavily invested in by Google and continues to be to this day, making it a huge benefit in how is Node.js used in web development. Node.js really reaps the speed from the engine.

The event-based model is another feature of Node.js that makes web development with Node.js especially useful. The event-based model is used to create a very quick synchronization between event-based and real-time applications. This can be between client and server sides.

Node.js is popular for several types of solutions that need consistently updated information like online gaming, chats, private messages, and video conferences.

A Wealthy Ecosystem

When asking how is Node.js used in web development, we have taken a look through several ways so far. One final way is through the very wealthy ecosystem that has been built up around Node.js. This ecosystem stands as a marketplace for a wide number of open source JavaScript tools that play a vital part in the advancement of Node.js.

Much of this ecosystem can be found via npm, which is a default Node.js package manager. There are over 800,000 libraries available in npm’s registry. With such a large amount of free tools that are easily accessible, web development with Node.js allows developers to create new solutions and programs that help to reduce overall cost of development and cut down on the time it takes to get something out to customers.

Contact Split Reef to Get Started

Knowing more about how Node.js is used in web development can certainly be a great starting point if you are interested in starting work on a development project that makes use of the tool. If you would like to discuss Node.js development services further to determine if they are right for you, feel free to reach out to our experienced web app development team at Split Reef!

Split Reef

How to Make A Website ADA Compliant?

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Split Reef

As more businesses move onto the Internet, whether that be through having a website to draw in new customers or completely doing all business online, it is important to understand why your website needs be ADA compliant. Ensuring that your website is accessible to all people is an important step when moving online. With that being said, you might be asking yourself “How do I make my website ADA compliant?” and that’s what we are here to help answer!

We will go through some basics related to making your website ADA compliant and why you should do so.

Does My Website Need to be ADA Compliant?

ADA compliance is guidelined by the American with Disabilities Act as giving those with disabilities equal access to websites for finding information, paying bills, shopping, and more. All websites are held to standards to make them perceivable, distinguishable, operable, understandable, and robust.

When asking yourself “does my website need to be ADA compliant” the basic answer is yes. If your site does not meet ADA compliance, you could be open to lawsuits, financial liabilities, and potential damage to your brand’s reputation.

How to Make A Website ADA Compliant

There are quite a few ways that you can go about making your website ADA compliant. Remember that accessibility for various individuals is the key factor when working to make a website ADA compliant. Some common ways to meet ADA compliance are:

Create an organized and consistent layout. Links, buttons, menus, and other navigational tools should be organized in a clear way that separates them from each other and allow easy navigation throughout the whole website.
Create text transcripts for all video and audio content. Transcripts of video and audio content assist hearing-impaired users to understand content that otherwise may be difficult to fully access otherwise.
Have alt tags for images, videos, and audio files. Alt tags allow users to read or hear alternative descriptions of content that they may be unable to view. Alt tags will usually describe the object, whether it is an image, video, or piece of audio, and what purpose it has on the website.
Have the website’s language in the header. Clearly presenting what language the website should be read in will help users who make use of text readers. Text readers are used to read websites out loud to users and can identify codes that alert them to the site’s language.
Functionality: To meet ADA compliance, a site’s functionality should allow for easy navigation that can be done with only a keyboard. Other features like including the ability to zoom up to 200% without having a negative impact on readability, an easy to access search function, and having a sitemap on the homepage are other features required under ADA compliance guidelines.

These are some of the most common ways to ensure that your website is ADA compliant. Having an ADA compliant website is a simple step to making the browsing experience more comfortable and accessible for your potential customers and users. When looking at how to make a website ADA compliant, keep these steps in mind! ADA compliance checklist

Liability for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with the ADA guidelines means that your business is open to potential lawsuits. Costs from an ADA lawsuit can add up quite quickly.

Apart from wanting to meet ADA compliancy, providing accessibility to users with disabilities means that your potential customer and client base opens up further. If users can easily navigate your website, your potential sales opportunities will rise and search engines will be able to index your site, causing a rise in your rankings.

When asking yourself how do I make my website ADA compliant, keep in mind that it’s a process that you do not have to go through alone. If you’re curious to check that your site is ADA compliant or you want to take steps to implement new features to meet ADA compliancy, Split Reef is more than equipped to help you in that process!

