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  • Mailchimp Review: Mailchimp Email Software Pricing, Feature, Pros & Cons!

    Is it good to use Mailchimp for email marketing today? In this IbiFoundry Academy review, I walk you through, Mailchimp, an email marketing and management service provider for businesses. Mailchimp offers a great user interface, sterling features, and tracking that would greatly boost your sales through email marketing. Mailchimp Review: Mailchimp Email Software Pricing, Feature, Pros & Cons! If you want to integrate effective email marketing into your startup, blog, or business, consider Mailchimp. TABLE OF CONTENT (Mailchimp Review: Mailchimp Email Software Pricing, Feature, Pros & Cons!): What is an Email Marketing Software? Some Great Alternatives of Mailchimp What is Mailchimp Email Marketing Software? Is Mailchimp Free? Mailchimp Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons How to Design Website Sign-up Forms with Mailchimp in Minutes Creating & Sending Effective Emails in Mailchimp How to Send 'Regular' Emails in Mailchimp Does Mailchimp Have Email Templates? Mailchimp Email Automation Mailchimp Pricing: How Much Does it Cost to Use Mailchimp? Mailchimp Customer Support: Mailchimp Support Options Pros of Using Mailchimp for Email Marketing Cons of Using Mailchimp My Final Review on Mailchimp Review What is an Email Marketing Software? An email marketing software is a service-based company that allows users (marketers, businesses, brands) to send, manage, and track email marketing campaigns on a dashboard. There are loads of email marketing software on the internet due to differences/preferences in features, pricing, services, and functions. Some MailChimp Alternatives Some great alternatives to Mailchimp are: Wix Email marketing. Omnisend. Drip Moosend. Constant Contact. Sendinblue. HubSpot. Mailerlite. GetResponse. ConvertKit. ActiveCampaign. AWeber. Mailjet.  Mailpoet. Sender. Email marketing is one the most effective tools for marketing - ahead of traditional marketing, and social media. What better way to reach your audience than using emails? What is Mailchimp Email Marketing Software? What is Mailchimp software used for today? Mailchimp is an email marketing service provider or tool that offers users email marketing features. Mailchimp sends email marketing campaigns that promote businesses, products, and services to email subscribers (target audience). Mailchimp allows users to create simple landing pages. Is Mailchimp Email Marketing App Free? At this moment, Mailchimp is great and free for up to 1000 email subscribers. Mailchimp's old version had way more free features than users enjoy today. For example, years back both free and paid Mailchimp users could create as many automation campaigns as possible. Today, users can only create a few automation in Mailchimp. Only the premium users get to enjoy most of the benefits but either way, it's still one of the best free email marketing tools for beginners, intermediaries, and even experts. Simon Zaku's Mailchimp Dashboard Mailchimp Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons: What are the features included in Mailchimp? Mailchimp Features: Email templates Email automation Leads CRM Landing pages Marketing automation: Autoresponders Recover Abandoned Carts Feedback Google Remarketing ads E-commerce integration Mailchimp's Web-page Builder Mailchimp's Responsive Editor Marketing Automation & Autoresponders: What are Mailchimp email marketing automation and autoresponders? Mailchimp Automation Dashboard from my Account These features allow users to send a sequence of emails automatically, based on the options they make. This feature helps reach new contacts as soon as they sign up and set emails to be sent, such as sending an email the day after they join your list.  Also, you could set up auto-responses for events such as contacts’ birthdays and a message for festive seasons. Recover Abandoned Carts: What are Mailchimp's Abandoned Cart features? This is one of the most impressive features of Mailchimp automation. It could send out email reminders to customers who have left their cart, so they could complete their purchase. Feedback : Mailchimp's automation allows some basic feedback, particularly when your contacts have made a purchase. You could get the feedback by sending a quick survey, asking for a review, or offering helpful advice that would help you serve them better. Again, you can set the time for the feedback, for instance, 10 days after purchase.  Google Remarketing ads: This software would create Google remarketing ads automatically so your campaigns can reach users as they continue to surf the web.  The idea here is that some visitors would not buy your product on the first visit, but as you retarget and provide extra incentives, there is a higher chance of making purchases. Landing Page Builder: Can you build landing pages with Mailchimp? With Mailchimp, you can create as many landing pages as you want. The built-in landing page builder can be used on every plan. There are two types of landing page builders: you use one to build your email list and the other for product promotions.  E-commerce Integration: Does Mailchimp offer e-commerce integration? You can efficiently integrate the WooCommerce store with Mailchimp. You synchronize all of your available WooCommerce products, orders, and customers. And any alteration you make in the future will surely be reflected in Mailchimp. Keep track of your campaign performance by evaluating your campaign's exact revenue. To move a step further, the tracking feature would indicate the campaign your visitor was coming from before making a purchase. Lists are segments of your contacts, and this software allows an unlimited number of lists. Every month you can send up to 5,000 emails. However, when it comes to autoresponders and automatic marketing, the free account is limited from using the automation features.  Mailchimp's Web-Pages Builder: Can you build landing pages on Mailchimp? Mailchimp Website Builder It is a website builder and allows you to create your website without writing or learning a single line of code. There are several templates and email layouts. You can develop web pages and use the colour palettes and themes to customize them to meet your needs.  The web editor allows users to make several adjustments, and alter texts, colours, or any content block on a webpage you built with the Mailchimp website builder. Mailchimp's Responsive Editor: As you know, sending marketing emails has progressed beyond just typing texts or email copy and hitting the “send” button. Mailchimp has two types of editors; the standard editor, which allows you to use only their predefined content blocks. The other is the custom code editor, and for this, you can build your HTML template. You can add and remove content blocks, replicate seamlessly, and hide other content within a content block. Here are some of the distinct characteristics of Mailchimp Editor: Speedy load time The drag-and-drop functionality CSS In-liner support by default Text version creation along with HTML template Mailchimp's Geolocation: Mailchimp email marketing geolocation and geo-targeting feature: Mailchimp allows you to segment your contact list based on their locations and enables localizing the market requirements. The method used by this platform is not to get the exact physical location of the recipient but to use their IP addresses. However, when the recipients use a VPN, it affects the accuracy of geotargeting. How to Design Website Sign-up Forms with Mailchimp in Minutes How do I create a Mailchimp signup form? You can create signup forms in Mailchimp, and a form builder is a handy tool for building, sharing, and translating your goals into a comprehensible form. The steps in creating a signup form in Mailchimp: The first and easiest step is to "Build from Scratch": Mailchimp offers a bunch of signup form templates you can use but the easiest way to start is by using a free template and building one that fits your unique brand. There are three different tabs on Mailchimp's form builder – Design It, Translate It, and Build It. The Build It tab allows users to add content to forms and structure it to meet any requirements. Users can also select audiences and customize with ease. Mailchimp Pop-up form builder dashboard The next step to design a newsletters signup form in Mailchimp is the Design Tab. O n  the Design It tab, users can choose the fonts, colours, and graphics that suit their form and response emails. Any alterations you make will be adapted by subsequent pages to ensure consistency. Next, we have the ' Translate It ' Tab. For the Translate It tab, users can translate any form to different languages, to appeal to the global market. Creating & Sending Effective Emails in Mailchimp Sending emails to subscribers is the key to effective email marketing, and this software allows you to create and send attractive emails swiftly. All emails in Mailchimp are handled under “ Campaigns ”. As soon as you initiate a new campaign, you have some options, which are: How to Send 'Regular' Emails in Mailchimp: What are Regular Emails in Mailchimp? This is the standard one-off email blast. To send a regular email campaign in Mailchimp, create the email by selecting any template and customize it to your taste. To initiate your Regular email in Mailchimp, kickstart by assigning a campaign name, then select the segment of the list you wish to send to. Under this campaign, fill in the email subject line, sender name, and email. Does Mailchimp Have Email Templates? Yes, Mailchimp has over 50 templates that are responsive to modern design. After choosing your template, you can edit and make adjustments to fit your brand or business. Next, the visual editor allows users to customize the email with ease. You can then preview your emails, and you can edit any element by clicking on it and making the adjustment. Finally, you have to select when the email will be sent. Mailchimp Plain text: Regular emails typically have no images or formatting. Mostly text only.  Mailchimp A/B test: You can create different emails with different versions. One major difference between the A/B test campaign and the regular campaign is that you would be asked to select the element you would like to split the test from the start. Some of the elements you could split-test are subject lines and email content, among others. You have some options when you want to split-test: the subject line, form name, content, and send time. Mailchimp Email Automation: Sometime back, most of Mailchimp's automation features used to be available for free users. Some of my old automation campaigns in my Mailchimp account This Mailchimp feature allows users to create emails that would be sent in response to specific events and you can also create effective autoresponders. Mailchimp Pricing: How Much Does it Cost to Use Mailchimp? How much does standard Mailchimp cost today? Mailchimp Offers a Free Plan. You can add up to 500 subscribers for the free plan and send up to 1,000 emails every month. That is great for starters looking to try a top-notch email marketing service provider like Mailchimp. Mailchimp Paid Plans The Paid Plans: Mailchimp Paid Plans 1. Mailchimp Essentials Pricing Plan ($6.50 Per Month) : This is the least expensive Mailchimp plan. Features of the Essentials plan. Everything included in the Essentials Mailchimp plan: There are up to 3 audiences Up to 3 users You can have up to 50,000 contacts, but the price goes up based on the subscriber count A/B testing 24/7 email support This plan does not include an email autoresponder for automation. 2. Mailchimp Standard Pricing Plan ($10 Per Month): This is the plan every business owner would want to subscribe to, and it is on par with several email marketing service providers’ pricing plans. Features of the Mailchimp Standard Plan: Everything included in the Essential plan Delivery by time zone Email autoresponders Maximum of 5 audiences  Up to 5 users Custom templates Custom audience generation Send time optimization  The Standard Mailchimp plan contains features that most brands require to increase conversion and boost sales.  3. Mailchimp’s Premium Pricing Plan ($175 Per Month):  This plan includes all the Mailchimp features for large businesses or organizations.  The benefits you get from this Mailchimp plan: Unlimited Contacts Unlimited Emails Monthly Unlimited Live Chat Support Custom branding Multirative testing Unlimited Live Email Support Comparative Reports Phone support Advanced Segmentation Features Some Distinct Features of the Mailchimp Premium Plan Include: Delivery by Time Zone:  There are times allotted by users to attend to emails, such as during lunch, or early hours of the office time. Therefore, this paid plan lets you set an email delivery time based on the different time zones. This action would lead to the generation of more conversions and interactions. Multivariate Testing : This is a deep level of split testing, and it works better on large lists. Demographics : Some of the functionalities in Mailchimp can estimate the age and gender of your subscribers. This segmentation allows you to send more specific and higher-performing emails to users. For the current updated pricing plans of Mailchimp, please visit the official Mailchimp pricing page . Mailchimp Customer Support: Mailchimp Support Options How do you complain to Mailchimp? Mailchimp Customer Support: Mailchimp Support Options I have been a Mailchimp user for more than 5 years now and I can confirm that Mailchimp support is top-notch. You get speedy responses, are friendly, and are fast. However, due to its exponential growth over the years, Mailchimp does not offer unlimited support for free accounts. Mailchimp incorporated the ‘freemium’ as an integral part of their business model. But with a free account, you have up to 30 days of free email support which isn't bad. Unlimited support is for subscribers on the paid version. However, their knowledge base contains several articles, user guides, and video tutorials to help every user out. Pros of Using Mailchimp for Email Marketing: What are the advantages and Pros of using Mailchimp for email marketing today? Easy to use, and has all the necessary features Free to start with  A powerful slew of automation options  The free plan is amazing  Easy to import subscribers  A/B and multivariate testing are available Cons of Using Mailchimp: What are the disadvantages or Cons of using Mailchimp Email Service Provider? Mailchimp is a generic email marketing software  It can get expensive as your list grows  Signup forms are not too attractive The landing page design is not so responsive or visually appealing. Final Review on Mailchimp Reviews Is Mailchimp email marketing software still worth it today? Email marketing is at the centre of any successful online business, and Mailchimp is a good email marketing service provider that you should consider. The drag-and-drop email builder is always an exciting software to work with. Why Should You Use Mailchimp? Here are Some More Benefits & Pros of Using Mailchimp: Mailchimp's User Experience is Exceptionally Good Mailchimp's Forever Free Plan Custom-Designed Forms Detailed Reports and Analytics Mailchimp is Very Easy to Use From my experience, Mailchimp was designed for businesses, marketers, and brands. Mailchimp would allow non-techie persons, businesses, and marketers to send professional-looking emails. This service provider was launched in 2001, but I just keep seeing new updates, designs, and better features to make the user interface more friendly and clearer. Now even integrating AI. What do you think about this Mailchimp review? What email marketing tools do you use or plan to use?

