Barcode scanners are a part of our daily lives—grocery shopping wouldn’t be possible without them. But for warehouse workers, barcode scanners are even more important for the ease of a shift.

In fact, inventory inaccuracy through the use of poor barcode scanners accounts for 8.7 percent of lost sales within a company. Therefore, it is important that your laser scanners are up-to-date for the most accuracy possible.

If you’re wondering what makes a great barcode scanner and how the inner workings can help your business, read on!

Below, we outline how barcode scanners work and how they help the logistics industry and shipping industries.

Laser Scanners: How Do They Work?

We use them all of the time, but do you know how laser scanners really work? Laser technology was invented in the 1960s, and there are plenty of benefits of the many types of lasers.

Today we have 3D laser scanners for the purpose of measuring objects for 3D models and maps. You can use a scanner for finding the right dose of medication for a patient, reducing errors by more than 50 percent.

So let’s make this positive change in the shipping industry.

We know that the recipe for barcode scanners takes a black-and-white striped identifier, a red light, and the scanner itself. Those black-and-white squares are not randomly configured, though—they actually represent numbers.

The red light allows for the barcode to emit light into the photoelectric cell; it can detect the lighter light (the white stripes) from the darker light (the black stripes).

The stripes are used for accuracy, as a machine could easily mix up an 8 and a 3 when scanning. It can easily detect sequences of black and white stripes, though. Then they convert those sequences into a unique numbered code for each product.

Those numbered codes are already in a system’s database, allowing it to quickly pick up the identity, price, etc. of the item.

Looking to Update Your Scanners?

If you’re finding inaccuracy within your warehouse’s scanner system, it may be time to update it. Certain models of RF scanners might have only one photoelectric cell, meaning employees would have to move the scanner down the barcode.

This tactic would naturally have more inaccuracy through user error.

More sophisticated scanners have a whole line of photoelectric cells. This means that it can scan the whole barcode in one fell swoop.

Investing in updated RF scanners for a warehouse could drastically improve your company’s efficiency and accuracy. More could be done in a day, fewer items could be lost, and your employees would be happier.

Time for Change

Take advantage of the laser technology we have today and look into a better version of your laser scanners. It is a worthy investment to make that will benefit the future of your business long term.

If you liked this article, check out our business category for more reading!

Can you believe that 36% of Americans feel like they’ll never be able to retire?

If you’ve reached middle age and you feel like you don’t have any security, then you might think that retiring one day is only a dream. The great news is that anyone can work toward building a brighter future at any age with the right mindset.

Have you ever asked yourself, “Can I start investing at age 50?” Read on so you can learn about the top strategies for investing during the later stages in life.

Research Different Retirement Account Options

If you want to invest for retirement, it’s important to know that there are a few different types of accounts out there. Each account comes with pros and cons that can suit everyone’s unique circumstances better.

For example, if you plan on having a smaller income during your retirement, then a traditional IRA would make more sense for your taxes instead of a Roth IRA.

Expand Your Portfolio the Right Way

The main reason why so many Americans aren’t investing is that they don’t have time to research stock trends each day. The truth is that you don’t have to worry about moving your funds around every day and risk losing it all.

From bonds to mutual funds and beyond, there are so many ways you can diversify your portfolio that matches your risk tolerance.

Reduce Your Debt and Add Another Stream of Income

People who want to invest want to pour all their extra money into these accounts. However, if you have a lot of debt, then those high-interest rates can eat any profits you earn on your investments.

Taking steps to chip away at your debt and even adding another stream of income can work wonders for your finances.

Don’t Forget to Start Investing in Your Health

Starting over at 50 will be a lot easier if you don’t have any chronic health problems to worry about. This is why you shouldn’t overlook the value of investing in your health as well as your finances.

It’s never too late to adopt a better diet and exercise routine. Taking small steps can help you create a sustainable lifestyle over the years.

Work With a Wealth Management Advisor

Changing the way you handle your money can be terrifying. It’s always worth teaming up with a financial advisor who has the education and experience to guide you in the best direction.

