HTML vs Plain Text Email: What Are the Differences?

Home Business Wiz

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Email has been around forever in internet terms, and while many have claimed over the years that ‘email is dead’, it’s in fantastic health. Indeed, people and machines send over 333 billion emails each day, meaning over 3.5 million every second.

One debate that continues to rage involves HTML vs plain text email.

Plain text emails are bland, but you know they’ll work. Meanwhile, HTML emails enable graphics, links, and other functionality, but you can never be quite sure how they’ll appear across different devices.

What are the two email types, how do they differ, and which is better? Let’s find out.

What Is an HTML Email?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and it’s the same code used by many websites. Emails created in this way can appear like any web page you can think of, complete with graphics, links, and other interactive features.

Unfortunately, email was never conceived with these features in mind. Even Gmail used to strip HTML elements out of email messages.

Mobile devices caused further problems. Their popularity soared before responsive design took off, ensuring that emails could adapt for different screen sizes and software.

Even today, many email clients, especially in the professional world, will strip active elements from emails to reduce security risks. So now, as it always has been, you’re never quite sure how your carefully crafted email layout will display to all readers.

What Is a Plain Text Email?

Somewhat appropriately, plain text email could not be simpler. If you’ve ever used Notepad, you know what to expect. These emails are text-based without any enhancements.

They’re great for information, but not ideal for marketing, not least because you can’t lead anyone to a landing page.

Crucially, you can be more certain of email deliverability – more in this article.

There’s nothing in a plain text email to attract the attention of spam filters and antivirus software. These emails aren’t dangerous as they’re incapable of causing trouble!

HTML vs Plain Text Email for Designers

How much does design and branding matter in your business? If you’re the kind of company that thrives on visuals and you’re known for epic videos and social posts, do you want to sacrifice that in your email communications?

Analytics

Plain text emails reduce tracking capabilities. Alongside the absence of links and pictures, they also lack inherent analytics functionality.

Most email providers use images to track open rates and other stats. Without this information, it can be difficult to optimize campaigns as you don’t have as much to go on.

All is not lost, as plain text users can at least follow bounce, deliverability, and unsubscribe rates as they’re not reliant on the content of the email itself.

Discover More Great Marketing Tips on Our Blog

Email marketing is here to stay, and as effective now as it has ever been. The debate around HTML vs plain text email is sure to continue, and much of it comes down to what works best for both your brand and your audience.

Even if you opt for HTML emails, you may find less is more. We’ve got dozens of articles around optimizing email campaigns, from getting the layout right to boosting open rates and much more here on the blog. So, take a look around to find out how to take your email campaigns to a whole new level!

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5 Eloquent Home Office Room Ideas That Burst With Inspiration

Home/DIY

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A massive 4.3 million US people work from home at least 50% of the time, and if you’re one of this crowd, you may find it’s easier to focus if you have a terrific home office.

But what are the home office room ideas that can help you create your ideal space? You could be spending a lot of time in this area, and you’ll want to make it as pleasant as possible to help you be more productive.

You’ll be delighted to hear there are numerous excellent ways to design a stunning home office that you’ll look forward to going into.

Keep reading to learn more about 5 great home office tips.

1. Use Natural Light Sources

If you have windows or skylights, you can make these a core part of our home office design to ensure you get as much illumination as possible into your room. Think about having your desk face towards the window and ensure you don’t place any cabinets or other furniture in positions that would reduce the amount of light in your office.

If any areas of your room are still dark, you can use small lights to brighten them up.

2. Put Up Wall Art

There is a virtually endless list of wall art home office ideas and you could put up motivational pictures, personal photos, or even craft pieces that you have made.

Remember to place your art in areas where you’ll be able to see them from your home office chair.

3. Add Your Favorite Scents

To make your work-from-home space even more inviting, you can diffuse aroma oils throughout the room. It’s possible to use oils that help you relax or oils that reinvigorate and make you feel refreshed.

If this sounds like a fantastic idea to you, you can buy this air stream here.