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Should I Use Flutter to Develop My App?

Posted on August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 by Split Reef

Flutter is a newer mobile app software development kit from the powerhouse of Google that has been making waves the last few years. Its main purpose has been to make cross-platform app development easier than ever! With all the hype behind it, many might be asking the question should I use Flutter to develop my app.

At Split Reef, we love keeping on top of current trends and developments when it comes to the mobile app development field. As a Flutter app development company, we would like to take you through some of the reasons why you should consider utilizing Flutter for your app development.

Pros and Cons of Flutter App Development

When answering the question “Should I use Flutter for mobile app development”, it is important to take into account both the pros and cons of Flutter app development.

Pros

Presenting Your Best Self

When you are looking to showcase your products and ideas in the best possible light, Flutter is going to mean more business for you! With the capabilities to create and develop mobile apps for both iOS and Android operating systems, Flutter allows you to truly showcase your products to clients, customers, and potential investors.

Hot Reload

Hot reload is a fantastic feature that allows you to see the changes you or the Flutter app development company make to your app. Hot reloading will really enable you or the team you work with to add new features, make changes, and adjust certain features easily.

Accessible Support

Accessible support is a huge benefit to Flutter. As an open source tool kit, Flutter has a very large community at hand. You will have optimal support from a team of more than 1,000 developers that contribute to the expansion of Flutter. Flutter also supports 24 different languages that greatly adds value to its large base of users.

Ease of Use

Flutter really does tout the idea that it is easy to use, and it truly is! When asking the question “Should I use Flutter to develop my app?”, keep in mind that Flutter can be run on low cost operating systems or even in your browser to a certain degree. With the ability to develop a wide variety of apps through Flutter and a plethora of widgets to assist in your apps, ease of use in creating apps is straight forward.

Cons

Limited Libraries

Flutter is now out of its beta phase upon writing of this article and considering Flutter is supported by Google, there are several beneficial libraries available. However, there may not be every single feature that you need at the current moment.

Large File Sizes

Apps that are developed in Flutter do tend to have large file sizes. Large file sizes may not be of much concern to mobile users if their phone or mobile device has a sufficiently large memory, but this can become a deterrent to users who have older devices or who may have to carefully pick and choose the apps they keep on their devices.

Development Skills

Flutter is an easy to use platform. You will still need some knowledge related to programming and Dart, the language that is used for Flutter. If you are a developer that does not have the time to learn Dart, working with a Flutter app development company is an option to consider!

When looking at the pros and cons of Flutter app development, weigh the options that are most important to you and the project you are developing. If you would like assistance in figuring out if Flutter is right for you, feel free to reach out to us here at Split Reef. We are a mobile app development company with experience in creating unique apps through Flutter and we would be happy to speak with you.

Split Reef

Do Law Firms Need SEO Services?

Posted on July 28, 2020May 1, 2023 by Split Reef

SEO or Search Engine Optimization is the process of optimizing a website or web page to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords or phrases. For law firms, having a strong online presence is crucial to attract new clients and grow their business. SEO services for law firms can help accomplish this goal by improving their website’s visibility and search engine rankings.

As a law firm, you might be asking yourself this question: do law firms need SEO services? And this is a completely valid question to think over. As a lawyer, you might not instantly think that SEO is applicable to what you do and to your law firm’s website. But internet marketing for law firms can be instrumental to your business and how potential clients find you.

Why SEO Services for Law Firms are Important

SEO services for law firms are a key part of having a website and pulling in new clients. Search engine optimization serves as a seamless way to interweave targeted keywords and phrases that relate directly to your business into your web copy. Whether your law firm specializes in divorce law, criminal defense, or a variety of areas, SEO can really make all the difference for your site.

Most people access information through the use of search engines, and SEO is a huge factor in the kinds of results that will be seen in these searches. SEO is a particularly useful way to pull new visitors into your site when they are searching online. And those new visitors can become potential clients through the different content that has been curated for your law firm’s site.

For example, SEO for law firms may include using key phrases related to location, what services you offer, the kind of experience your team has, or even questions that can be posed in blog content like “Why Having a Living Will is Important”. This kind of targeted keyword and phrase use is going to make your website and your website’s content appear higher in search rankings, pulling in visitors that are looking for that particular kind of information.