  • Nigerian Women In Construction: Love Samuel’s Journey in Nigeria's Building Industry

    Hi everyone, Simon Zaku here, founder of ibifoundry.com.ng. I’m incredibly excited to share one of our very first guest articles, and it’s truly something special. This piece comes from Love Samuel Olufemi, a remarkable female builder breaking barriers in Nigeria’s construction industry. Love’s passion for sustainable building practices and her journey as a woman in a male-dominated field is nothing short of inspiring. She’s a trailblazer, championing eco-friendly construction methods while advocating for diversity and gender inclusion in the industry. Without further ado, I’ll let Love take it from here. Dive into her compelling story, and let’s celebrate the impact women like her are making in Nigeria and beyond. Over to you, Love! --------- Nigerian Women In Construction: Love Samuel’s Journey in Nigeria's Building Industry My Journey in the Nigerian Building Industry (by Love Samuel) My Journey in the Nigerian Building Industry (by Love Samuel) Let me tell you a story; At just nine years old, I dreamed of building homes. Like many Nigerian children, I played with sand houses and crafted dollhouses from cardboard, imagining a future where I could bring structures to life. Little did I know that life had a different, even more challenging, path in store for me. My name is Love Samuel, and I am from Taraba State, I want to talk about my experiences as a woman in construction. “Leave construction, go back to the Kitchen” Today, as a female builder in Nigeria's construction industry, I’ve faced bias and broken barriers, but the journey has been one of resilience and purpose. My initial dream was to become an architect, a career that felt natural given my love for drawing. My Journey: From Dreams to Building Reality My initial dream was to become an architect, a career that felt natural given my love for drawing. However, as often happens in Nigeria, I was placed on a different path. Instead of designing buildings, I learned to construct them. I studied Building at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and embarked on a six-year educational journey that would shape my career as a female builder in an industry dominated by men. This field demanded more than technical skills—it required resilience. As a woman, I have had to prove my worth repeatedly, often being underestimated or outright dismissed. I’ve been told to “go back to the kitchen,” but these experiences only fueled my determination to thrive and pave the way for other women in construction. I’ve been told to “go back to the kitchen,” but these experiences only fueled my determination to thrive and pave the way for other women in construction. Breaking Stereotypes: Challenges Women Face in Construction The construction industry in Nigeria is a tough arena, especially for women. From securing contracts to gaining respect on construction sites, biases often cast a shadow over our capabilities. I’ve faced artisans who doubted my ideas and clients hesitant to trust my expertise. But change is happening! Breaking Stereotypes: Challenges Women Face in Construction More women are stepping into this space as engineers, architects, project managers, and builders, proving that diversity enhances innovation. The industry benefits immensely when different perspectives come together to solve problems and deliver better results. Sustainable Construction: The Future of Nigeria’s Building Industry One of my biggest passions is sustainability. Nigeria is ripe for a green construction revolution, and I’m committed to integrating eco-friendly materials into our building practices. Materials like bamboo, clay, and recycled steel not only reduce environmental impact but are also locally sourced and cost-effective. By promoting sustainable practices, we can reduce our carbon footprint and build durable, energy-efficient structures. This approach benefits the environment and addresses Nigeria's need for affordable housing solutions. The future of construction lies in embracing these methods, and I’m determined to lead by example. Empowering the Next Generation of Female Builders Together, we can build a better future—for Nigeria, for women, and the planet. As more women enter the construction industry, it’s clear that there’s room for everyone to excel. My goal is to inspire young girls to pursue careers in building and design. Through mentorship and advocacy, I aim to break down barriers and show that women can lead in construction and beyond. By fostering gender diversity and embracing sustainability, we can create an industry that values creativity, skill, and environmental responsibility. Together, we can build a better future—for Nigeria, for women, and the planet. Conclusion - A Win for the Nigerian (& International) Construction Industry Together, we can build a better future—for Nigeria, for women, and the planet. Love Samuel on site The construction industry in Nigeria is evolving, and women are at the forefront of this transformation. My journey, though challenging, has been deeply rewarding, and I’m excited about what lies ahead. Love Samuel (Professional Builder) By empowering women and promoting sustainable practices, we can reshape the industry and make it more inclusive and environmentally conscious. Would you like to share your thoughts or experiences? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you! If you’re inspired by this article or want more stories celebrating women in construction and technology, follow me on LinkedIn here or Instagram here. Additionally, IbiFoundry is dedicated to showcasing impactful stories like this one. Join us at ibifoundry.com.ng to read more guest posts, support women in tech and construction, and stay updated on the latest industry insights. We’re building a community, and we’d love for you to be part of it!

  • Order Blogs from IbiFoundry Limited: How to Buy Tailored Blog Posts (Content) from Us (by Simon Zaku & Co)

    Can I hire someone from Nigeria to write quality blog posts for my brand? Order Blogs from IbiFoundry Limited: How to Buy Tailored Blog Posts (Content) from Us (by Simon Zaku & Co) Or are you thinking… How much does it cost to order a blog post in Nigeria? Even with the spike in AI usage, business websites still need experienced content creators with sufficient SEO knowledge. This blog page answers all related questions. After the guide, in minutes, you can pre-order bespoke blog posts from us here at IbiFoundry.com.ng for your business or blog s. How to Buy Tailored Blog Content and Articles from Ibifoundry Limited Did you know you can pre-order and buy a blog post article that is search engine optimized (SEO), long-form or short-form, for your specific business type, niche, and target customers written and edited by my team and me? Can I hire someone from Nigeria to write quality blog posts for my brand? Oh, Yes, my name is Simon Taki Zaku, an SEO Consultant and Specialist in SEO Blog writing  for over a decade. As an SEO professional with a decade's hands-on blogging and SEO experience, the team and I plan and sell bespoke and pre-written blog post articles  to websites, blogs, and businesses in Nigeria and other countries. In fact, over the years, we've collectively worked with clients in over 13 countries. Article Pre-Order/Delivery Details What is our blog post article turnout rate, time, and speed? Depending on the type of blog post you pre-order from us at IbiFoundry, the turnout rate is between 24 to 72 hours to deliver your unique SEO or pre-written blog articles. To ensure the quality of blog articles we write for businesses who trust to work with the IbiFoundry brand by hand (AI tools help structure and edit). B2B businesses looking to create and build a strong online SEO presence while growing a community around their brand through blog content . Software startups (SAAS) looking to grow users and customers through business (startup) blogging . Bloggers looking to build a deep connection with their audience but do not have enough time to write compelling blog post articles . NGOs looking to generate and build a community blog of fans, partners, and supporters . Do you happen to fall into any of these sections? This page allows businesses, website owners, eCommerce stores, bloggers, and digital agencies here in Nigeria and abroad to order bespoke blog posts that fit their ideal brand and hit your business goals and objectives. And with this, you do not have to worry about making long-term “SEO contracts”. You order blog posts only when you need them. What is the IbiFoundry Blog Writing Process? You see, we begin with pen on paper. We plan your content from scratch - with a goal. Every blog post you order on IbiFoundry (from ibifoundry.com.ng/post/buy-unique-seo-blog-posts-articles ) is 100% unique and super engaging with a conversational tone (signify if you prefer something different) What makes blog posts from IbiFoundry.com.ng  different from the pool of agencies out there? Why Should You Buy Blog Articles from IbiFoundry.com.ng ? No signed, long contracts, Done-for-you blog writing service. Overseen by me, Simon Taki Zaku. We write every content uniquely. Every article must aim to achieve an objective for your business or website. E ach blog post article should have a strong human feel. IbiFoundry Limited Blog Writing & SEO Testimonials? And dozens more! When you order pre-written blog post articles here , you do not just get a blog post article in a document file like every writer, or agency does; with IbiFoundry's bespoke blog articles, you get; an entire blog page article, guide, or post, targeting your desired SEO (search engine) keywords. How to Place Your Order: How to Pre-Order Blog Post Content Tailored for Your Brand: Click the link provided to visit the payment page . Complete the secure payment process using your preferred method. Upon payment confirmation, I'll reach out within hours to discuss the specifics of your order. Sit back and relax as I conduct research, write your article, and deliver it within 24 to 72 hours. Review the content, request any revisions, and once satisfied, publish it on your website or preferred platform. Upgrade Option:   Want to take your content to the next level? Consider adding a video component to your blog post. Whether it's a product review, tutorial, or explainer video, we've got you covered. Get Started NOW : Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to me (Simon, CEO, IbiFoundry) at Ibifoundry@gmail.com simonzakucom@gmail.com  or through the contact forms on my website. Thank you, and we look forward to working with you! RATE: Send an email to get a quote. Click here to visit the pre-order payment page .