4. Create a Relaxation Area

When working from home it’s important to take breaks to avoid burnout, and you could place a beanbag or soft chair in one spot in your home office. You can also have speakers to play chill-out music and a small fridge to cool your water or soft drinks.

5. Optimize Your Storage Spaces

You may have a lot of home business equipment, and you won’t want it to make your office messy. Try to make the most of vertical storage spaces, and think about buying chairs that have storage room underneath the seat.

Choose Your Favorite Home Office Room Ideas

These inspiring home office room ideas can help you create the workspace of your dreams. You can benefit from maximizing the amount of natural light in the room, having calming aromas wafting through the air, and keeping your space as clutter-free as possible. It can also help to have a chill-out area and to include beautiful pictures on your walls.

You could soon find you enjoy going into your gorgeous office space to get your work done!

Before you rush off to design your home office, check out more of our helpful blog posts.

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Orbit Pillow Makes Tossing and Turning a Thing of the Past

Home Business Wiz

Orbit Pillow – the pillow that prevents you from tossing and turning in your sleep – is available now on Kickstarter.

Does your partner hate it when you roll around while they’re trying to get some sleep? Maybe your dog is too afraid to sleep on the foot of the bed without getting knocked off by your tossing and turning? Orbit Pillow may just be the product you’re looking for.

Orbit Pillow is a spine support pillow nested in a bowl-like casing. The pillow rotates side to side while you sleep, making the name “Orbit Pillow” quite apt. This unique design is inspired by ships specifically designed to recenter the shifting of weight caused by rough waves. In that sense, when we sleep, the waves are our unconscious movements, and the ship is our spine. By using a maritime physics-based approach to spine support, Orbit Pillow keeps your vertebrae balanced and aligned, making sure that you’re getting the most out of your spine support pillow.

But the pillow does more than just recenter the weight of the spine. Orbit Pillow actively stops you from tossing and turning in your sleep, keeping you sleeping on your back straight with excellent sleeping posture. If you find yourself struggling to get a good night’s sleep from tossing and turning, or find yourself disrupting the person next to you with your unconscious movements while you sleep, then Orbit Pillow will keep you locked in place and stable throughout the night.

Lots of us who seek out a spine support pillow live with chronic neck pain, and are desperate for a long-term solution. Fortunately, Orbit Pillow also gives your neck a really good stretch – so much so that the company recommends you gradually spend time getting used to the pillow first! This means Orbit Pillow is a great supplement for neck exercises, too. So you can use your Orbit Pillow while you’re doing pilates, for instance, for an even better stretch. How many of us can say that our pillow doubles as a piece of exercise equipment?

At the end of the day, though, don’t we all just want a pillow that’s comfortable? Orbit Pillow has you covered there, too. Orbit Pillow comes with both hard foam and memory foam, so you can customize your pillow for what’s best for your neck and sleep quality. The hard foam really gives your neck the stretch it needs. But if you want to maybe give your neck a break tonight, then the memory foam is there for you, too. Either way, you’re getting the quality of sleep you want and that you deserve.

Orbit Pillow can be purchased at a discounted price from its Kickstarter campaign that launched this April.

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Home Office Expense Deductions: Basics to Know Before Tax Season

Business

During the pandemic, more than one-third of Americans worked from home. It’s a trend that’s likely going to continue. You can use the home office expense deduction regardless of whether you own your own home or rent an apartment.

When doing your home office taxes, consider things like solar panels, the amount of space used for your office, and working with a professional. Don’t let the fear of an audit prevent you from taking home office tax deductions!

Read below to learn about the home office expense deduction and what you can claim on your taxes.

Solar Panels and The Home Office Expense Deduction

Green energy is up 90 percent since 2000 and continues to grow. Solar energy reduces your carbon footprint and even allows you to sell energy harnessed by the sun back to the power company.

Doing home office taxes will allow you to use solar panels as tax credits, not necessarily for the home office expense deduction. The federal government uses the tax system to encourage homeowners to upgrade to green energy. You can earn 26 percent on the total installation cost.