Here are some reasons why SEO services for law firms are important:

Increased Website Traffic

SEO services can help increase traffic to a law firm’s website by improving its search engine rankings. By optimizing the website’s content and structure, it becomes more accessible to search engines, which can lead to higher organic traffic from potential clients.

Higher Quality Leads

SEO services can also help a law firm attract higher-quality leads that are more likely to convert into clients. By optimizing the website for specific keywords related to the law firm’s practice areas, they can target potential clients who are already interested in their services.

Improved Local Visibility

For law firms that primarily serve clients in a specific geographic area, local SEO services can be especially important. By optimizing the website for local keywords and phrases, the law firm can improve its visibility in local search results, making it easier for potential clients to find them.

Competitive Advantage

SEO services can also give a law firm a competitive advantage over other firms that are not investing in SEO. By ranking higher in search results, a law firm can establish itself as a credible and authoritative source in its practice areas, which can help attract new clients and grow the business.

Long-Term Benefits

SEO services can provide long-term benefits for a law firm, as the results of SEO efforts can continue to drive traffic and attract new clients for months or even years after the initial optimization work is done.

In conclusion, SEO services for law firms are important to attract new clients, improve visibility, and establish credibility in the legal industry. By investing in SEO, law firms can improve their online presence and grow their business over the long term.

SEO Strategy for Lawyers

When it comes to SEO strategy for lawyers, some important factors to keep in mind are:

A large majority of people looking for legal advice use search engines.
Many visitors who land on law firms’ websites look to take action.

Keeping these two factors in mind is going to be extremely helpful when taking stock of your SEO strategy. If you do not have the know-how in relation to SEO, that is completely alright! There are experts out there that are able to work on SEO strategy for lawyers specifically.

Working with an agency that specializes in SEO services for law firms is one way to ensure that your law firm’s site is making use of the best SEO practices out there. SEO agencies are able to take over the SEO services for law firms so you do not have to worry about keyword and phrase research, curating content for your site, and delving into analytics to make sure that your site is performing as well as it can.

SEO Services for Law Firms

When it comes to the question “Do law firms need SEO?”, the short answer is yes. You are going to see a huge increase in visitors when you or the agency you work with invest time in your SEO strategy and these visitors are all going to be potential clients!

If you choose to work with an agency, some SEO services for law firms include:

SEO consultation
Link building
Social media
Content development
Pay-per-click advertisements

These are all SEO services that are aimed to boost your efforts as a law firm in achieving your digital marketing goals and pulling new clients to your site.

If you are looking for an experienced agency that specializes in SEO services for law firms, reach out to us here at Split Reef via email to get started!

Split Reef

What’s the Next Big Trend in Web Development?

Posted on July 15, 2020June 13, 2022 by Split Reef

Web development is a field that is constantly changing with new improvements, standards, and innovations coming out at a rapid fire pace. To keep up to date on these trends, it is important to stay on top of the techniques and approaches that are being made and gaining traction in the field. So what is the next big trend in web development?

As a web development company, we have taken a look across the web development industry and pulled together some of the biggest trends that are on the rise at the moment. 2020 is chock full of the next big thing in web development and we cannot wait to see where the industry heads for the rest of this year. Top Web Development Companies Of 2020 according to DesignRush.

1: Voice Search

Voice search has been an up and coming trend for several years now. Every smartphone has built in virtual assistants as well as OS’ for several computers, including Windows’ Cortana. On top of this constant presence of virtual assistants that use voice search, they also incorporate AI which is yet another web development trend on the rise.

Voice search is seeing such an uptick due to several factors.

Easy to use: Communication is something that we do not have to work too hard at learning and speaking to virtual assistants is easy for many people to use. Ranging from young children to the elderly, voice search is something that is relatively simple to learn.
Affordability: Since digital voice assistants are common on every smartphone, voice search is readily available to a wide number of people.

Voice search is a huge trend in relation to eCommerce as well as the personal device market. It can be used to help customers in their searches on various websites and presents an easy to use option. Optimizing your site for voice search, as the next big thing in web development, will help keep you ahead of the game.

2: Customer Support and Chatbots

As a web development company, we know all about making sure that users have the support they need when they visit our site. One web development trend to keep in mind is that of customer support and chatbots. Chatbots have proven to be one of the biggest trends that are shifting towards being automated, which is extremely good news for businesses that work across different time zones.