  • 70+ Tribes in Taraba State, Nigeria: Exploring the Cultural Diversity of Nigeria’s North

    Did you know that Taraba State, Nigeria, is home to over 80 tribes and ethnic groups? Tribes in Taraba State, Nigeria: Exploring the Cultural Diversity of Nigeria’s North (70+) When people think about Nigeria’s cultural diversity, Taraba State might not be the first place that comes to mind. However, this northeastern state is a true cultural mosaic, home to over 80 ethnic groups. My name is Simon Taki Zaku, founder, of IbiFoundry, and today I want to tell you all the tribes and various cultures here in Taraba State, located in the Northeast of Nigeria. My name is Simon Taki Zaku, Jukun by Tribe from Ibi Local Government, Taraba State & founder, of IbiFoundry Limited You see, Taraba (Our London, as we often say) offers a window into Nigeria’s heritage, blending centuries-old traditions with warm hospitality, making it a must-visit destination for anyone curious about Nigeria’s North. Embracing Taraba's Cultural Diversity: The Many Tribes of Taraba State Taraba’s cultural richness is best understood by looking at its people. Each tribe has unique traditions, languages, festivals, and crafts, contributing to the vibrant tapestry that defines this region. Here Are All The Major Tribes & Cultures in Taraba, Nigeria: Here’s an overview of the diverse tribes of Taraba State, each offering a unique cultural identity, language, and historical significance. Taraba, with its numerous tribes, is considered one of Nigeria’s most culturally rich and diverse states. Here’s a closer look at some of the major groups: 1. Jukun Demographics: The Jukun people of Taraba are primarily in Wukari, Ibi, and Donga local government areas, the Jukun are the dominant ethnic group. Culture: Known for the famous "Aku Uka" kingship in Wukari, Jukun people practice a mix of Islam, Christianity, and traditional religions. Language: Their language, Jukun, has several dialects that reflect their sub-groups. My humble self, rocking the Jukun "Adire" Attire 2. Tiv Demographics: The Tiv people are mainly in the southern parts of Taraba, especially around Wukari and Donga. Culture: Tiv culture revolves around their agricultural lifestyle, and they have distinctive dances like the "Swange." Language: Tiv is widely spoken and is part of the Benue-Congo language group. 3. Fulani Demographics: Scattered across various areas, the Fulani are especially known for their nomadic lifestyle. Culture: Traditionally cattle herders, have distinct attire and customs, emphasizing pastoralism. Language: They speak Fulfulde and have a strong presence across West Africa. 4. Kuteb Demographics: Mainly in Takum local government area. Culture: The Kuteb celebrate the "Kakak" festival, marking the new farming season. Language: Kuteb is their native language, although many also speak Hausa. 5. Mumuye Demographics: Predominantly in Zing and Yorro local government areas. Culture: Known for distinctive wooden sculptures used in cultural rituals. Language: Mumuye, with its dialect variations. 6. Chamba Demographics: Primarily in Gashaka and Sardauna local government areas. Culture: They practice both Islam and Christianity, with traditional dance being a key aspect. Language: Chamba speakers are primarily bilingual in Hausa. 7. Ichen Demographics: Reside in Kurmi and Bali areas. Culture: The Ichen people are agriculturally inclined and maintain traditional religious practices. Language: Speak Ichen as well as Hausa. 8. Yandang Demographics: Mostly in Lau and Karim Lamido. Culture: They are known for their agricultural practices and a deep connection to the land. Language: Yandang language is common, with Hausa widely understood. 9. Bali Demographics: Found in Bali local government area. Culture: Primarily agrarian with influences from neighboring tribes. Language: Their language, Bali, shares similarities with other regional dialects. 10. Jenjo Demographics: Concentrated in Karim Lamido. Culture: Known for their farming techniques and local festivals. Language: Jenjo is widely spoken among the people. 11. Kaka (Mambila) Demographics: Mostly in Sardauna, on the Mambilla Plateau. Culture: Known for the Mambilla Plateau’s beauty and its unique cultural practices. Language: Mambila language, with Hausa commonly spoken as well. 12. Ndoro Demographics: Predominantly in Karim Lamido. Culture: Focused on agriculture, the Ndoro people are also known for local festivals. Language: Ndoro language is spoken, alongside Hausa. 13. Wurbo (Bachama) Demographics: Primarily in Gassol local government area. Culture: Known for their elaborate traditional festivals and attires. Language: Speak Bachama, with Hausa used widely. 14. Yangkam Demographics: Smaller group, mostly found in Karim Lamido. Culture: They are known for subsistence farming and local traditions. Language: Yangkam language, though Hausa is also understood. 15. Munga Demographics : Found in Bali and parts of Karim Lamido. Culture : Mainly agrarian and culturally tied to surrounding tribes. Language : Munga language, Hausa is also common. These tribes and others contribute to the vibrant and diverse cultural fabric of Taraba State, making it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in Nigeria’s rich heritage. From the Mambilla Plateau’s scenic beauty to Jukun's historical legacy, each tribe provides unique cultural elements that make Taraba one of Nigeria's most culturally abundant states. Here is an extensive list: Jukun Mumuye Mambilla Fulani Tiv Kuteb Chamba Yandang Ichen Jenjo Wurkum Ndola Kaka Kambu Banda Bambuka Munga Wurbo Daka Tigon Jibu Karimjo Hausa Babur Bakulung Bali Bambuko Betso (Bete) Banda (Bandawa) Bobua Chamba Chukkol Dangsa Diba Fulani (Fulbe) Gengle Gornun (Gmun) Gonia Ichen Jibu Jukun Kaka Kambu Karimjo Kentu Kona Kpanzun Kuteb Kunini Kutin Lama Lamja Lau Mambilla Mumuye Munga Ndoro Nyam Nyandang Panso Shomo Tigon Tiv Wapan Wanu Wurkum Yandang Yott Zo This extensive list reflects the state's commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage and promoting unity among its diverse communities.

  • A Sprout Social Review: Social Media Management Software

    In this Sprout Social  review, we look at the ins and outs of Sproutsocial. What is Discussed in this Review: What is Sprout Social? Main features of Sprout Social. Pros and Cons of using Sprout Social, Sprout Social pricing. Sprout Social FAQs. The Best Sprout Social Review What is Sprout Social? What is Sprout Social? Sprout Social  is a social media management tool designed to help businesses manage all of their social media and social media marketing efforts with ease. The Sprout Social is a powerful solution for social media managers and brands looking to improve their social media marketing using an all-in-one social media management platform. This tool unlocks the full potential of social marketing and helps businesses transform an entire marketing strategy. And every other area or section of your business or organization. Sprout Social helps businesses attract customers and impact their audience. This platform's unified social media management platform enables brands and teams to extract real business value that strengthens their overall market position and generates leads and revenue. Try Sprout Social App Features of Sprout Social . What are some features of Sprout Social? Sprout Social Features Engagements, Publishing, Analytics, Premium, Analytics, Social listening, Influencer marketing, Employee advocacy, AI and automation, Integration, Data and security Sprout Social Engagements Feature. With this Sprout Social feature, users can scale customer care and streamline their entire marketing processes. Users can manage community platforms like groups, communities, forums, etc. Sprout Social Publishing This Sprout Social feature allows users to plan, create, manage, and publish social media content and run social media campaigns easily. Sprout Social Analytics The next Sprout Social  feature is Premium Analytics. This feature is under Premium Solutions. This lets marketers prove their social media ROI or return on investment with detailed data and customized or customizable reports. Sprout Social's Social Listening Feature With Sprout Social's social listening feature, you get what most social media management tools  do not have. I love this feature because not many social media management tools offer social listening. Users can uncover new trends, actionable social media insights, etc, from mentions, conversations, and content, on different social media networks. Users can set social listening for specific conversations (your brand name or products). Sprout provides users with actionable insights on how to use this to grow your brand. Sprout Social's Influencer Marketing Feature. The influencer marketing feature in Sprout Social allows subscribers to create and manage influencer marketing partnerships or campaigns with social media influencers or content creators. Sprout's Employee Advocacy T his Sprout Social feature is powerful because brands can easily grow and increase social media reach. You  can do this by empowering or getting your employees to participate as (or become) brand advocates for your business. Sprout Social's AI and Automation Feature Sprout Social AI and automation help brands get more creative and implement strategic thinking that improves their brands on social media. Sprout's AI automation  inherits or takes your manual work, let's say in social publishing, planning social listening, or analytics so that your team can also prioritize the decision-making. Professional Services The next thing is the professional services you can get from Sprout Social which includes brand social management, social media management services, and more. The same goes for the Sprout Social Agency section. Sprout users can access professional services like social media management agencies  or SMMEs. Pros and Cons of Sprout Social Some advantages of Sprout Social over other social media management platforms. Pros of Sprout Social Users can effectively manage social media accounts. You can seamlessly increase your marketing efforts on various social media networks with Sprout Social. Gather intelligence through detailed analytics and customizable analytics. With Sprout's detailed and customizable data and insights brands can better inform their overall social media marketing strategy. Personalize customer support as a brand. This allows marketers to create a positive brand experience with tailored social replies and responses. Drive more sales using Sprout Social's streamlined processes. Increase or boost brand awareness. Sprout Social helps you generate more from social media to sell effectively. Uncover emerging trends Cons of Sprout Social Why I dislike Sprout Social: Sprout Social is not for small businesses or solopreneurs Sprout Social is quite expensive. Sprout Social Pricing Sprout Social Pricing Sprout Social Pricing How much does Sprout Social cost? You can now try Sprout Social for free with their 30-day trial. Try Sprout Social Free for 30 Days Sprout Social offers four (4) pricing plans. Standard Plan - $199 per seat per month Professional Plan - $299 per seat per month Advanced Plan - $399 per seat per month Enterprise - contact Sprout Social support for a quote. The Standard Plan ( $199 per seat per month) : 5 social profiles All-in-one social inbox Publish and schedule social media posts Content calendar Detailed reporting Ad tools iOS and Android apps Professional Plan - $299 per seat per month. You get everything in the Standard plan plus: Unlimited social profiles Detailed reports for Instagram, Facebook and X Message tagging Custom workflows Scheduling for optimal send times Saved replies Content Library X keywords and hashtags AI Assistant Ad tools for Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn Advanced Plan - $399 per seat per month. In the Advanced Plan, you get everything in Professional, plus: Message Spike Alerts AI Assist Chatbots Automation tools Smart Inbox and Reviews Link tracking Scheduled reporting Helpdesk and CRM integrations External approvals Organize tags Enterprise - contact Sprout support for a quote. In this plan, users get everything in the Advanced plan plus: Tailored implementation and onboarding Consulting services 24/5 high-priority customer support Social Listening Premium Analytics Employee Advocacy systems Influencer Marketing and Management Sprout Social Resources Section Customers today are looking to learn about your brand in different ways. Sprout Social offers the following resources for new users, marketers, or customers: T he Sprout Social blog - I love the Sprout Social blog and I've been following it for years now. You can get great social media tips, best practices, and social media guidance from experts. Sprout Social Certification Program - The Sprout Social certification program is available for social media enthusiasts who want to become experts. The case studies section shows Sprout Social customers who have used Sprout Social to get tangible results. Users can use this to learn more about Sprout Social. The Sprout Social community section. Sprout Social offers a community session that allows Sprout Social users to connect and grow with other social media professionals. Webinars. Sprout Social runs a series of webinars for users to learn how to grow and improve their social media marketing efforts. Sprout Social Contact Us page - Users can contact the Sprout team across social media platforms, email them, or use their phone number. Product updates. In the product of this section, you can stay up to date with all the new feature updates of Sprout Social. The learning portal allows users to explore on-demand courses to get the most out of Sprout Social. Sprout Social Help Center - step-by-step articles that walk users through setting features or how-to's on the Sprout social platform. Sprout Social FAQ Frequently asked questions around the Sprout social platform. I s sponsored Sprout social useful? Sprout Social is a social media management tool meant for businesses and brands. It is used by brands to automate, manage, and plan their social media marketing tasks and campaigns. Is Sprout Social worth my money? Depending on your brand, Sprout Social is expensive but worth the price. It offers efficient social marketing features that allow brands to control their social media marketing. Who is the CEO of Sprout Social? At the moment the CEO of Sprout Social and since April 2010 till date. Is Sprout Social free now at the moment? Sprout Social is not free, but it offers a free 30-day trial. You can go for the lowest (professional plan) which is $199 monthly. C an you upload videos to Sprout Social? Absolutely. You can upload videos on Sprout Social to various social media accounts on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. How do I create my first post on Sprout Social? It's simple. To create your first post on Sprout Social, open the Sprout social application on your phone and navigate to the (social media) profile you want to post on. Type your message and click on the attached media to select any media of your choice to add to your social media post. You can also add tags, and locations or add an item from your asset library. D oes Sprout Social automatically post to Instagram? Sprout Social is a social media management tool that allows Instagram scheduling. So yes, you can automatically post to Instagram from the Sprout Social Application. After scheduling, your post will automatically be published to your Instagram account. Does Sprout Social have an Application? Absolutely. You must have a Sprout social premium account or be on the free trial to use the Sprout social Application. But with the App, you can easily schedule your social media posts and manage your social media marketing campaigns on platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google, My Business, and TripAdvisor. W hat are the top alternatives to Sprout Social? Some Sprout Social alternatives: Hootsuite, A gorapulse, SmarterQueue, B uffer, Planable, etc. How do I add a profile to Sprout Social? Adding a social media profile to Sprout Social is easy. Navigate to the social profile section on your Sprout social account. Go to settings and click on 'Users' then 'Social Profiles'. Here, you can click on connect on any of the social media networks you wish to connect. L og in using that social account and authorize. This will be automatically added to your Sprout social account. T hank you for reading this guide and have a great day. Try Sprout Social Here.