See for yourself how solar energy can help your home office taxes, especially with solar tax credits. Home solar upgrades can save you more on your taxes. It’s essential to take advantage of these benefits!

Home Office Space

For your home office to qualify for home office deductions, you must use your space specifically for your business. For example, it can’t double as a bedroom or playroom. Your home office is where you bill customers, make phone calls, or run the administrative portion of your business.

You can use either the simplified option or the actual expense deduction. The simplified option doesn’t allow for actual deductions. You can deduct mortgage interest, repairs, and utility expenses when using actual expense deductions.

When thinking about how to deduct home office expenses, it’s best to put a list together to figure out what’s more beneficial.

Work With a Qualified Professional

When you work with a qualified professional, they can guide you through the benefits and pitfalls of how to deduct home office expenses. Every business is different, and each comes with a unique set of circumstances and rules.

Finding a qualified professional to help with remote work deductions assures you an expert will handle the paperwork. They know the law and will advise you on what is best.

Sometimes, handling home office tax deductions and remote work deductions is confusing and time-consuming.

Learning About the Home Office Expense Deduction

There are many things to know about the home office expense deduction. You can qualify for solar tax credits and use the space in your home for a home office deduction. It’s also helpful to work with a tax professional to get sound advice.

Working from home means you can save money on your taxes! Don’t let Uncle Sam more than he needs at tax time!

If you found this information helpful, read more tips and advice on our website.

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National Floors Direct: How to Get Your Site Ready for New Floor Installation

Home/DIY

According to National Floors Direct reviews, preparing your home or place of business ahead of time before your new floors are installed is one of the best ways to ensure that the installation process goes off without a hitch. To help you get your site ready for new floor installation, let’s look at a checklist from National Floors Direct of what you need to do before the installation crew arrives.

1) Clear the Room

Customers who have written National Floors Direct point out that a great way to save time and speed up your flooring installation project is to ensure that the room where your new flooring will be installed is completely clear of any items. This includes moving all furniture out of the room and any other items that might get in the way.

2) Secure Your Pets

Pets are bound to be curious when strangers enter their homes. However, in addition to getting in the way of your installation crew, your pets could end up being exposed to the dust from your old flooring, which can create several health concerns. Before the installation crew arrives, be sure that your pets are confined to a safe space somewhere out of the way.

3) Close Off Other Rooms

There are times when installing a new floor can get a little messy. According to National Floors Direct reviews, it’s a good idea to seal off any rooms connected to the room where your new floor is being installed to prevent dust and debris from spreading to other areas of your home.

4) Supply Waste Disposal Options

Removing old flooring and installing new floors creates quite a bit of waste. To make the installation process as easy and efficient as possible, customers in National Floors Direct reviews recommend putting adequate waste disposal options in place before your installation crew arrives. At the very least, you will want to have multiple garbage bins on hand. It may also be a good idea to contact a garbage removal company ahead of time to let them know about your upcoming project and see what waste removal options they can offer.

5) Provide a Good Workspace for Your Contractors

Your installation crew will need a space to prepare materials separate from the space where the new flooring is being installed. Ideally, though, this space will be near the entrance to the room where your new floors will make the installation process as efficient as possible. By preparing a separate, nearby room for your contractors to work from, you can help make the installation process a lot more hassle-free.

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How to Save Successfully to Meet Your Life Goals

Education

Everyone needs to be aware of how to save successfully to meet their specific life goals. We break down some tips to help you maximise your life savings for the big and small moments in life you’re saving for.

Tips on How to Save Successfully

We share five tips to help you get the most out of your life savings plan.

1. Don’t Forget to Factor in Inflation

When you don’t consider inflation when setting up your savings, you could negatively impact your savings. When interest rates go up, you must look at it in conjunction with the inflation rates to assess the full impact on your savings.

So, what is inflation exactly? Well, it’s the rate at which your savings depreciate over time, influenced by an increase in the cost of living, etc. Therefore, carefully consider the interest rate the bank offers you in conjunction with the inflation rate to prevent your funds from losing value.

