What do you know about a QR code, the little white and black square you see everywhere today? This basic pattern has a powerful ability to link physical and digital worlds. QR codes are digital barcodes that store tons of information. With almost 5 billion smartphone users in the world, you can only imagine how many times QR codes are scanned daily!
However, QR codes’ potential is much bigger than pure data storage. They enable businesses to create immersive experiences, drive customer interactions, and provide instant access to information or services. With the widespread adoption of smartphones, QR codes become a powerful marketing tool. Let’s explore how exactly they change modern marketing.
When and how QR codes appeared
It may seem that QR codes have been with us for a while! However, Quick Response codes were invented only in 1994 by a Japanese automotive company called Denso Wave. They were used to track vehicle parts during manufacturing processes. QR codes are associated with barcodes, but they store much more information and can be instantly scanned. You just need a smartphone equipped with a built-in camera or a special QR scanning app.
At first, QR codes were not widely spread; however, the 2020 pandemic gave them another birth. The need for touch-free solutions literally propelled QR code technology. Today, QR codes are practically everywhere—they are found on product packaging, advertisements, tickets, business cards, and more. QR codes and branding can be a powerful combination. By placing a logo in the center of a QR code, businesses can create a stronger connection with potential customers. The company logo design instantly identifies the brand and builds trust, encouraging people to scan the code. This bridge between the physical and digital worlds allows for easy access to a company’s website, social media, or special offers, all while reinforcing brand recognition.
Diverse applications of QR codes in marketing
QR technology has reshaped digital marketing, and its impact will only keep expanding. As technology around us advances and consumers become increasingly tech-savvy, QR codes can be used for building groundbreaking marketing strategies. Here are a few examples.
The power of augmented reality. When you see an ad, it is enough to scan a QR code and see a 3D product model come to life on your smartphone screen. AR technology allows you to merge the real world with the virtual in just a click. Incorporate QR codes into your marketing materials to allow your users to enjoy interactive product demonstrations, virtual try-ons, or even games related to your brand. This creates a more immersive and engaging experience for your audience.
Geo-location targeting. QR codes with geo-location technology enable businesses to guide users to nearby locations. Geo-targeted QR codes sync with smartphones’ GPS to deliver location-specific content. Use this approach to promote local stores, highlight nearby places of interest, or offer targeted discounts to customers within a specific reach. Such a personalized approach makes marketing campaigns more relevant and impactful.
Social media engagement. QR codes already help businesses connect with customers via social media platforms, and the possibilities are limitless. Use QR codes to automate social media sharing of your promotional content. It works like this: a user scans a QR code on a product package and instantly posts a picture to their Instagram story with a branded hashtag. This encourages user-generated content and fuels viral marketing campaigns.
A new level of interactivity. QR codes can transform your marketing campaign from static to interactive. Gamification always adds special appeal to a marketing campaign. QR codes provide access to exclusive video content, hidden messages in scavenger hunts, or even interactive polls and feedback mechanisms. This two-way communication not only captures attention but also gathers valuable customer insights, allowing you to refine your marketing strategies and build a stronger connection with your target audience.
Tips to remember when using QR codes
If you build your marketing strategy with QR codes, here are some rules for success:
Add a clear call to action. It is crucial to include a clear and concise message next to your QR code. The message must tell users what they will gain by scanning it, such as “unlock a discount” or “get a discount code”.
Make your content mobile-friendly. All the information behind the QR code should be optimized for different screens to provide a seamless user experience.
Track and measure results. Use QR codes with tracking capabilities to see how many times they are scanned to see whether these help you in achieving your marketing goals.
How companies utilize QR code power
Many companies have realized the unparalleled power of QR codes and implemented them in their marketing campaigns. Let’s see how they do it in practice.
M&M’s, the famous candy brand, used QR codes to add an interactive element to its marketing campaign. QR codes can be found on packaging and promotional materials. Customers are encouraged to scan the codes and access exclusive content. For example, a user may unlock a digital game or get access to the behind-the-scenes process of candy production. Additionally, M&M’s added QR codes to social media promotions and advertisements, redirecting users to interactive landing pages where they could learn more about the brand and its products. This approach enabled M&M’s to transform passive packaging into a gateway for immersive brand experiences and boost sales.
The Home Depot, a leading home improvement retailer, used QR codes to enhance the customer shopping experience and provide valuable product information. You can find a QR code on product labels. Once you scan it, you access detailed product specifications, how-to videos, and DIY project guides. For example, scanning a QR code on a power tool will lead you to instructional videos demonstrating proper usage and safety tips. This approach empowers customers to purchase more DIY projects and reduces unnecessary returns due to a lack of user knowledge.