  • A Hostinger Web Hosting Review: Is Hostinger Good for Websites?

    Welcome to this Hostinger review. We'll be going through the ins and outs of Hostinger. And if you are considering using Hostinger , this IbiFoundry Academy review will help you. TABLE OF CONTENT ( A Hostinger Web Hosting Review: Is Hostinger Good for Websites?) What is Hostinger? What are the Features of Hostinger? Technical features of Hostinger Security features of Hostinger What is Hostinger domain name search? How is Hostinger Support? Hostinger Money Back Guarantee Pros and Cons of Hostinger Hostinger Pricing Plans Should You Try Hostinger Hostinger FAQs What is Hostinger? What is Hostinger? Hostinger is a web hosting service provider that offers cloud hosting solutions, VPS hosting, and business email solutions. Hostinger was established in 2004 and it has over 1000 employees at the moment. Hostinger is a website builder that has become more accessible and easy to use. Hostinger lets users create, edit, publish, and maintain their websites using the Hostinger platform. This hosting company also helps users find the best domain names using the free domain name checker. And with Hostinger, you can get your website up and running in minutes. Hostinger offers users everything they need to create a website (domain, website migration, customer support, etc.). What are the Features of Hostinger? What are the Features of Hostinger? Features of Hostinger; free domain, website migration, customer support, website builder, WordPress website builder, web hosting, cloud hosting VPS hosting, business email backups, free SSL, Woocommerce, free one-click WordPress installation, auto-updates, WordPress, AI tools, drag and drop website builder, over 150 designer-crafted templates, Google Analytics integration, AI copywriting tool, security, web application firewall, Cloudflare-protected. What are the technical features of Hostinger? millions of files and directories, PHP workers, 100,000s monthly visits, subdomains, databases, FTP accounts, GIT access, powerful control panel, catch manager, DNS management, SSH and lots more. What are some advanced security features of Hostinger? unlimited SSL security certificates - allow users to encrypt the website's traffic. secure your files using automatic backups - there was a time when I lost my entire website and didn't have automatic backups. Hostinger offers this. easily protect your websites from DDoS attacks using the Woostinger Cloudfare nameserver features. ensure your website is up and running - 99.9% uptime guarantee. What is the Hostinger domain name search? The Hostinger domain name Search is a free tool that allows users to search for the perfect domain name. This is free and easy to use. How is Hostinger Support? When it comes to Hostinger support I am very impressed. a 99.9% uptime guarantee for service and support. global data centers. customer support and; priority support. 24 hours live support. Does Hostinger offer a money-back guarantee? Yes, Hostinger also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Hostinger Reviews? Hostinger has a 4.8 out of 5 rating and the price starts from $2.69 per month with several locations in the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Lieutenant, Brazil, Singapore, and India. Hostinger has a lot of reviews on Trustpilot, G2, and Google Reviews you can check. Here is an offer: Hostinger is currently giving a 78% off coupon code to users. Click here to use my secured link to try Hostinger @ 78% OFF. Pros and Cons of Hostinger The Pros of Hostinger; Hostinger has one of the cheapest prices for shared hosting compared to other hosting companies like Bluehost (which I also love and recommend). Servers in more than 5 locations. Light speed servers Unlimited backups Free domain name registration, Cpanel dashboard, Website builder. As I said, Hostinger is super easy to use. Easy WordPress installation Free website migration, Business email Those are some of the things I love about Hostinger. Cons of Hostinger? Some of the things I don't like about Hostinger: Hostinger control panel can be slow at times Hostinger does not offer phone support at the moment. Hostinger does not offer a free version or a trial period. Hostinger Pricing Plans How much does Hostinger cost? Hostinger Pricing Plans When it comes to Hostinger pricing plans, it is divided into 3 tiers. The Premium Hosting App Plan The Business Hosting App Plan The Cloud Startup Hosting App Plan The Premium Plan goes for $2.99 per month : standard performance, 100 websites, 100 Gig SSD storage, weekly backups, unlimited free SSL, unlimited boundaries, free email, free domain, free automatic website migration, one-click WordPress installation, WordPress acceleration, WordPress auto-updates, vulnerabilities, scanners, drag and drop website Builder 150 designer-crafted templates AI copywriting web application Firefox Cloudflare protected name servers 30-day money by guarantee. 99.9 uptime guarantee 24/7 support. The Business Plan which goes for $3.99 per month , you get everything included in the Premium Plan PLUS; a free CDN basic woo-commerce WordPress on-demand backup WordPress AI tools 600,000 files and directories, 60 Php workers, 100,000 monthly visits The Cloud Startup Plan.  This Hostinger plan goes for $9.99 per month. You get everything in the Business Plan including; maximum performance, 300 websites, dedicated IP address, standard woo-commerce, priority support. Try Hostinger Now Starting a Website or Buying a Domain? Try Hostinger - I Highly Recommend In conclusion, what do I love about Hostinger? Should you try Hostinger? Absolutely, yes. Hostinger offers everything in one place. You can install WordPress, cloud hosting, VPS hosting, get business emails, and more. Are you looking to get your website online, I advise you to try out Hostinger using my unique link by clicking the button below. What are the Frequently Asked Questions around Hostinger? Frequently Asked Questions on Hostinger Service Is Hostinger useful? Hostinger offers one of the most secure and reliable web hosting plans and services on the Internet. Hostinger is one company you should consider trying. How legit is Hostinger? I've used Hostinger for my clients' websites and it's been great. They offer fast and 99% uptime, website time, and great customer support. Is Hostinger free now? At the moment Hostinger does not offer a free trial. You can use any of the 3 cheap plans. How much does it cost to use Hostinger? It costs around $9.99 to $29.99 to use Hostinger. How do you get started with Hostinger? As a Hostinger partner, I love and use Hostinger. How do I get started with Hostinger? Head to Hostinger here, create your free account and select the perfect premium plan that fits your business. How can you make money from Hostinger? As a Hostinger partner, I make money by promoting Hostinger. As someone who loves Hostinger, I talk about the Hostinger platform to my audience. I get special bonuses whenever you or anyone else uses my unique and secure affiliate links to sign up or register for the hosting platform. Is Hostinger better than WordPress? There is no competition between Hostinger and WordPress. Hostinger allows users to install WordPress. You can create a Hostinger account and install a WordPress. Thank you for reading this review. Be sure to join my growing community. Simon Taki Zaku Founder, CEO, Ibifoundry.com.ng

  • Our SEO Agency: IbiFoundry Limited SEO & Digital Marketing Agency - Work With Us

