User Experience Design Process: 6 Steps to Succeed

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Top 5 E-commerce Web Designing Trends in 2020

Online shopping habits are undergoing noticeable evolution constantly with a fast-paced life. Eventually, the designers also need to bring change in their design at regular intervals to make sure the online shoppers have a satisfying shopping experience.Whether you are an e-commerce website owner or a web designer, you cannot afford to lose your customers for amateurish e-commerce design. Right?The latest e-commerce web designing trends 2020 highlights the cutting-edge technologies like-Artificial intelligence and VR to provide better UICreative marketing techniques with more customization features for better UXScroll down to check out the top 5 e-commerce designing trends of 2020 that you must follow to design a head-turning, personalized e-commerce site and draw more online shoppers.1. Mobile-friendly layoutsEarlier, the designers used to create the e-commerce website designs primarily for web pages that are responsive and adaptive to mobile devices. In 2020, the idea has just flipped. A significant percentage of online shoppers find it easier and more time-saving to shop from their mobiles.Catering to this need of the customers, the web designers are now framing the layouts of the e-commerce stores first for mobile devices like iPads, tablets, and smartphones. Then they make sure the design also fits for the larger screen.Hence, this year, more mobile-friendly features happen to be incorporated in many e-commerce websites themes like-Card-like layoutsEasy navigationLong-scrolling pagesFinger-friendly icons2. Motion design for product imagesMotion design will play a pivotal role in e-commerce web designing this year. Static product images are no-longer appealing enough to grab the attention of online shoppers and trigger their greed to buy the product. Moreover, a dynamic and moving picture will help the shoppers to estimate how it will look from every dimension. The products having a different texture, patterns, cutting on different sides must be showcased in motion images.Though, we have seen the elements of motion design and videos in the last couple of years, more animation, micro-interactions, videos, cinemagraphs are taking the driver’s seat in 2020 e-commerce design trends.3. Rule of the advanced AI ChatbotsE-commerce web designing trends are now focusing more on the personalization approach to address the buyers. With the evolution of AI, chatbots have made their way to e-commerce in recent years. Chatbots are primarily generated to respond to the customer’s queries about payment, delivery, and products.But the chatbots of 2020 are more advanced to go beyond this limit by providing the shoppers with a customized shopping experience. They reflect shipping details and offer discount codes. Added to that, the round-the-clock virtual availability of this sales assistant guides the customers to land on purchasing decisions. So, those online shoppers who always feel guilty about their impulsive shopping decision will get a shopping companion even at the wee hours.4. Heterogeneous grid layoutsDo you want to stand out from most of the other e-commerce sites? Then think out of the box layouts and take your design out of the comfort zone. No doubt, that similar-sized, square, and homogenous grid layouts keep the website structured and make browsing user-friendly.But some brands, especially the fashion industries and brands particularly for the youngsters rely upon this new trend of unconventional grid design for their e-commerce sites to give an edgy feel. With this new layout, you can also highlight your best-selling products without explicitly categorizing them.5. Display of authentic imagesAre you tired of finding suitable images to design an e-commerce website? Many companies have professional photographers in their team to capture authentic, and top-notch quality images for their brand.Stock images have been back footed this year as the brands want to evoke their stories and sell their unique products. E-commerce designing trends are leaning towards Custom photography to enhance the visual aesthetics of the e-commerce sites as well as to be transparent to their customers with the original pictures of their products.What are the other e-commerce website designing trends you think will reign in 2020? Share your views with us.Besides, if you need bespoke website designing for your e-commerce site, feel free to Email us or talk to us at +91-98367-81929

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Transforming EduTech: Digital Trends & Strategies

The technology revolution has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. The widespread access to smartphones and the internet has influenced how billions connect, interact, and perceive the world around them. The digital shift also brought a profound transformation in the education sector, enhancing the learning and teaching experiences.The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the trend as schools, colleges, and universities were forced to close. Teachers and students turned to technology to bridge the communication gap, ensuring a continuous learning process. Online learning is one of the critical aspects of how EduTech has brought a fundamental change in classroom trends. Explore how digital transformation impacts the education systems with emerging technology trends, digital tools, and strategies.What is Digital Transformation in the Education sector?Digital transformation in education is the process of leveraging digital technologies to enhance the learning and teaching experiences. EduTech involves digitizing administrative and learning processes while simplifying the workloads of mentors, alumni, and school management. It focuses on:Quick and seamless student enrollment in educational organizations like schools, colleges, and universities.Interactive and personalized digital learning experiences.Better tracking of students’ attendance, progress, and performance.Improve accessibility to education through virtual classrooms, allowing students to learn from anywhere on any