When you work with an expert, you can have peace of mind that your finances are in the right hands.

These Strategies for Investing Will Set You Up for Success

With so many strategies for investing out there, it can be challenging to figure out what the right move is when you’re older. After reading this guide, you can start making these changes to increase your security and prepare for retirement.

Would you like to continue your journey to becoming an expert in personal finance? Read more of our blog articles!

Over the years, the best prepaid cards have continued to grow in popularity and have not shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, a staggering 23 million adults use them frequently at the grocery checkout, gas pump, or the ATMs. The best prepaid cards are used like debit cards, making them one of the best financial tools available.

Prepaid Cards 101

Since prepaid cards are very easy to obtain, they are considered the best alternative to credit cards, checks, and cash. Also known as general-purpose reloadable, prepaid credit cards, or prepaid debit cards, they can only be used once money has been loaded successfully onto the card.

Those who don’t have access to savings or checking accounts used to be the primary users of prepaid cards. However, thanks to exciting and peerless benefits they offer, prepaid cards have become massively popular, growing an impressive 50 percent between 2012 and 2014.

Different Types of Prepaid Cards

• Payroll Cards

Just as the name indicates, rather than receiving the usual pay checks, many employees nowadays prefer to have their salaries, bonuses, and other incentives loaded directly to their prepaid cards. Once the money has been loaded, they can use their cards to pay the bills, purchase goods, and withdraw from ATMs.

• Gift Cards

Gift cards come in monetary denominations that are specific. Gift cards are designed to be used for purchases at specific stores. Often, they are not reloadable but they are considered ideal for gifting.

• General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) Cards

With a general purpose reloadable card, you need to load money onto the card first and use it like you would a debit card. GPRs work similar to most credit and debit cards and are often honored and accepted at merchants and online stores.

The Benefits of Getting a Prepaid Card

• They are easy to get. Prepaid cards are very easy to obtain.
• They are easy to use. As mentioned earlier, prepaid cards are honored and accepted almost anywhere where major credit and debit cards are accepted.
• They are considered safe. While you can also lose cash when using your prepaid card, it is often very minimal. If you lose your credit card on the other hand, there is a possibility that you can rack up substantial charges. This is especially true if you have a very high credit limit. Also, if you lose your prepaid card, the loss is often limited to the balance available on the card. Thankfully, some prepaid cards also provide protection against theft or loss.
• They won’t require credit checks. This is considered a massive advantage by those who are unbanked and those who have less than stellar credit histories.
• They are great budgeting tools. You can load money onto your prepaid card that’s intended for groceries and other things. So if you have depleted all the balance intended for the groceries, you would have to live off with what’s remaining in your pantry until the end of the month.
• There are no monthly bills to take care of. If you hate the inconvenience of sifting through electronic statements and paperwork, you would surely love prepaid cards. With prepaid cards, there’s no need to sift through electronic statements or paperwork monthly.
• You won’t incur any debts. When using a prepaid card, your transactions will be limited by the balance that’s available on the card. As soon as the balance has been depleted, your spending will also stop automatically. Unlike credit cards, you won’t incur mounting debts when you use a prepaid card.
• You will have overdraft protection. As mentioned earlier, you won’t be able to use your prepaid cards for the time being as soon as all the balance has been depleted. Fortunately, you can use your prepaid card right away once money has been successfully loaded onto the card.

Digital advertising has skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade – in 2021, an estimated $329 billion was spent on these costs alone. So how much does SEO cost for a small business?

In order to properly survey an SEO cost guide, several factors must be considered, especially when it comes to small businesses. With some basic SEO services, a small business can jump to the front of the line in online searches, including on Google Maps.

First, let’s talk briefly about the biggest question…

What Is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s a fancy term for an online marketing strategy that gets a business to show up near the top of search engine queries – for small businesses think “<insert service here> near me.”

Let’s say you have an HVAC company, and you’d like for your business information to show up near the top of the list when someone types “HVAC services near me.” Can you imagine how much business that could generate for your operation?