    What is the best SEO agency in Nigeria? IbiFoundry Limited SEO is near your business! Our SEO Agency: IbiFoundry Limited SEO & Digital Marketing Agency - Work With Us If your website or business is not generating sufficient returns from search engines monthly, you leave a ton of money on the table. My name is Simon Taki Zaku and I want to introduce you to our SEO agency here in Nigeria, IbiFoundry SEO, nearest to you - haha, we're remote! What is IbiFoundry SEO Agency? On this page, I detail the story behind my SEO agency, IbiFoundry Limited SEO, how I got started, what sets this SEO Agency apart from others, and how you can apply to work with us (not open to all). The Story Behind My SEO Agency; IbiFoundry SEO Agency me :) How did I get the idea to start the IbiFoundry SEO Agency? Sometime back, I landed 3 blog writing and marketing clients from this very blog. All within a month. This immediately got me thinking about how important and relevant blogging and SEO writing are to online businesses, startups, and brands. Most people today are aware of the importance of blogs & content marketing to their brands. Blogging and content creation is still one of the strongest forms of content marketing today. I gave it a thought and decided to START A UNIQUE SEO and Digital Marketing AGENCY! And since you are part of our community, I decided to let you know first. What is IbiFoundry SEO and What Do We Do for Our Clients? IbiFoundry SEO is an SEO agency I started that offers specialized on-page SEO services, blog writing, management, and keyword research to small and medium-sized businesses, software startups, e-commerce websites, and organizations. Who do we work with? At IbiFoundry SEO, I intend to work with entrepreneurs, small to medium-sized businesses, b2b startups, and other digital agencies to research, write, publish & promote top-notch, search-engine-optimized blog posts, content, and pages to grow organic reach and clicks. Why is IbiFoundry SEO the Number #1  SEO Agency? In short terms, IbiFoundry SEO is the best SEO company near you as we are a remote agency in Nigeria.   And yes, I will be a little biased here but I'll prove why this SEO agency is different. To ensure, IbiFoundry SEO Agency does not get mixed in the pool of growing SEOs here in Nigeria, I decided to switch things up and give our SEO clients what no other SEO agency can offer. Here's what sets IbiFoundry SEO apart from hundreds of other SEO agencies out there; For this SEO agency, I want it to be known for and built on integrity and professionalism. IbiFoundry (or IbiFoundry Agency or IbiFoundry SEO Agency ) is known for extensive research and conversational content that connects deeply with readers. IbiFoundry SEO will be built strongly around great relationships with our SEO clients. I do care about my clients' business and (to an extent), personal life. My client's well-being in general is my top priority as an SEO consultant. IbiFoundry is known for in-depth research, quick search rankings, (strictly) white-hat SEO strategies, and detailed blogs that align with the client’s overall business goals, objectives, and customer needs. At IbiFoundry SEO, we not only handle your SEO, blog, or writing tasks but also do the necessary Search Engine Marketing (SEM) to grow your website, business, or startup site to at least 10,000 monthly organic visitors within 1 to 3 months. SEO and Content marketing  are key to online success but there are loads of startups out there who either don't know how to go about it or are too busy handling other aspects of their businesses (product development, customers, etc). How to Work With IbiFoundry SEO Agency? We are currently open to taking in 5 to 10 SEO clients before the year runs out. How do you apply SEO services from IbiFoundry SEO? Before you apply, there are certain criteria we look for before working with our clients. Unlike other SEO agencies that take up clients in various niches, industries, or markets, we are different. Here are what you should consider before applying to work with IbiFoundry SEO: We only take on SEO clients within the B2B, tech/SaaS, and E-commerce industries. Our expertise revolves around these markets hence limit our spots to these types of businesses. We offer one-off SEO projects and long-term or monthly retainer SEO projects as well. So if your business understands the longevity in SEO and wants the long-term monthly retainer SEO package, you can apply (below). On the other hand, if you have a website and want a one-off SEO package, we are open to working with you as well. Finally, budgets: To ensure we are a unique SEO agency and different, I designed our SEO packages differently and most value attached. Each business, website, or brand is different. So we tailor our services according to each client's unique SEO budget. But our SEO packages range between $800 to $4,500 monthly. Are you the right fit for our next SEO case study? Jump on a call to find out. How to Work with IbiFoundry SEO Here is how to work with IbiFoundry SEO Agency: Fill out the survey form on this page (embedded below) or click here to fill it out.  This form includes questions to allow us to be sure you are a great fit to turn to our next SEO success. You will get an email with a copy of your form answers. Expect a call, text, or email from me within 24 hours to better understand your needs and how we can change your business through SEO. Your SEO team looks forward to helping you hit your business goals, and attract organic traffic, leads, and sales from our SEO efforts. Are you interested in our SEO services but have other questions or need clarifications? You can email me at simonzakucom@gmail.com  or simonwritesagency@gmail.com . Is anyone looking for a result-focused SEO agency? Feel free to share this post with them :) It will mean a lot to me (and the growing team). Hoping to hear your thoughts, my SEO friends :) OUR BLOG: https://ibifoundry.com.ng/blog/ , simonzaku.com/blog/ Contact Email: simonzakucom@gmail.com , ibifoundry@gmail.com Have a productive day and talk to you soon, Best, Simon Taki Zaku Founder: IbiFoundry SEO Agency. Website: simonzaku.com Email: simonzakucom@gmail.com , Simonwritesagency@gmail.com . Work with Us

  • Content Writing Explained for Nigerians: Definition, Types, Writing Jobs, Portfolios & Writing Examples

    Hello, Simon Taki Zaku, your favorite, content writing and SEO specialist. Today, we cover a popular topic - content writing. This post shows in detail how we Nigerians can get into the field of content writing (or writing content for clients) to make money. This web/blog page discusses; what content writing is, examples of content writing, who a content writer is, the aims and objectives of content writing, and; getting started as a content writer. At the end of this guide, I share 12 secret content writing tips to help you (or anyone) get started as a beginner. You see, I've been writing content for over a decade. (12 years now). I've written 100,000s of words ranging in content types like; content for blogs, websites, social media profiles, networking accounts, landing page copy, Ad copywriting, email newsletters, reviews, and more, YouTube scripts, Outreach emails, Product pages. I've written several ebooks, white papers, press releases, blog posts, video scripts, podcast streams, landing, and social media copies. Let’s begin - what is content writing? Definition of “Content Writing”. How can the term “content writing” be defined by someone who has been writing content for the past decade? Content writing is the process of brainstorming, researching, writing, editing, publishing, and promoting written content online to engage a particular target audience. Content writing involves putting down written texts or articles to be published online. Who is a content writer? Definition of a Content Writer (AKA a content writing expert) How can I define a “content writer” (like me)? A content writer (or a content writing expert) specializes in writing content for websites, YouTube channels, landing pages, startups, email newsletters, movies, podcasts, blogs, etc for some reward which is mostly money. I am a content writer because I research, plan, and write SEO content for business websites and get paid. Get the idea? A content writer handles creating, researching, writing, and publishing several content pieces for various channels to help attain or achieve these business goals. A content writer may specialize in video scripts, written scripts, blog post articles, social media copy, email marketing copy, landing page copy, or website copy in general. (More on the categories of content writing below) Now, what are the common types of content writing? Examples of “Content Writing” Professionals Content Writing Specialists, and Strategists: Ali Faagba Joshua Okey-Ogunjiofor Maero Olori Emily Fowler Maureen Eugene Lucy Adegbe Kelle Campbell Jennifer Halligan Ashley Cummings Simon Taki Zaku (me;) Types/Categories of Content Writing There are many categories and types of content writing but here are the most common ones; blog posts, video scripts, podcast scripts, press releases, email newsletters, social media copies, landing page copy, product descriptions, white papers, ebooks, etc. Video Scripts: This is the process of writing a script for a video. This could be a YouTube video, a Vimeo video, a landing page video, or a sales or promotional video.  Email Newsletters: Email marketing involves writing copy that, sells to your email newsletters. This is another form of content writing as well. Keynote Speech: As a keynote speech writer, you can write scripts for different keynote speakers or presenters. Social Media Copywriting: We need social content writing skills to create engaging social media copies for our feeds or clients'. Landing Page Copy: Every landing page hugely depends on the copy on the web page. The better the copy, the higher your conversion rates. White Paper Presentation: As a content writer, you can write white paper scripts for white paper presentations. YouTube SEO: YouTube description is a form of copy/content. If you're able to write content that properly describes a YouTube video, that is another form of content writing. Product Description: We have product pages for e-commerce websites that sell several products. A content writer writes product descriptions that include product features, pricing, shipping details, CTAs, etc. This is mostly popular for ecommerce brands or online stores. Website Pages AKA Webpages: Websites need copy for every page. These include your about us page, contact us, our story, our team, disclaimer, etc. A content writer handles this. Podcast Script: Some podcasters do not necessarily write their podcast scripts. A content writer can write high-converting podcast scripts for podcasters. Now there are different importance or aims of content writing. Some of these are; to make money to generate leads, to attract the right traffic, to convert traffic into leads, to convert leads into customers, to promote a brand, to increase social media followers, to engage to become popular, to build brand communities, etc. Examples of Content Writing What are some content writing examples to check? Here are 3 LIVE content writing examples in 3 different niches. You can click to view each piece before you continue reading. This page you are reading is an example of content writing. This is a LinkedIn post I published. It is another example of content writing. Click my blog here. Every post has an article - that is a content writing piece. Get the idea? Now how do you get started as a content writer? Getting Started as a Content Writer "How I personally got started as a content writer?" STEP 1: Let me tell you a short story (that leads to the first and important step to becoming a content writer). I recently applied for a job at one of my dream Agencies, Grow and Convert, but I didn’t get the role. But I learned something… They saw my special strengths ! Even though the company wasn’t looking for a conversational writer, the hiring team acknowledged my unique writing specialty: a conversational tone that sparks engagement. And that's alright because that same reason G & C declined my application is the same reason I get hired by all my past and current content writing clients. Get the idea? You should be able to find your calling. What is your unique voice and writing tone? How do you speak in person? One of the best content writing advice I ever got is “write exactly how you talk to people” Write how you speak. I have a conversational tone I love. That is what works for me. That is what connects with my audience. What’s next? At this stage, you know what content writing is, the types of content writing, some live content writing examples, and who a content writer is. Now let’s look at how to select a niche or category for your content writing journey. How do you find a content writing niche? Ask yourself; "Do I want to write emails? Do I want to write YouTube scripts? Do I want to write social media content? Or I prefer to write and publish your stories on your domain?" What writing niche or category do you want to go after? Are you most familiar with creating blog articles? Are you great at creating educational content?  Or are you interested in social media copywriting? These are categories of content writing a content writer can consider going into. I am a content writer in the B2B blogging and SEO niche. So be sure to find your niche before you proceed. STEP 2: What is the second step to becoming a content writer? The second step is to build a content writing portfolio. In other words, build a content writing website and display your works, story, experience, about, writing specialty, and contact details. A portfolio is an online presence where you display your past works, about you, contact me, and basically, why your target client should contact you for business. Design your portfolio. Design a portfolio for your content writing service or career online. I use Wix. You can use any good web hosting company  out there. Luckily, I have a detailed guide on designing a freelance portfolio website in less than 10 minutes. Use the link below to read. How to Create a Freelance Portfolio Website (Step by Step) STEP 3: The third step is to reach out. Out of 100 people you reach out to about your content writing specialty as a content writer, 1, 2, or 3 may hire you (if you have a good offer). To reach out effectively, find the ideal target people who need your specific content writing skills or services. ( Need SEO for your website? You can view our SEO Content writing packages by using the button above the page) Find companies, businesses, and entrepreneurs who may need writers in your niche. Focus on building genuine relationships with them and not directly ask for the sale. With time, you can pitch your new content writing services. This has been one of the wins that has helped me achieve a $1,100 per month content writing client.   STEP 4: BLOG, PLEASE! The next step is creating valuable blog content to showcase your experience in your space. If you follow my blog, you know I'm a huge fan of SEO content. This involves writing content that ranks on search engines like Google. The goal of SEO writing (what I do) is to attract the right traffic (organic traffic), convert quality traffic to leads, and generate sales. Find your goal and create content around it. What type of blog content are you looking to create? Depending on your content writing niche, you should know the type of content you should create. For example, if you are going into video or YouTube script writing, you should be able to create blog content that attracts YouTubers and other video content creators like Reels, Shorts, etc. On the other hand, if you're looking to go into social media content writing, create content around building social media accounts. Find your niche, and create and publish content on your portfolio website. Do you have a professional to help you research and write specific blog articles to your taste and target your ideal audience quickly? I may still have availability this month - click here to apply to work with me. RELATED BLOG: Here’s a detailed guide on how I scored my first $1,000 content writing client. Make Money Blogging: How to Make $1,000 Blogging FINAL STEP 5 TO BECOME A CONTENT WRITER Always stay on top of industry trends in your content writing niche. Content writing is very competitive, especially in the freelance market. You must be consistent and stay on top of your game. Follow the top blogs and content-writing gurus in your space. In the SEO Content writing space, I follow experts like Brian Dean of Backlinko.com  and Neil Patel of Neilpatel.com . AI Content Writing Tools There’s no doubt about the influence AI has in content writing.  What are some vital content writing tools for beginners? Here are 5 powerful AI content writing tools I recommend: ChatGPT, Grammarly, Jasper AI, CopyAI, Contentshake AI by Semrush. Now, how do you land content writing jobs? How to Land a Content Writing Client There are several ways to get content writing clients today but only a few stand out for me. And luckily, I have a full guide on how I landed my first $1,000/month freelance writing client some years back. Here’s the post But for this post, here are 5 content writer job boards that I have gotten at least a client from over my 12-year content writing career. Content writing job platforms: Peopleperhour Upwork Fiverr LinkedIn Freelancer 12 Content Marketing Tips for Beginners Finally, what are some content writing tips from a 12-year experienced SEO content writer who has made over $7,000 writing blog content for my content writing clients? Here are my secret expert content-writing tips for beginners: Write actionable content (depending on your niche). Allow plenty of space within your content for readability. Depending on your niche, consider a conversational writing tone. Learn SEO and SEO writing. I have a free email course you can go through. Edit finished articles multiple times at different times or hire/work with an editor. Insert a lot of multiple images, screenshots, videos, infographics, etc Repurpose your content for different platforms to reach more people. Leverage the 3 Es of writing content. You can learn that in this blog post. Incorporate storytelling in your content. Practice writing captivating headlines. Capture your reader’s attention in the first few sentences with hooks. Learn about WordPress and blogging. I have a detailed guide that will help you when you start a blog and make money. Frequently Asked Questions about “Content Writing”. Now what are the frequently asked questions around content writing? How can I start content writing? Just like I've explained, there are just a few steps to going into content writing. The first is to develop your niche. What is that content writing niche you want to go into? Blogging? Video or podcast scriptwriting? Or product descriptions. After picking your niche, design and build your content writing portfolio. Begin creating content, build relationships, and network. This will help you to build a long-term career as a content writer. Finally, you should be able to apply for jobs on different job platforms. What are the skills required for content writing? There are skills required for content writing but here are the most important ones. We have; excellent grammar and punctuation skills, effective communication skills, research skills, blogging and SEO skills, adaptability to different tools and styles, storytelling. Where can I learn content writing? You can learn content writing from different online course platforms. You can also learn content writing by watching YouTube videos. Most importantly, I advise you to follow my blog as I am an SEO content writing expert with more than 10 years writing experience. So be sure to subscribe to this SEO blog to get updates once I publish new blogs. Other platforms to learn content writing include Coursera, Udemy, and more. How do content writers make money? The way I make money as a content writer is by taking freelance content writing gigs where businesses hire me to write blog articles for them. I can get paid per word per article or every month. Potential content clients contact me through this website with their unique content writing needs and projects. What is an example of content writing? There are so many examples of content writing. How much can a beginner content writer make? Now let me tell you my story. I've been doing content writing for more than 10 years, and I have made quite some money from my content writing services. I've worked with blogs, startups, software companies, and busy entrepreneurs to build their blogs. I've worked with personal brands, corporations, and organizations, to handle and create content for them. And on average, I make around $150 to $300 per content. Thank you for taking the time to read this masterpiece. Please share this guide around and if you have any questions please use the comments section below. I wish you a successful content-writing journey, Join my blog here, Simon Taki Zaku, Owner: https://simonzaku.com .

