It’s the new year and, even if you’re not making new year’s resolutions, it’s a great time to reassess your online store ready for the year ahead. It’s been estimated that Amazon will make up 50% of all US E-commerce by 2021, so there are undoubtedly some lessons to be learnt from them. We’ll also look at Walmart and Macy’s, who are in the top 5 e-commerce retailers, and bring you five lessons we learned from their online stores that you can apply to your own!
Successful brands begin with a promise. Consider Geico's "15 minutes could save you 15 percent or more on your car insurance." Now that's a promise! A clear, succinct description of what your customers will get by working with or purchasing from you. A brand promise takes your positioning to the next level by explaining the benefits your brand will deliver to customers.
Strong brands don't just make a powerful promise to their customers – they keep it. Doing so fosters positive customer recognition and associations, lends credibility and a competitive edge and ultimately drives sales. But companies need to be careful when associating a promise with their brand. Making a brand promise that you can't keep will kill your business before it even has a chance to breath properly. Avoid this mistake by ensuring you fully understand what your business does in the marketplace before deciding what brand promise you'll make. 
It's time for a brand refresh.
From colors that feel dated to visuals or a logo that popped out of 1999, your brand may be showing signs that it needs new life. But it's important to make changes without losing who you are in the process. (Remember, you don't want to lose or offend people loyal to your small business.) How do you do it? Here are ways to tackle a refresh that you will love. 
When it comes to social media for small businesses, the amount of information about how to promote your business correctly can be overwhelming. It's clear that social media can help propel sales, but the underlying question is often, "How?"
We caught up with Malka Fasten, founder of girl's accessories company Halo Luxe, to ask about how she navigated the social world on Instagram and what she recommends for other fledgling businesses just getting their feet wet. 
One of the greatest struggles that many entrepreneurs face is the fear of failure. This fear can sometimes stop you from taking risks that could lead to great success. It might even paralyze you into inaction. But you're not helpless in the face of this fear. Two psychologists offered tips on how entrepreneurs can recognize when they have this fear and what they can do to overcome it.
The new year is the perfect time to start with a fresh slate and create goals that will reinvent your business and enrich your personal life. But as a business owner, it can be tough to decide which resolutions are worthwhile. Here are 10 resolutions that can help you start 2018 in a positive direction.
In 2018, social media is getting smarter and platforms are wielding technology to improve user experience. Here are the top eight social media trends to prepare for as the year draws near.
The new year will be here before you know it. Like many other solopreneurs, freelancers or small business owners you are likely already setting new business goals for 2018, but if not, consider this a gentle reminder.
Some of the biggest web design trends of the past year aren't just passing fads. Add some of these techniques to your design now if you've been waiting for a great, and trendy, website makeover that will last well into 2018.
When 3D printing first came on the scene, the tech was still very young. Only after several years did this printing technology begin to catch up to expectations. Now it can be the foundation for a thriving, growing business, serving a use far beyond just creating prototypes.
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