HBO, the renowned entertainment network, introduced QR codes into its marketing campaign to promote its TV shows and movies. QR codes appeared in posters, trailers, and social media posts to encourage viewers to unlock exclusive content. For example, viewers can watch extended trailers and even participate in interactive quizzes. Additionally, HBO allows its customers to scan codes to receive special offers or enter contests. This QR code experiment helped HBO transform traditional advertising into interactive experiences and create buzz around its content.
Key takeaway
QR codes have quickly become essential tools in the modern marketing arsenal. They efficiently fill the gap between the physical and digital worlds. Just with a simple scan, customers can seamlessly access a wealth of information and interactive experiences. QR codes help brands make their marketing campaigns interactive and engaging. Modern tech-savvy consumers appreciate the ability to quickly get data-driven insights. What is more important, QR code technology not only enhances customer engagement but also allows marketers to track campaign performance and gather valuable data to refine their strategies for more results.
Did you know that a software framework or application can be implemented without requiring any coding knowledge? In 2024, it’s possible to create a digital workplace, applications for internal management within an organization, or simply develop applications for fun, all without any coding knowledge.
Thanks to technology, these no-code app builders allow users to easily and quickly create applications. We’ve compiled the 7 best no-code app builders of 2024 for you, where you can build your applications or even set up a digital shop. Here they are:
Jotform’s app builder, one of its significant products alongside its form builder, tables, report builder, and PDF editor, enables users to create applications effortlessly without requiring coding knowledge. With its diverse integrations and a wide array of ready-made templates, this app builder offers convenience for various purposes within the Jotform ecosystem.
Users can easily create a company portal or store internal documents for easy access using Jotform’s user-friendly drag-and-drop design interface, and effectively monitor data using its complementary tools like spreadsheets and streamlined collaboration through approval workflows. Additionally, users can download their apps on any smartphone, computer, or tablet and quickly share them via links, emails, or QR codes.
Moreover, through the app builder, users can create digital store apps with various payment integrations, enabling them to transition their businesses into the digital business environment.
Image source: www.jotform.com
Features
Customize your app with drag-and-drop forms and elements.
Choose from over 600 app templates to kickstart your app creation process.
Access various payment processing options across devices.
Easily share your app by generating a QR code.
Access your app from any device.
Customize CSS to tailor the appearance of your forms.
Integrate with CRM systems for streamlined data management.
Efficiently manage form submissions.
Pricing
Jotform’s pricing depends on the expected usage of your forms. All plans provide access to every feature except HIPAA friendly features. With yearly subscriptions, users receive a 20% discount. These subscriptions comprise of four distinct plans:
Starter Plan: Free, with a monthly limit of 100 submissions.
Bronze Plan: $34 monthly, allowing up to 1,000 submissions per month.
Silver Plan: $39 monthly, providing a monthly submission limit of 2,500.
Gold Plan: $99 monthly, offering a generous monthly submission cap of 10,000.
Moreover, there’s an Enterprise Plan with exclusive features and terms. It’s important to note that Jotform extends a 50% discount to educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Softr is differentiated from other builders by its functionality on client portals and internal tools. This platform connects complex data management systems like Airtable or Google Sheets with user-friendly, customizable applications, allowing users to create fully functional apps without any coding skills. Softr also comes with various integrations, like Stripe for payments and Mailchimp for email marketing.
Although Softr originally focused on assisting entrepreneurs in launching new apps and SaaS businesses—a capability it still excels at—the company has recently shifted its attention to aiding medium to large corporations in constructing internal tools for their operations. It’s worth noting that Softr is not classified as a full-fledged no-code web app builder due to its lack of a built-in database. In addition to accommodating this usage scenario, Softr offers robust SEO support, enhancing the discoverability of Softr-built applications.
Image source: www.softr.io
Features
Efficiently manage memberships.
Handle payments smoothly.
SEO for visibility.
Customize interfaces effortlessly.
Access various data sources.
Automate workflows seamlessly.
Manage users and permissions.
Pricing
Softr has five different plans for different purposes. These are annually billed prices:
Free Plan: Free for individuals building passion projects and 100 external app users limit.
Basic Plan: $49 monthly, allowing up to 1000 external app users.
Professional Plan: $139 monthly, allowing up to 5000 external app users.
Business Plan: $269 monthly, allowing up to 10000 external app users.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger companies that want extra volume, security, and support.
Softr has 2 month-free campaign for annual plans and special plans for non-profits and educational organizations.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative app idea or an educator seeking to engage students with interactive projects, Thunkable has you covered. Its user-friendly interface simplifies app development through drag-and-drop components, offering a diverse range from buttons to maps. Thunkable stands out for its ability to generate apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously, reaching a broader audience with a single design. With an extensive library of pre-built templates and components, you have plenty of options for customization, allowing you to bring your unique app ideas to life.