  • Meet the Incredible IbiFoundry Team: The Heartbeat Behind Our Vision

    Hi, Simon Zaku here. I want you to meet the awesome IbiFoundry team. At IbiFoundry, we're more than just a team—we’re a family, united by a single mission to bring change, development, and innovation to Ibi, Taraba, and beyond. The journey ahead is exciting, but behind every milestone and every project is an amazing team of passionate individuals who are working tirelessly (and often voluntarily) to make it all happen. So, let’s take a fun, behind-the-scenes look at the brilliant minds who make IbiFoundry tick! The IbiFounders: the IbiFoundry Team Simon Taki Zaku – Founder & CEO, IbiFoundry Group Simon Taki Zaku – Founder & CEO, IbiFoundry Group I wouldn't want to talk much about myself but I am the Founder, and CEO, of IbiFoundry Group. You know the saying, “Big dreams come from big ideas”? Well, my dream for IbiFoundry is not just big—it’s colossal! As the founder and CEO, the untapped potential in Ibi and Taraba is something I have seen growing up all my life. And I am determined to put it (Ibi Local Government, Taraba, and Nigeria in general) on the map. When I'm not dreaming up new ways to inspire the team, I'm probably out there listening to music, making connections, or laughing at his jokes. Yep, na me be that! Dr. Mrs. Christie S. Zaku – Director, IbiFoundry Group Dr. Mrs. Christie S. Zaku – Director, IbiFoundry Group If there’s anyone who could be called the glue holding IbiFoundry together, it’s Dr. Christie S. Zaku. As a founding partner and director, she’s got the strategic know-how and experience to keep us grounded while we reach for the stars. Dr. Zaku brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, guiding us through every challenge with grace and precision. We’re lucky to have her vision shaping IbiFoundry into the powerhouse it’s becoming. Love Samuel – Project Manager, IbiFoundry Group Love Samuel – Project Manager, IbiFoundry Group If there’s one person who ensures that our projects go from “idea” to “reality,” it’s Love Samuel. As the project manager, Love takes on the heavy lifting of planning, organizing, and executing our initiatives. She’s our go-to person for turning concepts into action—and she does it all with a smile! Whether it’s coordinating a new development or overseeing a team of volunteers, Love’s leadership is a key reason why IbiFoundry continues to thrive. Sunday Job – Photographer & Content Creator, IbiFoundry Group Sunday Job – Photographer & Content Creator, IbiFoundry Group Sunday Job might say he’s “not that good at photography,” but let’s be honest—he’s a wizard with a camera. From breathtaking photos to high-energy video shoots, Sunday brings IbiFoundry’s story to life in ways words just can’t. He captures the heart of Taraba and Ibi with his incredible eye for detail and Nigerian creativity, all while making it look fun. If you’ve seen any stunning visuals from IbiFoundry, it’s because Sunday worked his magic. Bar. Hannah Taki Zaku – Legal Counsel, IbiFoundry Group Bar. Hannah Taki Zaku – Legal Counsel, IbiFoundry Group Legal matters at IBIFoundry? Handled. Compliance issues? Sorted as well. Bar. Hannah Taki Zaku, aka “Annie,” is the one who ensures IbiFoundry is running smoothly on the legal front. With her sharp, Godly mind and deep understanding of the law, she’s our go-to person when it comes to navigating tricky legal waters. Whether it’s contracts, regulations, or setting up new ventures, Annie’s legal expertise keeps us on the right track. Plus, she’s always ready with a great legal analogy to make things clear—she’s the kind of lawyer you want on your team. Hon. Prince Ayuba Zaku Dampar – Member of House of Representatives, Wukari/Ibi, Advocate/Director, IbiFoundry Hon. Prince Ayuba Zaku Dampar – Member of House of Representatives, Wukari/Ibi, Advocate/Director, IbiFoundry We can’t talk about IbiFoundry without mentioning the incredible support of Hon. Prince Ayuba Zaku Dampar. As the Member of House of Representatives for Wukari/Ibi and a key sponsor/director, he brings invaluable leadership and expertise to the table. His insight and connection to the local government make him a powerful ally as we push forward with projects that will change the lives of the people in Ibi and beyond. Hon. Ayuba Dampar is a visionary leader who believes in the power of community and development, and we’re honored to have him as a part of the IbiFoundry family. So, there you have it—the awesome, unstoppable team that makes IbiFoundry what it is today. We’re not just a group of passionate Tarabans working as a team of individuals who believe in Ibi, believe in Taraba, and believe in the power of community-driven change. We’re all here for the same reason: to make Ibi and Taraba a better place for everyone. And hey, if you’re inspired by what we’re doing and want to get involved, there’s always room for more passionate souls! You can contribute in so many ways—whether it’s by volunteering, partnering with us, or simply sharing our message. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, the best is yet to come. 😎 Simon Taki Zaku Founder & CEO, IbiFoundry

  • Is Northern Nigeria Safe from Insurgency? What the Media Doesn't Show You - A Personal Journey

