The Book Blog

Machine Learning is already changing the way we optimize websites for search engines, and it will inevitably develop further in the years to come. It is an evolving subject, and if you have a website or online business, you should be aware of these changes. Google's Rank Brain algorithm learns very quickly, but what do you need to analyze and adopt this new way of interacting online?

This is a hot topic, which may change the way you manage your SEO services in the future. The machine learning is a means of automatically analyzing data using an analytical methodology. This artificial intelligence can learn about data models, and make decisions with very little human intervention. Also, although machine learning has been around for a long time, it is becoming faster and faster to analyze and produce results from increasingly large volumes of data. Google’s Rank Brain algorithm is instrumental in this evolution.

Google Rank Brain

Developed in 2015, Google Rank Brain, is an algorithmlearning based on artificial intelligence, which provides the user with more relevant search results. While it was only applied to certain research initially, this algorithm is used today in all research on the engine. Google is continually updating, and tweaking various parts of its search engine. The Rank Brain algorithm guesses from the word, or phrase entered, words or phrases that could have similar meaning. These results are then filtered accordingly. Terms are sorted into word vectors, to guess words or phrases that have similar meanings, all to improve search results.

Rank Brain then tries to map this query into words or terms, which most likely match the user's original search. The machine is actually trying to guess what people are saying when they search. They record and adapt the results accordingly. This gives the user a much better experience, providing them with relevant results in less time.

How To Adapt To Machine Learning?

If you're trying to get your business or blog to rank higher in organic search results, there are now more than just keywords to think about. Optimization for search engines is now a bit more complicated, and you have to learn how to optimize your pages, in order to successfully increase the SEO of your website. Your digital marketing campaign should include a strong SEO strategy, following the new principles of machine learning. It is now much more complicated than before to obtain a higher ranking in search results. However, you will be more likely to get a better position in the results, when your content is very relevant to the search terms used.

The job may not be as simple as it used to be, but there are still things you can do to improve your ranking in organic search results. Here are five rules to follow to adapt to this new form of machine learning.

1. Work your Snippets

Titles, URLs and meta descriptions are all important SEO factors. These are the first pieces of information taken into account when generating research results. The subject should be clear, concise and easy to understand. Clearly explaining what your page, message or website is, will orient the results in your favor. This means that it is very important that you respond to potential search terms in your titles and descriptions. And of course, followed by useful and relevant content for the end user. Try to work on your content to get featured snippets. These are boxes that partially or completely respond to the user's request. They stand above traditional organic research results.

2. Do Your Research

Take the time to study other websites, which Google recognizes as authoritative, and analyze what they do. Replicating some of these aspects on your own domain will help you learn how to create your own content. Using the website structure of a well known site will help you be more visible in the search results. Study featured snippets, URLs and how they attract and engage readers. Take a look at sites like 01net.com, 24h00.fr or LaMercerieChic.fr which optimize their content and increase the engagement of their readers, to get featured snippets in the form of a table, bulleted list or even paragraphs in the "zero" position.

3. Think About Your Keywords

You should always have a clear message to convey and your keywords should reflect this. However, you should also include other words associated with your keywords, as they are taken into account by Google, when displaying organic search results. This is to ensure that your keywords are relevant to the content of the entire page or the message you want to convey. You should also use these words in your descriptions, ALT tags in your images and so on. However, keep in mind that all of this must make sense to the user who will read it, rather than adapting it for SEO.

4. Write In The Right Tone

Content is always one of the most important factors when looking at the SEO of a website. It is more essential today than ever to write content that is engaging, easy to read and relevant to your users. Be conversational in your writing and use easy-to-read sentences. This will not only keep your readers engaged, but your content will also be better referenced by Google. Write as if you were talking to a human, not a machine. The most common error is content that was written for a search engine and not for an end user. Finally, make sure your keywords make sense and fit well into the body of your text.

1. 5. Keep Your Site Up To Date

If you don't update your website regularly, your search engine rankings will gradually drop. Your content must be fresh and up to date. The information you share should be relevant to today's readers. If you just let your website sit, while others add fresh content regularly, they'll quickly outperform you in organic results. Even if you are on a niche site, it is important to bring in new blog articles or new photos regularly, to update and refresh the website.

New engaging content will show search engines that your site is not idle, and that it contains good information for users. Even if your site is not a blog as such, it is a good idea to have a blog section, which allows you to update the entire site regularly.

Without cash, your business cannot operate. It is the engine of your activity. This is why the quest for funding is a key issue in your daily life as a manager. Interesting solution, factoring - or factoring - has however some drawbacks for SMEs ... As much to know, before embarking on the adventure.