device.The process involves rewiring structures and academic models to create a more technology-driven education system. Educational innovation is an opportunity to address challenges students face, such as struggling to stay engaged in a world increasingly dominated by the digital world. By utilizing new approaches and tools, educational institutions can improve the quality of learning outcomes and make education more accessible to a broader range of learners.Why is Integrating Digital Technologies in Education Necessary?Education accounts for more than 6% of the world’s GDP and is one of the leading industries driving economic growth. The total global spending on education and learning by the government, educational businesses, and customers is anticipated to reach $7.3T by 2025. Spending on Edtech is forecasted to grow from $227B in 2020 to $404B by 2025, with an upswing in expenditures on digital tools, infrastructure, and automated systems. Digital transformation in education occurs on three levels - individuals, educational community, and regions. Modernization of traditional classrooms and the upgradation of existing educational and administrative methods facilitate an uninterrupted transfer of knowledge, enable adaptability, and ensure constant connection across various points in the education system.Digital transformation in higher education introduces various learning approaches that encourage active participation and allow students to interact directly with course materials and assignments. Features like text-to-speech functionality remove obstacles to learning, ensuring that education is more inclusive and available to all learners regardless of their physical abilities.Critical Areas of Technology Transformation in EducationEducation institutes have gained a lot through digital transformation, whether by enhancing students' learning journeys or automating repetitive administrative processes. Discover the critical areas where digitization has brought higher impact, simplifying the digital learning and administrative process.Admission ProcessSchools and universities can eliminate the time-consuming student enrollment by using a unified digital education system. This system helps students and school administrators avoid the hassle of tedious paperwork. Students no longer need to stand in long queues to submit and check their application status. Applying and enrolling are done online without visiting the campus.Student ManagementThe introduction of technology in education has made managing students’ documents, attendance, and class schedules easy. It improves productivity, simplifies student management, and reduces the chances of human errors. Digital transformation has shifted the focus of teachers, counselors, and administrators from repetitive, mundane tasks to core job functions. As a result, they can allot more time to each student and help them learn faster.Infrastructure ModernizationOutdated infrastructure in educational institutions is one of the reasons that educators and students struggle for seamless interactivity and real-time information exchange. Modernization and digital transformation efforts in education improve operational efficiency and knowledge delivery without disruption. The introduction of live coaching through virtual classrooms, self-paced courses, and hybrid EdTech models has resulted in a surge in the student retention rate.Performance EvaluationDigitization has many benefits for students, including faster access to study materials, tests, and grades for self-performance evaluation. Online learning or eLearning systems allow learners to attend tests online, submit papers, check instant scores, and track attendance. Evaluating performance and finding ways to improve it has become easy for them through digital platforms as the results are measurable.Top 7 Digital Transformation Trends in EduTechMapping out the areas of the technology modernization roadmap is necessary to ensure a successful digital transformation. The key technology trends and tools enabling digital transformation in education include:Artificial Intelligence (AI)Personalized learning has been the most critical aspect of the EdTech revolution, and AI plays a significant role in accomplishing it. Instead of fitting every student into the same box, schools and colleges have realized the value of providing customized lessons and courses to students based on their capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses.Educational institutions use AI to analyze students' skill levels and progress and curate personalized learning programs and automated curricula. AI-enabled assessments highlight topics that need attention and help students improve their performance scores, reducing the risk of failures.Machine Learning (ML)Machine learning leverages algorithms to enable machines to learn from data patterns resembling human-like intelligence. The education sector employs ML to address numerous issues, from automating repetitive administrative processes to accurately assessing student performance.ML algorithms combined with advanced predictive analytics assist educators and administrators through study guides, forecast enrollment numbers, identification of students at risk of expulsion, and many more. Adopting ML frees up valuable time for the teaching staff, which can be dedicated to enhancing the student's learning process.GamificationInteractive learning is the fundamental base for digital transformation in education to boost student engagement. Gamification helps achieve this by integrating fun gaming elements into the online learning modules. Online games and quizzes strengthen the cognitive abilities of the learners.Through interactive games, they can acquire problem-solving skills and valuable knowledge. Although gamification is centered around entertainment, it encourages students to engage with others, set and achieve goals, and gain instant feedback on correcting mistakes. It provides all-around skill development for learners.Internet of Things (IoT)Incorporating the IoT into the school environment in the age of “smart devices” helps students and educators connect in a completely new way. IoT holds the potential to transform both learning and teaching experiences. Education campuses can improve security, track attendance, and enable real-time communication. The increased use of smartphones enhances the connectivity between educational organizations and parents, alerting them to security.Cloud-based LearningThe cloud provides students access to knowledge from anywhere, anytime. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of cloud applications, prompting schools and colleges to move their courses and operations online. The cloud platforms enabled them to host lectures, post videos, and conduct examinations for students. Cloud-based remote learning helps the learners keep pace with the course without meeting their teachers in person. They can even submit assignments, track syllabus, and evaluate progress.Big DataThe cloud provides students access to knowledge from anywhere, anytime. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of cloud applications, prompting schools and colleges to move their courses and operations online. The cloud platforms enabled them to host lectures, post videos, and conduct examinations for students. Cloud-based remote learning helps the learners keep pace with the course without meeting their teachers in person. They can even submit assignments, track syllabus, and evaluate progress.Smart Classes & Exam PortalsThe concept of smart classes involves incorporating student engagement techniques through interactive content. Unlike blackboard learning in traditional classrooms, digital technology enables students to learn by watching videos or media content. Smart boards, steady internet connectivity, computers, video conferencing tools, and projectors make knowledge and study materials available and accessible in real time, enhancing the students' learning outcomes. Conducting assessments is no longer a challenge for schools, colleges, and universities. Integrating webcams into online exam portals ensures a smooth and fair examination process by monitoring students' activities during the exam.Use Cases for Digital Transformation in EducationThe digital transformation wave has been successful in empowering learners, educators, and administrators across a large number of educational institutions. Adopting a holistic approach and selecting the right technology has resulted in the development of the following user-friendly and successful digital systems.Arizona State UniversityArizona State University has integrated Amazon Echo Dot devices across its campus and student housing to serve as voice-activated information hubs. These smart speakers offer students, faculty, staff, and alumni quick access to university-related information through simple voice commands. The initiative aims to enhance the campus experience by providing a convenient way to access important details about ASU services, events, and resources.Google ExpeditionGoogle Expedition is an educational app featuring 1000 virtual reality and 100 augmented reality tours. The app allowed teachers and students to explore diverse environments virtually, from art galleries and museums to underwater scenes and outer space. Google is now transferring these immersive tours to its Google Arts & Culture platform, making them accessible to a broader audience beyond the classroom setting.Carnegie LearningIt is a leading service provider of K-12 education technology, offering innovative learning solutions and curriculum for K-12 schools. Their flagship product, MATHia, is an AI-powered math learning platform that provides personalized tutoring for each student. The system continuously adapts to individual learning patterns, providing tailored instruction and practice problems to optimize comprehension and skill development in mathematics.Challenges in EduTech TransformationA digital transformation is a journey of change that inevitably encounters obstacles along the way. As the education industry ventures on its transformative path, addressing and acknowledging the potential challenges is crucial. The key challenges in integrating technology for digital transformation in education are:Digital Divide: Socioeconomic disparities and lack of steady internet connectivity create a digital divide, limiting access to opportunities and worsening educational disparities.Lack of digital literacy: A lack of proper digital skills and literacy among teachers and students in effectively utilizing digital tools in teaching and learning further deepens the skill gap.Limited resources: Resource allocation and financial investment constraints sometimes hinder the proper implementation of digital transformation approaches in many schools or colleges.Lack of awareness: According to a McKinsey survey on leveraging technology to shape learning, limited familiarity among educators and learners is one of the key reasons for the lower adoption rate of online learning tools in higher education institutions.Data Security & Protection: Technological adoption in education brings inherent risks. To mitigate these, organizations must implement robust cyber security measures and clear technology usage policies, safeguarding student data and encouraging a secure, responsible learning environment.Digital Transformation Strategy & Best PracticesNavigating the path to a digital transformation in education remains a serious concern for educational institutions. Five components define how far you can go, how well you can do, and what you can achieve - leaders, partners, training, upgrading, and measuring success.LeadersDigital transformation in education and other sectors relies on leaders guiding them to the digital world. They help organizations set transformative goals, distribute roles, and select digital tools to integrate into the existing infrastructure.PartnersChoosing the right partner with years of expertise in the educational domain ensures the successful delivery of digital solutions that align with your goals and values.TrainingDigital leaders or partners with whom you collaborate should be able to train your staff on using digital tools. While some educators can be tech-savvy, others might need to upgrade their skills to get familiar with educational