    Hey, do you want to visit the North but contemplating? Read on, I'll tell you things the media will not! "How do you cope with Boko Haram insurgency in the North?" Hello everybody, Simon here! Today, we’re diving into something significant - is Northern Nigeria safe? I'll be sharing some stories here so don't forget to subscribe. Having traveled to different parts of Nigeria, one of the most common questions I get is; "How do you cope with Boko Haram and insurgency in the northern states?" How Do We Northern Nigerians Cope with Boko Haram Insurgency? If you watch the news or live in Nigeria, you know that over the past two or three decades, there’s been a rise in insurgency. Especially from Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, affecting states like Borno, Maiduguri, and others. Here's the reality: I’ve spent over 20 years in the Northeast and haven’t personally faced or come across any insurgency attacks. My sisters and I This doesn’t mean these incidents don’t happen, but the media’s portrayal can make it feel exaggerated. Read on, I'll explain... I’ve traveled across the north, and my experience has been far more peaceful than people expect. Part of my comfort comes from being able to speak Hausa, which is widely spoken here, but it’s more than that. In Taraba State, for example, I can walk freely at any time of the day or night without fearing armed robbery, kidnapping, or other crimes. Yes, there are areas where these risks exist, but these are mostly remote, sparsely populated regions. The Truth about Northern Nigeria’s Peace - An Insider Story You see, the North is more peaceful than people think. I’ve spent my entire life studying and working in different northern states. And I’ve never had a direct encounter with Boko Haram or an insurgency situation. While these things do occur, they’re often in remote villages far from town centers. A Story from Yola, Adamawa State. Sometime back, I was in Yola, Adamawa state when news broke of a Boko Haram attack in Numan , a nearby Local Government. The news reported an alleged group of bandit killings in that Local government area of Adamawa state. My parents in Taraba were worried and urged me to come home. But as I stepped out of school and moved around town, I saw people going about their daily business—farmers working, taxis running, life as usual. "Me sef shock" ("I was in complete shock") The news of an insurgency nearby led to panic, yet right there in Yola, it was calm. I was there! Trust Me, the News Tends to "Cause Panic or Exegerate". This is not to say good and innocent people aren't killed by insurgency in this part but the news makes it seem like the entire state or region is affected. You'd most likely have to drive long distances to get to some of these affected areas. If you’re outside looking in or watching the news, it’s easy to think one incident defines the whole region. Just like in developed countries like the U.S. or the U.K., certain neighborhoods face crime issues, but you can’t judge the safety of an entire state or region based on one area’s troubles. In Taraba State, for example, I can walk around without worrying about carrying a weapon. Is that possible in areas like Chicago or Texas with high gun deaths? I feel safe, and I don’t have to hide my valuables like people do in many cities worldwide. Yes, this may be because I grew up here but trust me, there's way more good than the media credits. Compare this with some developed countries, where people can’t even wear jewelry or carry cash without concern. The Media’s Role in the Northern "Boko-Haram Perception" The Media often focuses on sensational stories because they drive views and clicks. Yes, these incidents occur, but they are far from daily reality for most people living here. Northern Nigeria is home to tens of millions living peaceful, productive lives. If you’ve been hesitant to explore Northern Nigeria because of what you've seen in the media, I invite you to come and experience it firsthand. From the beautiful landscapes to the rich culture, there’s so much to experience, there's so much to see. Why Taraba State Should Be on Your "Visit" List 1. Stunning Landscapes Taraba is home to breathtaking scenery, including forests, mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. Take the Mambilla Plateau, for instance. The Mambilla is known as one of the coldest places in Nigeria, it offers views you won’t find anywhere else. 2. Rich Culture Taraba is one of Nigeria's most culturally diverse states, with a wide variety of tribes, languages, and traditions. Here, the Fulani, Jukun, Wurkum, Mumuye, and many others live together, creating a vibrant tapestry of Nigerian life. 3. Affordable, Simple Lifestyle Life here is affordable. For instance, a drop anywhere within Jalingo, the state capital, costs around 200 Naira. This affordability extends to food, thanks to the state’s agricultural richness, making fresh produce accessible to all. 4. Growing Infrastructure Contrary to what some may believe, Taraba state is developing steadily. There’s ample land, labor, and opportunity for investors. If you have a business idea or want to invest, Taraba offers untapped potential. Thank you for reading! I’m Simon Zaku, founder of IBI Foundry.

  • The 10 Best Web-Hosting Services for Businesses & Websites

    What is the best web hosting service provider for small businesses? Experts reveal their process for selecting the perfect web hosting solution for your business or website. I reached out to influencers, thought leaders and experts in the marketing and tech hosting space to reveal their secrets for great hosting companies and also reveal some of their favorite web hosting service providers on the internet. Let's get right into it. Here are my top web hosting recommendations for small businesses: Namecheap Wix Hostinger Bluehost eUkhost Hostgator Contabu Interserver Web hosting Godaddy Siteground Here are the top web hosting companies mentioned in this post by the experts  who participated: Hostgator Godaddy Bluehost Hostinger Siteground Hostnownow Namecheap Dreamhost To make this easier for you, I made this list (of the top best website hosting companies to pick from) into a PDF file for you to download which is great for offline purposes or to share with your colleagues. Here is what it looks like: Top 10 Website Hosting Service Providers PDF by Simon Zaku Download the PDF file here (join my blog's forum for free). How to Choose the Best Web Hosting Company for Your Business: Tech Experts Reveal their Best Web Hosting Companies Simon Taki Zaku - SimonZaku.com Nirav Darji - Easy-techy.com Adam Abdulraheem - DMi - Digital Marketing Agency (DMi Agency) Alice MusyokaItaloye Ibukun Ebenezer - Vibrantyouthlife.comDave Schneider - Shortlist.io Hamraz Hussain Prudence Onaah - Prudentpens.com Precious Oboidhe - Contentestate.com Qasim Bakare  D20.com.ng Joel Haye QUESTION: “Could you share your top web hosting solutions for 2024? Why do you like these solutions?” Simon Taki Zaku - SimonZaku.com As an experienced SEO freelancer with over a decade's experience with numerous web hosting companies (good and bad), here is my input: Over the years, I've explored various website hosting platforms, but two platforms have consistently stood out for me and earned my unwavering recommendation: Wix  (for easy and fast website design) and Bluehost  (perfect for WordPress lovers). Here's why these two hosting services have become my go-to choices, both for personal projects and client websites. Wix: A User-Friendly Haven for Creativity Wix has won me over with its unparalleled user-friendly interface. As an SEO professional, time is of the essence, and Wix drag-and-drop website builder enables me to create visually stunning and functional websites in record time.  The diverse range of templates caters to every niche imaginable, providing a solid foundation that I can effortlessly customize to align with the unique branding and SEO needs of each project. Secondly, Bluehost : From an SEO perspective, Bluehost provides a stable foundation for websites to thrive. The one-click WordPress installation simplifies the process of setting up a website, and the platform's robust security features help safeguard against potential threats. This level of reliability and security is crucial in an era where online visibility hinges on trustworthiness and site performance. Bluehost's scalability is another feature I value. As an SEO professional, I often work on projects that evolve and grow over time. Bluehost accommodates this scalability seamlessly, ensuring that websites can handle increased traffic and data demands without compromising on speed or performance. Other great web hosting service providers I recommend are Hostgator , Namecheap , and Hostinger . Nirav Darji   - Easy-techy.com Hello, I am Nirav Darji. Navigating the complex digital terrain, choosing a web hosting solution goes beyond technicalities; it's a strategic decision shaping your online journey. Leveraging years of experience in digital marketing and web management, let me share key factors to consider in selecting your web host for the dynamic year ahead: Defining Your Digital Blueprint Performance Excellence Scalability Unleashed User-Friendly Mastery Security Fortification Customer Support Excellence Financial Precision Uptime Assurance Environmental Stewardship Insider Insights The best web hosting companies, in my opinion, are: HostGator :  Users get unmetered storage and bandwidth, free domain registration, and a 45-day money-back guarantee. They also have awesome support. Bluehost :  This web hosting service is used by many brands, and it’s easy to see why. 50GB of storage, unmetered bandwidth, and a 30-day money-back guarantee are hard to beat. DreamHost :  Like HostGator, DreamHost offers unlimited storage, bandwidth, and free domain registration. But it goes a step further and gives a 97-day money-back guarantee. You have more than three months to decide whether you like it or not. Adam Abdulraheem - DMi - Digital Marketing Agency (DMi Agency)   As the director of a marketing agency that not only crafts digital strategies but also provides web hosting services , we've navigated the complex world of hosting solutions on behalf of our clients. They often look to us for guidance on where to best host their websites and sales funnels. After years of experience and comparison, we've distilled our top choices down to a couple of standout providers. Namecheap   has been our go-to for over six years, and it's a partnership that has stood the test of time. The reason for our loyalty is simple: reliability. We've hosted countless client websites without a single hiccup, which is no small feat in the digital realm. Their service offerings are robust, user-friendly, and, importantly, affordable, making them an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. Bluehost   is another provider we often recommend to our clients. What sets Bluehost apart, in our experience, is their exceptional customer support. In the rare instances when issues arise, their responsive and knowledgeable support team has been instrumental in providing timely solutions. Their hosting services are not only reliable but also offer a range of features that cater well to our clients' diverse needs. Choosing the right web host is crucial for any online venture. Both Namecheap and Bluehost stand out not just for their technical capabilities but for their customer-centric approach, making them our top recommendations for 2024. Alice Musyoka It’s no longer news that industry-leading companies and brands have a website or blog where they promote their products and services. With over 5.3 billion Internet users  in 2023, these companies realized the need to explore the Internet and convert these numbers into leads and customers. Hence, they invested heavily in websites and blogs for better and improved income profits.  They created attractive and user-friendly landing pages that will entice visitors and capture their attention (talk of love at first sight). Additionally, they hired experienced content writers to publish well-written and valuable blog posts that will rank high on search engine result pages (SERPs). This explains why top brands often update their blog posts to beat competition. After generating thousands of organic traffic through optimized posts, they create an irresistible sales funnel that converts traffic to leads and long-term customers. Unsurprisingly, Colibri  revealed that a monetized website recorded an average $1000 monthly income. What does this mean? That's pretty simple. You need a website to thrive in this digital era. However, all of this relies on having the right web hosting provider behind your website because the journey of a successful website begins with a quality host company. Italoye Ibukun Ebenezer - Vibrantyouthlife.com   As an SEO content writer and blogger, I will share the key factors you should evaluate when choosing a web host for your business. What is a Web Host? A web host is a company that provides the technology, hardware, and services required to host a website on the Internet.  They are in charge of the Control Panel, Bandwidth, IP Address, Connectivity, and Server Space upon which you build an effective website. Six Factors To Consider When Choosing a Web Host Below are the five significant factors to consider before choosing a web host for your business: Uptime and Reliability Speed and Performance Security Customer Support Upgrade Options Price  My Recommended Web Hosting Solutions Based on my experience as a blog admin for vibrantyouthlife.com , I recommend Namecheap and BlueHost . They guarantee reliable uptime and fast loading time and are affordable (especially Namecheap). Nonetheless, take time to research before committing. Compare uptime, speed, customer remarks, costs, and customer support. Dave Schneider - Shortlist.io Choosing a reliable web host involves considering key factors that I can separate in several categories. It’s a no-brainer, but this is something that I like to follow when choosing the right web host. Performance and Reliability: Uptime: Look for providers with consistent 99.9% or higher uptime guarantees. Avoid hosts with frequent outages or downtime. Speed: Choose a host with fast server response times and efficient CDNs to ensure your website loads quickly for visitors. Scalability: Make sure the host can accommodate your website's growth. Can you easily upgrade resources like storage, bandwidth, and processing power as needed? Also, ensure the provider offers easy upgrades or the ability to switch to a higher-tier plan. Security and Features: Security features: SSL certificates, malware scanning, DDoS protection, and regular backups are essential to safeguard your website and data. Software compatibility: Make sure the host supports the programming languages, databases, and CMS platforms you need for your website. Control panel: Choose a user-friendly control panel for easy website management, even if you're not technically proficient. Evaluate the control panel provided for managing your hosting environment - features like one-click installations, staging environments, automatic backups, and easy version control can be valuable. Support and Services: Customer support: 24/7 reliable and knowledgeable support is crucial for resolving issues quickly. Look for multiple channels like phone, email, and live chat. Additional services: Do they offer managed hosting, email hosting, domain registration, or other services you might need? Budget and Value: Pricing: Compare features and benefits of different plans to find the best value for your money. Avoid going for the cheapest option if it compromises performance or security. Money-back guarantees: Look for hosts with transparent pricing and reasonable refund policies in case you're not satisfied. Challenges and Overcoming them: Navigating the web hosting landscape can be a challenge. Here are some I've observed and potential solutions: Information overload: With so many providers and plans, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Research thoroughly, compare features, and focus on your specific needs. Choosing the right type of hosting: Shared, VPS, dedicated, managed - each has its pros and cons. Understand your website's resource requirements and choose the type that suits it best. Dealing with hidden costs: Watch out for setup fees, bandwidth overage charges, and other hidden costs. Read the fine print and ask clear questions before signing up. One of the things that I think is important (and often overlooked when it comes to choosing a product or service) is looking for reviews and testimonials. These can be incredibly helpful in verifying the reliability and quality of the product or service in question. So, next time you are considering making a purchase, don't forget to check out the reviews and testimonials to ensure that you are getting the best possible product or service. By prioritizing these criteria and being aware of potential challenges, you can find a reliable and trustworthy web hosting partner that empowers your online presence. Remember, the perfect solution is subjective and depends on your unique needs and budget. Do your research, ask questions, and switch if needed. Hamraz Hussain For 2024, my top web hosting picks are reliability-focused A2 Hosting and feature-rich SiteGround. They consistently deliver performance and support excellence. Prudence Onaah - Prudentpens.com My top web hosting solutions are Siteground , Hostinger , and Hostgator.com . We use Siteground at our business and their services are excellent. The loading time, website speed, and customer support are top-notch. We tried to migrate to a different hosting provider in 2022 and immediately regretted it. Our CTO at Prudent Pens also recommends Hostinger and HostGator because both hosting providers offer a range of affordable hosting options, fast loading time, and a 99.99% uptime. Precious Oboidhe - Contentestate.com Not having to think about hosting fees is one reason I like HostGator. I opted for their three years plan, which cost me almost 100% less than the monthly plan. Since using HostGator for almost 3 years, their support has been responsive, too (very important for anyone who dislikes codes). Qasim Bakare   D20.com.ng In  the realm of web hosting, identifying a reliable partner requires careful consideration of key criteria. At D20, we prioritize the following factors: Server Reliability and Uptime Scores: We emphasize providers with robust server infrastructure, ensuring high uptime and stringent security measures. Customer Service Site Backups and Security Scalability and Flexibility Loading Speed Cost and Refund Policy E-Commerce and Email Options In our quest for the perfect web hosting solution, challenges such as downtime, slow loading speeds, and inadequate support have been encountered. However, through diligent research and a keen understanding of our website's requirements, we've overcome these obstacles to find hosting partners aligned with our needs. In summary, prioritizing factors such as reliability, customer support, security, scalability, and loading speed is paramount in selecting a robust hosting solution, ensuring optimal performance for websites. Joel Haye Bluehost - along with unmetered bandwidth and SSD, Bluehost has proven to be a great option for start ups with their great customer service and robust server support. Hostgator - A tie with bluehost in regards to features and support. GoDaddy - Great for easy website set up. Top 10 Web Hosting Service Providers for Small Businesses Here are my recommendations: Namecheap Wix Hostinger Bluehost eUkhost Hostgator Contabu Interserver Web hosting Godaddy Siteground Here are the top web hosting companies mentioned in this post by the experts  who participated: Hostgator Godaddy Bluehost Hostinger Siteground Hostnownow Namecheap Dreamhost I made this list (of the top best website hosting companies to pick from) into a PDF file for you to download which is great for offline purposes or to share with your colleagues. Here is what it looks like: Top 10 Website Hosting Service Providers PDF by Simon Zaku Download the PDF file by joining the Ibifoundry blog's forum for free (use button above). What are your personal favorites? Let me know in the comments section :)