Thunkable seamlessly integrates with various APIs and services, enabling the addition of advanced features like real-time data storage with Firebase or machine learning capabilities. Thunkable, designed specifically for native mobile app creation, offers in-depth logic capabilities for building complex and feature-rich apps. While these components may require additional setup, they significantly enhance app functionality.
Image source: www.thunkable.com
Features
Utilize drag-and-drop elements for easy app creation.
Develop apps for device-native experiences.
Publish directly without intermediaries.
Employ advanced logic blocks for intricate functionalities.
Integrate with various services and APIs for expanded capabilities.
Pricing
Thunkable’s pricing policy is simpler compared to other app builders. With three main tiers, Thunkable offers users a yearly subscription option with two months of free usage.
Free Plan: No subscription fee, and ideal for beginners just getting started.
Starter Plan: $13 monthly billed annually, and ideal for growing your initial idea.
Pro Plan: $38 monthly billed annually, and perfect for building and launching your app.
Bubble is a comprehensive no-code web app builder renowned for its extensive functionality and adaptability, complemented by a vast ecosystem of third-party plugins, tutorials, and expert guidance. It specializes in developing web applications and, with the assistance of third-party plugins, can also create PWAs.
Bubble stands out for its ability to construct virtually any type of application without the need for coding. However, it’s important to note that the learning curve is steeper compared to platforms like Softr, and Bubble apps may not offer the highest level of performance. Bubble is best suited for individuals willing to invest time in mastering its learning curve and aspire to create apps or SaaS products with complex functionality.
The plugin marketplace within Bubble is an invaluable resource, offering pre-built features for a wide range of use cases. While gaining proficiency in app development principles is advisable, leveraging plugins allows users to assemble approximately 80% of their app through drag-and-drop functionality.
For those concerned about the longevity of no-code tools, it’s worth mentioning that Bubble has been in the sector for nearly 12 years and has continued to provide app development for over a decade.
Image source: www.bubble.io
Features
Responsive design for mobile devices and dynamic content.
Unlimited scalability for users, traffic, and data storage.
Password protection or OAuth 2.0 authentication.
Integration with email, SEO, analytics, and other services.
Enhanced user interaction with dynamic and static content elements.
Pricing
Bubble has different plans that are billed at annual prices.
Free Plan: Free, with a limit of 50k workload units/mo, and best for learning how to use Bubble.
Starter Plan: $29 monthly, with a limit of 175k workload units/mo, and best for launching your app and testing.
Growth Plan: $119 monthly, with a limit of 50k workload units/mo, and best for growing your user base.
Team Plan: $349 monthly, with a limit of 500k workload units/mo, and best for scaling your team and business.
Enterprise Plan: Best for maximum security and scale with custom pricing options.
Bubble provides discounts for both students and nonprofit organizations to support education and social impact initiatives.
Backendless is another top no-code platform for developing apps, providing a strong visual programming interface and dependable hosting services. It caters to various app types, including web apps, native mobile apps, and PWAs, though some coding skills may be required for mobile projects. It’s popular for enterprise-level applications, but users need some technical knowledge to use it effectively. One noteworthy aspect of Backendless is its use of a visual programming language originally developed by MIT for teaching children programming. While more sophisticated, it remains accessible compared to traditional coding methods.
Backendless is suitable for individuals familiar with technology and corporate decision-makers seeking efficient app development solutions. It offers a user-friendly interface and various features for creating apps effortlessly. Additionally, it provides flexible deployment options to meet diverse needs without compromising quality or reliability.
Image source: www.backendless.com
Features
Backendless Core supports authentication, data storage, messaging, and custom logic.
Manages data with a graphical browser, SQL search, and relations.
Caching features optimize backend performance with efficient, in-memory data caching.
Cloud Code customizes applications with API services and event handlers.
Pricing
Backendless offers three distinct pricing models. You can begin with a free Backendless Cloud plan that adjusts according to your needs as you expand, or opt for additional assistance and features through Backendless Pro and Managed Backendless.
Backendless Cloud
Starter Plan: No subscription fee and designed for exploring and learning the platform.
Scale Plan: $15 monthly subscription fee and designed for developing your application, publishing it, and managing it.
Backendless Pro
Single Server: $10k per year plan includes on-premise or virtual machine deployment (Ubuntu required), offering all Backendless features in the Limitless Edition, with regular updates and priority support, plus an additional 20% for support.