2. Think Bigger than the Bank

If you want real results, you might have to look elsewhere than the traditional bank. The most important thing to remember is that your investment must grow by more than the inflation every year to achieve real return. When it comes to equities, it’s the only asset class that could potentially outperform inflation over a long term period.

However, it’s essential first to consider what you’re saving for. The potential of higher returns also comes with a risk of losing capital, so consider the term and reason for the investment before you commit.

3. Think Long-Term About Your Savings Plan

Don’t be surprised if you see a short-term savings plan underperform. Many investors make the mistake of selling as soon as they notice this. However, you could be missing out on a large chunk of your return in unit trusts.

When making decisions about your savings strategy, you should not let fear caused by market fluctuations guide you. Instead, you should only consider your personal circumstances and capital capacity.

4. Take the Time to Plan

When it comes to a savings strategy for big life goals, like saving for your child’s education, the sooner you start, the better. Not only will you have more time to save, but you’ll also give your savings plan time to allow your money to work for you.

5. Avoid the Debt Trap if You Can

When we don’t plan, we tend to resort to credit to help us meet our savings goal. Remember that, even though compound interest works for you when you invest, this same strategy works against you when you have a loan, as the total amount you have to pay back will snowball over the time it takes you to pay it back.

6. Hand it Over to an Authorised Financial Service Provider

Because there are so many factors that could influence (whether rationally or irrationally) your savings behaviour, it’s always best to put your savings in the hands of professionals.

With a more balanced and informed opinion of the market and its developments, you can trust them to make the best decision to get you to meet that savings goal.

Start Saving Successfully Today

When you work with an authorised financial services provider, you can ensure that they will use all the latest information and factors to consider to help you get the best results for your life savings plan.

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Start Making a Profit in 2022: Best Cryptocurrency To Invest in Now and Next Year

Money

According to one study, 1 in 10 Americans invests in cryptocurrency.

If you’re interested in investing in cryptocurrency, you might be wondering what is the best cryptocurrency to invest in.

Thankfully, we have the perfect guide to help you find the best cryptocurrency to invest in now, so make sure you keep reading!

Bitcoin

You can go to a Byte Federal Bitcoin ATMs and get your Bitcoin. Many people like this crypto because it’s been around the longest, and it’s one of the most expensive options out there.

Many businesses also accept Bitcoin as payment, so that’s also why it’s a smart investment. You can also use Visa with Bitcoin.

Tesla also announced that they’ll accept payments for their car with that crypto.

Ethereum

Along with Bitcoin, one of the best options is Ethereum. This is the only asset outside of Bitcoin that is blue-chip crypto.

Ethereum has started catching up with Bitcoin, but it’s also a different type of coin. That’s why it’s been so popular with investors.

It has a function as a platform as well which is decentralized. This was the entire purpose. You can also do all kinds of other things on their platform, like buy NFTs.

Polkadot

Polkadot is a big project that aims to bring together a lot of different blockchains. It’s one of the main tools used to make Web 3.0 as well, which is a decentralized internet.

On that Internet, users will have control over their data, which will be huge in the future. This is one of the big draws for investors.

Gavin Wood founded this, and this project has many advantages, including the price of the token.

Binance Coin

Binance Coin reached its peaked in 2017, and it’s slowly been going up. It soared in 2021, but it’s still proving to be a very stable investment.

For a new investor, this can be a great option. However, it’s still crypto, so keep in mind that it can still be a volatile investment.

Chainlink

Chainlink is also a decentralized service. It supplies blockchains with all the information from outside of that network.

It uses oracles to do this, and this project also looks promising as well. A lot of analysts are saying that this token is undervalued, so it can be a great way to make money early if this token takes off.

Solana

Solana is an underdog token. No one thought that it would be an actual success, but it became very popular.

This was built like Ethereum, and now it’s on a trajectory upwards.

Discover the Best Cryptocurrency to Invest

These are only a few of the best cryptocurrency to invest in, but there are many more to keep track of.