  • How to Avoid Freelance Scams: How I Lost $800 to a Fake Client

    Did you know that 20% of international freelancers report non-payment from clients? Hi, I’m Simon Taki Zaku, your favorite SEO specialist, and today, I’m diving into a painful yet eye-opening story from my early freelancing days. This is a story I’ve never shared publicly before, so buckle up because it’s going to be both shocking and educational. Back in 2019, as a budding freelance writer eager to build my career, I experienced one of the harsh realities of freelancing: getting scammed by a client. This client, who went by the name "Liz Fournier," stole $840 worth of my hard work. I poured my time, energy, and talent into writing for them, only to be ghosted when it came time to pay. Some of my texts on Skype with the Scammer who possed as "Liz Fornier". So, basically, this is how I got scammed $840 by a so-called freelance client named ‘Liz Fournier’ sometime in 2019 when I was just getting started freelancing. "Liz Fournier" stopped replying to me after working for weeks You see, there is a huge rise on the topic of freelancers getting scammed by clients or getting cheated by clients. And nobody talks about it! Everyone is just focused on “how can I not get scammed by a freelancer ”. Forgetting that freelancers equally face the same risk.  And more so because most times you have to work and submit before you are paid. Even on freelancer job boards.  And I actually have been scammed by a ‘freelance client’ using ‘Liz Fournier’. Please if you come across any Liz Fournier claiming to hire you, run .  How did this happen? Online scams have existed since the Internet was created. Scammers have always devised new or better ways to prey on people. In fact, in 2020 alone, the US saw $3.5 billion in fraud and cybercrime-related losses, while the UK had 1.4 million crime and cybercrime reports  the same year.  That’s huge! Now, how did I get scammed by a Freelance writing client and how can you avoid getting scammed? My $840 Freelance Gig Scam Story About 5 to 6 years ago when I started this very website, simonzaku.com , I went on PeoplePerHour, and then I got a message from this potential client saying he was looking for a freelance SEO writer for his projects.  RED FLAG: Liz Fournier suggested we go to Skype if I wanted them to hire me. We then went on Skype, and here are some of the screenshots of the conversations that I had with this very ‘employer’ on Skype. So after writing dozens of articles for Liz Fournier, (at a very low rate), for about 30 full days, I asked for payment. Normally, Liz Fournier would just send me the details of the project or the article. Give me the timeline, the word count, and the price per article or word. I then get to write everything in 1-5 hours (yes I was reporting 5-10 articles per day).  And if there are any corrections, I'll revisit and correct all the articles. So, the thing was, 1, I didn't ask for any upfront because I trusted this so-called client  Another thing I ignored was who this “Liz Fournier” really was. I didn’t do my research prior. The CEO? Where do they work? And all of that. As a beginner freelance writer at the time, I made these mistakes. And it cost me a whole lot of time and energy. They agreed to pay after 30 days of work.  And in 30 days, I wrote more than 50,000 words in articles.  When it was time to pay, i heard nothing. They stopped replying. And to date, which is 6 years later, I still haven't heard from ‘Liz Fournier’ yet. How about the ‘Liz Fournier’ Skype account? The Skype account still comes online, but never opens or replies to my messages. Now very importantly, here are some of the major freelance scams that are trending online. Popular Freelance Job Scams to Avoid: 1. The Free Trials Scam: What freelancer free trials? A freelancer situation where a freelance client insists the freelancer gives them a free trial with no form of written contract or written agreement. Listen… They made not hire you! A lot of times, people may want to get free trial work anyhow possible.  I have been a victim.  And this isn’t just the first. (Subscribe to my blog - I’ll be sharing my stories here) And after the free trial period, they drop you off. 2. The Second is Work Before Pay (no upfront). For this, the freelance clients promises a great pay or reward after work is done. But after that certain time, they disappear. 3. Fake Job Postings/Applications Scams.  Years back, a company I followed on LinkedIn posted a job position I felt I was at least a great fit for, and then I applied. I was interviewed by the team and even hired for the job. I don't want to mention the name of the company, but I still follow the company.  I applied, was interviewed, and I even got the job.  And after getting the job, I worked for about 2 months, and I completed the entire project successfully. Now after the contract was done, I still noticed that every job posting on LinkedIn was still very much active even though they were not hiring. I personally completed the project.  This meant a lot of people were still applying for a job that isn't even active. (Maybe do trial projects). What I'm saying is some brands post on job listing boards for the attention it gets. Or the free work itself.  “ Hey, you’ve passed the first step. Now to move on, we need you to write a 500-word review on “INSERTS TOPIC?” Heard this? For example, on LinkedIn, when people apply for a job you opted for, by default they follow the employee brand page unless you decide to unfollow it. 4. Late Payment Excuses. A written agreement is actually needed because sometimes as a freelancer, the client is going to say “I'm busy” or “I’m on the road”, etc. But with an agreement, (for example, on the 29th of every month, the client pays or work stops). Most times, freelance clients tend to convince freelancers they are legit, and they're definitely going to pay but don’t fall for that.  Be sure to ensure you always get a contract signed or a written agreement so that you can follow-up just in case something goes wrong. What I do is before working with you, I like to know more about the person who is hiring me.  That is a freelance client.  I ask a bit more personal questions like; What is your name? What are your social media handles? What company do you own or work with? Are you comfortable sharing your phone number and company email? How Can You Tell a Fake Freelance Client? There is no one way to know a scammer but you can tell a fake freelance client by using any or all of the following together; when the clients insist on a the free trial.  when the client is insisting that you first work for a certain period before they pay you.  insists on no upfront payments. the job application offer has been active for 30 to 60 days. When it is getting closer to your pay date, you start to notice the freelance clients start to complain a lot. Or During pay date, the freelance client starts to avoid your messages or calls. How to Avoid Getting Scammed as a Freelancer! For ghosting scams, it is a bit difficult to tell because as a businessman, you understand time is important.  Acquaint yourself with the client and know the best way to reach out.  What are 5 steps to avoid getting scammed by fraudulent freelance clients? always find out more about the person hiring you, always ask for a written agreement or a signed contract. always request for multiple ways to contact (WhatsApp, colleagues, calls, emails, workers, social accounts, etc). always ensure you sign a contract that includes payment dates and payment deadlines.  Have you ever been scammed as a freelancer? Use the comments section below ;) Join my free freelance community here.  Best, Simon Taki Zaku Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry.com.ng Simon Taki Zaku. Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry.com.ng

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