Clustered: $50k per year plan includes everything in the Single Server plan, with added features such as high availability mode to eliminate single points of failure, available for on-premise or virtual machine deployment with a minimum of 3 nodes, plus an additional 20% for support.
Managed Backendless
Managed Backendless: Custom pricing plan with offering a fully managed, completely isolated cluster with 24×7 monitoring, ensuring smooth and reliable operation with no functional limits for your app’s growth. It combines the limitless features of Backendless Pro with the convenience of Backendless Cloud, providing guaranteed uptime, dedicated installation, and dedicated support for seamless migration and optimal user experience.
Next on our list is Bravo Studio, a unique no-code mobile app builder that seamlessly transforms Figma designs into functional iOS and Android apps. Its standout feature lies in giving designers full control over their app’s design, enabling them to leverage a familiar tool like Figma while incorporating pre-built components or external backends. This makes it an ideal choice for designers seeking flexibility in app creation or looking to connect their front-end designs with existing backends.
The platform offers personalized user onboarding assistance, catering to users unfamiliar with the interface. Additionally, Bravo Studio supports a range of native phone features, including camera usage and GPS tracking, enhancing the app development experience. With its intuitive integration with Figma and support for native app capabilities, Bravo Studio simplifies the process of bringing app ideas to life, making it a valuable choice in the no-code app development landscape.
Image source: www.bravostudio.app
Features
User-friendly login with Firebase.
Payment features for convenience.
Push notifications for engagement.
Customize loading pages easily.
Search and filter options.
Direct publishing to App Store and Google Play.
Collaborate with Figma for design integration.
Pricing
Bravo Studio offers separate pricing plans for individuals and businesses, each with different subscription options. Additionally, there is no charge for two months on annual subscriptions. For a more detailed comparison of pricing and features, we recommend checking out Bravo Studio’s pricing page.
Individuals
Starter Plan: Designed for exploration and learning the platform, with no subscription fee.
Solo Plan: $18 per month, billed annually, and unlock additional features, including app store publishing.
Solo + Advanced Plan: $97 per month, billed annually, plus $80 per app, Solo offers an excellent option to expand your app and understand user behavior.
Solo + Business Plan: $195 per month, billed annually, plus $178 per app, Solo is ideal for high-volume businesses creating robust, monetizable apps.
Teams
Starter Plan: Designed for exploration and learning the platform, with no subscription fee.
Teams: $37 per month per seat, billed annually with a minimum of 10 seats, this plan offers advanced collaboration features for teams along with premium support and additional benefits.
Teams + Advanced: $45 per month per team member, billed annually, plus $9 per app, this plan is ideal for scaling your app and gaining insights into user behavior.
Teams + Business: $55 per month per team member, billed annually, plus $19 per app, this plan is best suited for high-volume businesses creating robust and monetizable apps.
Our last app builder on the list is Glide. Glide is a no-code mobile app builder aimed at businesses, featuring advanced AI capabilities, sleek default designs, and a top-notch PWA experience. It specializes in PWAs and web apps, standing out for its visually appealing default designs and seamless integration of AI functionalities. Ideal for medium to large businesses, Glide’s standout feature is its AI capabilities, enabling tasks like text extraction from images and transcription of audio recordings within apps.
What distinguishes Glide is its focus on accessibility and simplicity. With just a Google account, anyone can start building and sharing apps effortlessly. Additionally, Glide enables users to publish their apps directly to app stores or share them as web apps.
Glide’s user-friendly approach to app development, caters to a diverse range of applications such as internal business tools, client portals, and event management systems. Its vibrant community provides invaluable resources and support, facilitating users throughout the codeless app creation journey.
Image source: www.glideapps.com
Features
Establish portals, dashboards, and directories.
Synchronize and structure data effectively.
Create personalized workflows.
Automate tasks seamlessly.
Integrate with various platforms and services.
Pricing
Glide Apps divides its payment plans into two main groups: “for makers” and “for companies,” and offers a flexible pricing policy. Users can enjoy up to a twenty percent discount with annual subscriptions, and Glide Apps provides convenience through its price calculator application. Here are the fees for each concept:
For Makers
Free Plan: No subscription fee with usage limits of 10 personal users, 2 editors, and 1 app.
Maker Plan: $49 per month billed yearly, better for creating apps for your idea or community.
For Community
Team Plan: $99 per month billed yearly, better for turning your spreadsheets into tools.
Business Plan: $249 per month billed yearly, better for turning your databases into software.
Enterprise Plan: $1,000 per month billed yearly, special for deploying powerful software at scale.