The factoring market has been growing sharply in recent years, in particular in response to delays and defaults still numerous in Belgium. This option is therefore more and more popular with companies to finance their working capital needs, to the detriment of bank overdraft. How does factoring work? The principle is simple to understand: you pre-finance your invoices and benefit "immediately" from cash. In practice, you sell your entire client portfolio to a specialized financial company (the factor). In return, you obtain advance financing, equivalent to a portion (between 70 and 90%) of the amounts due. When the invoices are due, the factor takes care of recovering the sums from your customers. Then, he takes his commission and pays you the balance and at this stage you need to get professional accounting services of an expert.

Assets ? Yes, But…

As you can see: factoring, also known as "factoring", offers undeniable advantages, particularly compared to certain very expensive credit options. First, you transfer the "weight" of the extended payment terms as well as the administrative burden of any reminders of invoices . In addition, it is a credit based 100% on your activity. You do not really borrow money: you cash in advance a turnover that you have already generated. In this sense, factoring is an effective lever to finance your growth, since the more you invoice, the more sources of fresh money you have. Despite these positive points, factoring offers are often tailored for large companies and prove to be unsuitable for the reality of SMEs. Here are five major drawbacks…

How To Find Your Way?

This is the first stumbling block to factoring: it is sometimes difficult to see clearly. And for good reason, you generally do not have the time (or the desire) to review complex offers, where the asterisks, written in small letters, are very important.

Without forgetting that the decision of agreement relating to your file rests on internal criteria sometimes a little opaque. And for good reason, your intermediary must "manage" his own risk. A lack of transparency which slows down a number of entrepreneurs.

In addition, the overall cost is often variable and therefore difficult to estimate. These costs can be divided into two parts: the “interest”, as for any bank financing, and the commission, calculated on the basis of the amount of the transferred invoices. But that's not all: you will also face a host of ancillary costs (constitution of the file, litigation costs, optional services, etc.). As well as taking out a risk cover (we explain it to you below). Result of the races : the option is often more expensive than you imagine.

Take Your Pain In Patience

Another black spot? Administrative heaviness! At a time when everything is going faster and faster, the process of accepting a factoring contract is often ... very long, even tedious. Do you need to free up 15,000 euros per month on an ad hoc or recurring basis? You are likely to be disillusioned, because it usually takes several days, even weeks, before getting a deal.

The time for the factor to verify a certain number of elements, concerning your sector of activity, but also the situation of your company, your management of invoices, collection or even the solvency of your customers. During this period, you may also have to negotiate certain terms of the contract. Which can further lengthen the process! This reality therefore tends to reserve factoring for large companies who wish to outsource, over time, all of the management of their customer accounts.

An Inaccessible Solution

If you have already embarked on the adventure, you have certainly noticed that, in order to benefit from factoring, you must show your freedom.

In fact, the access criteria are often very strict: a minimum turnover, generally above one million euros, a client portfolio that is sufficiently "attractive", that is to say not too concentrated, diverse and made up of solid customers, etc. One of your clients represents more than a quarter of the advance granted? It could get stuck! Go for it and give your best financial solution out of it.

In addition, for your file to have a chance of being accepted by the factor, you must offer a certain number of guarantees . Sawtooth results? Limited solvency? Your contact will cringe and may require a personal deposit. It may also require you to take out cover (full or partial) to protect against a possible default by one of your customers ... You will be more at ease, but this represents an additional cost, calculated according to the risk borne.

Need Flexibility? Go Your Way

This is one of the main disadvantages of factoring: in the majority of cases, you must transfer your entire portfolio of invoices. While you may not need it… So you lose control of part of your cash management, since you cannot choose the invoices you want to finance. In addition, factoring contracts are rarely awarded for a period of less than one year. A long-term commitment that can seriously handicap you, since you are locking yourself up today in a solution that may no longer suit you in a year. And for good reason, in the field, SMEs evolve quickly and must regularly show agility ... With such a long-term contract, you will be "trapped" and it will be difficult for you to get out.

Beware Of The Boomerang Effect

Each contract is different, but, the responsibility for the unpaid amount generally remains with you. The expected “tranquility” is therefore sometimes only temporary (or costly). Indeed, when your debtor does not pay his due, your factor will remind you. But if the invoice remains overdue, two scenarios are possible:

Have you previously purchased coverage (full or partial)? Then you receive 100% of the amount, but within the limits fixed by contract. Obviously, the higher the risk, or the better your protection, the more it costs you. No security against arrears? The "hot potato" is yours and it will be up to you to collect it (or repay the advance). Good luck, because at this stage, you will probably have to go to court to get your due.

In short, in the event of non-payment, you rarely come out on top ... In addition, certain factors use “not very delicate” collection methods vis-à-vis your customers. Delegating all of your invoice management can therefore also affect the quality of your business relationships.