Now, it’s fair to admit that HVAC services are not the most enthralling of subjects to the common consumer, so hiring an SEO company for HVAC SEO can take that burden off of you – the business owner – and someone else can work to drive traffic to your business for a fee.

How Much Does SEO Cost for a Small Business?

That all depends on the type of SEO services you are looking for. If you’re looking for someone to pop in and update the information on your site once a month on a project-by-project basis, you can expect to spend less than $100 per month if you hire an individual.

On the other side of the coin, if your site sees hundreds of clicks a day and needs constant attention, it is going to cost significantly more. With that said, if you’re looking for HVAC SEO as a small business, you can consider the former.

Where Can I Find an SEO Company?

Ironically, you can just type that question into a search engine! There are quite a few SEO services in marketing hubs like New York and other commerce-driven areas.

Call an Established SEO Company for Your Marketing Needs

It’s tough for a small business to get noticed in an increasingly competitive business environment – hiring an SEO company can help you stand out in a big way.

To answer the question “how much does SEO cost for a small business,” the answer is…not much. When you factor in the amount of revenue that will be driven toward said small business, the cost of SEO services is a drop in the bucket.

Think of it like this – 30 years ago, you would’ve paid $200 to be on the front page of the local newspaper every day for a month, right? SEO services work the same way, only cheaper…and much more interactive and effective.

Facebook has more than 2.91 billion active monthly users as of April 2022. With more than one-quarter of the world’s population on this behemoth site, there are huge opportunities for businesses seeking to gain new customers.

But what are the Facebook marketing tips that can establish your brand on this massive platform? With so many rivals vying to win new business, you need to know how to rise above the noise and grab the attention of potential customers.

Fortunately, there are some excellent methods you can use to boost your Facebook presence and take your marketing tactics to the next level.

Read on to learn more.

1. Set Your Facebook Marketing Goals

Before you begin your Facebook business marketing campaign, it’s important to set clear goals. For example, you may be hoping to increase brand awareness, make sales, or attract more followers.

If you have multiple aims, rather than combining all your various messages together, consider launching separate campaigns, with each one focusing on a specific target.

This will make it easier to send out consistent information that resonates with your audience.

2. Only Post Your Best Content

Social media marketing makes it easy to post content at the touch of a button, but this isn’t always a good idea. Before you put up a post, consider who you are aiming your content at, if your information is truly useful, and if you have presented it in the best possible way.

By considering these factors before you post, you can make sure you only provide your audience with terrific content.

3. Understand How to Use Paid Facebook Ads

Using paid ads can be one of the most effective Facebook advertising techniques. This method allows you to laser-focus your ads on the specific groups of people who you feel are most likely to buy from your company.

However, if you are not an expert in using Facebook ads, you could quickly burn through your advertising budget. Therefore, it can be helpful to hire a professional on FreeUp to help you maximize your return on investment.

4. Interact With Your Facebook Audience

When your Facebook marketing efforts result in consumers liking your posts or getting in contact, you need to build on this connection. Make sure you reply to customers who post comments and thank them for their interest. You can also answer any queries, and encourage others to join in the conversation.

By building trust with users on the platform, you can create strong bonds with your Facebook community.

5. Get Feedback Using Facebook Polls

Facebook digital marketing isn’t only about displaying your ads to consumers, it’s also about gathering vital feedback. For example, by using polls to ask questions, you could find that consumers would like you to provide them with a different type of content. Or, you may learn that your messaging is superb and that customers value your posts.

This is a cheap and fast way to find out if your Facebook marketing efforts are on the right track.

Use These Facebook Marketing Tips to Help Your Business Stand Out From the Crowd

Using the most effective Facebook marketing tips can establish your company’s presence on this massive platform. It’s essential to have clear goals, to post a steady stream of top-quality content, and to know how to get a healthy return on investment from your Facebook ad campaigns.

You should also take the time to interact with your Facebook audience and ask for constructive feedback.

This can help your company become a popular name within the Facebook communities that are relevant to your business.

For more helpful hints and tips, be sure to browse our Business category before you go.