Conclusion
New trending no-code app builders have changed how mobile apps are made. They are letting anyone create them even without coding skills. Remarkable platforms like Jotform Apps or other options like Softr, Thunkable, Bubble, Backendless, Bravo Studio, and Glide offer various features and prices to suit the different needs of users. Whether you’re a designer, business owner, teacher, or big company, there’s a no-code app builder for you. We compiled a list of mobile app developers that are most suitable for you, without requiring any coding knowledge.
Most people are visual creatures. That’s why when many of us see an aesthetically pleasing product, we have to buy it.
What do you think makes up a product’s visual appeal? A lot of it has to do with color.
The same is true for web design. Marketers use color psychology to attract their audiences’ attention and stand out among the sea of noise.
We’re going to explore the benefits of using color in web design and uncover a few tips and tricks for using color psychology to drive conversions and sales.
What Is Color Psychology?
Color psychology is the process of using colors to incite action or emotion. Often, visual stimuli influence how we feel and perceive things.
How is this possible? Well, without getting too scientific, there’s a pretty intricate connection between the visual cortex and the limbic system, which regulates emotions in the brain.
That’s why many people can have a strong emotional response just by looking at something, including colors. These include warm colors, cool colors, and neutral colors.
Different colors evoke different human emotions.
Red
We tend to associate red with energy, passion, and excitement. So, red has the power to stimulate the senses and convey feelings of urgency. It’s a dominant color.
Orange is also a vibrant and energetic color. It can evoke feelings of warmth and creativity. Orange is a popular choice for grabbing attention, perfect for times when red’s intensity can be too strong.
Blue can evoke feelings of peace, trust, and reliability. Like green, blue also has a calmness about it. Companies often use blue in their digital branding to convey professionalism and dependability.
White and black aren’t technically colors. But they still play a key role in color psychology.
The presence of all colors in the light spectrum, white symbolizes purity, cleanliness, simplicity, and innocence. In design, people associate white with minimalism and airiness.
On the other hand, black, the absence of light and color, absorbs all colors on the spectrum. It represents mystery, power, sophistication, and seriousness.
Why Is Color Psychology Important in Web Design?
So, what does this all mean? Why do colors matter so much in web design? Can’t you just choose a nice-looking color scheme and call it a day?
Sure, you can. But you could be missing out on a big opportunity, especially if you’re trying to achieve a certain look or convey a particular message.
Nearly 40% of consumers focus on color schemes when visiting a website. So, when potential customers land on your website, they’ll typically form their first impression of your business based on what they see.
Do the colors go well together? What human emotions do the colors evoke? These are some of the questions marketers and web designers ask when they consider color psychology.
Let’s look at an example.
Adidas heavily uses black and white in its branding. Black helps communicate the brand’s commitment to timeless style and premium quality.
White gives Adidas’ branding and web design a modern look and feel, whether it’s through white space or a hero image.
This sense of timelessness, luxury, and exclusivity is what draws customers to Adidas.
Take a look at the brand’s webpage. Notice how it doesn’t fully rely on black and white to evoke strong emotion. Adidas still incorporates color to bring balance and avoid appearing sterile and cold.
Now, let’s talk about some strategies to use color in web design to ease navigation, create a connection, drive conversions, and improve the overall user experience (UX).
Choose Colors That Reflect Your Brand Personality and Values
Branding can increase a website’s conversion rate by 33%. In a study on logo recognition, 78% of participants were able to recall a logo’s primary color, while only 43% could remember the company’s name.
The moral of the story? Choose colors that make your brand memorable and stand out. And use those colors throughout your marketing materials and strategies, including your website.
It’s okay to vary your colors to keep things interesting and prevent your branding from becoming two-dimensional, but try to keep a general color scheme.
Creating a color palette can help you choose colors that allow you to have creative freedom and set standards at the same time.
The different types of color palettes are:
Analogous: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel and complement each other well (aka complementary colors).
Contemporary: A mix of bold, vibrant hues and light/muted tones to create contrast.
Monochromatic: Consists of different shades, tints, and tones of a single color.
Tip: Combine primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors to give your website a dynamic look and feel.
Orange, for example, symbolizes enthusiasm and optimism, which could be perfect for a nutrition program that seeks to inspire optimism in patients.
However, you can always combine colors. Let’s say this nutrition program wants to create a page dedicated to the weight loss medication Zepbound. They can combine both orange and blue for a better impact.
Because different colors can communicate varying messages and evoke certain emotions, your industry matters.
For example, since blue creates a feeling of trust, a law firm might use this color in its branding and website design.
This divorce mediation firm, specializing in a wide range of areas, such as medication, child custody, and child support, uses blue to demonstrate reliability and trustworthiness.
In this type of industry, this is key because clients put their future (and their kids’ future) in the hands of lawyers. And to do that, they need to trust them.