technologies and adapt to online teaching courses.UpgradingDigitization in education is an approach that empowers academic organizations to upgrade their existing systems and also integrate new ones consistently. Adopting new digital educational models and letting go of outdated and ineffective methods enables an institution to transform successfully.Measuring SuccessAssessing student engagement, digital adoption rate, and educators' satisfaction with digital tools is critical to measuring success. These evaluations help understand technology's impact and plan new strategies for integrating tech solutions into the system.Digital Education: A New Horizon in the FutureAs digital adoption in education continues to evolve, technological innovation and trends are redefining students' overall learning experience and educators' teaching experience. The future of education focuses heavily on socio-emotional learning, gamification, and microlearning.The growing adoption of digital learning models and platforms will provide more accessibility, flexibility, and learning opportunities. Combining traditional classroom learning with online systems is also expected in the future, facilitating collaborative learning. Integrating trending technologies such as AI, ML, AR/VR, data analytics, and cloud transforms teaching with personalized learning, visualization of complex concepts, and easy identification of students' strengths and weaknesses. Technology transformation enables teachers to provide students with an engaging and immersive online learning experience, preparing them for the future.The Bottom Line: Thriving in the Digital WorldThe significance of digital transformation in education was underestimated until the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 2020, educational organizations have prioritized technology adoption and digitalization of education processes. The shift towards a tech-driven modern education system has a measurable impact on students' progress, increasing their willingness to learn.It also simplifies administrative operations, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. EduTech transformation is inevitable and will soon involve every institution worldwide. It would enable broader and inclusive opportunities, distance learning, better teaching experiences, and enhanced student engagement.

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Six Ways Brands Can Explode Their Sales with YouTube

Businesses that are looking to build brand awareness, increase market reach and drive sales, should include YouTube into their marketing strategy. This video-sharing platform has more than one billion users who watch more than five billion videos. If you’re looking to hook people and get them engaged, there’s no better way to do that than with video. And certainly, YouTube is the best way to get video in front of an audience.So, if you aren’t using this tool, you’re missing out on your potential customers. If you think it’s intimidating to get started, read on the six most important tips to make optimal use of YouTube and see your brand grow.Do a competitive analysis The first step is to take a close look at the companies in your niche. What type of content are they sharing? If you have a similar target audience and marketing goal,  you can get a lot of information and insights by evaluating what their channel is doing. Check the comments of each video to get a sense of viewer reaction and engagement.Have a clear focus for your channelBefore you launch, have a clear idea of your channel’s focus and purpose. This will give your channel authority and help you devise a marketing strategy. Think through the vibe you want to create. Undoubtedly, this will include increasing awareness of your brand, so you want to create content that appeals to your potential customers also create interest in your product or service without being too assertive.Find your nicheTapping into a niche will eventually help you grow your brand. But determining this, in the beginning, can be tricky. What specific subject or area is your channel going to focus on? And who is the intended audience? All these need to be clearly defined.Also, take into account the demand for the subject you’re focused on. If no one is searching for it, your channel may get only a few hits. But if your niche is too broad, it’s harder to stand out and your content could be easily lost in the clutter.Create quality videosYouTube is a competitive space, and if your videos are mediocre, it doesn’t matter how awesome your content is -- no one will watch it. If you want to up the bet, here’s some equipment to consider investing in:-A high-quality camera which should record at least 1080p for quality videos.-An external microphone-Tripods to help you avoid unsteady footage that can make viewers feel uneasy.-Pictures and Video-editing softwareMake your videos searchable through keywordsAbout 70% of YouTube videos are found through browsing. This means you have to optimise your video’s title, description and tags with relevant keywords to make sure your videos come up in those searches. The title of your video tells viewers what it is all about, so make it catchy but closely aligned with the video’s content. Focus on showing the value of your video in a clear and concise way.Include multiple calls to actionThe more people engage with your video, the better your video’s ranking in search results. And, of course, you want them to click the link that will take them to your webpage -- where you hope they’ll become steady customers. That is why your channel and each of your videos should include multiple CTAs.Create your videos in a way that people will see the value in it and that will make them shareable. Build excitement by cross-promoting teasers on all social media platforms. Lastly, make sure that you’re using a decent thumbnail image for your video. This will help your video stand out and get more clicks. Select an image that works well on both desktop and mobile devices. A custom thumbnail grabs people’s attention and increases viewer engagement. For more details, you can get in touch with our experts at [email protected] or call us at +91-98367-81929.