Implementing an AI-powered chatbot into your customer service offerings can be a long-term investment. They can answer FAQs, take orders, and connect human users with the right human customer support agent.

When asking yourself what’s the next big trend in web development, keep in mind the fact that many users are looking at your site across various time zones. Utilizing a chatbot that can offer instant support even when your customer support agents may not be online can provide seamless assistance to these users.

3: Cyber Security

Cyber security is a trend that is always evolving, much like many other facets of the web development space. With the amount of data that is processed on the web, cyber security is more important now than ever. To keep user data safe, keeping on top of your cyber security as the trend evolves is key.

As one of the next big things in web development, the emphasis on cyber security will help in protecting your users’ data and internal information about your company. Some ways to keep your cyber security up-to-date include:

Security testing
Website-monitoring tools
Encryption of sensitive data

As a web application development company, Split Reef is proud to keep up with the ever-changing trends in the web development field. Know that we are here for you and we would be happy to hear from you via email!

Split Reef

How to Hire A Certified Developer for Your Shopify Store

Posted on June 30, 2020March 8, 2021 by Split Reef

Online stores are more popular than ever. Are you currently looking for a Shopify certified developer to work with you on your Shopify store? In this short guide, we will take you through the steps on why and how to get a developer for your Shopify store.

Why You Should Hire A Certified Shopify Developer

There is a myriad of things that you need to worry about when it comes to an ecommerce business, whether yours is already established or you are just starting out. You need to establish your site, marketing, managing inventory, and sourcing products.

You do not necessarily need to add worrying about developing a Shopify store or theme on top of that. This is where a Shopify certified developer comes in. Hiring a developer will allow you to spend more time building up the other areas of your business. You can focus on the back end of things while a developer handles the ecommerce and website.

Shopify certified developers have specialized knowledge in creating Shopify websites, so they are able to bring an extensive understanding of things like Shopify payment gateways, inventory systems, and navigation into the process. Top eCommerce Development Companies Of 2020 according to DesignRush

How to Get A Developer for Your Shopify Store

When looking for a Shopify certified developer in Ohio or elsewhere, here are some simple questions to keep in mind when looking for a developer.

Does the developer have a clean site themselves? Is a portfolio listed clearly that shows examples of their work and other sites that they have built? This shows that the developer has experience in creating and developing Shopify stores and gives you a visible idea of what they can create for you.
Do the websites look professional and unique? As an ecommerce business owner, you want to make sure that you stand apart from the crowd. A Shopify certified developer should be able to clearly display their unique and varied work. This ensures that you will not be getting the same site layout as another business owner.
Are the developers approachable and responsive? When working with someone who will be handling something as important as your website design and layout, you want to make sure they are communicative! With a Shopify certified developer, you will want someone who can implement your ideas and needs into the development process seamlessly.

Hire A Certified Shopify Developer

When it comes to hiring a Shopify certified developer, Split Reef is a perfect option for you. As a Shopify certified developer in Ohio and Florida, we have an experienced team of web developers that have specialized knowledge in Shopify development.

We offer a whole suite of services that will make the development process completely seamless and hassle free. Whether you are looking to revamp an existing shop or get started with your entirely new business, Split Reef has the expertise to assist you.

Some of the services we can offer include:

Shopify Theme Development: As a Shopify development company, we have plenty of experience in creating original Shopify themes for our clients. You can work with us knowing you will have a stunning, customer-focused site once we are done.
Shopify Migration: Got your ecommerce business currently hosted elsewhere? We can assist in migrating your store into Shopify. This includes complete migration of your store, ensuring that all important data and resources are not lost in the move.
Shopify Support and Maintenance: Once the development process is completely done, we are still here for you. We offer support and maintenance services to make sure that your store on Shopify is still running smoothly on a consistent basis.

So when you are looking to hire a certified Shopify developer, Split Reef is here for you! Contact our eCommerce website development company via email to get started!

Tags: How to Get A Developer for Your Shopify Store, Shopify Certified Developer, Hire Certified Shopify Developer, Shopify Certified Developer Ohio

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What Should Your Video Marketing Strategy 2020 Plan Be?