Looking at another example, let’s say a bride-to-be is looking for the perfect wedding bouquet.
What colors do you think the businesses that offer wedding flowers would use? You guessed it: soft, feminine colors like pink or purple.
Use Color to Evoke Emotion in Your Target Audience
As you saw in the section above, the colors you incorporate into your website design will depend on the message you want to convey, which strongly relates to your industry.
Now, we can get a little more granular with it by using colors to meet a certain goal or evoke a certain emotion.
For example, if you run an online cosmetics store, pink is one of your brand’s colors. You also incorporate the feminine color on your e-commerce website to attract women, your primary target audience.
But let’s say you want to build trust because you know that a lot of consumers are hesitant to enter their card information online. So, you decide to incorporate the color blue somewhere. This could be a call to action (CTA) button or a trust badge.
Or, if you want to promote a time-sensitive sale, you might use yellow to draw attention and create a sense of urgency.
Use Color to Influence Conversions
When designing for conversions, color can be a powerful tool to guide user attention and influence their actions.
Warm hues like red and orange often evoke a sense of urgency, prompting users to take immediate action, such as clicking a call-to-action button. In contrast, cool colors like blue and green can convey a sense of trustworthiness, which is crucial for building user confidence and encouraging conversions.
Take the example of Dyte, a react video SDK platform. Dyte’s website prominently features a clean, white background that creates a minimalist, modern aesthetic.
The primary call-to-action buttons are styled in a vibrant blue, aligning with the brand’s color palette and helping these important elements stand out and capture the user’s attention.
This strategic use of color helps to highlight Dyte’s key offerings and drive users towards desired conversion actions, such as signing up for the platform.
Conduct A/B Tests for Colors
You can make an educated guess about the colors that might resonate with your target audience.
But there’s a way to make you feel more certain about your color choices, and that’s by conducting A/B tests.
Just choose a specific website element you want to test. That could be your CTA, headline, background color, or any other essential element you believe color could impact.
Then, create different variations of the element. Each should have a different color scheme to see which one gets the best response from your audience.
Split your website traffic so that some of your site visitors will see one color scheme (the control group) and the rest will see another (the experimental group). Evaluate the performance of each variation.
If one variation significantly outperforms the other, consider using it permanently on your website.
Select the Right Color Combos to Improve Site Navigation
Use colors to create visual hierarchies and guide users through your website. Implement bright hues and contrasting shades to draw the eye to important elements and drive action.
Notice how Shopify uses white text against a dark background overlay to draw users’ attention to its marketing message. This is a wonderful use of a monochromatic color scheme.
You can also see that the menu options and the CTA buttons are white so that potential customers know exactly what to click to reach the desired page.
Colors are everywhere. They’re in the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the places we go, and the products we buy.
They’re also on the websites we visit. These hues, shades, and tones influence how we feel, how we act, and what we see.
Are you using accent colors in web design to serve a certain purpose or incite emotion? If so, then you’re already taking the first step to using color psychology in marketing and design.
What color combinations will you use on your next web project?
Customer relations remain one of the most important facets of running a hotel business in 2024. Since more than 60% of all bookings happen online, establishments need to make this process more comfortable for clients without overworking employees or spending too much on client service. This is where conversational AI solutions come into play.
Over 700,000 hotels worldwide already use them to handle various mundane processes. The hospitality industry’s increased interest in these products will contribute to growing the conversational AI market, which is expected to reach $73,05 billion in 2033. Our article covers the main use cases, benefits, and examples of these products.
What Is Conversational AI?
This is an umbrella term for software solutions capable of having conversations with users. They can be used for research and entertainment purposes and, in a business environment, fill some of the roles that were typically for employees only. These products use natural language processing and machine learning technologies to work with text and speech input.
Large language models such as Llama and GPT are another important component of such tools as they provide the knowledge base for conversational tools. In many cases, LLMs use data scraped off the internet to answer various questions. AI software engineers can narrow down their knowledge and tailor the products for specific businesses and industries.
What makes AI-based products particularly helpful for commercial use is their capacity to self-learn. They handle themselves better the more they talk to people, and have vast databases of similar scenarios to draw from. These tools have long become a part of organizations working in healthcare, education, and finance.
How Hotels Use Conversational AI Products
Chatbots and other types of conversational tools have long been used as an alternative to managing large customer support teams. In the hospitality industry, organizations use them in several different areas of business, resulting in higher efficiency and profits.
Supported booking journeys. AI-based helpers offer comprehensive assistance during the reservation-making process. These tools suggest suitable accommodation options and offer discounts, and deals, making the experience more tailored.