We know that trying to figure out when is it best to invest in cryptocurrency can also be difficult, but now is a great time!

If you need more help, check out our website for even more great information.

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What is an LEI Number?

Business

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character alphanumeric identifier centered on the ISO 17442 standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It links to essential reference data, allowing for the unambiguous and distinctive identification of legal organizations involved in financial transactions. Each LEI includes well-structured reference data divided into two sections: Level 1 – who is who – and Level 2 – who owns whom. Level 1 data comprises entity registration details such as legal name, registration number, legal and HQ address, and so on. Level 2 holds details about an entity’s ownership structure, which aids in determining who owns whom. You can see the offer here 

Merely described, the publicly accessible LEI data pool converts unstructured entity registration data into a standardized worldwide directory, significantly improving openness in the global economy.

When do we need an LEI Number?

Any legal entities other than natural persons (i.e. actual individuals with their own legal identity) are eligible for the LEI. There is still a distinction to be made between eligibility for LEI identity and the necessity to get it, which differs by jurisdiction. There is also a more nuanced category of requests’ for an LEI, which is both less demanding than a requirement’ and characterizes much current legislation in many countries. Nevertheless, the word does not apply just to entities described in this manner. In its widest sense, the phrase can also refer to any legal body that does business in today’s global economy. It is fair to expect that the standard will eventually replace some of the other identifiers that are presently used to decipher data about organizations. For instance, there is a chance that the US government will utilize LEI instead of the present proprietary DUNS system. 

  • Financial institutions, including brokerages, banks, investment, and insurance businesses, and credit unions, are now the only legal entities that must always have an LEI. LEI Register is committed to assisting you with the LEI registration procedure. Individuals, on the other hand, are not obliged to hold an LEI to trade on the financial market. As a result, if you are not a firm or corporation, you will not require an LEI at this time.
  • On a practical basis, it is realistic to expect that any firm that functions as a legal entity will require an LEI very shortly.
  • LEIs are now required for all banks, large and small, insurance businesses, brokerages, investment companies, credit unions, and any other institution participating in the financial sector.
  • Nevertheless, the word does not apply just to entities described in this manner. In its widest sense, the phrase can also refer to any legal body that does business in today’s global economy. It is fair to expect that the standard will eventually replace some of the other identifiers that are presently used to decipher data about organizations. For instance, there is a chance that the US government will utilize LEI instead of the present proprietary DUNS system.

Conclusion 

Legal entities that engage in financial transactions and desire to trade in financial markets, such as purchasing stocks, bonds, or other assets, require LEI. There are also several requirements (depending on the jurisdiction) that need the acquisition of an LEI.

Many additional restrictions have been implemented across the world since the LEI program was established. As a result, numerous companies in a variety of industries must now apply for an LEI.

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Campervan Kit Out – 6 Tips for Stocking Your Campervan with Everything You Need

Digital Nomadism/Travel

There’s an art and a science to stocking your campervan for a road trip. A lonely stretch of road or an isolated camping spot can be heaven if you’re perfectly prepared, but if you’re missing some essentials, your experience can flip into nightmare mode. From the ideal cookware to the perfect snacks, here are six tips that will ensure you’re comfortable, safe, and well provided for without being weighed down. 

1. Keep kitchenware simple

Multipurpose kitchenware is your best friend in a campervan. Get a saucepan of the right size, and it can prepare most of your meals and replace a teakettle. Get a frying pan of the same size, and you can pack one lid for both of them. Though some separate tools will be necessary, there are often ways you can serve multiple purposes with one device, thus cutting down the total size and weight of your kitchen kit. 

2. Become a lister and a planner

Making impulsive decisions is half the fun of campervan adventures. However, if you want to ensure you always have everything you need, it helps to plan things out and write lists. Having a packing list, meal plan, and grocery list will save you a lot of time and stress. And if you’re perfectly prepared for the week of meals ahead, you’ll be less wasteful and more able to make spur-of-the-moment decisions that you don’t end up regretting later. 