Posted on June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 by Split Reef

In today’s market reaching a consumer can be a tough task for businesses to accomplish without a good video marketing strategy. Many businesses try using gimmicks and other tools to bypass proven video marketing services or a video marketing agency. Wyzowl State of Video Marketing concluded in a 2020 survey that 99% of all marketers who video, will continue to do so through 2020. On top of that, 95% of the marketers said they were going to maintain or increase their current budgets on their video marketing strategy. Now you are probably asking, “Well how can the average business keep up?” or even, “Do I even need a video marketing agency to assist me?”

Understanding the landscape

Videos ranked #1 in consumers’ favorite type of content to see from brands on social media.

We also need to understand when seeking to improve our video marketing strategy is our customer; 48% of consumers want videos to reflect what they are interested in.

Another important piece of information, 85% of all internet users in the United States watched online video content monthly, while countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia were at 95% of all internet users.

While Optinmonster(2019) found that video marketing services get 66% more qualified leads per year, video marketers achieve a 54% increase in brand awareness.

What about a good ROI? Over 85% of video marketers report a good ROI.

With numbers like this the only question should be “where can I find a reliable video marketing agency?”

Finding the right video marketing agency

When looking for a video marketing agency to work with, we try to find one that is going to fit within our budget but still provides our needs. As well we want a company that is consistent and there to offer support when we need it. Consumers also understand that one size does not fit all. The video marketing strategy and needs of a family owned company in rural America that has just begun their conquest into video marketing is not going to be the same as like Microsoft (with $219.1 million annually on video their video marketing strategy) or even a company with a few years in the arena still reeling in fresh new clients; are going to be no where close to the same. So why should you have to pick between a limited caliber of options designed for either a giant or a minnow when you just want a product and a package that works for you?

Well do not get down in the dumps, Split Reef has assembled a team dedicated to video marketing services that are on the leading-edge of digital development and marketing. Through our quote system customers can name the video marketing service they are looking for, along with their budget to begin personally tailoring the video marketing strategy for them. Why continue to try to break waves on your own? When you can turn to a internet marketing agency that doesn’t just look for a paycheck but instead seeks to bring their partnered businesses to new heights.

Split Reef

New Web Design Trends of 2020

Posted on March 3, 2020September 8, 2020 by Split Reef

Web design is a constantly shifting landscape. New web design trends in 2020 will make use of new technologies to offer a great user experience. But which trends are helpful?

To stay on top of the game, Split Reef follows new 2020 web design trends to help offer the best information and services to our customers. Our Jacksonville web design company pride ourselves in keeping up with current web design trends, and 2020 promises to be an exciting year for web design.

Faster Speed, Better Load Times

Technology is increasing, meaning faster hardware and more widespread use of powerful devices. As a result many web design trends for 2020 will likely focus on speed, using new technologies to reduce loading times for all types of web content, including streaming video and multimedia.

A big source in web design inspiration in 2020 will be giving users the most quickest, most reliable service. After all, one of the easiest ways to improve user experience is simply to offer them a responsive site that does what is expected as fast as possible.

Bigger focus on cyber security

As we grow to rely more and more on technology, more of our day-to-day interactions take place entirely in the digital world. Banking, money transfers, and even signing of legal documents can take place in cyberspace, meaning a larger potential risk of cyber crime. As a result, a web design trend of 2020 will be better cybersecurity.

While an increase in technology gives criminals opportunities, it also opens the door for innovations in security. Therefore a lot of web design inspiration in 2020 will stem from developers striving to use more innovative methods to keep user data safe.

Progressive Web Apps

New innovations in technology mean new app opportunities as well. 2020 web design will likely makes use of Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs which can be installed to a user device much like a native app. PWAs may not have all the power and access to a device’s features as a native app, but still stands as an attractive new solution to many web design needs.

Artificial Intelligence

No longer relegated to the world of science fiction, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay and will likely be a big trend of 2020 web design. AI is extremely useful in recognizing customer behavior, and giving a personalized touch, which can improve the overall user experience.

Due to the technology’s versatility, sites ranging from eCommerce to news blogs and everything in between can find a use for AI, making it one of the most exciting web design trends of 2020.