What If Flexible Factoring Existed? Edebex Is The Ideal Solution For SMES

Edebex allows you to sell your invoices only when you need cash. After only a few days, you will receive the full amount of the invoice minus the service charges. The procedure is very fast and Edebex only takes into account the creditworthiness of your customers, not yours. A few clicks are enough to find out if an invoice can be financed and to obtain a financing proposal. And after the sale? Edebex takes charge of collection: you are 100% covered against the risk of late payment or non-payment by your client. The funding is therefore final!

The choice of materials is essential and remains one of the key stages in the design of your packaging. Despite everything, we often underestimate the importance of the paper we use, yet it is this detail that will make the difference. Some aspects are also to be taken into account like texture, colors, grammage, etc. All these elements play a role in the final rendering of your packaging and help you define the perception that your targets will have of your product.

The Different Categories Of Packaging Paper

Remember that when we talk about paper in this article, we are referring to the one that will cover your packaging support or your folding boards (bath bomb boxes, display boxes, cases, etc.). Today, there are four categories of paper defining its quality: low-end, standard, premium and luxury or high-end paper. The first two types are very often used by industrialists, in particular because they are less expensive, they involve reduced production costs and they "do the trick".

Furthermore, the term premium is to be taken with tweezers because this category changes depending on the manufacturer. If we do not know too much about the packaging industry, it is responsible for choosing for us the paper that would best suit our packaging. In addition, it will not necessarily direct you to higher quality paper even if you would be willing to use it. In this spirit, we advise you to express your expectations well so that there is no misunderstanding between you.

Advantages And Benefits Of Premium And High-End Papers

Premium paper has the advantage of facilitating color consistency, that is to say of bringing great homogeneity in terms of whites and colors. Likewise, high-end paper has a maximum degree of quality. In short, it gives a more worked, neat and elegant rendering, as well as a more pleasant tactile finish. Generally, it is the companies wishing to give a high impression of their pack that turn to this type of paper.

However, the high end is not suitable for all needs. It is used for rigid boxes and for packaging high-end objects, with a high profitability margin. So, many brands use premium and high-end papers, not only for their packaging, but also for all their stationery and promotional items (flyers, prospectuses, etc.). Their objective: to maintain or improve their brand image by distributing uniform communication media. All things considered, if you turn to this quality of paper, other advantages are available to you: in particular a reduction in errors on the part of suppliers and a higher quality of their services.

The Choice Of A Colored Paper For A Perfect Rendering

However, it is possible to design its packaging with previously colored paper. This choice of paper can completely change the appearance of your packaging. The major difference lies in the final and qualitative rendering of the pack. Indeed, when we speak of colored paper, we designate a paper completely impregnated with a color and which will not require a printing step. Unlike, a color affixed via printing on a paper will remain on the surface.

Also, in case of creases or creases, the defects and the white paper will be visible. When you choose colored paper, all the white parts are no longer noticeable (because they are already impregnated with color) and the folding therefore remains not very pronounced. Scratches, creases or scrapes are less noticeable. Finally, the material is more solid and resistant.

Consequently, a question then arises: does switching to colored paper of premium quality or even high-end cost more? The answer is: not necessarily! Depending on your needs, you can very often go directly to the finishes (embossing, stamping, gilding, etc.) without having to print. We deliver the already colored paper, even embossed or debossed, to the manufacturer. However, only the last steps will be necessary, namely cutting, folding and any hot or cold marking. Either way, the cost of colored paper is offset by the lack of printing. Ultimately, if it is of good quality and well chosen, the result will be all the more sophisticated and elaborate. 

Be careful, we are not saying here that we should favor the choice of colored paper for printing! The printing is not obsolete. We only say that the quality of the paper and its texture can open up new horizons, as well as packaging development prospects that you might not have thought of. 

Some Tips To Improve The Consistency Of Your Colors

Aside from the choice of quality or shade of paper, there is often a variation in colors between different printers or different packaging manufacturers. It can therefore be difficult to obtain a uniform color for its packaging boxes, especially if you change suppliers in the meantime. Indeed, they do not have the same working equipment and the same product references. In case you have to face this problem and to facilitate your task, we recommend that you contact a company specialized in the manufacture of ink. It will develop the color you want and supply the ink to manufacturers. However, make sure that they can still use it for printing your pack.

In addition, it is possible to select the colors from the Pantone color chart, a real benchmark internationally. Compare the different shades with each other to find the ones you want, note the references of each and provide them to the manufacturers. In addition, they will be more likely to design the packaging you expect because they have international color codes. Result: fewer unpleasant surprises!

In the end, all of these details on paper, whether it's quality, texture or color, really need to be considered when you create your packaging. Therefore, it requires time and a better understanding of the design stages, but the result will undoubtedly meet your expectations. However, there is no doubt that the color rendering of your packaging will only be better!