Check-ins and check-outs. Kiosks that use artificial intelligence allow hotel customers to check in and out without waiting in lines. However, most establishments use mobile apps with conversational AI features to handle these operations and provide electronic receipts and room access codes.
Daily hotel operations. Conversational AI tools help businesses in the hospitality industry handle mundane tasks more efficiently. They help coordinate staff activities, manage maintenance requests, and manage inventory levels, ensuring timely restocking and reducing waste.
In-room services. At some hotels, guests use AI-based virtual concierges to get local information and order housekeeping or room services. These products also provide weather updates and news and answer frequently asked questions. In some cases, they even play music like Amazon Alexa.
Tailored promotional campaigns. Hospitality businesses that work with conversational customer helpers have more effective ad campaigns. They know when people usually book reservations, their accommodation preferences, and other details that are used in marketing campaigns.
Why Hotels Invest In AI Solutions?
Increasingly, hotels, hostels, and other businesses in this industry are using these solutions due to AI technology’s inherent self-learning ability, accuracy, and speed. These features make it easier for smaller establishments to function well without a large customer support force and improve several other areas of the client experience.
24/7 service. Chatbots and other tools that work around the clock ensure that hotel clients get the necessary information whenever they please. They can be made available through mobile apps or website widgets, leading to a better experience at all stages of the stay.
Increased revenue. Utilizing chatbots and assistants improves hospitality establishments’ income. Their personal touch, recommendations, and upselling capabilities increase the chances of positive reviews and recurring customers.
Multilingual communications. Modern conversational AI tools help hotels engage with a global customer base as they can work with different languages. Solutions built using ChatGPT’s technology even converse with people in Arabic and Chinese.
Personalized experiences. The information gathered during their conversations with helpers and chatbots lets hotels provide a more unique experience without extensive additional research. Establishments that know what their customers love to eat or when they usually wake up have higher chances of forming long-time clients.
Up-sell and cross-sell opportunities. Chatbots and assistants learn about client preferences the more bookings they make. This knowledge allows them to effectively sell additional products, such as dinner reservations and airport pick-ups.
Best Examples Of Conversational Helpers In Hotels
The use of these AI-based tools doesn’t just bring theoretical benefits to members of the hospitality industry. Several hotel chains and brands already use these tools to their maximum effect in their daily work.
Accor Hotels
This chain has been using a conversational AI solution called ChatBotlr since 2017. The AI-based product helps customers during their stay at one of Accor’s 5,584 locations. This chatbot works on mobile devices, offers information about hotel amenities, and can be used to order services. People also rely on the product to find out about local places of interest, such as shops, cafes, and museums.
Caesars Entertainment
Since 2018, Caesars Entertainment hotels have been using its AI-based Ivy solution. The conversational helper makes the stay of the establishment’s clients more comfortable by assisting with restaurant reservations and booking rooms. It also helps out with ordering room service and making housekeeping requests.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
The world-famous Hilton hotel chain uses several products powered by artificial intelligence in its daily operations. In 2016 it unveiled Connie, a robot concierge that’s built using IBM’s Watson technology. She provides information about dining options, hotel services, and local sights. Hilton clients also interact with a customer service chatbot on its website and app to get information about common problems and make reservations.
Marriott International
Chatbots and virtual assistants can be found on this chain’s website and mobile app. These solutions help Marriott clients to get answers to common questions and book their reservations at various hotels. Advanced AI algorithms allow the tools to offer personalized recommendations. The company is also working on an in-room voice assistant for its guests.
Wynn Las Vegas
This Nevadan hotel decided not to invent the wheel and simply added Alexa-powered Echo devices to its 4,748 guest rooms. Perhaps the hotel felt that it was cheaper to spend thousands of dollars on the upgrade instead of building a conversational tool from scratch. People who stay at the Wynn in Las Vegas use the products to play music, control room settings, and learn about hotel services.
What The Future Holds For the Use Of AI Solutions In Hospitality
In the past couple of years, conversational tools have been continuously improving in both their quality and functions. This happens thanks to advancements in large language models such as GPT, Claude, and LLama. These components make chatbots and assistants more accurate and capable of handling complex conversations.
For the hospitality industry, these advancements mean more than chatbots and assistants being able to provide more precise responses. The booming market for open-source LLMs also means cheaper and faster development. As the technology behind them becomes more widespread and available, more businesses will use it to gain a competitive advantage.
The upcoming years will also see products that offer an even higher level of personalization. As AI algorithms become more nuanced, they will be able to identify client behavior and preferences even better. Things like predictive services, anticipatory assistance, and tailored recommendations will become more unique per customer, leading to better satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
Like many technologies, conversational AI has found its audience first among the giant chains that can afford its development and integration. However, the latest developments in this field demonstrate that products based on this technology will become a more common site worldwide, making the hospitality industry more automated and improving its figures.