More Focus on a Mobile Experience

More and more web browsing is taking place on mobile devices rather than desktop or even laptop computers. This is another huge source of web design inspiration in 2020. Along with faster load times, simple things like how content is laid out on a page are considerations to take seriously. Smaller paragraphs, drop down menus and other aspects help make the most economical use of space on a smaller screen.

Accessibility

New technology also presents new ways for websites to be accessible to as many users as possible, including those with disabilities. Accessible web design in 2020 means wider spread use of things like video subtitles and transcripts or text-to-speech interfaces. ADA compliant web design

Greater accessibility also means re-examining the purpose of a web page. Developers should consider what users want, and take derive web design inspiration in 2020 from trying to make achieving that task as simple as possible.

For web design tips, as well as development support, site speed monitoring, and more information on 2020 web design trends, contact our Columbus web design company. Call us today at (614) 721-2854, or explore our site to learn about all the services we can offer to help your site.

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CCPA Website Compliance Checklist

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Split Reef

On January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) came into effect. This law contains a set of criteria a website must meet in order to be compliant. But what does that mean for your company?

Under the CCPA, companies have strict guidelines about the types of data they collect from customers, and what they can do with it once they’ve collected it. Companies in violation of CCPA website compliance may be subject to fines, or even lawsuits.

Why CCPA Compliance is important

Since the law concerns companies doing business in California, it’s important to consider CCPA website compliance if you want to do any sort of widespread business. As such, CCPA compliance solutions need a little bit of forethought to be successful.

Our handy CCPA compliance checklist will offer the basics of what the CCPA is, what it does, and how to know if it affects you. If you have questions, want additional information, or just want an expert opinion, Split Reef offers CCPA compliance consulting for your business or website.

Do You Plan to do Business in California?

Technically, the CCPA is a California state law, but any company, even those overseas, are subject to its conditions if they plan on doing business in the state. If you just have a small, local business, say, in South Dakota, perhaps CCPA website compliance isn’t foremost on your mind. But if you do business with California residents, and especially if you collect any data from customers, then the law could very easily affect you.

Who is Affected by the CCPA?

Because some of the criteria involve companies with sizeable customer bases and annual revenue, major corporations are most at risk of being in violation of CCPA website compliance. However, that doesn’t mean that small businesses shouldn’t consider CCPA compliance solutions.

$25 Million Revenue Annually

If your company earns revenue of at least $25 million a year and has customers in California, you are subject to the terms of the CCPA. But that’s not the only qualifying factor to keep in mind.

Collect Data from 50,000 Customers

If your company collects data from 50,000 customers, you should also consider seeking CCPA compliance consulting.

Selling Customer Data

Whether your company is large or small, if you make money selling customer data, you may want to look into CPA compliance tools. Regardless of the amount of total annual revenue, if more than half of it comes from selling customer data, you are required to be CCPA compliant.

How to Ensure CCPA Compliance Checklist

The main thrust of the CCPA requires companies to keep more detailed records of the data they collect. Companies who fall under the criteria listed above should take the following measures to ensure to ensure CCPA compliance:

Provide data collected from a consumer upon request

Allow consumers to opt out of data collection

This is a simplified version of the requirements of the law. The CCPA has very specific guidelines as to what constitutes personal data. So depending on your company’s services, it is important to discover what kinds of information are covered, so you can seek more detailed information about CCPA compliance.

Additionally, certain businesses like insurance companies may not need to be concerned, since they are already overseen by other California laws. The way these laws interact with one another can make understanding CCPA compliance solutions complicated. So it can be difficult to determine what exactly you need to do to avoid fines or worse.

Importance of CCPA Compliance

For that reason it’s important to take these things into consideration. Especially considering that legislation like this could eventually become federal law. And similar laws could pop up from time to time in other states. So getting ahead with a law like this may help your company’s infrastructure when dealing with things like this in the long term.

Making sure your site is CCPA compliant not only offers a more transparent user experience, it also helps to build trust within your user base. Customers appreciate when a company is open with them about the data they collect. As such, following a CCPA compliance checklist can have multiple desired effects.

Additionally, amendments will likely tweak the law over time, so things like punishments or the types of guidelines may change. If you’re concerned about whether your site is in accordance with the law, Split Reef offers CCPA compliance consulting. Using CCPA compliance tools, our experts can help your company locate any CCPA compliance red flags, and address them if need be.

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