Each product has its specification in terms of packaging and packaging. Whether by shape, color or details, it is possible to have a unique rendering, totally adapted to your needs. The same applies to the printing technique for your packaging. In this article, we present five techniques used in the packaging world. 

Digital Printing

First, digital printing is a printing technique that uses computer data and allows the computer to be linked to the printer. Adopted by many sectors, it maintains a high level of print quality. It is possible to use several digital processes (inkjet, digigraphy, ionography, electrophotography, etc.) on different supports. However, this type of printing is not suitable for large print runs. The costs of implementing digital printing remain very competitive and therefore make it possible to print small quantities of paper. We have seen some innovative experiments conducted by packaging company Premium Custom Boxes in this regard.  Continuous printing optimizes the time needed to complete it and helps reduce paper waste.

We particularly appreciate the ease with which it is possible to personalize your impression thanks to this technique. It is particularly suitable for POS, packaging, labels, cartons and textiles. Its print quality is often compared to that of offset. However, the color fastness leaves something to be desired and it is often advisable to apply a varnish over the print. Another disadvantage: even if the ink is rather cheap, it still poses recycling problems.

Offset Printing

Frequently chosen to print its support, this technique is based on a water repellency process. Thus, it consists in reproducing the desired image on a cylinder using photogravure. The latter will then make it possible to distinguish the hydrophobic surfaces from those hydrophilic, the ink only depositing on the former. A second cylinder called blanket is then responsible for transferring the image to the support. The latter will have to go through metal plates which will come to affix the color. The number of plates depends on the number of colors you want. Usually rigid boxes are made with this type of printing technique. Most often, we opt for a four-color printing, that is to say with 4 basic colors, namely: cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Unlike digital printing, offset is intended for large print runs such as for books, advertisements, posters, catalogs, etc. A specific paper is necessary for this technique: offset paper. However, if the formats ordered are larger than those normally used in so-called standard formats, the implementation will require more paper. The ink dries quickly and its quality enables high-end packaging to be printed. Note, however, that the printing plates remain fragile and can cause defects in the event of scratches.

Serigraphy

Suitable for flat or 3D supports, screen printing allows printing in both small and large formats. Similar to the stencil technique, this consists of applying ink to a canvas of metallic or synthetic fibers with a doctor blade. The canvas is stretched and placed on the support to be printed. Free areas are provided to let the ink pass. Each color will require a new application. The end result is reliable, intense and long-lasting. However, screen printing does not give as fine a result as other current printing techniques. In addition, printing takes time and is more expensive as soon as the quantities exceed 1500 copies. However, it remains flexible and can be produced on a wide variety of supports such as POS, textiles, parts for electronic use, etc.  

Flexography

Fourth option: flexography printing is based on a process quite similar to that of screen printing except that the printing is done in relief. This is directly affixed to the support via a cylinder or a plate. Industrialists use this technique to design packaging, labels and newspapers. We will not recommend it for large print runs, even if the quality tends more and more to approach that of offset. Flexography is suitable for supports of all types and which may be non-absorbent. Thus, the impression is similar to that of an ink pad but on a larger scale. In addition, the cost per unit is relatively cheaper and the implementation of printing is quite fast. One of the advantages is that both water-based inks and oil-based inks can be used.

Rotogravure

Finally, like typography, is a direct printing technique on support. To allow printing, we will therefore deposit the ink in the cells of a cylinder. It is debossed and pressing it on the selected support will allow the motif of your choice to be printed directly. Custom Boxes Market is a specialist in this type of printing technique. The print quality is exceptional and allows photos and images to be printed using a color process similar to offset. It is also possible to print long series without deterioration in the quality or colors of the print. In addition, note that the implementation time is long and that it would be better to use rotogravure for fairly large orders.

Finally, our explanations on these five printing techniques should help you to see more clearly and better understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. Take into account the technical aspect of your product to obtain the result you want and choose the most suitable solution.

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I've been following this series from the beginning and it has kept getting better and better throughout. I don't follow many series and easily get bored with them, so this is a real exception. It has elements of Mystery and Thriller and even a touch of Romance, but technically it's Science Fiction because of the time travel.

Only there's no machine. The Time Shifters can slip through time or across distance at will, but not at the same time. And they can only move forward and backward within their life span. It's a very original concept and well executed.

I'm both looking forward to and dreading reading the last episode. I'm going to start today. Dreading it because then it will be finished!

I hope this author writes more. Oh and the paperback version is in two omnibus editions and called The Time Shifters Chronicles volumes 1 & 2. I'll add the second one to the database, the first one is already there. The series is also in audiobook.