If you’re like a lot of small-business owners, you’re still recovering from the stress and chaos of tax season. If you gathered documents at the last minute or received a bigger bill than you expected, you were probably as much a victim of your lack of preparation as you were of the IRS.
There’s a better way to handle your small-business taxes. It involves a mix of common sense, solid year-round financial planning, professional tax prep, simple document tracking, and staying on top of the latest changes in the tax code.
Here are eight easy tips for small businesses to navigate tax season with ease.
1. Use a professional
Americans have a pretty pessimistic economic outlook in 2024, even though the economy is actually improving. As a result, many business owners are trying to pare back their expenses. One of the first services to go is often the tax accountant because many small-business owners think they can do their business taxes themselves.
This might be true, but it doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. Having a professional handle your tax prep is actually one of the most valuable professional services that a small business can buy. A good tax pro will not only prepare your taxes at tax time, but he or she can also help you get your paperwork in order year-round and make sure you’re using proper accounting practices.
Even if you have some kind of professional expertise that would enable you to handle your business taxes yourself, you need to consider if the time you’d spend on your taxes would be better spent on the core functions of your business.
2. Don’t wait until the last minute
Doing your taxes isn’t something you do once a year. It’s a year-round concern. You should be tracking all your expenses, receipts, and financial documents throughout the year, as well as actively carrying out tax-planning strategies. Do this right, and you’ll be able to navigate tax season without all the stress.
On the other hand, if you let bad spending habits from your personal life spill over into how you run your business, you’re setting yourself up for a rough tax season. Gathering and organizing all your invoices and receipts is a frustrating and time-consuming process, and it’s inevitable that you’re going to cost yourself money by losing out on key tax deductions.
3. Use last year’s blueprint
If this is your first year as a small business, you’re going to essentially start from scratch at tax time. In subsequent years, though, you can use that strategy as a blueprint if it worked well. Get the same documents together, and then ask yourself — or your tax accountant — what’s changed and then go get those documents. Rather than starting at zero every year, this is an easy way to cover the basics and can save you a lot of hours.
4. Keep your team in the loop
If you’re serious about tax planning, you should check in with your tax accountant once a quarter. This has a variety of benefits. One, it will force you to put together a preliminary financial statement that will include your profits and losses, as well as your main expenses. This gives you and your tax pro a snapshot of your business and is a great opportunity for course corrections. Some small businesses even prefer to handle their bookkeeping on a quarterly basis, so you’ll reconcile your books four times a year.
Second, it gives your tax accountant a preview of what they’ll be handling at tax time. This is especially important if you’re expanding or if your major assets are changing.
Third, it’s a chance to talk about your current tax strategies, such as the deductions you’re targeting and if they’re compatible with the trajectory of your business goals. Touching base throughout the year is the best way to avoid getting hit with unpleasant surprises at tax time.
5. Don’t overlook obscure credits and obligations
The tax code changes constantly, so make sure you and your tax pro are on top of the latest changes that affect your small business.
For example, you could be eligible for lucrative tax credits related to energy efficiency or hiring. Make sure you’re exploring these possibilities.
Another area of recent change is the use of remote workers. If you have remote employees, you’ll need to make sure you’re in compliance with all the state and federal tax obligations related to them, which can often be counterintuitive.
6. Send your invoices
Outstanding payments can be frustrating, especially if you get hit with a big tax bill. Try to collect your unpaid invoices ahead of tax time so you can wrap up all the loose ends from the previous tax year. Consider using accounting software that sends automatic payment requests so you don’t have to spend your time chasing down payments.
7. Use separate accounts
Maintain strict separation between your business and personal accounts throughout the year. Put your business expenses on your dedicated business credit card or checking account only, and never use those accounts for your personal expenses.
This will make your accounting much easier because your expenses will already be separated. It also sends the right message to the IRS, which might be assessing whether your business is run for profit or as a hobby — a distinction that can have profound implications on your business’ tax status.
8. Set aside a surplus or open a line of credit
Part of tax planning is planning how to pay your taxes. The reality is that no matter how carefully you conduct your bookkeeping, you could be in for a surprise at tax time. Experts suggest setting aside at least 10% more than you think you’ll need for taxes in case you’re hit with an unexpectedly high tax bill.
If there’s any doubt about having sufficient cash on hand at tax time, open a business line of credit ahead of time. This way, your tax bill won’t adversely affect your cash flow, and you’ll have access to money that you can use to pay your taxes or for other business expenses.