3. Be strategic with toiletries 

A first-aid kit plus any medicines or other medical supplies you need are all mandatory. However, you may be able to get away with a minimal kit when it comes to toiletries. If you’ll be on the road for quite some time, consider membership at one of the nationwide gyms in your country. This will give you access to their full network of facilities, meaning you’ll never be far from a well-stocked shower. Given the long days of driving involved in campervan trips, this is also a great way to stay in shape and keep your energy levels consistent. 

4. Pack shelf-stable snacks

Whether you step out of the surf famished because you lost track of time or you’re just bored with a long stretch of empty road, it always helps to have easy snacks on hand. Non-perishable options like trail mix, muesli bars, protein bars, and toasted chickpeas are ideal as you can keep them indefinitely. 

5. Refine your kit 

No matter how well-prepared you are, you’re bound to find that one key item would have made your trip so much easier. There were probably also a few things that got in your way and never really served a purpose. Take note of these items (and anything recommended to you by fellow travelers), and refine your kit after each trip. Before long, you’ll have the perfect campervan set-up. 

6. Check everything before you take off

This is especially important if you’ve had your van for a while and go on regular trips. Some items, like a tent or spare tire, may sit unused for months or years. If you just assume that they’re okay, you could be in for a rude shock when you need to use them. That spare tire may be flat, and the old tent may be moldy and unusable. So, make it a habit to check over all your supplies before taking off on each new adventure. 

There’s nothing like the freedom of carrying your home with you wherever you go. With the tips above, you can ensure your home-on-wheels is always able to provide what you need.  

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An Informative Guide to Real Estate Investing For Beginners

Business

It’d help if you had stability in your life, and real estate investment is an excellent place to start.

Real estate is one of the most reliable and stable investment portfolios. It comes with great appreciation, leverage, tax benefits, and constant cash flow. In addition, properties are constantly rising in value and can quickly be sold.

So, how can you get started with real estate investment? Here is the ultimate investing for beginners guide.

Educate Yourself

The key to succeeding in real estate is to have the correct information. You’ll need about half a year to master the main steps of real estate investment. Consequently, you can either enroll in an online program or speak to an expert, such as BlokHaus Real Estate + Investments.

If you choose online information, you can go for YouTube podcasts, blogs, or online seminars. Having the correct information ensures that you’ll avoid the main problems of real estate investment.

Learning must continue even after you have mastered the basics. For example, the real estate market is changing, and you need to know the latest tricks. It’s also a good idea to know the latest laws.

Make a Plan

Once you’ve achieved the proper knowledge, you need to craft the ideal property investing strategy. A plan ensures that you don’t fail and can easily track your progress. It also introduces discipline since you can avoid impulse decisions.

The investment plan must list your short-term and long-term objectives. It should also highlight the preferred investment strategies and expected timelines. The plan should also have some contingencies in case your investments don’t pay off.

Finally, the plan must determine your investment budget and how you’ll spread it over the months and years.

Use Online Investing Platforms

There are many online investing platforms that you can use to invest in property. These platforms connect investors and sellers via a website or mobile application. You’ll get to learn of the various ongoing real estate projects and how to get financing.

It’s also possible to receive quarterly distributions via an online platform. Nevertheless, you need to know how illiquid and speculative real estate investments work.

Choose Real Estate Investment Trusts

Real estate investment trusts are the best way to benefit from the real estate industry without owning physical property. These trusts work the same way as mutual funds. In essence, you’ll be owning a company that, in turn, owns commercial and residential properties.

You’ll be receiving regular dividends depending on how the buildings are valued.

If you feel like the investment is not bringing enough money, you can always cash out. This type of property investing is better because you don’t have to deal with housing repairs and late tenant payments.

Use the Investing for Beginners Guide to Make Real Estate Investments

Real estate investments must be in your investment portfolios. This is because they provide stable and guaranteed income for an extended period. Nevertheless, you need to read the investing for beginners guide before you get started.

Are you looking for more investing tips? We have articles that provide accurate and relevant information.

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